LIONEL MESSI has been officially unveiled as a PSG player, taking the No30 shirt in Paris.
The Argentinian star has been pictured in his new kit as the Ligue 1 side confirm the signing of arguably the greatest player of all time.
Messi has signed a two-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months.
And he will now appear before the media in Paris in a press conference at 10am today UK time.
Elsewhere, Romelu Lukaku has completed a medical and is set to rejoin Chelsea, but will not take part in tonight's Uefa Super Cup.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS FOR THE NEW PREMIER LEAGUE WITH 888SPORT
⚽️Dream Team 2021/22 – pick a team now for the chance to win £100⚽️
Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
- William Pugh
MART-ED MAN
Arsenal and Tottenham are in for Lautaro Martinez, according to reports.
Spurs are said to have made a £60m bid for Inter's Argentine on Friday.
But the forward is said to be uninterested in a move to the North Londoners, according to his agent.
However, he could still move to their bitter rivals Arsenal, according to Eurosport.
They are even said to have agreed personal terms on a deal of around £275,000-a-week.
- William Pugh
LUK NO FURTHER
Manchester United are considering a bid for Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic.
The Serbian striker, 23, burst on to the scene at Eintracht Frankfurt before joining Real Madrid for £52million in 2019.
But he has flopped since his Bernabeu switch, scoring just two goals in 32 appearances before being shipped back to his former side on loan.
AS reported earlier in the summer Real Madrid would demand £35m for the forward and are willing to take a significant loss.
And now according to Tribal Football, United are considering making a move to sign Jovic.
- William Pugh
HOLDING ON
Arsenal want to keep Rob Holding this season, according to reports.
And therefore the club look set to reject any transfer approaches from Newcastle for the defender. Holding, 25, was linked with a move to St James' Park last summer before Steve Bruce reportedly reignited his interest this week.
Leicester were also thought to be considering a move amid their injury crisis with Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana on the sidelines.
But according to Football London, Holding is determined to stay put at the Emirates and fight for his future under Mikel Arteta.
That is despite the club splashing out £50million on Ben White this summer and also having Pablo Mari, Gabriel Magalhaes and Calum Chambers competing for a starting spot.
The ex-Bolton man may even make a swift return from injury to face Brentford in the Premier League curtain-raiser this Friday night.
- William Pugh
S-MART MOVE
Manchester United are no longer interested in selling star Anthony Martial, according to reports.
Previous rumours suggested the Premier League side would let the player leave for around £50million, with Inter Milan said to be interested.
According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils have 'no intention' of selling Martial this summer.
The 25-year-old is thought to be part of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans after returning from injury against Everton in pre-season.
Martial hasn't featured in the Premier League since March due to a knee complaint, missing United's Europa League final defeat to Villarreal.
The France international has been linked with Inter as a replacement for Chelsea-bound ace Romelu Lukaku.
- Marc Mayo
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Lionel Messi has been OFFICIALLY announced as a PSG player.
The 34-year-old leaves Barcelona after 17 years at the club and arrived in Paris yesterday on a private jet tracked by over 100,000 people on website Flightradar24.
PSG’s official Twitter account revealed the news last night with Messi saying: “I can’t wait to set foot on the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
He’s put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the option for a third, and is set to speak at a press conference at the Parc des Princes which is scheduled for 10am.
And the six time Ballon d’Or winner will wear the number 30 shirt in Paris, the same shirt number he wore when he made his professional debut.
Messi is said to have turned down an offer from Neymar for the new signing to take over his number 10 shirt.
Romelu Lukaku could be announced as a Chelsea player today.
The Inter Milan forward flew to Monaco on Monday to continue finalising the deal at the headquarters of his agent, Federico Pastorello.
He’s set to join in a £97.5million deal, making him the second most expensive Premier League player of all time, behind the £100million Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish last week.
And he may already been registered as a Chelsea player, meaning the 28-year-old is eligible to play in tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash against Villarreal.
- Sandra Brobbey
TO BE FRANK
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has admitted to being a huge fan of Denmark icons Peter Schmeichel and Michael Laudrup.
The Bees gaffer, 47, is set to become only the second Dane to have managed a team in England's top-flight.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport's Justin Allen, Frank said: “Michael was one of the greatest players in the world with everything he achieved at PSV, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"Peter was a fantastic keeper. He was named world’s best keeper twice and won us the Euros in 1992 single-handed.
"For a Danish person, it’s huge that I’m going to be the only person with Michael to have managed in the Premier League."
- Sandra Brobbey
KANE PAIN
Joleon Lescott reckons Harry Kane should be prepared to risk angering Tottenham fans in order to seal a dream move to Manchester City.
The former Etihad centre-back told SunSport's Mark Irwin he faced a similar dilemma when he made his £24million move from Everton to City in 2009.
Lescott, 38, said: “It’s very difficult to force through a move, particularly when that kind of thing is not in your character.
“But no one should question why he wants to join City because they are averaging two trophies every year and you’re working with the best players and coaches with the best facilities."
- Giacomo Pisa
PSG PRESIDENT REACTS
The President of PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has spoken on Lionel Messi's historic move.
He told PSG's website: "I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him to Paris, with his family.
"He did not hide his desire to continue to evolve at the highest level and to win trophies. The ambition of the Club is of course identical.
"The addition of Leo to our world-class team confirms the relevance and success of our recruitment.
"Together with our great coach and his staff, I look forward to seeing our team make history for all of our supporters around the world."
- Giacomo Pisa
PS-FREE
Is PSG's business this summer the greatest transfer window of all time?
- Gini Wijnaldum – Free
- Achraf Hakimi – £50million
- Sergio Ramos – Free
- Gianluigi Donnarumma – Free
- Lionel Messi – Free
- Giacomo Pisa
LOVELY LIONEL
Lionel Messi is rumoured to have been offered the number ten shirt at PSG by former teammate Neymar, but turned it down so his close pal could keep it.
The 34-year-old will instead wear the same number shirt he wore when he made his professional debut.
- Giacomo Pisa
MESSI'S MESSAGE
Speaking to PSG's official website on his move, Lionel Messi said:
"I am impatient to start a new chapter of my career in Paris.
"The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions. I know how talented the players and staff are here.
"I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the Club and for the fans.
"I can't wait to set foot on the pitch at the Parc des Princes."
- Giacomo Pisa
BONJOUR LIONEL
And here he is holding the kit of his new club.
Will he will we see him in a PSG kit for the first time in Saturday's home clash against Strasbourg?
- Giacomo Pisa
OFFICIAL REVEAL
Lionel Messi has been OFFICIALLY revealed as a PSG player on the club's official Twitter account.
He does take the number 30 shirt and joins on an initial two-year deal with an option for a third.
- Giacomo Pisa
MARVELLOUS MESSI
Some of Lionel Messi's stats from his 17-and-a-half year spell at Barcelona are barely believable.
- Giacomo Pisa
MORE OF MESSI
Pictures have also been leaked of Lionel Messi being filmed on the pitch at the Parc des Princes for his announcement video.
That video is not expected to be officially released until tomorrow.
- Giacomo Pisa
SNAPPED
A picture has been leaked on social media of Lionel Messi holding the number 30 shirt at the Parc des Princes.
This backs up reports by Get French Football News who claimed the Argentine will take the No30 – the same number shirt he wore when he made his professional debut in October 2004.
- Giacomo Pisa
DONE AND DUSTED
Lionel Messi's PSG medical is now completely done, according to Sky Sports.
All that's left now is the official announcement, which is expected at 10am (UK time) tomorrow at a press conference at the Parc des Princes.
The 34-year-old arrived in Paris this morning on a private jet from Barcelona, with Over 100,000 people tracking his journey on flight tracking website Flightradar24.
- Giacomo Pisa
MIND BOGGLING
Here’s a look at the top earners at PSG, with Lionel Messi going straight into the number one slot by quite some distance.
- Lionel Messi – £650,000 a week
- Neymar – £490,000 a week
- Kylian Mbappe – £310,000 a week
- Marquinhos – £250,000 a week
- Marco Verratti – £235,000 a week
- Angel Di Maria – £235,000 a week
- Keylor Navas – £210,000 a week
- Gianluigi Donnarumma – £200,000 a week
- Sergio Ramos – £200,000 a week
- Presnel Kimpembe – £175,000 a week
- Mauro Icardi – £170,000 a week
- Georginio Wijnaldum – £160,000 a week
- Achraf Hakimi – £160,000 a week
HOTEL HELLO
Lionel Messi waves to PSG fans who have gathered outside his hotel in Paris.
PSG are holding a press conference at 10am (UK time) tomorrow, where Messi is set to be officially unveiled.
GERARD'S GUTTED
Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has spoken about Messi's move to PSG, with the two Nou Camp legends playing together for the last 13 years.
He says: "We lose the best player of all time. It has hurt us and it hurt him too.
"I don't know the whole story, the two parties have said that it has been a matter of numbers.
"The management of the last years hasn't helped, but history shows that we will get up."
SIGN HIM UP
Jose Fonte has revealed to talkSPORT that he's been trying to get Cristiano Ronaldo to sign for Lille so he can line up against Lionel Messi in Ligue 1.
Lille won a shock Ligue 1 title last season, ending PSG's run of seven title wins in eight years prior to that.
But with Messi set to be announced as a PSG player tomorrow morning, Les Parisiens will be heavy favourites to reclaim the title they gave up to Lille.
When asked about Messi's move, the former Southampton defender said: "I feel great. I feel great because it's incredible to hear a player like Lionel Messi is in French football in our league.
"It's exciting. Obviously in terms of competitors it's going to be even harder for us but we're up for a challenge – I'm texting Cristiano to come to Lille every day! He's only replied 'ha ha ha.'"
- Giacomo Pisa
ANOTHER ONE
Yep and here's another one from PSG's Twitter account.
They're absolutely loving this.
- Giacomo Pisa
TWITTER TEASER
Here's the latest teaser video released by PSG regarding Lionel Messi.
It's off the printing machine in the club shop, with shirts seemingly being readied for Messi's name and number on the back.
It's not yet clear what number the 34-year-old will take, with Neymar currently occupying Messi's favoured number ten shirt at the Parc des Princes.
- Giacomo Pisa
CONTRACT EXTENSION?
Kylian Mbappe could sign a new deal at PSG after Lionel Messi's arrival in Paris, according to Sky Sport's Dharmesh Sheth.
Mbappe's PSG contract runs out at the end of the season, but Sheth thinks the 22-year-old could be tempted to sign a new contract due to the statement of intent that signing Lionel Messi is.
The French international was rumoured to be open to a move away from the Parc des Princes, but Messi's arrival could change that.
- Giacomo Pisa
BEST OF FRIENDS
Lionel Messi was reportedly considering a sensational reunion with ex-Barcelona pal Luis Suarez at Atletico Madrid, JUSTIN LAWRENCE reports.
Atletico allegedly approached the Argentine in a last-minute bid to steal him from Paris Saint-Germain's clutches, according to Ignacio Miguélez.
The LaLiga champions' boss Diego Simeone directly contacted Messi himself to try and complete a deal, Miguelez claims.
And he also alleges that the 34-year-old and his family were tempted to take up Simeone's offer.
If fellow Argentine Simeone had managed to complete his proposed Messi coup, it would've seen him link up with Suarez at the Metropolitano Stadium.
FULL STORY
Source: Read Full Article
