Gossip: Real Madrid set on Man Utd target; Gerrard off to Turkey?

Joe Williams

THE REAL DEAL

Spanish publication AS bring us news of Real Madrid’s apparent interest in Erling Haaland, who was recently linked with a move to Manchester United. Haaland has four goals in two Champions League matches this season, leading to rumours that United and Arsenal were set to go head-to-head to sign him. The player’s father – former Leeds and Man City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland – has also played his part to talk up his son’s future. His son though is “f*cking bored” of it.

And now AS have added Real Madrid’s name to the mix with Haaland ‘making the right noises’ in the corridors of the Bernabeu. The 19-year-old ‘fits like a glove’ into Los Blancos’ plans of buying up the best youth in the world. And despite buying Luka Jovic in the summer, Haaland is ‘firmly on their list’.

 

NIGHTS IN ISTANBUL

Turkish football journalist Mehmet Demirkol told BeIN Sports that Steven Gerrard is on a shortlist of candidates being considered for the manager’s job at Besiktas. The Black Eagles find themselves 12th in the table after their opening seven fixtures in the Turkish Super Lig and rumours are rife that they could sack Abdullah Avci. If that happens then Gerrard could be offered the chance to reignite his memories of Istanbul.

The Liverpool legend has been in charge of Rangers for 15 months now, guiding them to second place in the Scottish Premiership last term. After finishing last season nine points behind champions Celtic they are leading their arch-rivals by two points in 2019/20. And that seems to have impressed the Besiktas hierarchy. Cutting his time short at Rangers to head off to Turkey does seem unlikely though…

 

AND THE REST

Phil Parkinson has been added to Sunderland’s list of targets to replace Jack Ross as boss…Newcastle’s newest hero Matty Longstaff earns just £850 a week at St James’ Park…Feyenoord’s teenage midfielder Orkun Kokcu is being tracked by Arsenal, who could launch a £20m January approach for his services…Unai Emery’s job as Arsenal boss could be at risk if his side do not qualify for the Champions League this season…Paul Pogba looks certain to miss next Sunday’s crunch clash against Liverpool, with Manchester United medics fearing he could be sidelined until at least the end of October…David Beckham is targeting Kylian Mbappe as his first blue-chip client as he starts his career as an agent…Liverpool have received assurances that Mo Salah’s presence in Qatar during December’s Club World Cup will not be used for propaganda purposes, amid fears that the Egyptian striker could be pressured into withdrawing from the tournament for political reasons.