Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane has hinted Eden Hazard could make his first competitive start for Real Madrid in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. 

The Belgian, who signed for Real from Chelsea in June for an initial £89 million fee, missed the start of the 2019-20 La Liga season with a hamstring injury.

He played half an hour from the bench in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Levante.

And when Zidane was asked whether Hazard is ready to play 90 minutes in Real's opening Champions League game of the season at the Parc des Princes, the French manager said, per AS:

"You will see him tomorrow, but I think so. In the end he has had more training with the team, he is ready to play."

Zidane also talked up the long-term impact Hazard can have at the Santiago Bernabeu:

"I've always thought that he is decisive. He can make a difference. And he wants to prove that. He will be very important at Madrid. His future will be formidable."

Hazard, 28, has nominally been brought in to fill the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo after his departure to Juventus in July 2018:

Real Madrid have a new Number 7!

1994-2010: Raul
2010-2018: Cristiano Ronaldo
2019: Eden Hazard pic.twitter.com/LqdwCDnliq

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 9, 2019

Having not adequately replaced the Portuguese superstar, Real struggled last season, finishing a distant third in La Liga and crashing out early in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. 

Santiago Solari and Julen Lopetegui were both jettisoned during the campaign, and Zidane was reappointed in March, 10 months on from his resignation following a third successive Champions League triumph.

Real have not started the new campaign spectacularly, and there has already been talk Zidane could find himself under pressure if upcoming fixtures don't go well:

'He's ignored HUGE financial offers from China, he's waiting and he's.... José Mourinho'@GuillemBalague believes José Mourinho will replace Zinedine Zidane, if results don't improve at Real Madrid.

Listen to the Football Daily 👇
📲⚽️: https://t.co/3aIa0EoGxj#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/QovwcBaMOs

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) September 13, 2019

The return to fitness of Hazard should be a big boost for Real and Zidane.

There is little chance he can replicate the consistency of goalscoring Ronaldo did during his time at the club as the former Manchester United star averaged 50 goals a season at the Bernabeu.

However, Hazard enjoyed his best season to date in 2018-19, providing both goals and assists at Chelsea:

Eden Hazard for Chelsea in the 2018/2019 Premier League:

most successful take-ons (137)
most chances created (98)
most shots taken (93)
most assists (16)
most goals (15)

Absolutely ran the show. 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/4r1tlJIWFq

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2019

Not only will his return provide Real with an added goal threat on the left flank, but Hazard should improve the attacking unit as a whole by providing the likes of Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez with more chances. 

Martin Odegaard has said he knew he needed to leave Real Madrid this season for the good of his career but confirmed he still has ambitions of playing for the club in the future.

The Norway international is on loan at Real Sociedad and has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2019-20 season. Odegaard joined Madrid in 2015, although he has made just two appearances for the senior side.

Speaking after scoring in Sociedad's 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, Odegaard provided an honest assessment of where he is at as a player, per Sport:

"At the end of last season I felt it wouldn't be good for me to go back to Madrid. For young players, and for me in this moment, it's very important to have playing time. In Madrid, I think it's really hard to get that. 

"There are a lot of good players there and huge competition. It was obvious that it's better for me to go on loan, I think the club accepted it too, that's why we decided it so quickly. 

"...My objective is still to play for Real Madrid. That's why I signed for them, I want to play there one day. I think I've improved in the past two years. I think I'm a better player and more mature, and stronger."

Odegaard was on the scoresheet in the victory over Atletico, as the Basque outfit moved up to seventh in the table and ended their opponents' perfect start to the La Liga season:

Martin Odegaard & Nacho Monreal fire Real Sociedad past Atletico! ⚽🔥⚽

📺 Highlights #RealSociedadAtleti pic.twitter.com/5USXpfPW8U

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) September 14, 2019

Sid Lowe of the Guardian was impressed with what he saw from La Real and name-checked the 20-year-old as one of their standout players:

Atlético, top, beaten at Real Sociedad. Three/four games in (we’re half way through week four) and no one has won every game. Anoeta new look looks good. Real Sociedad do too. Monreal debut goal. Oyarzabal and Odegaard especially tasty. They’re bouncing there.

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) September 14, 2019

In addition to his goal, Odegaard excelled in general play for Sociedad. Operating in a central position, he used the ball well, dribbled forward into dangerous positions and knitted some eye-catching attacking patterns together for Imanol Alguacil's team.

After shining on loan at Vitesse Arnhem last season, Odegaard appears set to take his game on to another level again this term, having netted twice in the Spanish top flight already in 2019-20. At last, the Norwegian appears on course to reaching the levels many anticipated he would when arriving at Real Madrid.

The EiF Soccer account was full of praise for the youngster's efforts in the win over Atletico:

Odegaard with a man of the match performance so far against Atletico. The kid is truly a beast. So silky and smooth on the ball.

— EiF (@EiFSoccer) September 14, 2019

Lucas Navarrete of Managing Madrid said Los Blancos should have considered keeping the midfielder around this season:

Perhaps Real Madrid should've kept at least one of Ceballos, Llorente and Odegaard?

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) September 12, 2019

The loan was a sensible decision, though, as Odegaard is now getting consistent minutes in La Liga. That playing time, in addition to the fact he's already a key player at Sociedad, will only enhance his development.

There's still a lot of work to do before Odegaard is ready to feature regularly for a team as good as Real Madrid. Those at the Santiago Bernabeu will at least be encouraged to see the player back on the right track after a challenging start to his Madrid career.

The first round of matches in the group stage of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League is packed full of high-profile fixtures.

Defending champions Liverpool face Napoli in Italy, Borussia Dortmund host Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk play Manchester City and Juventus meet Atletico Madrid.

Perhaps the most eye-catching of the lot, though, is Wednesday's clash at the Parc des Princes between 13-time champions Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, a club desperate to join Los Blancos and others among the European elite.

                           

Date: Wednesday, September 18

Time: 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET

TV Info: BT Sport 2 (UK)

Live Stream: BT Sport App, B/R Live

Match Odds (courtesy of Caesars): PSG 23-20, Real 11-5, Draw 13-5 

                                   

PSG have never really lived up to their potential in the Champions League.

They were knocked out at the quarter-final stage in four consecutive campaigns from 2012-13 and are now on a run of three last-16 exits in a row, most recently falling to Manchester United in humiliating fashion earlier this year:

'There was a shade of what happened in Barcelona two years ago' - @LaurensJulien

Another shocking #UCL exit for #PSG

📲⚽:5 Live Final Score 🔴: https://t.co/pHQ5sv7kVZ #PSGMUN #UCL #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/IZOoDpJnp4

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) March 6, 2019

Their group-stage campaigns have largely been easy during that time, though, with PSG topping their pool in four of the last seven seasons.

In truth, it would be a huge surprise were they and Real not to make it out of Group A in the 2019-20 tournament, as Club Brugge and Galatasaray are the other two teams in the group.

Both are decent sides, but neither can boast the kind of resources of PSG and Real.

As such, the clashes between the French champions and Los Blancos are likely to decide who tops Group A and theoretically earns the easier tie in the first knockout round.

Given their home advantage on Wednesday, Thomas Tuchel's side will be unhappy with anything other than three points.

And they are up against a Real side still trying to find their feet again after a poor 2018-19 and the return of Zinedine Zidane as manager.

Furthermore, Real's injury list is lengthy, and Sergio Ramos and Nacho will both be absent from Wednesday's match due to suspension:

Another one ☝️

Marcelo is set to be one of seven Real Madrid first-team players to miss the Champions League clash against PSG on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/P24QaCu4Fy

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 16, 2019

PSG have personnel problems to contend with as well. Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani are both injury doubts, and Neymar is suspended:

Neymar has been handed a three-match Champions League ban after the comments he made following PSG's exit to Manchester United 😯 pic.twitter.com/CYfDVHVLFJ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 26, 2019

Fortunately for PSG, they brought in Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan over the summer, so he can lead the line against Real.

For two clubs of PSG and Real's magnitude, they open their 2019-20 Champions League campaigns missing some key players and looking fallible.

If anything, that should make Wednesday's fixture more interesting as they both looking to find form that could propel them deep in Europe's elite competition this season. 

Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has said he feels as though standards are higher at his new team, compared to former club Chelsea.  

Hazard made the move from Stamford Bridge to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, with Los Blancos paying an initial £89 million to sign the Belgium international. 

Speaking to UEFA (h/t Marca), Hazard has outlined the differences in expectations between fans of Los Blancos and the Blues:

"At Chelsea when we lost, we were disappointed, like the fans, but I never felt it was a disaster, it's different in Spain. 

"I think that here the fans are really fans, football is everything to them and they need players to give everything, in England there aren't so many fans. Of course, people there like football and everyone be that young people, adults or teenagers are really interested in football, but they aren't so fanatical about their teams."

Amadi Tidiane of Soccer Marketing said he doesn't think Hazard is taking a swipe at his former club with these comments:

this will probably be made to seem like a jab from Hazard to CFC fans but I don't think that was his intention in saying this.

— amadí (@amadoit__) September 16, 2019

Given the success Madrid have enjoyed, it's no surprise those who frequent the Bernabeu have high expectations for the players who don the iconic all-white jersey.

Hazard is capable of meeting those expectations, as he proved himself as one of the best players in the Premier League during a seven-year stint at Chelsea. However, following his big-money move to the Spanish capital, the early weeks of his Los Blancos tenure have been blemished by injuries.

The 28-year-old made his first competitive appearance for Madrid on Saturday, coming off the bench for 31 minutes in the 3-2 win over Levante. Here is the moment he entered the field:

⚪ Eden Hazard comes off the bench for his La Liga debut!

📺 Watch LIVE on Premier Sports 1 pic.twitter.com/gLNJWWEcQd

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 14, 2019

Hazard was long linked with a move to Real before the transfer went through, with manager Zinedine Zidane noted as a key influence for the player. The former Chelsea man has spoken about what it's been like to work with the Frenchman.

"We have been working together for more than a month, and I am very happy," the Madrid No. 7 said. "I feel like a small child, not only because of him but because of the other players here. I am learning every day, and I am getting to know them. It's great to work with a coach that you can feel has been a player when you talk to them; I just need to learn from him."

After missing the opening weeks of the season, Hazard will be desperate to make his mark as a Madrid player in the coming contests.

On Wednesday, they visit Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League in what promises to be a fascinating encounter; after getting on the field on Saturday, Hazard should be in contention to start such an important game.

Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy has revealed he turned down the opportunity to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, when he left Le Havre for Lyon.

Mendy spent eight years in PSG's academy (2004 to 2012) before he moved to Le Havre, where he made his professional debut.

The 24-year-old told Canal Plus (h/t Football Espana) PSG were interested in re-signing him after his initial breakthrough at the Stade Oceane:

“There was a chance to join PSG then, but the truth is, I was not really interested.

“I had already agreed to join Lyon at that stage, and I had already left PSG earlier in my career, after they had given me the opportunity in their youth teams after I thought I may need an amputation.

“I am from Paris, and my family will be at the match on Tuesday. It will be a special occasion for me.”

The left-back opted for Lyon and made the most of his two seasons as part of their first team, earning his senior France debut in November 2018 before he joined Real for £47 million in June this year.

Los Blancos posted a collection of Mendy's highlights upon announcing his arrival:

Mendy said in June that he was told at 15—while he was in PSG's academy—he would never walk again following hip surgery (likely linked to his remark regarding a possible amputation).

It seems the player has moved on from Les Parisiens, who host Real Madrid on Wednesday when both teams begin their UEFA Champions League campaigns in Group A.

Mendy was delayed in making his first competitive appearance under France legend Zinedine Zidane following a hamstring injury.

However, he made an impression during his debut in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal:

Ferland Mendy really good for Real Madrid tonight. Getting the better of Chukwueze consistently.

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) September 1, 2019

The player gained a reputation in Ligue for being one of the most well-rounded full-backs in the division—perhaps Europe—combining attacking efficiency with reliable defence in equal quantities.

While he's only played 90 minutes of football in La Liga, Mendy is already measuring as one of the fastest players in the division:

⚡️ FASTEST PLAYERS 19/20 ⚡️@Williaaams45: 34.37km/h
@chimy337: 34.01km/h@ferland_mendy: 33.90km/h
@rodritarin: 33.73km/h@GarethBale11: 33.6km/h@sergio_regui: 33.53km/h@diegocosta: 33.46km/h@ennesyri9: 33.23km/h
De Marcos: 33.11km/h@joaofelix70: 32.94km/h#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/OF3PBRcXJj

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) September 5, 2019

PSG instead opted to sign Yuri Berchiche from Real Sociedad as a replacement for the departing Maxwell in 2017, though the former has since returned to Spain with Athletic Bilbao.

A move to the Parc des Princes two years ago could have provided an earlier platform for Mendy at the elite level, though he surely won't regret biding his time to reach Real instead.

Real Madrid duo Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois reportedly want former Chelsea team-mate N'Golo Kante to join them at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

The Belgian pair have made the move from west London to Madrid in consecutive summers—Courtois in 2018 and Hazard in 2019—and they want Kante to follow suit next year, according to Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey of The Athletic (h/t MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer).

Courtois and Hazard are said to have "told friends" Kante should be Real manager Zinedine Zidane's priority target, not Manchester United's Paul Pogba, who was heavily linked with Los Blancos in the summer.

The centre of Real's midfield is an area that needs addressing. Real spent over €300 million (£268 million) during the recent transfer window, but the majority was on attackers like Hazard and Luka Jovic. 

Of the two midfielders they brought to the club, Takefusa Kubo is now on loan at Mallorca and 20-year-old Alberto Soro at Real Zaragoza.

That means Zidane will have to rely on Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro again in the middle of the park in 2019-20, with 21-year-old Federico Valverde another option in the engine room:

Last night at Villarreal, Casemiro and Kroos started. Modric and Fede Valverde came on. And...that's it. There are no more midfielders at Real Madrid. I still don't understand.

— Andy West (@andywest01) September 2, 2019

Modric, Casemiro and Kroos are superb players and were crucial in Real's three consecutive UEFA Champions League victories under Zidane from 2016.

But it is arguably a midfield unit past its best. 

Modric may have won the Ballon d'Or last year, but he was poor by his own high standards in 2018-19 and is now 34 years old.

Kante, 28, is a remarkably consistent player who could breathe some life back into the Real midfield with his impressive combination of attacking and defensive attributes:

An incredible all-round performance from N'Golo Kante.

The heartbeat of Chelsea! 👊 pic.twitter.com/chCnIRBnXw

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 14, 2019

Chelsea, though, will be loath to let him go if Real do move for him, and the Premier League outfit will be able to demand a huge fee as the Frenchman has a contract at Stamford Bridge that runs to 2022.  

Real Madrid will be looking for just their second win of the season on Saturday when they host Levante in La Liga.

Los Blancos have won only one of their three matches in this campaign, leaving them fifth in the Spanish top flight and four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

The visitors are fourth having picked up two wins already.

                                  

Date: Saturday, September 14

Time: 12 p.m. BST/7 a.m. ET

TV: Premier Sports (UK), beIN Sports (USA)

Live Stream: Premier Player 1 (UK), beIN Sports Connect (USA)

Odds: Real Madrid (6-25), Draw (23-4), Levante (19-2)

Odds courtesy of Caesars

               

Real kicked off their campaign with a victory at home to Celta Vigo, but they've since been held to draws by Real Valladolid and Villarreal.

As Tom Allnutt of Agence France-Presse observed, Zinedine Zidane has not enjoyed the most successful return to the Santiago Bernabeu since he became manager again in March:

Zidane 6 wins in 14 now since returning to Real Madrid.

— Tom Allnutt (@TomAllnutt_) September 1, 2019

Sports writer Andy West has not been impressed with their defending:

So, Real Madrid continue to be rather bonkers. They play some lovely stuff and obviously have wonderful players, but you couldn't trust them to defend a fox from a chicken. If Zidane can get rid of that soft underbelly, they will challenge for everything. But can he?

— Andy West (@andywest01) September 1, 2019

They've kept just two competitive clean sheets under Zidane since he returned. Even in pre-season they only managed one shutout, against Red Bull Salzburg. In their other six friendlies, they shipped 18 goals.

Levante—who lost to Alaves in their opener—have played the same two sides as Madrid in their last two matches, but unlike Los Blancos, the Granotas won both games.

Real will have to face them without Gareth Bale, too. The Welshman saved them in their last match by scoring twice to give them a 2-2 draw with Villarreal, but he was subsequently sent off and will serve a one-game ban.

Eden Hazard could make his competitive debut, though. The Independent's Luke Bosher reported the Belgian is in line to play after returning to full training.

Levante have started strongly, so they won't be easily dispatched on Saturday, particularly if Los Blancos remain vulnerable at the back.

A debut for Hazard would give Real a much-needed lift, though, and he could make the difference for his new side.

Jose Mourinho has described his spell in charge of Real Madrid as "the best memory" of his managerial career so far.

The Portuguese is one of the most successful coaches of his generation, having enjoyed success in two spells with Chelsea, as well as Porto, Inter Milan and Manchester United.

Mourinho also had a three-year spell at Real Madrid, where he helped the team to one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey.

Speaking to Portuguese TV channel 11 (h/t Marca), the 56-year-old said he thinks back fondly on his time at the Santiago Bernabeu:

"Real Madrid was my best experience because of what I learned as a coach, as a man, from the lessons I took in my career and in my life. It's the best memory of my career, it was fantastic.

"What they asked me to do at Real Madrid suited my nature. They told me that we had the best team in the world on the other side, that they were crushing us, and we had to reverse the situation."

The Spanish Football Podcast shared more from Mourinho's interview, including the thought process behind making a move to La Liga:

Mourinho on his time at Real Madrid: "I came to Spain because I wanted to be the first to win the English league, the Italian league and the Spanish league. We won at Camp Nou and then did it mathematically at San Mamés. That was my best moment in Spanish football"

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) September 12, 2019

The team Mourinho referenced as the "best team in the world" was Barcelona. Los Blancos' great rivals were the dominant force in Spain at the time, excelling under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola.

Mourinho and the then-Barcelona boss formed a spiky rivalry during their time together in La Liga before Guardiola left the Blaugrana in 2012. Mourinho departed Real Madrid the following year.

Prior to his stint at Real Madrid, Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan, culminating in UEFA Champions League success at the Santiago Bernabeu against Bayern Munich. He won the same prize in 2004 when the Portuguese's Porto side stunned the rest of European football.

In England, Mourinho won three Premier League titles in two spells with Chelsea. In his previous role at Manchester United, he struggled and was sacked by the club in December 2018 having steered the team to their worst start to a Premier League season. Mourinho hasn't been in a job since.

Speaking to the Coaches' Voice, he outlined what he is looking for from his next role:

🗣️ "The only thing I know is what I don't want."

José Mourinho discusses what he wants from the next club he manages. pic.twitter.com/M4re0v4WW3

— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) September 5, 2019

As Spanish football journalist Colin Millar relayed, reports have suggested he remains highly thought of at the Bernabeu:

He adds: United are willing to sell Paul Pogba for €160m and to structure that move in instalments. Pogba wants to join Madrid. Mourinho 'the most respected coach' by Madrid president Florentino Perez + general manager Jose Angel Sanchez (the most important individuals at RM).

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 2, 2019

After sacking Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari last season, Madrid appointed Zinedine Zidane for a second spell in charge. Given the Frenchman's previous success—winning three Champions Leagues—and the fact he has been backed with significant transfer funds ahead of the season, it feels unlikely there will be a vacancy in Madrid any time soon.

Mourinho will surely be itching to get back into management again, though, and will hope the recent spell away from coaching will rejuvenate him for his next challenge.  

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly making plans to stage a tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

According to ABC (h/t Football Espana), Perez has told some of the club's hierarchy of his plans, and Madrid fan Nadal is "open to playing in such an occasion."

The report added Perez wants to set an all-time record attendance for tennis at Real's 81,044-seater stadium in the Spanish capital.

The current record is the 35,681 who watched an exhibition match between Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams in Brussels in 2010.

Nadal and Federer, though, are already part of a plan to beat that mark on February 7, 2020, at the Cape Town Stadium in South Africa, which holds 55,000 spectators, per Reuters.

Arguably the two greatest players to ever wield a racket, Nadal moved to within one of Federer's all-time Grand Slam record when he won the U.S. Open last weekend:

https://twitter.com/DavidLawTennis/status/1170871765851103232

The 33-year-old Spaniard beat Russia's Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

He will have the chance to join Federer, 38, on 20 Grand Slam titles at the 2020 Australian Open, which starts in January.

Nadal's only previous triumph in Melbourne was in 2009, making it his least productive Grand Slam tournament, as he has won Wimbledon twice, the U.S. Open four times and the French Open a record 12 times.

By contrast, Federer is a six-time Australian Open champion, and he will likely be viewing 2020's opening Grand Slam as a good opportunity to further open the gap between him and Nadal. 

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has confirmed the club has tried to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba in the past. 

Los Blancos were linked with Pogba throughout the summer, while Lewandowski has also been a rumoured target for the club in recent years.

Per Goal, Perez said:

"There are players who don't get sold. 

"We went for Lewandowski for several years and nothing happened because he has no clause, and they [Bayern Munich] won't sell him. 

"There's no way. And that's happened with Pogba.  

"When certain players can be sold, we can go for them."

Pogba sparked speculation on his future in June when he said he would be open to a "new challenge."

His brother, Manchego striker Mathias Pogba, talked up a move to the Santiago Bernabeu:

🗣️ Paul Pogba's brother, Mathias, on the midfielder's future:

"Everyone knows that my brother could use Real Madrid and Zidane. Those who have to talk are Madrid and Manchester United.

"I don't know what to say...Zidane has always spoken well of my brother, it's an honour." pic.twitter.com/3UsWM72kkK

— GOAL (@goal) August 27, 2019

Real were also lacking depth in midfield amid the rumours, per sports writer Andy West:

Last night at Villarreal, Casemiro and Kroos started. Modric and Fede Valverde came on. And...that's it. There are no more midfielders at Real Madrid. I still don't understand.

— Andy West (@andywest01) September 2, 2019

Although Pogba has had issues with consistency at United, he is their most valuable player.

The Frenchman returned to the club from Juventus in 2016 for a then-world-record fee of £89 million.

The departures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera this year, and United's subsequent failure to bring in any replacements, may have driven his value up further, as the club would have been left with only Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred as their senior options in central midfield had he been sold.

As for Lewandowski, he will have put himself on Los Blancos' radar in 2013, when he scored four goals against them for Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League (U.S. only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1121043614895755268

He moved to Bayern in 2014 and has returned at least 40 goals in all competitions in each of the past four seasons.

His record makes him one of the few goalscorers in Europe who has come close to matching Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts in recent years, so while he does not play in the same position, he would have made a fine replacement for the Portuguese superstar.

The Pole is 31 and has four years remaining on his contract with Bayern, so a move to Real no longer looks to be a possibility.

Real could reignite their pursuit of Pogba next summer. He will have just one year left on his deal then, so they may have more success in prising him from Old Trafford.