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Manchester United have had something of an unpredictable season throughout the 2023/24 campaign thus far. The Red Devils currently find themselves in sixth position in the Premier League table.

At this moment in time, they also find themselves in a good run of form after winning four of their last five top-flight games.

Erik ten Hag's men are currently sat on 44 points and will be looking at trying to break into the top four spots by the end of the season. In order to do this, they will need to find five points on Aston Villa from somewhere as Unai Emery's men currently occupy fourth place.

The first step in their crusade for Champions League qualification will be their upcoming clash against Fulham. The Cottagers are in the bottom half of the table and haven't been in the best of form this season.

So, there is no doubt that United should come out of the other side of the game victorious. However, in regard to the way they'll line up, that remains a mystery, particularly with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw set to be absent.

One player from the Red Devils' squad who could be left out of the starting XI – not because of an injury issue – is that of Casemiro, with the Brazilian having proven something of a liability of late.

Casemiro's recent performances

Casemiro joined United from Real Madrid in 2022 for a fee worth a reported £70m. Since arriving in Manchester, his form has certainly varied, with it hard to ascertain whether he should remain at the club beyond the end of the season.

For example, in the team's latest clash against Luton Town, in which United won 2-1, the Brazil international was withdrawn at half-time after picking up an early yellow card.

As per Sofascore, against the Hatters, the 32-year-old only managed to win two duels out of nine attempted and even lost possession seven times. When these statistics are compared to Kobbie Mainoo's, it puts into perspective how poorly the more experienced asset played.

Throughout the game, Mainoo, by contrast, won a total of six duels out of 15 attempted and lost possession of the ball the same number of times. However, it does need to be taken into account that the youngster played an additional 45 minutes compared to his Brazilian counterpart.

After Casemiro was taken off the pitch on Sunday, Scott McTominay replaced him. After entering the pitch, the Scotland international managed to outperform the 6 foot anchor on all accounts, notably winning more duels (four) and only losing possession a total of four times during his 45 minutes on the pitch.

However, although the United academy graduate is a valid option to replace the Brazil international, across the season he has shown that he is more of an impact sub rather than a starter.

The midfielder has started a fair few games for the Red Devils this season, but, no player has scored more goals than him off the bench (4.) This outlines how important he is in the latter stages of the game and highlights why Ten Hag would be better off unleashing him late on – or perhaps deploying him further forward in the absence of Hojlund.

This begs the question, if Casemiro is getting dropped and McTominay isn't replacing him, who could?

Why Christian Eriksen is the ideal replacement for Casemiro

Described as an "absolute genius" by Statman Dave, Christian Eriksen's style of play is exactly what United need to shore up the centre of the park.

Although the Denmark international has not yet set the footballing world alight following his move to Ten Hag's side, it is hard to say he hasn't made an impact.

Across all competitions this season, the Dane has made a total of 19 appearances and has managed to contribute one goal and two assists, having previously provided 12 goal involvements in 44 games in 2022/23.

Despite being deployed in more advanced roles this season – while also failing to feature in the last four league outings – Eriksen could offer a more controlled presence ahead of Casemiro due to his range of passing, as he ranks in the top 14% among his European peers for progressive passes per 90.

With United on home turf, and with the youthful presence of Mainoo alongside him, the former Tottenham Hotspur man could be afforded the time and space to dictate the game, with United notably needing greater control after remarkably enjoying less possession than their hosts last weekend.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

It would also allow Ten Hag to change tactical styles in-game if and when needed. For example, if they're seeking a goal, the Dutch tactician could push Eriksen forward and add another forward to their attack.

That tactical flexibility could prove vital as United seek to maintain their winning run, with Eriksen among what could be a handful of changes this afternoon.

Whatever was in the water during Arsenal's trip to Dubai, we want some. No seriously, give it to us now.

The Gunners have been undoubtedly the best team in the country since the mini-winter break, perhaps even the best team in Europe. Their result against Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday will perhaps dictate that argument more efficiently.

However, until then, Mikel Arteta's men can bask in their quite ridiculous run of domestic form. They haven't dropped a single point in the Premier League throughout 2024 and even if their late 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday was trickier than they've become accustomed to of late, it showed steel.

Prior to their victory over the Bees courtesy of a late Kai Havertz header, the north Londoners had scored 31 goals in six unrelenting games of football. They were bagging goals galore until fellow London side Brentford visited the Emirates this weekend.

Though, despite their troubles this time around, they still moved to the top of the table, at least until Liverpool face Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

It's a match that could have been oh-so different, however. With David Raya ineligible to face his parent club in stepped Aaron Ramsdale. Towards the end of a first half in which Arsenal had dominated, Declan Rice heading home the opener, the stand-in stopper then made a catastrophic error.

The 'keeper gave himself too much time on the ball and was closed down by Yoane Wissa in a hurry who was able to find the net in chaotic circumstances.

Yet, once the night was all said and done Ramsdale would be forgiven, largely thanks to super Havertz.

Kai Havertz's run of form in 2024

The German has been nothing short of sensational since the break. Afforded roles as both a false 9 and as the left-side 8 in Arteta's system, plaudits have followed in their droves.

Havertz has now scored four goals in his last four league matches and during that time has also registered two assists. It's safe to say that with Gabriel Jesus injured on the sidelines he has taken his chance with aplomb. £65m down the drain, eh? Perhaps not.

The 24-year-old is very quickly turning criticism into plaudits, swiftly silencing those who doubted him in the early stages of the season.

It took until the return fixture Brentford in November for the former Chelsea star to find the net from open play in Arsenal colours but this calendar year he has been utterly superb. Linking up play, making himself a nuisance for the opposition and crucially, scoring goals.

His eight in the top flight this term has already equalled his best tally in English football to date, a ringing endorsement of the success behind this transfer. That said? Was he lucky to remain on the pitch on Saturday? Quite possibly.

Havertz was booked for an elbow and then in the second period a penalty wasn't given after the German went down in the penalty area. Replays showed there was minimal contact, if any at all, prompting suggestions that he should have been shown a second yellow for simulation. Alas, he was not and upstepped the club's no.29 to power a headed winner home with just minutes left on the clock.

Despite that late strike, the ex-Leverkusen star wasn't the best performer in red and white.

Ben White's performance in numbers vs Brentford

We all know that Arsenal's right-back loves a bit of fun in the sun but since that Dubai trip, the defender has looked a man revitalised.

It's no secret that for large parts of this campaign the £50m signing has been struggling with his fitness but after a bit of rest he now looks a man possessed.

The full-back has been firmly back to his best, dropping a "10/10 every game" in the words of Gunners content creator @ltarsenal.

It's hard to dismiss that assessment, particularly in the last week. White scored a rasping drive to seal a 6-0 win for Arteta's side against Sheffield United last Monday and on Saturday evening popped up with two assists.

The first was a tantalising dinked cross that was just begging Rice to head home. Then, when his team needed it most, White popped up again. This time there was more pace on the cross and it was perfect for a lanky forward such as Havertz to head past Mark Flekken in the Brentford sticks.

His overriding numbers from the game were a delight. Not just a thorn in the Bees' defence, supplying three key passes, Arsenal's no.4 completed 89% of his passes and completed 100% of his tackles. To further substantiate his influence on proceedings, White had 84 touches of the ball, more than any player from either side in the capital.

This was a remarkably composed performance but it's become a regularity in the last few months. In the last five games, White's pass success rate has only dipped below 88% on one occasion with a season-high 97% against West Ham.

The three key passes the England international provided versus Frank's side were also the most he's registered in a single match all season; fine work indeed.

With Gareth Southgate set to name his team for the next England camp very shortly, White's name certainly deserves to be on it. It's just a shame he'll likely be overlooked.

A "phenomenal" Mohamed Salah dominated Arne Slot's pre-season fitness test as the Liverpool forward showed no signs of slowing down.

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• Liverpool back in pre-season training
• Salah aced fitness test
• 11 players have yet to report to Kirkby

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 32-year-old forward has plenty of gas left in his tank as he aced the fitness test in pre-season. Liverpool's players were tasked with a grueling six-minute race test, which Salah won by covering more ground than everyone else – surpassing Sepp van den Berg, who previously held the top spot on the leaderboard. Returning for pre-season training in impeccable shape, Salah is leading from the front with an exemplary work ethic in the gym and on the training field.

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• WHAT CONALL MURTAGH SAID

  Conall Murtagh, Liverpool’s first-team fitness coach, described Salah's performance as "phenomenal."

  “It’s important to show your mentality. Show the lads how it’s done as leaders in the group,” Murtagh added, via

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, and young goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros returned to Kirkby on Tuesday after an early exit with their respective countries from Euro 2024. However, Arne Slot has to continue working without 11 senior players as all of them have been serving their nation either at the Euros or the Copa America.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States kicks off next Tuesday and it is evident that Slot will fly without several key players. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are on holiday following England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, while Alexis Mac Allister helped Argentina win the Copa America, and Darwin Nunez played for Uruguay in the third-place play-off – which means they are also enjoying their post-season break.

  Players typically receive a three-week break after tournaments, meaning that Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Mac Allister, Nunez, and others will not take the grass until Liverpool return from the U.S. on August 4. The Dutch players including Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch, along with France's Ibrahima Konate made it to the last four of the Euros and are expected to be back slightly earlier but are unlikely to cross the Atlantic and join Slot in the US. However, Gomez, Gravenberch, and Konate, who did not play during the Euros, may opt to return to training early and the club has left the decision to the players themselves.

Manchester United are thought to be holding talks with clubs over selling one player in a deal worth more than £40m, according to a new update.

Man Utd exit rumours

With new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in control of sporting decisions at Old Trafford, it could well be a busy few months off the pitch ahead of his first full season with the Red Devils.

There have already been changes higher up, with Omar Berrada appointed CEO from rivals Manchester City and Dan Ashworth wanted as sporting director after being placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United.

Ratcliffe could sell Man Utd outcast who currently earns more than Mainoo

The Man United prospect has struggled to find his feet in Spain while on loan.

By
Tom Lever

Mar 13, 2024

A new manager could also be on the cards, with reports suggesting that Ratcliffe has already decided to move on Erik ten Hag and has identified Roberto De Zerbi as a replacement after a disappointing second campaign in charge.

On the pitch, The Manchester Evening News recently shared an in-depth story looking at 21 players who could leave the club this summer. It now appears as if the Red Devils are actively looking to sell one of those players mentioned.

Mason Greenwood transfer update

One player who could end up leaving Old Trafford for good this summer is Mason Greenwood, who, as we know, is currently on a season-long loan at Getafe. He was moved on last summer on deadline day months after off-field charges against him were dropped.

Now, according to a new update from Marca, Red Devils officials have travelled to Spain to resolve the forward’s future and have already held talks with Barcelona chief Deco over a potential permanent transfer.

United officials will also speak with Getafe and want around €50m (£42.7m) for Greenwood’s services, with Atletico Madrid another possible La Liga destination for the £75,000-a-week player.

Greenwood, who is out of contract in Manchester at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, has been a regular out on loan with Getafe, playing all across the front three and contributing to a goal every other game.

Ratcliffe has also spoken out on the attacker’s future, saying last month in his first press conference: “It’s a fresh decision. I can talk about the principle. I am not going to talk about Mason. I am familiar with it. The principle is the important one. We will have other issues going forwards.

“What we need to do when we have issues like that is understand real effects, not the hype. Then we need to make a fair decision in the light of the club’s values. That’s what we need to do and that’s how we will deal with it.”

Diego Simeone played a major role in convincing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to join Atletico Madrid, according to reports.

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• Simeone convinced Gallagher to join Atletico
• Offered key role in set-up
• Midfielder set to sign £200,000 weekly deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gallagher is set to join Atletico for a rumoured fee of £34m ($43m), after contract talks between Chelsea and the central midfield player broke down ahead of the new season. Aside from the Blues' refusal to budge on contract terms, the key factor in deciding Gallagher's move to Spain was Atletico boss Simeone, according to .

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  During talks, Simeone told Gallagher that he views him as a key component of a new-look Atletico side, following the recent departures of a raft of experienced players including Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay, Stefan Savic and Gabriel Paulista. The Chelsea academy graduate, who was an important figure in Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea dressing room last summer, is apparently viewed as the perfect fit for Simeone's system and style of play.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Gallagher is poised to sign a five-year deal that would keep him in Madrid until 2029, with the England international set to earn as much as £200,000 per week in Spain, including bonuses. This kind of money highlights how in-demand the 24-year-old was this summer, with Spurs and Aston Villa also pushing hard to get his signature.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GALLAGHER?

  We're still waiting for the transfer to be announced officially, but everything looks set in place for Gallagher to join Simeone in Madrid this August, to the annoyance of many Blues fans. Not only will the talented midfielder have a good chance of challenging for domestic trophies in 2024-25, he'll also compete in the Champions League, a competition Chelsea failed to qualify for last season.

If Tottenham Hotspur win at Fulham this evening, they will reclaim a place in the top four, albeit, should Aston Villa win at home to West Ham United a day later that fourth-placed grab will be fleeting for Ange Postecoglou's side.

But such frivolities do not matter at this stage, not even with next week commencing the final ten-match stretch of Spurs' campaign.

What matters is that Tottenham are firing into form ahead of the business end, rekindling the fluency and fire that was at the club's core of the impressive early-season efforts.

Tottenham also have a game in hand on Villa, who they defeated 4-0 last weekend, and while James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and captain Heung-min Son enjoyed the standout showings, Timo Werner's goalscoring cameo calls for his return to the starting line-up.

Timo Werner's Spurs career so far

Werner moved to Tottenham on loan from RB Leipzig in January, with a £15m buy option inserted in the deal, and he has impressed so far, scoring two goals and supplying two assists from seven Premier League matches, starting five of those.

Lightning-quick and an adept dribbler, the 28-year-old has opened up a new dimension to Postecoglou's attack and has left Tottenham with options despite the recent knee injury suffered by Richarlison, with Son slotting in at centre-forward.

Benched last time out, Werner entered the fray late on and fired a satisfying late strike to make it goals in consecutive matches.

Given that Son will be starring up top at Craven Cottage on Saturday, it might be worth recalling Werner to the starting line-up on the left flank.

That would mean that the mercurial Johnson would need to move, and while Dejan Kulusevski occupies the right side of the Spurs attack, Postecoglou might be inclined to boldly ditch the Sweden international and flank his team with fleet-footed dynamism.

Why Dejan Kulusevski could be dropped

Kulusevski is one of the most underrated attacking midfielders in English football and is so important for Tottenham, with Sky Sports' Jamie Weir among those to gush over his qualities.

The reporter said: "Dejan Kulusevski really is a special special player. Works so hard, covers every blade of grass. Hell of an engine on him, and just so much heart."

This season in the Premier League, the 23-year-old has posted six goals and three assists from 24 starts, completing 82% of his passes and averaging 2.1 key passes, 1.8 tackles, 4.0 ball recoveries and 1.6 dribbles per game, as per Sofascore, only benched once all term.

So why would it be worth benching him against Fulham? Well, Kulusevski endured an ineffectual opening at Villa Park one week ago, with football.london's Alasdair Gold heralding his second-half display after a 'poor' start, ultimately handing him an 8/10 score.

Werner must start on the left, allowing Johnson to feature from the right and continue his prolific run of form, with the shifting of the system not a bad move to keep things fresh either.

Kulusevski did win just three of his 11 contested duels against Aston Villa, and while he is unquestionably a talented player, Johnson has been in sublime form of late and the Welshman can't really do much more to warrant a start.

Spurs' 'engine' could also be welcomed after the break if need be, with his skills certainly fit to supercharge his team if an extra hand is needed in the latter phase of the fixture.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has seen his €11 million (£9m/$12m) Ibiza mansion vandalised by the climate activist group 'Futuro Vegetal'.

• Activists break into Messi's property
• Paint mansion red & black
• Messi on holiday after Copa America

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As per , the activists broke into Messi's Ibiza villa at the start of the week and painted the property red and black, while sharing photos of their act of vandalism on social media. In several of the posts, two members of the group can be seen holding up a banner that says "Help the planet, eat the rich, abolish the police" in an attempt to denounce government policies that they believe to be aggravating the climate crisis.

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• WHAT FUTURO VEGETAL SAID

  Futuro Vegetal have explained their actions in a statement on , which reads: "We tinted Messi's illegal mansion in Ibiza. The Mansion is an illegal construction that the footballer acquired for the exorbitant sum of 11 million euros. While this is happening, in the Balearic Islands alone between 2 and 4 people have died as a direct consequence of the heat wave. The richest 1% of the population is responsible for the same amount of carbon emissions as the poorest two-thirds. This is only possible because public authorities support an economic-social system that threatens life. While the far right blames migrants for the crisis and displays extreme violence against them, those of us who fight for a better world are clear that the problem is social inequality. Let's tackle the problems at the root. We need a radical change of system to face the Climate Crisis."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  According to the , Messi purchased the San Josep property in 2022, and has been a regular visitor to Ibiza over the years with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children. Messi has yet to respond to the break-in at his Spanish property, but the news will come as a major shock ahead of his return to action at Inter Miami.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Messi has been enjoying an extended break from club action after helping Argentina retain their Copa America title in the United States. He is also recovering from an ankle injury picked up in the final of that tournament, with no official return date set for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner yet. Inter Miami are sitting top of the Eastern Conference in MLS after 16 games, but their current focus is locked on the Leagues Cup and a round of 32 clash against Toronto FC later this week.

England star Mary Earps says it's "mental" as she become the first professional female footballer to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds London.

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• Earps wins vote to receive wax figure
• Goalkeeper posts throwback visit to attraction
• Lionesses star joined PSG this summer

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Earps shared a throwback photo of her visit to Madame Tussauds in 2013 as she celebrated becoming the first professional female footballer to have a wax figure at the famous attraction in London. The 31-year-old will be added to the museum this autumn following a public vote, which came after Earps helped England win the 2022 European Championship and reach the final of the 2023 World Cup.

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• WHAT EARPS POSTED ON INSTAGRAM

  Earps posted some snaps of her own waxwork model, along with a photo of her alongside a figure of singer Cheryl during a 2013 trip to Madame Tussauds, on Instagram. She wrote: "When I visited Madame Tussauds with my Mum back in March 2013 (scroll for me and Chezza), never did I ever think I'd be back there a decade or so later as my own waxwork figure. Absolutely mental. Thank you for voting for me, this is super surreal. I can't wait for you all to see it. Big thank you to the wonderful Madame Tussauds team who've brought this to life – your work is incredible!"

• WHAT EARPS SAID

  Speaking about the significance of her own model, Earps said, per The Guardian: "It's a special feeling to be a trailblazer. I think it's something that means a lot to me.

  "I'm a very ambitious person, a very hard-working person, and I think to try and push boundaries and try and be a pioneer for change, in many ways, is something that I really enjoy doing, and hopefully I can do for the rest of my career."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  The real Earps is beginning a new chapter in her professional career after signing for Paris Saint-Germain in July. The Lionesses 'keeper joined the French team after five years at Manchester United.

A potential twist has emerged regarding the future of an "outstanding" Rangers player at the end of the season, following a fresh update from abroad.

Key Rangers players could leave

Philippe Clement will understandably be eyeing up a number of signings in the summer transfer window, but on the flip-side, plenty of current Ibrox heroes have been linked with moves away from the club.

One individual who looks likely to depart in the summer is left-back Borna Barisic, with the veteran defender out of contract once the campaign ends and an extension not expected to come his way.

Meanwhile, James Tavernier, one of Rangers' most important and influential players for many years, is another who has been backed to enjoy a new challenge, with a move to Saudi Arabia mooted. He could link up with former Gers manager Steven Gerrard there, although the Scottish Premiership giants are understandably desperate to retain his services.

Elsewhere, there is no guarantee that loan pairing Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva will sign permanent deals, with much depending on potential Champions League qualification and whether the club can afford both players. Their respective clubs, Brighton and Wolves, do seem to be open to the idea of selling them, though.

Twist over "outstanding" Rangers hero's future

According to Turkish outlet Sporx [via Rangers News], Barisic is far from certain to join Trabzonspor this summer, with a deal a long way from being a foregone conclusion.

The Turkish giants are targeting various signings all over the pitch, with Sporx's update saying they want to recruit two more centre-backs, 2-3 midfielders, as well as in winger and forward positions. However, the number of foreign players allowed in their squad will drop to 12 next season, meaning they have to be more careful about the signings they bring in.

It does still feel highly likely that Barisic's future lies beyond Rangers, even though the idea of him staying put for another year or two certainly wouldn't be a bad thing given his vast experience and quality. He has been hailed by Gerrard in the past, with the Englishman saying: "Borna was outstanding last night, he is the Croatian left-back and he is used to these high-pressure games. He is very highly respected by the staff and in the dressing room."

Given Barisic's age, though, it makes more sense to simply allow him to move on, with the focus then turning to bringing in a younger replacement, such as Fluminense left-back Jefte. He was strongly linked with a switch to the Gers during the January transfer window, and although a transfer didn't materialise, a report has claimed that a verbal agreement could be in place ahead of the summer.

Rangers on alert over signing "quality" player on a free after new update

The Ibrox side have held a longstanding interest in the player.

By
Ben Browning

Mar 29, 2024

Should Barisic leave Rangers, as is still expected despite the possible Trabzonspor twist, he should be remembered as a consistent and effective servant, winning one Scottish Premiership title, a Scottish Cup and a Scottish League Cup, as well as registering a total of 54 assists in 230 appearances, prior to this weekend's clash with Hibernian.

Real Madrid have rejected a bid worth in excess of €100m (£85m/$110m) for Eder Militao from Saudi Arabia.

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• Real reportedly reject mammoth bid
• Saudi Arabian club not named
• Militao deemed a key player

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per UOLEsporte, Real have received an offer worth in excess of €100m for Militao from an unnamed Saudi club. The defender missed a large part of last season because he sustained an ACL injury but Real continue to deem him a key player, especially in the wake of Nacho Fernandez's move to Saudi Arabia.

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  Saudi Arabia's Pro League has also targeted Vinicius Jr and they proposed a deal worth in excess of €1 billion (£854m/$1.1bn) for the Brazil international. Neither player appears set to make the move to the Middle East, however.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Militao has been with Madrid since 2019 and has made a total of 156 appearances for the club. He has a contract until 2028 and has won the Champions League twice, as well as La Liga three times.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Real Madrid kick off their La Liga season against Mallorca on Sunday as they bid to defend their title. Militao will hope to be involved, as will Vinicius.