LIVE – Market: Miami still dreams of Messi

Lionel Messi’s future seems to be written a little more at PSG given that a one-year extension would be on the ropes. But the Argentine continues to make Inter Miami dream, to which he is regularly linked. Phil Neville, coach, does not hide his interest in the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“Any deal for a DP (Designated Player, every MLS team can have a player outside the salary cap) of this level is complicated. It takes time.”

“Why not?, he continues. I think it could happen. Players from all over the world consider MLS to be a great league. If Messi comes, I’d be happy because I like playing with the best and learning from them.”

After failing Enzo Fernandez and trying to lure Ukrainian talent Mudryk, Chelsea have finally set their sights on Portuguese Joao Felix. The Atlético midfielder would be very close to signing with the Blues on loan according to Fabrizio Romano. An agreement could be reached between the different parties (company and player) within the next 24 hours.

As RMC Sport announced on Monday, OGC Nice have sacked Lucien Favre from his duties as first-team boss. A news made official through a press release published on the website of the coastal club. Didier Digard will act as interim manager.

“Lucien Favre is no longer the coach of OGC Nice. His mission in charge of the first team has come to an end, indicated the Nice club. Didier Digard (36) takes the reins, until further notice, joined at joining the staff this autumn, he led the Rossoneri reserves before and has already operated on the professional staff alongside Adrian Ursea and Frédéric Gioria in 2020-21.

Montpellier full-back Arnaud Souquet will join American club Chicago Fire, who play in MLS, the Hérault club learned on Monday.

Souquet, 30, was released by Montpellier six months before his four-year contract expired.

The former Espoirs international, who arrived in summer 2019 to replace Ruben Aguilar who moved to Monaco, has appeared in just twelve games (three starts) since the start of the season.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Atlético de Madrid to get Portuguese striker Joao Felix (23) on a paid loan until the end of the season. The Blues will pay the Colchoneros 11 million euros.

This Monday, OM formalises the arrival on loan with an obligation to buy Ruslan Malinovsky, from Atalanta Bergamo. As indicated by RMC Sport, the Marseille club will eventually pay 10 million euros, excluding bonuses.

Crowned MLS champions with Los Angeles FC last season and just weeks after his appearance at the 2022 World Cup with Wales, Gareth Bale announced his retirement on Monday. At 33, the Welsh full-back decided to hang up and confirmed it via two messages posted on social media (one for the Welsh and focused on the selection, one for all his fans).

“After careful consideration, I am announcing my immediate retirement from club and international football, wrote Gareth Bale in two publications. I feel incredibly fortunate to have fulfilled my dream of playing the sport I love. He clearly brought some of the moments best of my life.”

Sacked shortly before by Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace, Julien Stéphan is a credible guess to succeed Lucien Favre, who was also ousted on Monday by his managers.

The 42-year-old coach, who previously passed through Rennes and Strasbourg, has a profile that is fully compatible with the renewal wanted by Ineos. Young, recognized for his qualities as a tactician and capable of advancing promising elements. The names of Domenico Tedesco (ex Leipzig), Sabri Lamouchi (ex Rennes and Nottingham Forest) and Régis Le Bris (Lorient) are also options studied by OGC Nice.

MT with FH

OGC Nice has decided not to continue its collaboration with Lucien Favre. The top management of the Gym took the decision to part ways with the 65-year-old Swiss coach, appointed last July, after an initial period on the bench between 2016 and 2018. This second experience will not leave as good memories as the first. Didier Digard will take charge of Aiglons on Wednesday as they welcome Montpellier to Ligue 1. Julien Sablé, who arrived in charge of the reserve this winter, joins the first-team staff.

Mt

Present at the press conference on Monday, two days before the trip to Troyes, OM coach Igor Tudor reacted to the imminent formalization of the transfer of Ukrainian Ruslan Malinovskyi, who must pass a medical today before moving to the Marseille club. “Ruslan (Malinovskyi), we already wanted him this summer so obviously it was a goal, we achieved it. I hope everything ends today. He has many qualities, he is very strong in the last 30 metres, he has good footing, nice shot, I like how he interprets football.”

Once this dossier is finalised, OM could focus on a new offensive element: “We’ll see if we’ll rather sign a centre-forward or rather a player behind the striker”, insinuated Tudor.

Attending the press conference on Monday, Antoine Kombouaré appeared a little annoyed by questions about FC Nantes’ winter transfer window. “We’re working so that there are reinforcements behind, in the centre, up front. If it happens I’m happy. If it doesn’t happen we’ll work with that group. I have faith in the group that exists”. “Andy Delort’s track? We’re working on the files. We can announce many names but pfff (sighs)… I’m tired of this winter transfer market. It’s very clear. I look, I observe, we’re working on the files but I’ve learned that I have to focus on the my work with the elements I have. The winter transfer window is an adjustment transfer window. You often get players who don’t play at the club they’re at. This is not how we work. Normally, you did the right thing in the beginning of the season”.

Portugal has its new coach. After the departure of Fernando Santos At the end of the World Cup, where the Seleção was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Morocco, the Federation announced on Monday the name of its successor, who is none other than Roberto Martinez.

After the first rumors revealed by the Spanish press, the president of the Portuguese federation, Fernando Gomes, held a press conference at noon to explain his choice. Martinez becomes the third foreign coach in the history of Portugal (after Otto Gloria and Scolari).

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Racing Club de Strasbourg made official the precautionary dismissal of its coach, Julien Stéphan, on Monday. The interim will be provided “from today and until further notice” by his former deputy, Mathieu Le Scornet.

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Lucien Favre increasingly weakened on the French Riviera? According to information from Nice-Matin, the leaders of OGC Nice are evaluating the possibility of replacing the Swiss coach, who has already lost the support of his dressing room. Only eleventh in Ligue 1 despite their European ambitions, Nice recovered the championship very badly after the truce of the World Cup, with a draw (0-0 against Lens) and a defeat (2-1 in Rennes). Above all, the elimination in the 32nd minute of the Coupe de France against Puy-en-Velay (National team, 1-0) could be one misstep too many.

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As announced in the past few hours, Ruslan Malinovskyi will join the OM. The Ukrainian player arrived in Marseille on Monday, where he will have to undergo a medical examination in the next few hours.

If the latter is successful, the contract will be signed and formalized during the day. On Tuesday he will train for the first time with his team mates and will be presented to the press during the week.

Florent Germain

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After inflicting a big slap on Chelsea in the FA Cup (4-0), Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, encouraged Todd Boehly, patron of the Blues, to have patience with Graham Potter, manager of the team.

“I would say to Todd Boehly, give him time, he said. I know results are important at big clubs but give him time. The second half is what it is. What he did at Brighton is outstanding. All managers need time. At Barcelona, ​​I had Messi That’s why I didn’t need two seasons One is enough But everyone plays against City when we’re at this level, in the Carabao Cup or here [en FA Cup], it’s not easy. Not just for Chelsea, but for any club.”

According to L’Equipe, Leeds have made a €25m offer to Angers to try and recruit Moroccan international midfielder Azzedine Ounahi (25). But this destination is not the player’s preference, also courted by Napoli. But the Italian club would offer “only” 15 million euros.

As RMC Sport announced on Sunday, Ruslan Malinovskyi is expected to undergo his medical this Monday in Marseille. OM and Atalanta Bergamo have agreed a loan deal with an option to buy set at €10m for the Ukrainian attacking midfielder.

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