Ligue 1
Report: Paris Saint-Germain eye Barcelona superstar to replace Kylian Mbappe
Paris Saint-Germain have shortlisted a sensational Barcelona forward to replace Kylian Mbappe. Todo Fichajes states that Antoine Griezmann has been identified as their key target. Mbapppe is under contract until 2022, but an exit could be on the cards this summer with the Frenchman is linked with Real Madrid. Los Blancos are eager on signing the mercurial forward and, with one year left on his contract, PSG may be forced to cash in. If the 22-year-old forward leaves, then manager Mauricio Pochettino will go all out for Griezmann. SPORTSLENS VIEW – WOULD GRIEZMANN BE AN IDEAL REPLACEMENT? Griezmann was once arguably amongst the top five best players in the world. The French forward has performed exceptionally well in all competitions including the Champions League, Euro 2016 and FIFA World ...
10 former Manchester United players who went into management
For 26 years, Manchester United were managed by one of, if not the greatest coach to ever touch the game. Sir Alex Ferguson guided the Red Devils to 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, and many other domestic trophies. You’d think that those who played under him would have picked up a thing or two from his tutelage, and gone on to be successful managers themselves. Well, football isn’t always that simple. Wayne Rooney is the latest of Fergie’s disciples to take the leap into management, taking charge at Derby County. How will he fare? I guess we’ll find out. But here is how other former Man Utd players have done during their managerial days. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Solskjaer is currently in charge at Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford during a turbulent spel...
PSG defeat Marseille to win Trophée des Champions
Paris Saint-Germain won the Trophée des Champions last night defeating rivals Olympique Marseille 2-1 in an enthralling encounter at the Stade Bolleart Delelis in Lens. The victory last night was the first piece of silverware for Mauricio Pochettino, since taking over at PSG earlier this month. The Parisiens got off to the better start and took the lead when Argentine Mauro Icardi punished a mistake from experienced goalkeeper Steve Manadanda to give PSG the lead, and put them on their way to victory. PSG controlled the game from that point, and Brazilian superstar Neymar added the second from the penalty spot, on his return from injury to put the game beyond doubt for PSG. While Marseille did find a late consolation goal in the path of Dimitri Payet, it proved to be too little t...
Opinion: Ligue 1 media rights row should worry the Premier League
The news that French broadcaster Canal+ has handed back its media rights to Ligue 1 and called for a fresh bidding process could have major ramifications across Europe. The company was due to screen two games per week under the terms of a sub-license agreement with beIN Media, but this has now been cancelled. Canal+ President Maxime Saada told Le Figaro that Ligue 1 ‘has been subsidised for many years’ and that ‘no broadcaster has succeeded in making it profitable’. Saada also argued that with fixtures involving major clubs like Paris Saint-Germain being more lucrative than other matches, the media rights deal should reflect this. “There is only one way to objectively and transparently materialise the market value of Ligue 1, and that is the call for tenders,” he said. “We are going to off...
Report: Real Madrid launch ‘Operation Mbappe’ by axing several star players
Real Madrid have once again set their sights on Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has been on the radar of Los Blancos for over three seasons. The Daily Mail reports that Madrid has now come up with a plan called ‘Operation Mbappe’. Florentino Perez is adamant on the signing of the Frenchman and has drawn up a masterplan. Los Blancos plan on generating a figure between 150-200 million Euros during the summer transfer market. The club has shortlisted six first-team players to be sold at the end of the season to garner funds. Luka Jovic, Dani Ceballos, Gareth Bale, Isco, Marcelo and Brahim Diaz have been added to the list. The funds generated through these player sales will be used to secure Mbappe’s services. Jovic is close to being loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt for the rest of the seas...
Islam Slimani set for medical ahead of Lyon move
Islam Slimani is set to have a medical tomorrow ahead of his proposed transfer to Lyon, as reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The Algerian joined Leicester City in the summer transfer window of 2016 following their title win, becoming the club’s record signing – although this has since been beaten by Youri Tielemans. Slimani underwhelmed at Leicester City His time at the King Power Stadium did not work out as planned, scoring just 13 times in 48 appearances in all competitions. The striker was sent out on loan three times by the Foxes, returning good numbers at Monaco, but failing to make an impact at Newcastle United and Fenerbahce. And now it seems like he is set for another spell in the French league, with Di Marzio reporting that Slimani is on his way to Lyon as a replacement f...
Atletico Madrid decide on Lyon striker as Diego Costa replacement
Atletico Madrid have decided to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembele as their replacement for Diego Costa, report Deportes Cuatro. Costa terminated his contract at Atleti at the end of last month so the club have been compiling data on his potential replacement with his wages now freed up in the squad. Striker Luis Suarez is now the main frontman at the club but with Alvaro Morata having also left over summer, there is a dearth of attacking options in the squad. French striker Dembele had netted an impressive 44 goals across his first full two seasons at Lyon – whom he joined from Celtic in 2018 – but has struggled this campaign, netting just once in 16 Ligue 1 appearances, of which just six have been from the start. It is now said by the report that Atleti are hopeful of taking advantage of t...
French pundit urges Arsenal to wait for ‘special’ talent
Arsenal have been urged to remain patient in their pursuit of Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar. Speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast, ESPN football expert Julien Laurens advised the Gunners not to splash the cash on alternative targets during the January transfer window. Arsenal were linked with Aouar last summer but eventually turned their attentions to sealing a deal for Thomas Partey. Laurens says that with Lyon still involved in the Ligue 1 title race Aouar won’t move in January, but he will be available in the summer. “He still wants to leave and join a bigger league – but can Arsenal really wait until the summer to get that creative player?” he said. “Do you wait for Aouar or do you go for an Emi Buendia? He would be cheaper, and he’s a slightly different profile, but he know...
Manchester City star linked with summer move to Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain have been tipped to make a move for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero. According to football agent Bruno Satin, new PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino will make the Argentinian his main summer transfer target. In an interview with Canal+, Satin claimed that the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is keen to secure the services of Aguero. The forward’s current deal expires at the end of the season and City are yet to discuss an extension. The 32-year-old is currently free to agree pre-contract terms elsewhere, although it is understood that he would like to remain with the Premier League club. SL View – Sergio Aguero Aguero has achieved legendary status with City since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011. He has scored 256 goals in 379 appearances to help the club win 10 maj...
Opinion: Why Mohamed Simakan would be an excellent signing for Tottenham or Everton
The news that numerous Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation with Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan is undoubtedly an intriguing proposition. According to Sky Sports, at least four unnamed top-flight clubs are considering making a move for the French under-20 international. AC Milan were believed to be leading the race to sign Simakan, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming that the Italian club were close to completing a deal. However, their bid remains short of what Strasbourg are demanding, opening up the possibility of other clubs making an offer. Mohamed Simakan – Our View Simakan is rated as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe having already established himself in Strasbourg’s first team. The 20-year-old was linked with both Everton and Tottenham Hotsp...
Real Madrid handed a huge blow as Paris Saint-Germain plot a move for Ramos
Real Madrid are yet to renew the contracts of Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, and Lucas Vazquez. The trio are legally permitted by the Spanish FA rules and regulations to begin negotiations with clubs outside of Spain from January onwards. With the new year shortly commencing in a few days, Real Madrid must get down to business to renew the contract of Sergio Ramos. A report from Todo Fichajes states that Paris Saint-Germain has shown a great deal of signing Sergio Ramos next summer as a free agent. Mauricio Pochettino has been tipped to take over PSG shortly, and the former Premier League manager himself has put forward the name of Ramos to the board. The Argentine manager believes that Ramos would be the ideal replacement for Thiago Silva who left earlier this summer on a free transfer to Che...
World-class striker snubs Real Madrid to wait for Messi at Paris Saint-Germain
It seemed like Kylian Mbappe would be announced as a Real Madrid signing in the summer of 2021 after the French forward had reportedly asked the Paris Saint-Germain board to let him leave at the end of the season. However, since then, a lot has changed for Mbappe, PSG, and Real Madrid. Diaro GOL reports that Mbappe has considered not to make a move next summer to the Santiago Bernabeu as the 22-year-old forward wants to see out his contract at the Parc des Princes. Another reason is that the former AS Monaco star wants to experience a season with Lionel Messi who has been tipped to sign for Paris Saint-Germain next summer. With Thomas Tuchel being sacked a few days ago, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has been tipped to take over the role. Pochettino reportedly wants L...
