Real Madrid chase Sancho, PSG make Mbappé decision? — Liverpool rivals' news round-up
Check the latest news on Liverpool's big European rivals as the transfer window nears.
Paul ClarkeSenior Sports Wire Writer
Liverpool have been linked with Kylian Mbappe. (Image: Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Welcome to liverpool.com's daily round-up of all the news about the Reds' European rivals.
Liverpool maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League action at the weekend thanks to a tight 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Couple that with Man City's victory over Chelsea in the late kick-off, and the Reds retained their nine-point edge over the Guardiola's men, with Leicester City's eight point deficit rendering them the closest challengers.
But it's not just in the Premier League where Liverpool are the team to beat, the 2018/19 Champions League winners are also the side that everyone in Europe has in their sights.
So, let's take a look at the big stories in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and beyond, and how they could affect the Reds.
Real Madrid eyeing Sancho
Real Madrid are ready to make a bid for Borussia Dortmund and England star Jadon Sancho. Don Balon are reporting that Zinedine Zidane's club will offer striker Mariano Diaz plus €120 million ($132m) in exchange for the 19-year-old winger.
The report states that Kylian Mbappé is the first point of call for the Spanish giants but they have been frustrated in their pursuit of the France World Cup winner. The 20-year-old continues to star for Paris Saint-Germain with eight goals in Ligue 1 and the Champions League combined. Sancho, meanwhile, has contributed four goals and six assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund this season.
Liverpool.com says: Real Madrid are almost certain to spend big money again next summer after a mediocre opening to their season so far, and Gareth Bale's almost certain departure freeing up a significant chunk of the wage bill. But with Eden Hazard, Vinícius and Rodrygo all signed for big money in wide areas recently, they might be more likely to purchase a central midfielder or striker than Sancho.
Jadon Sancho's Borussia Dortmund days are numbered, and Liverpool are a perfect match
PSG make Mbappé decision
Liverpool fans are just one of the many sets of football supporters to have indulged themselves in the fantasy of signing Mbappé in 2020, but Real are the team most likely to make any kind of concrete offer. However, Paris Saint-Germain have made a decision which could lead to a big blow for clubs around Europe.
Mbappé signed a five-year deal when he arrived from Monaco in 2017 but PSG are now supposedly eager to tie the player down to a new contract, and L'Équipe are reporting that PSG have now opened contract extension talks with Mbappé.
Liverpool.com says: A new contract at PSG might make sense financially for Mbappé, but from a career perspective tying himself down to Paris for a few extra years would be foolish. If he wants to be remembered as one of the game's all-time greats, he'll have to move to a more competitive league, and a team which allows him to challenge seriously for the Champions League each season.
Neymar in big PSG trouble, De Ligt's Juventus regret? — Liverpool rivals' news round-up
Atletico identify Haaland transfer
Erling Haaland is a player supposedly on the radar of clubs around Europe, including Premier League side Manchester United, but it's Atlético Madrid who are said to be stepping up their interest. That's according to Don Balon, who are reporting that Diego Simeone has identified the Red Bull Salzburg striker as his primary target for the January transfer window.
Real Madrid and Juventus are also reportedly keeping tabs on Haaland, with the 19-year-old having scored 26 goals in 18 matches in all competitions this season. It has been reported that Red Bull Salzburg are willing to listen to offers of around €100 million ($110m, £86m).
Liverpool.com says: Haaland's form so far this season has been incredible, and his goal return in the Champions League proves it's just because he plays club football in Austria. Atlético Madrid wouldn't make much sense for him though, with Ballon d'Or nominee João Félix and former Chelsea man Diego Costa already giving Simeone plenty of first-choice options.
Alisson Becker has added something to his Liverpool locker, taking him to the next level
'Messi and Ronaldo are monsters'
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may be both past 30 but they continue to defy age with dominant performances for Juventus and Barcelona respectively. As if the duo need any more praise, Juventus forward Paolo Dybala has heaped more on two of his current colleagues. The Argentine international plays with Ronaldo at club level while playing international matches with compatriot Messi.
The spot-on Liverpool record adding to their mentality-monsters tag
"Outside the pitch, they are two very quiet people, but inside they are two monsters," he told Spanish newspaper El Pais. "I heard Luis Scola [Argentinian basketball player] said both Leo and Cristiano enter the field convinced that they are the best and that is why they are the best. And I am sure that is so.
"My friends used to tell me: 'You have the best in the national team and now they bring you the best one at your club'. I replied: 'It is an advantage for me.' I can study them every day. Who doesn't want to play with the best? We are talking about two phenomenal players; two players who are one or two steps above the rest."
Liverpool.com says: Can you imagine a world where Messi and Ronaldo no longer play football? What will children on the playground and virgins on the internet argue about once the Messi vs Ronaldo debate is no longer active? Simply doesn't bear thinking about.
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Check back tomorrow for more of the latest news.