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November International Break: Premier League Players' And Clubs' Triumphs And Disappointments.

Premier League Stars: Shining on the World Stage For many, the international break was an opportunity to cement their reputations or seize redemption. Premier League footballers played pivotal roles in decisive World Cup qualifiers and friendlies around the globe. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) blazed a trail by firing Norway to their first World Cup since 1998, scoring 16 goals in just eight qualifiers. Haaland netted a brace in a 4-1 win over Italy and scored at least once in every qualifier, underlining his unstoppable scoring form for both club and country. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) , struggling for Premier League goals this season, exploded with a hat-trick in Portugal’s 9-1 demolition of Armenia — his first-ever international treble and a statement performance that reenergized his nation’s qualifying campaign.​ Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) dazzled for Belgium, creating 10 chances and netting two goals with an assist across two games. His relentless dribbling and cre...

Manchester United and Chelsea are tracking a Bundesliga defender, according to a report.


Castello Lukeba, an RB Leipzig defender, is said to have piqued the interest of both Manchester United and Chelsea after a good season in the Bundesliga.

Leipzig paid a high price for Lukeba, reportedly €34 million (£29 million), when he transferred from Lyon last summer. However, the German side has frequently functioned as a stepping stone for players who aspire to play at the highest level, and it is not uncommon for young talents to move on fast.

According to FootMercato, Manchester United has been studying the 21-year-old for "several weeks," while Chelsea has recently expressed interest.

Both clubs could say goodbye to at least one senior centre-back this summer, with Manchester United yet to exercise an extension option on Raphael Varane's expiring contract and 39-year-old Thiago Silva expected to depart Chelsea and return to club football in Brazil before retiring.

Leipzig are thought to have no plans to sell Lukeba this summer. However, his contract has a €70 million (£60 million) release clause that will take effect in 2025.

Lukeba has started 20 Bundesliga games in 2023/24, including all of Leipzig's last seven, during an unbeaten streak that has seen the team capture 19 points from a possible 21 to return to the top four and qualify for the Champions League.

The defender also started seven of Leipzig's eight Champions League games this season, including home and away in the group stage against Manchester City, as well as the second leg of the last-16 tie against Real Madrid, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lukeba has already made one senior appearance for France, coming off the bench in the final minutes of a friendly against Scotland last October. A more permanent spot is more likely to arrive after Euro 2024 than before, but he will be on display at the Olympics on home soil this summer, having been part of Thierry Henry's Under-23 squad last month.

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