Door slammed shut on Real Madrid as attacking target commits to Germa… — and more

Real Madrid’s transfer strategy has always included monitoring the best young talents across Europe, and one name that has quietly remained on their radar is Bayern Munich’s rising star Lennart Karl. 

The German teenager is regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising creative prospects, and his situation has recently taken an interesting turn.

For months, it has been widely reported that Real Madrid scouts have been keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder. 

However, according to fresh information from Mundo Deportivo, Bayern Munich have moved decisively to secure their gem’s future and protect him from any external interest.

The Real Madrid dream

Karl made headlines back in January when, during a casual visit to a Bayern supporters’ club, he openly admitted his admiration for Los Blancos. 

He said, “One day I definitely want to sign for Real Madrid. That’s my dream club, but let’s keep it between us.”

Bayern Munich have extended Lennart Karl’s contract. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

The following day, Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund addressed the situation publicly, explaining that the youngster had apologised after realising the scale of the reaction. 

Since then, Bayern have acted swiftly. Although not official, on his 18th birthday, Karl officially signed his first professional contract. 

The new deal extends his stay until 2029 and includes a major salary increase. The teenager will now earn €2 million per season, approximately double his previous earnings.

Yet the German champions are not stopping there. Reports suggest they are already preparing a further extension that could tie him down until 2031, alongside another salary review that may raise his annual wages to €7 million. 

The intention is to remove any temptation and shut the door to potential approaches from Real Madrid.

Whether his childhood dream eventually becomes reality remains to be seen. For now, though, Bayern Munich are doing everything in their power to ensure that dream stays exactly that – a dream.

Boulter took victory in straight sets against Haddad who slumped to a sixth defeat in seven matches

Fallet på platten satte sig i huvudet. Det är Ebba Anderssons teori om varför hon vurpade i damernas stafett. – Den lilla, lilla händelsen fick lite större konsekvenser, säger hon i Morgonstudion.

Ireland centre Garry Ringrose says he feels "lucky" to play alongside the in-form Stuart McCloskey in this year's Six Nations.

Ulster's McCloskey has been a standout performer for Ireland in their three games in the championship so far, dovetailing well with centre partner Ringrose in particular in the 42-21 win over England on Saturday.

Ringrose heaped praise on the 33-year-old, who has had to bide his time to shine on the international stage, and is delighted their partnership is functioning well in Ireland's games so far.

"I feel lucky to play alongside him. He's going particularly well and [against England] he was brilliant," Ringrose said.

"It's kind of the off-the-pitch or outside of the 80 minutes, we are working hard as a centres group, as a unit to try and get things right, be adaptable as to who's in there and all be on the same page, while also then bringing that kind of uniqueness and individual quality.

"We're all buying into the collective and he's properly delivering on bringing his uniqueness and individual strengths which has been evident the last few games."

After back-to-back victories over Italy and England propelled Ireland back into championship contention, Andy Farrell's side have a fallow week before they host struggling Wales in Dublin on Friday, 6 March.

While the Welsh have lost their last 13 Six Nations games, Ringrose is wary of the threat they posed in their narrow defeat against Scotland and how quickly fortunes can change in the championship if Ireland do not prepare well.

"That's the challenge and it's the beauty of the Six Nations. Even talking to the England lads how quick things can shift in two weeks," he added.

"We were in a tough spot after losing to France, they [England] were in a great spot after continuing their winning ways against Wales and in two weeks the different things shift.

"So, that's the challenge to probably front up and try and put in a performance.

"It's our preparation, so that'll be the focus for the next two weeks."

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