Manchester United have been hit in their pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano after it emerged he has a reported £89million release clause.
The centre-back is being tracked by the likes of the Red Devils, Arsenal, AC Milan and Barcelona.
Spanish outlet Sport report that this favours Barcelona, who are now leading the race after identifying the 19-year-old Frenchman as a potential replacement for Javier Mascherano.
Upamecano has impressed this season for the Bundesliga side and is seen as one of the most in-demand defenders in Europe.
Lukaku tells his critics he is not yet the finished article
Romelu Lukaku has told his critics to lay off because he is not the finished article, writes Mirror Football's David Anderson.
Some United fans are losing patience with Lukaku and booed when Jose Mourinho substituted Marcus Rashford instead of him in Manchester United’s win over Tottenham.
The £75million hitman has gone six games without scoring after bagging 11 during United’s relatively-easy start to fuel the old accusation that he is a flat-track bully.
Lukaku, 24, feels the criticism is unfair because he is still developing as a striker.
“I think a lot of people are judging me as the finished article,” said the Belgium hitman. “I say ‘I’m 24, you can’t judge me as the finished article’.
“I’d rather have a career where year after year, I improve, I improve, I improve rather than going to the top and declining.
“I know I have a lot of talent, I know I can do a lot of stuff, I can score goals with my left, with my right, with my head. But I want to be a creator, I want to have more assists, I want to make sure when my team are in difficulties, they can count on me.
“I’m just focused on improving year on, year out, that’s the most important thing. Every time I try to add something to my game which wasn’t there.
“At the end of the day, I want to be a winner. It’s not about me as an individual, I want to win. I want to win and I think for me here now I’m on the perfect stage, at the perfect age too, where I can take my career onto the next level.”
Fabregas makes decision on his Chelsea future amid transfer interest from United
Cesc Fabregas has dealt a huge blow to Manchester United's hopes of landing the Spaniard by publicly committing his future to Chelsea, writes Mirror Football's Thomas Bristow.
The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, a switch that would see him reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho.
And speculation further intensified when Fabregas revealed he still has sleepless nights over Mourinho's sacking at Chelsea, and that he remains close with the United boss.
However, the midfielder has dashed any speculation of a move by saying he wants a new contract at Chelsea.
"Would I like to renew?" Fabregas told The Evening Standard . "Yes, because it is a club that has always treated me well.
"I believe the fans have a lot of respect for me and I have a lot of respect for them. I have given my all for the club for the last three-and-a-half years.
"This is a fantastic club for me and I have had a fantastic time here. Hopefully another contract will happen. Time will tell."