Real Madrid has $430m transfer plan, Cristiano Ronaldo gifts Liverpool legend Sadio Mane

Liverpool are rapidly approaching their return to the Premier League, with a daunting task away at Manchester City looming. Pep Guardiola’s side are currently top of England’s top flight, with Liverpool just one point adrift of second place, and the Reds will hope to move above their rivals with a win at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

City took all three points in the same game last season as goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan offset Mohamed Salah’s earlier opener. Jurgen Klopp and his side will hope to iron out those mistakes on Saturday as they look to get another early kick-off after the international break.

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As well as the Reds’ performance on the pitch, many fans will also be watching how their opponents around the world perform during the return of domestic competition. Here are some of the biggest news surrounding European football as reported by Liverpool.com ahead of the game against Manchester City.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Nasr teammates congratulate Sadio Mane

Former Liverpool player Sadio Mane, who reached 100 caps for Senegal during the recent international break, was surprised by a personal cake from Cristiano Ronaldo and his Nasr team-mates. The 31-year-old marked a stylistic milestone by scoring twice in a 4-0 win over South Sudan in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The cake showed a photo of Mane wearing a Senegal national team jersey. In the photo, Ronaldo and the rest of the team are smiling as Mane receives and cuts the ball.

liverpool.com says: Mane made 269 appearances during his six years at the club and will always be highly regarded by fans. Club legends and fans will be delighted to see him appear on the international stage in this way.

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe ‘on Real Madrid’s horizon’

Real Madrid have reportedly identified Manchester City goalkeeper Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe as key future targets.According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Los Blancos have a budget of around $430m (£342m/€394m) to fund both deals.

That’s how further reinforcements were added for the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and former Liverpool target Jude Bellingham. The report also states that the club has also cleared its wage bill to make room for superstars for “five or six seasons”, with their annual bill reduced by around $85m (£68m)./78 million euros) after players such as Hazard and Benzema left.

France international Kylian Mbappe may also be available on a free transfer next summer. He is entering the final year of his contract in Paris, but as rumors of a move to Madrid continue to intensify, the two parties have not yet agreed on a contract extension. Of course, for him, any move is far from “freedom.”

liverpool.com says: Liverpool have been going head-to-head with Real Madrid in recent years, but could end up being eliminated if they sign Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in addition to their existing players. While the club can’t necessarily compete with such a blockbuster signing, the Reds can continue to be smart about the business they finish in order to further rival Madrid.