According to the Insider Notebook, Real Madrid want to pair Kylian Mbappe with Erling Haaland in a forward line that would be the envy of world football. There are plans to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
There is a list of replacements for Auba.
Madrid made a huge move for Mbappe-Haaland.
According to sources, Real Madrid are trying to sign both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe next summer in order to take advantage of the financial problems at Barcelona by landing the two most sought-after players in world football.
The France international is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and join Real Madrid as a free agent.
Real believe they can structure a deal to take Haaland to Madrid, despite the fact that they face competition from Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
The January transfer window is all you need to know.
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The LaLiga leaders will have the financial resources to fund a move for Haaland and also pay for four big earners who are out of contract at Real at the end of the season.
Haaland will command an annual salary of $30m if he leaves for another club, according to a report from October.
According to sources, Haaland and his advisers will consider interest from a range of clubs, but Real are the leading contender to sign the Norway international.
Barcelona's financial problems are likely to make it impossible for Joan Laporta to challenge for Haaland. In September, Barcelona announced debts of 1.35 billion, a situation that forced the club to accept defeat in its efforts to keep Lionel Messi at Camp Nou.
Although Barcelona are making moves to strengthen their squad, they are unable to compete with Europe's richest clubs in the race to sign Haaland, and sources said that Real know this.
The club's wealth and success under managerPep Guardiola has made City a strong contender to sign Haaland. The managerial uncertainty at Old Trafford and the fact that they are not in a position to finish in the top four this season could affect their hopes of signing the player. Sources told the sports network that if Kylian Mbappe says he won't sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain, they will move for him.
Real Madrid are interested in Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
The plans to replace Aubameyang.
Sources told ESPN that Mikel Arteta has a short list of strikers to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
There is a transfer analysis that says that the player needs to leave the team.
Arteta is willing to listen to offers for him in January, as his future at the club has been thrown into doubt by his unruly behavior.
Arteta and the recruitment team are considering a number of options as they plan for life without the player. Watkins joined Villa for a fee of over 25 million dollars and has scored 18 league goals in 51 appearances for the club. Arteta is a fan of Watkins' playing style and his ability to play in a number of different roles. Sources said a switch in January would be unlikely, but the 25-year-old will be monitored ahead of a summer move.
Sources said that other options are being considered, including Real Sociedad's Isak, Vlahovic and Calvert-Lewin, as well as the fact that the cost of a replacement may turn out to be prohibitive.
Arteta was interested in signing Jorginho from Chelsea 18 months ago, but the Italy international was surplus to requirements. Sources said that Watkins is interested in Douglas Luiz.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy of the team.
City has goodwill towards Barcelona.
According to sources, Manchester City helped out Barcelona by agreeing to pay the fee in installments, with the first due in July.
Just four months after letting Lionel Messi leave because they couldn't afford to renew his contract, Barcelona confirmed the signing of Fernando Torres in a deal worth an initial 55m.
The deal was possible because City were willing to break the fee down over a number of years, and because Fernando will earn less than Messi.
The English club will be paid in at least four installments, with the first one not due until July so that Barcelona can include it in the books for the next financial year, when they expect revenue to have increased.
The spending limit for the season is 97m, which includes outgoings on wages and transfer fees. The league allows Barcelona to spend 25% of everything they save by moving on players and reducing their salaries, even though their wage bill is way over the cap.
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Barcelona is ready for a new year after its first exit from the group stage in 20 years.
Digne is a problem for Chelsea.
According to sources, the interest in Lucas Digne could be complicated by the fact that he is wanted by the club for a permanent basis.
The Blues are weighing up possible targets in the January transfer window after learning that Ben Chilwell is set to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
In the last few weeks, Thomas Tuchel has complained about the lack of depth in his squad as they have fallen eight points behind Manchester City and have only Marcus Alonso as a left wing-back.
With Chilwell expected to make a full recovery this summer, it's ideal for the Blues to take Digne on loan.
The relationship between Digne and the boss of the club has deteriorated, so the club prefer a straight deal.
It is thought that the figure of £25m would not deter the takeover of the club by Saudi Arabia. In January, they will look to sign at least two defenders, as they are 19th in the table and have the worst defensive record in the division.
Inter Milan and Napoli have registered an interest, but it is not clear if either club would be prepared to meet the valuation of the other.
The clubs have to find an agreement first with talks expected in the coming days, so that Digne can push for a move to European champion, rather than fighting for survival with the club.
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What went right and what didn't go right in Manchester United's win over Burnley was broken down by Craig Burley.
Tuanzebe wants out.
According to sources, Napoli inquired about Tuanzebe's situation at Manchester United.
The Italian side inquired about United's plans for Tuanzebe as they assess options to strengthen their defence. Tuanzebe's representatives are set to meet with United chiefs to discuss the former England under-21 international's future, but sources told ESPN that Napoli are yet to make contact with them.
Tuanzebe signed a one-year loan deal at Villa Park in the summer and has made 11 appearances so far this season. The centre-back is rated highly by the coaching staff but he is not in the starting XI and is looking for regular games.
Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Teden Mengi are also in the squad.
According to sources, the player told the club that he would not return to the club to be a squad player and would instead look for a permanent move at the end of his loan deal at Flamengo.
In Brazil, he helped Flamengo to the final of the Libertadores, but his error led to Palmeiras' winning goal.
After becoming a key player for Flame, Joao Pereira has made it clear that he will not settle for a bit-part role at Old United.
He has a contract with United until 2023 but is hoping to get a permanent move away to start his career. The 25-year-old has four loan moves since 2016 and is currently at Flamengo.
There is interest from a number of clubs in Italy, Spain and France, but he has not ruled out extending his stay at Flamengo.
