Get French Football News Get French Football News 2024-01-18T22:31:10Z https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/feed/atom/ WordPress https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/assets/GFFNBlackSquare512.png Nicholas Hartland <![CDATA[Adi Hütter addresses decline in Monaco’s performances before Coupe de France visit]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137211 2024-01-18T22:31:10Z 2024-01-18T22:31:07Z Adi Hütter will be looking for drastic changes from his AS Monaco side as they visit Rodez AF in the Coupe de France following their 3-1 defeat to Stade de Reims last weekend. 

Monaco started the season strongly and even occupied the top spot from the second game week until the fifth, but performances have not been quite as consistent since then. The loss to Reims even saw Les Monégasques drop out of the podium positions. 

‘We really need to make changes’ – Adi Hütter

Speaking to L’Équipe, Hütter was clear in his disappointment over the loss, ‘we’re not in our best physical shapemy message was that we have to quickly get back on track. The first days of this week, we worked a lot on our principles, on our identity.’ 

However, the manager was quick to clarify what he meant by ‘physical shape,’ when explaining why his team lost against Reims. ‘We failed in our principles. We deserved this defeat… we weren’t aggressive enough. Our body language was not good. I had the feeling from the start of the match that we were making easy mistakes in our first touches of the ball, we were not dynamic enough.’ 

Hütter continued that training this week has emphasised ‘more intensity, to find our principles, our aggression, as we did at the start of the season, when we impressed people.’ He was not willing to blame absences within his squad on their decline in performances, ‘we lost a few players, but we are Monaco, we have a very good squad.’ 

On the prospect, that Monaco may field a young team against Rodez, the manager was coy stating only that ‘everything is possible. But we really need to make changes.’

GFFN | Nick Hartland

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Liam Wraith <![CDATA[Napoli agree deal to sign Oumar Solet from RB Salzburg]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137209 2024-01-18T21:53:05Z 2024-01-18T21:53:01Z According to Foot Mercato, Napoli have agreed a deal with Red Bull Salzburg to sign French defender Oumar Solet (23). The Lyon academy graduate’s entourage are now in contract negotiations with the Serie A champions to try and conclude a deal which would see him sign for the Naples club. 

The Partenopei are big fans of Solet and aim to lure him to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. In an interview with Foot Mercato in 2023, Solet spoke of his desire to move to a top 5 European league and could be about to get his wish following this new interest from the Serie A club. 

Is Sinaly Diomandé his replacement? 

Salzburg are also looking to reinforce their defence in the January transfer window. According to Foot Mercato, the Red Bull club are interested in signing Lyon central defender Sinaly Diomandé (22). OL have deemed the Ivorian defender as surplus to requirements and the Austrian champions could now be about to replace Solet, who they signed from Les Gones, with another Lyon centre-back. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

 

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Liam Wraith <![CDATA[Marseille willing to listen to offers for Vitinha]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137207 2024-01-18T21:39:46Z 2024-01-18T21:39:43Z According to Fabrice Hawkins, Marseille are willing to listen to offers for Vitinha (23). Despite just signing the Portuguese forward less than a year ago for a club-record fee of €32m from Braga, Les Olympiens are ready to part ways with the 23-year-old. 

Vitinha has struggled to find any sort of form since switching from Portugal to the South of France. The former Braga attacker was pinned up as the man to lead OM’s attack for the future but things have not quite worked out as he had planned and Vitinha has now been surpassed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Stade Vélodrome. The former Portuguese U21 international has scored 6 goals in 41 appearances for Marseille. 

Not entertaining loan offers

OM are unwilling to entertain loan offers for Vitinha and are looking to recoup some of the €32m they spent on the Portuguese striker. Marseille are hoping for bids in the region of €20m for the former Braga man. The recent arrival of Faris Moumbanga at the Stade Vélodrome has also further cast doubts over Vitinha’s Marseille future. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

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Liam Wraith <![CDATA[Karim Benzema has returned to Saudi Arabia and will stay at Al-Ittihad]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137205 2024-01-18T21:18:44Z 2024-01-18T21:18:41Z After being absent from Al-Ittihad training for weeks, Karim Benzema (36) has finally returned to Jeddah, according to L’Équipe. Rumours had begun to swirl that the former Real Madrid striker was unhappy in Saudi Arabia but following returning to training the 36-year-old looks set to stay in the Gulf State. 

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner had been handed in Mauritius so was unable to join up with Al-Ittihad for the resumption of training last Friday, L’Équipe reports. Benzema’s entourage have reaffirmed the former France international’s commitment to Al-Ittihad saying, “he will 100% stay at Al-Ittihad” when contacted by the French publication. 

A difficult start to life in Saudi Arabia

The former Lyon forward’s start to life in Saudi Arabia has been quite difficult. Benzema has faced heavy criticism from fans of the Saudi Pro League champions after some underwhelming performances. Al-Ittihad have also admitted that they expected more of the Frenchman, according to those close to the club. However, Benzema is now focused on turning his fortunes around after committing his future to the Saudi club. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

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Liam Wraith <![CDATA[‘It didn’t do much for me’ – Kylian Mbappé on winning the World Cup]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137199 2024-01-18T21:00:22Z 2024-01-18T21:00:19Z In an interview with Envoyé Spécial, Kylian Mbappé (25) has revealed his emotions following France’s 2018 World Cup final victory against Croatia. France beat Croatia 4-2 in Russia and the PSG forward played a key role in winning Les Bleus’ world championship crown including scoring a goal in the final. 

Talking about his emotions in the aftermath of winning the World Cup, the France captain said “It may be incomprehensible, but it didn’t do much for me. I was too young and so unconscious.” The 25-year-old added, “It was a win that made me happy, but I didn’t realise I had won. I came home quickly in the evening and I didn’t celebrate like crazy.”

Mbappé was instrumental in the 2018 World Cup for Didier Deschamps’ side. Despite just being 18, the former Monaco attacker scored 4 goals during the tournament including his goal in the final which made him the tournament’s youngest scorer in a final since Pélé. He also won the Young Player of the Tournament award.

2022 brought a change of attitude

The Bondy-born attacker reassured that at the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar, he adopted a change of attitude. Referencing the 2022 tournament, Mbappé said, “I was much more conscious at the 2022 World Cup. The 2018 World Cup was my first and we won it straight away so it didn’t create any particular emotion. In 2022, there were so many more emotions.”

This change in emotion was clear in Mbappé’s performances at the 2022 World Cup. The France international carried Les Bleus to the final scoring 8 goals including a hat trick in the final but it wasn’t enough to successfully defend their crown as world champions – losing to Argentina on penalties. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

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Nicholas Hartland <![CDATA[Brentford and Wolfsburg join race for PSG’s Hugo Ekitike]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137198 2024-01-18T20:39:24Z 2024-01-18T20:39:11Z Paris Saint-Germain have made no secret of their desire to sell Hugo Ekitike (21) in this transfer window. 

Despite neither Randal Kolo Muani (25) nor Gonçalo Ramos (22) making an impact in the number nine spot since signing in the summer, Ekitike has yet to be trusted within the team, making only one appearance this season. 

The forward was heavily linked with a move to Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer as PSG attempted to use him as a makeweight to sign Kolo Muani. However, he reportedly was uninterested and instead favoured a move to the Premier League. 

Is a Premier League move still on for Ekitike?

According to Fabrice Hawkins, this has not deterred the German side, who remain intrigued by the forward’s profile, as they continue searching for a striker to fill the void left by Kolo Muani. 

Frankfurt will have some stiff competition for this signing, with Wolfsburg also apparently interested in trying to complete a loan deal for Ekitike.

However, if the forward remains committed to the Premier League, then it has been said that Brentford would be keen on acquiring his services, and have included an option to purchase at the end of their loan. 

This could be a sign that the London club are preparing for a future without Ivan Toney (27), as their striker remains a target for their Premier League rivals. Or perhaps, it could just be a reflection of the large-scale injury crisis that has affected The Bees this season. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

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Luke Entwistle https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com <![CDATA[Rennes rule out Arthur Theate departure amid Serie A interest]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137194 2024-01-18T17:57:14Z 2024-01-18T17:57:10Z According to L’ÉquipeStade Rennais have ruled out selling Arthur Theate (23) this January, despite the club looking set to complete the signing of Clermont Foot’s Alidu Seidu (23). 

Despite a difficult start to the season, Rennes’ players remain highly coveted this month. Arnaud Kalimuendo is a target for Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst Olympique de Marseille have enquired about Adrien Truffert, however, Les Rennais are remaining firm in their stance that none of their key assets are on the market this month. 

Napoli and Roma interested in Theate

Rennes’ resistance to negotiate a move for Truffert has forced Marseille to look at alternatives, according to Foot Mercatowith FC Nantes’ Quentin Merlin being lined up. Napoli and AS Roma, both of whom hold an interest in Belgium international Theate, may also have to look elsewhere. 

The former Bologna centre-back, who has previously garnered interest from Liverpool, will not be allowed to leave Rennes this month. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

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Liam Wraith <![CDATA[Official | Lyon complete the signing of Gift Orban from Gent]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137195 2024-01-18T17:48:18Z 2024-01-18T17:48:14Z Lyon have officially confirmed that they have completed the signing of Gift Orban (21) from Gent via their official social media accounts. The Nigerian striker has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Les Gones which should keep him at the Groupama Stadium until 2028. 

The 21-year-old has signed for the Rhône club for a fee in the region of €13m, according to L’ÉquipeOrban has previously been linked with the likes of Lille and Tottenham but will now be playing his football for OL in Ligue 1. The Nigeria U21 international rose to prominence following an impressive run of form in 2022 which saw him score 20 goals in 22 appearances for KVV Gent. Since this prolificity, the former Bison FC striker’s output has slowed but he has still been impressive in Europe this season with 9 goals in 10 appearances in the Europa Conference League. 

Lyon’s first Nigerian

Despite having 582 players play for OL, Orban is the first Nigerian player to play for the club. The former Gent forward is Lyon’s second attacking signing from Belgium in the January window following the capture of Malick Fofana (18) for €17m from Gent. Orban may initially struggle to replace Lacazette in the starting lineup for Lyon but he will add some much-needed added potency for Les Gones. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

 

 

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Luke Entwistle https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com <![CDATA[‘The deal is concluded’ – Corinthians president confirms Gabriel Moscardo’s PSG move]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137192 2024-01-18T17:21:40Z 2024-01-18T17:21:35Z The uncertainty concerning Gabriel Moscardo’s (18) move to Paris Saint-Germain has been resolved after Corinthians president Augusto Melo confirmed the deal. 

Moscardo had looked set to join PSG this month, alongside compatriot Lucas Beraldo (20). But whilst Beraldo’s transfer was completed at the start of the month, Moscardo’s was not, with the midfielder failing his medical. Tests revealed that he would need surgery on a foot injury, which complicated the deal.

The transfer has since been in suspense, although it has always been expected that the transfer would go through, either this month or in the summer. Melo then put pressure on PSG to complete the deal earlier this week.  “Either PSG pay now, or he comes back to Corinthians. If they don’t pay now, he’ll come back,” he told Domingo

PSG yet to confirm move

That pressure has seemingly told, with Moscardo now set to complete a €20m move to the Parc des Princes. “Moscardo is no longer a Corinthians player. The deal is completed,” began Melo in an interview with Jogo Alberto.

He added, “He has been sold to PSG […] PSG wanted to wait for the operation and see after that, but it was out of the question. We told PSG and the club accepted to buy him with the risks linked to his operation – all the risks.” PSG are yet to confirm Melo’s version of events, nor the existence of a deal between all parties. Regardless, Moscardo won’t feature for anyone until April, with the Brazilian set to undergo surgery on his foot injury, likely in Qatar. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

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Luke Entwistle https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com <![CDATA[Marseille target Quentin Merlin as Adrien Truffert alternative]]> https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/?p=137190 2024-01-18T16:11:33Z 2024-01-18T16:11:27Z As per a report from L’ÉquipeStade Rennais are reluctant to allow Adrien Truffert (22) to leave the club this January, and as a result, Olympique de Marseille are looking at alternatives as they look to recruit at left-back. According to Foot MercatoFC Nantes’ Quentin Merlin (21) represents an alternative. 

Renan Lodi (25) completed his move to Al-Hilal earlier this week, and despite already signing Ulisses Garcia from Young Boys, OM are looking to bring in another left-back this window. Truffert remains a target for Gennaro Gattuso’s side, however, with Rennes reluctant to part ways with the France international, alternatives are being sounded out. 

Merlin is perhaps a more realistic option. Unlike their Breton rivals, Nantes are open to selling Merlin this month. The France U21 international is available for over €12m. Foot Mercato add that two other left-backs, none of whom currently play in France, are also being targeted. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

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