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Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has explained when the club will speak about the Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid saga that continues to drag on.

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• Superstar forward running down contract
• Has lucrative offer from Santiago Bernabeu
• Official statement expected shortly

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The reigning Ligue 1 champions had been hoping to bring that debate to a close by now. Their all-time leading goalscorer has, however, opted against triggering a contract extension. He has not committed to fresh terms at Parc des Princes either.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That situation is keeping Mbappe’s many suitors interested, with teams from the Premier League and La Liga said to be keen on doing a deal. Real Madrid have led that chase for several years and believe that they finally have an offer on the table that will make the World Cup winner another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu.

• WHAT ENRIQUE SAID ABOUT MBAPPE

  PSG are reluctant to be drawn on Mbappe’s future with no official announcement made on his future, with Enrique telling reporters when quizzed on that subject: “No. I can't say anything. I am going to try to bring this topic to an end. I don't have any comments to make. The parties involved haven't yet said anything publicly, Kylian Mbappe hasn't said anything publicly. When both parties speak, I will give my opinion.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

  Mbappe is reportedly yet to respond to Madrid’s latest approach, but it is claimed that his mind is now made up and he will take the opportunity to embrace a new challenge in 2024. If he does move on, then PSG will find themselves in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer.

Erling Haaland has seen his off-field habits branded a “bit sick”, with Dominik Szoboszlai admitting to shunning advice from the Norwegian striker.

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• Norwegian striker does his own thing
• Colleagues left slightly bemused
• Hungarian ace looking to others for inspiration

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester City sensation Haaland has revealed on a regular basis that he does not follow established rules when it comes to his lifestyle away from the pitch. The 23-year-old frontman – who hit 52 goals last season and finished as runner-up in the 2023 Ballon d’Or poll – has admitted to enjoying an odd diet while also wearing special glasses and taping his mouth shut in a bid to get better sleep.

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  Szoboszlai, who is now in the Premier League at Liverpool, experienced Haaland’s unusual behaviour up close during their time together at Red Bull Salzburg and has told of how the larger-than-life Norway international breaks the mould: “When we played in Salzburg I meditated with [Haaland] two or three times because we were in the same room and at first I looked stupid and then I got in. He had a pair of glasses that he wore, and I used them for a while because he said they would make me sleep better and sleepy faster, but if I had, I would wear them now. It didn't help me, but maybe it's because I didn't believe in them as much as he did, but that's everyone's own business. He does a lot of things that people probably don't know, but I've been to his apartment. The guy is a bit sick.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Hungarian midfielder Szoboszlai is now looking to take inspiration from Mohamed Salah at Anfield, with the Egyptian superstar proving to be a better role model. He added: “I talked to [Salah] a lot because I was interested in how he saw things. He didn't do [meditation] until he was about 28 years old, then he decided not to eat pasta, bread, basically he doesn't drink alcohol. He's been doing this since then, and if there's training at noon, he's already in the gym at 10.30. I don't judge anyone, everyone can do whatever they want.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Szoboszlai has made a positive impact at Liverpool on the back of his 2023 transfer to England, while Haaland has hit 13 goals through 16 appearances for City this season – but he did pick up a knock during his latest Premier League outing against Bournemouth.

As confirmed by the club, Liverpool starlet Layton Stewart has signed a new long term contract after a highly impressive 2020/2021 season in the youth academy – prompting many supporters to rave over this ‘brilliant news’.

The teenage forward started this campaign in fine form, scoring an incredible 15 goals in just 10 appearances for the Under-18s side (Transfermarkt) and turning heads as one for the future.

Indeed, Stewart’s electric run prompted promotion up the ranks to Barry Lewtas’ U23s later in the year – with the 18-year-old quickly bagging for his two strikes for them as well (Transfermarkt).

He has been with Liverpool since the age of seven and put pen to paper on his first professional deal in February 2020.

Despite his season ending due to a serious knee injury sustained in March, the club have now seen fit to extend his professional contract on Merseyside due to his brilliant performances beforehand.

Flocking to this update, it’s little wonder supporters raved as this ‘brilliant news’ was confirmed – find a flavour of their best social media verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans rave as club confirm Stewart new deal

“Great news”

Credit: @famz7ii

“Good news, looks a big talent!”

Credit: @kat_lfc13

“What a player!!!”

Credit: @GerrardThings

“Scouser he’s like a combination Robbie Fowler and a Fernando Torres when I watch him play. Recover well and you’ll be back stronger than ever Layton.”

Credit: @velvet_thunder1

“YESSSSS! Who needs Mbappe?”

Credit: @Jasonftbl

“Yesss brilliant news”

Credit: @LewYNWA

“Things you love to see…”

Credit: @JenLFCWallbank

“Our Future number 9”

Credit: @lfcjohnnie

“Yessss”

Credit: @mightyreds321

In other news: Liverpool fans also flocked to ‘great news’ shared by James Pearce, find out more here.

The Three Lions may be renowned for falling short when it matters most, but the Real Madrid star can inspire them to glory at Euro 2024

This must be a pretty good time to be an England fan. Qualification for yet another major tournament should be wrapped up by this time next week – and the Three Lions will doubtless arrive in Germany for Euro 2024 as one of the favourites.

Some supporters will be nervous, though. England have become dangerously competitive again under Gareth Southgate, who has, for the most part, done a fine job restoring faith in the national team – and yet their campaigns continue to end in bitter disappointment, one could argue because the heightened sense of expectancy makes (the usually penalty-related) knockout-stage exit even tougher to take.

England's players genuinely believed that they could win the 2022 World Cup, though, and that was wholly understandable. A semi-final run in Russia had been followed by a runners-up finish at Euro 2020. Victory in Qatar seemed the obvious, logical conclusion for a well-balanced squad blessed with several exciting young talents.

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  Frustrating failure to defeat France

  Jude Bellingham certainly believed as soon as they saw off Senegal in the last 16. There were just three wins standing between England and a first World Cup since 1966, and he was certain that they could win the first of them, against defending champions France. In fairness, they really should have done.

  Bellingham left the field at the Al-Bayt Stadium on the night of December 10 in tears after a frustrating 2-1 loss, and when he faced the cameras afterwards, the clearly-still emotional teenager insisted that the better team had lost.

  The stats certainly supported that claim. England had dominated possession, won more duels, completed more passes and had twice as many shots on goal (16-8). Kyle Walker had also done an excellent job keeping Kylian Mbappe quiet – something considered unthinkable at the time, given the winger's stunning form – but there was simply no containing Antoine Griezmann, who was involved in both of his side' goals.

  The fear had certainly been before the eagerly-awaited quarter-final that France had more experienced and proven match-winners, leading to the undeniable feeling that persisted throughout the game that while France knew how to get the job done, England still did not.

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  'I don't lack confidence'

  There was, then, almost an inevitability about Harry Kane missing a penalty that would have forced extra-time – in spite of the fact that he had already converted one shortly after half-time. It just felt like a fittingly farcical – and painful – way for England to exit the tournament.

  Consequently, it was thought that Southgate's time was up; that he had taken the team as far as he could – and, even more damningly, wasted England's best chance to win a World Cup for decades because of his perceived conservativeness. Bellingham, though, was having none of it. He wasn't traumatised by England's campaign in Qatar; he was emboldened by it.

  "I personally enjoyed the kind of pressure of the games and the responsibility that the manager gave me," he explained afterwards in an interview with FIFA. "I think you can create [extra] pressure yourself through lack of preparation and confidence. Luckily, I don't lack confidence and I always try to stay prepared. I'm always quite confident I can achieve the things I want to achieve."

  And Bellingham has his sights firmly fixed on lifting a major trophy with England.

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  No more hiding from expectation

  Only this week, when he was asked by about his targets with the national team, he matter-of-factly replied, "My goal for the next 12 months with England will be the same for the next 10-15 years: try to win major tournaments.

  "I think we can't shy away from saying that now. We've come close in the last few tournaments, and to now go back and say: 'Ah yeah, that was enjoyable, but now we have to be more realistic'…I don’t see the point.

  "We should use the experiences we've got from previous tournaments to push on and bring some silverware home. That's the common goal that we are striving towards and we aren’t afraid to say that anymore. In the last few years it's been a case of hiding that expectation, so that we never fail. We've got to be willing to say it, so we can achieve it."

  And why shouldn't both he and his team-mates believe themselves capable of taking the title home?

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  Will Southgate allow Bellingham to shine?

  France are the only other team in Europe with a similar strength in depth all over the park and England's only real weakness is Southgate's propensity for playing it too safe – and arguably being far too loyal to underperforming players such as Harry Maguire.

  Certainly, if Bellingham is afforded the same freedom bestowed upon him by Real Madrid – "He doesn't have a fixed position," according to coach Carlo Ancelotti – the Birmingham native will flourish in an exciting side that should also contain budding superstars such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Phil Foden.

  The challenge, once again, for Southgate will be figuring out the best combinations in both midfield and attack, and that will not be easy. But the primary objective should clearly be building a team around Bellingham – because he is more than capable of inspiring England to victory in Germany.

  Of course, whether the fans want to start banging the drum again is open to debate. They've been burned so many times before that some devastated supporters even suggested ditching 'Football's Coming Home' as an unofficial anthem after their latest tournament trauma. However, there is simply no getting away from the fact that they are more than capable of winning Euro 2024 – and Bellingham, with his burgeoning self-belief, is one of the main reasons why.

Daniel Pinder, the editor-in-chief of Get German Football News, has exclusively told Football FanCast that Erling Haaland would be the perfect Sergio Aguero replacement for Manchester City this summer.

The Argentine has already announced that he’ll be leaving the Etihad at the end of the season, with the Borussia Dortmund striker reportedly top of Pep Guardiola’s wish list.

Haaland has already proved himself as one of Europe’s most feared frontmen by scoring 53 times in 56 appearances for the Bundesliga giants following his move from Salzburg last January, whilst laying on 16 assists for his teammates.

City face competition from rivals Manchester United for Haaland’s signature, whilst Guardiola has previously said it’s impossible for the Premier League champions-elect to sign another striker this window due to financial difficulties.

Despite those comments, Pinder believes that should the Norwegian swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League, he’d be a great addition for City to continue their domination of English football.

He told Football FanCast:

“I think if Man City were to go after him then he would be the man to replace Sergio Aguero – leading the line, being that threat in the box.

“He’s obviously shown he can play at the highest level and Man City, they challenge on all fronts, Premier League, Champions League and all the cups, it will be a big task to replace Aguero, but I think Haaland would be that player.”

Lionel Messi is not quite a one-man show when it comes to MLS, but some fans are clearly only interested in watching the Inter Miami star in action.

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• All-time great had to be replaced
• Continues to nurse a knock
• Some supporters lost interest

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was returned to Tata Martino’s starting XI for a meeting with Toronto FC on Wednesday. He lasted just 37 minutes of that contest before being forced off with a recurrence of the injury that he picked up while on World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina.

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  The game in question was goalless when Messi trudged towards the touchline, with a few of those in attendance of the opinion that there would be nothing else to get excited about from that point as they began to pack up their bags.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  A number of supposed Inter Miami supporters have been caught on camera heading for the exits at DRV PNK Stadium within minutes of Messi being replaced – with the game having not even reached half-time by that point.

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• WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Inter Miami went on to collect a 4-0 win – keeping themselves in the hunt for a play-off berth – but it remains to be seen when Messi will be called upon again as Martino has already ruled him out of a derby date with Orlando City on Sunday. A U.S. Open Cup final clash with the Houston Dynamo is set to take place next Wednesday, with Messi and Co setting their sights on more major silverware.

A Houston Dynamo fan at the U.S. Open Cup final had Taylor Twellman urging the Texan outfit to “come get your man” as he sported a ‘Messi 10’ shirt.

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• Cup final staged at DRV PNK Stadium
• Argentine icon missed out through injury
• Boasts followers among rival fan groups

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi did not figure in a showpiece event at DRV PNK Stadium in Florida, with Inter Miami having to try and cope without their injured talisman. They were unable to do so on the day, with the Argentine icon watching on from the stands as the Dynamo claimed a narrow 2-1 win and got their hands on major silverware.

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  While Messi was unable to take to the field, plenty of those in the stands had turned up hoping to get a glimpse of the 2022 World Cup winner. Some supporters even put club allegiances to one side in a bid to show their support for the legendary South American – with one Houston follower going as far as getting Messi’s name on the back of his orange Dynamo jersey.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  That did not go down well with MLS pundit Twellman, with the former USMNT star posting on social media when being made aware of the image: “hey @HoustonDynamo….come get your man. I mean WTF”

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• WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Messi’s stunning move to the United States was made possible by an agreement between all 29 MLS clubs, so the Dynamo can claim to have played some part in bringing him to America. He is also the biggest draw wherever he goes, with A-list guests continuing to pick up tickets whenever the Messi show is in their town.

Christian Pulisic would still be at Chelsea if he were “Dutch or Italian”, says Tim Howard, with USMNT stars having to be “good every day” in England.

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• American forward left London for Milan
• Turner & Steffen still in England
• Have to prove themselves all the time

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United States international Pulisic spent four years on the books at Chelsea having joined them from German giants Borussia Dortmund in 2019. He became a Champions League winner with the Blues, but moved on over the summer after finding regular playing time and peak form hard to come by. He is now at Serie A heavyweights AC Milan, with Howard claiming that American players are still treated differently in the Premier League.

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  WHAT THEY SAID

  Former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper Howard has told the podcast: “For as much as people want to say that the landscape has changed for Americans, it has not. I think Christian Pulisic did a brilliant job. When he was called upon in that Chelsea team, if he was Dutch or Italian or anything else, he’d still be in the team, he wouldn’t be the first one pulled off the pitch, he wouldn’t be a substitute. He’s that good, he’s showing that at Milan now, so as an American it’s tough. You have to do it every day.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That message has been sent in the direction of USMNT keeper Matt Turner, who is now at Nottingham Forest after leaving Arsenal, as well as Manchester City custodian Zack Steffen. Howard added on the battle to fill No.1 duties for the United States: “Zack Steffen, for me, when I look physically what he is as a goalkeeper – man, that kid has it all. He has more athleticism and a better body than anybody that has stepped in and won the U.S. shirt in the history of U.S. goalkeeping – I think he is that physically gifted. Can he put it all together? At the moment he is dealing with injuries and stuff, but ultimately if he becomes a hot hand at some point then he can challenge Matt. He has had a very similar journey to me – he has gone over from Major League Soccer, gone to a huge club, didn’t play a tonne and then moved on. When I moved on, I cemented myself 10 years at Everton and I think he can do that at Forest. It’s not easy because, here’s the elephant in the room, if you’re at American and you are playing in the Premier League, you had better be good every day – not for a year, not for a game.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Ethan Horvath is another American keeper in England, although he has been left out of Forest’s Premier League squad for 2023-24. Tyler Adams has completed a transfer to Bournemouth, but international team-mate Weston McKennie returned to Juventus at the end of his loan spell at Leeds. Brenden Aaronson is now on loan at Union Berlin after suffering relegation in his debut campaign at Elland Road.

Manchester United midfielder Fred has admitted that he would rather Leeds United be without Raphinha for this weekend’s Premier League clash.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side host the Red Devils on Sunday afternoon as the latest chapter in the clubs’ long rivalry is written. Leeds are full of confidence after beating Manchester City and drawing with Liverpool, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second-placed team now in their sights.

Raphinha is out of the game, however, having failed to recover from an injury picked in the victory away to Pep Guardiola’s Man City earlier in the month.

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Fred doesn’t want to face Raphinha

Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Fred admitted that he would rather not face his fellow Brazilian at Elland Road, simply because of the talent the 24-year-old possesses. The midfielder said:

“Bruno’s been talking about Raphinha ever since he arrived. They played together at Sporting.
“He’s a great player having an amazing season and a lot of clubs have their eye on him. I met him recently, great guy, excellent player but…I hope he won’t be lining up against us!
“I wish him a quick recovery and a lot of success in his career. He’s a stand-out star player for Leeds so, of course, it’s better for us if he’s not on the pitch.
“If he does play, we’ll look to mark him carefully and work on our game-plan as best as possible. We’ll try to nullify his threat to come out on top in this game.”

Transfer Tavern take

There is no denying that Raphinha’s absence comes as a huge blow for Leeds, considering that the Brazilian has been one of their standout players this season. Not only has he delivered end product, chipping in with six goals and six assists in the league, but he creates space for teammates, due to the opposition focusing so much on stopping him.

Leeds still earned a draw against Liverpool without Raphinha, however, showing that they can get by without him, with Helder Costa potentially keeping his place for the visit of the Red Devils on Sunday.

In other news, one pundit has been talking up Leeds’ potential move for an established international player. Read more here.

Leicester City return to Premier League action on Thursday as they host relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes come into the game on a high having reached the FA Cup final against Southampton last time out at Wembley.

Now, as Brendan Rodgers sets his sights on a UEFA Champions League place once again, how many changes could he make to the team that defeated the Saints?

We are expecting just two alterations from the Northern Irishman for the clash against the Baggies.

Kasper Schmeichel will, of course, continue in goal having not missed a Premier League match since the conclusion of the 2018/19 season.

The defence should also remain unchanged with Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu assembling a formidable back three. The latter came through his return at Wembley unscathed so will have no problem in playing once again.

However, there should be one slight chance further forward. Wing-back Ricardo Pereira could only play an hour of the FA Cup semi-final after “taking a blow” to his calf according to Rodgers. With the Portuguese continuing his comeback from a long-term injury, he might not be risked against West Bromwich Albion, giving Marc Albrighton the opportunity to start.

This would see Timothy Castagne moved over to the left-hand side.

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Rodgers’ midfield should have somewhat of a familiar look to it. Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi are going to continue their partnership.

However, Ayoze Perez might well drop out for James Maddison with the latter having made a cameo appearance at Wembley on Sunday. He already has ten goals and 11 assists this season so will be hoping to add to that record against the Baggies.

Elsewhere, the Leicester frontline should stay the same. Kelechi Iheanacho continued his hot form with the winning goal against Southampton and is sure to start.

Jamie Vardy, despite being a prime candidate for a place on the bench, is also likely to be included from the off by Rodgers having hit six goals in nine Premier League career appearances against West Brom.

AND in more news, take a look at which striker Leicester must sign in the summer…