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      Man Utd drop out of Deloitte Money League top three for first time since 2013 as 10 richest clubs revealed

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      EUROPE’S biggest clubs are facing a £2BILLION price for the Covid-19 pandemic.
      The analysis by football finance experts Deloitte lays bare the impact of the crisis on even the game’s elite giants.

      And one significant victim was Manchester United, who dropped out of the top three of Deloitte’s ‘money league’ for the first time since 2013.
      According to the Deloitte number crunchers, the immediate consequence of the virus outbreak was to knock £1.05bn off income for the leading 20 European clubs last year.
      But Deloitte expects 2021 will see a similar impact on TV revenues and with crowds not expected back in grounds until next season at the earliest – and even then likely to be limited – anticipates the total cost will exceed £2bn.
      Analyst Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: “There is no doubt that this is one of the most testing times the football industry has ever had to endure.

      “While no football club has been immune to the challenges of Covid-19, and other clubs have suffered more in relative terms, those in the Money League have borne the greatest financial impact in absolute value terms.
      “In this year’s edition, the top 20 clubs generated an average of £363m per club, a decline of £49m compared to 2018-19.”
      Barcelona remain top of the money table despite income dropping £111.5m to £627.1m, less than £200,000 ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid.
      But United’s £119.1m fall, to £509m – a consequence of missing out on the Champions League – saw them drop below Bayern Munich into fourth place, although the Old Trafford club were still English football’s highest earner.

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      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance

      Other Premier League sides in the top ten were Liverpool, whose £489.9m took them into the top five for the first time since 2001-02, with Manchester City sixth on £481.6m, Chelsea eighth on £411.9m and Spurs ninth with £390.9m.
      Yet the figures are unlikely to recover over the next 12 months as Jones added: “The safe return of fans to stadia in significant numbers is one of the highest priorities across global football.
      “Matchday operations are a cornerstone of a club’s business model and help drive other revenue-generating activity.
      “The final size of the financial impact of the pandemic on football will depend, in no small part, on the timing and scale of fans’ return.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Arsenal ‘to be offered Julian Draxler by PSG’ as part of Matteo Guendouzi transfer

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      ARSENAL could be set to add Julian Draxler to the signing of Martin Odegaard, according to reports in France.
      The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been touted for a swap deal involving Matteo Guendouzi.

      Julian Draxler is reportedly being offered to ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Matteo Guendouzi is said to be interesting Paris Saint-GermainCredit: AFP or licensors

      According to L’Equipe, Les Parisiens coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to bring in the Frenchman this month.
      A new central midfielder is high on the Argentine’s list with his old Tottenham star, Dele Alli, another man linked.
      But PSG have long held an interest in Guendouzi too with the 21-year-old, born in the Parisian suburbs, signed to the club as a kid.
      Arsenal beat the Ligue 1 side to his signature in 2018 but Mikel Arteta fell out with Guendouzi at the end of last season.

      A loan spell at Hertha Berlin has seen the player enjoy a brief revival of form but the German club cannot afford him past the summer.
      In addition, the sacking of boss Bruno Labbadia has reportedly lost Guendouzi a key ally in the capital amid dressing room tension.

      Arsenal are expected to announce the loan signing of Real Madrid playmaker Odegaard on Tuesday.
      But the Norwegian may not be the only creative midfielder coming in to replace Mesut Ozil, if Draxler is offered.

      The German has start a PSG game since October and was stuck on the bench for Friday’s 4-0 demolition of Montpellier.
      Leeds are also said to be tracking the 27-year-old.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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      PSG ARE trying to sign Lionel Messi, confirms Leandro Paredes as he tells Barcelona star transfer is ‘up to him’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN ARE trying to sign Lionel Messi, according to his Argentina team-mate Leandro Paredes.
      The PSG midfielder confirmed his club are pursuing the wantaway Barcelona star and Paredes said ‘it’s up to him’ if he joins.

      PSG ARE trying to sign Lionel Messi, according to Leandro Paredes (right)Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      PSG have been heavily linked with a move for Messi as new boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to stamp his mark on the squad.
      Messi’s Barca contract expires on June 30 this year and he is free to sign pre-contract agreements this month.
      With PSG ‘lurking like vultures’ the Catalans are said to be scared stiff Messi will leave.
      And that fear will have cranked up a notch after PSG midfielder Paredes’ comments.

      He told Corriere dello Sport: “It’s up to Leo to come to the club, because PSG are trying to convince him.
      “To be able to be coached by a coach from your country and the possibility of playing with Leo is a great opportunity. I hope it happens.”
      PSG have been planning the transfer in case Kylian Mbappe quits.
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      How PSG could line up if they land their biggest targets

      Sporting director Leonardo admitted they will try to sign the Argentine superstar after he told cash-strapped Barca he wanted to quit last summer.
      PSG’s starting XI would be phenomenal with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar.
      But the French side will face competition from Manchester City who have made no secret of their desire to reunite Messi with former boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad after failing to do so in the summer.

      Lionel Messi is being actively pursued by PSG

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      Kylian Mbappe’s future at PSG in doubt after admitting he’s ‘thinking about’ signing new deal putting Liverpool on alert

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE admitted he is ‘thinking’ about signing a new deal at PSG amid interest from Euro giants.
      The French striker’s contract expires next year with several clubs – including Liverpool and Real Madrid – linked with the forward.

      Kylian Mbappe is yet to commit his future to PSG Credit: Pacific Coast News

      But Mbappe, 22, has admitted he is happy in the French capital, where he has won three consecutive Ligue 1 titles.
      He revealed a contract extension has been offered, but he is still undecided on committing to PSG long-term.
      Mbappe told Telefoot: “We are in discussions with the club to try to find a suitable project.
      “I said I was thinking about it because I think that, if I sign it would have to be a long-term commitment to Paris Saint-Germain.

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      “I am very happy here. I have always been very happy. The supporters and the club have always helped me and for that alone I will always be grateful.
      “But, I want to think about what I want to do in the coming years, where I want to be. That’s what I am reflecting on.
      “I will need to make a decision soon but I am thinking about it. If I had the answer right now, I would give it.

      “I don’t want to sign a contract and say a year later that I want to leave. If I sign it is to stay and that deserves time to reflect on my decision.”

      Several success stories have come from January transfers

      Mbappe was speaking after he scored twice in their 4-0 hammering at home to Montpellier.
      It took the 22-year-old’s tally to 14 goals in 22 appearances this season.
      Mbappe has helped fire champions PSG to top of the table, where they now lead under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, who replaced Thomas Tuchel.

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      Pochettino ‘turned down management offers as he waited for Real Madrid to call’ before joining PSG

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      MAURICIO Pochettino turned down management offers to wait for the Real Madrid job to become available, before eventually joining Paris Saint-Germain.
      The former Tottenham boss was out of football for more than a year after being sacked by Daniel Levy in November 2019 following a lengthy spell with the North London club.

      Pochettino won the first trophy of his managerial career when he lifted the Trophee des Champions with PSG earlier this monthCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      For a long period of time the Argentine coach was linked with replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.
      But it has now been reported by Mundo Deportivo that he was actually waiting to take over from Zinedine Zidane at Madrid.
      Then when it became clear that the role at the Spanish giants was not on the horizon, he decided it was time to return and subsequently accepted the PSG job.
      Pochettino begun his reign at PSG with a disappointing 1-1 draw against St-Etienne.

      But since then the French champions have won three games in a row, including their 2-1 Trophee des Champions victory over Marseille.
      They are top of Ligue 1 by virtue of goal difference, with Lille level on 42 points and Lyon a further two points back.
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      Neymar scored the crucial goal to win PSG the Trophee des ChampionsCredit: PA:Press Association
      PSG are also in the knockout stages of the Champions League and have been drawn against Barcelona in the round of 16.

      Pochettino will be hoping to avenge the club’s recent history with Barcelona after they blew a 4-0 first leg lead in 2017.
      The French side, managed at the time by Unai Emery, were beaten 6-1 at the Nou Camp as they crashed out in the round of 16 four years ago.
      The first leg takes place in Spain on February 16 before the return fixture in France on March 10.

      Pochettino and PSG celebrate after beating Marseille in the in the Trophee des Champions More

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      Man Utd transfer blow as target Arkadiusz Milik joins Marseille in loan transfer with £10.6m guarantee to buy

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      MANCHESTER UNITED target Arkadiusz Milik has joined Marseille on loan from Napoli until June 2022.
      And the Ligue 1 side have an obligation to buy the striker for £10.6million at the end of the period.

      Marseille have loaned Man Utd target Arkadiusz Milik from NapoliCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Polish forward flew to France earlier this week to complete his medical.
      And Napoli announced the deal had been done on Thursday morning.
      The Serie A side tweeted: “Napoli announces that the footballer Arkadiusz Milik has been transferred, on a temporary basis until 30 June 2022 with obligation of redemption, to Olympique de Marseille.”
      Marseille will pay around £7million at the end of the loan period with the remaining £3.6m being made up in in bonuses.

      And they will also reportedly have to pay 20 per cent of any future sale to Napoli.
      The 26-year-old has not played for the Italians this season having been left out of their Serie A and Champions League squads.
      He joined Napoli from Ajax in 2016 and scored 48 goals in all competitions.
      Marseille have not won in three games and have dropped to sixth in Ligue 1 – ten points off leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

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      📌 | La SSCN comunica che il calciatore Arkadiusz Milik è stato trasferito, a titolo temporaneo fino al 30 giugno 2022 con obbligo di riscatto, all’Olympique de Marseille. pic.twitter.com/z0KyLwZcHt
      — Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) January 21, 2021

      Man Utd were heavily linked with the Poland international in the summer and were said to have held talks over a £25million move.
      Tottenham were chasing the former Bayer Leverkusen man too but cooled their interest after they signed Carlos Vinicius instead.
      Milik fluffed a trial at Spurs in 2011.
      He didn’t have an ideal childhood, and was abandoned by his dad as a young boy.
      By the age of six he allegedly smoked and shoplifted, as it appeared he was going wayward.
      However, it was a Polish football coach who saw his talent and helped him achieve his dream of becoming a footballer.
      And he could’ve ended up at Tottenham – who were said to be willing to pay £25m for the target man – earlier on in his career.
      However, an unsuccessful trial as a teen, under the watchful eye of former manager Harry Redknapp, meant Spurs didn’t fancy paying his then £100,000 fee.
      Everton were also linked at the end of last season with Carlo Ancelotti keen to provide competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Marseille boss Villas-Boas slams Aston Villa for ‘pathetic, weak’ transfer bid for £20m-rated Morgan Sanson

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      MARSEILLE manager Andre Villas-Boas has slammed Aston Villa’s ‘pathetic’ offer for midfielder Morgan Sanson.
      The 26-year-old Frenchman has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham following some superb displays in Ligue 1.

      Sanson has impressed for Marseille so far this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      It is Villa who have made the first approach for the £20million man, but their offer has been met with anger by Villas-Boas.
      “We had a very, very weak offer from Aston Villa which we turned down. It was pathetic,” he told French TV channel Telefoot Chaine after Marseille lost 1-0 to Lens on Wednesday.
      “I hope that he (Sanson) continues to remain professional.”
      Sanson has scored two goals and assisted another three in 12 Ligue 1 appearances so far in the 2020-21 campaign.

      The form he is showing follows on from his stellar 2019-20 performances which saw him score five goals and assist five more during the shortened Ligue 1 season.
      Sanson joined Marseille from Montpellier at the beginning of 2017 and was a part of the side that reached the Europa League final the following season, before being beaten by Atletico Madrid.
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      Sanson would join other creative talents such as Grealish at VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He has also been capped ten times for the France Under-21s, but never received a call-up to the senior squad.

      Villa are looking to add to their squad as they eye a spot in Europe for next season.
      Dean Smith’s team currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, eight points off Liverpool in fourth but with three games in hand.
      Villa boss Smith was charged by the FA on Thursday after calling referee Jon Moss and his assistants ‘clowns’ following Bernardo Silva’s controversial goal which led to Manchester City beating his side 2-0.

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      PSG boss Pochettino open to giving Neymar time off to attend his sister’s birthday party in Brazil

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO has revealed he is open to allowing Neymar time off to celebrate his sister’s birthday.
      The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 28, has infamously missed a number of matches around March 11 – the date of Rafaella Santos’ big day.

      Neymar will be allowed to ask for time off to celebrate sister Rafaella’s birthdayCredit: Instagram @neymarjr

      The winger even boasts a tattoo of his sibling

      In 2019, Neymar was absent that week for the fifth year running.
      An ankle injury meant he was free to celebrate with Rafaella and a fractured toe made him available the year earlier.
      After helping Barcelona secure a stunning 6-1 Champions League win over PSG on March 8 in 2017, he missed a LaLiga defeat to Deportivo La Coruna four days later with muscle pain.
      In 2015 and 2016, he suffered suspensions as fans began to notice the stunning coincidence.

      But Pochettino, 48, has claimed that he is willing to negotiate a leave of absence to allow Neymar his family outing.
      The PSG coach told Spanish radio show El Larguero: “When the time comes, we’ll see.

      After 12 years, I realise that I am more flexible each time and that I like to negotiate everything.
      Mauricio Pochettino

      “It’s important to be very good at tactics, but management is fundamental.
      “When I started coaching, I told myself that I was going to be inflexible and that I would not let anything go.

      “But after 12 years, I realise that I am more flexible each time and that I like to negotiate everything.
      “Today, the new generation like to give their opinions, to be listened to. Discussion must take precedence.

      Mauricio Pochettino has opened the door to talks with NeymarCredit: Reuters

      “Nothing is won by imposing things. You have to discuss, negotiate.”
      Last season saw Neymar play for PSG against Borussia Dortmund on Rafaella’s birthday – although the onset of the coronavirus pandemic may have impacted his ability to attend celebrations anyway.
      And the Champions League should again be the priority in 2021 with the French giants facing Barcelona in the second leg of their last-16 tie on March 10.

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