Paris Saint-Germain Wanted Ronaldo Before Signing Neymar

Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain broke the transfer record this summer when they splashed a cosmic amount of cash to bring in Brazilian superstar Neymar from Barcelona. A deal which was worth £198 million shook the football world to its core, resulting in huge market inflation.

However, the highly-rated Barcelona man was merely second choice to PSG’s major target, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports.

As per the report mentioned in Mirror, PSG only shifted their focus from Ronaldo to Neymar when the French club realised that ‘they wouldn’t be able to lure Cristiano Ronaldo to France’. The Ligue 1 heavyweights were reportedly aiming to make a move for the Portuguese as soon as reports emerged about him wanting to leave Spain.

The root cause of Ronaldo’s desire to depart was the tax fraud allegation, which led the star forward want to leave the country after growing ‘frustrated’ with the situation.

However, PSG were unable to take advantage of the circumstances, and eventually made their bid to capture Neymar after failing to land the Real Madrid man.

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Manchester City Face ‘Concrete’ Competition For Benjamin Mendy

Reuters

Manchester City are front runners in getting Benjamin Mendy’s signature, but as it seems, Manchester United’s interest in the Frenchman has taken a new level due to City’s failure in deciding his wages.

Mendy was reported to be in, or on his way to Manchester a couple of days ago. However, the 22-year-old himself quickly scrapped the rumours by posting a video on social media that clearly showed Paris in the background.

The Citizens and their neighbours Manchester United have both expressed ‘concrete interest’ in the left-back, as reported by L’Equipe (via Sport Witness) on Tuesday. But according to different reports, they are not the only clubs in the race to bag the young star, and Monaco too, are said to be in a powerful negotiating position.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already told those in power at the Etihad that he’d like Mendy to be a part of his squad for next season, and the player is also tempted to join the team because of the role offered to him.

But, according to L’Equipe, no ‘wage agreement between the two parties was found’ and one of the prime reasons is because of immense competition from clubs like Manchester United, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea.

A deal that is believed to cost around €45 million is not a huge amount for either of the two managers currently in charge of the Red and Blue parts of Manchester.

With the Red Devils having struggled at left-back position this season, and City set for a complete revamp of their defensive line-up, the English clubs would surely be pushing the most for Mendy.

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Manchester United Contact PSG Star Over A Potential Move To Old Trafford

Reuters

Manchester United are already out looking for potential signings for next season, and have reportedly made contact with Paris Saint-Germain over their pacey winger, Lucas Moura.

Lucas, who signed for the French giants from Brazilian side São Paulo for €40 million four years ago, is currently said to be evaluating his options. He has finished the season with a tally of 19 goals, and has already featured in 145 games for PSG since his arrival.

According to the reports from Sport Witness, Manchester United are looking to bolster their midfield with the addition of a speedy right winger. Mourinho’s first choice for the role has been Chelsea’s Willian, who also has been linked to the club for quite some time now.

However, with Chelsea likely to play hard-ball over the Brazilian winger, Mourinho is likely to stop pursuing Willian in order to buy time for other potential signings.

Nonetheless, the Portuguese may have already found a replacement in the form of Moura, who also has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, despite a deal never materialising.

With the Red Devils looking to push for their 21st Premier League title next season, the United boss is set to be given a £200 million transfer budget for the summer, and Antoine Griezmann being the all important transfer, other targets, such as Lucas Moura, could also make a move to Old Trafford.

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Lacazette Has A Verbal Agreement With Atletico Madrid, Confirms Lyon President

Reuters

Alexandre Lacazette had confirmed his departure from Lyon few days back and had hinted a move to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid while he praised the club.

However, nothing was confirmed until today, when L’Equipe announced that the Lyon striker is set to join Atletico, after having reached a verbal agreement with the club. As per the reports, the news that a verbal arrangement has been reached between Alexandre Lacazette and Atletico Madrid was confirmed by club president Jean Michel Aulas.

Aulas said: “Alex has a verbal agreement with a club, Atletico, but there is no certainty, since we have to wait for CAS to lift the ban on recruitment. We accepted Alex’s request to discuss exclusively with this club, but the other side of that is that this transfer is made on our terms.”

The French striker, who joined the 7-time Ligue 1 Champions as an 11-year-old, has been indicating throughout the season about this campaign being his final one with Olympique Lyonnais. Having made 275 appearances for the club, Lacazette has scored a tally of 129 goals and bagged 43 assists.

The Lyon striker, who is the second-top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with 28 goals, was also linked to Arsenal and Liverpool, with both Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp looking for a centre-forward this summer. But as it appears, Atletico have won the race for Lacazette’s signature.

However, a lot still depends on whether FIFA lift the ban from the La Liga giants. FIFA’s ban on the Spanish side from signing players, after they were found guilty of breaking international transfer rules for under-16s, is a major roadblock that needs to be lifted before Lacazette can officially complete the move to Vicente Calderón.

Los Rojiblancos have already made an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a decision is expected this month.

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Alexandre Lacazette Confirms Summer Departure From Lyon

The Frenchman has also hinted about his future club

Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette has confirmed that he won’t be with the club next season, as he will leave the Ligue 1 side this summer.

Lacazette had joined the 7-time Ligue 1 Champions as an 11-year-old, and having played for Lyon since making his senior debut in 2010, the 25-year-old has indicated that he feels that it’s the right time to move on and prove himself at a higher level.

As per the statement given by him to ​L’Equipe, the striker said: “I think that’s the right time. I want to discover something else, to test myself and to pass a certain level.

“I know very well that on a European scale, I am not yet very recognised. I want to see if I can answer the questions that people are asking, and to make further progress. We are at a time when everybody finds his account, and that’s good.”

The Frenchman also hinted about his future club, as he hailed Atletico Madrid to be a “great team”.

“Atletico is a club that has been in the last stages of the Champions League for several years. It is a great team with a new stadium, and it is also a club that makes the players progress. And there is Antoine Griezmann,” the striker stated.

Lacazette also mentioned that only he would decide his future, by adding: “The president told me what he told you at a press conference. It is I who choose my future destination. It is a personal choice of a carefully considered career, which I have done for a long time.”

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Manchester City Close To Signing Monaco’s Fabinho

Fabinho is very close to making a switch to the Etihad

Monaco midfielder Fabinho is close to signing for Manchester City ahead of bitter their better inter-city rivals.

Fabinho has been a vital part of Monaco’s success this season, but is now very close to making a switch to the Etihad, according to the report from the Barcelona-based journalist Gerard Romero, who had also revealed City’s significant signings this season, including the likes of Nolito, Leroy Sane, and John Stones, before City had officially announced them.

Pep Guardiola is out in the market to replace Yaya Toure, and the Brazilian seems to be a perfect fit for City. Guardiola has had midfield issues since his arrival at the Etihad, and with his passing and forward-thinking philosophy, it’s been hard for the City boss to get things going.

However, with Fabinho’s signature, things would get in line for the Spanish coach, who is ahead of rivals Manchester United in signing the young midfielder.

Fabinho is one of Leonardo Jardim’s many stars who is expected to make a move away from Monaco this season, and back in February, the Brazilian’s father had told the French TV show J+1 about having a soft spot for City.

“We like Manchester United & Mourinho’s work, but we have a soft spot for Manchester City,” he had stated.

Nonetheless, Fabinho has a contract with the French outfit until 2021, and will therefore cost City around £25 million, which does not looks to be a serious problem given City’s financial track record in recent years.

Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Benjamin Mendy are all linked with exits, and as it appears, Monaco’s exciting young team is likely to be torn apart this summer.

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Manchester United To Make An Offer For 16-Year-Old Benoît Badiashile

Red Devils have recently launched an offer for 16-year-old defender Benoît Badiashile

Premier League giants Manchester United have hired fresh scouts all over Europe to distinguish the emerging young talent that one day might make a move to Old Trafford, and as it seems, the club’s talent spotters have already found one potential target for United.

The Red Devils have recently launched an offer for 16-year-old defender Benoît Badiashile. The young Frenchman is said to have impressed United’s scouts with his latest performances with his national team at U16 level in the Val-de-Marne tournament.

According to French sports daily L’Equipe (via GFFN), United are moving forward to get the young defender’s signature in the summer. Badiashile is a product of the Monaco academy, and has excited the observers with his performances at the back for Monaco’s academy teams.

The teenager still has a couple of years left on his current contract, and thus, for the time being, it’s unclear as to how the player will proceed. It is yet to be seen whether the Frenchman has made up his mind to make a move to England at such an early stage, or continue to develop at Monaco.

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Manchester United Set To Obtain Bernardo Silva’s Signature

Bernardo Silva has already hinted to join Manchester United in the coming transfer window

With a 2-0 win over St Etienne on Wednesday night, Monaco have confirmed themselves to be the Ligue 1 Champions. The league glory has returned at Stade Louis II after quite some time, and with an amazing season under their belt, Monaco are now ready to take the centre stage for the transfer window. But it won’t be in a positive way.

According to various reports Monaco’s star players will be leaving the club this summer, and as per the sources, Bernardo Silva has already hinted to join Manchester United in the coming transfer window.

Along with Silva, former United central defender Michael Keane is also set to return to Old Trafford.

As per the Canal+ report (via 101gg) that was given hours after Monaco’s Ligue 1 title triumph, Bernardo Silva is said to be very close to a move to United. The Portuguese international is tipped to improve the Red Devils’ playing style under Jose Mourinho next season.

Silva hinted that his future with Monaco is not decided yet, and “everything is possible,” as he told the French press: “I read the papers, but for now there is nothing concrete. I already said that I felt good in Monaco, but everything is possible.”

Another major factor that has boosted Silva’s move to Manchester United appears to be Jorge Mendes. Agent to Silva and Mourinho, Mendes seems to be the driving force in the playmaker’s transfer to the Premier League giants.

However, Monaco would only agree to let Silva go for 70-80 million Euros.

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Mbappe Says “Yes” To Madrid

The Monaco starlet has given a thumbs up to Spanish giants Real Madrid

One of the top targets for many European heavyweights, Kylian Mbappe, has reportedly chosen the club he wants to play for. The Monaco starlet has given a thumbs up to Spanish giants Real Madrid, and will be joining them next season if the club is able to finance the striker’s transfer fee.

According to Marca, Mbappe, who is said to be Madrid’s number one target for the summer, has given his verdict on joining Los Blancos. The youngster has expressed his desire to join Real, and the club’s representatives, who have already been in contact with Mbappe’s family concerning the move, have been intimated about the 18-year-old’s wish.

Real president Florentino Perez believes that Mbappe fits the profile to become one of the club’s Galacticos. However, the Frenchman could cost Madrid around a staggering price of 100 million Euros. 

The Monaco man was initially said to be reluctant to leave Stade Louis II utfit because of his hunger to play on a regular basis. But apparently, it is being claimed that Zinedine Zidane has had a major role in convincing the striker to play for Los Blancos next season.

The report further adds that a major factor behind Mbappe’s consent for the transfer is because of the likelihood of working with Zidane. Marca also claim that Real’s plans on signing Eden Hazard, Paulo Dybala and Antoine Griezmann seemed to have simmered down because of the recent success of Marco Asensio under Zidane, and their guaranteed pursuit for Mbappe.

Nonetheless, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City will continue to try and sign the French international until it becomes a seemingly impossible task.

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Chelsea Rejected Kylian Mbappe As A 14-Year-Old

Chelsea had the chance to sign Mbappe for just £17,000

Kylian Mbappe is one of the hottest properties in world football right now with a blistering season under his belt. The Monaco striker has helped his side gain the top spot in Ligue 1 with 22 goals this season. However, the £100m price tag that Monaco has placed on him seems to be too much for the 18-year-old. Nonetheless, what seems to be an enormous investment today was just merely £17,000 four years ago.

According to Mirror, Chelsea had the chance to sign Mbappe for £17,000 but turned down the Frenchman. Mbappe, then 14, was playing for an amateur French side Bondy which was coached by his father, Wilfried.

The young striker had visited Stamford Bridge at that time hoping to join the Blues, but Chelsea snubbed the 12-year-old in order to promote two academy prospects, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke.

Eventually, the striker settled for the esteemed Clairefontaine academy - which has seen the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Oliver Giroud, Nicolas Anelka and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Today, the Monaco star is being regarded as one of the most sought after talents across the globe with top European giants wanting to sign the Frenchman this summer.

Reportedly Italy's legendary goalkeeper and current Juventus stopper, Gianluigi Buffon has made a statement about Mbappe being better than the French legend, Thierry Henry. As per Buffon, “Mbappe is an incredible talent and I think he seems like a good boy. Of course the characteristics are similar (between him and Thierry Henry). He plays for Monaco early in his career, the very slender and elegant running style. Probably, at his age, he is even better in front of goal than Henry was.”

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United Willing To Spend £80m On Ligue 1 Duo

Manchester United prepare £80m bid for two Ligue 1 stars

Manchester United’s revival is surely on course under Jose Mourinho, as they have already won two trophies this season. The Red Devils have bagged the League Cup and the Community Shield, but they are yet to clinch the Premier League title since they last won it under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

With many loopholes in the current United squad, Mourinho is all set to remove every single one by next season. In fact, he is already looking to bolster his midfield, after having prepared a massive £80m bid for two Ligue 1 stars.

According to Sunday Express, the Portuguese is geared up to spend the staggering amount on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi and Monaco’s star Bernardo Silva.

Mourinho appears to have finally lost patience with Marouane Fellaini, after the Belgian was sent off in Thursday’s Manchester Derby. The former Chelsea boss, who won’t be shy to make some major changes to the squad, would conceivably have Fellaini become a victim of an expected summer transfer.

Manchester United has made an enquiry about Matuidi, who was fancied to move to Juventus last summer, following the Old Lady’s sale of Paul Pogba. The £30million-rated French midfielder has been offered a new contract by PSG, but Matuidi is keen on talking to the Premier League giants nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva has attracted attention from some of the biggest European clubs during Monaco’s remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals. The 22-year-old has already begun talks with United according to reports, leaving Monaco vanquished in their attempt to keep the Portuguese midfielder at the club.

Silva is a target for Real Madrid as well, and with the Los Blancos also in the running, United could end up being forced to pay around £50 million to sign the Monaco star.

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