France Ligue 1

ANGEL DI MARIA claims there is a ‘big chance’ Paris Saint-Germain will sign Lionel Messi this summer.
But the winger’s comments sparked fury from Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, who branded them ‘disrespectful’.

Angel Di Maria says it’s likely Lionel Messi will ditch Barcelona for PSG this summerCredit: AP:Associated Press

Ronald Koeman branded Di Maria’s comments ‘disrespectful’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Messi, 33, is out of contract this summer and expected to leave the Nou Camp on a free transfer.
He tried and failed to quit last year before being made to stay put despite strong links with Manchester City.
But Messi apparently remains intent on leaving after details of his mega-contract were leaked to the public.
Messi has since reportedly threatened to sue five Barcelona insiders he believes responsible.

And it seems there is no way back for Nou Camp chiefs as they look to rectify the situation.
French giants PSG have now emerged as the leading contender for Messi, who has scored 650 goals in 756 games for Barca.
Mauricio Pochettino looks set to keep hold of star duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on new long-term contracts.
And he wants Messi to join them in a fearsome three-man attack as PSG and Barcelona prepare to face each other in the Champions League later this month.

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Argentina teammate Angel Di Maria knows Messi well and has already been at PSG for five-and-a-half years.
Di Maria now claims Messi looks set to join him in the French capital – after his wife urged him to stay as PSG’s COOK if that’s what it takes for the pair to be together at club level.
Di Maria said: “There’s a big chance (of Messi coming). We have to be calm and let things develop.”
But his comments enraged Barcelona boss Koeman, who hit out at Di Maria in the wake of yesterday’s nervy 5-3 Copa del Rey quarter-final win at Granada.
Koeman fumed: “It’s disrespectful. It’s wrong to say such a thing and only heats up the Champions League game even more.
“It’s not fair. I don’t think it’s respectful towards Barcelona to talk about a player of ours.
“They talk about Leo a lot. He’s a Barcelona player, and we have a tie to play against them.”

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FORMER Chelsea and Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has reportedly rejected the chance to take over from Andre Villas-Boas at Marseille.
The French club are in turmoil after sacking Sarri’s fellow ex-Blues boss Villas-Boas on Tuesday.

Maurizio Sarri has rejected the chance to manage MarseilleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Andre Villas-Boas resigned as Marseille boss in a press conference

Portuguese gaffer Villas-Boas – who also previously managed Spurs – publicly offered his resignation after criticising the Ligue 1 outfit for signing Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham.
The 43-year-old let it be known that he didn’t want to bring in midfielder  but the club signed him anyway.
And Marseille quickly released a statement relieving him of his duties.
They also did not mess around when it came to sourcing a replacement with club chiefs keen on Sarri, 62, according to Sky Sports News.

But the wily old Italian is said to have rejected their initial advance.
Sarri reportedly does not want to return to management midway through a season.
And although there is a chance Les Olympiens may try again, it appears unlikely he will be tempted to move to the Stade Veledrome right away.
Villas-Boas’ dramatic departure came just days after Marseille supporters stormed the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus Centre training ground following their awful run of form.

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L’Olympique de Marseille annonce la mise à pied à titre conservatoire d’André Villas-Boas.
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) February 2, 2021

The ex-Porto manager told reporters: “I have resigned because I don’t agree with the sporting policy of the club.
“I said no to the signing of Ntcham. He wasn’t on our list. I had nothing to do with this decision.
“Ntcham is a player I said no to. I was not aware [he had signed], I learned it in the press this morning when I woke up.
“I’m waiting for a response from management, and if it’s no [to resignation], we’ll keep going.
“I don’t want any money, I just want to leave. I want to be clear with you. I don’t want anything from Marseille or Frank [McCourt].
“I gave my opinion for the replacement of Morgan Sanson but I can not accept, as a professional, that [not being informed].
“This has nothing to do with the weekend incidents. It’s just in relation to what I want on the sporting aspects and which was not understood.
“Even for Nemanja Radonjic, I was informed that very morning.
“I repeat, I don’t want any money I just want to leave. I want to be clear with you.”
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NEYMAR is reportedly close to signing a new four-year Paris Saint-Germain contract.
Get French Football News claims the Brazilian forward, 28, is ready to commit his long-term future to the French giants despite being linked with a return to Barcelona.

Neymar, 28, is ready to extend his PSG stay on a new four-year contractCredit: AP:Associated Press

Neymar swapped the Spaniards for PSG in 2017, setting a new world record transfer fee of £200million with a contract reportedly worth over £500,000 a week.
Despite scoring 83 goals in 101 games, his time in Paris has been blighted by injury problems and constant speculation over his future.
Barcelona have made no secret of their desire to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp in recent summers.
And talk intensified after he entered the final 18 months of his PSG contract.

But Neymar is now set to extend his deal from 2022 to 2026.
That would see him remain at PSG until he was 33 years old, effectively committing himself for the remainder of his top level career.
Indeed, Neymar revealed on Monday that he was comfortable in Paris under Mauricio Pochettino and had no plans to leave.
He said: “I am happy today, truly happy. Things have changed a lot, I can’t explain why.

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“But today I am feeling good. I have adapted, I am more calm and I am more happy. I want to stay at PSG.”
There have also been doubts over Kylian Mbappe’s PSG future, with his deal also expiring in 2022.
Real Madrid are known to be big fans, while boss Pochettino remains hopeful he will stay.
But earlier today the World Cup winner hailed Neymar as the best in the world, hinting that he too will pen a new deal.
Mbappe said: “I’ve always thought that great players were made to play together, and that’s clear between us two.
“Our roles were established when I arrived in Paris. Neymar is the centre of the project and I’m here to help him.
“Neymar knows how to do everything, he’s the best in the world.
“When he arrived in Paris, we realised everything he could do. He has an instinct that makes him know how to do everything straight away.”

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ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS has been sacked by Marseille after he dramatically handed in his resignation during a press conference after the club signed a player against his wishes.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham gaffer made the announcement ahead of the side’s Ligue 1 side’s clash against Lens on Wednesday night.

Andre Villas-Boas has left Marseille after handing in his resignationCredit: AFP or licensors

L’Olympique de Marseille annonce la mise à pied à titre conservatoire d’André Villas-Boas.
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) February 2, 2021

And the club have now released a statement confirming that AVB has been relieved of his duties.
The 43-year-old let it be known that he didn’t want to bring in midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Celtic, though the French outfit signed him anyway.
He claims that he told the club who he wanted to be signed as a replacement for Morgan Sanson who left to join Aston Villa, but failed to hear back.
Villas-Boas also declared he had no say in the loan departure of Nemanja Radonjic to Hertha Berlin.

His shock offer to walk away comes just days after Marseille supporters stormed the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus Centre training ground following their awful run of form.
The ex-Porto manager told reporters: “I have resigned because I don’t agree with the sporting policy of the club.
“I said no to the signing of Olivier Ntcham. He wasn’t on our list. I had nothing to do with this decision.

I don’t want any money I just want to leave.
Andre Villas-Boas

“Ntcham is a player I said no to. I was not aware [he had signed], I learned it in the press this morning when I woke up.

“I’m waiting for a response from management, and if it’s no, we’ll keep going.
“I don’t want any money, I just want to leave. I want to be clear with you. I don’t want anything from Marseille or Frank [McCourt].
“I gave my opinion for the replacement of Sanson but I can not accept, as a professional, that [not being informed].
“This has nothing to do with the weekend incidents. It’s just in relation to what I want on the sporting aspects and which was not understood. Even for Nemanja Radonjic, I was informed that very morning.
“I’m waiting for a response from the management and if it’s a no (to the resignation) then we continue.
“I repeat, I don’t want any money I just want to leave. I want to be clear with you.”
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Following the announcement, a statement from Marseille said: “The Olympique de Marseille announces the dismissal of André Villas-Boas.
“This protective decision has become inevitable given the recent repetition of actions and attitudes which are seriously damaging to the Marseille Olympic institution and its employees who defend it daily.
“The comments made today at a press conference with regard to Pablo Longoria, director general in charge of football, are unacceptable.
“Its exceptional investment cannot be called into question and was on the contrary welcomed by all during this winter transfer window marked by an unprecedented crisis.
“Any sanctions will be taken against Andre Villas-Boas following a disciplinary procedure.”
According to Telefoot Chaine via GFFN, the Marseille squad bar Steve Mandanda were unaware that Villas-Boas planned to offer his resignation.
After finishing second last term, Marseille have been nothing short of shocking this campaign as they sit ninth in the table.
They are already out of Europe having finished bottom of their Champions League group, and trail fourth-placed Monaco by ten points.

Andre Villas-Boas dramatically offers resignation as Marseille boss in middle of press conference over transfers More

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS dramatically handed in his resignation at Marseille during a press conference after the club signed a player against his wishes.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham gaffer made the announcement ahead of his side’s Ligue 1 side’s clash against Lens on Wednesday night.

Andre Villas-Boas has offered his resignation as Marseille bossCredit: AFP or licensors

The club are yet to announce if they will accept the offer of resignation.
The 43-year-old let it be known that he didn’t want to bring in midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Celtic, though the French outfit signed him anyway.
He claims that he told the club who he wanted to be signed as a replacement for Morgan Sanson who left to join Aston Villa, but failed to hear back.
Villas-Boas also declared he had no say in the loan departure of Nemanja Radonjic to Hertha Berlin.

His shock offer to walk away comes just days after Marseille supporters stormed the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus Centre training ground following their awful run of form.
The ex-Porto manager told reporters: “I have resigned because I don’t agree with the sporting policy of the club.
“I said no to the signing of Olivier Ntcham. He wasn’t on our list. I had nothing to do with this decision.

I don’t want any money I just want to leave.
Andre Villas-Boas

“Ntcham is a player I said no to. I was not aware [he had signed], I learned it in the press this morning when I woke up.

“I’m waiting for a response from management, and if it’s no, we’ll keep going.
“I don’t want any money, I just want to leave. I want to be clear with you. I don’t want anything from Marseille or Frank [McCourt].
“I gave my opinion for the replacement of Sanson but I can not accept, as a professional, that [not being informed].
“This has nothing to do with the weekend incidents. It’s just in relation to what I want on the sporting aspects and which was not understood. Even for Nemanja Radonjic, I was informed that very morning.
“I’m waiting for a response from the management and if it’s a no (to the resignation) then we continue.
“I repeat, I don’t want any money I just want to leave. I want to be clear with you.”
According to Telefoot Chaine via GFFN, the Marseille squad bar Steve Mandanda were unaware that Villas-Boas planned to offer his resignation.
And RMC now claim that the Marseille board has accepted his resignation.
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Though the final say will be down to the club’s owner Frank McCourt.
After finishing second last term, Marseille have been nothing short of shocking this campaign as they sit ninth in the table.
They are already out of Europe having finished bottom of their Champions League group, and trail fourth-placed Monaco by ten points.

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KYLIAN MBAPPE has described Neymar as the ‘centre of the project’ at Paris Saint-Germain, further fuelling speculation the Brazilian will sign a new deal in Paris.
The Frenchman claimed his team-mate is the ‘best in the world’ as he can do ‘everything’.

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have formed a formidable partnership on the pitch Credit: EPA

Neymar recently dropped his biggest hint yet that he will renew his contract with PSG.
The Brazilian has been continuously linked with a return to former club Barcelona.
But Mbappe has stressed how important Neymar is to Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
He told France Football: “I’ve always thought that great players were made to play together – and that’s clear between us two.

“Our roles were established when I arrived in Paris. Neymar is the centre of the project and I’m here to help him.
“[This is] because when I arrived at PSG, I was only an emerging star and I had to prove myself on the pitch.”
Former Brazil international Caio Ribeiro recently claimed Neymar is the best player on the planet.
Mbappe also snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he placed the 28-year-old at the top of the pile.

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Brazilian forward Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017Credit: AP:Associated Press

He added: “Neymar knows how to do everything. He’s the best in the world.
“When he arrived in Paris, we realised everything he could do.
“He’s not a player simply for putting on a show and dancing when you’re winning 5-0. He also knows how to do spectacular things at 0-0.
“I don’t know if everyone is aware, but Neymar understands everything.
“He has an instinct that makes him know how to do everything straight away.”
Mbappe has also been linked with a move away from PSG amid interest from Real Madrid.
But the Spanish giants can’t afford to pay PSG’s £140million asking price for the 22-year-old.

Ex-Spurs boss Pochettino is confident the World Cup winner will extend his stay at the club.
Mbappe has scored 16 goals and made nine assists in 23 matches for PSG this season.
Neymar – who has 18 months left on his deal – has chipped in with 12 goals in 15 games.

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