Category: Sports news

Lorenzo Insigne to follow in compatriots footsteps with move to MLS

Lorenzo Insigne looks to be on his way to the American Major League Soccer after reportedly agreeing terms with Toronto FC.

Insigne will be breaking the hearts of many European clubs, most notably Tottenham Hotspur and their manager Antonio Conte, who were the frontrunners for the dimunitive Italian’s signature.

Tottenham have slowly built themselves back into a challenging team under the guidance of Conte after falling apart under Nuno Espirito Santo at the beginning of the season. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has promised to back the Italian in his efforts, starting with a squad rebuild this January.

Insigne, who is currently at loggerheads with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, was identified as a key target this summer by Conte. However, the midfielder has chosen to instead move to the MLS with Toronto FC at the age of 30, following the footsteps of compatriot Sebastian Giovinco who moved to the same club at just 28 years old.

Insigne joined Napoli as a teen and has starred for the Parthenopeans since breaking into their senior team in 2012, winning two Coppa Italias and a Supercoppa Italiana in that time. The club currently sits in third place in the Serie A after spending quite some time at the top this season, but look to be as dangerous as ever as they continue their charge for the Serie A title.

The winger is reportedly not keen on leaving his boyhood club but the hierarchy led by De Laurentiis is not willing to meet his wage demands to sign a new contract.

As a result, Insigne has chosen Toronto FC as his new destination, disappointing Conte and Spurs according to SportMediaset and MLS official correspondent Michael Singh. The media outlet claims that Insigne chose this destination out of his love for Napoli, as he would not like to face the club in European competition which could be very likely if he moves to another European club.

The reports also claim that Insigne’s deal with Toronto FC is worth £8 million a year in basic salary with an additional £3.8 million in performances add-ons, linked to personal goals and targets for the next five years. In contrast, Napoli is offering the winger £3 million per year.

 

Insigne’s move to MLS a lifestyle choice, not a footballing one, claims former agent

Lorenzo Insigne’s former agent Antonio Ottaiano has called his former client’s potential move to the MLS a ‘lifestyle choice’ more than a career one, while also saying that Insigne is leaving Napoli for ‘exhibition football, not a proper competition.’

“It’s a lifestyle choice more than a career one,” Ottaiano told Radio Marte after the news broke.

“A decision like this means playing a very different type of sport. It’s exhibition football, not a proper competition. We’d need to see what his priorities are, who he is getting advice from.

“Naturally, we Italians struggle to understand a move like this, yet Giovinco did it. Only those who are in this situation can understand how much the salary pushes them to accept or not.”

Toronto is also reported to be pushing for a January move and is willing to pay Napoli a transfer fee to make it possible, but it remains to be seen if Insigne or Napoli will take the MLS side up on the offer.

 

Manchester United block Anthony Martial exit

Anthony Martial may be spending the rest of the season at Manchester United against his wishes after the club blocked a potential loan move for the Frenchman to Sevilla.

Anthony Martial told Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick earlier in the week that he wanted to leave Old Trafford and the manager gave his okay to the board to find a way out for the 26-year-old. Martial has not had many suitors but preferred to move to LaLiga with Sevilla among the few clubs who have inquired about his availability in January.

Sevilla went ahead to table a loan move with no option to buy. The Andalusian club also inserted a clause that would see them pay half of the striker’s wages in the duration of the loan but Manchester United have thrown the proposal out, leaving Martial in limbo.

 

Reports from Spain claim that Sevilla’s argument for including that clause is that Martial’s price could go up if he performs well in LaLiga. The striker is currently valued between €32-€35 million and his current contract at Old Trafford runs till 2024. While Sevilla’s argument makes sense from a logical standpoint, Manchester United has no interest in closing the deal, seeking instead to totally take off Martial’s wages from their books.

Martial earns between £300,000 and £350,000 a week at Manchester United and Sevilla offers to only cover half of this fee in their loan, which sums up to between £150,000 and £200,000. United is only interested in selling Martial outright or in loan deals that cover his full wages, and are also open to keeping Martial until his contract runs out in 2024.

Sevilla may keep pursuing a deal for the striker as they will be losing key striker Youssef En-Nesyri in January when Morocco travel to Cameroon to fight for the African Cup of Nations title.

 

Rangnick says Martial’s transfer wishes are ‘understandable’

The Frenchman was signed by Louis Van Gaal in 2015 for £36 million to become the world’s most expensive teenager at the time. Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer was nearing the end of his time at Old Trafford at the time and Martial’s performances gave fans hope for the future following Rooney’s departure.

Louis Van Gaal left and Martial didn’t find favour under Jose Mourinho, being relegated to a squad player as Marcus Rashford broke through to stake a solid claim for the starting striker role. He saw a little resurgence in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first season at the club, scoring 17 Premier League Goals, and later going back to being a squad player and even being frozen out of the squad at times.

Under Rangnick, Martial seems to have no hope of getting regular minutes and has now considered his time at United to be over.

Rangnick says that the 26-year-old’s feelings are understandable.

“He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else,’ the German manager said.

“I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts, but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.

“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and we want to be as successful as we can be.

“I told him ‘listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him [he will stay]’ and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.”

“So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”

 

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.

 

 

 

Bonucci sends serious warning to Ronaldo ahead of World Cup qualitlfying playoffs

Leonardo Bonucci has sent a warning to former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Italy and Portugal facing off in the European World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team could face Leonardo Bonucci and his Euro 2020 title winning Italy for a spot at the December 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

This development comes as a result of both nations finishing in second place in their respective qualifying groups, with Portugal just missing out on direct qualifications on the last day of the qualifying rounds.

Bonucci has told Ronaldo he will “suffer some blows” if the two meet on the international stage.

Italy and Portugal were drawn in the same bracket as Turkey and North Macedonia. Italy will face North Macedonia while Portugal will take on Turkey. The winners of both games will go on to face each other for the only qualifying spot in their bracket.

Both nations are favourites to make it out of the bracket and Bonucci has sent a message to his former teammate to not expect a walk in the park if both nations have to battle it out for the qualifying spot.

Bonucci told Italian outlet Rai Sport: “I heard Cristiano Ronaldo and we joked about the possible Portugal vs Italy match, we’ll see what happens on the pitch, Cristiano knows he will suffer some blows.

“We have to concentrate on what we will do on the pitch, then in March we will meet again and I am convinced that we will play two great matches.”

Portugal to face giant hurdle in playoff bracket

Ronaldo and Bonucci spent three successful years together at Juventus, winning two Serie A titles. Ronaldo will be very familiar with the Italian style of defence having faced off against them in training for Juventus and on the pitch against other Serie A teams.

He will bank on his abilities which led him to score 101 goals in 134 games in Bianconeri colours playing against some of the best Italian defences.

However, they will have to get past the hurdle of Turkey who have proven to be a big obstacle in games like these. If they manage to take down Turkey, Euro 2020 winners Italy will prove an even bigger obstacle.

Ronaldo will no doubt be the main man for Portugal but will also have a plethora of stars to back him up as he seeks to lead the team to what could be his last World Cup and major tournament for his nation.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the verge of a January move to AS Roma from Arsenal

Arsenal and AS Roma are now in more advanced talks about a possible deal for out-of-favour Gunners midfielder, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to Italian transfer journalist, Gianluca Di Marzio.

News of the the midfielder moving to the Serie A broke earlier in December but there was no substance to the talks at the time. However, Di Marzio has come out to claim that Roma boss Jose Mourinho wants the versatile midfielder and a deal is in the offing.

Roma’s sporting director Tiago Pinto is claimed to favour an initial six-month loan deal with the option of making it a permanent transfer.

A four-year contract has been touted, and Fabrizio Romano has reported via his Twitter page that the fee will be in the region of €10 million. The loan fee, however, is yet to be agreed.

Maitland-Niles frustrated with Arteta and Arsenal

Maitland-Niles debuted for Arsenal during the 2014/15 season but had to wait till 2017/18 to really have a good run in the club, making 83 appearances from that season until 2019/20.

The 24-year-old spent last season on loan with West Bromwich Albion after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates and could have moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead of the 2021/22 season.

However, talks with Mikel Arteta convinced him to stay at Arsenal and now, those talks look to be empty words as the midfielder is still down the pecking order at the Emirates.

He has only played 11 times for Arsenal in all competitions this campaign and has grown frustrated with the manager and the club.

Jose Mourinho considers the midfielder a valuaboe asset to have as he can cover any role in the midfield, which is why Roma have contacted Arsenal about a deal for him.

Maitland-Niles prefers a central midfield role, however, and Jose Mourinho could offer him that role as Roma is lacking in midfield quality.

The Englishman will become the fourth English player to move to Serie A in the past decade. The Serie A was never a popular league among English players who chose to move abroad, with many preferring Spain, Germany and neighbouring Scotland instead.

He will join Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham at Roma, and AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori in the Serie A should the move materialise.

Arteta keen on Coutinho transfer

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reportedly given the green light to sign Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho, according to Spanish transfer news website, Fichajes.net.

The Gunners will be losing Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny to the African Cup of Nations and will be needing some midfield reinforcements.

On Arsenal’s January transfer plans, Arteta said: “It would be useful to change something, even if it is never easy.

“We are working towards this, to understand what our needs are, and to find the right solutions.

“I don’t think we are going to be able to sign players just for this short period of time.

“I think it’s a little bit unrealistic. But we will sit down now and make the right decision if we can.”

Transfer news: Real Madrid opens doors for Bale, Isco, Marcelo departures

Real Madrid are planning a clear out of their squad in January and have officially put a number of their players up for transfer.

Carlo Ancelotti is in his second stint as Los Blancos boss and has now deemed some of the players he worked with in his first stint as surplus to requirements of his current vision for the side.

Gareth Bale, whose last three seasons at the club have been turbulent is one of the players the club is seeking to move on in January.

Bale signed for Madrid under Ancelotti and both worked to great effect in the Italian’s first season, as he won the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey with the Welshman playing a key role in Madrid’s famous BBC attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Isco Alarcon is another player signed by Ancelotti whose time is now at its end under the Italian. Both Isco and Bale are the club’s main January clear out candidates, according to reports.

Isco and Bale both have contracts until the end of the season but Ancelotti has moved on from both of them and Los Blancos are not going to try to renew their deals.

Meanwhile, team captain Marcelo, who has been kept out of the side by injuries and Ancelotti’s tactical decisions is also on the way out.

Like Isco and Bale, his contract ends at the end of the season but Madrid will be looking to get some money for the enigmatic Brazilian fullback whose performances once made him the best in the world in his position.

Rumours from Brazil claim that the 33-year-old could be headed to the Brazilian Serie A with Fluminense at the end of the season. However, Madrid want to speed up the Brazilian’s exit so he can have more playing time.

Madrid open to January offers for other players not included in the clear out list

It is not news that Eden Hazard’s time at Madrid could be up at the end of this season. However, Ancelotti still rates the Belgian and used him in the last two matches of the year.

The Belgian impressed in those games, showing his quality and what Madrid could stand to gain if they invest more time in their €100 million man.

However, president Florentino Perez has grown tired of waiting to recoup the money spent on Hazard and is willing to listen to offers for the Belgian even if Ancelotti would like to keep him.

Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic are also players Ancelotti would like to keep in the squad. They, like Hazard, could be out of the Santiago Bernabeu in the coming weeks or months of any good offers are submitted to Madrid.

The players planned for the squad clear out in January will not be replaced as things stand, according to reports. It is a precedent which Florentino Perez has set in his tenures has president: Madrid barely signs players in January.

However, their sights remain set on Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and only a breakthrough in negotiations for these two could see them join the club in January instead of at the end of the season when the club projects.

Jack Grealish urged to “step up and show improvement” by former Manchester City midfielder

Jack Grealish has been urged to show some improvement to be worthy of his £100 million price tag in Manchester City’s hyper-competitive squad.

Former Manchester City midfielder and England legend Steve McManaman gave this message to the 26-year-old midfielder while speaking in an interview with horseracing.net.

Grealish, Premier League’s first £100 million man, has had a below average start to life at the Etihad, scoring just three goals for City since joining from Aston Villa over the summer.

City manager Pep Guardiola is known for his constant squad rotation as nobody in the squad is considered an absolute starter.

However, many expected a player of Grealish’s talents to be one of the untouchables in the City squad given the fee paid for his transfer.

He has yet to prove his worth, and McManaman has urged him to do so soon, while also noting that his price tag is why there’s so much attention on the player.

“There’s more scrutiny because of the price tag,” McManaman told horseracing.net.

“If he had gone to City for £10m, no one would be interested. But as soon as he went to £100m and he became the most expensive player, of course there’s more attention on him and his performances.

“He does have to improve.

“Working with Pep Guardiola will make him better. He does have to be a little bit quicker, because Manchester City play quicker than the way he played at Aston Villa, but he’ll be fine.”

Guardiola warned about the possibility of losing Grealish following recent actions

Jack Grealish scored his second Premier League goal for City in their 7-0 thrashing of Leeds United and went out to celebrate with teammate Phil Foden, to the chagrin of manager Guardiola.

As a result, both players were left out of the squad which thrashed Newcastle United the following week.

Explaining the decision, Guardiola said: “I pay a lot of attention to behaviour on and off the pitch. And when off the pitch is not proper they are not going to play.

“In our careers, the work you do on and off the pitch is the same importance, the same. It’s so important.

“It’s so demanding physically and mentally – you have to live for your profession. All the time, every single second.

“But this is the message I’ve given to them, six years ago, every year, every month, every day many times.”

While Grealish’s (and Foden’s) punishment only lasted one game, Guardiola’s approach has been questioned by Alan Brazil of talkSPORT, who warned Guardiola of the possibility of the midfielder choosing to leave the club if he keeps getting these treatments.

“What if Grealish and Foden said ‘fine, we don’t think we’ve done too much wrong, we’re off, end of the season, we’re off’,” Brazil said on a talkSPORT show.

“The point I’m trying to make is that we don’t know how bad it was or if it was much ado about nothing.

“What I do know is that they are two great young players and that would be a huge blow if City were to lose them.

“Two top young players. Suddenly they go to Barcelona or to Real Madrid. Barcelona’s pedigree is way, way, way above Manchester City.”

Grealish opens up about time at Man City

The midfielder has come out to say that he didn’t expect what he’s currently facing at the Etihad, saying that it has been “much more difficult” than he expected.

In an interview with Sky Sports to mark his first six months at City and as the Premier League’s first £100 million man, Grealish spoke about his time so far at City under Guardiola.

“I’ve done okay so far,” he said. “I’ve got so much more to give. It’s been so much more difficult than I thought it was going to be. I’m still learning and adapting. I’ve heard some people take a year to adapt here so maybe it will be the same for me. I want to score more and set up more goals next year.

Grealish also admitted that he needs to work more to justify his price tag, while admitting that he feels privileged to be considered talented enough for that price tag.

“Having a £100m price tag means when you are going through a dry patch people ask if you are worth the money – where are his goals, where are his assists?

“I understand that, but I have to see it as a privilege that the club wanted to spend that much money on me and I hope I can repay them with goals and trophies.”

Cristiano disrupted Juventus team dynamics, claims Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon has become the latest player to criticise Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Juventus.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner moved to the Turin side in 2018 for a club-record €100 million fee. His signing was greeted with much enthusiasm and fanfare, even leading to marked improvements for the club’s social and financial stock.

His impact was so big that it also led to marked improvements for the Serie A in general who saw much more attention paid to the league due to the superstar’s arrival.

Ronaldo was signed by Juventus for his UEFA Champions League pedigree, with hopes that he could lead The Old Lady to the title that has evaded them since 1996. In the three seasons he spent at the club, however, they failed to make it past the quarter-finals despite having reached two finals in the four seasons that preceded his arrival.

Ronaldo’s arrival, however, wasn’t met with total support by some figures at the club. Reports from April claim that manager Massimiliano Allegri, who coached Juventus in the season Ronaldo arrived before being sacked, was sacked because he asked the Juventus hierarchy to sell Ronaldo.

Former Juventus Chairman Giovanni Cobolli Gigli was never in support of the signing from the onset, claiming that it was a ‘huge mistake’ and that Juventus would never be able to fully ‘recoup the investment’.

Following the Portuguese’s departure in the summer to Manchester United, Juventus veterans Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci came out at different times to also claim that Ronaldo made Juventus lose their identity.

“Cristiano’s presence had a big influence on us,” Bonucci said in September. “Just training with him gave us something extra but subconsciously players started to think his presence alone was enough to win games.

“We began to fall a little short in our daily work, the humility, the sacrifice, the desire to be there for your teammate day after day. Over the last few years, I think you could see that.”

Chiellini said of Ronaldo’s time at Juventus: “We had arrived at a point in our relationship where Cristiano needed new goals and a team that would play for him, because when he finds a team like that he is decisive,” he said.

 

 

“Ronaldo left on August 28, it would have been better for us if he had left earlier. We paid something for it, a little bit of a shock, we paid something for it in terms of points. If he had left earlier we would have had time to prepare better.”

Juventus lost their DNA because of Ronaldo, claims Buffon

Buffon, whose biggest goal is to win the Champions League before he retires, left the Allianz Stadium for Paris Saint-Germain in 2018. Following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, the then 41-year-old returned after just one season at Parc De Princes to play alongside Mr Champions League and achieve his dream of winning the title.

Buffon, now winding up his illustrious career at Parma in the Italian Serie B, has now admitted that the Ronaldo-Juventus partnership wasn’t the best because it harmed the rest of the squad.

“Juventus had the chance to win the Champions League the first year he arrived, which was the year I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and I couldn’t figure out what happened,” he told TUDN.

“When I returned, I worked with CR7 for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team.

“We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience, but above all we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong. We lost that with Ronaldo.”

Juventus chairman Andrea Angelli is the only key figure at the club who has defended Ronaldo’s signing for Juventus so far, even claiming that he would do it again if given the opportunity.

Speaking back in April in the heat of the European Super League drama, Agnelli said: “Wrong to take Ronaldo? Never,” he said.

“I would do it again tomorrow. And Pirlo too. Stability allows us to follow the path of growth by investing in young players and coaches even at their first experience.

“We brought Cristiano to Italy and his presence alone has guaranteed the other clubs €4 million at the box office.

“We wish to continue importing other champions with the benefits for all levels of football, from the youngsters to the amateurs.”

Ronaldo is Juventus top scorer in 2021

The Portuguese superstar may not like what the veterans have said but he can smile about his achievements at Juventus regardless. His smile will even be wider following the end of the year stats released.

Juventus have struggled since Ronaldo’s departure and currently sit fifth in Serie A, 12 points behind leaders Inter Milan. This is because they have been very poor in front of goal, with only 27 goals scored so far in 19 games – the least among the current top 10.

Juventus’ attack is currently so well below average, that despite Ronaldo leaving Juventus during the summer, he will finish 2021 as the Italian giants’ top scorer in the calendar year.

Ronaldo scored 20 times for Juve during the year with his last goal for the club coming all the way back in May. No one in Juventus has been able to match that feat, with the second on the table, Alvaro Morata, falling short by three goals and ending the year with 17.

Ronaldo scored 101 goals for the Turin club in 134 games before moving on to Manchester United where his goalscoring form has continued. At Old Trafford, Ronaldo has netted 13 times in 18 games for the Red Devils and is currently the club’s top goalscorer for the 2021/22 season.

 

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.”