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Senior players Chloe Tryon and Lizelle Lee have also returned to the fold for the series

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Apr-2019South Africa women will be without the services of their regular captain Dane van Niekerk for the upcoming limited-overs home series against Pakistan, as she continues to recover from a stress fracture of the right femur.Van Niekerk had suffered the injury during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in February this year and Suné Luus, who had stepped in to lead the side for the remainder of that series, has been named captain for the games against Pakistan as well.The elevation to the captaincy, albeit in a temporary capacity, marked an interesting few months for Luus: she was dropped for the series against Sri Lanka, before being included in place of the injured Chloe Tryon, and then went on to lead the side when van Niekerk picked up her injury. Luus, a legspin-bowling allrounder, took a match-defining 4 for 30 in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, which helped her side sweep the series 3-0.Two other senior players were recalled after regaining full fitness. Vice-captain Tryon has recovered from a groin injury, while Lizelle Lee was picked after meeting the team’s fitness standards. Fitness concerns had resulted in her withdrawal from the series against Sri Lanka.Wicketkeeper-batsman Sinalo Jafta, who last played an ODI in January 2017, was included in both squads, as was the uncapped Nondumiso Shangase. Shangase, a young allrounder, is a product of the Women’s National Academy, and was also part of the South Africa women’s emerging team that hosted England and Australia’s academies in a triangular series last year. Opening batsman Andrei Steyn and medium-pacer Zintle Mali have only been picked for the ODIs, with Tazmin Brits and Moseline Daniels taking their place in the T20I squad.The three-match ODI series will begin on May 6, and both South Africa and Pakistan will look to be higher on the ICC Women’s Championship table by the end of it. South Africa are fifth on the table with six wins from 12 matches, the same number as Pakistan, who are sixth, but have an extra point following a no-result (against West Indies in September last year). The first two ODIs will be played at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, with the final ODI in Benoni. The five-match T20I series will be played in Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg and Benoni between May 15 and May 23.South Africa women’s ODI team: Suné Luus (capt), Chloe Tryon (vice-capt), Lizelle Lee (wk), Andrie Steyn, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Zintle Mali, Nondumiso Shangase, Sinalo Jafta (wk)South Africa women’s T20I team: Suné Luus (capt), Chloe Tryon (vice-capt), Lizelle Lee (wk), Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Moseline Daniels, Nondumiso Shangase, Sinalo Jafta (wk)

Pedro Santos has been savaged on social media over supposedly “embarrassing” antics that saw him request Lionel Messi’s shirt after an MLS game.

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• Argentine in action against D.C. United
• Portuguese defender asked for jersey
• Some supporters less than impressed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The D.C. United defender found himself in direct competition with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi during a rain-soaked fixture at Chase Stadium in Florida. The Herons ran out 1-0 winners on the day, with Leonardo Campana stepping off the bench to settle the tie deep into stoppage-time.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As is often the case, Messi fielded shirt swap requests at the final whistle. Portuguese star Santos was the man to win that race, with the all-time great handing over his sodden jersey in the tunnel. Santos was delighted to land himself a much sought-after memento, but fans around the world have been left asking “when will this end? Your team just lost!”

• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  One unimpressed follower on X, @musaseka17, said: “This is embarrassing. Messi didn't even ask for his jersey. When you see there is a genuine exchange, Messi takes their jersey.” Another, @superpete13, responded by saying: “If the opposition treated him as they should Miami would lose a lot more games.” Not everybody shares that opinion, though, with @Tim_Chase7 claiming: “Is it shameless? Sure. But how many opportunities does any player have to play against and possibly get the jersey of the best player ever? Especially mid level players. They’re capitalizing”. That view was supported by a fan that said: “Shirt swap is a part of football, it will never end yes the team lost but to meet Messi and swap shirts with the greatest player in football history is a bigger honor.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Messi remains the star attraction in MLS and will continue to pass over his shirt on a regular basis to opponents that want their own Inter Miami No.10 jersey. A trip to Vancouver is next on the agenda for the Argentine icon.

Juventus are now reportedly plotting to sell another one of their players to Tottenham, amid the consistent links surrounding winger Samuel Iling-Junior.

Spurs favourites to sign Iling-Junior

According to reports in the last few weeks, Spurs are real favourites to seal a deal for Iling-Junior as the Englishman doesn't appear to feature in Juve boss Massimilano Allegri's plans.

"Very top" – Sky pundit excited as Spurs make "quick" defender a top target

Micah Richards thinks he’d be a top addition.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 13, 2023

Playing just 114 Serie A minutes this season, with zero starts in that time, the former Chelsea academy ace looks likely to leave in January. As the 20-year-old's future seems far away from Turin, multiple sources have backed that Tottenham are in pole position for Iling-Junior as we approach the winter window. Reliable Evening Standard journalist Nizaar Kinsella, writing on X, recently claimed that Ange Postecoglou's side are "leading the race" for his signing.

This comes as the likes of Sky Sports report that Spurs are very keen to sign a left-winger in January, with Iling-Junior coming as a genuine transfer target alongside former Celtic star Jota.

Juventus "would like to sell" Soule to Tottenham

There is a rich history of transfer business between Juve and Spurs. Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and winger Dejan Kulusevski joined the Lilywhites on January deadline day in 2022, with both going on to be huge successes in parts.

Now, according to some information from journalist Fabio Santini, who spoke to TV Play this week (via Sport Witness), Juventus "would like to sell" Matias Soule to Spurs.

The Argentine, who's currently enjoying a very productive loan spell on loan at Frosinone in Serie A, has bagged six goals and an assist in 13 league starts.

Santini adds that a fee of around £22 million is desired by Juve, with Palace also looking likely to be offered out.

“Juventus are working hard on two important midfield profiles. They had already come very close to Koopmeiners in June with a €40m offer and in January it could go up to €45m with the sales of Iling-Junior and Yildiz. They have never let go of the track leading to Berardi and would like to sell Soulé for €20-25m to Crystal Palace or Tottenham," said Santini.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is looking like a very exciting prospect right now, with journalist Zach Lowy also branding Soule a "special talent" as he dazzles for Frosinone.

After losing 1-0 to Aston Villa last weekend, Arsenal bounced back this afternoon with a vital yet slightly nervy 2-0 win over Brighton at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened the scoring ten minutes after the break through a Gabriel Jesus header from a corner. Poor finishing let Arsenal down, but a Kai Havertz strike in the 87th minute secured the victory.

This win puts Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with 39 points after 17 matches.

Arsenal’s stats vs Brighton

The first 45 minutes saw Arsenal dominate the game, registering 15 shots, tallying up 0.93 xG and preventing the Seagulls from having a single strike. The Gunners found the most joy in wide areas and happily recycled the ball, which led to 58% possession.

The best opportunity of the half fell at the feet of Gabriel Martinelli after he drifted inside to get on the end of a Bukayo Saka cutback, but the Brazilian blazed it over the bar.

After the opener from Jesus in the second half, the hosts endured spells without the ball as Brighton began to get more of a foothold in the game and registered 59% possession. The Seagulls had six attempts at goal, with Pascal Grob squandering their best opportunity just before Arsenal’s German finished the tie.

In truth, Roberto De Zerbi’s side didn’t test Arsenal, and the hosts looked far more dangerous on the break, taking 11 shots and missing a couple of big chances.

Declan Rice’s game in numbers

Despite Jesus and Havertz getting on the scoresheet, Declan Rice was by far the most impressive player on the field.

The number 41 oozed class from the first whistle to the last, and it isn’t often that a player looks just as energetic in the first five minutes as they do a minute from time.

The England midfielder set the tempo, switched the play, and retained the ball brilliantly, as Brighton rarely had a sniff. This is shown by his 91% pass accuracy in the game, completing 53/58 passes while having 69 touches and completing 3/3 long balls.

The table below showcases a handful of Rice’s stats from the game.

Shots

2

Recoveries

4

Interceptions

3

Passes into final third

10

Dribbles (successful)

2 (1)

In the second half, Arteta instructed his side to be more aggressive and on the front foot when the visitors were playing out from the back. This was a successful switch in approach from the boss, with Arsenal stealing the ball high up on multiple occasions, with Rice being particularly dominant and the driving force behind the squeeze.

However, his performance can be summed up with one move in the 84th minute. The 24-year-old received the ball inside his own half, spun past Gro,ss and drove at the defender before breezing past him and having a left-footed strike saved by the keeper. A one-of-a-kind midfielder who can do almost anything with ease.

The most impressive part is that he plays to this standard every week, earning the nickname of “Mr 9/10” from soccer correspondent James Benge.

Rice displayed once again that he’s a true professional and a pure athlete with his sublime display, which is why he was Arteta's true hero on the day ahead of the two scorers.

O’Keefe’s three-wicket burst in his first two overs helped Sixers defend 165, which had been built on a record fourth-wicket stand of 124 between Jordan Silk and Daniel Hughes

The Report by Andrew McGlashan22-Dec-2018Sydney Sixers launched their BBL campaign with a 17-run victory over Perth Scorchers in front of their home crowd at the SCG. Steve O’Keefe’s three-wicket burst in his first two overs gave them the ideal start to their defence of 165, which had been built on a record fourth-wicket stand of 124 between Jordan Silk and Daniel Hughes.Both sides struggled in their Powerplay: the Sixers were 3 for 39 after six overs and the Scorchers 3 for 30 after the top had been knocked over by O’Keefe. In the final outcome, it was the stand between Silk and Hughes which came out on the winning side despite the efforts of Ashton Turner and Hilton Cartwright, who added 99 in 12 overs.For the Scorchers, it means their campaign has started with two defeats in three days, following their loss to Melbourne Renegades. It is a long tournament, so it is certainly not panic stations, but they will be twitchy and keen to get a win on the board on Boxing Day against the defending champions Adelaide Strikers.Getty ImagesRecord recoveryThe Sixers would have been in deep trouble on 4 for 57 in the ninth over if Silk had been removed on 17, as he should have been when Ashton Agar spilled a simple return catch. From there, Silk and Hughes continued to consolidate the innings, aware that they could not throw the bat, given the early damage in the Powerplay.They managed the innings to the effect of 98 runs in the final 10 overs and 56 off the final five without there ever being a full onslaught. Silk’s fifty came off 39 balls and Hughes’ off 37. The Sixers did not manage a six until the 18th over, but then Hughes twice deposited Andrew Tye over midwicket. Silk then closed out the innings by taking Tye for his third six of the innings.The eventual stand of 124 was a BBL record for the Sixers, beating the 115 put on between Moises Henriques and Hughes against Sydney Thunder in 2016.SOK-ing it to themThe Sixers couldn’t have wished for a better start with the ball. With his first delivery, O’Keefe had Sam Whiteman stumped as the left-hander was drawn down the pitch. Then, in his second over, he had David Willey caught at long-on, and three balls later, Michael Klinger was lbw. At that stage, O’Keefe had the figures of 3 for 4 and he would finish with his best BBL figures.In the eighth over of the innings, it was then time for Lloyd Pope’s first bowl in the BBL. He has been signed with some fanfare following his eye-catching performances at U-19 and first-class level early in his career. His first two overs went for a respectable 17, before he was brought back for a third that cost 15 to give the Scorchers some momentum.Worries for ScorchersAs Turner and Cartwright forged their stand of 99, the Scorchers chase was taking a similar shape to the Sixers’ innings. The partnership had got the requirement down to 64 off 36 balls, and when Turner took Sean Abbott over the leg side at the start of the 15th over, it felt like the force was with the Scorchers. Then, Turner carved to point and there was too much left to do despite Cartwright’s 53 off 39 balls.The closing stages of the match included a stunning, juggled catch at midwicket by Hughes to remove Will Bosisto, as he parried the ball up one-handed before holding on, and Cartwright being run out off a no-ball, beaten by Josh Philippe’s pinpoint throw from deep cover, after Tom Curran had overstepped.For a team with such an illustrious T20 history, it has been a poor start from Perth Scorchers. Against Melbourne Renegades, their batting flopped for 103, and it was the quick loss of their top three here that hurt them. They are without the Marsh brothers due to international duty, and the top order feels a batsman light despite the all-round skills of the likes of David Willey and Agar. It seems increasingly likely that Cameron Bancroft will return as soon as available on December 30.

Manchester United's injury list continues to grow week after week. During a narrow 1-0 win over Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday, the Red Devils suffered losses to both Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund.

The latter is undoubtedly a bigger blow for Erik ten Hag. While United have the likes of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat who can come in for Eriksen, Anthony Martial is the only backup centre-forward but has scored just one goal all season from 15 appearances.

However, there is another left field option that Ten Hag should consider amid Hojlund's absence from the squad.

Manchester United injury updates

Eriksen was replaced in the first half at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday afternoon and is expected to be out until around mid-December. Meanwhile, Hojlund suffered a muscle strain on his right calf and will be out for the rest of November, ten Hag has confirmed. Both injuries are significant blows for United who face Galatasaray on November 29 in a must-win game.

Furthermore, the Dutchman confirmed that both Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez will be out of action until after Christmas, while Luke Shaw is not expected to return to the first team fold until the end of this month.

Nevertheless, despite United's struggles for form and a consistent starting eleven, Ten Hag does have adequate cover at the back and in the middle of the park but with one-goal Martial being the side's only backup centre-forward, the Dutch boss should look to do something out of the ordinary.

The left field option to replace Rasmus Hojlund

It looked as though Scott McTominay's career at Manchester United was over during the summer, with ten Hag telling the midfielder he was no longer part of his plans. However, McTominay's redemption arch with the Red Devils has been a sight to behold.

The 26-year-old is United's top goalscorer in the Premier League this season alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes with three apiece. Two of McTominay's goals came in stoppage time against Brentford right before the October international break.

The English giants were 1-0 down before he entered the fray with just three minutes of normal time to go. The Man United boss admitted that McTominay was "fabulous" during his cameo versus the Bees.

In recent weeks, Ten Hag has started to recognise McTominay's goalscoring prowess, deploying him in more advanced positions to link up with Hojlund.

The Scotland international even assisted the first of the Dane's brace against his former side Copenhagen last week with a beautiful ball across the face of the goal.

With Hojlund absent for the next few weeks, Ten Hag could start using his number '39' as a striker. While McTominay was always a midfielder in United's academy, he still featured up top a handful of times and became a regular goalscorer in the U21s.

In the Premier League this season, McTominay is averaging 0.52 goals per 90 from an xG per 90 of 0.17. In contrast, Martial has failed to convert a single opportunity from an xG of 0.14 per 90.

Additionally, McTominay is getting more shots away than his French teammate, boasting 1.72 shots per 90 and 1.21 shots on target per 90 to Martial's lowly 1.43 shots per 90 and 0.72 shots on target per 90. Furthermore, McTominay and Hojlund both share the same goals per shot rate in all competitions this season with 0.21 per strike.

McTominay is far more potent this season than Martial, and while his experience as a number '9' is limited, perhaps Ten Hag could unearth a revelation by asking the £60k-p/w star to lead the line until Hojlund returns.

So far, Liverpool's summer business looks to be paying off, with their new-look midfield working wonders to put them back among the Premier League's best sides. Their opening day draw against Chelsea may have initially sparked some concerns, but since then, the Reds have been firing on all cylinders, and sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur as things stand.

It's been a stark contrast to last season, when Jurgen Klopp's side looked in desperate need of a rebuild, especially the midfield. In came Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, and Alexis Mac Allister to solve that problem, however, and now Liverpool could be looking towards the January transfer window to fix an issue in defence.

Liverpool transfer news

Some may have worried about the Reds after Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left the club in the summer, leaving them incredibly short on options in the middle of the park. But, Klopp swiftly put an end to those worries with his recruitment, and has not looked back since, with Szoboszlai particularly impressing.

Given their focus on rebuilding in the middle of the park, though, Liverpool didn't get the chance to add depth to their backline, which could be the focus in January. The latest Robin Le Normand transfer news certainly suggests that could be the case.

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool officials have been impressed with the defender, who reportedly has a release clause of €50m (£44m). If the Merseyside club are to sign the defender, they will have to fight off interest from rivals Manchester United, as both sides look to add to their defensive options in 2024.

When the January transfer window opens, Le Normand certainly seems like one to keep an eye on, given the reported interest coming from the Premier League.

Robin Le Normand is "aggressive" and excellent on the ball

Le Normand's stats speak for themselves. The 26-year-old has started eight of Real Sociedad's 10 La Liga games, helping them get off to a strong start and leaving them fifth, just four points adrift of the Champions League places. Compared to current Liverpool defenders Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip, Le Normand comes out on top, too, particularly on the ball.

Player

Progressive Carries

Progressive Passes

Tackles Won

Robin Le Normand

9

33

7

Ibrahima Konate

2

5

4

Joel Matip

5

24

4

It's no wonder, then, given his stats, that Le Normand has earned deserved praise over the years at Sociedad, including from former manager Manolo Marquez, who told The Athletic: “He’s aggressive, correct with the ball, strong in duels and fast. I like him, he’s a very important player for La Real.”

When the January transfer window opens, Le Normand is a player that would improve Liverpool, that's for sure. Adding depth to their midfield options certainly helped in the summer, and, now, they could do the same when it comes to their defensive options. By January, too, reinforcements could prove to be all too important for Klopp's side, especially if they are back to chasing some of the top honours in English football.

The seamer became the third South Africa women’s bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. She finished with figures of 9-2-14-3 as West Indies were bowled out for 161 while chasing 202

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2018ICC/Getty ImagesMarizanne Kapp’s economy and potency with the ball led South Africa’s defence of 201 in the first ODI in Bridgetown, where West Indies slumped to a 40-run defeat. The seamer finished with figures of 9-2-14-3 as West Indies were bowled out with four overs still to play.The win was South Africa’s third in seven Women’s Championship matches; they are now second from bottom on the table, but have played two games fewer than Sri Lanka, India, England and table-toppers New Zealand.Kapp dealt an early blow to West Indies’ hopes when she had Hayley Matthews caught behind off the second ball of the chase. In doing so she became the third South Africa women’s bowler – after Dane van Niekerk and Shabnim Ismail – to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. By the end of the 15th over, West Indies were three down for 45 with the debutant medium-pacer Tumi Sekhukhune sending back Stafanie Taylor and Chedean Nation.West Indies had recovered somewhat to 84 for 4 when the legspinner Sune Luus ended a cameo from Deandra Dottin (19 off 21) in the 24th over. Kapp took two in three balls in the next over, effectively ending the contest, which was only prolonged by a 71-ball 46 from Shemaine Campbelle, who was last out to Zintle Mali, who finished with 2 for 11 from three overs.Sent in to bat, South Africa seemed set for a big score at 104 for 1, as Laura Wolvaardt and Luus added 99 for the second wicket. Both fell in quick succession, however – Luus for 58 off 86 balls, her seventh ODI fifty – and the innings never recovered. Wickets fell steadily at one end, Taylor picking up 3 for 37 with her offspin, but captain Dane van Niekerk scored an unbeaten 46 off 77 balls to ensure South Africa batted through their 50 overs, finishing nine down.

A career-best haul from Somerset’s England spinner saw Essex beaten by 45 runs in a close encounter at Taunton

Matt Roller at Taunton22-Aug-2018
ScorecardJack Leach looked every bit an England player as he bowled unchanged from the River End for the entirety of the final day at Taunton, 32 overs in all, for career-best figures of 8 for 85. He beat the bat time after time; his voice must have waned after going up for appeal after appeal. He was Somerset’s match-winner, and he had a bullish air about him.It seemed a far cry from the analysis of Chris Rogers, Somerset’s then captain, who suggested in 2016 that “emotionally he still has a bit of a way to go” when asked about Leach’s England prospects. “He is still a young guy, he has only ever been in Somerset and the challenges in international cricket are a lot more difficult,” Rogers said. “If they pick him then good luck to him but they’d better look after him.”Then, resembling a follicly challenged IT technician, Leach would celebrate his wickets as though he had surprised even himself by getting a Championship batsman out. He was a superb county spinner, no doubt, but it was hard to imagine him being anything more.”Looking back,” Leach has said of Rogers’ comments, “he was spot on”.Two of his wickets in Somerset’s hard-fought victory over Essex stuck out as crucial. On the stroke of lunch, after accounting for the dogged Nick Browne earlier in the morning, his arm ball shot through Dan Lawrence’s defences to knock back off stump. Leach celebrated with a roar, but with only 111 needed and six wickets in hand, Essex were still in pole position.Then, after the interval, he beat Ryan ten Doeschate once, twice, and a third time for good measure, but could not end his resistance. The Essex captain raised his bat for a second fifty of the game, and he looked primed for a match-winning contribution. Instead, Leach straightened one past his outside edge and into the stumps, and Somerset were halfway there.Ravi Bopara was the next to go, bowled chopping a wide one on to his off stump, before Adam Wheater, Peter Siddle, and Jamie Porter followed. Leach had eight, and the best figures in Division One this season.Things do not tend to come easily for Leach. After his remarkable form in the 2016 run-in, his action came under scrutiny at Loughborough, and he spent the winter undergoing remedial work. After impressing on Test debut in New Zealand, he missed out this summer by breaking his thumb the day before Ed Smith’s first squad was announced. After being told he needed bowl more overs to press his case for the India series, he suffered a concussion against Surrey, ruling him out of Somerset’s next game.He has admitted he found his non-selection for the ongoing India series tough, though his involvement on the winter tour of Sri Lanka looks increasingly likely.”He’s a world-class bowler in my opinion,” said Tom Abell, the man now captaining Leach at Somerset, “it’s so exciting what the future holds for him. We all know how good he is, and hopefully he’s now seeing how good he can be as well.”While it may be assumed from afar that the pitch turned square for Leach, as this Taunton track has tended to over the past few seasons, that was not the case. It was firm and dry, but flattened out as the game wore on.That much was evidenced by Dom Bess, who had a tougher time of it. He bowled flatter, without Leach’s unerring accuracy, and to defensive fields.His day was best summed up by a moment in the field during Josh Davey’s first over with the new ball. Bopara – who came out to bat despite being ill with shingles – had scratched around for 16 deliveries. Still itching to get off the mark, Bopara took a couple of strides down the wicket as the ball rolled to Bess at point. Bess aimed at the stumps, but his wild throw missed by some way, and a misfield backing up meant it ran away for four.Bess lay prone on the ground, surely feeling that this would be neither his nor Somerset’s day. Instead, it was unequivocally Leach’s.

Real Madrid have been warned the expected signing of Kylian Mbappe is no guarantee of success by veteran Spanish forward Iago Aspas.

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Aspas warned Real Madrid ahead of Mbappe's arrivalUsed Messi and Neymar's failure at PSG as exampleMbappe set to join Real Madrid in the summerWHAT HAPPENED?

Mbappe, who has refused to sign a new Paris Saint-Germain, is all set to join La Liga giants Real Madrid in the summer. But ahead of his arrival, Celta Vigo star Aspas has fired a warning towards Los Blancos as he claimed that the Frenchman's signing is not a guarantee of success.

AdvertisementWHAT IAGO ASPAS SAID

Speaking to , Aspas said, "It would be good for La Liga because the better players who come, the more repercussions and economic income will be generated. After that, the cake would have to be shared a little better so that the other teams could get a little closer to Real Madrid.

"On paper, it is very easy to say that Real Madrid are going to sweep everything Mbappe, but that has to be reflected on the pitch. PSG were also going to be the bomb with Messi and Neymar, but they didn’t win the Champions League any year."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

With the likes of in-form attacking players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo already in their ranks, the France captain's arrival will further enhance their arsenal. Los Blancos have scored 56 league goals thus far with Bellingham being the club's top scorer with 16 goals to his name. Mbappe, on the other hand, enjoying a stellar campaign with his club having scored 34 goals in as many games.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

La Liga leaders Madrid will be next seen in action on Sunday as they take on Aspas' Celta Vigo in an important league encounter.