Nigeria: Paul Le Guen Favourite For Eagles Job

Celebrated French trainer, Paul Le Guen is set to be named the new manager for the Super Eagles as a replacement  to Stephen Keshi.

The 52-year-old former Indomitable  Lions coach will reportedly close the deal with the Nigerian Football Federal in a meeting scheduled  for next week.

Paul is competing for the vacant managerial seat alongside Belgium trainer, Tom Saintfiet and the home based Mohamed Salisu.

The NFF were rocked by the death of their head coach Stephen Keshi after a brief illness, leaving them with no option but to fill the void.

A scheduled meeting with all three candidates has been fixed for next week with Paul Le Guen in pole position  for the Eagles job.

Paul managed a number of French Ligue I sides including, Paris Saint German before taking over the managerial role of the Cameroon national team between 2009 and 2010.

He last managed the national team of Oman before submitting his application for the West African’s hot seat.

Nigeria: Paul Le Guen Favourite For Eagles Job

Lucas Moura rules out joining Liverpool

Paris Saint Germain (PSG) winger Lucas Moura has denied rumours gaining grounds that he is set to join English Premier League club Liverpool.

Speculation around his future continues to grow but the Brazil international insists he is not moving to England as its being rumoured.

Moura has struggled to hold down a regular place in the PSG side since moving to the French capital three and a half years ago.

It has been thought that PSG would be open to a sale of the Brazilian who is eager to have more playing time.

The player has previously been linked with Manchester United, but speaking with at a press conference, Lucas insists that he has had no contact from Liverpool, “I’m not aware of anything, I just know what’s coming out on the internet and the press. Klopp had no contact with me, it’s just speculation.”

Lucas also spoke about his international aspirations, with Dunga now replaced by Tite as Seleção coach, “I want to have a good pre-season to be well and wait for Tite’s next selection.

I’m sure he’ll be watching all of us playing in Europe. Now I have to work, play well in order to be remembered and grab the opportunity.

“Of course I am hoping to return to the national team and to establish myself there. I think the Seleção is always a goal for all players, and I will do everything to come back. But my first focus is to establish myself at PSG as a starter and then I’m sure the opportunity will appear.”

Lucas Moura rules out joining Liverpool

PSG Sack Coach Laurent Blanc, Set To Appoint Unai Emery

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the departure of Laurent Blanc after three seasons at the club, which will pave the way for Unai Emery to move to the capital.

The news does not come as much of a surprise, after Blanc’s agent confirmed last week that his client’s departure from the Parc des Princes was imminent.

Blanc was appointed as PSG manager in 2013 and won the Ligue 1 title in each of his three seasons in charge, but the club’s lack of European success has been a cause for concern.

Blanc led PSG to glory in Ligue 1, the French Cup and the French League Cup this season, but his side were beaten by Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals which led to hefty criticism back home.

It is now expected that former Sevilla manager Emery – who surprisingly left his post at the Sanchez Pizjuan a few weeks ago – will replace the former Manchester United centre-back at PSG.

“After opening a new chapter in the development of the club, I would like to thank Laurent Blanc for all he has made in recent years in terms of play and results,” Nasser Al-Khelaifi told the club’s official website .

“I wish him the best in the new challenges that await. ”

The club have also confirmed that Jean-Louis Gasset, assistant coach, and Philippe Lambert, physical trainer, will also leave Paris.

Emery has enhanced his reputation in recent years after guiding Sevilla to Europa League glory for three years in a row.

This is set to be a summer of overhaul for PSG, particularly with the club also losing the services of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is out of contract at the end of this month and is widely expected to join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

PSG Sack Coach Laurent Blanc, Set To Appoint Unai Emery

Ibrahimovic Scores Double In Final PSG League Game

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice in his final Paris St-Germain league appearance in a game which was briefly stopped for a standing ovation.

PSG’s all-time top scorer is leaving the club this summer and after 10 minutes the game with Nantes was halted while fans applauded their number 10.

By scoring twice, he broke another club record – for most goals by a PSG player in a league season, with 38.

He chested in an opener, and headed home to make it 4-0 late on.

His 89th-minute goal saw him overtake Carlos Bianchi’s 37-goal league haul of 1977-78.

The 34-year-old Swede has scored 154 goals in 179 appearances in his four years in France. Next Saturday’s French Cup final against Marseille will be his final game for the club.

PSG have won Ligue 1 in each season Ibrahimovic has been at the club, with the veteran – who has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy – winning the golden boot three times.

His 38 goals in 31 league games this season saw him finish 17 goals above second-placed Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon.

BBC

Ibrahimovic Scores Double In Final PSG League Game

PSG Set New French Points Record

Edinson Cavani scored a hat-trick as champions Paris St-Germain set a new record points total in Ligue 1 after an easy win against Ajaccio in Corsica.

Laurent Blanc’s runaway leaders moved on to 92 points with two games of the 38-match season remaining.

Uruguay forward Cavani, 29, broke the deadlock with a perfectly placed header before his clinical finish made it 2-0.

He completed his hat-trick with another header before Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed the rout in stoppage time.

The win keeps PSG 27 points clear of nearest rivals Lyon, who thrashed third-placed Monaco 6-1 and have played one game more.

Forward Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat-trick for Lyon, while former Newcastle United defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa got two and midfielder Rachid Ghezzal also found the net.

PSG’s last two league games are away to mid-table Bordeaux on Wednesday before they host Nantes on 14 May.

Blanc’s side, who have also won the French League Cup, meet Marseille in the Coupe de France final on 21 May.

BBC

PSG Set New French Points Record

PSG Willing To Pay €300 Million For Neymar And Cristiano Ronaldo

French side, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are reportedly willing to make massive investments to take a higher step next season in a bid to win the European Champions League.

According to the information from France Football, the French side are considering to pay almost €300 million to bring two big stars of world football, Neymar from Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The desire of PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is for someone to replace Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has a contract only until June, and could leave the club.

 

The French publication adds that Neymar is one of the obsessions of Al-Khelaïfi, and the President does not rule out paying the Brazilian’s release clause of €190m.

Asked about a possible transfer, World Cup winner and Brazil’s legendary striker Ronaldo said he thinks Neymar will stay at Barcelona.

He told Canal+: “He will continue at Barça. I do not think he will come out of Barça. He is well adapted to the team and the city. I do not believe that this transfer will be a reality”.

Sambafoot

PSG Willing To Pay €300 Million For Neymar And Cristiano Ronaldo

Mahrez Rules Out PSG Move

Riyad Mahrez has ruled out a summer transfer to home-town club and Ligue 1 champions PSG because he loves playing in the Premier League.

Mahrez has been one of the stand out players this season in the Premier League – he was announced PFA Player of the Year on Sunday evening after amassing 17 goals and 11 assists this season.

The 25-year-old has been linked with various clubs over the season and is sure to be a top transfer target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs over the summer transfer window.

“Even today I am not too excited about the prospect of PSG. It is my town, but I do not see myself going back,” Mahrez said.

“I don’t really want to go back to France. France does not really excite me, I love England.”

Leicester took a step closer to the Premier League title last night as Tottenham dropped two points against West Brom in their 1-1 draw.

Mahrez has been crucial to Leicester’s fairytale season but the Algerian international has credited the fighters among the squad for their title push.

“We are fighters. And when I say to you ‘fighters’, I have never seen anything like this in my life. The guys are hungry like crazy and they let nothing go,” Mahrez told French magazine Onze Mondial.

“You blast a shot straight into a guy’s face and he doesn’t even flinch.”

Leicester only need three points from their final three games to win the Premier League title and could win it this Sunday when they travel to Old Trafford to play fifth place Manchester United.

Sky Sports

Mahrez Rules Out PSG Move

PSG Back Blanc For Next Season

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reassured coach Laurent Blanc that will remain in charge of the French champions next season.

PSG remain on track for another domestic treble after triumphing in Saturday’s Coupe de la Ligue final but Blanc’s future still remains uncertain, despite another Ligue 1 title and a new contract only signed in February.

Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to the French capital after Blanc was unable to prevent a fourth consecutive quarter-final exit in the Champions League.

However, Al-Khelaifi insisted Blanc, 50, is going nowhere.

“The contract was extended for two years, he will stay with us next year,” he said following the 2-1 win over Lille in Paris.

Goal

PSG Back Blanc For Next Season

PSG Win French League Cup For Third Year In A Row

Angel di Maria scored the decisive goal as 10-man Paris St-Germain beat Lille to win France’s Coupe de la Ligue for the third year running.

Javier Pastore’s volley gave Laurent Blanc’s side a half-time lead, as Lille appealed for offside.

Djibril Sidibe equalised with a free-kick, before PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot was sent off.

Di Maria rolled in the winner as keeper Vincent Enyeama inexplicably charged 30 yards from goal to meet the winger.

Victory means that PSG remain on course for a clean sweep of domestic trophies, having won the Trophees des Champions and Ligue 1, and with the Coupe de France final against Marseille to come on 21 May.

Manager Blanc’s future, though, remains uncertain because of his failure to take the club beyond the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League, where they were defeated by Manchester City.

Di Maria shot weakly at Enyeama in the opening seconds of an entertaining final at the Stade de France, with Lille looking the more dangerous side after surviving a difficult opening 10 minutes.

Frederic Antonetti’s team had won six successive games going into the final, but went behind to a controversial goal five minutes before before half-time.

Pastore lashed a shot at goal as Lille struggled to clear a corner, with PSG full-back Layvin Kurzawa standing in an offside position inside the six-yard box as the ball flew into the net.

The officials ruled that Kurzawa was not active because he did not move towards the ball, but Enyeama believed that he was effectively prevented from diving to save the shot because the PSG man was in the way.

Lille responded positively, though, with Sidibe directing a free-kick into the corner of the net four minutes into the second half after Adrien Rabiot had been booked for fouling Sofiane Boufal.

Rabiot picked up a second booking, and was dismissed, for a late challenge on Boufal with 20 minutes left.

Lille, though, gave away a soft goal four minutes later, as Adama Soumaoro’s weak back header allowed Di Maria to sprint on to goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu’s clearance, and the Argentian international nicked the ball past the onrushing Enyeama.

Soumaoro headed wide with a good chance to bring Lille level again, but PSG held on.

BBC

PSG Win French League Cup For Third Year In A Row

Marseille, Dortmund Set Up Cup Final With PSG, Bayern

French giants Olympique Marseille and German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund have set up a domestic cup final date with Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich respectively.

Marseille edged past Sochaux 1-0 in their French Cup semi-final game on Wednesday to set up a final against Ligue 1 champions Paris St-Germain.

Borussia Dortmund advanced to the final of the German Cup against Bayern Munich also on Wednesday after their impressive 3-0 triumph over Hertha Berlin.

Marseille who are currently struggling in 15th place in the French league, just six points above the relegation zone, will face PSG in the final on Saturday, 21 May.

PSG can complete a league and cup double for a second consecutive season with victory over their main French rivals.

The German Cup final will take place on Saturday, 21 May at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium between the two biggest clubs in the country, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

 

Marseille, Dortmund Set Up Cup Final With PSG, Bayern

Bayern Munich, PSG Reach Cup Final

Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain (PSG) have reached domestic Cup finals after important semi-final wins on Tuesday.

Bayern reached the German Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen with Thomas Muller scoring both goals for the German champions.

Pep Guardiola’s side will play Hertha Berlin or Borussia Dortmund on 21 May in the final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

Hertha will play Dortmund in the other semi-final game today for an opportunity to contest the final in the German capital.

PSG advanced to the French Cup final with a 1-0 win over Lorient with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring his 43^rd goal of the season.

The French champions will play either Sochaux or Marseille in the final.

Bayern Munich, PSG Reach Cup Final

Kompany Out Of Man City-PSG Tie

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will not return from injury for his side’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “He is not 100%. It is not possible.”

Defender Kompany, 30, has not played since suffering a calf injury as City drew 0-0 draw against Dynamo Kiev in March to reach the last eight.

City and French champions PSG drew 2-2 in the first leg in Paris.

Kompany has been plagued by calf injuries in recent seasons, with the latest the 14th such problem he has sustained since joining City in 2008.

The Belgium international was present at City’s open training session on Monday morning before being ruled out by Pellegrini at his lunch-time press conference.

David Silva trained after missing Saturday’s 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion with an ankle injury with only Raheem Sterling joining Kompany on the injured list.

Defender Nicolas Otamendi did not train with the squad on Monday after suffering an ankle injury at the weekend but will be available as City look to qualify for the semi-finals.

Credit: BBC

Kompany Out Of Man City-PSG Tie

PSG Star Alerts Manchester United And Chelsea On Possible Transfer

Edinson Cavani has put Manchester United and Chelsea on alert by admitting he will seek talks with Paris Saint-Germain about his future.

Before the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City, the Uruguayan admitted he had suffered the “ three hardest years of my career” since signing for the French champions in 2013.

Cavani, who was again on the bench for Saturday’s Ligue 1 win over Nice, told French TV show Telefoot: “I have spent the three hardest years of my career [in Paris]. Positive and negative things have happened, but a player can always improve, grow, and become more mature as a player and as a man.”

Edinson Cavani celebrates scoring a goal for PSG

He added, “I am only thinking about giving everything for the next months of competition and finishing this year together with my team-mates fantastically like we did last year. And then I surely have the opportunity to speak with the club, with president (Nasser Al-Khelaifi).”

 

Cavani signed from Italian Serie A side, Napoli in a 45 million pounds deal but has been overshadowed with the ‘bossy’ presence of influential, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

PSG Star Alerts Manchester United And Chelsea On Possible Transfer

I"m Not That Old - Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has told his Premier League suitors he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

 

The Paris Saint Germain striker, who will lead the line for the French club against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night, is set to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Ibrahimovic could prove an attractive proposition for an elite Premier League club next season, but at the age of 34, any move to England would surely be on a short-term basi

However, Ibrahimovic insists he feels as fresh as ever and has no plans to hang up his boots.

“I feel young, very young. Age is just a number,” said the Swede.

“People say I’m old, but I’m only warming up. My future is I have two months left on my contract and then I go to the Euros. After that there’s nothing, I’m not in discussions with any other club.”

 

Chelsea trail PSG 2-1 after the first-leg of their round of 16 tie. Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani netted for PSG, but John Obi Mikel scored an away goal for Chelsea in what is Guus Hiddink’s only defeat since being appointed interim manager in December 2015.

I"m Not That Old - Ibrahimovic

Ezekiele Lavezzi Joins Chinese Bus On Transfer Deadline

Argentina international Ezekiele Lavezzi has joined the mass exodus of top notch players heading to the Chinese league with a transfer deadline deal with Hebei Fortune FC.

The PSG attacker sealed the flurry of Europe’s elite players trading the UEFA champions league for the Asian continent in a deal that could make him the best paid footballer globally.

The ambidextrous quick footed Argentine forward teamed up with Cameroon captain Stephanie Mbia as the money bags in China continue to hijack headlines across Europe.

Lavezzi saw his chances of returning to Laurent Blanc’s side marred by the arrival of compatriot Angel Di Maria at the Parc De Prince.

The 30 year old forward enjoyed a huge three year and half stay with the Parisian outfit but passed on the prospect of lifting the UEFA champions league for a multimillion deal with the Chinese top flight side, Hebei China Fortune FC.

Lavezzi inked a juicy deal with the ambitious side that will see surge top of the highest paid footballers with a reported 400k USD to start with.

An initial 10m USD agreement per annum has been spiced by another hefty 6m USD with a potential life time fortune promised as well should Hebei lift the trophy.

The PSG attacker joins a lengthy list of other top class players in the Chinese league after Asamoah Gyan, Jackson Martinez, Ramirez, Stephanie Mbia, Gervinho and Polinho in the Asian country.

Ezekiele Lavezzi Joins Chinese Bus On Transfer Deadline

Transfer: Manchester United And Chelsea Interested In PSG Defender

Brazilian Defender Attracting Interest From Chelsea And Manchester United

 

English premier league clubs, Manchester united and Chelsea have shown keen interest in acquiring the services of PSG’s frustrated Brazilian defender, Marquinhos.

The young Brazilian signed a new contract last year and started only seven games. In an interview with the French media, Marquinhos admitted he was growing increasingly frustrated.

Marqunhos playing for PSG during a ligue 1 game

He said: ‘Like everybody, I am always thinking about getting into the starting XI. But you have to respect the coach’s decision and that of the board. I will continue to work in order to get my place. But it is true that there will be a moment where I want more.

 

He added, “We can not always be used to the bench. Six months remain for me to win trophies and to try to become a starter. After that, we will see what happens.’

 

PSG are unlikely to deal in January but might be forced to let the promising youngster leave to maintain a positive dressing room.

Transfer: Manchester United And Chelsea Interested In PSG Defender

Bright Gyamfi stars for Inter Milan in friendly match

Ghanaian youngster Bright Gyamfi starred for Inter Milan in a friendly defeat to PSG.

The 18 year old defender manifested his progress up the pecking order with composed performance against the dreaded Paris Saint Germain attack.

Inter Milan suffered 0-1 defeat at the Yassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday night during the mid season break.

The summer arrival from Primevera B continued his impressive form in the Nerrazuri set up with stellar performance against the Le Parisians.

Gyamfi came on as a precautionary replacement for French midfielder Geof Kondogbia earlier into the second half of the game and reminded many of his supersonic rise up the Italian football ladder.

The lanky and robust defender past through the ranks of Primevera B in the lower tiers of Italian football before getting a dream move to the Guissepe Meazza during the summer.

He is expected to get some first team action later in the team if he can stay injury free ahead of the second half of the season in Italy.

Inter Milan look set to dethrone Juventus off the top of the Serie A for the first time in four years.

Bright Gyamfi stars for Inter Milan in friendly match