Real Madrid transfer news: Mbappe, Hazard, Courtois, Kane
Spanish giants dealt a blow as they hunt a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo
Mbappe rules out Real Madrid move
World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, who became only the second teenager after Pele to score in the final, has ruled out a move to Real Madrid this summer.
The 19-year-old was named Young Player of the Tournament had been touted as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo who is set to be unveiled as a Juventus player today.
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But, as he celebrated France’s World Cup triumph over Croatia, Mbappe made it clear he would not be leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer, reports the Daily Mail.
“I will stay with PSG, continuing on my path with them,” he is reported as saying. “I have a contract with PSG. At the moment this transfer is absolutely impossible.”
Chelsea will not let Hazard leave
Another potential replacement for Ronaldo is Chelsea star Eden Hazard, who had a fine World Cup with Belgium.
However, the Daily Telegraph says the Blues will not allow him to leave without a fight.
“Hazard appeared to put his Stamford Bridge future in doubt by claiming, on the back of a superb World Cup, that the time might be right to move on. He also hinted that he wants to move to Real,” reports the paper.
“There are serious doubts, however, over whether Real could match Chelsea’s valuation of Hazard that stands over the £200m world record fee Paris Saint-Germain paid for Neymar.
“And with the transfer window shutting in just over three weeks, on August 9, Chelsea are adamant they do not want to sell Hazard and are planning for him to start the Premier League season with them.”
Real target Courtois
Reports in the Spanish press suggest that Real Madrid will make a mammoth offer for both Hazard and his Chelsea team-mate, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Daily Star picks up on claims in Don Balon that Real are “ready to offer a mammoth £221m (€250m) for the Blues duo”.
But the paper adds that Don Balon is renowned for its “bold and outlandish transfer claims”.
However, goalkeeper Courtois wants a pay rise from Chelsea and told reporters: “What was on the table is different than what I can have.”
Ramos rejects Kane rumour
Spurs and England striker Harry Kane has also been mentioned as a possible summer signing for Real Madrid, but website CaughtOffside picks up on another Spanish news report that claims, “Real’s players don’t think signing Kane would be enough to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo”.
Sergio Ramos has apparently led the calls for Real to reject a move for Kane as he does not fit in with the club’s style of play despite his scoring record.
Kovacic has £80m price tag
Manchester City will have to pay £80m to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic after missing out on Jorginho, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The paper picks up on reports that “Real Madrid will only sanction a sale for Kovacic if a club can match their £80m valuation in the coming months”.
That would mean City breaking their record fee for a second time this summer after signing Riyad Mahrez from Leicester for £60m last week.
Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the Croatian.
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