France Ligue 1

NEYMAR is in advanced talks over a transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, according to reports.The Brazilian told Paris Saint-Germain he wanted to leave the club last week.
Neymar is in advanced talks over a move to Al-HilalCredit: Getty
He asked his management to find him a new club, sparking interest from teams across Europe.
Al-Hilal seized on the opportunity and are now in advanced talks with Neymar, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Paperwork will be sent to Neymar’s camp and it will be up to the player to decide whether he wants to join.
Barcelona were hopeful of re-signing the 31-year-old, who left the Nou Camp for PSG in a world record deal in 2017.
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Neymar is understood to be keen on returning to Barca but the Spanish giants may be unwilling or unable to afford his £70million price tag.
It could lead to a loan switch to the Nou Camp if his wage payments are shared.
Chelsea have also been linked to Neymar with reports claiming the club was in contact with the player’s representatives this week.
However, conflicting claims suggest that Mauricio Pochettino does not want a reunion with the man he worked with at PSG as he prefers to sign young talent rather than older superstars.
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Al-Hilal have deep pockets despite already splashing a reported £150m this summer on Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcolm.
Manchester United were also rumoured to be interested in Neymar but Erik ten Hag remains focused on signing a holding midfielder, with Sofyan Amrabat targeted. More

NEYMAR has informed PSG he wants to leave the club this summer, according to reports.The superstar has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs.
Neymar has told PSG he wants to leave this summerCredit: AFP
Neymar has spoken with his management and told them to find him a new club.
He has spent the past six years in the French capital, winning Ligue Un on five occasions.
But he is ready to move on according to L’Equipe, with multiple Premier League clubs said to be eyeing the forward.
Arsenal have been tipped to sign the world’s most expensive player but are concentrating on finalising the signing of David Raya.
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Chelsea are also interested in Neymar and were reportedly waiting for him to demand a transfer before submitting an offer.
However the 31-year-old is believed to have his sights set on a return to Barcelona.

The two clubs are understood to have an agreement in place but Neymar’s wages could prove a sticking point.
The Samba superstar is believed to earn £600,000-a-week, leaving even the super-rich French kings wanting to get him off their books.
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But Barca’s dire financial situation leaves them in no position to match Neymar’s current salary.
It could mean striking a loan agreement with PSG were the player’s wages are shared.
Neymar is also reported to be eyeing a move to Manchester United, though Erik ten Hag has other targets in mind including Sofyan Amrabat. More

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have accepted a world-record £259million bid from Al-Hilal to sign superstar Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.And it’s claimed that the Saudi Pro League side could offer him a staggering £11.6m a week to join.
Kylian Mbappe has been left out of PSG’s pre-season tour squadCredit: Reuters
PSG are looking to sell Mbappe, with the Frenchman having entered the final year of his contract – having last month presented club chiefs with a former letter confirming that he will reject a contract extension.
Al-Hilal’s bid blows PSG’s £198m record signing of Neymar out of the water.
It would also see the French champions make virtually a £100m profit on Mbappe, having signed him for £162m in 2018 – despite the forward’s contract situation.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal have launched their stunning bid in order to open talks with the 24-year-old.
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He adds that no dialogue has yet taken place between the Saudi Pro League side and Mbappe’s camp.
And Sky Sports have now reported that the colossal bid has been accepted by the French outfit.
CBS Sports’ James Benge claims Al Hilal would be willing to offer Mbappe around £604m for one year – before he would be free to join Real Madrid.
PSG chiefs are convinced that the 2018 World Cup winner has already agreed a deal with the Spanish giants.
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Mbappe returned to PSG for pre-season training earlier this month, but was left out of their travelling party for their pre-season tour of Japan and Korea.
The forward has been put up for sale by the French champions, who are desperate not to lose him on a free transfer next year.
It emerged over the weekend that PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi has encouraged his star striker to seriously consider offers to leave Parc des Princes this summer.
French paper L’Equipe claim that PSG fear Mbappe has already agreed personal terms with Real Madrid for a 2024 free transfer.
Mbappe and his entourage responded to PSG’s latest move by claiming he is willing to sit out the entire season – which culminates in Euro 2024 – to leave on HIS terms.
PSG are convinced Mbappe, 24, has decided to try to cash in TWICE over the next 12 months and has already put his name on a piece of paper to that effect.
The club believes he wants to see out his current contract in France, which has one year left, and bag a huge bonus and then move to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer and pick up a £150m-plus signing on fee.
‘A BETRAYAL’
Mbappe’s refusal to sign and decision to indicate he would even be prepared to spend this season on the bench is viewed as a “betrayal” of the club and the fans.
But PSG will play hardball and have already contacted potential suitors to confirm he IS for sale now.
In addition to Real Madrid and Al Hilal, Mbappe has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs – including Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan.
While, to fans’ amusement, Marca claimed over the weekend that Tottenham are also keen on Mbappe.
L’Equipe claim that Barcelona are set to hold talks with PSG regarding Mbappe – despite not being able to pay a transfer fee.
They add that Barca will try to entice PSG by offering several players in exchange.
How Mbappe’s wages would work out if he moves to the Saudi Pro League
Should Mbappe move to the Saudi Pro League, he would join the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic at Al Hilal – who are also chasing Aleksandar Mitrovic.
England star Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, is set to join up with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq on a reported £700k a week.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr last December on a salary of £173million a year – or £3.3m a week – and has since been joined by Alex Telles and Marcelo Brozovic.
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Other stars to move to Al Ittihad include Karim Benzema, who joined on wages of £3.5m a week, while team-mate N’Golo Kante is thought to earn £1.7m.
Al-Ahli have signed the likes of Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez – with the latter claimed to be on around £500k a week.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr last DecemberCredit: Getty
Karim Benzema was unveiled at Al Ittihad earlier this summerCredit: Getty
Al Ahli will have Edouard Mendy between the sticks after signing him from ChelseaCredit: Getty
Mbappe, 24, trained alongside brother Ethan before being left out of PSG’s pre-season tourCredit: Alamy More

FORMER West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet has left Marseille as a free agent.The 36-year-old broke down in tears as he announced his departure in a press conference in France.
Payet has left Marseille as a free agentCredit: AFP
Payet broke down in tears after announcing his departureCredit: Twitter

Speaking about Payet’s departure, Marseille president Pablo Longoria said: “I would like to thank Dimitri for everything he has brought to Olympique de Marseille over all these years.
“Beyond an exceptional talent, I also want to salute his love for the club, for the supporters and for the city. He is a symbol of this strong connection between OM and Marseille.
“I wish him the best for his next stage of life. Dimitri will always be at home here.”
Payet did not travel to Germany with his Marseille teammates for pre-season this week due to “personal reasons”.
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His contract was set to expire in June 2024, but club officials suddenly decided to terminate his agreement one year early.
Just a few weeks ago, the Frenchman revealed that he did not want to leave Marseille this summer.
He said: “I want to leave through the front door and, even at 36, I still have goals that keep me awake. I tell myself that I can’t stop until I win something with the club.”
However, his unexpected departure means he is now a free agent.
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Payet joined Marseille in a £25million transfer from West Ham in January 2017.
He scored 78 goals and assisted 95 in 326 appearances for the club during his time at the Stade Velodrome.
Prior to his spell in France, he spent two years at West Ham.
He was a fan favourite in East London until he began refusing to play for the Hammers in a bid to force a move away.
Last year, Payet revealed that he turned down several big clubs, including Manchester United, after leaving West Ham so that he could join Marseille. More