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  • PSG open contract talks with Neymar and Mbappe

    PSG open contract talks with Neymar and Mbappe

    Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has confirmed the club have started negotiations to extend the contracts of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

    The star attacking duo, who are currently sidelined due to injury, have regularly been linked with moves away, but plans are afoot to reward them with new deals.

    Neymar and Mbappe, who joined PSG from Barcelona and Monaco respectively in 2017, are currently under contract until the summer of 2022.

    Brazil international Neymar has regularly been linked with a return to Barcelona, while France forward Mbappe is routinely touted as a target for Real Madrid.

    However, Leonardo has outlined plans to retain their services, along with those of Angel Di Maria, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

    READ ALSO: Steve Clarke urges Scotland to seize chance of Euro 2020 qualification

    The likes of Juan Bernat and Julian Draxler could also be in line for contract extensions as PSG look to retain key members of their squad amid the ongoing financial impact of the coronavirus on football clubs.

    “We’ve started negotiations with Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria to extend their contracts,” Leonardo told a Q&A session on PSG’s official website. “Bernat, too, and Draxler is at the end of his contract. Some young people too. We will intensify this.

    “Remember that PSG suffered financial losses this year, we’re in a complicated moment and it’s not easy, but we’re talking directly with Mbappe and Neymar.

    “There is a question of timing. The idea of an extension exists. We have arrived at the moment when we must have clearer situations.”

    Recent weeks have seen Moise Kean come to the fore, with the on-loan Everton forward scoring both goals in a Champions League victory away to Istanbul Basaksehir and the opener in the weekend win over Rennes.

    However, Leonardo confirmed that PSG do not have an option to sign Kean on a permanent basis when his loan deal finishes at the end of the season.

    Leonardo added: “We don’t have an option to buy Moise Kean, unfortunately.

    “He’s here on loan from Everton. Kean is a great striker for the future, but loan deals in the UK are a bit different, an option to buy is not included in our deal with Everton.”

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  • Kean compared to PSG legend Cavani

    Kean compared to PSG legend Cavani

    Moise Kean has earned a comparison to current Manchester United star and former Paris Saint-Germain frontman Edinson Cavani, with Eric Rabesandratana disappointed that the Ligue 1 champions have no purchase option on the Everton loanee.

    Having struggled for form and regular game time during a frustrating spell in England, the Italy international was allowed to head for the exits at Goodison Park over the summer.

    Despite his difficulties on Merseyside, Kean’s stock remains high and PSG presented him with another prominent stage on which to perform. They have seen the former Juventus youngster reward their faith with five goals in seven appearances.

    READ ALSO: ‘Pogba can’t be happy at Man Utd’ – Didier Deschamps

    With Kean eager to prove himself in France, his tireless running and impressive end product has not gone unnoticed.

    Those qualities have seen him likened to a proven performer who departed Parc des Princes just prior to his arrival, with Rabesandratana seeing similarities between a new recruit and the Uruguayan frontman who plundered 200 goals in 301 outings for PSG.

    “When the ball is lost, he immediately starts to defend,” Rabesandratana told France Bleu Paris of a player who hobbled off injured in the 3-0 win over Rennes on Saturday.

    “He reminds me a bit of Edinson Cavani in his mentality and effort. I hope he scores as many goals [as Cavani].

    “We’ll be watching the next matches to see if he keeps that consistency, which is the most important thing at the top level.

    “Kean will establish natural competition with [Mauro] Icardi, who will have to make an effort. That is good for the team. Unfortunately, we have no option to buy him at the end of the loan.”

    Everton only sanctioned a season-long loan for Kean when allowing him to head out of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. The Toffees do not appear ready to give up on a hot prospect just yet, but it may be that their hand is forced by a player eager to forget his troubles in the Premier League.

    Kean told Rai Sport when heading for Paris: “I am not particularly upset to have left English football, even if the banner from the Everton fans really moved me, as I wasn’t expecting it.

    “It’s true, I could’ve returned to Juve, but I made this decision along with my family to play in Ligue 1. I’ve been to Paris before and have relatives here. I hope to learn a great deal from this fantastic experience. I am young, I like to work closely with top strikers, so I can learn from their experience and their style of football.”

  • PSG boss Tuchel reacts to Neymar and Mbappe international call-ups following injuries

    PSG boss Tuchel reacts to Neymar and Mbappe international call-ups following injuries

    Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel says the club have their hands tied over injured stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe being called up to their respective national teams.

    Tite and Didier Deschamps have summoned the players for Brazil and France respectively, despite the fact that neither was able to take part in Wednesday’s Champions League loss against RB Leipzig and is highly unlikely to play in Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash with third-placed Rennes.

    While Tuchel hinted at his frustration at the state of affairs, he said that he has confidence that both will be treated sensibly on their deployment.

    “It’s the right of the national team to call up players. We cannot do anything,” he lamented to the press.

    READ ALSO: ‘I can’t help these people, sorry’ – Klopp

    “If the boys are injured and can’t play, I always prefer that they don’t play.

    “It’s a super important phase, a good time to recover for players, but we have confidence that they will be treated well, that they have good care and good preparation. It’s the truth. We have confidence in these people who are responsible for the national teams.

    “If the players are called up, there’s nothing we can do.”

    PSG have had chronic injury issues for the duration of the season, having also missed regular starters Marco Verratti and Juan Bernat for the loss in Germany.

    Ahead of what is on paper an awkward match against Rennes, they will also be without Presnel Kimpembe in the heart of their defence and inspirational goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

    “Presnel Kimpembe took a serious blow to the fifth metatarsal,” the coach confirmed. “Keylor Navas has minor muscle problems and will be out. This is also likely for Pablo Sarabia, who also has muscle pain.”

    The midweek loss leaves PSG in serious danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since QSI took over the club in 2011.

    Tuchel finds himself a coach under pressure, and while he has seen his side string together seven wins domestically, an adverse result against the side that finished third in Ligue 1 last season could cost him his job.

  • Mbappe missing for PSG with hamstring injury

    Mbappe missing for PSG with hamstring injury

    Kylian Mbappe has joined fellow forwards Neymar and Mauro Icardi on the sidelines at Paris Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 giants revealing that a hamstring problem will keep their World Cup winner out of a Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.

    Thomas Tuchel admitted at his pre-match press conference that a 21-year-old striker was nursing a slight knock.

    PSG had attempted to play down the severity of that ailment, with Mbappe considered to be suffering from “fatigue”.

    READ ALSO: Red Bull Salzburg expect Liverpool to sign Erling Haaland

    The France international has, however, been ruled out of a European date with Leipzig on Wednesday.

    He has been unable to take part in full training during the build-up to that fixture, with the decision now taken for him to sit out a crucial contest in Group H.

    In a fitness update posted on PSG’s official website, the French title holders said of Mbappe: “Out of the match against Nantes [last Saturday] with muscle discomfort in the right hamstring, he is not available to travel to Germany and his unavailability will be reassessed in 48 hours.”

    Tuchel is now going to have to get creative when it comes to his attacking selection against Leipzig.

    That is because PSG are also currently without the services of Brazil international Neymar and Argentine frontman Icardi.

    The South American duo are not expected to be seen again until after the November international break.

    Marco Verratti and Julian Draxler, other members of the walking wounded at Parc des Princes, are also being ruled out until the end of the Month.

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  • PSG launch crowdfunding platform to fight coronavirus

    PSG launch crowdfunding platform to fight coronavirus

    Paris St-Germain (PSG) on Wednesday said the club was launching a crowdfundng platform to help the local hospitals amid the coronavirus outbreak.

    The French champions called on the PSG family to contribute.

    “By opening a crowdfunding platform… Paris St-Germain (PSG) is keeping the solidarity momentum toward the caregivers of the Paris and Ile de France (region) hospitals, the volunteers and beneficiaries of the Secours Populaire… and Action against Hunger.

    “The club is calling on the whole PSG family to contribute,” the Ligue 1 club said.

    PSG, who have already raised 200,000 euros (217,240 dollars) by selling a `Tous Unis’ (All United) jersey, said the club would announce new solidarity measures in the coming days.

    On Tuesday, sports daily L’Equipe reported that a French League working group had been discussing wage cuts for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players.

    But the newspaper said that no final decision had been made yet.

    No fewer than 100,000 have been infected, and more than 10,000 have died from the coronavirus in France, where citizens have been confined at home since March 17. (Reuters/NAN)

  • PSG crush 10-man Lyon to reach French Cup final

    PSG crush 10-man Lyon to reach French Cup final

    Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Paris St Germain thrashed 10-man Olympique Lyonnais 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the French Cup final and remain on course for a domestic treble.

    Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who will also face Lyon in the League Cup final, prevailed thanks to Mbappe’s treble and goals by Neymar and Pablo Sarabia after Martin Terrier had put the hosts in front early on.

    Lyon finished with 10 men after Fernando Marcal was sent off in the 61st minute for picking up a second yellow card, leaving his team to exposed with the scores level at 1-1.

    PSG will take on holders Stade Rennais or St Etienne at the Stade de France on April 25.

    Terrier put the hosts ahead on 11 minutes when he latched onto Karl Toko-Ekambi’s pass.

    Mbappe equalised three minutes later by deflecting in Layvin Kurzawa’s header for his 28th PSG goal of the season in all competitions.

    Marcal’s handball earned PSG a penalty and the Brazilian defender his second yellow card.

    Neymar converted the spot kick and Mbappe took advantage of PSG’s extra man by adding a third at the end of a dazzling 60-metre run.

    Sarabia rubbed salt in Lyon’s wounds with a fourth from close range and his seventh in the competition this season – before Mbappe rounded it off with another goal in stoppage time.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Neymar set to play against Borussia Dortmund, PSG coach says

    Neymar set to play against Borussia Dortmund, PSG coach says

    Paris St-Germain (PSG) forward Neymar is expected to play on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund in their UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg tie after overcoming a rib injury.

    PSG coach Thomas Tuchel disclosed this on Monday.

    The Brazilian did not play in the club’s 4-4 Ligue 1 draw at Amiens over the weekend when Tuchel rested some other players.

    “He is here (in Dortmund). He will train and if all goes well he will play tomorrow (Tuesday). Because for us it changes almost everything when he plays and I hope he will play,” said Tuchel.

    PSG have been knocked out at this stage in the past three seasons and are desperate to leave a mark on the competition.

    “(Neymar) changes everything because if he plays we have his quality and confidence and ability to do (the) decisive.

    “It changes everything… because if he does not play we have no other player with that quality to replace him.”

    Tuchel, who coached Borussia Dortmund for two seasons before going to Paris, will need to devise a plan to stop the Germans’ formidable attack.

    They have scored 22 goals in their five Bundesliga games this year.

    “It is absolutely necessary to play with a lot of confidence in this stadium with such fans and such an opponent. Otherwise, you cannot survive,” he added before the clash at Signal Iduna Park.

    “We have the team spirit to overcome difficult situations, adapt to different scenarios. That’s the key.”

    PSG are under extreme pressure to finally deliver in Europe after spending big money on players in the past few seasons to build a winning squad.

    They came agonisingly close to a quarter-final spot last year only to be eliminated by Manchester United with a stoppage-time penalty kick in the second leg.

    “If you lose in the round of 16 for three years and you arrive for a fourth time it is clear it is not the same situation,” Tuchel said.

    “Every year has its story and maybe we have to accept that it is sport. There are doctors, much more important professions, we play sports but it happens that you lose.

    “Maybe later we can breathe a bit easier. We are here and it is important to make the most of it.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • PSG replace Manchester City as most financially-powerful club, report says

    PSG replace Manchester City as most financially-powerful club, report says

    French champions Paris St-Germain (PSG) have overtaken Manchester City as the most financially-powerful club in world football, the annual Soccerex Football Finance 100 report has showed.

    PSG topped the 2020 edition with a football finance index score of 5.318.

    This is based on the value of the current squad, tangible assets, finance available in their accounts, potential owner investment and net debt.

    The study said PSG had reduced their debt by 70 million euros (£58.2 million) over the last year while Manchester City’s debt levels had increased by more than 90 million euros.

    Bayern Munich came third with Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid completing the top five.

    Manchester United fell eight places from last year to 16th in the report, mainly due to the depreciation in squad value and an increase in cash debt.

    Europe’s elite sides accounted for 80 per cent of the top 30 but almost half of those clubs are owned by non-European entities.

    These include organisations and individuals from the Middle East, North America and South-east Asia, the report said.

    “This year’s report paints a positive picture of football’s collective financial health, but it also highlights the growing imbalance between the power of Europe’s modern elite, with some of the game’s heritage brands in danger of being left behind,” Philip Gegan, Soccerex managing director, said.

    “In spite of Europe’s dominance, football is very much a global game with investment from football’s emerging markets very much underpinning its continued growth.”

    The English Premier League (EPL) is represented by 18 clubs in the top 100, while the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) was the next best with 17.

    Los Angeles Football Club were rated highest from the MLS in 18th spot ahead of local rivals LA Galaxy at number 22.(Reuters/NAN)

  • PSG hammer Dijon 6-1 to reach French Cup semi-finals

    PSG hammer Dijon 6-1 to reach French Cup semi-finals

    Paris St Germain’s Pablo Sarabia scored twice as they swept past Dijon and into the semi-finals of the French Cup with a 6-1 win on Wednesday.

    Lying in 17th position in Ligue 1, hosts Dijon were facing an uphill struggle when Wesley Lautoa turned the ball into his own net in the first minute.

    But Mounir Chouiar got his side back on level terms 12 minutes later.

    League leaders PSG illustrated the gulf in class towards the end of the first half as Kylian Mbappe restored their advantage.

    Defender Thiago Silva struck a third five minutes into the second half.

    Spaniard Sarabia increased PSG’s lead in the 56th minute as the home side’s challenge fell apart.

    Dijon defender Senou Coulibaly scored another own goal in the 86th minute before a stoppage-time Sarabia effort completed the rout.

    Olympique Lyonnais hosted Olympique Marseille in their quarter-final later on Wednesday. (Reuters/NAN)

  • PSG’s defence exposed in 3-3 draw with Monaco

    PSG’s defence exposed in 3-3 draw with Monaco

    Paris St Germain’s defensive shortcomings were exposed as Monaco snapped the champions’ Ligue 1 winning streak in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

    Neymar opened the scoring for the leaders, but Monaco, who were playing their first Ligue 1 game under new coach Robert Moreno, hit back with goals from Gelson Martins and Wissam Ben Yedder.

    PSG levelled with an own goal from Fode Ballo-Toure and Neymar netted his second to put them ahead, before substitute Islam Slimani grabbed a point for the visitors.

    The result left PSG on 46 points from 19 games, five ahead of second-placed Olympique de Marseille, who have played a game more.

    Monaco are eighth on 29 points having also played 19 games.

    PSG, who had won their six previous league games, and Monaco will play again at the Louis II stadium on Wednesday.

    Nantes climbed up to fourth on 32 points thanks to a 2-0 win at St Etienne.

    Thomas Tuchel’s PSG side relied on Neymar’s sterling display but Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria had a night to forget as did the hosts’ defence.

    Neymar fired home from close range after being set up by Marco Verratti’s through-ball in the third minute to get the hosts off to a perfect start.

    The Brazilian has now scored in his last seven games for PSG.

    Monaco, however, reacted swiftly.

    Cesc Fabregas flicked the ball into the path of Ben Yedder, who was brought down by Keylor Navas, only for Martins to collect the loose ball and score into an empty net after seven minutes.

    Monaco took the lead in the 12th when the league’s top scorer Ben Yedder beat Navas with a low angled shot from just inside the box at the end of a swift team move for his 14th goal of the campaign.

    It was the first time since 2012 that PSG had conceded two goals in the opening 15 minutes in Ligue 1.

    They levelled 12 minutes later, however, as Ballo-Toure deflected Neymar’s attempt into his own goal.

    Neymar was at it again four minutes before the break when he sent Benjamin Lecomte the wrong way to convert a penalty after Kylian Mbappe had been tripped by Martins.

    PSG took fewer risks after the break but Slimani beat Navas from close range in the 70th minute after Marquinhos deflected Martins’ attempt into his path.

    The goal was initially ruled out for offside by referee Antony Gautier, but was awarded after a VAR review.

    “We had a lot of chances, we tried everything,” said Neymar.

    “It was a good test and we could have won it.”

    Elsewhere, Lille coach Christophe Galtier was fuming at his team after they lost 1-0 at Dijon and were left in fifth place on 31 points.

    “We’re talking about collective goals but some players seem to have individual goals. They’ll sit on the bench, period. They’ll look at their own navel on the bench or in the stands,” he told a news conference. (Reuters/NAN)