Messi tells Neymar goodbye as PSG move nears

Lionel Messi has wished Neymar goodbye and good luck ahead of the Brazilian’s impending move to PSG.The French giants are expected to confirm their capture of the 25-year-old imminently following Barcelona’s confirmation of his intention to leave. The move would instantly make Neymar the most expensive player in the world as Barca have decreed that his release clause, which stands at €222m, would have to be met in full. More significantly for Messi and Barcelona, it would mean an end to their famed MSN attacking trio. In his video message, which had already garnered 5.3 million views at the time of the report.

Messi took to Instagram to tell his mate au revoir on Wednesday evening. “It was an enormous pleasure to have shared all these years with you friend Neymar,” Messi wrote. “I wish you luck in this new stage of your life. I love you.” In the video, Messi pays tribute to Neymar with several images of their time at Barca, most of which show the pair celebrating goals. At the very end of his message, the Argentine writes “TKM,” short for “te quiero mucho” or “love you a lot.” In reply, Neymar wrote: “Thank you brother. I will miss you!”

Neymar a ‘great loss’ for La Liga

In reaction to the news of Neymar’s imminent departure from Barcelona, former Barcelona and PSG full-back Juan Pablo Sorin says that it would be a setback for not only Barca but also the Spanish league as a whole.  “If Neymar leaves for PSG it would be a great loss for LaLiga because it would lose a fantastic player,” Sorin told reporters on Wednesday. “[His signing] would be a luxury for Ligue 1, which has been growing a lot in recent years and has taken players of great value. “Neymar is a monster as a player, he has a winning mentality. It’s good for the sport.”

Sevilla swoop for former hero Jesus Navas

Spanish winger has rejoined his boyhood club Sevilla on a free transfer after he was released by Manchester City. Navas (31) has made 173 appearances for Manchester City, scoring eight goals, but has found playing time limited under Guardiola as he featured just 24 league games last season. Navas isn’t the only City player Sevilla have landed as Nolito signed last month. 

EXTRA TIME: Watch Victor Osimhen's Super Eagles initiation

Osimhen who was introduced as a second half substitute in Nigeria's 3-0 win over Togo, sang Tekno’s hit single ‘Rara’ as his colleagues welcomed him to the camp in Uyo. The Wolfsburg forward was welcomed to the Gernot Rohr's squad in an incredible way.

In the usual rosy atmosphere which is aimed at promoting team's bonding for new arrivals, Victor Osimhen was introduced to the Nigeria senior national team

Arsenal possible line-up against Ludogorets in the Champions League

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud looks set to start his first game of the season in Tuesday's Champions League Group A encounter against Ludogorets in Bulgaria. The Frenchman made his second consecutive appearance of the campaign following his return from injury in the 4-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday where he scored two quickfire goals after coming on as a substitute for Alex Iwobi. Giroud is expected to lead the line for the Gunners while Alexis Sanchez, who has played at centre forward for most of the season, will likely revert to his favoured position on the left flank.

TEAM NEWS: Carrick, Ibrahimovic & Pogba all start for Man Utd against City

Michael Carrick has been handed a start alongside Ander Herrera in Manchester United's midfield, with Paul Pogba also starting for the EFL Cup meeting with Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The United vice-captain has yet to make a league start in 2016-17 but is chosen in Jose Mourinho's XI for a fourth time in cup competition this term. Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Juan Mata also come into the side after the 4-0 hammering against Chelsea on Sunday, with Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini and the injured Eric Bailly all missing out.

'Louis van Gaal was my biggest influence' – Muller

Thomas Muller has revealed that Louis van Gaal was the man that has most dramatically influenced his career. Although the Dutchman is most recently remembered for his disappointing spell at Manchester United, the German was effusive in praise for his former mentor at Bayern Munich. “When we talk my biggest influence I have to say Van Gaal,” Muller told Goal. “He threw me in the deep end. “I made my debut before he arrived, but he was the one who relied on me more continually. “For players during our active career, it is always difficult to talk about coaches – whether it is former or a current. It is difficult to say for a player who was the better coach. But I would say that my biggest influence was Louis van Gaal, because I was at the best age to be influenced.” Muller, nevertheless, rates current boss Carlo Ancelotti highly and believes the Italian can turn things around after a disappointing run of results.

Atletico Madrid dominate La Liga awards with Barcelona and Real Madrid among winners

The Champions League runners-up were the big winners during the star-studded ceremony in Valencia, winning five of the nine categories. Star forward Antoine Griezmann was named as Best Player of the season and picked up the Fans' Five Star Player award, while Atleti manager Diego Simeone won the Best Coach category. Diego Godin ended Sergio Ramos' dominance as Best Defender to pick up the award after the Real Madrid captain had won in each of the last four years. Jan Oblak was also named as Best Goalkeeper and is the second time an Atleti stopper has taken home the award after Thibaut Courtois in the 2012/13 season.

Kurt Zouma plays 45 minutes for Chelsea U23s on return from injury

The 21-year-old had been sidelined since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury back in February, forcing him to miss Euro 2016 and the start of the new Premier League season. The Frenchman played the first half against Derby County at Aldershot's Recreation Ground but it was not a straight forward evening for the defender as he gave away a penalty in the 35th minute of the 2-2 draw.

Kelechi Iheanacho the deadliest in Europe

Kelechi Iheanacho’s equalising goal for Manchester City against Southampton on Sunday means that he is – statistically – the most lethal striker in Europe. The second half strike, after coming off the bench, was the Nigerian international’s eighth goal in the last 11 League matches. More pertinently, it means the 11 goals he has scored in his Premier League career have come off just 17 shots at target, the best on the continent.