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      Neymar set to sign lucrative new PSG contract after ‘accepting Barcelona cannot afford transfer’

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      NEYMAR is reportedly ready to rule out a return to Barcelona and commit to Paris Saint-Germain.
      A five-year deal with the Ligue 1 club is now on the agenda for the Brazilian following multiple transfer sagas involving his old team.

      Neymar, 28, is set to finally end talk of a move to Barcelona and sign a new PSG contractCredit: Getty – Pool

      According to FootMercato, Neymar told PSG bosses that he wanted to sign a fresh contract during their run to the Champions League final.
      Bayern Munich beat Les Parisiens in their first trip to the showpiece match, with RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta conquered in the knockout rounds.
      It was after PSG’s victory over the Serie A side that the 28-year-old is said to have made his mind up on staying.
      Currently earning north of £600,000-a-week, Neymar is reportedly content with a contract on the same terms.

      He is said to have communicated his desire directly to PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, although negotiations are not expected to be completed overnight.
      PSG are thought to be focusing on renewing Kylian Mbappe’s contract as a matter of greater urgency.

      The Frenchman, 21, is a massive target for Real Madrid next summer, with both players’ deals expiring in 2022.
      Ruled out until the end of the month with a groin injury, Neymar has two goals and four assists to his name in 2020-21.

      A move back to Barcelona was strongly touted last year and the winger even told PSG he wanted to leave.

      However, the Catalans are now fighting a crisis on and off the pitch.
      Lionel Messi’s summer bid to move away came amid heavy financial losses, accentuated by the coronavirus pandemic.
      And, having been thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Barcelona have made their worst start to a LaLiga campaign in 18 years.

      Neymar asks to be subbed after just 25 minutes of PSG’s clash with Basaksehir after apparent groin injury More

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      PSG wanted to sign Thiago but ended up with his brother Rafinha instead, reveals pair’s dad

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN were forced to settle for Rafinha Alcantara after failing with bid for brother Thiago, it has been revealed.
      Liverpool did not sign Spain international Thiago until mid-September but their move for the playmaker was long in the making.

      Thiago Alcantara (right) became a target for Paris Saint-Germain before he joined LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Ligue 1 side were instead pushed to sign his brother, Rafinha (left)Credit: Reuters

      With PSG suffering an injury crisis in midfield, they turned to the 29-year-old but, according to the players’ father, Mazinho, they arrived too late.
      That led them to consider other options with Mazinho urging Les Parisiens’ sporting director Leonardo to consider his other son.
      He told France Football, via GFFN: “I had already spoken with Leonardo a while ago, but it was for Thiago.
      “Leonardo wanted to sign him for PSG, but Thiago had already found an agreement with Liverpool.

      “We then spoke about Rafa but he wasn’t part of Leonardo’s plans at that moment. I think that he must have thought about it, that he realised the nature of the opportunity and that it would be a coup to sign him.
      “When he began talks again, Leonardo had changed his mind. And everything accelerated on the final day.

      “It was on Monday that we had to work hard to convince both clubs.
      “We were scared, but thanks to God, five or six hours before the deadline, we found an agreement.

      “Leonardo wanted Thiago, he got Rafinha. And for Rafa, it was a dream to join such a club.”
      The Alcantara clan is a considerable one in footballing terms, with dad Mazinho, 54, part of the Brazil side that won the 1994 World Cup.
      Both players came through the ranks at Barcelona with Thiago joining Pep Guardiola in moving to Bayern Munich, before his recent switch to Liverpool.
      The Reds have been unable to enjoy their £25million signing with only one start to his name.

      Coronavirus kept the midfielder out of the side for a week before he was injured in the challenge that earned Richarlison a red card in last month’s Merseyside derby.
      Rafinha, who chose to represent Brazil, has put together an unexpectedly solid start to life in Paris.
      Three Ligue 1 starts have come in convincing wins over Nimes, Dijon and Nantes while he has come off the bench twice in the Champions League.
      PSG are said to have paid as little as £2.7m for the 27-year-old, who was unwanted at Barcelona after a loan spell at Celta Vigo.

      Ex-Brazil midfielder Mazinho (left) has spoken of PSG’s attempts to sign his sons

      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in good spirits looking forward to Thiago Alcantara signing More

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      How PSG could line up vs RB Leipzig with no Neymar, Mbappe or Icardi boosting Man Utd’s Champions League chances

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE is a doubt for Paris Saint-Germain’s must win clash against RB Leipzig after he missed training on Monday.
      Thomas Tuchel is already set to be without Neymar and Mauro Icardi for the Champions League group stage clash.

      Here’s one way the French giants could start the match on Wednesday

      And he will now be sweating over the fitness of Mbappe ahead of Wednesday’s game.
      The 21-year-old did not train alongside the rest of his team-mates at the start of the week.
      He received treatment from the club’s physiotherapists and doctors.
      Mbappe’s absence would come as a huge blow to PSG, who are already without a number of key players.

      Neymar has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a groin injury.
      Icardi is expected to remain on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a knee problem.
      Furious boss Tuchel has blamed the club’s pile-up of fixtures for his team’s injury crisis.
      A defeat for them against RB Leipzig could see them face an early exit and see Manchester United pull clear in Group H.

      Thomas Tuchel will be sweating over the fitness of Kylian MbappeCredit: AFP or licensors

      United beat the French giants 2-1 at Parc des Princes last month before they thrashed RB Leipzig 5-0.
      As things stand, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are top of the group with two wins from two.
      The Red Devils will be up against Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.

      Neymar is not expected to return to action until the end of NovemberCredit: AFP or licensors

      Solskjaer delighted with Man Utd’s 5-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig More

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      Tuchel blames Neymar injury on fixture pile-up as PSG star out for next few weeks but star should be fit for Man Utd

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Thomas Tuchel has slammed the club’s fixture mayhem after Neymar was ruled out for a number of weeks.
      The Ligue 1 champions have endured a swell of injuries in the early weeks of the campaign.

      Thomas Tuchel is fed up with Paris Saint-Germain’s busy scheduleCredit: Reuters

      Neymar was the latest casualty of the pile-up, picking up an injury in midweekCredit: AFP or licensors

      Wednesday’s win over Istanbul Basaksehir claimed Brazilian winger Neymar, who is expected to be out until late November with a groin injury.
      That should mean he is back to face Manchester United on December 2 but Tuchel was left fuming with the pile-up.
      He told reporters: “We’re going to kill the players. That’s what I’ve always said.

      “We are going to kill them because there is an important link between preparation, performance and rest.”

      PSG are on a run of seven games in 22 days between the October and November international breaks.
      Fifa have organised a pair of triple headers for national teams, even though many leagues kicked off late due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Ligue 1 and the Champions League are two of many competitions to maintain the five substitutes rule to ease fatigue.
      But Tuchel, 47, believes too much is being asked of the players with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City also picking up injuries.

      We lose a player every game at the moment and we are not the only ones. Liverpool, Man City, Bayern, it’s the same thing.
      Thomas Tuchel

      The German continued: “In football it always falls on the greatest players because they will always play for their country.
      “They play during the break, they travel and that’s too much in my opinion. They don’t have a recovery phase to allow them to come back and a preparation phase.
      “That is not a secret, it happens in sport. Preparation influences injuries and performance.
      “Without preparation, players are more fragile and difficult to manage. This is not an excuse, this is the truth. We are going to look for solutions and I hope we will find some.”

      He added: “We came back [on Thursday] and [Friday] is our second day after playing.
      “It’s the riskiest day in terms of injuries, which means we’re doing almost nothing.
      “We lose a player for every game at the moment and we are not the only ones concerned. Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich – it’s the same thing.”

      Neymar asks to be subbed after just 25 minutes of PSG’s clash with Basaksehir after apparent groin injury More

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      Neymar asks to be subbed after 25 minutes before Everton’s Moise Kean scores twice in PSG’s win over Basaksehir

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      NEYMAR asked to be taken off after he appeared to injure his groin against Istanbul Basaksehir.
      But Moise Kean saved the day for Paris Saint-Germain as he scored twice to win them the game 2-0.

      Neymar came off injured after 25 minutes in TurkeyCredit: EPA

      Moise Kean saved the day for Paris Saint-Germain after Neymar was subbedCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Neymar received treatment on the side of the pitch after he picked up a knock at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
      The medics wrapped a huge bandage around the top half of his leg and he attempted to play on.
      But the 28-year-old raised his hand in the air and asked his manager to take him off in the 25th minute.
      After the ball was purposely booted out of play, he limped off down the tunnel.

      PSG boss Thomas Tuchel put Pablo Sarabia on in his place.
      The Group H clash was goalless when Neymar was hauled off the pitch.
      But the French giants took the lead in the 64th minute when Kean found the net.
      Kean’s opener made him the youngest ever Italian player to score on his very first Champions League start.

      Neymar limped straight down the tunnel after he was taken offCredit: EPA

      The PSG forward was not able to play the remainder of the match Credit: EPA

      The Everton loanee, 20, then doubled his tally with an impressive finish on the turn inside of the box.
      He has now scored four goals in his last two games for the Ligue 1 giants.
      Kylian Mbappe came close to finding the back of the net, but he sent his best effort wide of the woodwork.

      Moise Kean broke the deadlock during the Champions League tieCredit: Getty – Pool

      Everton’s Richarlison swarmed with 10,000 texts after Neymar shared his number during live-streamed video More

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      Memphis Depay mocked for showing ‘stay strong’ T-shirt supporting injured Virgil van Dijk as fans reply ‘he’s not dead!’

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      MEMPHIS DEPAY was teased on Twitter for a ‘stay strong’ T-shirt tribute to injured Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
      Fans online were torn between seeing the message as a heartwarming gesture for a pal – or an altogether cringeworthy affair.

      Memphis Depay paid tribute to Virgil van Dijk during Lyon’s win on Sunday nightCredit: BT Sport

      Fans were divided over the message, which came after the Liverpool defender’s injuryCredit: Reuters

      𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 🧡🇳🇱 Memphis Depay scores for Lyon and sends a message to Dutch team-mate Virgil van Dijk. pic.twitter.com/pUgChCijoe
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 25, 2020

      Scoring in Lyon’s 4-1 win over Monaco on Sunday night, the Dutchman unveiled a T-shirt that read: “Virgil, stay strong my brother.”
      Van Dijk is expected to be out for several months after suffering a knee injury in a clash with Jordan Pickford during the recent Merseyside derby.
      Liverpool fans were furious when the Everton goalkeeper escaped punishment for the lunge, which was also not given as a penalty due to the defender being offside.
      Having played with Van Dijk in the Netherlands national team since the centre-back’s 2015 debut, Depay took the time to send a message to his team-mate.

      But many onlookers were left bewildered by the show of affection.
      While it is not too uncommon for players to receive messages of support when ruled out long-term, they tend to play for the same club.
      One Manchester United fan wrote: “Why does everyone keep acting like he’s dead?”
      Another Twitter user joked: “When’s the funeral?”

      How Virgil van Dijk compared to the rest of the PL’s defenders before he got injured

      While Pete commented: “This is single handedly the most over the top thing in the history of football.”
      Dec tweeted: “First player ever to get injured, pray for Virgil.”
      But one Liverpool fan rebutted: “Imagine getting a lot of hate for supporting your friend, state of Twitter.”

      Van Dijk and Depay are colleagues in the Dutch national sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Trevor Sinclair worries Virgil Van Dijk might not reach the ‘same level’ on his eventual return More

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      Emotional Kylian Mbappe reveals boy, 8, who he dedicated goal to has died after losing cancer battle

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has paid tribute to eight-year-old PSG fan Lucas, after he tragically passed away following his battle with cancer.
      The French World Cup winner recently dedicated his goal against Nimes to the youngster, who he had previously visited in hospital.

      Mbappe spent time with Lucas as the young fan battled cancerCredit: Twitter @KMbappe

      Poor Lucas copied his hero’s trademark celebration when they metCredit: Twitter @KMbappe

      And the devastated star has now taken to social media following Lucas’ sad passing.
      He wrote: “It is with great emotion that I inform you that Lucas has gone to join the stars.
      “Very difficult to find the words but it is necessary to pay homage to this boy filled with love, sympathy and above all, courage, who taught me so much and with whom I nurtured a strong bond.

      “I will try to make you proud because you are the real hero.

      “You who deserve all this praise for having fought your disease for more than ten months without ever complaining.
      “I am extremely proud to have been able to be your friend until your last breaths and believe I will be forever.
      “May God grant you the way to Heaven my little angel.
      “I love you. Kylian.”

      Mbappe, 21, also posted pictures of the duo together.

      Mbappe dedicated his recent goal against Nimes to LucasCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      And in one, the wide-eyed Lucas can be seen imitating his hero’s trademark arms-crossed celebration.
      Having revealed an undershirt reading ‘Courage Lucas, I’m with you.’ following his opener against Nimes, Mbappe also offered kind words to French broadcaster Telefoot at half-time of last Friday’s match.
      He said: “I would like to make a little dedication to Lucas, a friend of mine. We are one of the privileged, some are not so lucky.”

      Kylian Mbappe is the fastest footballer in the world More

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      Tuchel blasts PSG flops after ‘one of our worst games’ following shock Man Utd loss in Champions League

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Thomas Tuchel claimed the defeat to Manchester United was ‘one of our worst performances’.
      The French giants suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Champions League after Marcus Rashford scored a dramatic late winner.

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      Thomas Tuchel was furious at his team’s performance on Tuesday nightCredit: Reuters

      United pulled off an incredible comeback to beat PSG in the quarter-finals of the competition in March 2019.
      But PSG boss Tuchel has claimed that Tuesday night’s performance was worse ‘by far’.
      The German boss, 47, told beIN SPORTS: “In the first half, we were simply not on the pitch. It was not our level.

      “I don’t know why, but I can just say that it was not our level, in moving the ball, in possession, in counter-attacking, in challenges, in intensity.

      “By far, one of our worst games, one of our worst first halves.”
      PSG will be looking to return to winning ways against Dijon in the league on Saturday.
      And Tuchel is hopeful that things can only get better for the Ligue 1 giants.
      He added: “The good news was that it could not be worse.

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      Neymar and Co were outclassed by Manchester United at Parc des PrincesCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      “OK, we were down 1-0, it is easy to play better in the second half and we had to step up, it was clear.
      “We tried to do some tactical changes because of the injury of Idrissa Gueye, we tried to bring on one more offensive guy, which was a risk that we paid for at the end also. It was like this today.
      “From the start until the end it felt like we were never at our highest level, and we weren’t really into the match like was absolutely necessary on this level.”

      United fans praised Axel Tuanzebe after the match for keeping a lid on PSG star man Kylian Mbappe.
      And Solskjaer shockingly revealed Scott McTominay could only see out of one eye in the first half of the match.
      The Red Devils will be back in action on Saturday when they welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford.

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      Marcus Rashford was the star of the show for Manchester United Credit: Reuters

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts after Man Utd beat PSG 2-1 in the Champions League More