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      Leandro Paredes bluntly reveals he has ‘no relationship’ with Kylian Mbappe amid PSG dressing-room tension

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Leandro Paredes revealed he has “no relationship” with Kylian Mbappe amid talk of tension inside the club’s dressing room.Paredes, 28, left PSG in the summer and joined Juventus on loan in a deal that includes a £20.2million option to buy.
      Juventus loanee Leandro Paredes admits he has “no relationship” with Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
      Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has allegedly caused tension backstageCredit: Rex
      The midfielder left the Ligue 1 champions amid rumours of a rift backstage at the Parc des Princes.
      Mbappe, 23, has reportedly been causing tension ever since signing his mega-money new contract with the Parisians, having argued with Neymar over who would take a penalty against Montpellier in August.
      The star striker is also allegedly unhappy with how much more influence and respect the Brazil international has in the dressing room.
      Paredes didn’t seem capable of addressing such speculation but bluntly admitted he didn’t really interact with Mbappe.
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      That is even though they had been playing for the same club in the last three years.
      Paredes told ESPN Argentina: “I am not the one to talk about him [Mbappe].
      “I had a connection with the ones I had a relationship with.
      “But the ones I didn’t have a relationship with, I can’t tell you about them.”
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      Paredes is now focused on Juventus after enjoying a strong start in Turin.
      The Argentina international has already amassed two assists in nine matches across all competitions this season. More

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      Ex-Arsenal ace Lacazette has ‘almost regained normal voice’ after surgery following high-pitched post match interview

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      ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has almost regained his normal voice after undergoing successful vocal surgery.The former Arsenal striker raised eyebrows with a high-pitched interview while playing for new club Lyon earlier this month.
      Fans noticed Alexandre Lacazette’s vocal cord issue during this interview earlier this month
      It turned out that the Frenchman was suffering from vocal cord polyps.
      According to L’Equipe the condition left him unable to speak for months.
      Lacazette, 31, could have undergone surgery earlier but was desperate not to miss any games for Lyon.
      He decided to wait for the international break and went under the knife last Wednesday.
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      The surgery reportedly went well, with Lacazette having mostly regained his normal voice.
      L’Equipe add that he is likely to be available for Lyon’s clash at Lens this Sunday evening.
      Lacazette has enjoyed a positive return to Ligue 1 since leaving Arsenal.
      He has scored four goals in eight appearances, also laying on an assist.
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      The former Gunners skipper has been handed the armband at Lyon.
      Peter Bosz’s side currently sit sixth in Ligue 1 with four wins and a draw from eight games.
      They lost 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain last time out, going down to an early Lionel Messi strike.
      Lacazette, 31, as impressed since his return to Ligue 1Credit: Getty More

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      Lionel Messi to decide future after World Cup with PSG contract expiring next summer… but has no current transfer offers

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      LIONEL MESSI will decide his future after the World Cup – but has so far had no offers from any club. The Argentine hero signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
      Lionel Messi’s current PSG contract expires in the summer and his future is unclearCredit: AP
      The Argentina icon hopes to lead his country to World Cup glory in QatarCredit: Getty
      But with that contract expiring next summer, it remains unclear where he will be playing his football in the 2023-24 season. 
      And SunSport can reveal the Argentine hero currently has no concrete options.
      Despite suggestions PSG want to offer him a one-year extension, the French giants are yet to table that deal. 
      Messi, 35, has not been sent any contracts from elsewhere, either, which as it stands would make him a free agent again in nine months.
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      However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is focused on the World Cup as he looks to lead Argentina to glory.
      Lionel Scaloni’s side face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in November’s group stages and they will be desperate to go one better than their runner-up finish in 2014 by lifting the iconic trophy in Doha on December 18. 
      After the tournament finishes, Messi will then sit down to make a call on his club career.  
      Despite rumours of a transfer return, former club Barcelona have made zero contact with the player directly since his emotional exit in August 2021. 
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      Messi left his boyhood club when his contract expired last year and the club could not afford to give him a new deal. 
      The player was willing to take a huge pay cut to stay but employment law in Spain combined with LaLiga financial regulations prevented any extension from being possible.
      Messi joined PSG on a free transfer, forming a deadly strike force with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe but endured a tough first season at the Parc des Princes – despite winning the title.
      He scored just six league goals in his lowest tally since becoming a Barcelona regular in 2005-06. 
      But the ex-Barca captain has already managed four in eight appearances this term as Christophe Galtier’s men sit two points clear at the top of the table.
      After scoring a sublime chip on international duty last weekend, Messi revealed he was finally enjoying his football again after his struggles.
      He said: “I feel good, I feel different from last year. I knew it was going to be like this.
      “I’m more comfortable with the club, the dressing room, my team-mates, the game.
      “I feel very good again, so I’m starting to enjoy it again.”
      Messi left Barcelona in emotional scenes when his contract could not be renewedCredit: Getty
      He joined PSG as a free agent on a two-year deal until 2023Credit: Getty
      After struggling for goals last season, he has started the new campaign in red-hot formCredit: AFP More

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      Neymar hints at tension as he sighs and refuses to answer question on relationship with fellow PSG star Kylian Mbappe

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      NEYMAR has fuelled speculation of a rift with Kylian Mbappe after refusing to speak about his relationship with his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate.The pair are rumoured to have a frosty relationship at Parc des Princes, despite scoring 21 goals between them this season for Les Parisiens.
      Neymar refused to discuss his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe
      Mbappe recently stated how he enjoys playing more with France than at PSGCredit: Rex
      It was claimed in July how Mbappe was keen for the former Barcelona star to be sold this summer due to his “indiscipline”.
      And it was then reported how PSG had put Neymar up for sale after Mbappe committed his long-term future to the club.
      Both men were hauled in for showdown talks by PSG last month following their penalty drama where they were involved in a spat over who should take the spot-kick against Montpellier.
      Following the match, Neymar liked many tweets slamming PSG’s decision to have the ex-Monaco ace taking penalties ahead of him.
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      There was more on-field drama earlier this month when Neymar fumed at Mbappe after the Frenchman failed to square the ball for him which would have completed his hat-trick.
      Mbappe opened up on his friendship with Neymar at the start of September after admitting he has “cold moments” with the ex-Santos star.
      Neymar was asked about his relationship with the 2018 World Cup winner after he helped Brazil beat Ghana 3-0 on Friday night.
      When pressed on Mbappe, Neymar said: “I don’t understand.”
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      He then added: “With Kylian?”
      A brief sigh followed, where he then remarked: “I don’t.”
      Neymar then chose to walk away from the interview as he refused to speak more about his team-mate.
      His comments come just a day after Mbappe revealed he enjoys more freedom while on international duty for Les Blues than he does alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi.
      He said: “I play differently. I am asked other things here in relation to my club. I have a lot more freedom here.
      “The coach knows that there is a number nine like Olivier [Giroud] who occupies the defences and I can walk around and go into space.
      “In Paris, it’s different, there isn’t that. I am asked to do the pivot, it is different.” More

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      ‘No one ever contacted him’ – Nice deny targeting Mauricio Pochettino as Ligue 1 giants look to Scott Parker

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      FRENCH side Nice have denied targeting former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.And reports claim they instead want to hire ex-Bournemouth gaffer Scott Parker.
      Nice have denied approaching Mauricio Pochettino to become their new bossCredit: Rex
      Scott Parker is now being tipped to replace Lucien FavreCredit: PA
      Poch, 46, was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain this summer despite winning the Ligue 1 title.
      And it’s claimed ambitious Nice were looking to snap him up as a replacement for struggling gaffer Lucien Favre.
      Billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe splashed out on numerous big signings this summer, including Ross Barkley, Nicolas Pepe and Aaron Ramsey.
      But Nice have won just two of their opening eight games this season, leading to doubts over Favre’s future.
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      However, Poch is thought to not be interested as he holds out for a return to England.
      And Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere now insists he never made contact with Pochettino.
      Despite now being linked with a move for Parker, he is also adamant Favre will remain at the helm.
      Rivere said: “We aren’t going to change manager after just eight games. This isn’t the solution either on a sporting or human level.
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      “We had a long meeting with him yesterday and Lucien left very happy, he was happy that we support him.
      “The rumours were unfounded. No one at the club contact, nor called Pochettino or his representatives.
      “It is a rumour lacking in respect and weakens our current coach’s position.
      “We are going to work together with Lucien in order to make up for the poor start to the season. He hasn’t been given any ultimatum.” More

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      Scott Parker lined up to become Nice manager with Mauricio Pochettino to snub move and hold out on Premier League return

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      SCOTT PARKER could be set for an instant return to management following his Bournemouth sacking with French club Nice a reported option.The 41-year-old was axed by the Cherries last month after losing three out of the opening four Premier League matches.
      Scott Parker is reportedly on Nice’s radar as a possible replacement for Lucien FavreCredit: Getty
      Mauricio Pochettino held talks with Nice, but it has been claimed that he won’t be joining themCredit: AFP
      An embarrassing 9-0 defeat away at Liverpool proved to be his final game in charge.
      But according to Foot Mercato, the ex-Fulham gaffer’s horror start to the season at the Vitality Stadium hasn’t put them off.
      They have stated that he is a candidate to replace Lucien Favre in the French Riviera, with the 64-year-old under increasing pressure since succeeding Christophe Galtier in the summer.
      Nice sit in 13th spot in Ligue 1 after the opening eight matches having won just two games, while losing on four occasions.
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      That is despite Nice boasting the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Ross Barkley, Nicolas Pepe, Morgan Schneiderlin and Kasper Schmeichel.
      It was previously claimed how Mauricio Pochettino was to hold talks with Nice after he was relieved of his duties by Paris Saint-Germain in July.
      But Foot Mercato have insisted the ex-Tottenham gaffer is unlikely to accept the job, despite Nice being prepared to meet his salary demands.
      It is understood that Poch is holding out for a return to the Premier League where he is looking to join a side capable of challenging for trophies.
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      As a result, the French news outlet has declared that Parker is being eyed up, with his name being suggested by Nice’s external advisor Iain Moody.
      Though it hasn’t been said whether Nice and Parker have held talks over the position as of yet.
      It is believed that Parker is currently just on Nice’s managerial shortlist as they decide whether to remove Favre in the near future.
      With league leaders PSG next up for Nice after the international break, a decision could be made sooner rather than later. More

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      Mauricio Pochettino to hold talks with Nice over return to management to take over team full of ex-Premier League stars

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO is set to hold shock talks with Nice over a swift return to management.The 50-year-old has been out of a job since July after being brutally sacked by Paris Saint-Germain for failing to win the Champions League.
      Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to hold talks with NiceCredit: Reuters
      Christophe Galtier succeeded the Argentine gaffer at Parc des Princes, with Lucien Favre then replacing the Frenchman at Nice.
      But Favre is already under intense pressure at the Allianz Riviera with the club in 13th spot in Ligue 1 having won just two out of their opening eight matches.
      And according to Foot Mercato, a meeting is scheduled to take place later on Tuesday between Nice and Pochettino about him taking over from Favre if the latter is axed.
      It has been said that Nice would be able to meet Pochettino’s salary demands.
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      Poch is claimed to be high on Nice’s list with Favre’s time in the south of France seemingly coming to an end.
      The ex- Spurs and Southampton gaffer had been linked with taking charge of Sevilla recently if Julen Lopetegui is to be relieved of his duties.
      Meanwhile Pochettino was touted as a possible option for Chelsea after they sacked Thomas Tuchel, but the job eventually went to Graham Potter.
      And he has recently emerged as one of the favourites to be the next Leicester manager if Brendan Rodgers is fired following the Foxes’ horror start this season.
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      But should talks with Nice prove to be successful, he could be set to make a swift return to Ligue 1 instead of the Premier League.
      And if he gets the job at Nice, he will be taking charge of a number of former English top-flight stars.
      Not only would he be reunited with his former Saints ace Morgan Schneiderlin, but he would also manage ex-Leicester shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel and former Chelsea playmaker Ross Barkley.
      Former Fulham pair Joe Bryan and Mario Lemina are also on Nice’s books.
      As are Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey and Nicolas Pepe, who is on a season-long loan spell from the Gunners. More

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      Ex-Arsenal ace Alexandre Lacazette to undergo surgery to remove growth in vocal cords which led to squeaky interview

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      FORMER Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette is set to undergo surgery on his vocal cords after being “speechless” since the start of summer.The Frenchman, 31, was mocked earlier this week for a post-match interview he gave where his voice appeared to sound different.
      Lacazette will undergo surgery during the international breakCredit: Getty

      But now it has been confirmed that the ex-Gunner is suffering from a vocal cord polyp.
      According to L’Equipe, this issue has left him unable to speak for several months.
      However, he was reluctant to get any form of surgery as he did not want to miss any matches for Lyon – whom he re-joined for a second spell after his Arsenal contract expired.
      But now the international break is looming, Lacazette is set to go under the knife in the middle of next week.
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      The timing of the surgery means he should be ready to return for the home game against Paris Saint-Germain on September 18.
      Lyon have started the Ligue 1 season with four wins, one draw and two defeats from their opening seven matches.
      And Lacazette has already provided four goals and one assist for the French outfit.
      However, he has been outperformed by his former Gunners team-mate Folarin Balogun, who is on loan at Stade Reims.
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      Lacazette advised Balogun to move to Ligue 1 as he thought the striker would do well in France – and so far he has been proved correct.
      The youngster has five goals in just seven league games despite Reims winning just once.
      Balogun revealed how Lacazette would help him to improve and he joked the forward should be his agent following the success of his Reims move.
      He said: “When he was at Arsenal he would always help me progress and improve, teaching me techniques and giving me advice.
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      “I remember speaking to Lacazette and he kept on telling me: ‘You need to go to Ligue 1, you will do well here’.
      “Maybe he should become my agent as well because he has a great knowledge of football.” More