Atletico Madrid could turn their attention to Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette if Paris Saint Germain (PSG) continue to rebuff their bid to sign Edinson Cavani.

This is according to the latest media reports in the European nation of Spain.

Atletico Madrid want to sign Uruguayan international Edinson Cavani from PSG and have already had a bid turned down by the French champions.

PSG sporting director Leonardo confirmed on Sunday night that Atletico Madrid made a bid for the 32-year-old striker and that it was turned down by the club.

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Leonardo spoke to reporters shortly after the French Cup win over second-tier club Lorient.

Atletico Madrid had a €10m offer rejected for Edinson Cavani and its not certain whether they will push ahead with another offer for the striker who has played second fiddle to Mauro Icardi since the Argentine international signed for PSG last summer on loan from Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan.

PSG want to sign Icardi permanently after his successful loan spell with the club.

For Cavani, he has six month remaining on his PSG deal at the moment.

Alexandre Lacazette is a long-term Atletico Madrid Target and the Frenchman could become an option if the Spaniards fail to lure Cavani from PSG according to Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to upgrade one of their attacking positions by making the move for an experienced winger in the January transfer window.

The Gunners are said to be interested in a move for Atletico Madrid winger Thomas Lemar who was part of the France squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in the European nation of Russia.

This is according to the publication from the stables of ESPN which claimed that Thomas Lemar has not been able to produce his nest form for the Spanish La Liga giants since joining them last year.

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Thomas Lemar made his name at French club AS Monaco as he was part of the team that reached the Champions League semifinals in surprising fashion during the 2016/17 season.

That AS Monaco side also ended the wait for a league title which had eluded the club for 17 years (since 2000) until that season.

Thomas Lemar is an experienced winger at the age of 24 and the Frenchman is an upgrade on the present Arsenal options like Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also said to be monitoring the situation of Dejan Kulusevski who is one of the best young midfielders in the Italian top flight this season.

Manchester United are interested in signing highly-rated Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez who has a release clause of £125m in his current contract with the Rojiblancos.

According to The Telegraph, Manchester United can sign Spanish international Saul Niguez for £85m which is £40m lesser than the release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

Atletico Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-0 at home at the weekend with Saul Niguez getting the clinching goal for Diego Simeone’s side.

The goal against Osasuna took his tally to three goals in 19 appearances for the season.

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Manchester United have made the signing of a quality midfielder top priority ahead of the winter transfer market in the New Year and Saul Niguez is said to be one of the targets on their list.

The Red Devils let midfielders Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini leave the club earlier this year, but they have been unable to replace them since then.

Marouane Fellaini is a Belgian international star who was at Manchester United until the January transfer window this year when he joined Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Gouan in a £10m deal.

For Spanish international midfielder Ander Herrera, he joined French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain (PSG) on a free transfer this summer.

Senior Manchester United officials are ready to back manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer window according to the various reports from the British media ahead of the January transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was under pressure as at the start of this month with reports claiming that he could lose his job if results go against him during the Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City games last week but the Norwegian tactician was able to win the two matches and his job is safe especially after the outcome of the last two games in the Premier League.

Manchester United hierarchy wants to back Solskjaer with signings like Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez who has a release clause of €150m (£126m) during the upcoming transfer window in January.

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Despite the good results earned in the last two games, Manchester United want to sign players in the January transfer window especially in midfield and attack.

Apart from Saul Niguez who is a long-term transfer target dating back to last summer, Manchester United have been linked with Premier League stars like Jack Grealish and James Maddison.

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has been able to set the Premier League on fire with his guile and creativity.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is on the verge of leaving the Spanish club as confirmed by the various reports from the media in Spain.

Diego Simeone has struggled to achieve results for Atletico Madrid this season especially in the Spanish La Liga and members of the Atletico Madrid board are growing frustrated with the situation.

Atletico Madrid are in a disappointing sixth position on the league table with 25 points from 15 league games.

The former Spanish champions are six points adrift of league leaders Barcelona who have played a game less than Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone could be an option for the Premier League duo of Arsenal and Everton if he leaves the Spanish club.

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Both Arsenal and Everton have struggled in the Premier League this season especially in the last two months.

Everton have dropped into the bottom three of the Premier League table under Marco Silva and the Portuguese manager will lose his job as a result.

On their part, Arsenal are looking for a permanent manager after the dismissal of Unai Emery.

Ex-Sevilla, Valencia and Almeria boss Unai Emery spent just 18 months in North London before he was booted out of the job.

Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg is now in temporary charge of the team.

Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata made it two goals in two games after he scored for his team during the league win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening.

Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata scored one of the goals as Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico Madrid were forced to a 1-1 draw at home by 10-man Valencia in their last league game and also drew their previous Spanish La Liga game at the home of Real Valladolid (goalless draw).

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The 2013/14 Spanish La Liga champions took the lead through Saul Niguez in the first half of the game off an assist from Angel Correa who started the game ahead of another ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

Morata wrapped up the points for Atletico Madrid just after the hour mark off another assist from the aforementioned Angel Correa.

The former Juventus, Chelsea and Real Madrid player rewarded manager Diego Simeone after he was handed a start due to his performance in the Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.

Alvaro Morata came on as a second-half substitute to score the winning goal and give his team a 1-0 win over the German Bundesliga club.

The 2019-20 Champions League group stage is well underway, with the third round of games being played this week. As we reach the halfway stage, it’s looking great for some of the early favourites, with Manchester City and Bayern Munich topping their respective groups. But with gaps starting to show between teams in each group, who looks as though they can cause a shock and progress to the knockout stages? Let’s take a look at some of the possible contenders and if you think one of the teams is worth an outside punt, check out the latest Champions League odds: https://www.paddypower.com/football/uefa-champions-league.

Club Brugge

When the draw was made, Group A looked like it would be a formality with 13-time winners Real Madrid and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain the favourites to progress. The group has been anything but easy thus far and Belgian outfit Club Brugge sit in second place with two points from two games. 

After a 0-0 draw in their opening fixture with Galatasaray, Brugge travelled to the Bernabéu and found themselves two goals in front at half time. Unfortunately for the Blue-Blacks, Real pegged them back and a sending off for Ruud Vormer allowed Casemiro to equalise from the resulting free kick. Had they held on, daylight would have separated Brugge from the chasing pack but instead, it’s a solitary point.

Brugge are on a six-game unbeaten streak in the Champions League and while next opponents PSG are a formidable force, with Los Blancos struggling to pick up points and Galatasaray failing to score goals, the Belgians must fancy their chances of progression.

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Valencia

As things stand in Group H, Valencia and Chelsea find themselves in a battle for the coveted runners-up place. Chelsea may be the favourites with the bookies to progress, but having already beaten Frank Lampard’s men, we believe Valencia have what it takes.

Los Ches didn’t have the best start to the season and sacked manager Marcelino after just three league games. They currently sit eighth in La Liga with three wins from their opening eight games. Despite the 3-0 hammering to Ajax in their last Champions League match, Albert Celades has turned around their domestic fortunes and this new-found confidence should transfer to the European stage too. 

Valencia host Lille in matchday three and with the Ligue 1 club sitting bottom of the group with no points, it’s a chance for Celades’ side to strengthen their grip on progression to the knockout stages.

Red Bull Salzburg

Group E is something of an unknown entity, and looks to be anybody’s game. Red Bull Salzburg are currently unbeaten in the Austrian Bundesliga and sit third in their Champions League group. Level on points with Liverpool and just one point behind leaders Napoli, Salzburg host the Italians next and the result could well turn the tide of the group going into the second half of the stage.

Although Salzburg lost 4-3 to Liverpool in their last game, they’re scoring goals, having hammered Genk 6-2 in matchday one. While it’s a massive ask to overhaul the current holders, the Austrian side could well spring a surprise in the group – but don’t be surprised if it ends up being decided by head-to-head record. Fans probably wouldn’t like to be reminded of their Europa League round of 16 exit last season – after being 3-1 up from the first leg, they were knocked out by Napoli 4-3 on aggregate.

The speculations about Paul Pogba’s proposed move to Real Madrid was increased during the week as reporters revealed that the player met with Zinedine Zidane during the international break to discuss personal issues.

Though Solskjaer said the player’s meeting with his compatriot has nothing to do with his future at Old Trafford, the manager is obviously seeking his replacement and he has interest in Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez.

The 24-year-old midfielder is set to cost nothing less than £129m in January and the Sun reported that the Red Devils are leading the race for his signature.

As much as Niguez doesn’t appear as a direct replacement for Paul, his presence will definitely add more class and quality to the team’s midfield which is desperately lacking in creativity.

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Niguez’s experience and presence will raise the mood and performance of the players around him and there will be an improved performance from the overall team.

It won’t a huge task for Diego Simeone to sanction his sale in January having brought Joao Felix from Portuguese club Benfica before the start of the campaign.

Meanwhile, the race for Edinson Cavani’s services continues to heat up as Napoli and Juventus have joined in the list of interested suitors.

The PSG star is being linked with a switch to the Theatre of Dreams in January but Napoli are looking at the prospect of re-signing the striker they sold to PSG some years back.