Manchester United are reportedly setting their sights as high as possible for their Cristiano Ronaldo replacement, planning a massive bid for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

According to The Mirror, the 37-year-old Ronaldo has played his last game for the Red Devils after burning bridges with his explosive interview during the week.

Meanwhile, Mbappe is considered arguably the most valuable player in world football, racking up 169 goals in 193 games across his past five seasons with the French giants.

While there has been no indication the 23-year-old would consider United as a potential landing spot for the next stage of his career, the report claims he is their number one target.

 

TOP STORY – UNITED PLAN SHOCK BID FOR PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN'S MBAPPE

The Mirror claims that if United can get Ronaldo's contract off their books, they will be one of the only clubs in Europe who can afford the eye-watering contract demands of France's top star.

Sure to demand a fee north of £150million, and a contract exceeding £500,000 per week, it is a financial proposition that has caused even heavyweights such as Liverpool to declare him too expensive.

The report also states United will push forward their plans to invest at striker to January, further harming their chances of securing Mbappe as Paris Saint-Germain seek their first Champions League title.

However, it also mentions 23-year-old Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as their back-up plan, as the Nigeria international is expected to be available in the range of £60m.

 

ROUND-UP

- Football Italia is reporting Bayern Munich right-back Benjamin Pavard would be open to joining Milan, despite the 26-year-old being heavily linked with Manchester United.

- According to 90min, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United are all showing interest in 27-year-old Inter centre-back Milan Skriniar, who is yet to renew his contract beyond this season.

- Leicester City, Everton and Brighton and Hove Albion have Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba on their radars, per 90min.

- According to Sport, Manchester City are monitoring 33-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos with the hope that he does not renew his contract.

- Calciomercato is reporting Tottenham target Weston McKennie could leave Juventus in January.

Sadio Mane will miss Senegal's "first games" of the World Cup due to injury, a Senegalese Football Federation official revealed on Tuesday.

The Bayern Munich forward's place at Qatar 2022 looked to be in jeopardy after he suffered a fibula injury this month, but he was included in Aliou Cisse's 26-man squad.

However, Mane will not feature in Senegal's clash against the Netherlands next Monday and Senegalese Football Federation board member Abdoulaye Sow revealed that will not be the only Group A match he will miss.

Senegal will face hosts Qatar next Thursday before taking on Ecuador in their final group match on November 29.

Sow stated: "Senegal will have to cope without its best player for the start of the tournament and not whine too much.

"We will have to rely on playing the first games without Sadio and win without Sadio because we have 25 players apart from Sadio.

"No one would have wanted it, but that's what's happened to us."

Mane starred as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations this year and he has made an impressive start to his Bayern career following his move from Liverpool.

The 30-year-old's injury will prevent his from coming up against his former Reds team-mate Virgil van Dijk next week.

Barcelona are expected to be major players in the January transfer market after a busy pre-season.

The 26-time Spanish champions are top of LaLiga at the World Cup break but crashed out of the Champions League.

The Blaugrana are still battling financial challenges, while they also have some unsettled players on their books.

TOP STORY – BARCELONA PLOTTING JANUARY GUNDOGAN MOVE

Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona are planning to move for Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in January, with fears Franck Kessie may exit soon.

The Blaugrana are eager to bolster their midfield options and a move for Bernardo Silva appears difficult despite their ongoing interest.

As a result, Barca have turned to the Germany international, whose contract with City ends in mid-2023. The report also claims the Catalans could move for Leicester City's Youri Tielemans.

Kessie has been linked with Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Fulham by Spanish media outlet Sport. The Ivorian only joined in July, but the club's financial position means they are open to letting players go.

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– Despite being linked with a long list of names, Sport claims Barcelona will only make one signing in the January transfer window, with a right-back seen as a priority. Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard and Villarreal's Juan Foyth are among their options.

– New Aston Villa heard coach Unai Emery wants to bring in Real Madrid's Eden Hazard and Nacho Fernandez, according to El Nacional. Spanish boss Emery left Villarreal for the Villans last month.

Juventus are ready to offer a new contract to French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, claims Tuttosport. Rabiot had been linked with an off-season move, with Manchester United mentioned as a possible destination, but has impressed this term.

– La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Milan are putting together a bid for Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech in January. The Moroccan winger is expected to cost less than €20million (£17.5m).

Inter are keen on Valencia left-back Jesus Vazquez in January and a mid-2023 move for Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram, reports La Gazetta dello Sport.

Jamal Musiala can become a Bayern Munich club legend in the vein of Lionel Messi at Barcelona after notching a century of Bundesliga games, says Lothar Matthaus.

The teenager became the youngest-ever player to notch 100 matches in the top flight for the Bavarian giants against Schalke on Saturday.

At just 19 years and 259 days, it marks the latest feat for the Germany international, who set up both goals in his side's 2-0 win at the Veltins Arena.

Having made history, Musiala was in line for plaudits from Matthaus, who believes the midfielder can enshrine his legacy if he chooses to remain with the club across the rest of his career.

"That's like Messi. That's Hollywood. He must never leave Bayern," he told Sky. "He always has to play. His value is a quarter of a billion."

With 20 goal involvements across all competitions, Musiala leads German players across all competitions for the season, underscoring his value for club and country.

He will head to the World Cup with Hansi Flick's national team following this weekend, with Germany's campaign set to open against Japan on November 23.

Josip Stanisic has signed a new long-term contract with Bayern Munich ahead of linking up with Croatia for the World Cup.

The 22-year-old defender joined Bayern in 2017 and has been part of the first-team squad since April last year.

He has made 29 appearances for the reigning Bundesliga champions in total, 13 of those being starts, and has featured in 11 matches this season.

Bayern confirmed on their official website on Saturday that Stanisic, a member of Croatia's 26-man squad for Qatar 2022, has put pen to paper on a deal running until July 2026.

"This contract extension is a nice vote of confidence from FC Bayern, which I'd like to repay and which motivates me a lot for my further development," Stanisic said. 

"As someone born in Munich, it's a dream to be able to play in this shirt. My goal is to win as many titles as possible with FC Bayern."

Confirmation of academy product Stanisic's new deal comes a day after back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich extended his contract until the end of next season.

Bayern face Schalke on Saturday for their final Bundesliga outing prior to the World Cup hiatus.

Bayern Munich's back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has signed a one-year contract extension to remain at the Allianz Arena until the end of next season.

The 34-year-old has played second fiddle to Manuel Neuer throughout his six-and-a-half seasons with Bayern, spanning over two spells either side of a season with Hamburg.

Ulreich has played 86 times for Bayern, compared to 284 outings for Neuer over that period, with the majority of his games coming in the 2017-18 campaign when the Germany great was injured.

He has featured eight times so far this campaign and recently outlined his intention to agree fresh terms with the Bavarian giants.

Bayern confirmed on their website on Friday that Ulreich has officially put pen to paper on a new deal, ensuring he will stay in place beyond the end of the current campaign.

"I'm very happy to stay on at FC Bayern," Ulreich said. "The cooperation with the whole team and especially with Manuel Neuer has grown into something special over many years. 

"We're perfectly attuned to each other and I really enjoy my job. FC Bayern knows that I'm always there when they need me. 

"The goal is to win more titles, that's what we're all here for, that's what we give everything for every day."

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: "This contract extension shows the sporting value Sven has for our team. 

"He was and always is a reliable performer when needed, but also in the changing room. 

"It's hugely important for us that he's been very well attuned with Manuel Neuer in the training group of our goalkeepers for years. 

"They both support each other, and we need that in this important position. I'm happy we'll continue working together."

Joao Felix is angling for a way out of Atletico Madrid, having fallen out of favour in Spain.

The 22-year-old has started only eight of the 17 games he has played in this season, netting three goals.

The forward is contracted with Atletico until 2026, having signed a bumper seven-year deal when joining from Benfica in 2019.

TOP STORY – PSG PLOTTING JANUARY LOAN MOVE FOR JOAO FELIX

Paris Saint-Germain have joined the list of clubs interested in Atletico Madrid's wantaway forward Joao Felix, according to Le Parisien.

PSG may look to sign the Portuguese on loan in January, having been interested in a move for him during the last transfer window.

Joao Felix has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United, with both clubs reportedly bidding for him in the last transfer window.

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– Borussia Dortmund are bullish they can ward off interest in their 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham and retain his services, reports 90min. Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all keen on the England international.

– Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa may have penned a new contract last week, but Manchester United are still monitoring the 23-year-old, reports Nicolo Schira. United will keep an eye on him during the World Cup, although he has a €75million (£65m) release clause.

– Arsenal are willing to fork out £56m to land Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk, according to Dean Jones on GiveMeSport.

– Roma are interested in out-of-favour Barcelona full-back Hector Bellerin, having failed to lure Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, reports Calciomercato.

– West Ham have identified Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone as their top transfer target, reports Bild.

France international Benjamin Pavard has hinted he could leave Bayern Munich if presented with an appealing project elsewhere.

Pavard joined Bayern from Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart in 2019 and has won three German top-flight titles during his time with the Bavarian giants, as well as lifting the Champions League trophy in 2020.

The 26-year-old has made 20 appearances for Bayern this season, starting 16 times and contributing to five clean sheets.

However, in an interview with L'Equipe, Pavard suggested he may be open to swapping the Bundesliga for a new challenge, saying: "I'm not against discovering a new project. This may be the time. 

"There have been no specific discussions. For the moment, I am focused on the World Cup.

"I have immense respect for Bayern. Here, I learnt the requirements of the very top level, and it is an honour to wear this jersey.

"Why not discover a new country, a new culture? But the sports project must be interesting. I'm not going to leave for nothing."

The wing-back played a key role as France won their second World Cup in 2018, but Les Bleus' preparations for their defence of the trophy in Qatar have been fraught with difficulties.

France narrowly avoided relegation from the top tier of the Nations League after losing three of their six fixtures in Group A1 this year, but Pavard has no concerns about the team's form ahead of the World Cup.

"I'm not worried. It is better to have difficulties before the big competition than during it," Pavard added. "We have a team with new young players who just arrived, it is normal to need time."

Memphis Depay in unsettled at Barcelona, having only managed two league appearances this campaign.

The 28-year-old Dutchman has fallen out of favour under Xavi this term, despite scoring 13 goals last season.

Depay joined the Blaugrana in June 2021 on a two-year contract, with that deal expiring at the end of this season.

 

TOP STORY – SEVILLA PLOT JANUARY MOVE FOR DEPAY

Sevilla are weighing up a January swoop for Barcelona's wantaway forward Memphis Depay, claims Fichajes.

The Netherlands international has reportedly sought a way out of Camp Nou, with claims he has requested a release letter, enabling him to be signed for free in January.

New Sevilla head coach Jorge Sampaoli is not satisfied with his side's attacking options after their dismal start to the LaLiga campaign.

 

ROUND-UP

– Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is on Manchester United's radar as they weigh up striker options for next season, according to the Manchester Evening News. Real Madrid are also interested in the Nigerian, claims Sport.

– Benfica's Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez is also garnering interest from Manchester United, reports Record.

Bayern Munich's hierarchy are split on the prospect of signing Tottenham forward Harry Kane, with concerns raised that he would not suit their style, claims Bild.

– Mundo Deportivo reports Newcastle United are interested in Real Betis' forward Nabil Fekir, but the Spanish club want €50million for him.

– The Evening Standard claims Arsenal are pondering allowing Marquinhos to exit on loan in January. The Brazilian forward has played once in the league this season.

Sadio Mane will undergo an X-ray after sustaining a shin injury during Bayern Munich's 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen, head coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed.

The Senegal skipper limped off in the 20th minute at the Allianz Arena, where Serge Gnabry hit a hat-trick as the Bundesliga leaders moved four points clear at the summit. 

Mane now faces a race to be fit for his nation's World Cup opener against the Netherlands on November 21, with Bayern awaiting further tests to determine the severity of the issue.

"He got a blow to the shin," Nagelsmann told Sky. "Maybe, you have to go under the X-ray machine and see if there is something there.

"This is an unpleasant place. I hope there's not something, but I don't know exactly."

Bayern made it nine successive wins, while equalling a club-record by netting four or more times for a fourth successive home league match.

Nagelsmann praised his side after they took their Bundesliga goal tally to 47 already – more than any other team across Europe's top five leagues – though he felt the margin of victory could have been greater.

"Goals are what makes football so appealing," he added. "After 14 matchdays, we have 47 goals in the Bundesliga, that's extraordinary.

"Today, we could have done a lot more. We have good quality on the field and a good spirit. We are very quiet, stable. We played a nice game for the fans."

Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich moved four points clear at the Bundesliga summit following a 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen.

Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka and Mathys Tel were also on target for Julian Nagelsmann's side, who equalled a club record by netting at least four goals in a fourth successive home league game.

It was not all positive for Bayern, though, as Sadio Mane limped off less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saw a penalty saved.

Werder had briefly equalised early on through Anthony Jung, yet they are now without a win in 30 meetings with Bayern.

Musiala put Bayern in front in the sixth minute, calmly slotting into the far corner after Mane's initial effort was blocked, but Werder were level four minutes later when Jung tucked home from Mitchell Weiser's lay-off.

Despite Choupo-Moting seeing his penalty saved and Mane limping off injured, the hosts regained the lead in the 22nd minute as Gnabry curled a brilliant effort beyond Jiri Pavlenka.

Bayern then hit their opponents on the counter twice in quick succession. Goretzka made it 3-1 after racing onto Joshua Kimmich's throughball and rounding Pavlenka, before Leroy Sane latched onto Choupo-Moting's precise pass and squared for Gnabry to slot into an empty net.

Julian Nagelsmann's side scarcely slowed after half-time as Sane hit the post, while Pavlenka thwarted Gnabry's attempted lob for the hat-trick.

He was not to be denied in the 82nd minute as he cleverly stepped inside a couple of challenges before poking home, and Tels put the icing on the cake two minutes later with a powerful finish into the top corner.

Sadio Mane has suffered an injury scare less than two weeks before the World Cup after limping off during Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen.

The Senegal forward was substituted in the 21st minute at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, having received treatment on the pitch and subsequently signalled to the bench he could not continue.

Mane was involved in Bayern's opening goal, which was scored by Jamal Musiala, but his substitution will clearly concern his country.

Senegal's World Cup opener against the Netherlands is on November 21, giving Mane little time to recover from any issue.

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain believes they face a difficult task in the last 16 of the Champions League after drawing RB Leipzig.

Pep Guardiola's men will take on the Bundesliga side in the knockout stages next February, having faced them twice in the group stages last term.

On that occasion, City opened their European campaign with a 6-3 rout at the Etihad Stadium, before losing the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena.

Having dodged heavyweight foes such as Paris Saint-Germain and Milan, City have theoretically one of the easier ties on paper, but Begiristain says they will not take their opponent lightly.

"Leipzig are not new ones in this competition - they are doing an unbelievable job," he said. "They are in Europe, always, and they are fighting us in the last 16. They are growing as a club and growing as a project.

"This is German football - very open, box-to-box, which we don't like too much, because we like to have the control. It's going to be difficult, this kind of football.

“We are going to meet old friends - we played last season against them. They were very open games, and we can be sure they will be very attractive games."

In comparison to their rivals, City have indeed been handed a kind draw, with Liverpool facing Real Madrid and Bayern Munich squaring up with Paris Saint-Germain.

With possibly two of the last four tournament winners set to miss out on the quarter-finals, Begiristain feels it shows the increased competition within the Champions League.

"Some big names and big clubs are already out - some of them are now not playing in Europe because they were last in the group," he noted.

"It shows how difficult it is in this competition. Everyone has to respect their opponent in this competition and that is what we try to do.

"Liverpool and Real Madrid are two unbelievable clubs, and they were two of the candidates to win, but one will be out.

"But still the ones who are there in the quarter-finals are going to deserve to be there. We want to be one of them."

Julian Nagelsmann feels Bayern Munich's 100 per cent record in the Champions League group stage was "not rewarded" after being drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Nagelsmann's men won all six group games to finish top of Group C, including home and away victories over Inter and Barcelona, becoming the first side in competition history to be victorious in all of their group matches in back-to-back seasons.

Despite this, Monday's draw pitted Bayern against French champions PSG, who boast the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their squad.

Nagelsmann believes his team have not received the full benefit for their group-stage heroics, telling reporters: "PSG are a difficult opponent.

"The perfect group phase is not rewarded with [drawing that opponent] - they have a lot of world-class players just like we do. 

"But this is the Champions League, so it's normal that there are no easy opponents in the round of 16."

PSG themselves went undefeated in the group stage, winning four and drawing two of their matches.

But a remarkable 6-1 win for Benfica over Maccabi Haifa on the final matchday saw Christophe Galtier's team have top spot snatched off them by virtue of the Portuguese side scoring more away goals.

Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn echoed Nagelsmann's sentiments on the difficulty of the draw, but also spoke of his excitement over watching two of Europe's elite clubs face off in a repeat of the 2019-20 final, which the Bavarian side won 1-0 thanks to a Kingsley Coman winner.

"We can look forward to two great games with the best players in Europe," Kahn told Sky. "I think these will be two highly attractive games."

Real Madrid and Liverpool will contest a repeat of last season's Champions League final during the round of 16 following Monday's draw.

Madrid reached the knockout stages as Group F winners, an outcome they will have been hoping would secure them a favourable tie.

But by being paired with Liverpool, Carlo Ancelotti's men were given arguably the hardest draw possible in what will be a repeat of the 2021-22 and 2017-18 finals.

There will also be a replay of the 2019-20 showpiece between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Die Roten prevented PSG from winning their first continental crown that year, with revenge on the cards for the Parisians early next year.

Chelsea, winners most recently in 2021, will go up against the youthful Borussia Dortmund, while Manchester City – beaten finalists last year – are also due to tussle with Bundesliga opposition in RB Leipzig.

Antonio Conte faces a return to his homeland and San Siro as Tottenham prepare to duel with Italian champions Milan, while Serie A leaders Napoli – who won their group ahead of Liverpool – will fancy their chances against Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt.

Last-16 draw in full:

RB Leipzig v Manchester City
Club Brugge v Benfica
Liverpool v Real Madrid
Milan v Tottenham
Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli
Borussia Dortmund v Chelsea
Inter v Porto
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich

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