Ligue 1
Manchester United targeting PSG star Kylian Mbappe
Manchester United have made Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe a target for next summer, according to ESPN. Over the last few years, Mbappe has risen as one of the most sought after players in the world. He made his breakthrough in 2016/17 with Monaco, helping them to the Ligue 1 title and Champions League semi-final. This prompted a big-money move from PSG, who signed him in a deal worth up to €180 million – the second most expensive transfer of all time. He has continued to shine since then, scoring over 100 goals, winning two Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards, and lifting the World Cup with France in 2018. The 22-year-old has just one year left on his current contract, leaving him potentially available for free next summer. It is unclear whether he will renew at the Parc des Prin...
PSG can afford Lionel Messi’s contract within FFP rules, claims report
Paris Saint-Germain will not be in breach of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules even after the signing of Lionel Messi, claims Swiss Ramble on Twitter. Messi recently joined PSG on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Barcelona. However, despite no fee being paid, many questioned how the French giants could afford the forward’s astronomical wages while remaining in line with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. When at Camp Nou, the Argentine was reported to be earning over €1 million per week. Eventually, the club could not pay his salary without exceeding La Liga’s salary cap rules and had to let him go. Messi at his presentation with PSG After he departed from the Catalan giants, Messi made the switch to Paris, which again prompted questions over the effectiveness of...
Barcelona set to pay Messi €39m loyalty bonus even after PSG transfer
Barcelona will pay departing star Lionel Messi a €39 million loyalty bonus, according to Spanish source El Mundo. Messi has been one of the sport’s most influential figures in recent history. He spent 17 years at Barcelona, scoring over 700 career goals and winning countless trophies. During that time, he became a Blaugrana legend and a footballing icon. Messi scores one of the most iconic goals of his career against Bayern Munich in 2015 However, the last few months have gone sour at Camp Nou. Last year, he submitted a transfer request after a trophy-less campaign. But following a stand-off with former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, he stayed at the club. Everything looked in place for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to extend his contract at Barcelona this summer. They had won the Copa ...
Report: Man Utd dealt blow as PSG ‘launch offensive’ for £34m man, player ‘favours’ Ligue 1
Manchester United aren’t short of options in midfield with Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Fred and Bruno Fernandes, but Foot Mercato say they’ve keen on signing Eduardo Camavinga. The Red Devils’ pursuit of the highly-rated 18-year-old has suffered a blow, however, as Paris Saint-Germain will ‘launch an offensive’ that could be successful. Foot Mercato say Camavinga ‘favours’ the Parisians over United. The French international rose through the youth ranks to Stade Rennais’ first-team in 2018/19 and has gone on to make 83 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals with five assists. Camavinga looks to have a bright future which is why so many clubs are monitoring his progress at Rennes, but it doesn’t appear United will have much luck landing his sign...
PSG leading the race for Messi after talks with Pochettino
Lionel Messi’s future is likely to become clearer after it was confirmed that he will hold a press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday. Barcelona confirmed in midweek that Messi had left the club as they were unable to fulfil a new contract that had been agreed due to La Liga’s new salary rules. That left the way clear for Paris Saint-Germain to sign Messi, and he has already held talks with manager Mauricio Pochettino, according to Sky Sports. PSG will offer Messi a two-year deal worth £25 million per year after tax, with the option of a further year. PSG move quickly for Messi Following the end of contract renewal talks at Barcelona, PSG quickly emerged as favourites to sign Messi. Club officials contacted Messi’s representatives after the official announcement from Barcelona on Th...
Why Arsenal must beat Tottenham to sign much-wanted 23-year-old
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have repeatedly been linked with Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar over the past few years. According to Get France Football News, the 23-year-old could join one of the north London clubs this summer. SL View Aouar has been tipped to move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool credited with an interest in the French playmaker. With Liverpool reportedly keen on Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez, the way is clear for the two London clubs to attempt to sign Aouar. Spurs undoubtedly need more creativity in their midfield, and Aouar would be an ideal partner for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele. However, Arsenal are a more viable destination for the Frenchman, with his style of play aligning closely to Mikel Arteta’s ethos. His addition to the...
Ligue 1 2021/22 Season Preview: PSG aiming to wrestle title back from Lille
Lille staged a massive upset in 2020/21 as they defied the odds to beat overwhelming favourites Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 crown. Managed by Christophe Galtier, Les Dogues put together a memorable campaign to halt PSG’s three-year dominance in France. Although the sides went head-to-head throughout most of the season, Lille’s heroic 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes swayed the title race into their favour. However, after leading the Stade Pierre-Mauroy outfit to a historic success, Galtier took charge of Nice. Meanwhile, PSG backed Mauricio Pochettino during the summer transfer window. Following the signing of European Championship winner Gianluigi Donnarumma, Les Parisiens brought in Sergio Ramos and Giorginio Wijnaldum, all for free! The €70 million acquisition of Achraf Hakimi fro...
Report: Liverpool told to pay bargain £29m fee for ‘unstoppable’ 23-year-old
Liverpool are keen to sign Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, according to a report from L’Equipe (print edition, August 1, page 37). And Reds boss Jurgen Klopp can allegedly pick the 23-year-old former Bayern Munich ace up for just €35 million (£29 million). Central midfield is undoubtedly an area where Klopp will be keen to strengthen at Anfield. That’s after Gini Wijnaldum joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. And it seems as though the German may well have identified the man for the job. Liverpool allegedly want to sign Lille ace Sanches Liverpool to move in for Sanches? L’Equipe claims that the Merseyside outfit are keen to sign Sanches. The Ligue 1 outfit are demanding at least £29m for the Portugal international. Sanches has been absolutely brilliant for Lille since join...
Inter Milan, PSG & Everton target given €30m price tag
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has set his asking price for attacker Joaquin Correa, according to a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport. Correa came to Lazio from Sevilla back in 2018 on a five-year contract, signing for an estimated fee of €16 million. His time at the Stadio Olimpico has been fairly successful. He has scored 30 goals for the club in all competitions and helped his side lift the Coppa Italia trophy in 2019, scoring his side’s second in the final against Atalanta. This form has earned him eight caps for the Argentina national team, where he has achieved even more success. The 26-year-old featured three times in this summer’s Copa America, as La Albiceleste ended their 28-year trophy drought. With several clubs across Europe looking to sign the Argentine, Lazio president Claud...
European club set to sign long-term Arsenal target for just €6m upfront – report
Lyon are on the cusp of landing the signature of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, French publication L’Equipe claims. The Cameroon international is currently under a FIFA-imposed ban after mistakenly taking a medical drug that was deemed illegal. His suspension was recently reduced from 12 to nine months, but he can’t return to competitive action until November 4. However, he can be involved in team training two months earlier, and it appears that Lyon are set to win the race for his services. Premier League club Arsenal have been long-term admirers, and it appeared last month that they were favourites to sign him. Bernd Leno’s presence has probably proved a roadblock, and Onana is now on the verge of joining Les Gones on a cut-price deal. Ajax were looking for €8 million for Onana, who has en...
Report: NUFC want dribbling machine, most fouled player in Europe’s top five leagues last term
Newcastle United are interested in signing Angers attacking midfielder Angelo Fulgini this summer, according to the Daily Mail. Crystal Palace are also keen on the 24-year-old, with the French outfit keen on selling in order to raise funds. Fulgini has just two years left on his current contract at Angers and is valued at around £12 million. Sportslens View Newcastle need to strengthen the squad this summer to avoid another relegation battle next season, and the attacking midfielder would help boost their goalscoring chances in the final third. Fulgini ended last season with ten goals and six assists in 36 games across all competitions and also caught the eye with his dribbling ability, emerging as the second most fouled player in Europe’s top five leagues during the campaign. The Magpies ...
Manchester United star reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Paul Pogba from Manchester United. According to Manchester Evening News, the Ligue 1 club have not made formal contact with United. However, French outlet Canal Supporters claims that an agreement for personal terms is close between Pogba and PSG. PSG are looking to bolster their hopes of winning silverware by signing a world-class midfielder. They were initially ‘only an option’ for the French international, but he now is convinced by the project. From a salary point of view, Pogba could become the third best-paid player at the club behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. United are expected to demand around €70-80 million with bonuses to sanction Pogba’s sale. If the French giants fail to land Pogba this summer, they would look towards signing Renne...
