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.

RUMOURS: Juventus eye Pepe as Thiago Silva alternative

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe has emerged as a candidate to move to Juventus next summer, Tuttosport reports. Thiago Silva remains first choice on the Turin side’s shopping list, yet the PSG defender’s deal is unlikely to expire until 2018, with only failure to qualify for the Champions League freeing him of his obligation to the Parc des Princes side next summer.

Obafemi Martins buys 2017 Bentley Bentayga worth $281,170

Shanghai Shenhua forward Obafemi Martins apparently needs to maintain his yard of pace as he approaches the peak of his career with a sassy 301 kilometre per hour new ride, the 2017 Bentley Bentayga which is worth $281,170. Martins has netted nine times in 17 appearances for the Shanghai club since joining them from MLS side Seattle Sounders in February, making him the second top scorer for the Hongkou stadium outfit after Sengalese Demba Ba this year. The 31-year-old's latest ride complements his speed on the ball with acceleration from 0-60m in 4secs.

Fanendo Adi and Gbenga Arokoyo fail to lead Portland Timbers to MLS playoff

Fanendo Adi and Gbenga Arokoyo were on parade for Portland Timbers in their disappointing 4-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps at the BC place, as their dream of retaining the MLS Cup faded away. Caleb Porter's side who were 2015 MLS Cup champions needed a win to contend for this year's title after an horrific season of 14 losses, but a disappointing team performance and a poor defensive display in their final league game ended their chances of making to the top six of the Western Conference. Nigeria's Fanendo Adi who was in action for the entire duration couldn't increase his goal tally to 17 league goals as Diego Valeri’s penalty gave Timbers their only goal in the 72nd minute after Giles Barnes’ brace plus goals from Nicolas Mezquida and Pedro Morales fired the Caps to victory.

'I will keep on working very hard' - Leicester City's Musa

Ahmed Musa has promised to keep working hard after scoring his first goal in the English Premier League on Saturday. Musa’s 20-yard effort in the 42nd minute set Claudio Ranieri’s side for an emphatic 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium and the 24-year-old noted the impact the goal had on the game. “For me, it’s a very good beginning scoring a goal like that,” Musa told LCFCTV. "I will keep on working very hard with my teammates and the coach and we will see what is going to happen.

Neymar: Playing for Barcelona is easy!

The Brazilian forward signed a new contract on Friday to keep him at Camp Nou until 2021 and afterwards admitted that he had been a little cautious upon his arrival in 2013. The Brazilian revealed being intimidated when he first came to Camp Nou but is now out to emulate his celebrated compatriots after signing a new contract. However, having settled in Spain, Neymar is delighted to have been able to secure his future with Barca. "It is now easy to be Barca player but you must work hard," the 24-year-old told Barca TV.

'He's a special player and few compare him with others' - Nani lauds Messi

Valencia attacker Nani talked up "special" Lionel Messi ahead of his side's meeting with Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday. 'Ronaldo injury an advantage for Portugal' Messi has returned from a groin injury in scintillating form, scoring four times in two games – including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League. And Nani knows the threat posed by the Barca star ahead of the clash between the teams at the Mestalla. "Messi is a special player and few compare," he said. He said: "We know we have Cristiano, contesting all year the Golden Ball with Messi.

Tattoo master! Carl Ikeme gets new tattoo on his leg

The Wolverhampton Wandearers shot stopper has revealed his new tattoo of a woman and a rose flower on his leg. The Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme loves to get his body tattooed with another piece of a tattoo on his body.Ikeme who is unarguably one of the power forces in Gernot Rohr's team displayed his latest tattoo on his leg via his Twitter page. The 30-year old's tattoo is of a woman and a rose flower on his right leg. "Started the leg sleeve Saturday night , thanks to my bro @willygrattan for taking the time to come over! Great artist and top guy." Ikeme tweeted.

RUMOURS: Juve to offer Mandzukic in part-swap for Alexis

Juventus are plotting an adventurous bid to sign Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez with Mario Mandzukic included as a makeweight in a potential player-plus-cash deal, according to CalcioMercatoWeb. The Bianconeri have been admirers of the Chilean for some time and will offer the Croatian as part of a potential player-plus-cash exchange in order to land him Alexis is currently in talks with the Gunners over a new contract, though negotiations are said to have stalled due to the Chilean's demands of a hefty increase on his current wage of £130,000 per week. Juve CEO Beppe Marotta is a big admirer of the Sanchez and hopes that Arsenal's reluctance to cave to the attacker's wishes will prove useful in an any attempt to lure the 27-year-old to Turin.

Firmino hopes to become the Neymar of Liverpool

 The Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino has enjoyed a close relationship with Klopp since the German's arrival at Anfield in October 2015 were he hopes to become "the Neymar of Liverpool" with the help of Jurgen Klopp, but admits that fulfilling that ambition is ultimately up to him. And he is keen to take the next step in his career under the 49-year-old, who played a key role in the development of stars such as Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus at Borussia Dortmund. "I played against Klopp's teams for four-and-a-half years [in the Bundesliga]," former Hoffenheim forward Firmino told The Daily Mail. "I know what he wants from a player. When I heard that he was coming to be Liverpool manager, I was so pleased.

Top transfer rumours

Islam Slimani to Leicester City: Despite a significant summer facelift already this window, the Foxes are keen to do some last minute transfer business as they look to bolster their squad for the challenges ahead. According to reports, the reigning Premier League champions have had a 35 million Euro fee for Algeria forward Slimani accepted, despite initially being interested in both him and teammate Adrien Silva, but have left it late to get the

PSG ask Chelsea for £38m for David Luiz

Paris Saint-Germain have told Chelsea that their initial offer for David Luiz is not enough and are demanding £38 million for him. The Blues' bid of £32m fell short of the French champions' valuation of him and PSG won't sanction the sale until they find a replacement. The Brazil international wants a return to Stamford Bridge, but the money on offer from the Blues is below the French champions' valuation. However, Les Parisiens have been looking into options from their shortlist since Tuesday night, but are yet to put in any formal offers on replacements with the transfer window due to close at 23:00 BST on Wednesday.