Renato Sanches confirms he nearly joined Barcelona this summer

In an interview published in today’s L’Équipe, Lille midfielder Renato Sanches notably confirmed that he believed he was going to join Barcelona this summer, before suffering a meniscus injury. The Portuguese international, who was out of action for a month and a half, explained that he believed the setback was the reason negotiations could not advance…

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Sergio Ramos misses Lens-PSG due to muscle fatigue

Paris Saint-Germain have announced this afternoon that defender Sergio Ramos will be absent for this weekend’s Ligue 1 fixture against Lens due to muscle fatigue. The Spaniard, who had made his debut for the club against Saint-Étienne – having picked up a calf injury shortly after his arrival in the summer – also missed the…

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Fiorentina reach agreement to sign Lille’s Jonathan Ikoné

Foot Mercato report this morning that Fiorentina have reached an agreement with Lille for the transfer of Jonathan Ikoné, with a baseline fee of €21m. The French international’s move will also see his former club Paris Saint-Germain receive between 45% and 50% of the fee as part of the sell-on clause in his 2018 transfer –…

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Pascal Dupraz is set to become new Saint-Étienne coach

As reported by L’Équipe, former Toulouse and Caen manager Pascal Dupraz is set to become Saint-Étienne’s new coach after Claude Puel was dispensed with last week following a 5-0 loss to Rennes. After a meeting of the board yesterday the sports daily reports that the club have settled on Dupraz after former Reims coach David…

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Lille president confirms discussions with Fiorentina for Jonathan Ikoné transfer

Speaking on RMC Sport this evening, Lille president Olivier Létang has confirmed that discussions were underway with Serie A club Fiorentina over a transfer for Jonathan Ikoné. The LOSC president nevertheless indicated that the 23-year-old’s move to Italy was not sealed yet, before adding that there would not be a January clearance, with the squad looking to…

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Niko Kovač: Aurélien Tchouaméni is “the best midfielder in Ligue 1”

Ahead of Monaco’s trip to Paris to face PSG at 7.45 pm (UK time) tonight, at his press conference Monaco coach Niko Kovač discussed the progress of 21-year-old France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, explaining: “for me, he is already the best midfielder in Ligue 1 today.” “He’s a player who has made great progress. He listens…

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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas reacts to his ban: “This decision is not fair… we have a referee who is not telling the truth.”

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has been banned for five games after making remarks to referee Ruddy Buquet after the abandoned game between Lyon and Marseille. Aulas told Buquet: “The competition depends on the LFP [Ligue 1 governing body], you on the FFF, unfortunately [for you] I am part of the executive committee, this won’t be…

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Rennes awarded 3-0 Conference League win over Tottenham Hotspur

Click:Doshisha UEFA have announced this morning that Rennes have been awarded a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, after their Conference League tie could not be played amid a Covid-19 outbreak in the Premier League team’s squad. With no possible solution regarding the postponement of the game after Spurs had pulled out of the match, UEFA…

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Nice looking to bring back Hugo Lloris as Spurs captain’s contract expires

Foot Mercato report this afternoon that Nice are looking bring back Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris this summer, with the France captain out of contract at the end of the season. The World Cup winner, who has been in North London for nearly a decade, does not look to be extending his stay with Spurs, with…

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