Mbappe asked to leave PSG, Sterling’s Man City pain – Monday’s biggest stories

Robin Bairner

4 Oct 2021 22:52 BST
4 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Reims v PSG, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid transfer saga has been one of the major talking points in world football for several months, so when the Paris Saint-Germain star broke his silence on the story on Monday, it was inevitably going to make headlines.

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Mbappe did not disappoint, indicating that he told PSG he wanted to leave in July in order to give them ample time to prepare a replacement. He also explained his incredible reaction to hearing the PSG president declare he would not be allowed to leave for free.

It is a saga that favours no-one; not PSG, not Real Madrid and not Mbappe.

Another long-running transfer saga is that of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, who increasingly looks likely to depart Old Trafford. Despite his lack of game time in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, there is no lack of interest in the Netherlands international star.

Across the city, meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is struggling to find his form and is being linked with a move out of Manchester City. Having impressed in recent months, the England winger should have few problems finding a club.

Sticking with City, the form of striker Dusan Vlahovic has caught their eye and also that of Liverpool. Fiorentina are desperate to pin him down to a record new contract, but the forward is being evasive, much to the ire of the Italian side.

Chelsea could be ready to offload Marcos Alonso, with Inter linked with the Spaniard, and should be considering alternatives they could sign to replace him.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been linked with an audacious move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, while another Bundesliga star has reportedly been offered to Real Madrid.

There has also been movement on the manager front on Monday. Watford have confirmed that they have a new manager, while Manchester United fans hoping that they might soon see Solskjaer depart are likely to be disappointed by the latest developments at Old Trafford.