Kylian Mbappe wants to leave at PSG and Real Madrid do, but what’s really going on? ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest version.
Move in: Xabi Alonso is said to be a potential Real Madrid manager | Man Utd wary of Barcelona’s Dalot interest | Man City identifies key areas for reconstruction
Kylian Mbappe’s complicated relationship with Real Madrid
Real Madrid Haven’t considered another move for the long-term top target yet Kylian Mbappesources told ESPN, after they were scorned by his last-minute flip-flop that saw the star forward turn them down to stay Paris Saint-Germain last month.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that Mbappe23, is urged to leave PSG – just five months after signing a new contract – after his relationships with club directors fell apart over what he saw as broken promises regarding the team’s tactics and recruitment. PSG sporting director Luis Campos denied the reports, saying Mbappe had expressed no desire to leave during the January transfer window.
Sources say Madrid have no plans to rekindle their long-term interest in Mbappe, and while a move cannot be completely ruled out if he is present, the LaLiga club are currently focused on other goals.
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Mbappe was expected to join Madrid on a free transfer last June, ending a years-long saga that has seen him become president Florentino Perez’s priority. However, Mbappe’s belated change of heart has witnessed France The international’s rejection of Madrid to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes did not go well at the Bernabeu.
Mbappe initially cited PSG’s “sporting project” as having convinced him to stay, but later said he had arrived. under pressure from President Emmanuel Macron to continue his career in France. Sources told ESPN that Mbappe now feels that the assurances he is receiving about his role in the PSG team – he wants to play alongside a regular No 9 and wants an outlet for team-mate Neymar – has not been responded.
Madrid chose not to bring in a replacement after missing out on Mbappe, putting their faith in Brazil striker Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo delivered with Karim Benzema. Vinicius, 22, has followed his winner in the Champions League final by scoring seven goals in all competitions so far this campaign, while Rodrygo21 years old, has contributed 4 goals in Madrid’s unbeaten streak.
In the long run – and when the time comes to replace Benzema, now 34 – the club could revive their interest in Erling Haaland, after pursuing the best form of Mbappe’s career and Benzema have made them drop out of the race for his signature this year. Haaland has had a spectacular start to the Premier League with City of Manchesterscored 20 goals in the first 12 games.
Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, told ESPN that the federation would welcome a player of Mbappe’s caliber if Real Madrid were to push with a move.
“When I talk about Madrid, I think of most of their fans, who are always looking for special players and top quality in the world. And Mbappe is one of those players,” he said.
“I can see it being difficult for the club because it hurts what he did with Madrid in the summer, but I don’t think the fans will say no to adding such a player to the team. If Mbappe comes, he will be welcomed. , applauded, watched… I’m sure.” – Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez
Real Madrid monitor Xabi Alonso’s management process
Real Madrid will be watching Xabi Alonso’s performances as Bayer Leverkusen manager with interest, sources told ESPN, seeing the former Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder as potential candidates to take over. location at the Bernabéu.
Alonso, 40, was appointed by Leverkusen on 5 October as the Bundesliga club wanted to turn around a bad start to the season which saw them pick up just five points from their first eight league games. Madrid will closely monitor Alonso’s progress, sources said, as the LaLiga giants believe he fits the profile of a future Real Madrid coach.
The former midfielder has had the opportunity to play and learn from some of the most successful coaches in recent years such as Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola. Alonso is a familiar face at Madrid, after five years he was there as a player by managing their under-14s during the 2018-19 season in his first coaching job. he. He continued to impress during his three years in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team, leading them in 2021 to promotion to the Spanish Second Division for the first time in 60 years.
Madrid now want to see how Alonso develops into the next phase of his coaching career with Leverkusen, which is his first in-flight appointment. Alonso had an immediate impact, beating Schalke 4-0 on his debut last week, although a 3-0 home defeat to FC Porto in midweek left them bottom of Champions League Group B with two legs. remaining match. – Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez
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Rob Dawson talks about Cristiano Ronaldo after the Manchester United striker scored his 700th career goal for the club.
Man Utd resist Barcelona’s interest in Dalot
Manchester United will activate an extension in Diogo Dalotcontract to avoid profit from Barcelona, sources told ESPN. Dalot is in the final year of the contract he signed after joining Porto in 2018 but United have the option to extend his stay until 2024.
Barcelona are among the clubs monitoring his situation, but the 23-year-old will not be available on a free transfer next summer.
Dalot has established himself as the number one right-back since Erik ten Hag took over as manager, playing 11 games in all competitions so far this season. The Portugal The international is in his fifth season at Old Trafford and has made nearly 100 appearances for the club. He spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Milan but has since become a key part of the squad at United.
He is also set to be part of the Portugal squad at the World Cup in Qatar with his teammates in the club Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. – Rob Dawson
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Janusz Michallik reacts during Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Man City focus on central midfielder in the transfer market
City of Manchester Sources have revealed to ESPN that a central midfielder has been preferred ahead of next summer’s transfer window.
The club are looking at options to strengthen their midfield including Borussia Dortmund Teenager Jude Bellingham. City spent the initial £42m to sign the deal England midfielder Kalvin Phillips are from Leeds United last summer and they will invest back at the end of the season. There are still doubts about the two’s future Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Gundogan has entered the final year of his contract and could leave for free at the end of the season.
Bernardo, meanwhile, remains the target Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. – Rob Dawson
