Rumor Roundup (May 2, 2016): Barcelona wants Courtois, Arsenal plan Lewandowski offer, James at Juventus, more!

Talking about rumors surrounding football is a fun activity for many fans, maybe only second to actually watching football. In this new daily column, we'll take a look at the latest rumors floating around the rumor mill.

Key reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact, it's just circulating around the rumor mill. Remember, take it all with a grain of salt. And please don't yell at us. We're just reporting.

Rumors for the Day:

• Barcelona are ready to make an offer for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is apparently on his way out of London. Barça would sign Courtois to replace Ter Stegen.

• Arsene Wenger is planning to make a big offer for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, whose future at the German powerhouse is uncertain.

• James Rodríguez is all but set to leave Real Madrid due to lack of playing time, and Juventus already plan to make an offer for the Colombia international.

• Virtual Premier League champions Leicester are ready to make an offer for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho to be N'Golo Kante's replacement if the Frenchman leaves in the summer.

• Atlético Madrid star Antoine Griezmann could be on his way to the Premier League as Manchester United could offer up to €85 million to sign the French striker.

If you have heard of any rumors that you'd like to add, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Just remember they are only rumors and not facts, so please take them as such. Have fun!

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Claudio Ranieri has a hilarious plan to bring Lionel Messi to Leicester City

Claudio Ranieri is just two points away from winning the Premier League with Leicester City. And he wants the best player in the world to join his team next season.

The Italian manager saw his Foxes draw with Manchester United on Sunday, which brought Leicester even closer to a shocking English league title. The championship could be a reality if Tottenham fail to defeat Chelsea on Monday, and Ranieri can finally win a major trophy in his managerial career.

With such a shocking and spectacular run, many of Leicester's previously unknown stars have been constantly linked with moving away from the club because of the interesting from many European giants. Players like Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kanté are almost guaranteed to leave in the summer, but other stars have also been on the rumor mill.

One of them is goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who was recently rumored to be on a shortlist of potential replacements to Marc-André ter Stegen at Barcelona. Ranieri was asked about the links, and he delivered a short, yet spectacular answer.

"It's fantastic - how much money?! Or we can change Lionel Messi with Kasper!"

Source: Daily Mirror

This is just genius. Of course Messi will not go to Leicester, but Ranieri's answer is a reflection of where his team is: to have one player good enough to be linked with Barcelona, and for the coach to dream of signing Lionel Messi.

Leicester's story gets better and better. And the coach is incredible.

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Report: Barcelona shortlist Chelsea goalkeeper as Ter Stegen replacement

Barcelona is apparently losing one of the most promising goalkeepers in football. So they could be bringing one of the world's best as a replacement.

According to reports in England, incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has approved a plan from the board to sell Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois this summer in case of a big offer from an European giant. Courtois is believed to be unsettled and willing to move away from the Blues, which opens the door for a transfer.

The most rumored suitors for the 23-year-old are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but there could be a big new candidate to sign the Belgian: Barcelona have reportedly shortlisted Courtois as a replacement to Marc-André ter Stegen.

The German is heavily linked with a move away from Catalonia for a simple reason: he wants more playing time, and for his first two season as a Blaugrana, he has only played Cup matches as Claudio Bravo is selected for almost 40 league games. Ter Stegen wants to be the undisputed starter, and he could be leaving this summer if his wish to play more isn't granted next season.

Manchester City and Liverpool are the potential suitors for Ter Stegen in case of a transfer request, and in case that happens, the Catalan giants would have a great replacement.

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The Spanish Football Show Episode #11 - Let's talk Málaga ft. David Redshaw

Sarthak Kumar and David Redshaw discuss all things Málaga and how their sporting success is back-dropped by internal politics.

Follow the podcast on Twitter here, and on SoundCloud here.

A brand new YouTube channel is out! Check it out here.

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Claudio Bravo Injury Update: Will Miss Espanyol Game

The Chilean goalkeeper will attempt to return in time for the Granada match. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will take his place.

Tests have confirmed a muscle injury on Claudio Bravo's calf. The Chilean goalkeeper was substituted during the match against Real Betis, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen taking his place in goal. Ter Stegen will be called upon again in another title-deciding match against Espanyol.

The German keeper has made 5 appearances in the league, plus 10 in the Champions League, and 8 in other cups. There's rumors abound that he wants more playing time, even considering a move away from the Blaugrana.

This will be the time for Ter Stegen to make his case.

It remains to be seen if Bravo will be fit for the Granada game. He didn't seem to limp or be in any pain coming out of the hospital where tests were performed.

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FC Barcelona News: 1 May 2016; Barcelona Take Step Closer to Title, Claudio Bravo Strains Calf

Real Betis v FC Barcelona: One step closer (0-2) | FC Barcelona
Barça are closing in on the Liga title! With a 1-0 win at Betis on Saturday evening, they managed to hold off the pressure from Atlético and Real Madrid (who both won 1-0 earlier on in the day) to stay top of the table for one more week. Hang on for two more, with games at home to Espanyol and away to Granada, and the league title is returning to Catalonia!

Tired Barca nowhere near their best but La Liga is almost theirs - Goal.com
As La Liga reaches its climax, Barcelona are crawling towards the title. The Catalans look more tired than both Atletico and Real Madrid, even without the distraction of Champions League football, but they should still win the Primera Division.

'We just have to keep winning' says Sergio Busquets | FC Barcelona
"It was hard game because the pitch was so dry and we struggled to control possession. We had to find the right options, the right plays, and we did. The team needs to learn to get through games like this with all three points.· "When things work between the front three, it’s always better for us because it always means we have a better chance of the three points. We have to play as team both in attack and defence."

'Liga title much nearer' says delighted Luis Enrique | FC Barcelona
Following the 2-0 victory away to Betis, which means Barça hold onto top spot in the championship, but now with just two games left to play, manager Luis Enrique shared his views with the media. Here’s a selection of post-match quotes from a man who’ll be enjoying a very happy flight back from Andalusia:

Claudio Bravo suffers calf strain against Betis | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo suffered a calf strain in his right leg towards the end of Saturday’s game with Real Betis. The Chilean called to be substituted by Ter Stegen with just a few minutes of the match left.

Rival watch: Atlético and Real Madrid maintain the pressure with 1-0 wins | FC Barcelona
There is no change at the top of the table after not only Barça beat Betis 2-0, but Real Madrid and Atlético also won their games on Saturday. But instead of three, there are now just two games left to play – so it’s Barça that can most afford to smile at the end of an intense of football..

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La Liga News: 1 May 2016; Madrid Duo Edge Opponents, Granada Move Out of Relegation Zone

Gareth Bale keeps Real Madrid in title hunt with winner at Real Sociedad - ESPN FC
Gareth Bale was Real Madrid's hero for the second week running as the Wales international headed home the only goal in a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad late on to keep his side in the Primera Division title race. Bale nodded in Lucas Vazquez's cross with 10 minutes remaining to decide a tense game at Anoeta against a Sociedad side who had beaten Barcelona earlier in the month.

Real Madrid: Gareth Bale can match Ronaldo, says Zidane - Goal.com
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has backed Gareth Bale to put his injury problems firmly behind him and emulate the consistency of Cristiano Ronaldo . Bale headed home a late winner against Real Sociedad on Saturday to keep Madrid's league title hopes alive, just a week after he scored twice to seal a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Real Madrid News: Ronaldo needs rest or risks missing Euro 2016 - doctor - Goal.com
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo should miss at least three weeks due to his hamstring injury or risk aggravating it, a former Portugal team doctor said. Ronaldo has been sidelined since late April but the Liga giants remain hopeful he may be fit to face Manchester City on Wednesday.

Atletico Madrid battle to 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano - ESPN FC
Atletico Madrid kept their Primera Division title bid going with another 1-0 win but they were made to work hard for the victory by a stubborn Rayo Vallecano side battling for their lives at the other end of the table.

Granada 3-2 Las Palmas - ESPN FC
Granada climbed out of the relegation zone with a spirited fightback to win 3-2 against Las Palmas in a hugely entertaining encounter at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes. Two goals from Jonathan Viera quickly put Las Palmas in control but Ruben Rochina and Youssef El-Arabi struck to bring the hosts back on level terms at the midway point of the first half.

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