LIVE Transfer Talk: PSG edge ahead of Real Madrid in chase for Bayern's Alaba

Published on: 20 November 2020

The coronavirus pandemic made the summer transfer market unlike any before it, but there were still plenty of deals done, and you can check out the major ones here. The window might be closed across the top leagues in Europe, but here are the best rumours from around the globe.

TOP STORY: PSG inch ahead in race for Alaba

Paris Saint-Germain are starting to edge ahead in the race to sign Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, Sport reports.

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For the longest time, Real Madrid have been most closely linked with regard to signing Alaba, who looks destined to leave the Allianz Arena after a successful run with the German champions.

PSG, though, are reportedly willing to bow to his wage demands, whereas Real are a bit more hesitant on the matter.

The reason behind Madrid wanting to pursue Alaba in the first place is due to the impending threat of Sergio Ramos leaving, but unfortunately for them, they're trailing behind right now.

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08.34 GMT: Jerome Boateng is looking forward to a new challenge when his contract at Bayern Munich expires next summer. Boateng, 32, joined Bayern Munich from Manchester City in 2011 and was a key member for the club's Treble-winning sides in 2013 and 2020.

"I am someone who loves to get to know new cities, cultures and people," the centre-back told Spox. "I am really not the guy who likes to stay at one place for too long. That's why Paris, London but also cities outside of Europe are interesting for me."

Earlier this month, Boateng learned via the media that Bayern were making their plans for next season without him. When asked about that decision, the 2014 World Cup winner said: "I was surprised and would have wished for a meeting before. But I am now longer thinking about it."

Bundesliga champions Bayern host Werder Bremen on Saturday as domestic football resumes after the international break (stream LIVE at 9:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+ in the U.S.).

08.00 GMT: Derby County's Wayne Rooney says he hopes to take charge of the Championship club on a permanent basis, and follow in the footsteps of former England teammate Frank Lampard.

Rooney is part of a four-man coaching team including Liam Rosenior, Justin Walker and Shay Given that will lead Derby for Saturday's league game at Bristol City after the Midlands club parted ways with Phillip Cocu last week.

Lampard was appointed Derby coach in the summer of 2018 and guided them to the Championship playoffs before taking the reins at Chelsea.

"I wouldn't be an ambitious person if I sat here and said I didn't want the job," Rooney, 35 said. "We all come into this game to play football and then you have a decision to make: do you want to go into coaching or management?

"I've made it quite clear over the last few years that my ambition is to go into management, especially when you see the likes of Steven Gerrard, Lampard and Scott Parker all getting good jobs and doing really well at it. We have to get the next two or three games out the way first, but if they go well it puts me in a better position to put our names forward for that role."

Rooney, who has served as player-coach at Derby since arriving in January, said he is not far away from calling time on his playing career.

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PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle): Barcelona concerned over Dembele

Barcelona are concerned that Ousmane Dembele could wind up leaving the club on a free transfer, Sport reports.

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Barca were interested in selling him during the summer transfer window, but he was reportedly eager to stay. However, the Catalans now believe that he could be planning to leave for nothing when his contract expires in 2022.

He will be free to speak with clubs before then, and with Manchester United being one of the teams that are interested, Dembele's attention could soon turn away from the Nou Camp.

Haaland not focused on leaving Borussia Dortmund

Erling Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, has confirmed that his son is not thinking about leaving Borussia Dortmund.

The Norway striker continues to be linked with a move away from the German giants, but in an interview with Sport1, Alf-Inge Haaland made it clear that the priority is to try to find success in Dortmund.

"At the moment it's not in Erling's or my head that another club will be vying for him," Haaland's father said.

"We signed a long contract with Dortmund and they have a fantastic team for Erling right now. We don't want to look any further ahead."

Tap-ins

- The Guardian is reporting that Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is ready to leave Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window. The veteran World Cup winner has rarely been able to find his way into the first team under Frank Lampard this season, and with next summer's Euros on his mind, he is hoping for a move away, with his preferred options being Italy or another Premier League club.

- Eintracht Frankfurt's Jetro Willems is interested in a return to Newcastle United, Calciomercato reports. The Dutchman spent last season on loan with the Magpies, but after an unfortunate injury cut his time short, Willems is now going in search of another chance to try to impress in the Premier League with the very same club.

Source: espn.co.uk

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