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      Ligue 1 2020-21 season in turmoil as opening game between Marseille and St Etienne is AXED due to coronavirus

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      MARSEILLE’s Ligue 1 clash against Saint-Etienne in the opening game of the season has been postponed as a result of coronavirus.
      The two teams were set to meet at Stade Velodrome on Friday, but their match will now take place on either September 16 or 17.

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      Friday’s Ligue 1 tie between Marseille and Saint-Etienne has been postponedCredit: AFP or licensors
      Three members of Marseille’s backroom staff have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the game against St Etienne.
      It brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus at Marseille to four after left-back Jordan Amavi tested positive last week.
      As a precaution last week, Marseille cancelled their pre-season friendly against German outfit Stuttgart.
      But after three new cases at the club, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) have swiftly axed Friday’s affair.

      A statement said: “In view of medical results passed on by Olympique Marseille… the LFP has decided to postpone the Olympique de Marseille/AS Saint-Etienne game to Sept 16 or Sept 17.”
      Since testing started in France, almost 40 players have been confirmed to have contracted coronavirus from 11 top-flight clubs.

      Marseille’s meeting with St Etienne was the only fixture set for Friday, with two games to take place on Saturday, and five ties planned for Sunday.
      PSG and Lyon will not be involved this weekend due to their involvement in the Champions League semi-finals.

      As a result, Metz and Montpellier will play no part in Ligue 1 matches this weekend.

      West Ham postpone Sunday’s pre-season friendly vs Ipswich after positive coronavirus test among backroom staff More

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      Barcelona hoping to seal Neymar transfer by offering Griezmann and £54m with PSG star seen as only player to save club

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      BARCELONA are set to make a fresh approach to sign Neymar in an attempt to start the rebuild, according to reports.
      The Catalan giants are in disarray with the team humiliated by Bayern Munich, the manager about to be sacked and their best player at loggerheads with the board.

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      Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona will make a fresh approach to sign Neymar again
      And according to Sport in Spain, they are lining up a transfer offer to try and lure Neymar back to the Nou Camp.
      The report states Barca will bid £54million and offer Antoine Griezmann as part of a deal.
      They see their former forward, who left in 2017 to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record £198m, as the best option to help fix the dire problems as quickly as possible.
      The 28-year-old scored 105 goals in 186 appearances for the LaLiga club and formed a deadly attack with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

      But the Brazilian superstar also offers plenty of value off the field due to his strong marketing brand.
      It is thought Griezmann could be used as a bargaining chip.
      The Frenchman’s move from Atletico Madrid has not worked out quite as planned with 15 goals in 48 appearances.
      Neymar showed glimpses of his very best in the comeback win over Atalanta last week, except for a horror one-on-one miss.

      And based on performances like that, it is little wonder Barcelona are desperate to get him back to the Nou Camp.
      Quique Setien is set to be axed following the 8-2 Champions League thumping.
      Messi and the board’s relationship continues to deteriorate to the point where reports suggest he wants to leave the club.
      However, they face a tough task landing Neymar because PSG are determined not to let him go – regardless of the offer they receive.

      Club chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted he will never sell Neymar nor team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
      He told RMC Sport: “Ney, with Kylian, is one of the best players in the world. He’s in the top three. Neymar was the man of the match, he was great.
      “He and Kylian will never leave. They’ll stay with PSG.”

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      Antoine Griezmann could be used as part of a swap deal, seeing the Frenchman join Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Reuters

      Neymar jumps on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting during PSG post match interview More

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      Meunier uncovers PSG’s party culture as he hits out at Neymar and Co’s ‘did you see me?’ attitude

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      THOMAS MEUNIER has lifted the lid on Paris Saint-Germain’s party culture as he slammed Neymar and Co for their “did you see me?” attitude.
      The Belgian full-back, 28, quit the Ligue 1 champions this summer to join Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer.

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      Thomas Meunier has lashed out at Neymar and Co for their party attitudeCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Thomas Meunier attended the events but criticised the ‘did you see me?’ attitudeCredit: AFP – Getty

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      PSG have become famous for their outlandish parties
      And now Meunier has let rip at his former club – after four years in the French capital – in a scathing interview.
      Meunier told Belgian outlet RTBF: “Nothing but birthday parties – incredible.
      “When I was at Club Brugge, we’d celebrate birthdays by playing darts or pool in a bar.
      “But there [in Paris] it’s just outrageous.

      “That just reflects the club: hire a palace, hire a building, parties with hundreds of people.
      “That’s when you see that they’re more than footballers – they’re stars. 
      “I always had a good time but it was all a bit extravagant and ‘did you see me?’
      “But that’s part of it, part of the game.”

      UNWELCOME DISTRACTION
      Meunier played 128 times during his four-year stay at PSG, winning nine trophies, including three Ligue 1 titles.
      The French giants have become well-known for throwing lavish parties down the years.
      Most recently, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel called Neymar’s 28th birthday party – an all-white event at a plush Paris nightclub in February – an unwelcome “distraction”.
      Around the same time, Mauro Icardi’s wife Wanda threw a joint-birthday bash for her husband, fellow Argentinian star Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani.
      The year before, Neymar threw a red-themed party to celebrate turning 27 – while still on crutches and unable to play.

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      Neymar is well-known for throwing massive parties for his birthdayCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Thomas Meunier grew sick and tired of the PSG party lifestyleCredit: AFP – Getty
      Earlier this year, former Manchester United star Ander Herrera revealed the lengths Neymar would go to to ensure everyone “had a good time”.
      Herrera claimed: “The truth is that when he does something, he does it to have a good time.
      “And he organised it to have a good time… and the truth is that I congratulated him.”
      Meunier took one final swing at PSG, too – slamming the club for refusing to let him help them finish their Champions League season.
      PSG take on Atalanta in the quarter-finals this week, with the mini-tournament to be held in Portugal.

      A furious Meunier added: “I would have liked to have played.
      “I was with my agent in Dortmund and I was almost on my knees begging for permission to let me end the season in the Champions League with PSG.
      “I simply had to pack my bags and I received a letter from the club’s lawyer which said I was no longer welcome and could no longer come to training, not even in my final week.
      “I found that unbelievable.”

      Neymar prepares to cut giant cake as he enjoys all-white birthday bash with PSG pals More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes to meet with PSG sporting director as transfer bid talk ramps up in French media

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S agent is set to meet with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential stunning transfer, according to sensational reports in France.
      Despite the impact of coronavirus, the French giants are thought to be desperate to strengthen across the pitch.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly in talks with PSG over a stunning transferCredit: Reuters
      That has reportedly led to plenty of conversations between agent Jorge Mendes and PSG sporting director Leonardo.
      Mendes – who also represents PSG-target James Rodriguez – would of course be keen to make a deal happen.
      And Le10 Sport believe the pair are in talks to discuss a mammoth transfer of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner from Juventus.
      The report adds that they will take advantage of the Champions League festival in Lisbon to meet up with Ronaldo on the agenda.

      Ronaldo, 35, joined Juventus two years ago and still has two seasons left to run on his contract in Turin.

      Despite a record-breaking campaign in front of goal and another Serie A title, this season ultimately ended in disappointment.
      Defeats in the Suppercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia final were compounded by crashing out of the Champions League to Lyon on Friday, costing Maurizio Sarri his job.
      And now Ronaldo is thought to be considering his future as he soaks up the sun on holiday with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.

      In a cryptic Instagram post on Saturday, the Portuguese hero said: “The 2019/20 season is over for us, much later than usual but yet sooner than we expected.
      “Now it’s time for reflection, time to analyse the ups and downs because critical thinking is the only way to improve.”May this short vacation break allow us all to make the best decisions for the future and come back stronger and more committed than ever.”

      Reports last week suggested Ronaldo was “unhappy” at Juventus and even came close to agreeing a transfer to PSG before the lockdown hit.
      He has a strong bond with Neymar and admires Kylian Mbappe massively so could form one of the deadliest attacks in world football should he join the Ligue 1 champions.
      Paris also holds special memories for Ronaldo because it is the city where he won the European Championships with Portugal in 2016.

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      Ronaldo’s second season with Juventus ended in disappointment as the club were dumped out of the Champions LeagueCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      PSG sporting director Leonardo is determined to make improvements to his team this summer despite the impacts of coronavirusCredit: AFP or licensors

      Inside Juventus’ title celebrations as Sarri smokes a cigarette and swigs magnum of champagne while Ronaldo and Co party More

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      PSG plot shock Josh King transfer but Bournemouth ace is also wanted by TEN Premier League clubs and four in Italy

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      JOSH KING is a shock target for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Bournemouth striker is also wanted by ten Premier League clubs as well as four in Italy – including Rome rivals Lazio and Roma.

      PSG are lining up a shock raid on relegated Bournemouth for Josh King
      SunSport understands the Cherries, who were relegated to the Championship, do not want to sell the 28-year-old for less than £25million.

      King would prefer to stay in the Premier League but then his next aim will be to play Champions League football for a club on the continent.
      French champions PSG are in next season’s competition and a move to Paris would be appealing for the Norway forward.

      Newcastle, Everton and Brighton have registered their interest in King, who has one year left on his Bournemouth contract.

      King was close to a move to Manchester United in January but a £20million bid was rejected.
      Instead, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side snapped up Odion Ighalo on deadline day. More

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      Leeds transfer target Edinson Cavani ‘in talks with Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro on free transfer’ after leaving PSG

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      EDINSON CAVANI could be on his way to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro on a free transfer, according to reports.
      The Uruguay icon, 33, was released by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2019-20 season.

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      PSG’s Edinson Cavani has been linked with Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro
      Premier League new-boys Leeds had emerged as the favourites to sign Cavani.

      Elland Road owner Andrea Radrizzani has publicly spoken about the possibility of signing the PSG icon to lead the line next season.
      He said: “In addition to his quality, Cavani could contribute with his physicality and adapt here, but I’ve never talked about him with the coach.
      “Having said that, we’ve certainly thought about him and we’ll see, given he’s still available on a free transfer.”

      But now Globo Esporte have claimed that the veteran striker could be heading to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in a blow to Marco Bielsa’s side.
      The Uruguayan front man is said to be keen on a move back to South America and that a deal could be hashed out in the coming weeks.
      It was rumoured that Cavani was set to pen a two-year deal at Benfica with an official announcement “imminent.”
      The Portuguese side then released an official statement on their website denying the claims.

      But Fox Sports Brazil, have revealed that head coach Jorge Jesus had in fact held transfer talks with Cavani with a view for him to sign with The Eagles.
      The Paris icon will not short of options this summer after consistently boasting one of the best scoring records across Europe throughout his career.

      That includes 353 goals in 586 club appearances with 50 in 116 international matches.
      On top of that, Cavani is a serial winner departing PSG with 16 major trophies under his belt.
      Leeds have also been linked with the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the Swede looks braced to extend his contract with AC Milan.

      Edinson Cavani looks in incredible shape as Leeds target trains while searching for new club More

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      Arsenal, Man Utd and Leeds miss out on Jonathan David transfer after he ‘agrees £27m Lille move’ from Gent

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      ARSENAL, Manchester United and Leeds have been dealt a bitter blow after Gent striker Jonathan David reportedly agreed a £27million move to Lille.
      The highly-rated Canadian forward, 20, had been targeted by Mikel Arteta as a possible Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacement.

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      A host of Premier League clubs had expressed an interest in the young striker who looks set to switch to Lille Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      But as reported by Goal, the whizkid looks set to replace Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen at Lille after he joined Napoli for £45m last week.

      It is understood that David will pen a five-year contract at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
      The Canada ace has made no secret of his desire to join the Ligue 1 side this summer.
      Speaking to L’Equipe in July, David said: “Yes, I want to come to Lille.

      “I have had a very good season. For me, my next step, is Ligue 1.
      “And the footballing project at Lille is fantastic. They are a very good team in France.
      “The Lille project interests me.
      “I already speak French. That will help during my adaptation period.

      “And Lille is very close to Gent geographically. So I will be able to concentrate on the pitch.”
      Gent’s chairman Ivan De Witte had reportedly confirmed an offer from Leeds following their stunning Championship title win.

      Manchester United had also enquired about the Canadian hotshot and the club had sent scouts to keep tabs on him.
      While Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Spurs and Leicester have also been linked with the in demand forward in the past few months.
      It’s comes as no surprise as David has emerged as one of the top young forwards on the continent having scoring 37 goals and assisting a further 15 in just 83 games.

      Jerome Boateng scores pair of wonder goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘ready to perform another miracle’ for Juventus in uphill battle vs Lyon, warns Szczesny

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is ready to “perform a miracle” for Juventus tomorrow, according to Wojciech Szczęsny.
      The Polish keeper is backing the Portuguese mega-star to help the Old Lady overturn their 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against Lyon.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘ready to perform a miracle’ in Juventus’ Champions League tie with Lyon

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      Wojciech Szczęsny is backing the Portuguese star to help Juve overturn their first-leg deficit
      Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick at the same stage of the tournament last season to help the Italian giants overturn Atletico’s 2-0 first-leg advantage.
      Juve won the tie 3-2 on aggregate and Szczesny is backing the 35-year-old to do the same again in Turin tomorrow night.
      He told Tuttosport: “I see a team ready, there is an environment similar to last year before the match against Atletico Madrid.

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      “We can do it again this year, again Ronaldo’s hat-trick? Nobody in the world has doubts that Cristiano can do it again.

      “As usual at the decisive times he makes the difference, he is ready to perform another miracle.
      “We are playing for an important goal, finding the motivation is not difficult, we are all concentrated.

      “Lyon seem physically fit, they also seem ready to play, we’ll see who will reach the quarter-finals.”
      The winners will face Manchester City or Real Madrid in the quarter final in Lisbon.

      The Old Lady are looking to win their first Champions League since 1996.

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