Arsenal and Man Utd want Leroy Sane, Barcelona and Real Madrid target Nottingham Forest defender – Paper Round
Thursday’s Paper Round leads on Arsenal and Manchester United’s interest in Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, whose contract expires in the summer. Elsewhere, both Barcelona and Real Madrid want Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo, and Steven Gerrard clings onto his job in Saudi Arabia despite Al-Ettifaq making two dismissals.
Manchester United and Arsenal could reportedly battle it out for the signature of Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane. The former Manchester City star’s contract expires at the end of the season, and with Sane competing with Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman for game-time in Vincent Kompany’s team, he could move on.
Arsenal are keen on the German as they look to add more wide options, while United will look to shuffle their pack under new head coach Ruben Amorim.
Originally reported by Bild in Germany, the Daily Mail writes: “Sane left Man City in 2020 after a successful four-year spell at Pep Guardiola’s side which saw him lift two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups.
“He now appears to be nearing a return to England as United and Arsenal both look to take advantage of his contract situation.
“His contract is up in summer 2025 and the German has not had talks with chiefs yet about an extension, but is likely to be forced into a 25 per cent pay cut from £16.6million to £12.4m if he wants to stay.
“Sane is not the only one facing a salary decrease and, although Olise is thought to be safe from cost-cutting measures, other members of the squad face worse deals.”
Barca and Real target Forest defender
Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo, Sport in Spain reports.
The 22-year-old is described as one of the most promising defenders in Europe, with Chelsea and Juventus having shown an interest in the summer.
Sport adds: “Forest’s owner, Greek tycoon Evangelos Marinakis, has not ruled out making a big sale for a player who signed from Corinthians in 2023.
“Barca has had good reports of Murillo since his formative years at Timao, and at this point, Madrid appears with urgent need to reinforce the defensive line after the unfortunate injury of the Crusaders of Eder Militao.”
Gerrard survives sack for now
Steven Gerrard has seemingly been spared the sack at Al-Ettifaq despite their terrible run of form and two staff members being axed, the Mirror reports.
The Saudi Pro League side are winless in two months but Gerrard remains in his role despite the club dismissing his assistant and sporting director.
The Mirror adds: “Al-Ettifaq haven’t won in the league since September 14 and have taken just one point from their past seven games. Tellingly, fans seemed to turn on Gerrard following their recent derby loss against Al-Qadsiah.
“That run led to crisis talks with the club’s powerbrokers over the international break – and while Gerrard has seemingly survived for now, his assistant, Dean Holden, and Mark Allen, the club’s sporting director, have both been sacked.
“Holden only moved out to the Middle East to join Gerrard earlier this year. The 65-year-old was previously the manager of Charlton Athletic but was harshly sacked by the League One outfit last August.”
