ALL eyes will be on the Parc des Princes when PSG face Man City in the Champions League.
And Lionel Messi is set to return from injury to make the Ligue 1 side’s squad for the mammoth clash.
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey could be on his way out of Juventus with SunSport revealing that the club are ready to let the Welshman go to get his hefty wages off the books.
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KOP STROP
Liverpool transfer target Otavio isn’t sure if the Reds still want to sign him, the FC Porto star revealed.
The Kop giants were linked with a move for the attacking midfielder this summer but it never materialised.
Otavio is likely to feature for Porto when they face Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Champions League this week.
But if he ever does make the switch to Anfield, Otavio is aware that he’ll have to put in some impressive performances in Europe and domestically.
He said: “Whether they were interested or not, I don’t know.
“But if there is any team interested in me, it would be for my work in both the league and the Champions League.”
ON THE SPOT
Thierry Henry has suggested that Spotify owner Daniel Ek is still pursuing an Arsenal takeover.
Ek’s proposal to buy the Gunners hit a brick wall earlier this year, but he, with Henry’s support, is still interested in buying the club.
Henry revealed that Ek will keep knocking until Arsenal answer his calls.
The Frenchman told Sky Sports: “To be able to get there, you need to have someone to respond on either side, it didn’t happen yet.
“We, he, is here to stay. Let’s see what’s going to happen.
“I think it’s going to be long. I think you remember me saying it’s going to be long. How long it’s going to be, I don’t actually know but we are here to stay.”
KESS IT DONE
Liverpool and Manchester United target Franck Kessie is reportedly considering a move away from AC Milan.
The midfielder’s Milan contract ends in June, meaning he can start negotiations with other teams in January.
The 24-year-old has rejected Milan’s latest contract offer which will be music to Liverpool and United’s ears.
But the Prem sides will face competition from European rivals Paris Saint-Germain who are also said to be tracking the star.
LION IN WAIT
Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Lionel Messi WILL be in the club’s squad to face Manchester City.
The 34-year-old has missed the last two clashes against Metz and Montpellier after suffering a bone contusion on his right knee.
But former Tottenham gaffer Pochettino has insisted he is recovering well ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash – though being named in the starting XI may come too soon for him.
Speaking in Monday’s pre-match press conference, he said: “We will wait until tomorrow to confirm who will participate.
“Can I confirm Messi will be there on Tuesday?
“I never confirm the team the day before. It’s something we will see tomorrow.
“Leo is a bit like Marco Verratti. He’s progressing very well. I think he will be in the squad.
“But I still have not decided the starting XI.”
PALM READ
Ex-Leeds United star Carlton Palmer reckons Manchester City have already wrapped up the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
The 21-year-old will be available for £64million next summer but Palmer thinks City will pay over the odds for the striker to expedite his switch to the Etihad stadium.
The former Stockport City boss wouldn’t be surprised if Pep Guardiola’s team fork out £140m for the Norwegian.
Speaking to This Is Futbol: “I think they’ll have probably already wrapped that deal up myself for the January transfer window.
“I’d be surprised if the Haaland deal’s not done. Knowing that he’s going to be available at the end of the season, they might even give 100 million for Haaland so Dortmund get an extra £40m to let him out at Christmas.”
KLOPP WARNING
Jurgen Klopp has warned his Liverpool stars that complacency will cost them in their Champions League tie against FC Porto this week.
The Reds started the group stage with a win over AC Milan, but Klopp has told his squad that doesn’t guarantee them a win over a resilient Porto side.
Klopp pointed to the fact that Porto always qualify for the European competition along with their dominance on the domestic league as proof of just how strong they are.
He said: “Porto qualify for the Champions League every year, and they are always first or second in the Portuguese League.
“That is a top team and that is what we are preparing for.
“For them it is another reason to be motivated on the highest level.
“Yes we were good, we are good that is clear, and I’m still happy we won the games – but we can’t think we have won this game already. It will be tricky.”
HOW RUD
Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has dismissed claims that the German side are interested in Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger.
Salihamidzic even suggested that it was rude to link a player who has a club to another team.
Speculation surrounding Bayern’s potential move for Rudiger was rife after their boss Julian Nagelsmann praised the defender’s abilities recently.
But Salihamidzic said it’s normal for a manager to praise another player’s strengths in football, and Rudiger isn’t the only one Nagelsmann singled out for praise.
He said to DAZN: “It’s not okay when we talk about players who are with other clubs.
“Julian said that about him in the press conference, but he’s a coach who sees a lot of players – so why shouldn’t he rate an international and speak about his strengths?”
MATA OF TIME
Juan Mata is reportedly weighing up his future at Manchester United due to a lack of playing time this season.
The 33-year-old’s contract runs out at the end of the season but reports claim he’s willing to leave before then.
The Spaniard is yet to start this season and was left out of the United squad that lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on the weekend.
Despite Mata’s lack of games, he was rewarded with a contract extension in July by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who may try and hold onto the midfielder.
KLOPP DEFENCE
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims that he isn’t worried about his club’s defence despite them letting in three goals against Brentford on the weekend.
The Reds also let in two goals in their 3-2 win over AC Milan in the Champions League last week, but Klopp doesn’t reckon his back four are a cause for concern.
He said: “It’s not that much of a concern because I don’t think you should make these things bigger than they are – but we have to show a reaction, that’s for sure.
“It’s really tricky to win a football game when you are not defending on your highest level and that’s what we didn’t do.
“The common opinion is it’s only about the last line but we had a problem in general with our defending.
“That’s why Brentford caused us problems and it wasn’t good.
“We have to improve in that department for sure but now is not the moment to be concerned.”
CLOSE RANGE
Rangers have confirmed that fans will have to be double jabbed and show proof of vaccination to be allowed inside the Ibrox stadium.
The Gers released a lengthy statement detailing a change in rules ahead of the upcoming Scottish Premiership clash with Hibs.
The statement read: “Ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian.
“Rangers would like to update supporters on the introduction of vaccine certificate checks across Scotland.
“From October 1, following legislation introduced by the Scottish Government, everyone attending matches at Ibrox Stadium must be fully vaccinated and everyone must bring proof of this status with you to the match, unless exempt.”
“According to Scottish Government guidelines, fully vaccinated means ‘vaccinated with a MHA recognised vaccine in line with the MHA recommended number of doses for the vaccine used, and two weeks have passed for the vaccine to take effect.
“Supporters are encouraged to arrive with a hard copy of their vaccine certificate, however digital copies will also be accepted. Visitors from all parts of the UK will be able to use their existing vaccine certificates.”
Exemptions are in place for those under 18, people who are not able to receive the vaccine for medical reason, those who are participants in vaccine trial, and workers or volunteers at the venue or event.
WESN’T TRUE
Sir Alex Ferguson has poured cold water on reports that Manchester United want to sign Wesley Sneijder when he was in charge.
Despite being heavily linked with the Dutchman, Fergie claimed United were never even interested in the midfielder.
When asked about Sneijder on the UTD podcast, the Scotsman said: “Well, you mention the boy Sneijder.
“That’s come up a lot of times but we were never interested in Sneijder. I don’t know where that came from but you get a lot of them.
“Every Sunday, in The People, when I first came, they were throwing names in all the time.”
OFF GUARD
Pep Guardiola claims he doesn’t know how to stop Paris-Saint Germain when his Manchester City side face them in the Champions League this week.
Guardiola claims PSG’s squad boast so much talent that it will be difficult to put together a game plan to beat the French side.
But although the Ligue 1 giants are already giving the Spaniard a headache, he still wants their superstar Lionel Messi to start the game for football’s benefit.
Guardiola said: “With this amount of quality I don’t know how to stop them.
“They’re so good. This amount of talent makes it so difficult.”
Speaking on Messi, Guardiola added: “Messi speaks for himself, I don’t have to describe him.
“What he’s done is more than exceptional and hopefully tomorrow he can play for the benefit of the game.”
FERNAN-MESS
Gary Neville had some harsh words for Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes after he issued a statement for his penalty miss against Aston Villa.
Fernandes’ miss cost United getting a draw in the Villa game and the midfielder penned an apology to the Old Trafford faithful claiming he’ll do better in future.
But Neville wasn’t amused with the Portuguese playmaker’s statement which he felt lacked authenticity.
The pundit thinks that Fernandes, along with other Premier League stars need to put some heart into their messages to fans or don’t say anything at all, especially not through their PR teams.
When asked by a fan his thoughts on what Fernandes said on Twitter, Neville wrote: “It’s embarrassing!
“They [players] need to sack their PR people, speak with some authenticity and get on with it. I’m going to go big on this in the next few weeks.”
TROPHY SAK
Bukayo Saka thinks Arsenal’s win over Tottenham yesterday can spur them on to win trophies.
The 20-year-old reckons if he and his Gunners teammates can continue in the same vein of form that saw them wallop Spurs 3-1, then a trophy haul is inevitable.
Speaking after the game, he said: “We can achieve anything, no matter what age. With age comes experience but we have a lot of experience in this squad anyway which helps us.
“We have a lot of quality and enough experience to achieve a lot. We’re going to take it game by game but if we play like this we have enough quality to win trophies.”
‘MIND OVER MATTER’
Adventurer Ben Fogle has revealed he has been working with Liverpool in their quest to regain their Premier League crown.
Sharing the story on Instagram, Fogle wrote: “One of the most fascinating jobs I have ever done was to work with Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool squad.
“I helped them with their mind control and mental agility under pressure through the context of my own expeditions and adventure.
“Already great footballers, the challenge was how to keep on top of their game when it is not one single mountain, but a whole mountain range that you have to climb each season.
“Consistency in the face of expectation and pressure.”
MARC HIS WORDS
Liverpool are preparing to lodge a £34million for Marco Asensio.
According to El Nacional, Real Madrid are eager to free up funds to facilitate moves for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
And part of that involves moving Asensio on, despite the attacker scoring three La Liga goals already this season.
The Spanish international was linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer, but instead Mikel Arteta’s side opted to sign Asensio’s Real Madrid teammate Martin Odegaard.
But now the Spaniard could also be on his way to the Premier League, with Liverpool eyeing a possible swoop.
Credit: Getty DONN’T BE SILLY
Gianluigi Donnarumma has confirmed he is ‘happy’ to be at PSG.
The Italian goalkeeper only joined the club in the summer, but after failing to dislodge Keylor Navas as first choice between the sticks rumours had began to swirl that the 22-year-old was keen on a move.
However according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano the rumours are false.
He tweeted: “Donnarumma is understood to be ‘happy’ in Paris despite rumours.
“He expected to have competition with Navas and he’s respecting Keylor – but he knows that PSG is banking on him for the future.
“‘Donnarumma will be PSG starter GK, no doubt’ – Raiola said one week ago.”
Credit: Reuters MOST VALUABLE SQUADS
Here’s a look at the most valuable squads in the Premier League, according to transfermarkt.
And the top four teams on the list currently occupy the top four spots in the Premier League, albeit in a different order.
Liverpool are top of the table as it stands, ahead of Manchester City and Manchester United.
But Brighton, who’s squad value is more than four times less than Manchester City, have the chance to go TOP of the Premier League tonight.
A win for Graham Potter’s side against bitter rivals Crystal Palace will see the Seagulls top the table after six games.
WAT A MOVE
Tottenham are reportedly eyeing a deal for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
According to Fichajes, the former Exeter and Brentford man is a target for Spurs as they look to bolster their attacking options, with Harry Kane enduring a difficult start to the season.
The 25-year-old has been referred to as a ‘top target,’ regardless of whether Harry Kane leaves the North London club.
Watkins has impressed since his club record £28million move to the West Midlands a year ago, scoring 14 Premier League goals for the Villains last season.
Credit: Getty PS-GLUM
The standout fixture in this weekend’s Champions League clashes is unquestionably the tie between Manchester City and PSG.
It’s the sixth time the two sides have met, with the French side still looking for their first win in this fixture (D2 L3).
Only against Juventus (8) have Les Parisiens played more games in European competition without winning.
They have also have failed to keep a clean sheet in all four of their meetings with Manchester City in the Champions League.
Only against AC Milan have they played as many games without managing a clean sheet in the European Cup/Champions League (also four).
WRIGHT TALK
Former Arsenal man Ian Wright has given Martin Odegaard a glowing review after the Norwegian summer signing put in another impressive performance in Sunday’s North London derby.
He said: “It’s a not a case of how exciting he can be, it’s more a case of what we know he can do.
“He picks up brilliant positions and he just controls the tempo of the game, constantly getting himself in the box.”
Wright went on to say: “He’s very calm, he’s very composed. It’s the quality now it’s more than just hoping to play the ball to Kieran Tierney.
“We can keep the ball in areas where we can actually hurt teams. He’s the kind of midfielder that is going to be invaluable to us.”
KANE UNABLE
Harry Kane shocking stats against Arsenal reveal just how much the Tottenham striker is struggling after his failed Manchester City transfer.
The striker, 28, mustered just five shots, only one of which hit the target and missed one ‘big chance’, according to Opta – when he poked wide just after the hour mark.
As well as failing to score, Kane did not create a single chance, register any dribbles or grab an assist.
He managed just 25 touches across the 90 minutes, completed five of his 11 passes – 46 per cent completion – and strayed offside twice.
The Tottenham No10 also lost possession a whopping 11 times and won 20 per cent of his ground duels and 33 per cent of those in the air.
RIGHT OR RON
Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to take Manchester United’s next penalty following Bruno Fernandes’ howler against Aston Villa – despite having a WORSE record.
In league competition since the start of the 2017-18 season, Ronaldo has taken 31 penalties during spells at Real madrid, Juventus and now United.
Ronaldo has converted 26 of those, missing just five for a success rate of 83.9 per cent.
Interesting, he recently missed a penalty for Portugal during their 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland, with Fernandes also on the pitch at the time.
During his days at Sporting Lisbon and Man Utd, Fernandes has scored 25 of his 27 penalty efforts – a conversion rate of 92.6 per cent.
However, both of Fernandes’ misses have come at United, including his weekend howler against Villa, making his Premier League record nine out of 11 (81.8 per cent).
MAKING AMENDS
Piers Morgan made peace with Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale on Sunday after the goalkeeper previously called him an ‘absolute w*‘.
The TV presenter posted a hilarious tweet after the Gunners stopper shone during his side’s North London derby win over Tottenham at the Emirates.
Morgan, 56, uploaded a screen shot of Ramsdale’s 2014 tweet alongside a photo of them laughing together after Sunday’s win.
And he wrote: “How it started vs how it’s going…”
Ramsdale was 15 at the time of his abusive tweet and still with Sheffield United’s youth academy.
But Morgan managed to see the funny side after his beloved Arsenal beat their bitter rivals 3-1 with the help of the former Bournemouth man.
39TH PAIN
Premier League bosses are once again discussing the potential for matches to be played abroad, according to reports.
The concept of a ’39th game’ was raised back in 2008, before being quickly shut down following fan discontent.
But the lucrative possibilities for playing league matches in front of full stadiums abroad remains and The Athletic have detailed discussions between club officials over reviving the idea.
Last week’s shareholder meeting in London, between representatives of all 20 clubs and the Prem, reportedly saw the concept mentioned.
There is said to be hope in some quarters that ‘meaningful’ matches can be played overseas in the long-term.
For now, that is set to commence with a bulked-out pre-season tournament in the United States next summer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
