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    Lille hold open-top bus parade after beating PSG to French title as thousands of fans flock to streets in city centre

    THOUSANDS of fans packed the streets as Lille held an open-top bus parade to celebrate Sunday’s Ligue 1 title win.There were emotional scenes of jubilation in the city centre as supporters cheered on their heroes.
    Lille have celebrated their title win in the city centreCredit: Reuters
    Thousands of fans greeted the players after last night’s triumphCredit: AFP
    A sea of red greeted the players as they made their way through Lille.
    Fans waved flags and set off flares as Sunday night’s party continued into Monday.
    Lille had been presented with the Ligue 1 trophy at their training ground earlier in the day.
    And they proudly showed off their fourth-ever French crown, a famous triumph over big spenders Paris Saint-Germain.
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    Lille finished just one point above Mauricio Pochettino’s side after beating Angers 2-1 away from home.
    PSG made sure they did their part with a 2-0 win at Brest.
    But it was meaningless as Lille secured the victory needed to guarantee a first title since they were led to glory by a young Eden Hazard in 2011.
    Canadian striker Jonathan David got the party started for Lille after just ten minutes.
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    Lille beat Angers 2-1 away from home to seal the French crownCredit: AFP
    Lille finished just one point above big spenders and then-champions PSGCredit: Reuters

    And Burak Yilmaz’s penalty had his side looking comfortable before half-time.
    A late strike from Angelo Fulgini gave Lille a scare, but they rode out the last few minutes to clinch title glory. 
    Lille’s next task will be to hold on to a squad filled with new superstars.
    The title is Lille’s first since Eden Hazard led them to glory in 2011Credit: EPA
    Stars like Renato Sanches and Jonathan David fired Lille to gloryCredit: AP
    Former Bayern Munich prodigy Renato Sanches looks like a player reborn in midfield after working his way back into Portugal’s Euro plans.
    And goalkeeper Mike Maignan is reportedly being lined up by AC Milan as a replacement for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
    Elsewhere, Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba have been superb on the wings.
    And David’s 13 goals are sure to put him on the radar of some big clubs too.
    Jubilant supporters turned up to join in the partyCredit: EPA
    Lille picked up their trophy at the training ground before heading on the busCredit: Reuters
    But Lille may have already lost the battle to keep boss Christophe Galtier.
    Reports in France claim he will take charge at rivals Nice this summer and that a deal has already been agreed.
    All that’s left is for Nice to strike financial compensation with Lille after chiefs decided to wait until last night’s Ligue 1 outcome before making their official approach.
    Fellow French side Lyon and Italians Napoli have also been linked, having sacked Rudi Garcia and Gennaro Gattuso respectively.
    It will be a day that goes down in Lille’s historyCredit: Reuters
    Lille will now look to hold on to their rising stars amid interest from other clubsCredit: EPA
    Jonathan Ikoné scores 25-yard half-volley screamer for Lille versus Nantes More

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    Watch Arsenal loanee William Saliba score winner for Nice on final day of loan

    WILLIAM SALIBA finished his loan spell at Nice in fairytale fashion by scoring the winner against Lyon.The centre-back will return to Arsenal this summer but left the Ligue 1 side a wonderful leaving present as he headed home on the hour mark to seal a 3-2 win.
    Arsenal loanee William Saliba scored the winner for Nice on his last game for the clubCredit: Getty
    The centre-back will return to the Gunners this summerCredit: Getty
    Saliba joined the Gunners in a £27million deal in the summer of 2019 but is yet to make a first team appearance for the club.
    The 20-year-old joined Nice on loan in January after Mikel Arteta left him out Arsenal’s Europa League and Premier League squads.
    Saliba has played 22 games in all competitions for the French side but Sunday’s goal was his first.
    Nice had twice come from behind when Kasper Dolberg and then Hassane Kamara cancelled out Karl Toko Ekambi’s first-half efforts.
    And on 57 minutes, Saliba headed home the winner.
    Amine Gouiri’s free-kick was whipped in to the far post where the defender was waiting to nod in.
    Nice finished the season in ninth but they will probably be without Saliba next season, with Arteta confirming he will return to the Emirates.
    The Spaniard was recently asked if the youngster could take departing David Luiz’s place in the team.
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    William Saliba at the back post! 😳The Arsenal loanee gets his first goal for Nice to take the lead against Lyon! pic.twitter.com/MWaxu7W14F— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 23, 2021

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    And Arteta said: “You will see in the summer, the possible replacement.
    “William is our player for sure and that’s the decision we’re going to be taking soon.
    “When we finish the season we will sit down and discuss the roles of every member in our squad and how they can fulfil that role.
    “After that, we will make a decision based on an agreement of the role each player is going to have in our squad.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Arteta says he is disappointed Arsenal aren’t in Europe as they look to take a step forward next season More

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    Kylian Mbappe in urgent transfer talks with PSG over future with Real Madrid interest after Ligue 1 title flop

    REAL MADRID target Kylian Mbappe is in urgent transfer talks with Paris Saint-Germain over his future following Sunday’s Ligue 1 title flop.Mauricio Pochettino’s men lost their grip on the French crown last night as Lille pipped them to top spot by one point.
    Kylian Mbappe says he is in transfer talks with PSG amid links to Real MadridCredit: AFP
    Having crashed out of the Champions League too, PSG will end the season with just the French Cup in their trophy cabinet.
    And Mbappe, 22, now admits he wants to play for a club where success is virtually guaranteed.
    The World Cup winner, Ligue 1’s Golden Boot winner with 27 goals, is out of contract in 2022.
    Fellow forward Neymar has already signed a new long-term extension.
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    But doubts are growing over Mbappe’s future with Real Madrid interested.
    And PSG’s failure to retain their title could come back to haunt them in the transfer market following Mbappe’s latest comments.
    He told Canal Plus: “Everyone knows how profoundly attached I am to the club.
    “I have always been very thankful towards the president and my different coaches.
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    “What I want is to win, to feel like I am somewhere where I can win, where there is a solid project around me.
    “The footballing project is essential. I want to feel like I am part of a team that is going to do something.
    “Then, it’s up to us to show what we can do. We are talking with the club, we will see what happens.
    “In any case, I have always been happy here and I had had four exceptional years here, we are very clear with the club.
    “The club knows my relationship with it, this city, this country.
    ‘We are going to do things in the way they should be done, in one way or another.
    “I cannot say what needs to be done, I am just a player, but I think that people have seen, everyone has seen.
    “When everyone sees, it is easier to draw conclusions, but there is no problem. We lost the title but now we have to concentrate on the future.”
    BBC release promo for Euro 2020 featuring Bale, Ronaldo and Mbappe for this summer More

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    Watch Neymar with ‘one of worst penalties EVER’… but was PSG star out-psyched by Brest keeper’s run-up trick?

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Neymar missed the target with a crucial penalty – that may best be explained by some goalkeeping brilliance.Brest shot-stopper Gautier Larsonneur produced a unique trick to deceive the Brazilian as he lined up his effort on Sunday.
    NEYMAR MISSES! 😱Lovely feet from Di María to win the penalty, Neymar steps up, stutters, but puts it wide! 😫Horrible miss in a must-win game 😖 pic.twitter.com/l6QJLbxtiP— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 23, 2021

    Les Parisiens were in desperate need of a win at Stade Francis-Le Ble as they chased down Ligue 1 leaders Lille on the final day of the season.
    The perfect chance for an opening goal presented itself after only 17 minutes when Angel Di Maria was bulldozed in the area to win a penalty.
    Up stepped Neymar, in pursuit of his tenth league goal of an injury-hit season.
    A long, stuttering run-up by the 29-year-old came up against Larsonneur’s decision to place himself to one side of his goal.
    The Frenchman was within touching distance of his right-hand post, leaving the opposite end of the net wide open for Neymar to score into.
    And the striker took the bait, aiming for the keeper’s left but rolling the ball harmlessly wide of the post.
    Larsonneur was credited with knocking Neymar’s perception off-kilter and out-psyching him in the penalty mind games.
    A good result was also crucial for Brest, who were on the edge of the relegation play-off zone going into the final weekend.
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    Neymar was left red faced with a poor penalty miss on SundayCredit: AFP
    Gautier Larsonneur was praised for his approach to the spot-kick

    Fortunately for Les Pirates, Nantes’ defeat at Montpellier kept their head above water.
    PSG went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to a bizarre Romain Faivre own goal, deflecting the ball in over the keeper from a corner, and Kylian Mbappe’s late strike.
    Yet Lille edged Angers 2-1 to scoop the trophy and leave Mauricio Pochettino with only the Coupe de France for his first season in charge.
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    Neymar pays tribute to pal MC Kevin at cup final after Brazilian singer fell to his death following hotel ‘threesome’ More

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    Lille pull off incredible Ligue 1 title win as Neymar, Mbappe and Co miss out despite PSG victory on dramatic final day

    LILLE completed an incredible Ligue 1 title win on Sunday as they held off a final day challenge from moneybags Paris Saint-Germain.Mauricio Pochettino’s men beat Brest 2-0 thanks to an own-goal from Romain Faivre and a Kylian Mbappe strike.
    Lille lifted their first Ligue 1 title since 2011 with a 2-1 win at AngersCredit: EPA
    Lille finished one point above PSG to take the French football crownCredit: EPA

    Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were left empty-handed despite a 2-0 win against BrestCredit: AFP
    But PSG’s victory meant little as Lille beat Angers 2-1, finishing top of Ligue 1 by a single point.
    Canadian striker Jonathan David got the party started for Lille after just ten minutes.
    And Burak Yilmaz’s penalty had his side looking comfortable before half-time.
    A late strike from Angelo Fulgini gave Lille a scare.
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    But they rode out the last few minutes to clinch title glory. 
    Lille have now won their first Ligue 1 trophy since the 2010-11 season, when a young Eden Hazard propelled them to victory.
    And their next task will be to hold on to a squad filled with new superstars.
    Former Bayern Munich prodigy Renato Sanches looks like a player reborn in midfield after working his way back into Portugal’s Euro plans.
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    Lille lost just three games in Ligue 1 this seasonCredit: Reuters
    Goalscorer Burak Yilmaz was in tears at the final whistleCredit: EPA
    The day will be forever etched in Lille folkloreCredit: EPA

    And goalkeeper Mike Maignan is reportedly being lined up by AC Milan as a replacement for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
    Elsewhere, Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba have been superb on the wings.
    And David’s 13 goals are sure to put him on the radar of some big clubs too.
    But Lille may have already lost the battle to keep boss Christophe Galtier.
    Reports in France claim he will take charge at rivals Nice this summer, regardless of Lille’s title success.
    It’s reckoned a deal has already been agreed.
    And all that’s left is for Nice to strike financial compensation with Lille, with chiefs deciding to wait until tonight’s Ligue 1 outcome.
    Mbappe managed to finish top scorer in Ligue 1Credit: AFP

    Angel Di Maria sent off for STAMPING on Fernandinho as Man City dominate PSG to reach Champions League final More

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    Kylian Mbappe and his family ‘have agreement to join Real Madrid even if Zidane leaves and will snub new PSG contract’

    KYLIAN MBAPPE and his family ‘have an agreement’ with Real Madrid, according to reports.But the Spanish giants face a battle striking a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
    Kylian Mbappe could leave PSG this summerCredit: AFP
    The Frenchman is set to enter the final year of his contract at Parc des Princes, with little to indicate that he is close to penning an extension.
    PSG’s Qatari owners have tabled a three-year extension.
    But according to football agent Bruno Santin, Mbappe, 22, has already reached an agreement with Madrid.
    Asked about the potential move, he told French network Canal+: “My feeling is more than he is willing to do it.
    “I also have some information, according to which Kylian Mbappe and his family have an agreement with Real Madrid.
    “In principle, there would be an agreement on the part of the player, but we also need the agreement of Paris Saint-Germain.”
    Santin added, however, that he feels the PSG owners could dig their heels in this summer – even if it means losing their star man for nothing in 12 months time.
    He continued: “Obviously the Qataris and Paris Saint-Germain have not decided to do without Kylian Mbappe, he could very well then end his contract and go to zero.
    Zinedine Zidane is set to leave Real MadridCredit: EPA
    Mbappe, 22, helped win the Coupe de France on Wednesday nightCredit: Reuters
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    “History has taught us that if the leaders or Doha do not want a player to leave, they make him stay until he is no longer theirs.”
    Much has been made about Mbappe’s admiration for Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, and his attraction to playing under his compatriot.
    With Zizou set to depart Santiago Bernabeu, some may suggest that Mbappe’s enthusiasm to move there could be dampened.
    But not according to AS.
    They claim that Mbappe is ‘determined’ to play for Real Madrid, regardless of who is in charge.
    Former Juventus and AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is the current frontrunner for the job, with Real Madrid Castilla boss and club legend Raul also in the running.
    I think the most important thing is to enjoy the moment right nowKylian Mbappe on his future
    Following his latest brilliant performance for PSG on Wednesday night, during which he scored to help Mauricio Pochettino’s side win the Coupe de France, Mbappe was asked about whether he will be staying to help his side retain the trophy next season.
    The striker smiled in response, and replied noncommittally: “I think the most important thing is to enjoy the moment right now.”
    Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 46 appearances for PSG this season, and 131 in 170 in total since joining the club from AS Monaco in 2017.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    BBC release promo for Euro 2020 featuring Bale, Ronaldo and Mbappe for this summer More

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    Ex-Man Utd forward Memphis Depay ‘close’ to sealing Barcelona transfer on free before Euros after going house-hunting

    LYON star Memphis Depay is reportedly closing in on a move to Barcelona after going house-hunting in Catalonia.The 27-year-old is poised to link up with the Blaugrana on a free transfer in the summer having refused to sign a new deal to remain in France.
    Lyon forward Memphis Depay has been heavily linked with a summer switch to BarcelonaCredit: AFP
    Following his flop spell at Manchester United, the Dutch forward has starred in Ligue 1 where he has become a key player for Lyon.
    This season he has chipped in with 22 goals and ten assists in 39 games in all competitions – helping his side qualify for the Champions League.
    And according to Mundo Deportivo, he has set his eyes on a switch to Spain to link up with former Holland boss Ronald Koeman.
    They state that he was looking for houses in Barcelona with his family two weeks ago when visiting the city.
    He is claimed to have been searching in the Pedralbes area of having been advised by his countryman and Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
    French news outlet L’Equipe have reported that his impending move to join the LaLiga giants is ‘close’ to being finalised.
    They have revealed that Depay’s representatives hope to announce the deal before the delayed Euro 2020 tournament which starts on June 11.
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    But Marca have declared that Depay will only link up with Barcelona should Koeman still be in charge of the club.
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    20 – Memphis Depay becomes the first Lyon player to score 20 goals and deliver 10 assists in a single Ligue 1 season since Opta analysed the competition (2006/07). Brilliant. #NOOL pic.twitter.com/pAamSPOJoA— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 16, 2021

    Koeman – who managed Depay between 2018-2020 for Holland – is under pressure at the Nou Camp.
    Despite guiding his side to Copa del Rey glory, Barca’s inconsistent form has seen them fall short in their quest to win LaLiga.
    They have failed to win any of their last three league matches, which has seen them drop to third in the table and seven points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
    Barca also crashed out of the Champions League at the Round of 16 stage after losing 5-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain.
    It was their earliest exit in the European Cup since 2007 where they were knocked out by Liverpool. More