Real Madrid plot new dynasty with N’Golo Kante, Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba
Zinedine Zidane wants to splash the cash on French World Cup-winning trio
Real Madrid intend to become the dominant force once more in European football by embarking on the mother of all spending sprees.
The Sun says that president Florentino Perez is determined to reclaim the spot as the continent’s premier club after a dismal year in which they saw Liverpool crowned Champions League kings and Barcelona steal the La Liga title.
Talented French trio
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to the Sun Perez and Real head coach Zinedine Zidane will use the French touch to construct their new dynasty. Real are aiming to convince Zidane’s compatriots Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Kylian Mbappe to join the Spanish giants.
Perez has admitted that he has already been in touch with an unnamed Frenchman “but they won’t sell”. According to the Spanish press the player is Chelsea magician Kante.
It’s claimed that Real gaffer Zidane is a “long-term admirer” of Kante ever since the playmaker inspired Leicester City to their stunning Premier League title win in 2016.
Apparently “Zizou” also approves of Kante’s work ethic and believes the midfielder can make a “major difference in the heart of his side”.
Kante conundrum
Chelsea have no intention of selling Kante after seeing Eden Hazard lured to the Bernabeu in the summer but their stance may change if they are successful in overturning their two-window transfer ban.
In that case they may listen to offers, using the £100m-plus transfer fee to reboot Frank Lampard’s squad.
Mbappe targeted
Zidane believes the current Real squad is past its best with Luka Modric and Gareth Bale likely to be moved on between now and June. Sharpshooter Karim Benzema is also the wrong side of 30 and may not last into next season.
The French press says Perez has his heart set on Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe and believes he could be the next Cristiano Ronaldo for the next decade both in terms of goals scored and shirts sold.
£179m for Pogba
It was reported earlier this week that Manchester United have told Real Madrid they’ll have to stump up £179m if they wish to sign Paul Pogba.
The Daily Mirror says the Red Devils “won’t indulge in any business with the Madrid giants in the new year unless their valuation of £179m is met”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Damian Barr shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The writer and broadcaster picks works by Alice Walker, Elif Shafak and others
By The Week UK Published
-
The Great Mughals: a 'treasure trove' of an exhibition
The Week Recommends The V&A's new show is 'spell-binding'
By The Week UK Published
-
Big Tech critic Brendan Carr is Trump's FCC pick
In the Spotlight The next FCC commissioner wants to end content moderation practices on social media sites
By David Faris Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published