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      Wenger urges PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar over Messi transfer that will demand ‘huge investment’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN should focus on keeping Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rather than breaking the bank to sign Lionel Messi, according to Arsene Wenger.
      The Arsenal legend thinks the size of the investment necessary to land Barcelona star Messi would be better spent on keeping ‘their two best players’.

      PSG should spend their money on Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rather than trying to sign Lionel Messi, according to Arsene WengerCredit: AFP or licensors

      The French champions have been heavily linked with the ArgentineCredit: Reuters

      Wenger’s comments came as Mbappe bagged a hat-trick as PSG thrashed Barcelona 4-1 at the Nou Camp.
      Messi scored Barca’s opening goal from the penalty spot while Neymar missed the tie due to a groin injury.
      Argentine superstar Messi has been heavily linked with a free transfer to the Parc des Princes with his Barca deal expiring at the end of this season.
      But with Messi currently on a £123MILLION-A-YEAR contract at the Nou Camp, Wenger reckons such money would be better spent on persuading Mbappe and Neymar to stay in the French capital.

      Mbappe’s deal expires in summer 2022 and he said on BeIN: “Mbappe is free in 2022.
      “If he does not extend in 2021 PSG has to sell Mbappe or he will be completely free in 2022.
      “And they have to extend Neymar and Mbappe together. And it looks like that will be financially very very expensive.
      “And the question PSG has to answer, can they convince the two?

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      Wenger thinks PSG should double down on what they’ve gotCredit: Getty – Pool

      “And do they have the money to do it? Because they need to sign the two together.
      “Messi demands a huge investment and I would say PSG today is more focussed on keeping their two best players and investing all the money they have into their two best players.
      “Mbappe is 22 maybe the future best player in the world so when you have the next two best players in the world, keep them.”
      Messi tried to quit Barca last summer by attempting to trigger a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free.
      But after threatening legal action, he made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his deal.
      He is, though, expected to leave after 20 years this summer.
      Man City are also keen on signing the Argentine.
      Speaking in December, he admitted he still ‘doesn’t know’ what he will do at the end of the season.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Joe Cole says Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world More

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      Kylian Mbappe is best player in world AHEAD of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, gushes Joe Cole after PSG hat-trick

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      JOE COLE hailed Kylian Mbappe as the best player in the world after the Frenchman’s breathtaking Champions League hat-trick.
      Barcelona were sunk by Paris Saint-Germain’s comeback at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

      Kylian Mbappe did the business for Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lionel Messi was left in the Frenchman’s shadow at the Camp NouCredit: Reuters

      Mbappe quickly levelled after Lionel Messi’s penalty opener in a performance that outshone the Argentine icon.
      A deflected cross was swept home by the 22-year-old after half-time to make it two and he added PSG’s fourth – and his hat-trick – with a brilliant finish after a lightning quick counter-attack.
      Everton loanee Moise Kean headed home the other goal in a dominant night for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
      Former England star Cole, 39, felt the display put Mbappe above the often-favoured duo of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best.

      The Chelsea and West Ham legend told BT Sport: “[Mbappe] is the best player in the world, at the moment.
      “The influence he has on his team, the way he can just run away from players.
      “His link-up play, his work-rate off the ball… he is the alpha dog in football at the moment.
      “The top player in my opinion – maybe Ronaldo still. But as young players go, if you want to build a team, go and get Kylian Mbappe.”

      Beaten Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann, who won the World Cup alongside Mbappe in 2018, predicted a place on the podium for the striker very soon.
      He stated: “Kylian Mbappe had a great night.
      “PSG has a great star for the future, who will be at the level of Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.”
      PSG will aim to heap further misery on Barcelona and avoid a repeat of their famous ‘remontada’ of 2017 in the second leg on March 10.
      Mbappe was left delighted with the position his team put themselves in and praised the ‘style’ with which they won.
      The striker told RMC: “We are very happy. It was a very important match for us. We wanted to come here and win.
      “And we did it in style. Now we have an important match on Sunday in the league.
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      Ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole was left in awe of Mbappe’s performanceCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      “Tonight, it is magnificent but we have not won anything yet. I am happy. I always want to give the best of myself.
      “I have not always had that success. But never in my life will I hide.
      “Today, my hard work is paying. We were a little heckled, there was Covid. But we are feeling better and better physically.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      Barcelona 1 PSG 4: Mbappe outshines Messi with stunning hat-trick in Champions League thrashing

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      THIS felt like a changing of the guard.
      Lionel Messi, for so long the planet’s greatest player not only of his day but of all time, was completely upstaged by Kylian Mbappe.

      Kylian Mbappe put in a world-class performance on Tuesday night, becoming the first player to score a European Nou Camp hat-trick since 1997Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Lionel Messi was left in the Frenchman’s shadow at the Camp NouCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The electric Frenchman produced a complete performance marked by a breathtaking hat-trick.
      And he now looks ready to claim Messi’s crown as the king of world football. 
      It certainly seemed like a changing of the guard at the top of world football.
      Mbappe’s French compatriot and Barca star Antoine Griezmann said: “Kylian Mbappe had a great night.

      “PSG has a great star for the future, who will be at the level of Leo Messi or Cristian Ronaldo.”
      Mbappe became the first player to score a Champions League hat-trick at the Nou Camp since Andriy Shevchenko did it for Dynamo Kiev in 1997.
      His first was a close-range blast after dancing round Clement Lenglet, his second a shot on the rebound and his third a sublime curling effort.
      But his all-round display was Messi-esque in the way he tormented Barca – with pundit Owen Hargreaves likening the World Cup winner to the Brazilian Ronaldo.

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      In his first game at Camp Nou, and his first time facing Barcelona…Kylian Mbappe completes a wonderful hat-trick with a SUBLIME finish 🤩We are witnessing greatness! pic.twitter.com/7uc84LQ2nE
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 16, 2021

      Mbappe hailed Mauricio Pochettino for his influence since taking the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, who look a good bet to win the competition after finishing runners-up under Thomas Tuchel last term.
      The superstar, 22, said: “The coach has done a great job since he joined. But he’s continued the work of Tuchel who started an extraordinary job, with the final. 
      “We’re starting to get better and better physically. We’re not yet in peak form, even if tonight was very good.
      “We wanted to come here and win. We did that in style. Tonight was magnificent, but we haven’t won anything yet.”
      Everton loanee Moise Kean also got in on the act in a display to send shockwaves around Europe.
      It was the perfect pitch from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of their summer bid to lure Messi, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
      The Argentine genius did score himself with an early penalty – but it will have been scant consolation as his side were hammered.
      It left Barca’s hopes of a 14th consecutive year progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals looking all but over.

      Messi had fired Barcelona into the lead in the last-16 first legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mbappe struck back with an amazing hat-trickCredit: Reuters
      While Mauricio Pochettino’s Ligue 1 giants look a good bet to repeat last season’s journey to the final – and perhaps go one better.
      This titanic battle saw Pochettino come up against a fellow former Southampton boss in Ronald Koeman, who succeeded the Argentine at St Mary’s in 2014.
      Messi was quiet in the first-half yet still produced a stunning pass that led to the penalty he converted.
      The 33-year-old lofted a beautiful ball over the top to Frenkie de Jong, who WAS clipped by Layvin Kurzawa even if at first the Dutchman looked to have tripped himself.
      Messi venomously dispatched the spot-kick for his 20th of the season and 10th goal in his last ten matches.
      But Pochettino’s side responded superbly and, after Ousmane Dembele had failed to finish Messi’s neat pass seconds after the opener, they hit back through Mbappe.
      The leveller was a thing of beauty.

      Former Arsenal target Kurzawa cut back a diagonal pass first time to Marco Verratti, who instantly lifted the ball through to Mbappe.
      The most exciting player in European football showed some nifty footwork to waltz round boyhood PSG fan Clement Lenglet before blasting into the roof of the net.
      Paris were unlucky not to go to the break ahead as Marc-Andre Ter Stegen saved brilliantly to deny efforts by Kurzawa and Kean, before Icardi headed Mbappe’s corner just wide.
      Some players are made for the big stage.
      Messi is the ultimate example of that but Mbappe appears to be cut from the same cloth.
      The French star was relishing the contest, dancing round challenges and brushing opponents off at will.
      He went close with a strike seconds into the second period with a curling 20-yard effort.
      And just after the hour he netted his and PSG’s second, turning home after Alessandro Florenzi’s cut-back had deflected off Gerard Pique.
      It was 3-1 shortly afterwards as Kean continued his amazing turnaround with Paris by heading home Leandro Paredes’ free-kick.

      Messi may be staring at his final Champions League game with Barcelona in next month’s second legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ronald Koeman may have to hope for a fresh ‘remontada’ to save his jobCredit: Reuters

      Kean’s strike was his 13th of the season for his loan club – compared to a paltry two in 33 appearances for the Toffees.
      Mbappe settled things once and for all with five minutes to go, ending a swift counter with a sublime finish into the top corner.
      It was his 40th goal involvement in 41 Champions League games as he well and truly picked up the baton from Messi.
      The master has been eclipsed by the apprentice.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      PSG star Marco Verratti ‘really wanted’ Barcelona transfer in 2017, claims ex-agent as he slams French league

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Marco Verratti wanted to join Barcelona in 2017, according to his former agent.
      The Italian’s former representative Donato Di Campli claimed the midfielder was eager to link up with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.

      PSG star Marco Verratti once wanted to join BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors

      Italy international Verratti was made a prime target under former Catalan chief Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona.
      But Ligue 1 giants PSG dug their heels in over letting the 28-year-old leaving to join their European rivals.
      BARCA vs PSG OFFER: GET MESSI AND MBAPPE TO SCORE AT 70/1
      However, Veratti, who has spent the last nine years at Parc de Princes, did have his head turned by Barcelona’s interest.

      Di Campli told French outlet L’Equipe: “When Barca contacted me, I asked Marco what we’re doing.
      “He told me to talk with them, and that we would also talk with PSG since an extension was in the pipeline. PSG was not great at the time, so I said to Marco, ‘Are we going or are we staying?’
      “He said ‘OK, let’s try another experiment’. Marco really wanted to go to Barcelona. He texted Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] to tell him, I kept it.
      “They were offering a lot of money, but it wasn’t even that. Playing with Messi, becoming a champion, which is a different thing to being a great player. PSG are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but they play in a weak league.

      “I told Marco that if he wanted to become a champion, he had to change tune.”

      Verratti is now set to line up against Messi after recovering from a hip injury to face Barcelona in the Champions League tonight.
      But the duo could become team-mates at PSG next season with the Argentine linked with a sensational switch to the French capital.
      Yet two of Messi’s other pals Neymar and Angel Di Maria will be missing for the first-leg clash in Spain due to injury.

      Mbappe shoves Neymar out of PSG team photo, before Veratti pulls him back in, after Champions Trophy win More

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      Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car confirms Liverpool transfer offer before Reds signed Kabak and Davies

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      DUJE CALETA-CAR has confirmed that Liverpool were keen to sign him last month but he decided to remain at Marseille.
      The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp desperately looked to sign a centre-back due to their defensive crisis.

      Marseille ace Duje Caleta-Car has stated he turned down an approach from LiverpoolCredit: AFP or licensors

      Liverpool eventually managed to bring in two centre-halves, though the club first tried in vein to bring the Croatia international to Merseyside.
      Caleta-Car has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most talented defenders since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2018.
      So it came as no surprise when the Premier League champions firmed up their interest with an offer.
      And the four-time Austrian Bundesliga winner has declared it was an ‘honour’ to be chased by Liverpool, though he believed sticking at Marseille would prove key in his development.

      Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s top-flight encounter against Nice, he told reporters: “Today, there is the Champions League, and I am going to watch the two games.
      “I received an offer from Liverpool. It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me.
      “We decided with the club that I was going to stay.
      “Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”

      BARCA vs PSG OFFER: GET MESSI AND MBAPPE TO SCORE AT 70/1

      After being turned down by Caleta-Car, Liverpool opted to bring in Ozan Kabak from Schalke on an initial loan deal.
      And they also signed Ben Davies from Preston to fill their centre-back void with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out injured.
      Following Kabak’s mix-up with goalkeeper Alisson in the defeat against Leicester on Saturday, it remains to be seen who will partner Jordan Henderson at the back against RB Leipzig tonight.

      Jurgen Klopp denies rumours he has quit Liverpool after poor run of results and insists he doesn’t need a break More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘set to leave PSG for FREE next summer sparking transfer battle between Man Utd, Chelsea and Real Madrid’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE is likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer at the end of next season, according to reports.
      The French champions are desperate to renew the 22-year-old’s contract, which is currently set to expire in June 2022.

      Kylian Mbappe has fewer than 18 months left on his contractCredit: Reuters

      It has previously been suggested that should they fail to reach an agreement, Mbappe could be sold this summer so as to at least get some return back on a player they spent around £156million on back in 2017.
      But according to Spanish paper Sport, Mbappe will NOT leave the French capital this summer – irrespective of whether he pens a new deal.
      They claim that he still feels that he has unfinished business at Parc des Princes.
      Boss Mauricio Pochettino is confident that Mbappe will commit to Paris beyond 2022, having recently told Cadena Ser: “I believe the club is working on it.

      “They are obviously making an effort to renew the contracts of the players they believe are important not just for the present but for the future.”
      But Sport believe that Mbappe is more likely to opt for pastures new, with the Premier League or LaLiga on his horizon.
      This opens the door to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and particularly Real Madrid.
      Mbappe’s childhood love of Madrid is no secret, and neither is his relationship with their manager Zinedine Zidane.

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      Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful of keeping his No7 aroundCredit: AFP or licensors

      But even if under-pressure Zidane was to depart Santiago Bernabeu, Mbappe would still be interested in a move to the Spanish capital.
      Fellow superstar Neymar is also out of contract at PSG next summer.
      But the Brazilian has indicated that he would like to stay.
      He told RMC Sport in December: “I am very happy here in Paris. I am very happy at the club, with my team-mates.
      “The idea of leaving does not occur to me. We have to discuss [my contract]. We have a very good relationship, I am very happy and we’ll see what happens in the future.”

      Neymar has indicated that he wants to stay in ParisCredit: Reuters
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      Wanda Nara denies she has had surgery by showing off stunning figure in sexy lingerie in blast at online trolls

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      MAURO ICARDI’S wife Wanda Nara hit back at trolls with a racy Valentine’s Day video as she insisted she’s all natural beauty.
      The Paris Saint-Germain striker’s WAG and agent stripped down to just her bra and knickers to show off her body.

      Wanda Nara has racked up 7.4million followers on Instagram

      She claimed her ‘personality and confidence’ has kept her looking the way she does after having five children.
      The 34-year-old Argentinian teased her 7.4 million Instagram fans by toying with her underwear in a risky move which just about beat social media sensors.
      Wanda, whose Paris home with Mauro was burgled a fortnight ago while the footballer was on PSG duty, said: “Each woman’s body experiences a different transformation.
      “My body has lived through five pregnancies, five Caesarians and although I could afford it, I haven’t had any skin extensions or liposuctions.”

      Addressing Internet haters who have been quick to criticise her whenever she has shown off her curves online, she added: “Wait, I lost weight five time and got criticised repeatedly, almost always by women.
      “Each body is different, each woman chooses what to do with the way they look.
      “I approve of whatever makes us feel better.
      “The criticism never hurts me because we are all different and we are all special and there’s always going to be someone who’s going to be firmer or thinner.

      Wanda Nara loves to show off her body on social mediaCredit: Instagram @wanda_icardi

      Mauro Icardi’s partner has hit back at online trolls

      Wanda Nara sent her fans wild as she posed in the snow

      “What differentiates me is my personality and my security. A filter or surgeon is not going to change that.
      “Many look outwards when they don’t realise that what really makes people fall madly in love is your personality.”
      The stunner, who has three children with ex Maxi Lopez and two with his former Sampdoria teammate Icardi, signed off with the words: “Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.”
      Wanda’s latest revealing selfie video in front of a bathroom mirror came just four days after she braved sub-zero temperatures to pose for a modelling shoot in a swimsuit and Louis Vuitton after-ski boots in the Paris snow.
      Earlier this week she broke her silence on the January 30 break-in at the home in Neuilly-sur-Seine she shares with her husband.
      The valuables stolen were said to include £350,000 of designer clothes, watches and jewellery.
      Neither the footballer or Wanda and their children were in the property at the time.
      She insisted in her first comments on the crime: “I find it so superficial and sad to talk about a problem that can be resolved with money.

      The stunning 34-year-old works out in the gym regularlyCredit: Instagram @wanda_icardi

      Wanda Nara loves to bombard her fans with sexy selfies
      “There’s so many problems in the world at the moment that that’s why I haven’t said anything about it.”
      She went on to insist: “Everything that’s been published so far is speculation because we aren’t speaking.”
      “Thank you for you concern. Obviously the people working on this are the ones who should be doing so, the insurance people, our security staff and police.”

      Mauro Icardi’s wife Wanda Nara has a huge online followingCredit: Instagram @wanda_icardi

      Wanda Nara has dismissed claims that she has had surgery to enhance her look

      Wanda Icardi shows off her seduction skills with sultry look More

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      PSG plot Tottenham transfer raid for Hugo Lloris with former boss Mauricio Pochettino in ‘constant contact’ with star

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO is reportedly ready to raid old club Tottenham for captain Hugo Lloris.
      The ex-Tottenham chief replaced Thomas Tuchel at Paris Saint-Germain last month.

      Mauricio Pochettino is in ‘regular contact’ with Hugo Lloris and wants a reunion with the goalkeeper at PSGCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He did not snap up any of his former players during the January transfer window.
      But according to Football Insider, Poch is in ‘regular contact’ with Lloris and is desperate to sign the goalkeeper.
      The pair enjoyed a very close relationship during their five years together in North London.
      It is thought the manager and his captain would regularly have lunch together at the training ground.

      The Frenchman’s relationship with Pochettino’s Tottenham replacement Jose Mourinho is not as strong.
      And Poch will be hopeful of taking advantage of that in the summer by offering Lloris a reunion.
      The World Cup-winning stopper, 35, moved to White Hart Lane in 2012 and has racked up more than 350 appearances.
      His current contract, signed in December 2016, expires at the end of next season.

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      Costa Rican Keylor Navas, 11 days older than Lloris, is the current No1 at the Parc des Princes.
      He spent five years at Real Madrid and his impressive trophy cabinet includes three Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups and two major league titles.
      Pochettino is also keen to rescue Dele Alli from his Spurs struggles under Mourinho.
      A loan move was on the cards in January but failed to materialise.
      However, should the England international continue to be frozen out, a double summer swoop may well happen with Lloris and Alli heading to the Ligue 1 giants.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      The pair enjoyed a close relationship during their five years together in North LondonCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Pochettino and PSG celebrate after beating Marseille in the in the Trophee des Champions More