Paper Round: Manchester City and Real Madrid battle it out for Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is the focus of Wednesday's transfer gossip as it was reported that Manchester City are attempting to outbid Real Madrid for the Monaco striker.

City fend off competition for Mbappe?

Manchester City’s reported ongoing quest to sign AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe is the focus of a number of the back pages on Wednesday – with conflicting stories. Several of Wednesday’s newspapers suggest City boss Pep Guardiola is on the cusp of outbidding Real Madrid’s reported £143m offer for the 18-year-old and City are said to be in “advanced talks” with AS Monaco regarding the youngster. Meanwhile, just hours earlier, it was reported that Real had already agreed a fee of £160m for the striker.

 

Our view: Rumors rumors rumors and it will continue this way until the end of the transfer window. Despite all the noise concerning Mbappe, he is well poised to remain at the Monaco for the next one year. But if he were to make a move this summer, Madrid are in a better position to snap him up.

Transfer market dangerous says Mou

Jose Mourinho was all over Wednesday’s back pages after doing what he does best in a press conference on Tuesday. The Manchester United boss voiced some pretty strong views on the transfer market, in particular around the increasingly high fees paid for less-than-great players. Though funnily enough, Mourinho didn’t think this concern should extend across the entire transfer market. Describing the current situation as “dangerous” he said: “I don’t think the problem is what you pay for Paul Pogba… I think the problem is with the other group.” 

Our View: Mou has a point in what he said. This summer seems the hardest of summer ever.

Mourinho misses Rooney

But there were many more of Mourinho’s lines picked up by Wednesday's sports pages, including his insistence that United aren’t the favourites for the title; “hints” that he loves his current squad as much as he loved his first Chelsea squad; and that he felt “emotional” when Wayne Rooney left for boyhood club Everton this summer.

 

Our view: Before his departure to Everton, Rooney is one person whose presence is felt in the team. And that is evident on how everyone at the club talks about him. He will be missed and one person in Mourinho does already and can't hold it. 

Chelsea fear China backlash

Chelsea were said to be fighting to save their reputation in China after having been forced to send home 21-year-old Kenedy for making offensive social media posts during the club’s pre-season tour. Apparently a less popular team in China than Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool, the club are reportedly rattled by the possible consequences of the Brazilian’s comments for their efforts to break through into the increasingly lucrative Chinese market. Kenedy’s comments have attracted attention for all the wrong reasons from the Chinese media and The FA, who will apparently seek an explanation from the player regarding his actions.

 

Our view: Kennedy was naive when he made the offensive social media post. He has since apologized and sent back to the UK. But it seems his actions will cost the club in their effort to break into the Chinese market. Expect Chelsea  to take more action and don't be surprise if he is sold this summer.