Skip to main content

Real have to wait for Mbappe as PSG decide they don’t need the money Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain got Lionel Messi but that has somehow turned out not to be the most remarkable moment of the transfer window for them. There can hardly be a bigger statement from the Qatar-owned club than turning their noses up at an offer understood to be worth 180 million euros ($212m) from Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe with the France striker in the final year of his contract. Real are understood to have made two bids for Mbappe last week — and there were reports on Tuesday they were prepared to go to 200 million euros — but PSG decided they would rather not sell, and risk losing the France forward for free at the end of the season. “He is one of the best, one of the most important players in the world today and for him to be with us is a gift,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino at the weekend. Rejecting the money is an extraordinary decision from a club who are hardly immune to the economic impact of the pandemic, with losses of 124.9 million euros in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign likely to be dwarfed when the accounts for last season are filed. Mbappe will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Real, or anyone else, in January, and PSG will not be entitled to any fee. Yet the Qataris have already shown that money is no object with their past purchases of Mbappe and of Neymar, for a world-record 222 million euros, in 2017. When Messi became available a month ago, they pounced without worrying about the impact his salary might have on their finances. – ‘Dangerous’ – Now they will keep Mbappe to complete a dream attacking line-up they hope will deliver a first Champions League for PSG and all the prestige that brings in the year Qatar hosts the World Cup. The French giants also added Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi in a remarkable recruitment drive. On Tuesday they added Portuguese international Nuno Mendes on loan from Sporting Lisbon. Their rivals among Europe’s traditional elite cry foul but for now PSG cannot be stopped. “State-owned clubs are as dangerous for football’s ecosystem as the Super League was,” tweeted La Liga president Javier Tebas. “Covid losses of more than 300m, TV revenue in France down 40 percent, and yet more than 500m in salaries? Unsustainable.” Financial Fair Play rules have been relaxed to help clubs absorb losses incurred during the pandemic. PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi wields enormous influence with his seat on the UEFA Executive Committee and his role as president of the European Club Association. “We always follow the FFP regulations from day one that we started,” Khelaifi said when asked about his club’s financial position on the day Messi was unveiled. Whether Mbappe extends his contract or leaves for free remains to be seen, but judging by his demeanour in scoring twice against Reims last weekend, he seems happy in Paris for now. Real, meanwhile, made their intentions clear. Their focus now must be on securing his signature for next season, by which time Karim Benzema will be 34, and Luka Modric will be nearly 37. – Barcelona in dire straits – In the meantime the arrival of Mbappe’s compatriot Eduardo Camavinga is an exciting one for Madrid fans. Camavinga, like Mbappe, was in the final year of his contract at Rennes but Real paid a reported 31 million euros, plus nine million more in bonuses, for the 18-year-old midfielder. Having signed a six-year deal, he must be given time to fulfil his enormous potential. Real at least look in far better shape than their great rivals Barcelona, who were forced to let go of Messi as they drown in debts of over one billion euros. Their only signings this summer have been free agents in Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero. On Tuesday they were holding a fire sale of young players –- Emerson Royal to Tottenham Hotspur, Ilaix Moriba to Barcelona — in a desperate attempt to raise funds. And then it emerged they were prepared to allow Antoine Griezmann, who they needed to offload in order to keep Messi but couldn’t, to return to Atletico Madrid on loan. In comparison, Real missing out on Mbappe, if just for a year, looks like no big deal. But PSG have won this transfer window, and can now target the Champions League.


Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain got Lionel Messi but that has somehow turned out not to be the most remarkable moment of the transfer window for them.

There can hardly be a bigger statement from the Qatar-owned club than turning their noses up at an offer understood to be worth 180 million euros ($212m) from Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe with the France striker in the final year of his contract.

Real are understood to have made two bids for Mbappe last week — and there were reports on Tuesday they were prepared to go to 200 million euros — but PSG decided they would rather not sell, and risk losing the France forward for free at the end of the season.

“He is one of the best, one of the most important players in the world today and for him to be with us is a gift,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino at the weekend.

Rejecting the money is an extraordinary decision from a club who are hardly immune to the economic impact of the pandemic, with losses of 124.9 million euros in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign likely to be dwarfed when the accounts for last season are filed.

Mbappe will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Real, or anyone else, in January, and PSG will not be entitled to any fee.

Yet the Qataris have already shown that money is no object with their past purchases of Mbappe and of Neymar, for a world-record 222 million euros, in 2017.

When Messi became available a month ago, they pounced without worrying about the impact his salary might have on their finances.

– ‘Dangerous’ –

Now they will keep Mbappe to complete a dream attacking line-up they hope will deliver a first Champions League for PSG and all the prestige that brings in the year Qatar hosts the World Cup.

The French giants also added Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi in a remarkable recruitment drive.

On Tuesday they added Portuguese international Nuno Mendes on loan from Sporting Lisbon.

Their rivals among Europe’s traditional elite cry foul but for now PSG cannot be stopped.

“State-owned clubs are as dangerous for football’s ecosystem as the Super League was,” tweeted La Liga president Javier Tebas.

“Covid losses of more than 300m, TV revenue in France down 40 percent, and yet more than 500m in salaries? Unsustainable.”

Financial Fair Play rules have been relaxed to help clubs absorb losses incurred during the pandemic. PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi wields enormous influence with his seat on the UEFA Executive Committee and his role as president of the European Club Association.

“We always follow the FFP regulations from day one that we started,” Khelaifi said when asked about his club’s financial position on the day Messi was unveiled.

Whether Mbappe extends his contract or leaves for free remains to be seen, but judging by his demeanour in scoring twice against Reims last weekend, he seems happy in Paris for now.

Real, meanwhile, made their intentions clear. Their focus now must be on securing his signature for next season, by which time Karim Benzema will be 34, and Luka Modric will be nearly 37.

– Barcelona in dire straits –

In the meantime the arrival of Mbappe’s compatriot Eduardo Camavinga is an exciting one for Madrid fans.

Camavinga, like Mbappe, was in the final year of his contract at Rennes but Real paid a reported 31 million euros, plus nine million more in bonuses, for the 18-year-old midfielder.

Having signed a six-year deal, he must be given time to fulfil his enormous potential.

Real at least look in far better shape than their great rivals Barcelona, who were forced to let go of Messi as they drown in debts of over one billion euros.

Their only signings this summer have been free agents in Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero.

On Tuesday they were holding a fire sale of young players –- Emerson Royal to Tottenham Hotspur, Ilaix Moriba to Barcelona — in a desperate attempt to raise funds.

And then it emerged they were prepared to allow Antoine Griezmann, who they needed to offload in order to keep Messi but couldn’t, to return to Atletico Madrid on loan.

In comparison, Real missing out on Mbappe, if just for a year, looks like no big deal.

But PSG have won this transfer window, and can now target the Champions League.



from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3zATwNA
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bayern down Mainz to go six points clear in the Bundesliga Berlin (AFP) – Defending champions Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to six points on Saturday after coming from behind to seal a 2-1 home win against Mainz. Second-half goals by Kingsley Coman and 18-year-old Jamal Musiala sealed the victory behind closed doors at Munich’s Allianz Arena after Mainz had taken a shock lead. Bayern remain firmly on course to win the German league for the tenth straight season after stretching their lead at the top of the table as second-placed Dortmund were held 1-1 at Bochum. 

Berlin (AFP) – Defending champions Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to six points on Saturday after coming from behind to seal a 2-1 home win against Mainz. Second-half goals by Kingsley Coman and 18-year-old Jamal Musiala sealed the victory behind closed doors at Munich’s Allianz Arena after Mainz had taken a shock lead. Bayern remain firmly on course to win the German league for the tenth straight season after stretching their lead at the top of the table as second-placed Dortmund were held 1-1 at Bochum.  from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3lVLPNa
Post a Comment
Read more

Rangers brush aside title rivals Hearts Glasgow (AFP) – Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo fired Rangers to a 2-0 win at Hearts on Sunday as the Scottish Premiership leaders extended their strong start under new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Van Bronckhorst has won four successive league games since replacing Steven Gerrard after his predecessor’s move to Aston Villa. Morelos and Aribo scored in the early stages at Tynecastle, giving Rangers six consecutive league victories encompassing the end of Gerrard’s reign. Hearts had Josh Ginnelly sent off late on as they squandered a chance to close the gap on the champions. Rangers are 12 points clear of third placed Hearts and seven ahead of second placed Celtic, who host Motherwell later on Sunday. Van Bronckhorst made six changes to the Rangers side that began Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Lyon in the Europa League. Liam Boyce had a great chance to open the scoring for Hearts in the third minute when he ran on to John Souttar’s clipped ball over the top, but the Northern Ireland striker saw his lob tipped over by Allan McGregor. It was Rangers who scored with their first chance of the match after nine minutes when Ryan Kent’s cross reached Fashion Sakala and the Zambian cut the ball back to Morelos, who fired home from six yards out. Sakala shot just wide from close range moments later before Morelos headed wide from James Tavernier’s corner. Rangers’ second goal came in the 13th minute when Aribo ran on to a brilliant long diagonal from Connor Goldson and fired an angled low shot beyond the exposed Craig Gordon. Gary Mackay-Steven saw his angled shot pushed behind by McGregor early in the second half. Rangers had a let-off in the 53rd minute when Calvin Bassey knocked a Ginnelly cross off the underside of his own crossbar. Rangers remained a threat, however, and Scott Arfield and Sakala were both denied by saves from Gordon. Boyce fired over from close range after being set up by Mackay-Steven before Stephen Kingsley cracked a free kick off the bar from 30 yards out. In the 80th minute, Ginnelly was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for squaring up to Borna Barisic.

Glasgow (AFP) – Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo fired Rangers to a 2-0 win at Hearts on Sunday as the Scottish Premiership leaders extended their strong start under new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Van Bronckhorst has won four successive league games since replacing Steven Gerrard after his predecessor’s move to Aston Villa. Morelos and Aribo scored in the early stages at Tynecastle, giving Rangers six consecutive league victories encompassing the end of Gerrard’s reign. Hearts had Josh Ginnelly sent off late on as they squandered a chance to close the gap on the champions. Rangers are 12 points clear of third placed Hearts and seven ahead of second placed Celtic, who host Motherwell later on Sunday. Van Bronckhorst made six changes to the Rangers side that began Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Lyon in the Europa League. Liam Boyce had a great chance to open the scoring for Hearts in the third minute when he ran on to John Souttar’s clipped ball over the top, but the Northern Ireland stri...
Post a Comment
Read more

Xavi under no illusions ahead of fairytale on Barcelona return Barcelona (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said he is prepared for the “biggest challenge of his career” before leaving Qatar for Spain on Saturday, as Barcelona’s legendary former midfielder returns home to take over as coach. Xavi’s appointment was confirmed by Barca in the early hours of Saturday morning and the 41-year-old will be presented to fans at Camp Nou on Monday. “I’m very happy as you can imagine, it’s the biggest challenge of my career,” Xavi told Spanish journalists at Doha airport. “I’m going home and I am very happy.” Xavi faces a huge challenge, with Barcelona adrift of La Liga’s top four, struggling to make the knock-out stages of the Champions League and grappling with debts of more than a billion euros. “I have also experienced bad situations,” Xavi said. “It’s not the best moment in the history of the club but I want to explain what my idea is and to work hard, to make a team. Obviously the first thing is to talk to the players to see how they are.” Xavi left Camp Nou to play for Qatari club Al Sadd in 2015, after making 767 appearances for Barcelona, with eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues among his 25 trophies. “It’s time to come home. Welcome, Xavi,” Barca tweeted in the early hours of Saturday morning, as Spain slept.  “It wasn’t goodbye, it was see you later,” it wrote, along with a video montage of the player’s departure in 2015. Barcelona said in a statement they had reached an agreement with Xavi to become first-team coach for the rest of the season and two more seasons, replacing the sacked Ronald Koeman. “It is expected that Xavi Hernandez will arrive in Barcelona this weekend and that on Monday 8, November his presentation as new FC Barcelona first team coach will take place in an event open to the public at Camp Nou,” it said. Nicknamed the “Maquina” (the Machine), Xavi is widely considered one of the club’s greatest players and there is huge excitement about his potential as a coach after his influence on the iconic Barca team managed by Pep Guardiola. His passing style was seen as the embodiment of Guardiola’s “tiki-taka” team that won the treble in 2009. “One of the greatest midfield maestros of all time, he helped redefine the art with his creative mind, pinpoint passing and sublime ability to read the game,” Barca said in their statement, heralding the return of “an absolute legend”. Al Sadd, which Xavi had coached since 2019, hours earlier said they had reached an agreement with Barca and posted photos on social media of the Spaniard saying goodbye to the players and staff. – ‘The dream’ – Barcelona’s attempt to appoint Xavi as Koeman’s successor had been held up on Friday over his Al Sadd release clause, with Xavi and Barca considering splitting the payment to complete the deal. Al Sadd said Barca had agreed to pay the clause in Xavi’s contract, which is reportedly set at around five million euros ($5.8 million), but Barcelona did not give any details of the deal in their statement. Spanish sports daily Marca headlined the club hero’s return and estimated the cost to Barca of sacking recent managers Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien and Koeman at 32 million euros. Xavi had made no secret of his desire to return to Barcelona, which he joined through the club’s La Masia academy at the age of 11. “My main objective, when I can do it, is Barca,” Xavi told Marca last year. “It’s my home, that’s the dream.” Barcelona sat ninth in La Liga on Saturday morning, with concerns growing they might not qualify for next season’s Champions League. The club are also in dire financial straits, having posted debts of 1.35 billion euros. They could not afford to renew Lionel Messi’s contract in the summer, and the Argentine left for Paris Saint-Germain. Xavi will also be charged with improving the team’s style of play, which was a key criticism during the tenure of Koeman, another former Barca player. Xavi’s flight is due to touch down as Barca take on Celta Vigo in La Liga in Juan Barjuan’s last game as caretaker coach before he hands over to the man the fans are pinning their hopes on to turn the club around.

Barcelona (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said he is prepared for the “biggest challenge of his career” before leaving Qatar for Spain on Saturday, as Barcelona’s legendary former midfielder returns home to take over as coach. Xavi’s appointment was confirmed by Barca in the early hours of Saturday morning and the 41-year-old will be presented to fans at Camp Nou on Monday. “I’m very happy as you can imagine, it’s the biggest challenge of my career,” Xavi told Spanish journalists at Doha airport. “I’m going home and I am very happy.” Xavi faces a huge challenge, with Barcelona adrift of La Liga’s top four, struggling to make the knock-out stages of the Champions League and grappling with debts of more than a billion euros. “I have also experienced bad situations,” Xavi said. “It’s not the best moment in the history of the club but I want to explain what my idea is and to work hard, to make a team. Obviously the first thing is to talk to the players to see how they are.” Xavi left...
Post a Comment
Read more