Real Madrid want £50m Man Utd defender

Real Madrid are considering a £50m move for Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot amid ongoing uncertainty over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s availability, the i paper reports. Real will look to see whether the right-back is part of Ruben Amorim’s plans.

Contents

Salah open to one-year Liverpool deal West Ham weighing up options Rooney under pressure

Dalot remains an important member of the squad, United sources insist, while the player is not looking for a transfer away.

The i paper adds: “However, Madrid are willing to make a move for Dalot now, rather than wait for Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool when his contract expires next summer.

“There is some urgency as their first choice full-back, Dani Carvajal, is out with a serious knee injury. The 32-year-old is expected to miss the majority of the season and Madrid have played several players out of position at right-back, with varying success.

“Madrid are long-term admirers of Alexander-Arnold, 26, and have been biding their time as the England defender has failed to agree a contract extension at Liverpool.”

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Manchester United and PAOK FC

Image credit: Getty Images

Salah open to one-year Liverpool deal

Mohamed Salah is open to signing a one-year extension at Liverpool, The Athletic reports, but he is becoming frustrated with the club’s handling of negotiations. The Egyptian is yet to hear Liverpool’s offer in terms of length or salary, and he is now less than a month away from being allowed to discuss contracts with clubs outside England.

Salah has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, as well as PSG, while the forward recently said he was “more out than in” regarding his future at Liverpool.

The Athletic added: “Liverpool have consistently maintained that discussions with Salah, through his representative Ramy Abbas, have been positive and are still ongoing. But Salah is frustrated at the pace of talks and unconvinced the club will meet his expectations on terms.

“The forward’s priority is to extend his stay at Anfield and he is not agitating to leave. Even in that interview after the Southampton match, he was at pains to stress his “love” for Liverpool.

“Yet he also believes he is amongst the best players in the world and the terms of any new deal should reflect that status, and his performance levels this season.

“Salah has scored 13 goals in Liverpool’s 20 games across all competitions this season, delivering 11 assists. His latest contribution was to set up Cody Gakpo for the opening goal against Manchester City on Sunday, and then score a second-half penalty that sealed a 2-0 win.”

West Ham weighing up options

West Ham are considering their options after the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal and could look to bring in Sergio Conceicao to replace Julen Lopetegui, the Guardian reports.

Lopetegui’s future at West Ham is hanging firmly in the balance, with the Hammers beating Newcastle last week to buy the Spaniard some time, only to lose heavily against the Gunners on Saturday. It means former Porto boss Conceicao is now a consideration.

The Guardian adds: “There is serious interest in Conceição, who left Porto last summer. The 50-year-old Portuguese, who led Porto to three league titles and twice took them to the Champions League quarter-finals, is thought to be attracted to the job. West Ham are yet to establish contact with Conceição but there is support for him within the club.

“Other contenders include the former Juventus manager Max Allegri, who has been pictured in London recently. There is a feeling that Graham Potter could come into contention. The former Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier, who is coaching Al-Duhail in Qatar, has been considered in the past.”

Rooney under pressure

Wayne Rooney is under serious pressure at Plymouth Argyle and could have just two home games left to save his job, the Telegraph reports. Plymouth face Oxford and Swansea soon, and that could prove pivotal after suffering two heavy defeats recently.

The Championship club are just above the relegation zone, but having conceded 10 goals in two games, Rooney’s injury-stricken side are struggling.

The Telegraph adds: “Although there are no immediate plans to make a change, the two matches in succession against Oxford on Saturday and Swansea the following Tuesday at Home Park appear crucial to Rooney’s future.”