Christophe Galtier accused a reporter of "lacking a little respect" when asking about Paris Saint-Germain's tactics as the under-pressure coach bids to get his team's season back on track.

Three defeats have left PSG bruised, with a Coupe de France exit at Marseille's hands followed by a Ligue 1 defeat at Monaco and a Champions League last-16 first-leg loss to Bayern Munich.

Ahead of a home game on Sunday against his former club Lille, Galtier was asked about the low block he deployed initially against Bayern on Tuesday.

Hampered by injuries, Galtier resorted to a defensive tactic he felt would give PSG a chance of resisting the German champions until he could introduce Kylian Mbappe – back from an injury break – off the bench and open up the game.

Galtier appeared to be in the process of being asked whether he would use the same system against Lille, a team who, like Bayern, play in an open, attacking manner.

"Are you making fun of me by asking this question?" Galtier said, interrupting the reporter.

"Do you think I was satisfied with what I saw against Bayern? No, I was not satisfied.

"My players didn't do well. We had a game plan that was adapted to the players available. Do you think that starting Warren Zaire-Emery in such an important Champions League game under the age of 17 is something I had been working towards?

"The circumstances dictated that, and I didn't have other options. We wanted to contain Bayern Munich, to then move into the second phase by bringing Kylian on.

"When Kylian came on, it created more openings for Bayern, but also for us. It was a different game.

"I respect your question, but if you think that I enjoyed watching my team play that way for 60 minutes, it's because – with a lot of respect – you are lacking a little respect."

Jumping back in, the reporter suggested Galtier had given an answer that was not in line with the question being asked.

He was stopped in his tracks again as Galtier cut in, saying: "PSG have to play attacking, attractive football. It doesn't have to be spectacular, but it has to be effective to win. If the players can put on a spectacle and entertain the fans, of course we will do that."

Galtier is in his first season with PSG, having taken over from Mauricio Pochettino who led the Parisians to the French league title in 2021-22 but oversaw exits from the Coupe de France and Champions League at the last-16 stage.

If PSG fail to overturn their deficit against Bayern, they risk exactly the same outcome this season, providing they make sure of the Ligue 1 trophy.

Domestic league success was not enough for Pochettino to be retained and the same may apply for Galtier, who on taking the PSG job said it was one that comes with "more pressure than anywhere else".

Neymar's interest in a move to the Premier League is gaining momentum, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool among the teams alerted about his potential availability.

The 31-year-old star had reportedly come up in a recent conversation between Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and with a deal not being ruled out, Neymar's team have contacted more of England's top sides.

Neymar is tied for the Ligue 1 assist lead with 10, while he has 12 goals in 19 appearances.

Now in his sixth season in France since arriving for a world-record €222million fee, and on the brink of another disappointing Champions League exit, Brazil's joint all-time leading scorer is eyeing a new challenge.

TOP STORY – NEYMAR'S TEAM GAUGES THE INTEREST OF TOP PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS

According to 90min, Neymar's "intermediaries are believed to have spoken with Chelsea, Liverpool, City, United, and Newcastle United" – informing the clubs of his desire for a Premier League transfer.

The report claims Paris Saint-Germain are not desperate to part ways with Neymar, but would be open to facilitating a deal.

Chelsea owner Boehly is believed to be "intrigued" about the potential for such a high-profile signing, although it remains to be seen who else would be willing to meet what is expected to be an enormous contract demand.

ROUND-UP

– ESPN is reporting Liverpool, City and United are closely monitoring Mason Mount, who only has one more season on his current Chelsea contract, and is hesitant about signing the kind of long-term deals Chelsea have been handing out.

– Newcastle, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and City all want 22-year-old Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but the Serie A leaders have no interest in selling, and are in the process of rewarding the Georgian with a big new contract, per 90min.

– According to Tuttosport, Real Madrid, Barcelona, City and Chelsea are keeping an eye on 17-year-old Velez prospect Gianluca Prestianni, who is the third-youngest debutant in the history of Argentina's top flight behind Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero.

– Calciomercato is reporting Bayern Munich will continue their pursuit of Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but are unwilling to meet their £100m (€112m) valuation. 

– Arsenal have sent scouts to watch 17-year-old Athletico Paranaense forward Vitor Roque, who is reportedly valued at over £50m, per CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich are falling behind their Champions League rivals and would welcome the abolition of Germany's '50+1' rules on club ownership, according to Uli Hoeness.

Honorary president Hoeness made the declaration on Thursday, in the hope the Deutsche Fußball Liga could relax its tight regulations.

The rule is designed to ensure club members hold 50 per cent of shares, plus one share, to stay in majority control.

There are exceptions, with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg having been bankrolled by pharmaceutical giants Bayer and vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen, while Red Bull-owned RB Leipzig found a loophole to acquire the club in 2009, but the 50+1 guideline is otherwise strictly enforced.

Despite regularly outspending their domestic rivals, Bayern might cast an envious eye at clubs from other countries with their wealthy owners.

And while the Bundesliga champions have many routes to bringing in funds, Hoeness feels something needs to change.

The perception is that investors will only come in with game-changing money if they can take control of decisions, which the present rules prevent.

"We would be totally in favour of the 50+1 rule falling because we are falling behind internationally," said Hoeness. "We also have to give the smaller clubs opportunities to be competitive. I am in favour of each club making their own decisions."

The 71-year-old – a former player, general manager and president of Bayern – was speaking at an event staged by Hannover's Neue Presse.

Bayern won 1-0 at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, snatching the first-leg advantage against the Qatari-owned French giants. It was a repeat scoreline from their meeting with PSG in the 2019-20 final.

PSG's heavy investment means they can name an all-star front three of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, when all are fit.

There is also reportedly strong Qatari interest in taking a major stake in Manchester United, while Newcastle United have big-spending Saudi owners and could soon be major players in the Champions League.

In contrast, Bayern have recently cast doubt on whether they will have sufficient funds to turn Joao Cancelo's loan from Manchester City into a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Hoeness pinpointed the Parisians as an example of a team with spending power that Bayern cannot match.

While he may want Bayern to be on more of a level playing field, it was a thrill this week for the German giants to take PSG's scalp.

"For comparison: Paris have €750million in personnel costs," Hoeness claimed. "But I have to say, I'm excited about winning against them. The game proved that money doesn't always score goals."

Neymar is contracted with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025 but the French champions have reportedly transfer listed him.

The Brazilian forward is on a hefty wage, believed to be around €36 million per year.

Neymar has netted 12 goals in 19 Ligue 1 games this season, adding another five goals in nine appearances in other competitions.

TOP STORY – MEETING HELD AS CHELSEA'S NEYMAR INTEREST DEVELOPS

Le Parisien reports Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has met with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi about a transfer for Neymar.

The report claims the meeting was held in Paris, discussing the conditions around a potential transfer in the next transfer window.

It is claimed that a fee of around €60 million (£53m) has been discussed, although Neymar's significant wages may be a stumbling block to overcome.

ROUND-UP

– Inter defender Denzel Dumfries is set to be the subject of off-season bids from both Arsenal and Manchester United, claims Fichajes. The Premier League duo both see an opportunity to sign the Dutchman below market value.

– Fabrizio Romano reports Barcelona have agreed to sign Mexican right-back Julian Araujo from MLS club LA Galaxy. The deal is worth €4 million, with a contract to be signed up until 2026.

– Sport Bild claims Bayern Munich are monitoring the status of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, with consideration being put to a bid prior to the next transfer window. Arsenal are also keep tabs on Rashford's situation, according to Football Insider.

– Bild also reports Bayern are still keen on Tottenham forward Harry Kane but will not be drawn into a bidding war for his services, with Manchester United in the hunt too.

– Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants the club to sign Real Sociedad's 24-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi, reports Sport.

– Liverpool have held preliminary talks for Torino defender Perr Schuurs, claims Tuttosport.

Joao Cancelo described reports he fell out with Pep Guardiola as a "lie" and said the Manchester City boss and the club "gave me everything".

Portugal full-back Cancelo joined Bayern Munich on loan for the rest of the season in one of the more surprising moves of the January transfer window.

Cancelo had found himself out of the team at the Etihad Stadium and it was suggested he had a bust-up with Guardiola.

However, the former Juventus defender said he is grateful for what Guardiola has done for his career.

Speaking to Movistar after Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, Cancelo said: "People who say that I fought with Guardiola [it] is a lie. 

"I didn't feel important in the team in the last games. I spoke with the coach and he also agreed. And together with the club we decided that I had to leave, that it was the best for me."

Cancelo's contract at City runs until June 2027 and he conceded it remains a possibility he will play for the club again in the future.

"I like the new opportunities, it's not against City," he added.

"I think that at City he has taken the step to the level he wanted to reach, that's where I became the player I am today. 

"I am grateful to both Pep and the club because they gave me everything. My daughter was born in Manchester and it's a club I'll never forget. 

"And who knows, in football you never know and at the end of the year I can return."

Kylian Mbappe insisted it would not be considered a comeback if Paris Saint-Germain overturn their first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Former PSG forward Kingsley Coman scored the only goal of the game as the champions of Germany defeated the champions of France 1-0 at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

It means Christian Galtier's men have plenty of work to do to avoid another premature Champions League exit, but France forward Mbappe is sure PSG can get the job done in Munich.

"As we said, we said we had to take the positives. It's a two-legged tie. We can't change what happened in the first leg," Mbappe said in quotes reported by PSG's official website.

"We will go there to qualify. We know that there is a possibility. There is always a good possibility to qualify. So we will go there with a lot of energy and determination.

"It's not a comeback. There's no longer the away goal. We have to score a goal and we'll be level, so we have to go there and win. 

"Play our game, play attacking football, which we know how to do and try to go there and win."

Mbappe had initially been ruled out of the first leg with a hamstring injury sustained against Montpellier on February 1.

Galtier named Mbappe among the substitutes and he entered the fray shortly before the hour, with the man himself admitting he was not supposed to play.

"I wasn't supposed to play but I wanted to play and help my team-mates," he added.

"We did everything, we worked night and day to get me some game time.

"I wanted to [start the game]. But sometimes you have to be satisfied with what you can do, and that's all I could do.

"My feeling? I was a bit concerned, but I gave everything I had and I have nothing left. Now we have to continue and recover well. 

"Like I said, get everyone back healthy and all come back at 100 per cent, and I'm sure it can go well."

Erling Haaland's long-term future has been a source of speculation for months and reports of a release clause in mid-2024 in his Manchester City contract have put Barcelona and Real Madrid on high alert.

The Norwegian was pursued by a host of clubs last off-season, with City winning the race ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Haaland has since scored 25 Premier League goals in 21 appearances and 31 in all competitions after joining City.

TOP STORY – HAALAND SET FOR SPANISH SWITCH NEXT YEAR

Erling Haaland has decided he wants to leave England for Spain next year when the release clause in his City contract can be activated, reports Fichajes.

The report claims Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two viable options for Haaland, who will exit City at the end of the 2023-24 season, with playing in Spain a dream for the 22-year-old.

City's potential sanctions for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules have also played a part in Haaland believing mid-2024 is the right time to leave.

ROUND-UP

- Big-spending Chelsea are set to join the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, reports The Telegraph. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are already keen on the 19-year-old England international.

- Manchester Evening News claims Manchester United have "genuine interest" in a move for Roma's English striker Tammy Abraham in the next transfer window.

- Barcelona's Ansu Fati will resist overtures from Tottenham, Arsenal and Bayern Munich to remain with the Blaugrana, reports Mundo Deportivo.

- AS reports Tottenham will turn to Sevilla's Morocco international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in their search for a long-term successor to Hugo Lloris.

- Leicester City have ramped up talks with James Maddison on a new contract amid interest from Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham, claims The Telegraph.

- FotoSpor claims Turkish club Fenerbahce have reached out to Manchester United about signing Mason Greenwood, who is under club investigation despite criminal charges being dropped against him recently.

- Calciomercatoweb reports Massimiliano Allegri could leave his position as Juventus head coach to replace Roberto Mancini in Italy's top job.

Christophe Galtier bemoaned the timing of Paris Saint-Germain conceding before Kylian Mbappe's planned introduction, but still has hope in the Champions League.

Kingsley Coman scored the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute at the Parc des Princes, four minutes before Mbappe – returning from injury – was brought on in the last-16 clash.

The France international remained a doubt before kick-off but spurred a struggling PSG into life after his substitution, twice seeing goals ruled out for offside in the first leg on Tuesday.

While the Ligue 1 champions will head to the Allianz Arena on March 8 with a slender 1-0 deficit, Galtier reminded PSG it will be all to play for in Germany.

The PSG coach told Canal Plus: "We managed to push them over 25-30 minutes. There is the offside goals, two or three situations.

"There is obviously a disappointment, but we know that there is not a qualified team or a team eliminated tonight.

"We will have to see in three weeks the state of our team, if we will have recovered fitness and have players to play a full match at the level of our last half hour."

A late rallying performance from Mbappe and Co. will offer Galtier reason for optimism, especially given PSG overcame Bayern in the two-legged Champions League affair in the 2020-21 term.

PSG downed then-defending champions Bayern on away goals in the quarter-finals, with a 3-2 away victory enough to stave off the Bundesliga side's 1-0 win in the return meeting.

Mbappe scored twice in the first-leg victory in that season and Galtier labelled it as unfortunate PSG's planned introduction of the forward came just before Coman's strike against his former side this time.

"From the moment we didn't have depth in our game, Bayern advanced and put pressure on us and we had trouble getting the ball out, holding it very high," Galtier added. 

"We had a very difficult first half. There was another scenario planned because I knew that I was going to be able to use Kylian.

"Unfortunately, we conceded this goal just when the changes were going to take place with a new organisation.

"There were 25 minutes where the team reacted but in a system that corresponds more to our qualities."

Julian Nagelsmann and Bayern Munich were surprised they were allowed to be so dominant in their 1-0 win at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

In one of the ties of the last 16 in the Champions League, Bayern headed to Paris to take on a PSG side who were only able to name Kylian Mbappe on the bench.

Until Mbappe was introduced shortly after Kingsley Coman's decisive goal early in the second half, Bayern were in complete control.

The Bundesliga champions bossed 57.5 per cent of the possession in a first half in which they attempted 10 shots to just one from PSG.

Indeed, that PSG attempt, a blocked Lionel Messi free-kick in stoppage time, came after their longest wait for a first shot in a Champions League match since at least 2003-04.

Even with Mbappe missing from the starting XI, Bayern coach Nagelsmann had expected more from the home side.

"We played a really good game in the first 25 minutes, had very good control," he said. "We can play even more direct towards the goal.

"You had the feeling that we were very surprised that we had the ball so much and Paris wanted to do relatively little.

"I knew they always defend deep, but the fact that they're so passive and so very deep and not really designed to win the ball surprised me a bit."

A 1-0 win courtesy of a Coman goal brought back happy memories for Bayern, with the result a repeat of their 2020 final defeat of PSG.

Coman has scored only five knockout goals in the Champions League, but two of them have now come against his former club.

"I was born here in Paris. That's why I didn't cheer after my goal," the winger explained of his muted celebration. "We're happy that we won."

Coman completed a half-century of Champions League appearances and celebrated his 39th win in the competition, a record for a player at the 50-game stage.

However, he had to be withdrawn later in the second half due to injury.

"I have some calf problems," Coman said. "I got a blow to the ankle, but I hope it's only a few days."

Kylian Mbappe was desperate to help Paris Saint-Germain as he returned from injury against Bayern Munich, and remains confident of their progress in the Champions League.

Mbappe had been a doubt for Tuesday's last-16 first leg between PSG and Bayern at the Parc des Princes.

However, the World Cup Golden Boot-winning forward was named on the bench and appeared in the second half, introduced shortly after Kingsley Coman had scored the opening goal.

That would prove the decisive strike in a 1-0 Bayern win as Mbappe twice had the ball in the net but was twice denied by offside calls.

Although PSG have now lost three matches in a row in all competitions within a single season for the first time since 2011-12, the late rally that included Mbappe's disallowed goals provided cause for optimism ahead of the return match in Munich next month.

"We have to remember the end," Mbappe told Canal+. "We have a disadvantage, but we have seen that we are able to put them in difficulty. We're going to go there to qualify.

"It was unpredictable, I wasn't supposed to play, but I wanted to help my friends. We worked day and night.

"All our players have to be healthy for the return leg, everyone has to eat well and sleep well. When you have our team and you play attacking football, they are not comfortable."

Mbappe was clearly offside the first time he netted, but it was a marginal decision against Nuno Mendes that saw the second struck off.

"It's the new football, it's VAR," Mbappe added. "If it was offside, it's like that.

"From what I've seen, there's room [to be optimistic] for the return leg."

Mbappe should be available from the start for the second leg on March 8, and Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt told BT Sport: "You saw in the last 30 minutes. When he [Mbappe] comes in, it's a different team.

"We have to be really concentrated in the second leg."

Kingsley Coman netted another vital Champions League goal against his former club Paris Saint-Germain as Bayern Munich claimed a 1-0 lead from the away leg of their last-16 tie.

Paris-born Coman scored the only goal when Bayern beat PSG in the final three years ago, and he repeated the trick at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

The first-leg victory was no more than Bayern deserved, and the Bundesliga giants will hope they do not pay the price for winning by just the one goal against a PSG side who played without Kylian Mbappe until the 57th minute.

Mbappe, returning from injury, was introduced soon after Coman's goal and could not inspire a turnaround – seeing a late equaliser disallowed – but his involvement in the return match in Germany could yet be decisive.

Without Mbappe from the outset, PSG were completely outclassed, albeit Coman's strike early in the second half was their first clear-cut opportunity.

The winger's finish from substitute Alphonso Davies' cross was close to Gianluigi Donnarumma, but it crept beneath the goalkeeper, who still has not kept a clean sheet in the Champions League this season.

Mbappe's introduction did little to slow Bayern, and Donnarumma was far more impressive in keeping PSG in the tie, making instinctive stops from Eric Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Pavard.

Finally, with 17 minutes to play, Mbappe got in at the other end, but Yann Sommer blocked bravely, and the PSG forward was still in an offside position when Neymar's subsequent shot was spilled at his feet.

That was a straightforward call for the linesman, but the VAR was required when Nuno Mendes dashed in behind and squared for Mbappe to score. The celebrations were cut short as replays showed the left-back had strayed offside.

Although Pavard was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time, Bayern have control heading back to Bavaria.

Kylian Mbappe was named among Paris Saint-Germain's substitutes for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Bayern Munich.

The France forward was initially ruled out of the match when sustaining a hamstring injury against Montpellier on February 1 that was expected to sideline him for three weeks.

However, after returning to training on Monday, Mbappe was deemed fit enough to start on the bench for PSG at the Parc des Princes for the visit of Bayern.

Since making his PSG debut in 2017, Mbappe has recorded 57 goal contributions (34 goals and 23 assists) in 50 Champions League appearances.

Lionel Messi, who missed Saturday's 3-1 Ligue 1 loss at Monaco, was among the starters for the hosts alongside Neymar and 16-year-old academy graduate Warren Zaire-Emery.

It was a first start in the competition for Zaire-Emery, with his only other appearance coming off the bench in a 7-2 win over Maccabi Haifa in the group stage.

As for Bayern, Thomas Muller dropped to the bench, with Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala providing support for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

January recruits Joao Cancelo and Yann Sommer both started in the French capital.

Jurgen Klinsmann heaped praise on Tottenham striker Harry Kane ahead of the Champions League last-16 tie against Milan.

Kane has been in excellent form for Spurs this season, scoring 17 goals in 23 Premier League games, though he only managed to find the net once in six Champions League group outings.

Klinsmann, who had two spells with the club in the 1990s, called Kane a "symbol" for club and country, and hopes he can win some silverware at some point in his career.

Speaking to Stats Perform, Klinsmann said: "Harry Kane is exceptional. He dedicated all his career to Tottenham and he is not only their symbol, but the symbol of English football.

"He breaks one record after the other, but unfortunately he didn't win anything so far and this is a bit sad because a player like him has to quit with at least a couple of trophies in his pocket.

"For Tottenham he is very important, he can energise the team, keep the spirit up in the changing rooms. He never hides away, as you could see in the World Cup when he stepped up on the second penalty [in England's quarter-final defeat to France]. He missed it but he always takes responsibility. Always. He has character and dedication to his club."

The former Germany striker believes the clash with reigning Serie A champions Milan will be "50-50", though also pointed to Spurs boss Antonio Conte's knowledge of his opponents as a potential difference maker.

"Milan are trying to get themselves together in this difficult period but their squad have quality with great players who need to bounce back," he said. "This game v Tottenham is 50-50, especially because Antonio Conte knows everything on Serie A and Milan, so that gives him the edge."

Neither team arrive in ideal form, with Milan's 1-0 win against Torino on Friday their first victory in eight games, while Spurs were on the end of a 4-1 hammering at Leicester City on Saturday.

"It must all come together, the spirit of the squad and the history of the club," Klinsmann added. "For example a couple of months ago we were all praising Milan's spirit and [head coach, Stefano] Pioli, underlining how that club has understood how to build a great team and now they are in a trough. It happens in football and it happens fast, like for Milan.

"Same thing for [Spurs] in England. You always have to be on the same page with the board, the manager and the squad. If they have any problem, and we don't know from here, so it is difficult for us to have an opinion."

Another of Klinsmann's former clubs, Bayern Munich, also play the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday when they travel to face Paris Saint-Germain, and he predicts it could be a contest decided by individual brilliance.

"When you hear those two names, you expect a show... especially with PSG and [Kylian] Mbappe, who is back training and so maybe he will play," he said.

"And [Lionel] Messi, of course, who is back from winning the World Cup, and then Neymar. You can't beat that as offensive players.

"But Bayern are always the same strong squad. Their spirit is always in their great belief in themselves. Even after a couple of bad games, it is not a problem because eventually they always find a way to be successful.

"It will be a very interesting fixture that can be decided by a small detail like a set piece or a corner. Or maybe a moment of brilliance from Messi, Neymar or Mbappe, or even from Thomas Muller who can smell something in the box and slashes it in the back of the net.

"Never underestimate Bayern Munich, they always find a way to advance in the Champions League. Just like Milan v Tottenham, this is another game of 50-50 where anything can happen."

Joao Felix has had a mixed start to his loan spell at Chelsea, but the Premier League club are eager to make his stay permanent.

The 23-year-old Portugal forward joined Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid in January, getting sent off on debut before scoring on his Premier League return against West Ham on Saturday.

Felix signed for Atletico from Benfica in 2019 on a seven-year contract for a transfer fee of €126 million and extended his deal until 2027 prior to the move to Stamford Bridge.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA WANT PERMANENT JOAO FELIX STAY

Chelsea want to make Joao Felix's stay at Stamford Bridge permanent, according to Relevo.

The Portuguese is on loan with the Blues for the rest of the season from Atletico Madrid, with Chelsea willing to pay €100 million (£88.3m) for his services.

The Spaniards were originally asking for more, believed to be around €130m-140m (£115m-£124m) but may be willing to accept a reduced fee.

Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic could be heading in the opposition direction with Atletico considering a cut-price bid for Chelsea's United States international, according to Fichajes.

ROUND-UP

- Real Madrid are monitoring Tottenham forward Richarlison and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, reports ESPN. Los Blancos are looking for long-term replacements for 35-year-old Karim Benzema.

- Neymar's future at Paris Saint-Germain is uncertain with the French champions to place him on their transfer list in the upcoming off-season, claims Foot Mercato. PSG paid a staggering €222m for Neymar in 2017 but are set to move on.

- Chelsea's pursuit of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice could lead them to sell Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to raise funds for the deal, claims Football Insider.

- Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka for a free transfer at the end of this season, claims German journalist Christopher Michel.

- Bayern Munich want to sign Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo for a reduced fee, rather than trigger the €70 million buy option, reports 90min. The report claims a fee around €60m is more realistic.

Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann is "preparing for all scenarios" against Paris Saint-Germain, who will make a late decision on whether to field Kylian Mbappe.

France international Mbappe returned to training on the eve of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at the Parc des Princes.

The 24-year-old had initially been ruled out of the match after sustaining a hamstring injury against Montpellier on February 1 that was expected to sideline him for three weeks.

While Mbappe has been included in PSG's 22-man squad, Christophe Galtier said on Monday he will wait until the day of the game before making a decision on his involvement.

Lionel Messi is also not fully fit, having sat out Saturday's Ligue 1 defeat to Monaco, but Nagelsmann is preparing for the possibility of both players featuring.

"If they both play, then they'll be fit," Nagelsmann said at his pre-match press conference. "Messi in particular is a player who knows how to play when he hasn't trained a lot. 

"I don't know if Kylian Mbappe will play from the start. We will prepare for all scenarios. Both can hurt any team in the world. But we will be ready.

"Our job will be to be ready for Mbappe, too, no matter whether he plays. We are generally prepared for different scenarios, but the game will not depend on that alone.

"We mustn't make the mistake of only focusing on the superstars. But PSG are also concerned about how to stop our players as well."

Mbappe has scored 34 and assisted 23 in 50 Champions League appearances since his PSG debut in 2017 – no other players has managed 20 goals and 20 assists in that time.

PSG have struggled in the superstar forward's absence, having followed up a shock Coupe de France loss against Marseille with defeat to Monaco in the league.

Bayern have responded to a slow start to 2023 with three straight wins, meanwhile, but whether this season is deemed a success will come down to how they perform in Europe.

"I would like to progress. In knockout games, progressing is always important," Nagelsmann said. "You don't have many chances in the Champions League.

"All teams want to win the Champions League. It's one of my dreams to win the Champions League. It's an important game for Bayern and an important game for me. 

"Of course, a season is rated differently when you get far in the Champions League."

Bayern have won five of their previous 11 meetings with PSG, each of those coming in the Champions League, while the Ligue 1 giants have prevailed six times.

In a repeat of the 2019-20 Champions League final, which Bayern edged 1-0, Nagelsmann insists there is nothing to separate the reigning champions of Germany and France.

"It will be an even duel, a 50-50 game," the Bayern boss said. "It's not a do-or-die game at this point, but we'll try to put in a good away performance.

"The Champions League provides a completely different kind of motivation, so you don't have to make the players extra hot ahead of the game."

Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Bayern have the highest win percentage (86.5 per cent) and the most total victories (32) of any team in the Champions League. 

Indeed, despite playing 37 matches in the competition during that period, no team have lost fewer games than them (two).