REAL MADRID will reportedly increase their efforts to sign Kylian Mbappe following Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment.The ex-Everton boss could land the Paris Saint-Germain star this summer, leading to a potential exchange of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mauro Icardi.
Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Juventus this summerCredit: Getty
Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe are both linked with Paris Saint-Germain exitsCredit: AFP
Following the merry-go-round of managers Ancelotti, Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri, and Mauricio Pochettino are assessing their options.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian’s arrival in Madrid will lead to the club attempting to sign Mbappe as a ‘gift’ to the coach.
Real failed to win a trophy in 2020-21 and linking up the striker with France team-mate Karim Benzema is seen as a surefire route to success.
On Wednesday night, the pair combined in a 3-0 friendly win over Wales.
Mbappe, 22, is out of contract in 12 months’ time leading to lengthy talks with PSG over his future.
If a deal cannot be agreed, Madrid are said to be confident that they can swoop in and nab their number one target for a relatively cheap fee.

Pulling off the deal will lead to Les Parisiens seeking a new star forward to play alongside Neymar – and that is where Ronaldo comes in.
The 36-year-old is also entering the final year of his Juve contract and financial difficulties in Turin have led to speculation over whether the club would sanction a sale.
PSG are predicted to come in for Ronaldo if Mbappe leaves, whereby Juventus would seek to sign Icardi.

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The Argentine striker has long been a target for the Bianconeri, leading to rumours of Inter Milan putting an anti-Juve clause in the deal that sent him to Paris.
The exact details of the swap remain to be seen and the Italian giants have also been linked with trading Ronaldo for Paul Pogba.
One alternative replacement for the Portuguese star is Marseille star Arkadiusz Milik, according to reports in Italy.
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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S dismissal of Manchester United as title contenders is ‘silly’ and could shatter his players’ confidence.
That’s the verdict of Red Devils legend Paul Parker, who won four major trophies at Old Trafford between 1991 and 1996.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played down title talk for his Manchester United sideCredit: Rex Features

The Norwegian boss slammed the brakes on title talk after his side tossed away a victory against Everton.
Despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dramatic equaliser with the last kick of the game in the 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, United still sit second in the table – five points behind neighbours Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
And two-time Premier League champ Parker believes the United boss should not downplay his side’s chances in public.
The former defender, 56, said: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying that Manchester United were not in the title race was a silly comment to make.

“Regardless of what team it is, if you are sitting second in the table, and only a few points behind the leader, you must believe you’re in the title race.
“Even if Manchester United don’t have staying power, or the squad, you should never admit your shortcomings to opponents that might be listening. 

Even if Manchester United don’t have staying power, or the squad, you should never admit your shortcomings to opponents that might be listening.”
Paul Parker

“Manchester United have got to enjoy the position they find themselves in, but you simply can’t just say they’re not in the hunt for the title. 
“You have got to keep players as positive as you can and tell them they can win the Premier League.

“Some of those players with their egos will be thinking that they will win things at Manchester United, if a manager does not believe it is the case, how is a player ever going to?
“Instead of taking the pressure off people, he is adding it. I find it very strange that he would say something like that after drawing at home to Everton who has one of the best away records in the Premier League.
“Manchester United have got to be positive, so there’s no way he should be saying they’re not in the race, they were top of the league two weeks ago.” 

Parker believes Solskajer must break his semi-final hoodoo and lift some silverware to prolong his stay in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Under his guidance, United have crashed out in four semi-finals, including this season’s Carabao Cup to City.
Scott McTominay’s extra time winner against West Ham kept United in the hunt for the FA Cup as they progressed to the quarter-final stage.
Parker’s nephew Ben Johnson, 21, came off the bench for David Moyes’ side.
The former England international added: “In my opinion, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to win a trophy this season. He must want to win a trophy and have the hunger to do so, or he will have no chance of surviving as Manchester United manager.
“He has got to have that drive, as well as be able to convince his players that they are going to win stuff. I would not have that any other way, especially at a club like Manchester United.
“The club needs to win something, and he does too, for himself. Ole needs it for his CV, and to prove to everyone that he is good enough to be the Manchester United manager.
“A trophy win could inspire the Glazers to invest more money in him rather than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It is so important he gets the backing from the owners; he needs it more than most managers. He has lost a few semi-finals, and yes, people lose games, but the nature of football and social media is very tough for top players and managers.
“Everyone wants to call the manager and club ‘bottlers’ when they fail to win things. These comments come from people that have never played a game of football in their lives or have ever been in a high-pressure situation.
“But, suddenly, they have the right to tell people they’ve ‘bottled it.’ I find it strange, but that’s freedom of speech. Manchester United must go for the FA Cup this year, as a minimum.”
Parker also took aim at skipper Harry Maguire and slammed him as a selfish player who is not worth the £80million the club coughed up in 2019.
He added: “People talk about bringing in a new partner for Harry Maguire, but I would look at bringing in two centre-backs, why can’t it be a player who comes in and plays alongside Victor Lindelof? 
“Harry Maguire is not a leader, he plays the game for himself, he sits way too deep, he dribbles for the sake of dribbling and runs himself into cul-de-sacs.
“I have always been unsure about Maguire since the day Manchester United signed him. When they paid £80m, the club didn’t buy an £80m centre back, it was great business by Leicester City.”
Paul Parker was speaking on behalf of GrandNational.org.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shows his class as Man Utd boss sends fan struggling with mental health touching supportive letter More

BRAZILIAN boxer Hebert Sousa dramatically won Olympic gold by knocking out Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the final minutes. Sousa was well down on he scorecards and heading for middleweight silver as he went into the last three minutes.
Hebert Sousa won Olympic gold by knocking out Ukraine’s Oleksandr KhyzhniakCredit: Reuters
Ukrainian wrecking ball Oleksandr Khyzhniak was well on his way to Olympic gold against Hebert Sousa, only for the Brazilian to produce a stunning left hook which sent Khyzhniak tumbling to the canvas. One of the great upsets – and comebacks – in amateur boxing history. pic.twitter.com/d6JhsrujYy— Taylor On Sport (@TaylorOnSport) August 7, 2021

But in a simply stunning turn of events, he turned the fight on its head with an explosive and expertly timed combination.
Khyzniaka pushed Sousa back into a neutral corner and looked to throw a right hand over the top.
But Sousa had the same idea, and followed it up with a lightening left hook, which closed the show in empathic fashion.
Khyzhniak, the hot favourite with European and World gold medals to his name, bravely made it back to his feet.
But it was not enough to save his hopes Olympic title hopes, as the referee waved off the contest.
It provided Sousa with a remarkable comeback win in one of the most dramatic finals in Olympic boxing history.
Shortly beforehand, British flyweight Galal Yafai secured Team GB’s first boxing gold as he brilliantly beat Filipino Carlo Paalam on points.
Yafai, 28, told the BBC: “It’s something I’ve always want to do, to be Olympic champion. Now I’m Olympic champion and I’m over the moon.
“I’ve worked hard, took up boxing and thank God it’s worked out for me.
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“I bet they’re over the moon all my friends and family. The support I’ve had from back home has been ridiculous.
“It’s overwhelming I’m so grateful for the support I’ve got.
“I’m so determined to win, I’ve got that heart and desire to win and it’s worked out for me today.”
Lauren Price edges into final and stays on course for gold as Britain’s boxers deliver Tokyo 2020 medal rush More

ANTHONY JOSHUA could be forced to vacate one of the world title belts if he beats Oleksandr Usyk.The Watford boxer suffered his second defeat as a pro when he easily lost on points to the Ukrainian in September.
Anthony Joshua will try and reclaim his belts from Oleksandr Usyk in a rematchCredit: ©Ian Walton Matchroom Boxing
The pair have agreed the rematch, with the finer points of where and when still to be thrashed out.
If AJ somehow manages to find a way to beat Usyk, it could bring back the dream Tyson Fury clash.
But that might not be for ‘all the belts’.
The WBA could push for their mandatory man, Robert Helenius, to get his shot at the title.
That could mean AJ gives up that belt to sign the multi-million pound fight against fellow Brit Fury.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Helenius’ manager Markus Sundman explained: “Right now we are focused on the WBA mandatory position.

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“Robert fought a WBA elimination bout in March 2020 against Adam Kownacki, and he placed a stamp on that victory in the rematch on October 9.
“Usyk should really be Robert’s next bout.
“We will do what is necessary to assure Robert’s rightful position as Usyk’s next WBA mandatory.
“In the end, of course we have respect for [president] Gilberto [Mendoza] and the WBA, and we think that ultimately they will do the correct thing and formally order Robert as the next mandatory.
“The WBA mandatory is due next, and that must be Robert.”

The WBA are likely to allow the Joshua-Usyk rematch to go ahead before pushing for Helenius to fight the winner.
Joshua, meanwhile, is enjoying some down time Stateside after his recent defeat.
The 32-year-old is touring some big-name gyms in the hope of adding more weapons to his arsenal.
And after training with Mike Tyson’s old coach Ronnie Shields, he has told the American to ‘turn him into a dog’ for the big rematch.
If Joshua somehow finds a way to beat Usyk, he could focus on getting the Tyson Fury fight finally nailed downCredit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua tells Mike Tyson’s old coach Ronnie Shields to turn him into a dog for Oleksandr Usyk rematch More

CRISTIANO RONALDO has reportedly been isolated by the Juventus dressing room as his team-mates believe he has too much freedom.Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport claim tensions are boiling over in Turin after the Portuguese missed training on Monday.
Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to be linked with the exit door at JuventusCredit: AFP
He was allowed a day off to collect his new £1.4million Ferrari Monza from the supercar manufacturer’s base in Maranello.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was accompanied by Juventus’ President Andrea Agnelli and Exor Chairman and CEO John Elkann.
Such a privilege is described as upsetting Ronaldo’s Old Lady pals, who were hauled in after they lost 3-0 to AC Milan on the weekend.
And the report adds that many Juventus players believe the club give the former Real Madrid star too much freedom.
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SunSport previously reported that Ronaldo was targeted by the Italian press after ‘one of his worst games EVER’ against AC Milan.
The defeat leaves the Old Lady’s Champions League fate out of their own hands – one point adrift of fourth-placed Napoli with three games to go.
And that could spell disaster for Juve, with Ronaldo potentially set to quit – with former club Sporting Lisbon said to be keen on a reunion.
Another of his former teams, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain are also rumoured to be monitoring the situation.

Not only would Ronaldo reportedly have second thoughts about playing in the Europa League, Juventus may not be able to afford his wages.
The Bianconeri are facing financial problems due to the pandemic that would only get worse by missing out on Europe’s top club competition.
Talks are due to be held between the club and player at the end of the season, when there will be a year left on Ronaldo’s contract.

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Cristiano Ronaldo ‘looking carefully’ at Man Utd transfer if Juventus fail to make the Champions League More