Transfer talk: Could Bastian Schweinsteiger return to Bayern Munich? Plus latest on Aston Villa, AS Roma

“Schweinsteiger plays no role in our planning,” said Bayern’s new Italian coach after Bayern’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in a friendly in New York.

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Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out a return for Bastian Schweinsteiger, as the German champions finished their US tour.

“Schweinsteiger plays no role in our planning,” said Bayern’s new Italian coach after Bayern’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in a friendly in New York. “He is a fantastic footballer, but now is not the time to come back to Munich. Manchester United will decide where he plays – that is not my business.”

Schweinsteiger, 32, left Bayern for Manchester United in 2015 after 17 years with the Bavarian giants. But on Monday he learnt he has been demoted to the Premier League side’s reserves by new manager Jose Mourinho.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had hinted this week that they would be interested in re-signing Schweinsteiger.

But Ancelotti, who has replaced Pep Guardiola as Bayern coach, has now poured cold water on any speculation as his new team finished their three-match tour of the US. He is one of nine players told they are free to go on loan by Mourinho and are not in the United boss’ plans.

Schweinsteiger announced his international retirement last week after 12 years, 24 goals and 120 appearances for Germany.

The defensive midfielder has been linked to AC Milan and Inter Milan, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, while any Major League Soccer club would be delighted by the profile boost his arrival in the USA would bring.

Marseille re-sign Thauvin from Newcastle

Marseille have re-signed attacking midfielder Florian Thauvin from Newcastle United, the French club confirmed on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old was sold by Marseille to Newcastle at the start of last season, but after failing to impress in any of his 12 Premier League appearances he was loaned back to the Ligue 1 side.

The former France Under-21 international scored four goals during his loan spell last term, and will spend the next season on loan at the Stade Velodrome, before finalising an obligatory permanent deal next summer.

OM head coach Franck Passi said that Thauvin would be joining up with the squad as soon as possible.

Newcastle were relegated to the English second tier last season, while Marseille narrowly avoided an embarrassing drop themselves.

Aston Villa swoop for £12 million McCormack

Scotland striker Ross McCormack has joined Aston Villa from Championship rivals Fulham in a 12 million pounds ($16 million, 14.3 million euros) deal, his new club announced on Thursday.

McCormack, who has signed a four-year contract, becomes Villa’s joint-second biggest signing after the £24 million capture of Darren Bent in 2011.

Villa were relegated from the Premier League last season and open their second-tier campaign at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

“I’m delighted to bring Ross on board. He’s a player with proven track record and plenty of experience in the division,” said Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo in comments published on the club website.

McCormack, 29, joined Fulham from Leeds United for £11 million in 2014 and scored 42 times in his two years at Craven Cottage.

Roma sign goalkeeper Szczesny on loan for another year

AS Roma have signed Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on loan for a second year.

“After a good season last year I had the possibility of coming back and I was very happy the coach (Luciano Spalletti) wanted me,” Szczesny told Roma’s official TV channel.

The Polish international, capped 27 times, made 34 league appearances last season for the Serie A club and played eight times in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old Arsenal youth product made his Premier League debut for the Londoners in 2010.

Roma finished third in Serie A last season, qualifying for the preliminary round of the Champions League.

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