France Ligue 1

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are reportedly ready to rival Barcelona for Memphis Depay.Mundo Deportivo claims Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of the Lyon striker.
PSG have joined Barcelona in the race for Lyon contract rebel Memphis DepayCredit: AFP
And he is keen to raid PSG’s rivals for their star man this summer.
Manchester United flop Depay, 27, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and will be available on a free transfer.
Barcelona were thought to be leading the race for his signature, with boss Ronald Koeman making Depay one of his key players during his time managing the Netherlands.
But joining PSG would allow Depay to stay in France, where he’s resided since January 2017.
The capital club would almost certainly guarantee Depay a first Ligue 1 title.
And he would also feature in a fearsome front three boasting Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
However, there are other suitors for Depay.
Juventus are said to be interested, while Inter Milan are also keeping tabs.
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But Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas remains hopeful Depay will end up staying despite indicating he wants to go.
He said: “Until the end we believe that he will renew for next season.
“Right now it is not something that is possible but why not? He is a great talent, world class.
“There are not many like him in the team. He brings solutions. I always wanted him to remain but our offers did not convince him.”
Lyon star Memphis Depay works out in football training More

NEYMAR is reportedly closing in on a new mega-money Paris Saint-Germain contract.And the Brazilian will also pocket a ‘huge bonus’ if he leads PSG to Champions League glory.
Neymar is closing in on a lucrative new PSG dealCredit: Reuters
Fabrizio Romano claims Neymar, 29, is in the final stages of agreeing terms on a new five-year deal to keep him in France until 2026.
Reports had suggested Neymar could be set for a stunning exit this summer with his current contract expiring in 2022.
But it appears PSG have won the battle to hold on to their prize asset.
And Neymar, who is already the top earner in Ligue 1 on £607,000-a-week, is now set for a big pay day.
The forward’s wages are set to go up once he puts pen to paper on the contract agreement.
And PSG chiefs will also reward Neymar if he can secure the continent’s top prize – the Champions League.
However, Neymar’s new pay packet is unlikely to see him overtake Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who are the two top earners in European football.
Ronaldo pockets £900k-a-week at Juventus, while Messi is on a mind-boggling £2.1m-a-week at Barcelona.
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PSG will next turn their attention to keeping Kylian Mbappe, who is also out of contract in 2022.
Unlike Neymar, the 22-year-old still has his whole career ahead of him.
And with strong interest from Real Madrid, there are more serious doubts over Mbappe’s long-term future in the French capital.
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Wenger urges PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar over Messi transfer More

LORIENT star Armand Lauriente channeled his own inner Ronaldinho on the Brazilian’s birthday with a stunning long-range free-kick.Barcelona icon Ronaldinho is still lauded for his ingenious set-piece against England but now his attempt has been topped by this.
Lorient star Armand Lauriente scored a stunning free-kicks against NantesCredit: AFP
WHAT KIND OF SORCERY IS THIS?!?! 🤯😲Armand Laurienté has scored one of the best free-kicks you will 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 see! 🤩Pack your bags and go home. The Lorient forward has completed football. pic.twitter.com/Kzy1yw7pQP— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 21, 2021

Forward Lauriente scored an incredible long-range free-kick from 40-plus yards to rescue a point for his side against Nantes.
With just five minutes remaining in Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash, the highly-rated 22-year-old notched his own contender for the Puskas Award.
Lauriente stepped up from miles outside the penalty box and sent a dipping and swerving effort past the defence before finding the top corner.
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Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont was easily beaten as Lauriente’s team-mates put their hands on their heads in disbelief.
And fans watching at home were equally as impressed with BT Sport tweeting: “WHAT KIND OF SORCERY IS THIS?!?!”
One viewer posted: “Graduated from the Hogwarts academy that kid.”
Another added: “Outrageous.”

Lauriente’s solo effort from range cancelled out Randal Kolo Muani’s opener to share the points.
Lorient’s draw may prove vital in their bid for Ligue 1 survival, with Christophe Pelissier’s side remaining just above Nantes in 17th.
The hosts meanwhile are in the relegation zone and are a point below in 19th.
Ronaldinho slept in his car after ‘party night’ but still managed five-goal masterclass in futsal tournament More

PSG star Marquinho’s glamorous wife has confirmed his parents are OK after a break-in at their Paris home.
Carol Cabrino said her in-laws were recovering after the ‘shock’ incident during PSG’s defeat to Nantes on Sunday.

Marquinhos’ wife Carol Cabrino revealed his parents were OKCredit: Instagram @carolcabrino

Brazilian ace Marqunhos’ grandparents had suffered a terrifying break-inCredit: Instagram @carolcabrino

French newspaper L’Equipe said Marqinhos’ dad was hit several times in the face and chest by the intruders, said to have confused the property with the footballer’s.
Cabrino, who got her break appearing on a reality TV show in their native Brazil, posted a statement on her Instagram confirming the break-in which said: “The house of Marquinhos’ parents was burgled while his family was inside.
“But no-one suffered and everyone is okay and recovering from the shock.”
The statement, from a spokesman for Marquinhos, added: “The French authorities have opened an inquiry.”

Team-mate Angel Di Maria’s home was also targeted during the match.
The Argentine was substituted in the 62nd minute and escorted down the tunnel by boss Mauricio Pochettino before being informed about what happened and leaving in tears.
Initial reports pointed to members of his family being kidnapped, although it later emerged his wife and two daughters had been upstairs when the break-in occurred and only found out about it afterwards.
The thieves reportedly took jewellery from a safe worth around £430,000.

L’Equipe reported on Monday that PSG will fund 24-hour security for its stars in wake of the spate of robberies.
Many of the players have video surveillance but security guards will be hired to help afford the footballers and their families more protection.

Carol Cabrino revealed information about her in-laws after a targetCredit: Instagram @carolcabrino

Marquinhos’ parents had their home targeted instead of his reportedly by mistakeCredit: Instagram @carolcabrino

Marquinhos, full name Marcos Aoas Correa, moved to PSG from Roma in July 2013.
He has won 47 caps for Brazil and made six further appearances on his way to a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games at home in Rio de Janeiro.
Carol went into labour with their daughter Maria Eduarda in November 2017 while watching her husband play a Champions League match against Anderlecht at the Parc des Princes.
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Angel Di Maria’s ‘home burgled and family held hostage’ during PSG game More

ANGEL DI MARIA left PSG’s stadium in tears after he was substituted by Mauricio Pochettino following news of a violent robbery at his home.
The Argentine was hooked in the 62nd minute of the game against Nantes on Sunday after reports of a serious break-in.

Mauricio Pochettino walked Angel Di Maria down the tunnelCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Sporting director Leandro was caught shouting down to Pochettino on TVCredit: Canal+

Di Maria with his wife Jorgelina and daughter

Initial reports pointed to members of his family being held hostage, although it later emerged Di Maria’s wife and two daughters had been upstairs when the break-in occurred and only found out about it afterwards.
Sporting director Leonardo was caught on TV taking a phone call in the second-half before shouting down to Poch, who brought on Leandro Paredes for Di Maria.
The former Spurs boss then informed his compatriot of the shocking developments as he walked him down the tunnel and RMC reports Di Maria was tearful as he immediately left the Parc des Princes.
The French outlet suggests the incident turned ‘extremely violent’.

Marca later confirmed the family were unharmed but were held captive in a terrifying ordeal.
Ex-Manchester United ace Di Maria, 33, is married to Jorgelina and the couple have two young girls.
PSG lost the game 2-1 but the result – which keeps them three points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lille – was completely overshadowed by the off-field horrors.
After the game, Pochettino said: “There is the disappointment of having lost three points, but the group was concerned about things that you are probably already aware of.

“Situations outside of football exist and can explain the second half.
“It is not an excuse, but it prompted a drop in energy levels. At half-time, we were talking about things other than football.”

Leandro appeared to be told of the news on a phone call before relaying the messageCredit: Canal+

Di Maria left the field to be told of his family’s nightmare break-inCredit: AFP or licensors

Another violent burglary was also reported on Sunday with Di Maria’s team-mate Marquinhos’ parents the victims.
Unlike the ex-Benfica man, the Brazilian defender played the full game.
Di Maria has previously suffered at the hands of thieves after three armed thugs tried to smash their way into his Chesire mansion when he was at United.
He is believed to have been eating with his wife and daughter at the time of the frightening intrusion.

Di Maria and Marquinhos are the latest PSG stars to be targeted after Mauro Icardi had £350,000 worth of items stolen in January.
Keeper Sergio Rico saw roughly £22,000 worth of belongings looted in a separate raid earlier this year.
Both players were on duty with the club at away games at the time of the incidents.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

Angel Di Maria’s ‘home burgled and family held hostage’ during PSG game More