Real Madrid weigh up Kylian Mbappe free transfer or £176m Erling Haaland deal – Paper Round

Real weigh up Haaland or Mbappe

Real Madrid are still interested in revisiting moves for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, despite them preferring Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, at least when it came to their decision last summer.

“Mbappe can leave PSG for free in 2024 if he does not activate the optional extra year clause in his contract.

“He is not expected to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.

“Madrid are believed to be keeping a close eye on how that situation plays out but have other options on the table.

“Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is also reported to be among the options that Madrid could look to attract.

“But with reported exit clauses of £176m in 2024 and £154m in 2025, the striker promises to be among priciest of Madrid’s alternatives.”

Aubameyang not interested in Chelsea departure

The Telegraph reports that there are plenty of clubs in Europe who may consider a move to try to sign Chelsea’s veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and could be moved on.

However, one club that will not be signing him is LAFC, with the Gabonese striker confident he can still perform at a higher level.

“Chelsea have held talks with LA FC, Gareth Bale’s last club, about Aubameyang moving to the MLS but the striker does not consider it the right time of his career to go to America.”

Chelsea prepare to balance the books

After spending £288 million last January to revitalise their squad under Todd Boehly, Chelsea have to clear out many of their current players in order to meet spending rules.

Reports in Spain suggests that Hakim Ziyech is one of the players who will be moved on, but there are at least four of the first team squad who should be let go.

“The Moroccan is now set to leave in the summer on a permanent deal with the club having too big a squad to move forwards.

“Christian Pulisic has found game-time hard to come by and is likely to look for an exit route as he plans to be the figurehead of the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign.

“Kalidou Koulibaly only arrived in the summer but the Senegalese defender hasn’t been able to reproduce his Napoli form.

“Kovacic is an excellent midfielder, but he is one of the more sellable assets left at the club.”

Chelsea and Arsenal to battle for Thuram

With Marcus Thuram available on a free transfer this summer when his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach expires, there are a host of clubs who are lining up in order to make a play for the 25-year-old Frenchman.

“Mikel Arteta’s side have joined a long list of clubs aiming to secure the French international’s s signature that also includes Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich,” the paper says.

“If he was to join Arsenal, it would casts doubts over Folarin Balogun’s future.

“Chelsea may also be in the running to sign Thuram, as the Metro reports that they came close to bringing him in during the January transfer window and see him as a potential replacement for Joao Felix.”