PSG want to extend Messi’s contract before the World Cup, Zidane has already agreed a deal with Les Bleus, OM are preparing for a major winter clearance, Benzema has put a definitive stop to Lyon, Juventus are monitoring the XXL price of Mudryk and Longoria… Here is the Top 6 of the latest big mercato news of the week that you should not miss. We’ve also got the latest news from the Telegramme, so you don’t miss out on any of the latest news.
To keep an eye on transfers after the end of the summer transfer window, Maxifoot brings you the weekly Transfer Diary with a full update on the latest news. Even outside the summer transfer window, clubs are busy! For even more information on transfers, don’t forget to read the day’s news and the news articles, which complement the news.
TOP 6 files of the week that you should not miss
1.PSG want to extend Messi’s contract, and fast!
It is no secret that Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking midfielder Lionel Messi (35), whose contract expires in June 2023, is attracting interest from Barcelona and Inter Miami. While the French champions want to extend his contract for at least another season, the Argentina international wants to wait until after the 2022 World Cup before making any decisions about his future.
But for his part, the Parisian sports advisor Luis Campos does not necessarily intend to follow the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s plan. The Portuguese is determined to keep him and is seriously trying to convince him to extend his lease before the start of the World Cup, according to reports in L’Equipe. The former Barcelona man has indicated internally that he does not want to leave Paris without winning a major trophy.
2.Zidane already agreed with Les Bleus?
Is Noël Le Graët talking out of turn when he talks about the future of France coach Didier Deschamps, or is the Spanish press just trying to destabilise Les Bleus ahead of the World Cup in Qatar? While the president of the French Football Federation has already stressed that “DD” will have priority to extend his contract and keep his job in case of a successful World Cup, the Spanish media Libertad Digital, echoed in other Iberian publications, dropped a bomb in the last few hours by announcing the arrival of Zinedine Zidane on the bench of the national team at the end of the global tournament!
Le Graët is said to have decided to launch the French football legend, and a contract is said to be waiting for Zidane for the month of January. However, although this information may become credible in the coming weeks, it seems difficult to believe at the moment. Even though the former Real Madrid coach recently teased his imminent return to business…
3.OM to clean house this winter!
As expected, midfielder Gerson (25) is not expected to stay at Olympique de Marseille for long. The Brazilian international is unhappy with his decline under coach Igor Tudor this season and wants to leave the club in the winter transfer window.
According to information from RMC radio, Marseille’s directors are going to work hard to find a way out. The former Flamengo man, who is no longer invested in the club due to a complex relationship with Tudor, could bring in a nice cheque. The club’s new coach, Jorge Sampaoli, is said to be interested in Gerson’s situation.
In order to finance their winter purchases, OM will also look to part with Pape Gueye (23), according to RMC.
4.Benzema puts a definitive stop to OL
By announcing on 18 October that he wanted to finish his career at Real Madrid, 34-year-old Karim Benzema had already dashed the hopes of Olympique Lyonnais fans that the French striker would return to his parent club as a player. But the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was even clearer on the subject during the Zack en Roue Libre show on Twitch.
“I left a great image at Lyon, it has to stay that way. You can’t leave and come back. I can’t do that. I did what I had to do in Lyon, I leave what I did there. If one day I can work there (in the club’s organisation chart), I’ll be happy to do so,” said the French international. That has the merit of being clear…
5.Mudryk’s price: €100m, at least!
The 21-year-old winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has scored three goals and provided two assists in five Champions League games, has been one of the surprises of the first half of the season. The performances of the Ukrainian international have logically attracted the interest of the big European clubs, who will have to pay a fortune to get him from Shakhtar Donetsk.
“With Mbappé, Leao and Vinicius, Mudryk is the strongest in this left-wing role,” the Ukrainian club’s deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini told Calciomercato. Is €40 million enough to convince us? We don’t argue with those figures. Not even for 50 million. We value Mudryk more than Antony, from Manchester United, for whom nearly €100 million was paid (€95m + €5m in bonuses, ed. note).” The courtiers of the Ukrainian nugget have been warned…
6.Juve are thinking of bringing Longoria back!
The excellent work done by Pablo Longoria at the helm of Olympique de Marseille, despite the elimination in the Champions League, does not go unnoticed. According to Foot Mercato, Juventus are thinking of bringing back their former director of recruitment (2015-2018) “in a role that has yet to be defined”, our confrères reveal!
But the Phocaean fans can sleep on their two ears: Longoria denies having been contacted, and he does not intend in any case to leave OM. “Pablo could be flattered that Juventus are thinking about him. It’s his club, he owes it his career and what he does today, but a departure from OM is not at all on the agenda,” a source close to the Marseille president told FM.
