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Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was delighted with his team's performance against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, claiming that the sensations within the dressing room are positive after breaking their three-game winless run. Alonso had come under a lot of pressure following Madrid's dramatic drop in form, but the manager assured that he is "handling it much more calmly than you might expect".

• Madrid return to winning ways after Olympiacos scare

  Madrid ended their run of three games without a win following a nervy 4-3 win in the Champions League over Greek champions Olympiacos at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Wednesday. 

  The visitors were caught by surprise early on, as Chiquinho fired a brilliant volley into the bottom-left corner in the eighth minute. However, Madrid provided an exquisite response, as Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick within the space of seven minutes put Olympiacos to the sword before the game hit the half-hour mark. 

  Jose Luis Mendilibar's men, however, were not in a mood to let Los Blancos have things go their way. Substitute Mehdi Taremi, who came on for the injured Chiquinho in the first half, pulled one back for the home side in the 52nd minute. Eight minutes later, though, Mbappe completed a poker by scoring his fourth of the night and ninth overall in the competition this season.

  Ayoub El Kaabi breathed life back into Olympiacos once again, rising in the 81st minute to power a header into the back of the net and reignite hopes of a comeback. After the third goal, Mendilibar's side tightened the screw and played with incredible intensity, even coming close to finding the equaliser on a couple of occasions. It wouldn't matter, however, as Alonso's troops held Olympiacos at bay in the final 15 minutes (including stoppage time) to end their winless streak.

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  Alonso reflects on the win and says he's 'novice'

  Following the win, Alonso spoke to reporters and reflected on his team's performance. He even addressed the mounting pressure him and his players. 

  When asked how the team were doing in the hours leading up to the game, Alonso responded: "They've been very positive, very productive. They've helped us to keep growing, to try and break the cycle, which we've managed to do. And to learn how to cope with difficult moments. Very positive. Like the things we've talked about, the unity the players have, their commitment… and this is the only way. Besides the three points, I'm left with positive things that have happened behind the scenes."

  He further added that he was more relaxed about Madrid's recent woes than one could have expected. 

  "No, no, no. I was handling it much more calmly than you might expect," he assured. "I'm no novice at this, and I know the road is long. And that it's not always a bed of roses. You have to know how to navigate difficult twists and turns without losing your mind. You have to be critical, demanding of yourself, and acknowledge your mistakes; but also know that there's always another game. And that you always have to look ahead."

• Vinicius' return to form a big positive for Madrid

  Over the past week, rumours have swirled about growing discontent within the Real Madrid dressing room over Alonso’s methods. At the centre of the speculation is Vinicius Jr., whose relationship with the 44-year-old has come under intense scrutiny. even described their dynamic as “strained.” Additional reports have gone further, suggesting the Brazilian star has informed the club’s hierarchy that he does not intend to renew his contract due to his fragile relationship with Alonso.

  However, Alonso was glowing in his praise for the 25-year-old winger. Vinicius was on song on Wednesday, delivering two fantastic assists to Mbappe and having a goal of his own disallowed. In the process, he moved to 27 assists in the Champions League, tying Madrid icon Karim Benzema as the club's second-highest assist provider in Europe, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo's 31. 

  "I'm really sorry about the disallowed goal, because it's a play we talked about yesterday, and it would have given him a good feeling, because it's a very typical goal of his," Alonso said. 

  "Cutting in from the outside, into the far corner. I'm really sorry it was ruled out. But then, apart from that, the combination and connection with Kylian, the two assists, the impact he's had… the thing is, overall, with the difficulties we had, because [Eduardo] Camavinga couldn't go on at halftime, [Raul] Asencio had some discomfort in his hamstring… today was a game of moments. We pulled it off, and with positive things: Kylian's goals, Vini's performance , and other players who also did well."

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  Can Olympiacos win spark a turnaround?

  The victory on Wednesday further strengthened Madrid's pursuit of a top-eight spot in the Champions League league phase. Plus, despite dropping points away at Rayo Vallecano and Elche in their previous two games, Madrid continue to be the La Liga leaders. 

  With a few more away fixtures on the way before Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu, Alonso was confident that his side will navigate through the tricky schedule without further setbacks. 

  "We'll see. Time will tell. We had a good feeling… and we shared some things. Regarding the match, we came here to do what we wanted, in a complicated context, with injuries and what happened during the game," he stated. 

  "And we'll take that away from it. This is football, and we have to think about the next one. Now we have a visit to Girona, then we go to Bilbao… the schedule, exceptionally, I don't know if we'll play five or six away games. It's something that doesn't happen very often. But we're going to face it."

Tottenham are believed to be at the front of a queue for one of Europe’s most exciting strikers as we slowly head into the January transfer window, according to a new report.

Tottenham poised for active January after attacking struggles

Spurs’ struggles this season have exposed a glaring deficiency that threatens to derail their campaign — the absence of a reliable, clinical striker capable of converting chances on a regular-enough basis.

As January approaches, manager Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure to address what has become the most pressing issue hampering Spurs’ progress.

Since the start of 25/26, they’ve registered the second-lowest rate of shots on goal out of every Premier League team, and currently sit 17th in the division for expected goals per game.

Their lack of attacking edge was on display for all to see during Spurs’ 4-1 defeat to North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with the Lilywhites barely managing to lay a glove on the home side, barring Richarlison’s out-of-this-world lob from the half-way line.

Dominic Solanke’s persistent injury troubles have crippled Tottenham’s forward line since pre-season.

The England international underwent ‘minor ankle surgery’ in October and has managed just 47 minutes of football all campaign, depriving Frank of his primary goalscoring outlet.

The absence of Tottenham’s club-record signing has left a massive void that nobody has adequately filled. His latest setback follows multiple injury problems throughout last season, with the 28-year-old’s record proving a major concern for Frank.

This, combined with Randal Kolo Muani’s own fitness problems, Richarlison’s inconsistency and Mathys Tel’s rumoured unrest, means that Spurs have been repeatedly linked with a new centre-forward.

One of their chief targets, according to multiple reports, is FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.

The young Spaniard is being targeted by Spurs ahead of the January window, alongside the likes of Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who has reportedly held direct talks with Frank over a move to London in the winter.

Aghehowa was once close to joining Chelsea in 2024 before he pulled out of the move to Stamford Bridge, and that decision has paid dividends.

The 21-year-old has scored 36 goals in 60 total appearances in all competitions since the start of last season, with Aghehowa now having his pick of Premier League suitors ahead of 2026.

Tottenham lead Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal in race for Samu Aghehowa

According to CaughtOffside and journalist Mark Brus, Tottenham are currently leading the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle in the race for Aghehowa as they show the strongest interest.

This follows a report from Tuesday that Spurs are prepared to strike a deal for the forward as early as January, but Porto apparently won’t budge on his £88 million release clause.

The former Deportivo Alaves sensation, who Brus describes as ‘one of the most exciting young strikers in the game’ right now, has also been revered as a ‘madman’ number nine by other members of the press.

Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, Spurs’ new co-sporting director duo, could have more funds to play with in January thanks to the Lewis family trust’s recent £100 million capital injection.

Some of these funds could be reinvested into their recruitment drive, and the signing of Aghehowa would certainly be a mid-season statement in Frank’s hunt for silverware and a top four finish.

Mimicking pitchers' windups has taken on a life of its own in the MLB this season, and said trend continued on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

With Jose Alvarado on the mound in the top of the 8th inning and the Phillies holding a 3-2 lead over the Washington Nationals, a fan in the stands followed the relief pitcher's every move as he struck out three straight batters with the bases loaded.

Here's a look at the final strike:

Naturally, the video went viral and—as relayed by the Lochlan March—Alvarado has not only seen it, but wants to invite the fan to a game.

"It was awesome," the pitcher told March. "I talked to my agent. [I asked] if he can send a message to somebody who works on the team, to find the kid and bring him here. Give him something. Maybe my jersey, signed, and a couple of baseballs. … I can't wait to see this kid here."

While Tuesday night was the 12-year-old fan's first time attending a Phillies game, his performance in the stands may end up lining him up for his second in the near future.

An awesome story.

Virgil van Dijk believes his Liverpool team-mates are "letting the manager and ourselves down" following their humbling 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. The Reds went down to their sixth loss in their last seven games as Arne Slot's team slumped to 11th in the Premier League. Now, an "angry" Van Dijk has called on his side to get themselves out of this "mess".

• Liverpool woes continue

  Liverpool's weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed by Forest at Anfield on Saturday, leading some to question whether manager Arne Slot is the right man to take this club forward. But Van Dijk asserted that the Reds have a weak underbelly after conceding their 20th goal in 11 league games this season. 

  The Netherlands international told Premier League Productions: "We concede too many easy goals. They scored obviously from a set piece again. You can ask if he was in front of Alisson, but it counted, so we're 1-0 down. We were not good in terms of battles, challenges, the fight, too rushed. It's a very difficult situation at the moment. There was nervousness after we conceded, but not before. We tried to rush things and that's human when you're in a difficult moment. We cleared the ones before and in the end, we're in a very difficult moment. We don't get out of it by just speaking about it. It will take a lot of hard work."

  The captain, however, is positive that they can get back to winning ways but it will not be easy.

  "It's a problem. Everyone in the team has to take responsibility as well. Football is a team and everyone has to take responsibility. We have to digest this and take it on the chin. We need to work harder. We have to keep going," he added. "Everyone is disappointed, like they should be, because losing at home to Nottingham Forest is, in my eyes, very bad. That's the least I can say about it. Those goals we conceded are far too easy and we all have to look in the mirror. I've been at this club so long now and we've been through adversity. We will bounce back but it doesn't happen overnight. I'm not a quitter and we will keep going." 

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  Van Dijk wants accountability

  The 34-year-old said it is unacceptable for the Premier League defending champions to be in this situation. He also pointed the finger of blame at the players rather than Slot.

  "You should be angry and the main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility," he said. "It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we want to get out of this. We’re definitely letting the manager down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. At the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact. As the champions we can’t be in the situation we are in right now. What are we going to do about it? We’re going to try to turn it around and that’s the mentality everyone should have."

• 'I'm not a quitter'

  The former Southampton man believed that after a good start from Liverpool against Forest, they went into "panic" mode after Murillo's opener. Van Dijk also insisted he is ready for this fight they are in but a lot needs to change.

  "The first half an hour was good. We created opportunities. We had moments where two or three times there were crosses in front of (Matz) Sels for a tap-in. Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) had a shot which was well blocked. We were a threat. But then we conceded from a set-piece and panic kicks in," said the centre-back. "As a team, you have to try to stay calm and do the right things. But we didn’t do that and that’s hard to accept. We were nervous in the way we played. We were trying to force things. The way we started the second half was just unacceptable. You have to find the calmness to create chances and be clinical in front of goal. But we didn’t do that and Forest were also physically winning so many battles against us. We’re having a season with so much inconsistency. We are conceding far too many goals. We had a good couple of days in terms of the sessions preparing for this game. We had good meetings too. But at the end of the day it’s about what you show on the pitch. I’m not a quitter. I will never quit. I will keep going but it doesn’t mean it isn’t tough to take."

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  What comes next for Liverpool?

  While things look bleak for Liverpool, manager Slot is confident they can reignite their season, while a former Reds player believes that his job at Anfield is not under threat. And they have a chance to move on from this latest setback quickly when they entertain PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is planning to hand an exciting young player his first team debut at the London Stadium this season, according to a new report.

This comes in the aftermath of their 3-2 comeback win over Burnley at the London Stadium last Saturday – a clash which gifted Nuno two straight wins and the perfect sign-off before this November international break.

The Hammers have now won consecutive Premier League games despite conceding the first goal each time, having also beaten Newcastle 3-1 the weekend prior. It also marks West Ham’s first back-to-back home wins since October 2024, suggesting the dark clouds could be starting to lift after a torrid opening to the campaign.

With six goals in their last two games – having scored just seven in their previous nine – West Ham’s attack is finally clicking into gear. Crucially, Nuno has settled on a midfield he can trust, naming an unchanged lineup in his last two after criticism for questionable tinkering during his opening four matches.

Academy graduate Freddie Potts has become a fan favourite, if he wasn’t already, and could be working his way into becoming an undroppable after convincing performances alongside Lucas Paqueta in the engine room.

The partnership is providing much-needed stability, with striker Callum Wilson also repaying Nuno’s faith after two straight starts, despite credible reports the Englishman wasn’t fancied by Nuno at first (ExWHUemployee).

Nuno reserved special praise for Tomas Soucek as well, who scored West Ham’s third and ultimately decisive goal of the game on his 250th appearance for the east Londoners.

The 30-year-old won’t be around forever, though, and with his contract expiring in 2027, West Ham could already have an heir apparent in the form of youngster Mohamadou Kante.

Nuno plans senior debut for Mohamadou Kante at West Ham

West Ham agreed a deal to sign Kante from Paris FC last year and the 20-year-old gem spent the rest of 2024/2025 back out on loan in the French capital, with Kante since returning to Rush Green and plying his trade in the club’s academy for the Under-21s.

Kante is yet to make his first-team debut for West Ham, but according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, this is about to change.

The French ‘rising star’ is wanted by multiple sides in January, with numerous Championship clubs already enquiring about Kante and prepared to sign him either on loan or permanently.

Writing for Football Insider, O’Rourke states that Kante is “expected” to get minutes in the West Ham senior team soon and is “close to a first-team breakthrough” after impressing in the academy lately — so it remains to be seen whether the club will green-light a mid-season exit for him.

The midfielder, who’s notched three goals and two assists in 10 academy appearances this term, scored a cracker most recently against Liverpool’s Under-21s — rounding off a superb 3-0 win for West Ham as Kante looks to turn Nuno’s head.

West Ham could have yet another Potts situation on their hands with Kante, and he’s been given chances to impress in first-team training by Nuno lately.

Amad Diallo’s delightful volley continued Manchester United’s unbeaten run and extended Sean Dyche’s wait for his first Premier League win as Nottingham Forest manager.

United arrived on a run of three straight wins and Diallo’s late volley rescued a 2-2 draw, which was probably a fair result at the end of a helter-skelter encounter that the Red Devils went ahead in, albeit under controversial circumstances.

The City Ground faithful were left furioius at the decision to award the corner from which Casemiro headed home the opening goal, and Dyche also highlighted Bruno Fernandes’ placement of the ball outside the quadrant, speaking to Sky Sports.

“It’s not inconclusive, I’ve seen it back,” the 54 year-old said afer Nicolo Savona was adjudged to have taken the ball out of play.

He continued: “Funny enough I was talking to the powers at be, the referees, about the quadrant. We all watch it, you can see the ball is outside the quadrant from 80 yards away, but they allow it because it’s one millimetre with the ball hanging over the line, a bit like the goal line technology.

“So apparently today the assistant referee can see 70, 80 yards away, it’s got to change.”

Dyche’s men returned after half-time interval with the bit between their teeth and levelled three minutes after the restart. Substitute Yates clipped over a cross from the right and Gibbs-White held off Diallo to get away a header that crept inside the far post.

It looked like Savona would have the last laugh too, coolly scoring in the 50th minute. Another cross from the right took a deflection and looped up, with the ball bundled on as Jesus challenged with United players. The Italian was the beneficiary, taking a touch and finishing from six yards.

United tried to level and Fernandes came closest, seeing a hopeful long-range strike skip off the turf and hit the far post. Casemiro just failed to turn home the rebound.

Manchester United have found their next Amad

Jesus headed into the side-netting and Hudson-Odoi went close as Forest pushed to settle things, only for Diallo’s moment of magic to draw United level in the 81st minute.

Forest failed to effectively clear a corner and the Ivory Coast international unleashed a wonderful left-footed volley from the edge of the box that flew past Sels, sparking bedlam in the away end.

The goal was given after a VAR check and United pushed hardest for a winner, with Murillo stopping Diallo snatching victory in stoppage time.

Sweden boss Graham Potter says star striker Alexander Isak is not ready to play two full games during the international break. The £125m man has been struggling for fitness since leaving Newcastle for Merseyside. Potter did confirm the Liverpool star will play some part in his side's World Cup qualifiers; Isak has been named on the bench to face Switzerland today.

• Isak still struggling for fitness according to Potter

  Isak's season has been blighted by persistent injuries. His last performance for his club came during Liverpool's 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in October. The Swede was replaced at halftime. He returned to Arne Slot's match day squad but was an unused substitute for the 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City last weekend. That stop-start opening to life on Merseyside could well be a result of Isak's protracted transfer saga. The player did not report to pre-season training with the Magpies, as he looked to push through a switch to the Premier League champions.

  That lack of game time has left Potter unable to call upon his best attacking asset from the off in his first game in charge. The ex-Chelsea, Brighton and West Ham manager suggested Isak would feature in some guise in Sweden's World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia, and that he had a strong week of training within the national setup. 

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  Potter: Isak had "a good week"

  Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Potter said: "He's had a good week, he's available. But we have to be smart with him because he's been out for a while. He's not ready to play two matches for 90 minutes. We have to wait and see until tomorrow." 

• Isak fitness and added worry in uphill task for Potter

  Isak's ongoing fitness issues will be an unwelcome issue for Potter to overcome as he seeks to rectify Sweden's disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign. The 50-year-old has been parachuted into the job on a four month deal, that will be extended if he can secure a playoff spot. 

  Sweden have taken just one point from their four qualifiers so far, with former boss Jan Dhal Tomasson given his marching orders after his side lost twice to Kosovo and Switzerland without scoring a goal. While automatic qualification is impossible, they can still finish second if they beat both Switzerland and Slovenia, and other results go their way. As things stand, Sweden would also earn a spot in the playoffs thanks to winning their Nations League group. 

  Potter's willingness to take on this mammoth assignment comes from his affinity for the country where he made his name as a manager. He took Ostersunds from the fourth tier to the top flight, winning the Swedish Cup and qualifying for the Europa League Group stages. Following his appointment, Potter said: "I am very humble about the assignment, but also inspired. 

  "Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the best leagues every week. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer."

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  Can Potter propel Sweden to the World Cup?

  The first hurdle in Potter's way is Group B leaders Switzerland, who have taken 10 points from their games in Group B. They can secure automatic qualification for next summer's World Cup if they beat Sweden, and Kosovo fail to beat Slovenia. If the chips fall their way, Sweden could complete a miraculous comeback should they beat Slovenia on Wednesday. 

  Potter will also be without Viktor Gyokeres for both matchups, as the Arsenal striker is currently nursing a hamstring injury. He is also without Spurs playmaker Dejan Kulusevski, who is still months away from returning to action as he rehabilitates a knee injury. 

  For a side that has failed to score through their catastrophic campaign, being without either of their star marksmen or their premiere attacking midfielder could make Potter's gamble appear to be folly before it even really starts. That said, if he can turn this ship around, it will be a feather in the cap for a manager that has seen his stock fall precipitously after two failed reigns at Chelsea and West Ham. 

Boston Red Sox legend Luis Tiant, one of MLB's best and most recognizable pitchers, died Tuesday, the league announced.

Another giant of the game, MLB Hall of Famer and longtime Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench, took to X (formerly Twitter) later Tuesday to pay his respects to Tiant with a heartfelt message.

"We may have taken the World Series in 1975 but Luis Tiant shut us out in Game 1 and threw another complete game victory in Game 4," Bench wrote. "He meant so much to the Red Sox organization, baseball certainly lost another icon. My condolences to his family and the Boston fans."

Bench, a two-time MVP and World Series champion, twice faced the then-34-year-old Tiant in the thrilling 1975 World Series that went a full seven games. And twice the Red Sox ace baffled Cincinnati's Great Eight, a lineup that featured three Hall of Famers in Bench, Joe. Morgan and Tony Perez, and another in the late Pete Rose, who surely would have been elected if not for his lifetime ban from baseball due to gambling.

Tiant started three games in the '75 World Series, winning a pair while allowing 10 earned runs in 25 innings pitched. And Bench, despite being the victor in the series, didn't want people to forget just how good "El Tiante" was on the game's biggest stage.

When you're watching a baseball game on TV, chances are you want to see what's happening in said baseball game. That sounds simple enough and should be a guarantee every time you flip on a game, but fans learned during a pivotal moment of Wednesday's Mets-Brewers playoff series that it stunningly isn't always a guarantee.

In case you missed it, the Mets came up in the ninth inning down by two runs. Jose Iglesias led off the inning while New York fans sat on the edge of their seats, hoping to see their team mount a dramatic comeback.

That's when ESPN decided to show an in-game interview with Milwaukee's Garrett Mitchell instead of sticking with the action on the field. They cut back in time to see Iglesias fly out to right field but the broadcast missed the pitch being thrown. In the ninth inning of a playoff game. With so much on the line.

This was just so bad:

Fans were rightfully furious:

The Brewers held on for the 5-3 win to force a Game 3. Hopefully ESPN learns from that mistake.

Real Madrid have opened talks with Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano over a potential free transfer next summer. With uncertainty surrounding David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger’s futures, Los Blancos view the French international as a long-term successor and a marquee addition who could arrive without a transfer fee if no renewal is agreed in Munich.

• Madrid move early for defensive reinforcements

  Madrid have reportedly entered discussions with Dayot Upamecano over a free transfer in 2026, with the Bayern defender emerging as the club’s top defensive target. According to reports from and , the 27-year-old has held preliminary talks with Madrid officials, who are eager to take advantage of his ongoing contract uncertainty at Bayern. Though the German champions have offered him an extension, negotiations have stalled, opening the door for a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

  Los Blancos have made defensive reinforcement a top priority for 2026, with Alaba and Rudiger both entering the final six months of their contracts. Injuries to Eder Militao and Alaba combined with Rudiger’s age and heavy workload have forced Madrid to identify a new long-term leader for the backline.

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  Upamecano fits Madrid’s next-generation blueprint

  Upamecano’s profile perfectly matches Florentino Perez’s recruitment model: a proven international with Champions League pedigree, available without a transfer fee, and familiar with many of Madrid’s French stars, including Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy.

  The centre-back has undergone a resurgence under Vincent Kompany at Bayern, cutting down the high-profile mistakes that once clouded his reputation. His mix of physical power, progressive passing and composure under pressure has seen him become a mainstay in both the Bundesliga and Europe this season. Madrid scouts have reportedly tracked Upamecano for over a year, and recent Champions League performances, particularly his commanding display in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain have convinced the hierarchy that he is ready for the next step.

  While Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi was also considered earlier in Madrid’s shortlist, the club have now abandoned the pursuit due to the defender’s high wage demands and signing-on fees, deeming the deal “virtually impossible.” With Guehi off the table, sources close to the club describe Upamecano as “the ideal successor to Alaba,” with his tactical discipline and athleticism complementing Madrid’s evolving defensive structure under Xabi Alonso.

• Bayern pushing for renewal amid interest from rivals

  The Bavarians are still hoping to tie Upamecano down to a new long-term deal beyond 2026, though progress has been slow. The club remain confident but face competition from several top sides including PSG, Barcelona and Chelsea, all of whom are monitoring the situation closely. PSG, in particular, maintain interest in both Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, though sources in France suggest Los Blancos now lead the race. Liverpool’s Konate, once viewed as an alternative target, has slipped down Madrid’s priority list as they focus on a single marquee defensive signing. 

  Bayern are aware that if talks remain unresolved by the end of the season, the player could open pre-contract discussions with foreign clubs, increasing pressure on the board to accelerate negotiations or risk losing him for nothing.

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  What it means for Madrid’s defensive rebuild

  The Meringues' pursuit of the French defender underscores a strategic shift toward long-term stability in defence. With Militao suffering from consecutive ACL injuries and Alaba’s recurring fitness issues, the Spanish giants need a reliable, athletic presence capable of anchoring the backline for the next five years. Upamecano’s potential arrival would also allow them to gradually phase out older defenders while maintaining tactical balance and squad depth. He represents the blend of experience and peak-age talent that aligns with Perez’s sustainable squad model – a recruitment approach that has already paid off in midfield with Camavinga and Federico Valverde.

  For now, Die Roten remain in talks to keep their man, but Madrid are quietly confident that if no renewal materializes, they could land one of Europe’s elite defenders without paying a cent in transfer fees, a move that would mirror past coups like Alaba’s arrival from the Allianz Arena in 2021.