Tag: France

Lyon deny reports of a deal with Newcastle United over Bruno Guimaraes

Olympique Lyonnais has refuted claims that a deal with Newcastle United for 29-year-old midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has been finalised.

The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from Parc OL since the beginning of the season with Arsenal being touted as his next destination. Newcastle United came into the picture recently and tabled a £33.5 million bid to Lyon, which many sources claimed the club accepted.

However, in a short statement on the club’s website, the French club has vehemently denied all the reports of a deal being struck for the midfielder between both clubs.

The club wrote, on Wednesday, in a statement on their website: “Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media reporting an agreement between Newcastle and OL for the transfer of Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

“In this transfer window period where the slightest rumor is often presented as reality, Olympique Lyonnais reminds that only information officially released by the club is to be taken into consideration.”

Earlier reports from multiple sources claimed that the club had accepted the bid from the Magpies, who are pushing for multiple reinforcements ahead under their new Saudi-backed owners. The club from Tyneside have already spent over £30 million to sign Kieran Trippier from Atlético de Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley.

More signings are expected in the middle of the park for Newcastle, which led to the club tabling a bid for the Arsenal-linked Guimaraes. The sources confirmed that Guimaraes is open to leaving Lyon, which could have led to the media reports – now debunked as rumours by Lyon – making the rounds earlier on Wednesday.

Guimaraes: We play like robots in France

Guimaraes signed for Lyon on a four-year deal from Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense in January 2020. However, his latest comments on his time in France suggests that he is ready to jump ship.

In an interview with Globo Esporte shared on Monday, Guimaraes suggested that his talent is being stifled in Ligue 1.

“In France, there are moments where we play like robots, nobody tries to dribble, to find a pass, for example,” he said.

“That irritates me sometimes, it is a bit frustrating. I think that those who have talent should profit from that, try to dribble, try to link moves. If you do that, your game will be complete.”

He went on to add: “My objective at Lyon is to be champion… We are doing well in the Europa League, a competition that we have begun well in. Ligue 1 is very difficult.”

However, with the latest developments from the Lyon camp, it is safe to say that there will be no immediate jumping of ship for the Brazilian, who was even reported to be undergoing a medical in Brazil ahead of the supposed move to Newcastle.

Guimaraes has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Lyon this season, registering six assists.

Arsenal defender open to quitting club after playing zero games since 2019

Arsenal defender on loan at Olympique de Marseille, William Saliba, is open to making his loan move permanent in the summer, according to reports.

Saliba signed for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019 to much fanfare as the Gunners touted him as one for the future. However, the 20-year-old defender is yet to make his debut for the club, having only been fielded in two different pre-season games before the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

Two loan spells later, Saliba is now showing the level that made him attractive to most top clubs in the year he signed for Arsenal. The young defender is now open to remaining in Ligue 1 with Marseille for more playing time, as he has become a key figure in the centre of the club’s defence.

Marseille, however, will have to fulfill one condition to be able to keep Saliba beyond this season: they will have to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The top three Ligue 1 teams every season qualify for the tournament with the first two going straight into the group stages and the third placed team having to duke it out in the playoffs.

Marseille currently sit in third place on 40 points with a game in hand and have conceded the least goals in the league (16) as well as kept the most clean sheets. Saliba has been a key part of this achievement with his impressive defensive abilities.

Barring any change of fortunes for the club, Saliba could get his wish of playing Champions League football with Marseille and Arsenal will be subjected to another loss in a time of talent scarcity.

Arteta: Saliba in Arsenal’s long-term plans

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, in September 2021, told journalists that Saliba is in Arsenal’s long-term plans, despite the club spending a combined £70 million on defensive signings Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the summer window of the 2021/22 season.

Speaking to journalists in September, Arteta said: “He will come back for pre-season and he will be with us. Hopefully he will come back after playing a number of games and his performance raising and his development progressing in the right way. That’s why we made that decision.

“I know that sometimes it’s difficult to explain or understand after the money that the club has spent trying to bring him in, to send him on loan.”

Arteta may get his wish to count on Saliba next season as Marseille is currently battling a FIFA transfer ban which could prevent them from signing any players, including Saliba, to a permanent deal.

The French club got slapped with a ban for signing Senegal international Pape Gueye after the player signed a pre-contract agreement with Watford. The ban has been appealed and Marseille are waiting to know their fate from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where the case is being judged.

Arsenal offered Luka Jovic loan signing opportunity

Elsewhere, Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Luka Jovic from Real Madrid on a loan deal, according to reports.

The Gunners have officially been dealt a blow by long-term striker target Dusan Vlahovic, who has made it clear that he wants to stay in the Serie A. Juventus have reportedly tabled a mega money bid for the striker, ending all hopes of an improved bid from Arsenal.

Arteta, desperate to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes next Monday, has now been offered Vlahovic’s countryman, Jovic as a short term solution to his striker problems at the club.

24-year-old Jovic continues to struggle for game time at Madrid. The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker has not made a single league start this season for Los Blancos, and is reportedly open to leaving the Santiago Bernabeu after an uneventful four seasons at the club.

Ter Stegen and Donnarumma swap deal being touted by Barcelona to PSG

Spanish transfer website Fichajes.net have reported that Barcelona are interested in Paris Saint-Germain shotstopper Gianluigi Donnarumma and are ready to offer Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in exchange.

The website reports that Donnarumma is one of the Catalan club’s key summer transfer targets but the club’s hierarchy consider the financial implications of his signing to be too much to bear, hence the proposal of a swap with Ter Stegen.

Ter Stegen has been with Barcelona since 2014 and has won major honours with the club. He was once regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his time at Barcelona but since his battle with injuries began in 2018, he has failed to replicate the performances that saw him get those accolades.

Barcelona have stuck with him, however, even to the detriment of other great goalkeeping prospects. However, with the German approaching 30 years of age, it seems like the Catalan club is ready to move on from him.

Donnarumma, regarded currently as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, is the Blaugrana’s choice. The 22-year-old has amassed almost a decade of goalkeeping experience at the highest level despite being only 22 years. Now with PSG, his incredibly fast-paced career trajectory seems to have slowed down and the Italian is unhappy with the situation.

He is in a rotation mix with PSG’s other shotstopper, former Real Madrid man Keylor Navas. The Italian international has started about half the games played by PSG this season while Navas has started the other half. Both have been impressive in between the sticks for the Parisiens, making it difficult to pick a starting goalkeeper between the two.

Donnarumma, who has kept six clean sheets in 13 matches across all competitions for PSG wants the spot and his unhappiness at the rotation has caught Barcelona’s attention. The Catalan giants are happy to make him their number 1 starting next season.

Fichajes also reports that Donnarumma is keen on the move to Spain. Laporta’s good relationship with Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raiola, could also come good for the club to help seal a deal in the summer.

Ter Stegen’s stance on the move, as well as PSG’s, remain unclear, however.

Ajax left-back Tagliafico keen on Barcelona move

Argentina and Ajax Amsterdam left-back Nicolas Tagliafico could be Barcelona’s next defensive reinforcement as the 29-year-old is reportedly keen on joining up with the Catalan club in the January window.

Barcelona only have youngster Alejandro Balde as Jordi Alba’s left-back alternative. The veteran left-back has now become prone to injuries and his performances have dipped, and the inexperience of his understudy Balde has forced the club to sometimes turn to right-back Sergiño Dest and utility centre back Oscar Mingueza to fill in the position.

Tagliafico fits the bill the Catalans have for the role and reports from Spain claim they are willing to get a deal done for his signature.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has said that the Copa America winner is doing all he can to make the move happen, even asking Ajax to let him leave on an initial loan deal.

However, Ajax only want to sell and Barcelona cannot afford anything but a loan deal, making the possibility of a January move less likely.

Benzema: Those who criticise Messi do not know about football

Karim Benzema has spoken out about Lionel Messi’s time in Paris, claiming that the former Barcelona captain is still adapting to a new league.

The Real Madrid striker came head to head with Messi in a number of El Clasicos in which both Madrid and Barcelona showed their superiority. After a while spent playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema finally took up the mantle and Madrid and had some impressive Pichichi battles with the Argentine.

However, Benzema has always maintained and expressed respect for his El Clasico rival and continues to respect him, even as he now plies his trade in Benzema’s home country of France.

The Los Blancos striker was asked about Messi’s form with Paris Saint-Germain in an interview with Telefoot and he defended his former rival by saying that his critics “do not understand anything about football”.

“How is Messi not going to succeed?” Benzema said to Telefoot when asked about Messi’s underwhelming form. “It’s just a time of adaptation, because he hasn’t scored many goals.

“But look what he does on the pitch. In any case, you can’t criticise a player like that, someone who criticises Messi doesn’t understand anything about football.”

Messi has made 17 appearances across all competitions for PSG to date, scoring six goals and providing five assists. Five of his goals were in the UEFA Champions League, which shows that his potency in front of attack is still there. However his lone goal in the league has called his ability to adapt to a different league to question.

Injuries and COVID-19 have also affected the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner but with Messi being Messi, nothing can be categorically said about his performances until the season is over.

Benzema assures fans ahead of PSG-Madrid Champions League clash

Madrid will battle PSG in the Champions League round of 16 and Benzema will be facing Messi again as well as his strike partner in the French national team, Kylian Mbappe.

Both strikers have struck up a friendship which Benzema alluded to in his interview with Telefoot, where he also claimed that Madrid is prepared for Mbappe’s, Messi’s and Neymar’s PSG.

“Facing Mbappe? It’s going to be special,” he said. “We’re good friends. Let’s see what happens

“He wants to win and so do I.

“We’d like to have been drawn against someone else, but we’re prepared,” he assured fans.

Benzema also spoke about coming fourth in the Ballon d’Or awards, in which Messi picked up his seventh prize.

“Like I’ve said since I was a child: being fourth, third, second or 30th are all the same,” Benzema said about his Ballon d’Or ranking. “What matters is winning.

“Later, they told me that I hadn’t won enough trophies, but I couldn’t do any more.

“The Ballon d’Or for me is for someone who scores, assists, is there for the difficult moments.

“It’s a lot of things, not just winning trophies, but I’m not the one who gives out the trophy.”

Icardi closer to PSG exit than ever after rumoured Messi fallout

The 28-year-old Rosario native has been the subject of transfer speculation since his compatriot joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Mauro Icardi and Lionel Messi share a lot of similarities but are so far apart from each other.

Both were born in Rosario, Argentina and signed for Barcelona as pre-teens after breaking goalscoring records at their local boyhood clubs. Both were friends with Maxi Rodriguez (Messi still maintains a relationship with Rodriguez) and now, both play for PSG.

However, the story has not been rosy between both of them and this has allegedly carried on to their time in the PSG locker room.

Icardi was surely going to be the player sacrificed for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner but reports claim that PSG’s wish to offload Icardi is strongly due to how Messi perceives his teammate.

Messi and Icardi’s short PSG history

The pair who have played together for Argentina on nine occasions have now spent a better part of the 2021/22 season in the same space.

Icardi is under the impression that his national team captain does not like him and believes that that is the reason he has not made it back to the Argentina squad.

In October, reports of a fallout between the pair had emerged and it was claimed that Messi petitioned PSG to move the former Inter Milan man on. Messi was also reported to be suggesting a swap with Barcelona for Sergio Aguero at the time, just before the striker suffered the incident that led to his retirement.

Messi is a mountain mover and the superstar obviously moved mountains at PSG when he arrived at the club. Since then, Mbappe and Neymar’s relationship has changed and the dressing room has seen new alliances formed.

PSG boss Pochettino has also been a victim of Messi’s arrival at Parc De Princes and is looking into shaping the squad in the best possible way to suit his mercurial compatriot.

As such, Icardi, who has struggled to find his Inter Milan form since joining the French giants in 2019, has been earmarked for departure and is now closer to leaving than he was a year ago.

Juventus link up looking more realistic for Icardi

The former Inter Milan captain has been touted for a move back to the Serie A with Juventus but a clause in his contract seems to be preventing the move from happening.

The Turin club have been great admirers of the striker since his Sampdoria days and have had several attempts to take him to the Allianz Stadium rebuffed.

However, with Alvaro Morata’s loan move coming to an end and the Old Lady’s desperate as well as PSG’s need to sell Icardi, the Juventus move may finally be happening.

Wanda Nara, Icardi’s wife and one of the reasons for the Icardi-Messi rift, has teased this move earlier in December 2021.

Manchester United are also said to be preparing a move for Icardi should Edinson Cavani depart in the January transfer window, according to Calciomercato. 

Both Messi and Icardi could be free of each other in a matter of weeks.

Paris Saint-Germain target Connor Gallagher for January move

The Sun has come out with reports that Paris Saint-Germain are willing to pay the £50 million fee which Chelsea have tagged on Conor Gallagher to take him to Parc De Princes this January.

Gallagher is a shock transfer target for the Parisiens, reportedly requested by manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is still looking for a goal scoring midfielder to add to his ranks.

The Sun reports that the Ligue 1 giants are impressed with the 21-year-old and are exploring the possibility of snapping him up in a potential £50 million deal this month.

The Cobham product joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan deal in the summer, just after a loan spell at West Bromwich Albion. The midfielder is still hoping to seal a spot with the Blues and his current form at Crystal Palace is doing justice to his bid for a chance at Stamford Bridge.

Palace manager Patrick Vieira has enjoyed the youngster’s services thus far, deploying him often in a new-look midfield as he aims to reshape the Eagles this season.

His six goals and three assists in just 17 league matches have contributed to the London side sitting comfortably in the middle of the table at 11th place, a sharp contrast to their relegation scraps in the past few seasons.

Chelsea have no concrete plans for Gallagher

Nobody predicted the rapid growth of the 21-year-old this season. The Blues at some point considered calling him back from his loan but his impressive form has seen him play more than the expected number of games to demand a recall or to be returned by Crystal Palace.

Gallagher has previously stated in the past that he wants to succeed at the club, having made his breakthrough into the Chelsea senior team in 2018. He has, however, spent all that time on loan.

Last month, Sam Allardyce advised the young midfielder not to take the same risk as Jesse Lingard whose career has gone backwards when he chose not to make his loan move to West Ham United permanent.

Chelsea is currently stacked in the midfield and Gallagher, with his talents, could find game time very hard to come by should he choose to play for the Blues next season.

The current UEFA Champions League holders, however, can now cash in on the player with Paris Saint-Germain on red alert.

Real Madrid drop out of Rudiger race

Elsewhere, reports have claimed that Real Madrid have ended their pursuit of Antonio Rudiger.

The Spanish giants have been after the German defender for most of the season as news about his refusal to sign a new contract at Chelsea emerged.

The 28-year-old defender is asking for a £10 million per annum salary from the Blues who are unwilling to match that demand. Real Madrid, looking for a Sergio Ramos replacement, began a chase for the defender.

Now, it has emerged that Madrid have pulled out of the race, believing that Rudiger is only using their name to get a bumper contract from Chelsea who are also desperate to keep the German beyond 2022.

PSG and Bayern Munich are still interested in Rudiger, however, which means Chelsea still have some convincing to do if they are to keep the defender.

Real Madrid reach transfer agreement with PSG star

Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid have agreed a strategy for the Frenchman’s switch to LaLiga at the end of the season, according to reports.

Los Blancos are focused on taking the World Cup winner to Santiago Bernabeu above all else and have now agreed a strategy with the Frenchman for the transfer.

The reports claim that Mbappe and Madrid have agreed they will not finalise a deal until the end of the season. The Spanish giants were looking at a backdoor deal to get the 23-year-old to commit in January but Mbappe wants to respect PSG and PSG’s fans.

Mbappe and PSG have also been drawn to face Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in February and March and a January agreement will benefit neither of the clubs.

Mbappe, in an interview with CNN earlier in the week, assured PSG fans that he will remain with the club until the end of the season and work hard to win a big trophy for them this season.

However, he still harbours dreams of a move to Madrid and is refusing to sign a new contract at PSG. He has now agreed with Madrid to open talks at the end of the season to allow him focus on delivering his promise to PSG fans.

Mbappe and Madrid talked in December, transfer journalist claims

Speaking on his Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles claims that both parties have held talks over the highly anticipated transfer.

Castles also claims that an agreement has been reached to conclude a deal later in 2022.

“Mbappe held talks with Real Madrid in December,” Castles said.

“Obviously not direct talks, through using intermediaries to discuss strategies to enable that move that both parties want.

“In those talks, the conclusion was reached that they would not finish a deal and not attempt to finish a deal in the January window, even though he is formally and legally allowed to speak to Real Madrid and sign a pre-contract if he wanted to.

“The primary reason is Real Madrid were drawn with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Mbappe wants to respect the club and he doesn’t want any problems in his last six months at PSG.

“Real Madrid also feel it would not be a good idea to try and force the deal to closure at this point, given that they have to play Paris Saint-Germain, given the complications that would have entering into the match.

“They are confident they have this deal in place when it’s safer to conclude.

“And therefore you have a situation where Mbappe and Real Madrid have agreed ‘we leave it until the summer, we want this to happen, the intention is there on bad sides, but the timing is bad on a sporting perspective.”

Mbappe refuses to rule out Real Madrid summer move

Kylian Mbappe has refused to rule out a summer move to Real Madrid in his latest interview but has assured Paris Saint-Germain fans that he is “100 percent” committed to the club until the end of the season.

Speaking to CNN’S Becky Anderson after the Glob Soccer Awards event in Dubai where he won the award for Men’s Player of the Year, the France national team mentioned that he is only focused on winning something big with PSG this season. He also claims that the only thought he has about Real Madrid is beating them in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 come February and March.

“No, I’m not joining Real Madrid in January. In January it’s not happening,” Mbappe said to Anderson.

“I’m in Paris Saint-Germain, I’m really happy and I will 100% finish the season as PSG player. I’ll give everything to win the Champions League, the league and the cup and to give all the pleasure to the fans, because they deserve it.

“I think I deserve to win something great with PSG. I want to win everything this season.”

Mbappe also maintained that his wanting to leave Parc De Princes in the summer was an honest feeling which will definitely worry the PSG hierarchy and the fans who are hoping the striker renews his contract at the end of the season. He said, however, that he still feels comfortable at the club.

“I was honest and I gave a feeling, I gave what I have in my heart,” he said. “Of course, I’m happy to stay.”

Lionel Messi joined PSG in the summer and has enjoyed a good relationship on the field with Mbappe. Both have assisted each other’s goals a few times as PSG continue to progress with their season objectives. Mbappe spoke about playing with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the club he grew up watching and dreaming about.

“Paris is my city, it’s where I was born, it’s where I grew up. To play for PSG, it’s an amazing feeling to play with your family and friends alongside of you.

“It’s also a big pleasure for me to say to my kids and to my friends that I played with [Lionel Messi]. We have to enjoy seeing him in Paris. It’s an amazing moment in the history of the game.”

Real Madrid looking for a back door deal with Mbappe ahead of January

Real Madrid are reportedly becoming desperate in their chase for Mbappe as they are pushing for an agreement with the 23-year-old’s entourage ahead of January.

The Frenchman’s latest comments saw him put to bed any chances of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in January. His comments, however, do not seem to stop the Spanish giants who are willing to do anything to sign Mbappe before the 2022/23 season.

Los Blancos, however, can hold on to hope that the Frenchman could sign for them having expressed a desire to play for them in the past. He is also currently resisting every new contract renewal opportunity which PSG have presented to him.

According to the new rules, Real Madrid will be allowed to strike a pre-contract agreement from January 1 as a result of Mbappe’s rejection of PSG’s offers. However, they are looking at swiping the striker from PSG in January according to reports from Diario AS.

Madrid is hoping to agree on every necessary detail with Mbappe ahead of both clubs clashing in the Champions League round of 16 in February and March with Mbappe’s signature coming after the duel.

Mbappe will be feeling grateful for the year he’s had; a year in which he won the UEFA Nations League and the Globe Socer Men’s player of the year, with the only blight being the loss of the Ligue 1 title to LOSC Lille

The 23-year-old was awarded the prize in a lavish ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, beating Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski to the prize.

Lewandowski was honoured with the Maradona award for the top goalscorer of the year and as the Fans’ player of the year. Cristiano Ronaldo was given a special honour for breaking the international men’s goalscoring record as well.

Other winners were Barcelona Femni captain Alexia Putellas who won the Women’s player of the year, Italy winning the Best National Team of the Year, and Chelsea winning the Best Men’s Club of the Year.

 

 

 

PSG reject Arthur-Icardi swap offer from Juventus despite looking to offload Argentine

Paris Saint-Germain are looking to offload Mauro Icardi alongside six other players in January for both financial and squad building purposes.

Many clubs have inquired about the 28-year-old Argentine, who has found it difficult to seal a starting spot in the PSG attack that had Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria.

Lionel Messi’s arrival over the summer made his chances even more complicated, and the striker looks to be out of the door as he seeks more playing time.

Prior to his signing for PSG in 2019, Icardi was courted by Juventus who have not given up interest in the striker. The Bianconeri have tried again, proposing a swap deal involving out-of-favour Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo.

Reports from Gazzetta Dello Sport claim that PSG chief, Leonardo Nascimento de Araújo has refused to take Juventus up on the offer despite looking for ways to offload the former Inter Milan man.

Icardi is under contract at PSG until 2024 and Gazzetta Dello Sport also reports that PSG chief Leonardo is looking for nothing short of a loan with an obligation to buy clause attached to it.

Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked with January moves for Icardi, who has five goals in 20 games this season and 38 total goals in 82 total appearances for PSG since 2019.

PSG look to ship out seven players in January

PSG’s only activity in January will be transfers of players out of the club, according to reports from L’Equipe.

The club feel they’re currently overstaffed and January is a good time to move some of them out. The club hierarchy have identified seven players who will be leaving the club as soon as January, provided good deals are tabled for them.

Sergio Rico, Rafinha Alcantara, Eric Ebimbe and Layvin Kurzawa are names which the club deems not a good fit for their current project and will be the first to get the axe.

Meanwhile, Colin Dagba and Abdou Diallo are deemed surplus to requirements by Mauricio Pochettino. All these players, alongside Mauro Icardi, could be leaving PSG in January.

Regardless of what happens at Parc De Princes in the winter transfer window, this season seems to be the last season for these players in PSG colours.

Juventus offer Arthur to Arsenal

Arthur has struggled at the Allianz Stadium since moving from Barcelona on the behest of then Juventus boss, Maurizio Sarri who looked to make Arthur into his new Jorginho.

This season, he has only made 10 appearances for the Bianconeri under his belt this season, summing up to 40 appearances for Juventus to date.

Arsenal will be losing two midfielders to the African Cup of Nations which begins in under two weeks and have been reported to be on the lookout for midfielders to fill that void.

Mohamed Elneny, one of the two Arsenal midfielders who will be leaving for Afcon next month could also not be returning to the Emirates as he’s currently a transfer target for other clubs.

Arthur is one of those the Gunners have been scouting as a replacement for Elneny and to shore up their midfield as games come thick and fast in the Premier League.

Juventus have offered the Brazilian to the North London club and are currently awaiting a response.

Sevilla are also interested in the Brazilian ahead of January and have also begun plans to make contact with Juventus, according to reports.

Mbappe wants to learn from Messi, claims Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera has spoken to the media about his time at Paris Saint-Germain as well as the situation surrounding the star-studded team this season.

Ander Herrera joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 from Manchester United and has enjoyed his time at the club as an important squad player, winning a few titles and getting to the UEFA Champions League final along the way.

The midfielder sat down with Mundo Deportivo to talk about his time at PSG, while also answering questions about the club’s peculiar issues this season.

Paris Saint-Germain pulled the ultimate transfer window by signing five of the most sought after players in world football during the summer. Georginio Wijnaldum, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi signed for PSG, all but Hakimi signing for free as the rest of the world watched in awe.

The team has since seen lots of changes on and off the field, but their on-field performances have received a lot more scrutiny. The Parisiens have had some very questionable performances despite maintaining their position at the top of Ligue 1 and keeping themselves in the running for other titles.

Some reports even claim that there is plenty of tension in the dressing room due to some of the signings and the way manager Mauricio Pochettino has handled the team since the integration of the five new superstars.

Pochettino himself has come out to speak about how tough it is to manage a team of superstars while laying to rest any claims that there is infighting within the squad.

All is fine within the squad, Herrera claims

Ander Herrera spoke about a lot of issues including Lionel Messi’s influence on the team, Kylian Mbappe’s contract situation, and rumours about Neymar.

Speaking on Mbappe and Messi, the Spaniard claims that Mbappe is more concerned about learning from Messi than overshadowing him. Messi has scored just six goals and registered five assists in 16 appearances for the club while Mbappe has 15 goals and assists each, making him PSG’s most potent attacker.

“Kylian will be the best player in the world for many years to come, but we all agree that Leo is number one,” Herrera said when asked about Mbappe overshadowing Messi.

“No doubt. Mbappe has an immense humility and desire to learn from Leo.”

“Players of Messi’s level shorten the acclimatization time,” Herrera also added. “He’ll play the same way in France, in Spain, in Japan, or in Madagascar.

“He has won his seventh Ballon d’Or and trains and enjoys it as if he were only starting to play now. No training action is taken as a joke. We have to put ourselves at his service to get the best out of him.

“Now it’s the other way around because we are talking about the best footballer in history.”

 

Herrera was also asked about the possibility of Mbappe renewing his PSG contract following a picture that was released to social media from the Frenchman’s 23rd birthday party.

The PSG players presented Mbappe with a shirt that read “Mbappe 2050” in reference to his contract situation. Herrera claimed it was all a joke, but that there is still time for the former Koa Trophy winner to sign a new contract at Parc De Princes.

“He is an open, friendly, funny guy. He understands life with humour and there are healthy jokes between us that make a group. We do not pressure each other at all about our futures,” Herrera said of the picture.

“I’m not kidding you, we don’t talk about anyone’s contractual issues in the dressing room.”

About Mbappe signing a new contract, the Spanish midfielder said: “There is scope to try to renew Mbappe. We have many examples of footballers who have done it in February, March or April. There’s still time.”