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PSG CONFIDENT IN SIGNING LIONEL MESSI, HOPE TO COMPLETE DEAL WITHIN THE WEEK

Paris St Germain are confident signing Lionel Messi would be profitable in the long run and hope to complete a deal within a week, the PA news agency understands.

Barcelona announced on Thursday night that the Argentina superstar would be leaving the Nou Camp, with financial restrictions preventing them from offering him a new contract.

LaLiga has a salary cap, calculated based on a club’s financial health, which was reduced in November in the wake of the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and Barca have been hit hard.

PSG were understood to initially be of the view that a deal could not be done when the announcement came, but sources close to the matter say a direct approach from Messi to PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino later on Thursday changed the dynamic.

Overnight the French club undertook a commercial analysis and determined that signing Messi would work within the confines of Financial Fair Play rules.

The personal connection between Messi and fellow Argentinian Pochettino and the fact the deal is a free transfer are both factors in PSG pursuing the deal.

They believe Messi’s signing would drive up their commercial revenues, both in Europe and in South America should he link up with Brazilian star Neymar.

The French club had been in contact with Barcelona earlier in the summer regarding Messi but thought the chance to sign him had passed when it was indicated he would be staying in Catalonia.

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TOTTENHAM TO SIGN SERIE A DEFENDER OF THE YEAR CRISTIAN ROMERO FOR 55M

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to confirm the €55 million ($65m) signing of Atalanta defender Cristian Romero within the next 48 hours, sources have revealed.

The 23-year-old underwent the final part of his medical on Thursday and assuming no complications, he is then expected to fly to London to finalise the paperwork.

Spurs have agreed a deal believed to worth €50m with €5m in add-ons in a transfer that will rank as the second most expensive in the club’s history after Tanguy Ndombele’s €60m ($71m) arrival from Lyon in July 2019.

It would also be the third signing of new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure after goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini arrived on loan also from Atalanta and Bryan Gil joined the club from Sevilla in a move which saw Erik Lamela travel in the opposite direction.

Spurs’ pursuit of Romero is believed to have been influenced by the club’s managing director of football, Fabio Paratici. The centre-back was named Serie A’s Defender of the Year last year during a campaign in which he made 42 appearances across all competitions as Atalanta finished third and lost the Coppa Italia final to Juventus.

Romero joined Atalanta on a two-year loan from Juventus at the start of the 2020-21 season with the option to make the deal permanent for €16m ($19m), payable in three instalments.

Spurs were keen on signing a centre-back throughout last season and with former boss Jose Mourinho identifying Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar as his preferred target. However, the clubs could not agree a fee and the arrivals of Nuno and Paratici have seen Tottenham shift their focus elsewhere.

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RAPINOE, LLOYD SCORE BRACE AS USWNT WINS OLYMPIC FOOTBALL BRONZE VS AUSTRALIA

The United States women’s national team beat Australia 4-3 to win the Olympic bronze-medal match Thursday, with Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd both scoring braces.

It was a record-breaking evening for Lloyd, who became the USWNT’s top scorer in Olympics history with 10 goals and its second-most-capped player of all time, after Kristine Lilly, with 312 appearances.

Sam Kerr also became the Matildas’ all-time top scorer with her first-half strike, while Caitlin Foord added a second for Australia.

Emily Gielnik scored in the final moments of the game to set up a tense finish.

The seven-goal thriller was a marked difference to the group-stage game between the two, which ended 0-0.

Rapinoe — who said during the week she was “gutted” not to be competing for the gold medal — opened the scoring after eight minutes with an Olimpico goal.

Kerr pulled one back to bring the game level on 17 minutes. Foord found the Chelsea star in plenty of space, and while USWNT goalkeeper Adrianna Franch did get a touch on the ball, it wasn’t enough as it slid under her and into the goal.

Rapinoe added her second on 21 minutes after Australia defender Alanna Kennedy failed to clear the ball in the box and instead handed it straight to Rapinoe, who volleyed the ball perfectly into the back of Teagan Micah’s net.

Lloyd scored her first goal at the end of the first half with an assist from Lindsey Horan and completed her brace on 51 minutes after another mix-up from Kennedy.

It looked like the USWNT was going to dominate for the rest of the second half, but Foord headed home for Australia on 54 minutes after a cross from Kyah Simon to keep Vlatko Andonovski’s side on its toes.

Lloyd could have had a hat trick 20 minutes from the end of the match but was called offside, the 10th time the USWNT have been found offside in this tournament.

Gielnik’s superb strike on 89 minutes gave the Matildas a final chance to draw the game level, but they were unable to find an equalizer.

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JACK GREALISH COMPLETES MANCHESTER CITY MOVE ON SIX YEAR DEAL

Manchester City have announced the signing of Jack Grealish on a six-year deal from Aston Villa.

Grealish (25) leaves Villa having made 213 appearances over the course of eight seasons, scoring 32 goals.

The Premier League champions had been heavily linked with England midfielder Grealish all summer, with a reported £100 million British record deal agreed.

City confirmed Grealish will wear the number 10 shirt, which was recently vacated by the departure of long-serving striker Sergio Aguero.

“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City. City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world – it’s a dream come true to be part of this club,” Grealish said on www.mancity.com.

“Over the past 10 seasons, they have won major trophies consistently. Pep [Guardiola] coming here has taken them to the next level and the football this team plays is the most exciting in Europe.

“To play for Pep and learn from him is going to be special and it’s something any top footballer would want.

“The facilities are amazing, and I honestly can’t wait to get started, meet everyone and get playing.”

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain hailed Grealish as “an incredible talent”.

Begiristain said: “Jack’s development over the past few seasons both for club and country has been plain for everybody to see. His natural talent together with his commitment to improve as a player, has seen him become one of the most exciting attacking players in world football today.

“I am certain that the fans are going to love seeing him in our team. Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City.

“Our style and his style are a perfect match. I’m excited to watch him over the coming years.”

Grealish, who had four years remaining on his Villa contract, developed into one of English football’s hottest properties.

The midfielder scored six goals in the Premier League last season, also providing 10 assists, and went on to help England reach the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Birmingham-born Grealish admitted it was not an easy decision to leave his boyhood club.

“It was obviously a difficult few months because I have been an Aston Villa fan for my whole life,” he said.

“But when I spoke to the manager here and you see what type of players they have got here, in the end it was something I couldn’t say no to. I am absolutely delighted to be here.”

Grealish revealed the chance to play Champions League football next season and to push for top club honours were key to moving to City this summer.

“There are obviously a lot of reasons why I decided to come here. The manager has been a massive factor; playing under the best manager in the world was something I couldn’t really turn down, (and) obviously the players that we have got here,” Grealish said.

“Competing for major trophies is something that I wanted to do. It was something I couldn’t turn down. Let’s hope it is a successful one.”

Grealish feels he can earn his place in Guardiola’s starting XI.

“It is something that I thrive off and I think everyone needs to be kept on their toes for competition for places,” the midfielder said.

“There is so much talent here and I just cannot wait to get in and amongst it and speak with these guys.

“I still think I am young, I am only 25, so I can still learn from all these people.

“I can’t wait to do that, to play and train with them and just be in and around them.

“You can learn from these people and I cannot wait to get started and to get playing.”

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SKY SPORTS WINS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO SHOE BUNDESLIGA GAMES IN IRELAND

Sky Sports has won the exclusive rights to show the Bundesliga in the UK and Ireland for the next four seasons.

As the home of German top-flight football, they said fans will be able to tune in to watch superstars including Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and 30-time Bundesliga champions FC Bayern München as they challenge for domestic glory from the 2021/22 to 2024/25 seasons.

Sky Sports’ coverage of the league will begin at 7.30pm on Friday, August 13th with champions FC Bayern München travelling to Borussia Mönchengladbach, before eight time league winners Borussia Dortmund take on Eintracht Frankfurt on the Saturday, with kick off at 5.30pm.

In addition to the Bundesliga, Sky Sports will also broadcast the German Supercup live, with Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München going head-to-head on, August 17th at Signal Iduna Park.

Sky said the premium fixture of each weekend will be shown live every Saturday at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Football, with further matches broadcast via Sky Sports linear or digital channels including Sky Sports YouTube.

They said the deal widens the Sky – Bundesliga partnership, with deals in place across the Sky Group in UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany (including German language rights in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and South Tyrol) and Austria.

Speaking about the partnership, Sky Sports managing Director Jonathan Licht said: “We’re delighted to have acquired the rights to the Bundesliga. Sky Sports customers will have the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world as well as some of the leading teams in Europe.”

Meanwhile, Bundesliga International chief executive Robert Klein added: “This is a partnership that will deliver the best of the Bundesliga week-in, week-out, through world-class production and multi-platform coverage.

“With Sky as our partner, Bundesliga fans will benefit from a first-class football viewing experience. This, paired with the Bundesliga’s trademark attacking style of football, means that fans can expect an action-packed season, featuring some of the world’s best players and the most exciting up-and-coming talent.”

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LIONEL MESSI TO LEAVE BARCELONA AS CLUB BLAMES LA LIGA REGULATIONS

Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, the La Liga club said on Thursday, citing economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of the deal.

Messi, who joined Barca’s youth set-up aged 13, is the club’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker with 672 goals in 778 games in all competitions.

The Argentina forward was free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs after his deal ran out at the end of June, but Barcelona had always maintained he wanted to stay with the club.

Messi, who has spent his whole career at Barcelona, had been expected to sign a new five-year deal with the Catalan club, which would have included a salary reduction of 50 per cent.

Barcelona needed to financially restructure in order to get the deal over the line, which proved impossible in the end as they failed to reduce their wage bill in order and stay within La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

La Liga chief Javier Tebas said last month that Barcelona, who have a total debt of more than €1 billion, would not be shown any leniency when it comes to obeying the league’s strict financial control rules.

The news of Messi’s exit comes a day after La Liga agreed in principle to sell 10 per cent of a newly formed company housing most of its business to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for €2.7 billion.

“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” Barca said in a statement.

“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

Messi’s last contract, signed in 2017, was the most lucrative in world sport according to a January report in newspaper El Mundo.

Messi had tried to leave Barcelona in August 2020, making a formal request for an exit after a breakdown in his relationship with then president Josep Maria Bartomeu but successor Joan Laporta, who presided over the Argentine’s rise to greatness, convinced him to stay.

The Argentine, who helped Barcelona claim 10 league titles, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups among his haul of 35 trophies, remains without a club ahead of the 2021-22 season.

The Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta will hold a news conference on Friday morning in the wake of Messi’s exit.

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AARONSON SCORES LATE WINNER AS SALZBURG BEAT BARCELONA IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

United States international Brenden Aaronson struck a late winner as FC Salzburg beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena in an entertaining preseason friendly on Wednesday.

Aaronson, who joined Salzburg from the Philadelphia Union in January, turned home from close range in the last minute after Chukwubuike Adamu had hit the post.

Martin Braithwaite’s fortunate goal five minutes earlier looked to have rescued a draw for Barca following Luka Sucic’s deflected opener just before the break.

Salzburg’s winning margin might have been greater if not for a string of glaring misses from Switzerland forward Noah Okafor in the first half.

This was Barca’s fourth game of preseason and the first they have failed to win. They’re still without Lionel Messi, who’s not yet signed his new deal with the Catalan club and remains a free agent.

Barca were also missing several other players due to injuries, the Olympic Games and players returning late from international tournaments this summer.

However, Ronald Koeman was still able to name a strong side in Austria, with Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann among those slotting into a 3-5-2 formation.

It was the home side who roared out of the blocks in a front of a ferocious crowd, though, and they should have been 2-0 up before Sucic’s 43rd-minute opener.

Okafor missed two gilt-edged chances, blazing over with the goal gaping after a Jordi Alba mistake and sliding wide later when one on one with Neto.

At the other end, Memphis curled wide for Barca and Griezmann hit the roof of the net but Nico Mantl was never really troubled.

Salzburg finally opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when Sucic’s long-range effort took a touch off De Jong to deceive Neto.

Multiple substitutions disrupted the second half, but Salzburg remained on top and there was still time for Okafor to miss another opening, firing straight at Neto when well placed, before he was finally replaced.

The game opened up late on, with Alejandro Balde and Memphis both testing substitute goalkeeper Philipp Kohn from distance before Braithwaite’s leveller.

The Denmark striker didn’t know much about it, though, with the ball ricocheting off him and beating Kohn after Sergino Dest’s shot was only half-cleared.

Salzburg pushed hard in the final five minutes to restore their lead. Some last-ditch defending from Dest kept Benajamin Sesko out on the line but the home side kept going.

Adamu shook the post but Aaronson, who scored seven goals in his debut season in Salzburg last term, was quickest to react to the loose ball.

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HAKIM ZIYECH SCORES BRACE AS CHELSEA PLAY 2-2 DRAW IN TOTTENHAM FRIENDLY

Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 against Chelsea in an entertaining pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge.

A brace from Blues winger Hakim Ziyech gave last season’s Champions League winners a lead their performance to that point deserved before Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn struck twice in 14 second-half minutes to wipe out their advantage.

Fresh from Sunday’s win over Arsenal in the opening game of “The Mind Series” — a preseason competition between the Blues, Spurs and the Gunners organised to support better mental health — Thomas Tuchel’s side started strongly before approximately 25,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.

Ziyech drove home his first from 20 yards after 16 minutes before netting again just three minutes into the second period. However, Spurs improved thereafter with Moura’s heavily-deflected shot halving the deficit and Bergwijn’s low finish restoring parity.

Tottenham were without Harry Kane after he failed to report back for preseason training as planned with the 28-year-old seeking a move to Manchester City but Son Heung-Min, who recently signed a new four-year deal, started in attack with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon among those also included in the line-up.

Chelsea made two changes to the team that beat the Gunners with N’Golo Kante and Marcus Alonso drafted in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic.

Kante had excelled in the Champions League Final win against Manchester City — Cesar Azpilicueta brought the trophy out to a guard of honour and rapturous applause before kickoff — and he picked up that form in west London, helping the home side take firm control after Son’s fifth-minute low drive forced Edouard Mendy into an early save.

Spurs quickly looked overrun in midfield and as Moura picked up the ball and looked to drive over the halfway line, he was stopped in his tracks by a superb trademark tackle from Kante.

The loose ball fell to Ziyech and he took advantage of the space ahead of him to drive forward into a central position before unleashing a left-foot drive past new Spurs goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who joined the club in July on an initial season-long loan from Atalanta.

Chelsea continued to dominate and Timo Werner rounded Gollini to score just before the interval but his goal was ruled out — incorrectly — for offside.

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo introduced Harry Winks for Hojbjerg at the interval as Chelsea brought on Pulisic and Tiemoue Bakayoko for Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi but the Blues initially continued in the ascendancy.

Four minutes into the second half Werner, Kai Havertz and Alonso combined to find Ziyech in the box and his shot took a nick off Eric Dier before finding the net.

Spurs began their revival just before the hour mark when Moura’s shot deflected heavily off Antonio Rudiger and looped into the net.

Tuchel then made seven changes — including academy graduate Dijon Sterling, who tested Collina moments after coming on with a low left-foot shot from the edge of the box — but the Blues inevitably looked more disjointed as mistakes began to creep in.

And Spurs capitalised with 20 minutes remaining when another substitute — Malang Sarr — lost the ball allowing the visitors to break, Son feeding Bergwijn to finish low through Mendy’s legs.

Ben Davies, another second-half introduction, almost won it with a left-foot shot which Ethan Ampadu cleared off the line but the spoils were shared in a match from which both sides will take positives as they build up to competitive action next week with Chelsea set to face Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup Final on Aug. 11.

Spurs play Arsenal in their final preseason friendly on Sunday.

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MAN UNITED’S AXEL TUANZEBE SET TO JOIN ASTON VILLA ON SEASON-LONG LOAN DEAL

Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly set to cut short his Manchester United nightmare and secure a season-long loan move to Aston Villa in the coming days.

According to a reliable source, Villa have struck an agreement with United over the 23-year-old’s temporary move to the Midlands.

Tuanzebe has less than a year remaining on his current contract at Old Trafford and is expected to extend it for another year before sealing a move to Villa Park.

United will exercise the extension clause before letting the talented defender join the Lions for the third time.

Indeed, Tuanzebe first linked up with Villa on a six-month loan in January 2018, spending the second part of the season in Birmingham.

Despite his sporadic appearances, Dean Smith decided to give the youngster another shot next term, which turned out to be a massive hit.

Tuanzebe played a significant part in Villa’s promotion-winning 2018/19 Championship campaign, helping the side return to the top-flight after a three-year hiatus.

However, the centre-back’s sparkling displays for the Claret & Blue Army ensured the his return to United, where he failed to hold down a regular starting berth.

Often tormented by physical setbacks, Tuanzebe spent most of his career under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer playing second fiddle to the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

With the arrival of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, his chances of breaking into Solskjaer’s starting XI have suffered another devastating blow.

So a departure was the only reasonable solution for the young prospect, who needs regular playing time to fulfil his potential.

Yet, Tuanzebe will have to fight Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings for the place in Smith’s starting line-up.

Despite Villa’s disappointing defensive record last season, the pair’s game time was never compromised due to a lack of reliable back-up options.

With Tuanzebe likely to become the club’s fourth signing this summer, Smith will have another solid defender to increase competition at the back.

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LOUIS VAN GAAL NAMED NETHERLANDS MANAGER FOR THIRD TIME

Louis van Gaal been appointed as the Netherlands manager for the third time, the KNVB have announced.

Van Gaal replaces Frank De Boer, who left the role of Netherlands boss in June following a disappointing Euro 2020 exit to Czech Republic in the round of 16, and has agreed a deal up to and including the 2022 World Cup.

“Dutch football has always been close to my heart and national coaching is in my view a key position for the further advancement of our football,” Van Gaal said. “Moreover, I consider it an honour to coach the Dutch national team.

“There is little time for the next qualifying matches, which are immediately crucial for participation in the World Cup. The focus is therefore immediately 100% on the players and the approach. After all, I was appointed for that.

“It is good to be back in Zeist. By now I have already spoken to a number of players and the technical staff has been put together with the KNVB. I am very much looking forward to getting the job done together.”

The move marks Van Gaal’s return to management after he announced his retirement in 2019. The 69-year-old’s most recent coaching job was at Manchester United, where he was sacked in 2016 after winning the FA Cup.

Van Gaal was first appointed Netherlands boss in 2000, but the move was short-lived after his side failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

He was granted a second chance at the job in 2012, enjoying a two-year stint in charge. That time the Netherlands successfully qualified for the 2014 World Cup and reached the semifinals before losing to Argentina on penalties.

Van Gaal has won 20 major trophies in a 30-year coaching career during which he also managed Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich.

Danny Blind, Henk Fraser and Frans Hoek will assist Van Gaal in the role.