Bayern Munich considering Raphael Varane transfer, Real Madrid could target Timo Werner - Paper Round
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Updated 21/11/2023 at 08:31 GMT
Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Raphael Varane, who is of interest to Bayern Munich after losing his place at Manchester United. Also at United, there’s talk of football director John Murtough leaving amid the big Sir Jim Ratcliffe reshuffle. Real Madrid have been linked with Timo Werner, while Chido Obi-Martin is wanted back by England after his 10-goal showing for Arsenal.
'We are in a very good position' - Ten Hag happy with United's standing
Bayern keen on Varane?
Bayern Munich have learned Manchester United could be open to selling Raphael Varane in January, the Mirror reports. Erik ten Hag has dropped the defender for “tactical reasons” of late with Harry Maguire back in the fold, and now Varane could be exploring his options a little over two years after joining United from Real Madrid.
German champions Bayern are said to be weighing up whether to make a move for the Frenchman, although money could be an issue.
The report adds: “A deal would likely cost in the region of €20m (£17.5m) to €30m (£26.2m). Bayern would also struggle to afford Varane's annual salary, which reportedly stands at £17m.
“While it remains to be seen if Varane will angle for a transfer if he continues to play second fiddle to the likes of Maguire and Evans, the World Cup winner did hint he would be open to a Real Madrid return earlier this year.”
Murtough ‘definitely’ leaving Man Utd
Manchester United will replace football director John Murtough once Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group’s investment is confirmed, according to the Manchester Evening News, with sources telling the paper that Murtough is “definitely going” as part of widespread changes at the club.
With United CEO Richard Arnold having already left and set to be replaced by Jean Claude-Blanc – formerly of Paris Saint-Germain – another challenge will be finding a successor to Murtough, who joined the club 10 years ago and took on the football director role in 2021.
The MEN added: “Although Murtough oversaw the appointment of Erik ten Hag and United enjoyed a successful 2022-23 campaign, they have regressed this term and the club's recruitment hit rate remains dismal.
“Former United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward settled on Murtough over external options such as Ralf Rangnick and Paul Mitchell, as he had experience of running the club's academy and United did not want someone who specialised in recruitment.”
Werner to Real Madrid?
Real Madrid could make a U-turn on their January transfer window plans and look to sign a striker following the injury to Vinicius Junior, Sport reports.
Widely linked with Kylian Mbappe, a potential transfer in the summer, Real were set to have a quiet window until the news that Vinicius could be out for almost three months.
As a result, and amid fears an injury to Rodrygo or Joselu would leave them even light, the club are considering their options in January – which includes signing RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner.
Sport adds: “There were warning signs at the beginning of the season of the limitations that Ancelotti's squad had in attack, with only three players. With Vinicius' injury, that fragility is revealed in a team that aspires to win the four competitions in which it participates.
“They are aware that bringing in a top player at that time is a complicated task… Werner is not offering the best version of himself after returning to the Bundesliga from Chelsea to join Leipzig.”
England hopeful on Obi-Martin
The English FA are looking at “luring” back Chido Obi-Martin into representing England, the Daily Mail reports, after the Arsenal 15-year-old scored 10 goals against Liverpool’s U16s on Saturday. Obi-Martin has played for both Denmark – his country of birth – and England at youth level, and could also play for Nigeria.
Currently playing for Denmark’s U17s, the English FA could look at how to convince him to represent England, with the teenager also impressing so much he was brought into Arsenal’s first-team training sessions by Mikel Arteta earlier this month.
The report adds: “Mail Sport understands it is a route the FA are keen on looking at, having monitored his progress since last winter. He turns 16 next week.
“Obi-Martin’s stunning performance on Saturday, in the Gunners’ 14-3 victory over the Reds, has thrust the 6ft 2in player into the spotlight.”
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