Real Madrid lead race to sign Joao Felix
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Updated 03/04/2019 at 06:24 GMT
Real Madrid want Joao Felix and will sell Gareth Bale, Manchester United target Jadon Sancho and Pedro could be on his way out at Chelsea. It's Wednesday's Paper Round...
Joao Felix
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Real move ahead of United in Felix race
Manchester City and United are falling behind in the race for Portugal teenager Joao Felix. The 19-year-old has scored 10 goals this season for Benfica, who top the league in Portugal. Neither United nor City have made an approach for the player yet, and now Real are planning to bid for Felix, with the Sun suggesting there will soon be a new release clause of £130 million.
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Joao Felix
Image credit: Getty Images
Paper Round’s view: United and City could both use on of the most promising talents to supplement their attacking resources, but Real Madrid are probably going to outspend them both this season given how far behind Barcelona they have fallen. With Zidane back, they are probably a more attractive destination than either side in Manchester would be for a teenager from Lisbon.
Zidane hints at Bale exit
Returning Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been less than supportive about Gareth Bale’s future at the club. The Frenchman took over again after Santiago Solari’s exit this season, and was asked about 29-year-old Bale’s future. Rather than say Bale was assured of staying, he said: “Gareth’s future and other players, we’ll talk about that at the end of the season.”
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Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
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Paper Round’s view: Bale has been an underwhelming presence in Spain for at least two years, and his injury problems mean he isn’t a reliable first-team player even if he is at the top of his game. He has also failed to properly learn Spanish in his time there, so it might make sense to bring in someone who is willing to make the most of playing for the biggest club in the world.
United target Sancho
Manchester United might have lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers last night, but they are planning to improve for next season. They have made Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho their priority target, according to the Independent. The 19-year-old England international would cost £100 million, and he is attracting interest from both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
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Jadon Sancho of Dortmund celebrates his teams second goal with Aschraf Hakimi of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park on February 23
Image credit: Getty Images
Paper Round’s view: Sancho is a brilliant prospect and could be one of the best players of all time in England’s history, and signing him would be a sensible move for almost any club in Europe. However, going by the evidence of last night, the plan to continue with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in the side makes improving elsewhere on the pitch a complete waste of time. Plus, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has told Eurosport that Sancho is not for sale.
Pedro linked with Stamford Bridge exit
The Express report that Chelsea could lose more than just one forward this summer. Eden Hazard has been repeatedly linked with a transfer to Real Madrid, but the paper believes Spanish winger Pedro could also be on the way out. Inter Milan and Serie A rivals AC Milan both want the 31-year-old player as he has just one year of his contract to run.
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Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on November 4, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Paper Round’s view: Pedro has been a solid performer for Chelsea for the past few seasons. He is far from exceptional but he is a competent and pacey presence on the wing. If they can keep Callum Hudson-Odoi, then Chelsea will probably recover from losing one of Hazard or Pedro, but they can’t lose many from their squad with a transfer ban looming.
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