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      Moussa Dembele ‘open’ to Man Utd transfer after Lyon confirm ‘there will be departures’ this summer

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      MOUSSA DEMBELE is “open” to a move to Manchester United this summer, reports claim.
      The Frenchman was on the Red Devils’ radar last summer, as they attempted to replace Romelu Lukaku.

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      Dembele was named Uefa man of the match as Lyon downed Man City recentlyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And his stock hasn’t fallen in the season since, having scored 24 goals for Lyon.
      He’ll have already endeared himself to the Old Trafford support too, having downed neighbours Manchester City with a late brace in the recent Champions League quarter-final.
      According to the MEN, the 24-year-old is “open” to the transfer, although is not “desperate” to leave Lyon.
      The Ligue 1 side defied the odds in the Champions League, beating Juventus and Man City before finally succumbing to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

      But despite this miracle run, they will NOT be in next season’s competition, or even the Europa League, after finishing seventh in the curtailed French season.
      And while club legend and sporting director Juninho remains confident in the club’s future, the 45-year-old has admitted that there will be “departures” this summer.

      There will be departures, but I am not worried
      Juninho

      He told RMC Sport: “The aim now is to continue working, immediately with Ligue 1.
      “We will have to work. If we continue like this, we will be back in this competition.

      “When you are well paid, you need motivation every day, we are going to concentrate on Ligue 1. There are the basics.
      “There will be departures, but I am not worried.
      “When you have players who play very well in a competition like this, like Moussa and Houssem [Aouar]…
      “We will have to show the same spirit to be back in the Champions League next season.”
      Aouar, 22, is another that will not be short of suitors this summer, with Arsenal, Juventus and Real Madrid all being linked with the talented midfielder.

      Man City suffer shock 3-1 defeat to Lyon in Champions League quarter-final after brace from substitute Moussa Dembélé punishes Pep Guardiola’s tactical gamble More

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      Ligue 1 season start in jeopardy with EIGHT clubs recording positive coronavirus cases as Monaco become latest to be hit

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      THE start of the new Ligue 1 season is in jeopardy with EIGHT clubs recording positive coronavirus tests.
      According to Get French Football News, Monaco confirmed a first-team player had caught the deadly bug, meaning almost half of France’s 20 top-flight teams have been affected.

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      Monaco became the latest French side to confirm a positive case of coronavirus within their campCredit: Reuters
      The new Ligue 1 campaign was due to begin this weekend with Marseille taking on Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux hosting Nantes tonight.
      But the former game was postponed back to the middle of September with four members of the playing and coaching staff at Marseille testing positive.
      However, the French league told clubs last week its protocol for dealing with coronavirus meant more than three positive cases at a club was likely to lead to a postponement.
      That could therefore mean matches involving clubs with a singular positive result could still go ahead.

      Two games are due to take place on Saturday, while five ties are planned for Sunday.
      Sunday’s fixtures include Monaco’s curtain-raiser at home to Reims, which was scheduled to kick off at noon in the principality’s Stade Louis II.
      Clubs are preparing to welcome a limited number of fans into grounds for the matches with strict rules in place.
      Supporters must stick to their seat location, keep socially distanced to 1.5m and everyone aged 11 or older must wear a mask at all times.

      Breaking | AS Monaco announce that they have a 1st team player who has tested positive for COVID-19.Active cases in 8 Ligue 1 clubs’ playing squads now.
      — Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 21, 2020

      PSG and Lyon will not be involved this weekend due to their involvement in the Champions League semi-finals.
      Thomas Tuchel’s side beat RB Leipzig 3-0 to reach Sunday’s final in Lisbon.

      That came after they were awarded the Ligue 1 2019/20 title in April when the season was cut short by the pandemic.
      Instead of resuming the campaign behind closed doors like in Germany, England, Spain and Italy, the French top flight opted to use a points-per-game basis to determine the standings instead.
      Reports this week revealed the Premier League has been hit by 14 new cases of coronavirus from 12 clubs since teams returned to pre-season training.

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      The new Ligue 1 season was due to start this weekend but now eight clubs have had positive coronavirus tests Credit: EPA More

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      Neymar WON’T be returning to Barcelona with agent saying there’s more chance of Messi joining him at PSG

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      NEYMAR no longer wants to return to Barcelona, according to his agent Wagner Ribeiro.
      And the Brazilian’s representative also claimed there is more chance of Lionel Messi joining his client at Paris Saint-Germain than Neymar going back to the Nou Camp.

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      Neymar no longer wants to return to Barcelona

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      Agent Wagner Ribeiro reckons there is more chance of Lionel Messi joining his client at PSG
      Neymar was heavily linked with a £136million switch back to the Nou Camp earlier this season.
      But after PSG’s surge to the Champions League final and Barca’s humiliating demise, the 28-year-old has had a change of heart and will stay in France for “at least two years”.
      Ribeiro told Placar: “There was a time when he was sad because of his injuries.

      “At that time he was ready to leave, to return to Barcelona or go to Real Madrid. Not today, you can see his joy.

      “I joke with him: living in the city of light, where everyone wants to stroll, enjoying French cuisine, living in a beautiful house, with friends and family close by, playing for one of the best clubs, with everything a person needs and likes…
      “What reason would he have to leave PSG today?
      “Neymar is happy and I think he’ll stay at PSG for at least two more years.
      “Today, without a doubt, it’s easier for Messi to go to PSG than for Neymar to return to Barcelona. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

      “I’m serious, you can’t doubt Qatar’s economic power.”
      Messi reportedly wants to leave Barcelona this summer after their Champions League humiliation.
      The Catalans were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the quarter-final.

      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

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      Diogo Dalot set for Man Utd exit with Everton and PSG interested in transfer for out-of-favour full-back

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      DIOGO DALOT is set to leave Manchester United this summer, according to reports.
      And Everton and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be interested in rescuing the full-back from the Old Trafford wilderness.

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      Man Utd full-back Diogo Dalot could be on his way out with Everton and PSG interested
      The Portuguese has struggled for game time with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw starting most games when fit.
      And the 21-year-old is almost certain to pursue first-team opportunities elsewhere, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.
      Despite the fact Marcos Rojo is on his way out, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to use Timoth Fosu-Mensah as back-up full-back next season so could do without Dalot.
      Carlo Ancelotti is said to be a big fan of the versatile defender.

      And Champions League finalists PSG are monitoring the situation and a move could see Dalot link up with former United team-mate Ander Herrera.
      United are keen to boost funds for summer transfers with Dalot one of the players for sale.
      Dalot joined United from Porto in a £19million deal under Jose Mourinho in 2018 but he has barely featured in Solskjaer’s line-up this season.
      This season the full-back, who has battled with hip and groin injuries, has made 11 appearances across all competitions, netting once in an FA Cup tie against Tranmere Rovers. 

      And the player has made just four appearances in Premier League fixtures this term. 

      Everton’s right-back slot is currently occupied by Toffees fan favourite and club captain Seamus Coleman. 
      However, it is believed Ancelotti sees Dalot as a potential future successor to Coleman, who will be 32 later this year. 
      And it is believed his ability to play on both flanks could make him a useful back-up option to Lucas Digne at left-back. 

      Wayne Rooney sparks Soccer Aid rumours after announcing ‘short-term managerial role’ with Derby’s permission More

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      Chelsea blow as PSG icon Thiago Silva, 35, ‘agrees £70k-a-week Fiorentina transfer and begins house hunting in Florence’

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      CHELSEA have been dealt a transfer blow with Thiago Silva agreeing a £70,000-a-week deal at Fiorentina, according to reports.
      The Blues were linked with a move for the veteran Brazilian defender.

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      Thiago Silva has been linked with a move to Fiorentina with his PSG contract expiring after the Champions League finalCredit: AFP or licensors
      With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring after the Champions League final, he could have provided some much-needed experience to Frank Lampard’s defence.
      Chelsea were reportedly offered Silva and were planning to open talks over a two-year deal.
      Arsenal, who are set to sign Gabriel Magalhaes, and Everton, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, were also linked.
      But according to Corriere dello Sport, Silva, 35, is on his way to Fiorentina.

      He is on course to take a major pay cut, too.
      The PSG legend, who has broken records galore during his eight years at the Ligue 1 giants, is set to slash his weekly cheque from £325,000 to £70,000.
      On top of that, the reports suggest he has even started house hunting in Florence to help smooth the transition if he does complete the switch.
      Silva lived in Italy during his time with AC Milan between 2009 and 2012.

      It is thought Franck Ribery has been key in trying to lure Silva to Fiorentina, who have one of the youngest squads in Europe’s top-five leagues.
      So the Brazilian would again add plenty of trophy-winning quality and know-how as he looks to end his career where he has enjoyed so much success.

      Speaking earlier this week, the Brazilian said: “I have already said a lot of times before I wanted to, that I want to finish here in Europe.
      “A decision was taken, now things are calm in my head.
      “It will be in another club, but my heart will stay here.”

      Thiago Silva trains hard with fellow players at PSG workout More

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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