Mbappe: Transfer talk won’t affect me

The 18-year-old has been linked with a huge summer move to Real Madrid but says that he is not thinking about the future

Kylian Mbappe has affirmed that he will not allow speculation over his future to affect his on-field performances.

It has been reported in the Spanish press that the 18-year-old Monaco striker has agreed to move to Real Madrid in the summer after a spectacular breakout campaign in Ligue 1.

The France international, though, has affirmed that he is concentrated on his task at Stade Louis II.

“We’ve got a common objective and I really want to win a title with the club that brought me through,” he said. “Until then, nothing will disturb me and I think that I’m going to continue like that until the end of the season.

“There will be two months, two and a half months, to make a decision as to what I’m going to do, so no, the rumours won’t affect me.”

Mbappe was only used off the bench during Saturday’s 3-0 win at Nancy, but in his brief cameo his did manage to create a goal for Thomas Lemar.

On Tuesday, Monaco go to Juventus in the Champions League semi-final second leg, in which they will attempt to turnaround a 2-0 deficit against one of Europe’s most highly regarded defensive sides – perhaps Mbappe’s biggest test yet in his short career.

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BALE OPENS DOOR TO THREE CLUBS

Gareth Bale has told his representatives that he would be willing to join three of Europe's elite clubs if he were to leave Real Madrid, says Don Balon.

The Wales international is open to the idea of linking up with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich at some stage in the future.

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MESSI SNUBS BARCA OFFER

Lionel Messis has turned down Barcelona's opening offer of a new contract at Camp Nou, according to AS.

The Argentine forward is only tied to a deal until 2018, but has snubbed the chance to extend that agreement on terms of €30-35m net per season

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102 and counting! Messi, Suarez & Neymar mean Barcelona can still dream of beating Madrid to Liga title

La Liga is not over yet. Real Madrid remain favourites for the title with a game in hand over Barcelona, but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are doing everything they can to keep the champions in the race.

Barca's trusty trident saw the team through a potentially tricky test versus Villarreal at Camp Nou on Saturday ahead of Madrid's game against Granada and ensured Luis Enrique's men would finish the weekend on top of the table.

Neymar netted his ninth in nine games against the Yellow Submarine (now his favourite opponent in terms of goals) and, after Cedric Bakambu equalised for the plucky visitors, Messi restored the Catalans' lead with a solo effort before the break.

Messi's goal was his 50th of the season and it also brought up 100 for the MSN in 2016-17, which later became 101 after a lovely Luis Suarez strike and 102 following a Panenka penalty from the Argentine attacker.

Barca now have just two fixtures remaining in La Liga - away to Las Palmas next weekend and then at home to Eibar on the last day of the season.

Both of those games should be straightforward enough for a team now concentrating exlusively on the Primera Division following their exit from the Champions League and with the Copa del Rey final against Alaves to come after La Liga has finished.

Villarreal are a team who have frustrated Barca in the past and Fran Escriba's side are still chasing a top-four finish in Liga, so Luis Enrique picked his strongest side with one exception - Lucas Digne at left-back instead of Jordi Alba.

The French defender did well enough, but did give the ball away carelessly in the first half to allow Villarreal to break dangerously. Luckily, he got away with that, but it is common knowledge that Barca are looking for an upgrage in the summer.

There will be no upgrades needed for the MSN, however. Luis Enrique once described his trident as the best in the history of football and all three were on their game again here, with Neymar particularly lively and back on scoring form, Messi decisive once more and Suarez on target too.

So, Barca's bench options may not be good enough this season and La Liga is out of the club's hands due to Madrid's game in hand, but Messi, Suarez and Neymar are making sure the title race goes all the way to the wire in 2016-17 - and that means there is little margin of error for Real.

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MAN UTD PLOT OZIL RAID

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is plotting a shock summer move for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, according to the Daily Mirror.

German midfielder Ozil played under Mourinho at Real Madrid and, with 12 months left on his contract in June, the Gunners could sell to their Premier League rivals in a big enough offer is tabled.

Arsenal famously sold star striker Robin van Persie to Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, then watched their former player win the title that had eluded him with Man Utd the following season.

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BAYERN IN PAULINHO TALKS

Bayern Munich have held talks with Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho regarding a summer move, according to RMC.

The Brazil international has been in great form recently, and Carlo Ancelotti has been impressed with the former Tottenham man's versatility.

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