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    Arsenal must flog at least one midfielder to land Houssem Aouar transfer with four players’ futures up in air

    ARSENAL have to sell at least one midfielder if they want to sign Houssem Aouar, according to reports.The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Lyon ace but reportedly need to make room on the wage bill before they bring him in with four players’ futures at risk.
    Arsenal have to sell at least one midfielder if they are to sign Lyon ace Houssem AouarCredit: Getty
    Arsenal – who are favourites to sign the Frenchman – are said to have launched an official bid after Lyon dropped their original asking price to just £17million.
    Le 10 Sport claimed the Ligue 1 star could cost the Gunners under a third of the £54m fee club officials hoped to get in 2020. 
    Aouar, 23 – who is said to have skipped pre-season training to force through a move – had been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates before the start of the 2020-21 season. 
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is thought to be keen on the versatile ace who can play centrally or on the wing.
    But players need to leave before they finalise the deal, according to ESPN.
    Matteo Guendouzi has already left for Marseille.
    The 22-year-old has initially signed for the Ligue 1 side on loan but Jorge Sampaoli’s side have an obligation to buy him permanently next summer.
    And the North Londoners are also in talks with Roma about a deal to take Granit Xhaka to Jose Mourinho’s new side.
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    Arsenal are also said to be open to offers for Lucas Torreira and uncertainty remains over the futures of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock.
    Martin Odegaard’s loan deal will not be extended or made permanent so with all those outgoings, there should be room for Aouar.
    In September reports in France claimed Lyon had turned their noses up at two separate bids from the North London giants of £31m and £34.5m.
    However, Le 10 Sport say the Gunners have returned with a fresh offer for the midfielder whose current contract with the French outfit runs out in 2023.
    And it is thought LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain could be set to rival Arsenal for the France player’s signature.  
    It is believed the club’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League may have influenced a drop in price. 
    However, the player faced some fitness struggles last term after picking up a thigh injury in November 2020. 
    The Lyon-born ace’s spell on the treatment table led to him missing out on France’s involvement in Uefa’s Nations League after being called up by Didier Deschamps
    And Aouar was also left out of the Les Bleus squad for this year’s  European Championships. 
    In June SunSport reported Arsenal were preparing a contract worth £100,000-a-week in a bid to lure Aouar to the Emirates. 
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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    Sergio Ramos signs for PSG on free transfer after bungling French giants accidentally announce move day early

    SERGIO RAMOS’ move to PSG was accidentally leaked – by the French giants themselves.The Real Madrid legend completed his move to Paris on Thursday.
    Sergio Ramos has signed for PSG on a two-year deal

    But somebody at PSG appeared to have jumped the gun on Wednesday night.
    An article announcing that Sergio Ramos will wear the No 4 shirt was posted on the club’s website.
    It was swiftly deleted – but not before the internet had already noticed.
    Ramos said in the article: “This number four, I appreciate it a lot out of superstition, because I had it from the start of my career, and then it accompanied me throughout my life, continued with me, brought good luck, and a lot of victories.
    “Now number four is part of me as a person and as a professional. For me, it’s a privilege to be able to wear this number in such a great team, Paris Saint-Germain.
    “So it will be very special to be able to wear my number here in Paris.”
    The Real Madrid legend is leaving after 16 trophy-laden years in the Spanish capital.
    He has signed a two-year deal with the French giants after completing his medical.
    The Spain international will be on lower wages at PSG than the approximately £310,000-a-week he earned at Madrid.
    PSG sporting director Leonardo accelerated talks in the middle of June and progress has been made this week.
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    Former Clasico rival Neymar, described as a friend of Ramos, has reportedly urged the player to make the switch to PSG.
    Mauricio Pochettino’s side failed to win either Ligue 1 or the Champions League last campaign, falling short in the final weeks of both competitions.
    The coach is said to want extra experience and leadership added to his squad this summer, with Ramos boasting over 700 club appearances.
    It is said that he views Paris as a better location for his family of TV presenter wife Pilar Rubio and their four sons.
    Sergio Ramos arrives at PSG for medical More

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    Sergio Ramos ‘completes PSG medical ahead of free transfer with official announcement expected in coming days’

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are set to continue their busy summer with the free transfer signing of Sergio Ramos.The 35-year-old is available after leaving Real Madrid, where he spent 16 years and won 18 major trophies.
    Sergio Ramos is a free agent after calling time on his Real Madrid careerCredit: AFP
    A move to the French capital has long been rumoured and an announcement could finally arrive in the coming days.
    Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports on Ramos signing a two-year contract following a successful medical.
    Madrid had only offered the defender a one-year stay although it was recently claimed that PSG will be paying him a smaller wage than what was on the table at the Bernabeu.
    Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester City had all been linked with the Spaniard.
    But he is set to join fellow former Real star Achraf Hakimi in Paris.
    The full-back completed a £59million move from Inter Milan this week to further bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

    ⚽ ENGLAND vs DENMARK BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

    How PSG could line up if they can complete an expensive summer

    AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, available as a free agent after his Rossoneri contract expired, is tipped to follow with PSG having already brought in Georginio Wijnaldum.
    And they may not stop there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba also rumoured to be on Les Parisiens’ radar.
    PSG failed to win the Ligue 1 title last season for the first time in four years.
    A shot at finally winning the Champions League is also high on their agenda having reached the final and semi-final in the last two years.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Arsenal ‘launch official Houssem Aouar transfer bid with long-term target and Lyon star available for just £17m’

    ARSENAL have reportedly made an offer to Lyon for midfield gem Houssem Aouar following a drop in the asking price for the player.Le 10 Sport says the Ligue 1 star could cost the Gunners under a third of the £54million fee club officials hoped to get in 2020. 
    Arsenal’s interested Aouar could be set to heat up with the club reportedly making a bid for the Lyon starCredit: Getty
    Aouar, 23, had been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates before the start of the 2020-21 season. 
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is thought to be keen on the versatile attacker who can play centrally or on the wing.
    In September reports in France claimed Lyon had turned their noses up at two separate bids from the North London giants of £31m and £34.5m.
    However, Le 10 Sport says the Gunners have returned with a fresh offer for the midfielder whose current contract with the French outfit runs out in 2023.

    ⚽ ENGLAND vs DENMARK BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

    And it is thought LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain could be set to rival Arsenal for the France player’s signature.  
    Lyon, who finished fourth last term, are reportedly after £17m to £21m for Aouar. 
    It is believed the club’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League may have influenced a drop in price. 
    However, the player faced some fitness struggles last term after picking up a thigh injury in November 2020. 
    The Lyon-born ace’s spell on the treatment table led to him missing out on France’s involvement in Uefa’s Nations League after being called up by Didier Deschamps
    And Aouar was also left out of the Les Bleus squad for this year’s  European Championships. 
    In June SunSport reported Arsenal were preparing a contract worth £100,000-a-week in a bid to lure Aouar to the Emirates. 

    Ligue One side Lyon are after £17m to £21m for AouarCredit: AFP

    The club are looking to boost their midfield ranks after finishing eighth in the Prem last term and missing out on a place in Europe.
    The Ligue 1 star, who began his career in Lyon’s academy at 11, notched up eight goals and four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions last season. 
    However, Aouar appeared in eight fewer games than he did in the 2019-20 season.
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    PSG snap-up Achraf Hakimi on five-year deal in transfer from Inter Milan with Sergio Ramos set for medical TONIGHT

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are set to confirm the signing of Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan, according to reports.The defender has put pen to paper on a five-year deal to complete his third transfer in three years.
    Achraf Hakimi is set to confirm his move to PSG after completing a medical
    Sergio Ramos is set to follow Hakimi to the French capital
    Hakimi, 22, successfully completed a medical with PSG on Tuesday and the move will be announced shortly according to journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi.
    PSG agreed a £59million fee with Inter for Hakimi last month after the Serie A champions rejected a bid from Chelsea.
    And the French outfit are not stopping there, with Sergio Ramos set to undergo a medical in the next few hours, reports Fabrizio Romano.
    The 35-year-old has been a free agent since his release by Real Madrid in June.
    Romano suggests Ramos will sign a two-year deal with PSG, with the club also set to confirm the addition of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
    Donnarumma was targeted by Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona on a free transfer but has chosen Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
    A loan transfer for Moise Kean is still on the cards and PSG are awaiting a final decision from Everton and Rafa Benitez, according to Romano.
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    Hakimi won Serie A with Inter last season but will now move to a fourth country in his short career, having previously played for Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
    And news of his transfer means Chelsea will have to focus on other targets, such as Adam Traore.
    Thomas Tuchel is still yet to make a signing as Blues boss but he is believed to be keen on Erling Haaland and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Best XI of stars going into final year of contract and could be available on free transfers including Ronaldo and Mbappe

    CRISTIANO RONALDO and Kylian Mbappe start up front in a star-studded XI made up of players out of contract next summer.The superstar pair are heading into the final season of their current deals at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
    This top-quality XI is made up of players out of contract at their clubs in 2022
    Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe are both out of contract next summerCredit: Alamy
    And that means, as things stand, they will become free agents this time next year.
    So SunSport decided to compile the best team possible made up of those tied down until 2022.
    Andre Onana
    The Ajax goalkeeper may be serving a doping ban but can return from that next season – Arsenal and Lyon are battling it out to sign the Cameroon international.
    Niklas Sule
    Forming part of a back three, the defender could be let go by Bayern Munich at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, especially with the arrival of Dayot Upamecano.
    Raphael Varane
    It was Sergio Ramos this year and Varane next for Real Madrid, with the World Cup winner unable to agree on a new deal – Manchester United are looking to pounce this summer, though.
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    John Stones
    The Manchester City man enjoyed a brilliant season alongside player-of-the-year Ruben Dias, earning himself an England recall and surely a new deal at the Etihad.
    Ousmane Dembele
    Another player linked with United, the Barcelona wide man is struggling to make progress in contract negotiations at the Nou Camp – and his four-month injury lay-off will not help his chances of earning a new deal.
    Eduardo Camavinga
    Camavinga has attracted plenty of interest from United, PSG and Real Madrid with the French teenager tipped for great things – although Rennes may cash in this summer with a £26million Old Trafford switch.
    Paul Pogba
    Should Camavinga arrive in Manchester in 2022, though, he may not play alongside compatriot Pogba, with Mino Raiola desperate to get his high-profile client a mega transfer, possibly to the Bernabeu.
    Ansu Fati
    The comparisons have been made with Lionel Messi due to his breakthrough as a teenager at the Nou Camp – but now he could follow in the Argentine’s footsteps by running down his deal.
    It could be one in, one out at Old Trafford next summer with Eduardo Camavinga and Paul PogbaCredit: AFP

    Pedri
    Like Fati, Barcelona are at risk of losing another ridiculous young talent with Pedri, one of the stars of the Euros, also out of contract with no shortage of admirers.
    Kylian Mbappe
    PSG are determined to get Mbappe to commit his future to the club but he is not convinced just yet, especially with the prospect of an easy switch to Real Madrid in 12 months.
    Cristiano Ronaldo
    As with Mbappe, there has been plenty of talk about Ronaldo’s future this summer – but that will only intensify at the end of the upcoming season if he does not pen a new deal at Juventus with United, PSG and Sporting Lisbon among the possible destinations.
    Other mentions
    Among the other top players whose contracts expire on June 30, 2022 are Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer, Lorenzo Insigne, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala, Franck Kessie and Dani Carvajal.
    Some of the Premier League stars include Chelsea defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Arsenal strikers Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette as well as Everton’s Colombian ace James Rodriguez.
    Ansu Fati is one of a number of Barcelona stars whose contracts expire in the summer of 2022Credit: Getty
    Alexandre Lacazette is also into the final 12 months of his deal at the EmiratesCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
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    Man Utd and Arsenal transfer target Houssem Aouar ‘skips Lyon pre-season training to try and force through move away’

    HOUSSEM AOUAR has reportedly skipped Lyon pre-season training amid transfer interest from Man Utd and Arsenal.The 23-year-old has allegedly been AWOL for five days and looking to force through a move away from the club.
    Houssem Aouar has reportedly skipped Lyon trainingCredit: AFP
    Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool have all been linked with the French midfielder.
    And Get French Football News claim he hasn’t been seen for days despite Lyon saying he is not sick.
    The report adds that Aouar is unhappy that Memphis Depay left on a free to join Barcelona.
    He has been at the club since 2009 and risen through the ranks to the first team.
    Aouar was named in the Champions League squad of the season in 2019-20 and made his international debut last October.
    He is under contract at Ligue 1 side Lyon for two more years.
    But Lyon’s failure to qualify for the Champions League means they could lose him on the cheap having demanded £55million for his services.
    SunSport understands that Arsenal are readying a contract worth £100k-a-week to lure the midfielder to the Emirates at the second time of asking.

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    Aouar chipped in with eight goals and four assists last season for Lyon, and has been on the radar of several Premier League sides, including Liverpool.
    However, Arsenal are currently leading the race as they look to bolster their creative attacking options ahead of the new season.
    Speaking before Lyon’s last game of the season, Aouar admitted: “This could be my last game for the club.”
    Houssem Aouar could be on his way to the Premier League with Arsenal favourites to land him More

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    Chelsea in talks with Eduardo Camavinga’s agent after incredulous Rennes ‘laugh’ at Man Utd’s proposed £26m transfer bid

    CHELSEA have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to prise French starlet Eduardo Camavinga away from Rennes.With the midfielder having just one year left on his deal at Roazhon Park, the Ligue 1 side are expected to cash in on the 18-year-old.
    Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is expected to depart Roazhon Park this summerCredit: Getty
    The Red Devils are understood to be eyeing up an offer for the Les Bleus international, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming he could be available for as little as £26million.
    It has been stated that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were making progress in their quest to lure the teenager to Old Trafford.
    But according to Get French Football News, the player’s priority is to join Paris Saint-Germain, though they are yet to make a formal bid.
    They also state that Thomas Tuchel is pushing for a move, with the Blues in talks with Camavinga’s agent Jonathan Barnett.
    Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is willing to splash the cash this summer following the club’s second Champions League crown.
    Real Madrid are also said to be in negotiations with Barnett as Carlo Ancelotti looks to provide competition for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
    Meanwhile GFFN have revealed that the reported £26m price tag for Camavinga is far from the truth.
    A source told the news outlet that they would laugh should United or any other club offered that sum for Camavinga, with the bid to be instantly turned down.

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    France international Camavinga is attracting interest from Manchester United and ChelseaCredit: Getty

    Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Camavinga, with Mikel Arteta claimed to have made him his top target.
    And the Gunners were given a boost in their hopes of securing his services after Barnett declared the player would be willing to join a team not competing in a European tournament.
    He said: “Believe me we have a lot of offers for this year, a lot of offers, and good ones. I mean top, top clubs.
    “He is good enough [to play for a Champions League club]. But we don’t want to rush anybody. I am an old man and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons in football as well.
    “There is the right time to move on and playing games is the most important thing at his age. Playing in a good club is nice and learning for him.”
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