Ligue 1
Arsenal in talks over Eriksen but PSG could hijack the deal
Inter Milan and Arsenal have been in talks for several days over a deal that would see Christian Eriksen head to the Emirates but Paris Saint-Germain could enter the race for the Denmark international, according to Italian media outlet Calciomercato. The Italian club’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta recently made it clear that Eriksen is not in their plans and will leave Milan in the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports Italy via Fabrizio Romano. Inter CEO Marotta to @SkySport: “Yes, I can confirm that Christian Eriksen is on the transfer list. He’s gonna leave in January. He’s not functional to our plans and he had difficulty here at Inter. I think it’s right that Christian goes away to find more space”. 🇩🇰 #Eriksen — Fabrizio Romano (@Fabri...
Mohamed Salah Move to Real Madrid “Almost Impossible”
Spanish journalist Alvaro Montero has denied reports that Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could be on his way to Real Madrid, claiming that they will prioritise moves for youngsters Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Salah joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017. Since then, he has become one of the best players on the planet, scoring 110 goals in 173 outings for the Reds in all competitions, winning two Premier League Golden Boots in the process. Salah has been sensational under Jurgen Klopp Recent comments by the Egyptian sparked rumours that his time at Anfield could be coming to an end, with other reports suggesting that he is unhappy at Liverpool and is considering a move. Real Madrid and Barcelona were the two main sides linked with the winger. However, journalist Alvaro Montero has dis...
REPORT: Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori set to join Ligue 1 outfit Rennes on loan
After proving to be a key part of Frank Lampard’s side last term, Fikayo Tomori has struggled to find playing time in the Blues new-look squad. With the additions of Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell, the young defender has drastically fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. With Tomori certainly an important player for the future, Chelsea has decided to loan him out to Rennes for the remainder of the season, according to Talksport. He was linked with a move away from Chelsea in the summer, but Tomori insisted he wanted to force Lampard’s hand and earn his minutes. West Ham showed interest in the last transfer window, while Premier League newcomers Leeds looked very keen on grabbing the 22-year old in January. However, they’ve missed out, with the Ligue 1 outfit securing his signatur...
Report: Liverpool identify Portuguese as No.1 option to replace Wijnaldum
According to le10sport, Liverpool are keeping tabs on Lille midfielder Renato Sanches and will look to bring him to Anfield next month should Georginio Wijnaldum leave. The Dutchman has around six months left on his current deal with the Reds, and both parties haven’t been able to reach an agreement. Liverpool will lose Wijnaldum for nothing in the summer if he doesn’t sign a new deal, and the English Premier League defending champions could be forced to cash in on him when the January transfer window opens, with Barcelona keen to sign him. They aren’t ruling that option out from the look of things, and it appears that they have a contingency plan in place. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is aware of the quality of the Ligue 1 and he is a fan of Sanches as his style of play appeals to him v...
Ligue 1 Clubs in Financial Crisis After Collapse of TV Deal
A number of Ligue 1 clubs have been left on the brink of financial ruin, following the collapse of a lucrative TV contract. In 2018, the LFP – French football’s governing body – sold the broadcasting rights to Mediapro and BeIN Sports, in a deal worth upwards of €1.15bn per year – the second biggest TV deal in Europe. This saw a drastic 60% increase in TV revenue for Ligue 1 sides. Mediapro’s Ligue 1 gamble has not paid off It was hoped that this would revitalise the French leagues, given that they have had no success on the European stage since Marseille’s Champions League triumph in 1993. However, the TV deal has fallen apart, leaving French football at risk of a financial collapse. Spanish broadcaster Mediapro, who were supposed to be paying €814m per year for the broadcasting...
Report: Hammers handed boost as they can sign £20m Brazilian for free in July
According to The Sun, West Ham United have been handed a potential transfer boost as they can sign Lyon centre-back Marcelo for free next summer. The Hammers were close to landing him for £20 million last January as he was keen to leave the French side for the Premier League, but the deal fell through. Marcelo has just seven months left on his current deal at Lyon and isn’t close to signing a new deal as things stand. The 33-year-old will most likely leave as a free agent at the end of 2020-21, and that would give West Ham the opportunity to land him for nothing. Hammers boss David Moyes wanted to bolster his centre-back options in the January transfer window, and the club were strongly linked with Burnley’s James Tarkowski. However, they were priced out of a move and they couldn’t agree a...
Europa League Round of 32 Draw Announced
The first knockout round fixtures for the Europa League have been revealed. The top two sides from each of the 12 groups progressed to the knockout round, and are joined by the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage. Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur were drawn against Austrian side Wolfsberger, while North London rivals Arsenal will face Benfica. The most exciting tie of the draw came when Spanish club Real Sociedad were drawn against English giants Manchester United. Serie A table toppers AC Milan will travel to Serbia to face Red Star Belgrade, while Rangers clash with Royal Antwerp. Leicester City were the final British side out of the draw, facing Slavia Prague. The first legs will be played on the 18th of February, and the second legs will be on the 25 ...
PSG Set to Make Loan Bid For Dele Alli
Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli, according to Simon Stone of the BBC. After joining Tottenham in 2015 from Milton Keynes Dons, Alli became one of football’s brightest young talents, scoring 28 league goals in two seasons from midfield. The Englishman was expected to become a superstar a few years ago, after making it into PFA Team of the Year for the second year in a row aged just 21. Dele Alli scores a stunning goal against Crystal Palace However, things haven’t worked out the way he’d hoped, and Alli has now found himself struggling for minutes at Spurs, failing to make the matchday squad since the 6-1 victory at Old Trafford in October. Nonetheless, if any side can get the midfielder back to his best, then they will have a very us...
FIFPro Announce 2020 World XI Nominees
The shortlist for the 2020 FIFPro World XI has been announced. Every professional footballer around the world was invited to vote for the best player in each position. The ones with the most votes made it into the 55-man shortlist. The goalkeeper with the most votes, as well as the top three defenders, midfielders, and forwards, will be inducted into the FIFPro World XI. The remaining spot will go to the outfield player with the most votes. Bayern Munich are the most represented team in the shortlist, boasting 11 players. Title winners Real Madrid and Liverpool come in joint-second with eight players each. Bayern completed the treble with a win over PSG in August Despite going trophyless last year, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur both make it into the top five, with six and five candidates...
Former Tottenham manager touted by Marca as potential Zidane replacement
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is the leading candidate for the Real Madrid manager’s seat, should the club get rid of current boss Zinedine Zidane (Marca). Zidane has had an immensely successful return to the Bernabeu, winning two league titles and three Champions Leagues over two managerial spells. However, a below-par start to the season has left Los Blancos in fourth place in La Liga, and on the verge of an embarrassing group-stage exit in the Champions League. This has cranked up the pressure on Zidane, who reportedly has just four games to save his job. Zidane Looking on as Shakhtar defeat Madrid Spanish publication Marca are now saying that Real Madrid have two replacements lined up should Zidane get the sack, with Mauricio Pochettino currently ahead of club le...
Neymar wants Messi reunion, but will it be in Paris?
Neymar dropped a huge hint surrounding his future after his side’s win at Old Trafford, revealing that he wants a reunion with former teammate Lionel Messi. Neymar joined Paris Saint Germain in 2017 for a world record transfer fee of approximately £198m. Since then, he has scored 76 goals in 95 appearances in all competitions, winning seven domestic trophies and reaching the final of last year’s Champions League. Neymar arrived at PSG for a world record fee On Wednesday evening, the Brazilian bagged a brace as PSG saw off Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford to put the French champions in control in Group H. And, after the game, the 28-year-old admitted that he would love to play with six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi again, as early as next year. Speaking after the victory (via BT...
Report: French club keen on signing £27m Arsenal defender in January
Nice manager Patrick Vieira is keen on signing Arsenal defender William Saliba in the January transfer window, according to reports from But! Football Club. Saliba is a highly-rated young defender but he is not in Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans at the moment. The curious case of Saliba The Gunners signed Saliba for a reported fee of £27m in 2019 from French side Saint-Etienne and allowed him to stay for the rest of the season on loan to gain experience. However, the early end to the Ligue 1 season meant the loan move didn’t work smoothly, and he returned to Arsenal. Fans were excited to see him back. It was meant to be his breakthrough season, but he is yet to appear for the club. Arteta has excluded him from the Europa League squad, but he is eligible to p...
