Falcao: I hope to stay at Monaco

The Colombia international is being heavily linked with Liverpool, AC Milan and Juve - but the striker says that, contrary to reports, he has no desire to depart the principality

Radamel Falcao has dismissed rumours linking him with a move away from Monaco, insisting that he wants to stay at the Stade Louis II.
The Colombia international only joined the Ligue 1 outfit from Atletico Madrid last year but it has been reported that he is desperate to leave the principality before the close of this summer's transfer window.

Liverpool, Juventus and AC Milan are among those said to be interested in signing the striker on loan for the 2014-15 campaign but Falcao claims he has no desire to depart Monaco.

"I'm happy here and I hope to stay," the 28-year-old told Canal+ after scoring the only goal in his club's 1-0 win over Ligue 1 rivals Nantes on Sunday night.

Falcao's appearance at the Stade de la Beaujoire represented the forward's first start for Monaco since suffering knee ligament damage in January.

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Evian - Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Champions must make do without Ibrahimovic

The Swede is facing six weeks on the sidelines with an injury sustained in his side's win over Bastia but the striker should not be missed against Ligue 1's basement boys

Paris Saint-Germain are expecting a tough test on Friday against a fired-up Evian side who have given them problems in recent times.

Evian will be desperate for an upturn in fortunes against the Ligue 1 champions in Annecyin after a dismal start to the season.

If a 3-0 home defeat to Caen in their season's opener was not bad enough, the smaller club were hammered 6-2 by Rennes on Saturday to leave themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.

A defence who have conceded nine goals in two league games are sure to have PSG forwards Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi rubbing their hands together.

There will be no Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as the PSG talisman is expected to miss up to six weeks after injuring his rib in their 2-0 win against Bastia on Saturday.

Cavani has been regularly linked with moves away from the French capital in the close-season but Ibrahimovic's short-term absence means that he is now likely to stay at the club.

Ibrahimovic was not the only player to suffer injury on Saturday, with Thiago Motta having his nose broken by a headbutt from Bastia striker Brandao in the tunnel, while defender Gregory van der Wiel went off with a back problem.

Neither Motta nor van der Wiel are expected to feature against Evian, a side who have lost just one of their last four home matches against PSG, while captain Thiago Silva is definitely ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Evian beat PSG 2-0 in December last year, a result that ended the club's 36-match unbeaten run in all competitions but neither of the scorers on that occasion – Clarck N'Sikulu and Modou Sougou – started in their loss at Rennes.

PSG defender Lucas Digne is wary of the threat posed by out-of-sorts Evian despite their poor start, telling the club's official website: "Last year we lost 2-0 but the match was a bit special because it was played on a frozen pitch.

"On Friday it will be another tough game and that's what we're [expecting]. We know they will be looking for revenge [after recent losses].

"They will be out to try and push us around, like they have tried to do in recent years. Like every away match, we will be looking to impose our football to win."

• Last 6 Matches

  16 Aug 2014

  Rennes6-2Evian Thonon Gaillard

  9 Aug 2014

  Evian Thonon Gaillard0-3Caen

  17 May 2014

  Sochaux0-3Evian Thonon Gaillard

  10 May 2014

  Evian Thonon Gaillard2-0Nice

  4 May 2014

  Reims1-0Evian Thonon Gaillard

  26 Apr 2014

  Evian Thonon Gaillard1-2St Etienne

  16 Aug 2014

  Paris Saint Germain2-0Bastia

  8 Aug 2014

  Reims2-2Paris Saint Germain

  17 May 2014

  Paris Saint Germain4-0Montpellier

  10 May 2014

  Lille1-3Paris Saint Germain

  7 May 2014

  Paris Saint Germain1-2Rennes

  27 Apr 2014

  Sochaux1-1Paris Saint Germain

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Paris Saint-Germain prepare Cech bid

The Ligue 1 champions are ready to make the first move for the demoted Chelsea goalkeeper, with the likes of Monaco and Real Madrid also monitoring the situation

Paris Saint-Germain are set to make the first move for Petr Cech as they prepare to bid for the demotedChelsea goalkeeper, Goal understands.

The veteran was a high-profile casualty of the Blues' intense competition for places after being overlooked in favour of Thibaut Courtois against Burnley on Monday night.

As revealed by Goal, Cech will be encouraged to find a new club in the final fortnight of the transfer window following a decade as Chelsea's undisputed No.1.

Real Madrid and Monaco are among the clubs closely monitoring the 32-year-old's situation but the first formal offer is expected to come from PSG following confirmation of his downgraded status.

Salvatore Sirigu has begun the season in goal for the Ligue 1 champions but Cech would be regarded as an upgrade on the 27-year-old Italy international.

Monaco recently signed Fulham's Maarten Stekelenburg on a season-long loan but have a concrete interest in Cech.



Real captured Costa Rica World Cup star Keylor Navas earlier this summer before offloading Diego Lopez to AC Milan and would need to move on Iker Casillas if they are to land the Chelsea man.

Mourinho claimed on Monday that he wants to keep Cech but the west Londoners are believed to be ready to cash in on the keeper, who has two years remaining on his current contract, if they receive an offer that matches their £10 million valuation. A loan away from Stamford Bridge with a recall option could be a solution to what is a tricky issue for the club and player.

Chelsea already have an experienced understudy in place should he leave. Mark Schwarzer, Cech's backup last season, signed a one-year extension in July.

Cech is unlikely to accept a season sat on the bench after Mourinho's team selection against Burnley confirmed that Courtois will be given the chance to establish himself as the club's new No.1.

As revealed by Goal on Tuesday, Courtois is now prepared to sign a new five-year-contract that triples his wages to £90,000-a-week. He had held back on putting pen to paper until he was confirmed as the starter in goal.

Cech has established himself as one of the world's outstanding keepers during his decade at Stamford Bridge.

Since joining Chelsea from Rennes for £7m in 2004, he has made 479 appearances for the club and won the Champions League, the Europa League, three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

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It's difficult for Paris Saint-Germain to sign Di Maria, admits Blanc

The Argentine has confirmed his intention to leave Real Madrid this summer but the French champions are competing with Manchester United for the winger

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Laurent Blanc admits it will be difficult for his side to sign Real Madridwinger Angel Di Maria.

Earlier this month, the French club's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi conceded a move for the Argentina international was "too expensive". Manchester United, meanwhile, remain keen on securing a deal, with Louis van Gaal stating that he needed a winger of the "highest level".

Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Thursday that Di Maria wants to leave Real Madrid this summer but Blanc accepts his side could miss out on the 26-year-old.

"There are many clubs interested in Di Maria," said the PSG boss. "PSG cannot do what we want. It’s a difficult case."

The French champions are also straining to keep hold of 19-year-old midfielder Adrien Rabiot, whose contract is up at the end of the season.

"It is possible that Rabiot will leave us, but I cannot tell you the destination," Blanc revealed.

"I think that his entourage are profiting from his contractual situation. Rabiot has a very good offer from PSG but apparently it’s not interesting. It’s a shame.

"I want Rabiot to stay, but the decision is not mine."

PSG travel to face Evian on Friday evening in their third Ligue 1 match of the season and they have been boosted by the confirmation that Thiago Motta will be able to feature after being headbutted in the tunnel last week by Brandao. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, however, is definitely sidelined, though Blanc indicated that the Swede will not be absent for much longer.

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Ocampos: Monaco stars have confidence in Jardim

The former Sporting Lisbon boss has seen his side lose their first two Ligue 1 fixtures this season but the young attacker insists that his philosophy will soon bear fruit

Lucas Ocampos is convinced that Monaco will turn around their poor start to Ligue 1 and has full belief in new coach Leonardo Jardim.

Having finished runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain last season, much was expected of Monaco this term, despite the departure of James Rodriguez to Real Madrid. 

Jardim was the man chosen to replace Claudio Ranieri at the helm in the close-season but the former Sporting Lisbon boss has endured a tough start to life at the Stade Louis II.

Monaco have lost both their Ligue 1 fixtures so far this season, including a 4-1 defeat at Bordeaux last time out, but Ocampos has no doubt that Jardim's methods will soon begin to bear fruit. 

"The coach brings a new philosophy," the 20-year-old midfielder told the club's official website. "For now, we have not been able to demonstrate it but I am convinced that in the coming matches we will react and reap the fruits of our labour.

2I think the coach brings a lot of confidence to the players, this is very positive.

"This year we would like to win a title; the most important is the championship."

Monaco are set to return to the Champions League this season after a nine-year absence and Ocampos cannot wait to get started.

"It's a dream to play in the Champions League this season," he added. "After the World Cup, this is the best competition."

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Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to sign Xabi Alonso?

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, left, is the latest player to be linked with the task of filling Manchester United’s midfield void. Photograph: Rex

Have the trampolines ready; the fireworks too. Something big is happening, something glorious, and it’s happening at Liverpool, who are on the verge of replacing Luis Suárez with Mario Balotelli. Yes, it seems that Liverpool have had enough peace and quiet this summer after losing their lovable Uruguayan and are looking to do a loan deal with Milan for Balotelli, who must be itching to get back to these shores after having such a great time at Manchester City. It was all lies, he really did love us, he really did love England, despite always suggesting otherwise. And if the Balotelli deal falls through, Liverpool will turn their attention back to Monaco’s Radamel Falcao.

Chelsea officials have hypnotised Roma officials and are close to duping them into taking Fernando Torres off their hands and sendingMattia Destro to Stamford Bridge in return. The only stumbling block is thought to be whether Torres remembers to take his passport to the airport with him. Meanwhile Monaco are the latest club to show an interest in Petr Cech. Think about it Petr: sun, money, one of the finest stadiums in the world, Dimitar Berbatov.

Samuel Eto’o has turned down a move to Ajax because he wants to go to Everton or Liverpool. He’s not fussy, he just really wants to live on Merseyside as he’s a huge fan of Brookside. Speaking of which, is that show still running?

Newcastle are trying to keep a straight face as they demand £14m forCheikh Tioté, a target for Lokomotiv Moscow.

Manchester United are trying to keep a straight face as they pretend they would really, really, really, really, really like to sign a midfielder. Xabi Alonso is the latest player to be googled by Ed Woodward.

Hull City were commended for their negotiating skills after selling Shane Long to Southampton for £12.5m. Now they want to spend £12m on Blackburn’s Jordan Rhodes, a striker who has never played above the Championship. Figure that one out.

Lukas Podolski will soon be taking selfies in Istanbul, with Arsenal – who are battling Everton for PSG midfielder Clément Chantôme – ready to sell him to Galatasaray.

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Falcao and Cavani still targets in star striker chase Rodgers will continue to deadline day

“The money is there - and we will look to improve at the top end of the field until the very end of the window" says boss seeking to replace Luis Suarez.

Kop chase: Liverpool are still looking at Falcao (right) and Plan B Cavani

Brendan Rodgers has promised to pursue a world class striker right up to midnight on deadline day.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has had Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani on his hit-list after selling 31-goal player of the year Luis Suarez to Barcelona, but admits he is struggling to attract a goal-scorer capable of improving his attacking side.

Rodgers said: “The money is there - and we will look to improve at the top end of the field until the very end of the window.

“It’s not easy to get a top level striker, no. But we have to keep looking. We certainly need something, because we haven’t brought in another striker so far, apart from Rickie Lambert.

“You just never know what will happen in that last week - the window will always throw up something. We will persevere, and the boys are working hard behind the scenes to see what information we can get on the availability of players.”

Despite receiving a knock-back from world-class Monaco hitman Falcao, Rodgers hasn’t completely given up all hope of the Reds snaring the Colombia international.

The 28-year-old, back in action after a knee injurt that kept him out of this summer's World Cup, has set his heart on a move to Real Madrid and has dismissed any alternative - despite being desperate to leave France.

But sources in Spain suggest there is no chance of a deal to take the former Atletico Madrid star to their city rivals, which leaves the faint prospect of a move to Anfield instead.

Rodgers is prepared to wait until the last few hours of the window on September 1st, and offer the prospect of a year long loan deal... which would allow Falcao to keep his options open.

If not, Liverpool will pursue Paris Saint-Germain's Edison Cavani - a player he greatly admires - as an alternative, even though the Uruguayan, Suarez's international strike partner, has also played down the prospect of a switch.

The Kop club's fans were underwhelmed by the idea free agent Samuel Eto’o, now 33, could arrive as a stop-gap replacement for the departed Suarez, but Anfield insiders suggest that is very much a last resort option.

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Paris St-Germain v Bastia

Bastia boss Claude Makelele will face former club Paris St-Germain in his second game as a manager, on Saturday.

The former Chelsea and PSG midfielder left his role as assistant boss at the Parc des Princes this summer to take over at the Corsican club.

They drew 3-3 with Marseille in Makelele's managerial debut, while champions PSG were held 2-2 by Reims.

"We weren't expecting him to leave us, but I'm not disappointed," PSG boss Laurent Blanc said.

"It was what he wanted, it was his choice and he was right to seize this opportunity. We would have preferred that he continued to work with us, but I'm happy for him. I hope he has a great career as a coach.

"We know Claude very well, but he also knows our team very well.

"We are preparing for this match very seriously because, with all due respect, I think we dropped two points against Reims.

"Even if we didn't play an exceptional match, we should still have been good enough to win. We need to play well at home to make up for it, this Saturday at the Parc des Princes."

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Official: Valbuena completes Dinamo Moscow switch

No fee has been revealed for the attacking midfielder's switch to Russia, though it is believed to be in the region of £5.6 million as he signs a two-year deal

France international Mathieu Valbuena has completed his move from Olympique de Marseille to Dinamo Moscow.

The attacking midfielder was entering the final year of his contract at Stade Velodrome and Marseille chose to cash in on the 29-year-old, who has spent the last eight seasons with the Provence outfit.

Although there was interest from the Premier League - with QPR reportedly particularly keen on the winger - as well as a rumoured pursuit from Fiorentina, he has chosen to sign a three-year deal with the Russian outfit. 

No details of the fee have been revealed, though it is believed to be in the region of £5.6 million (€7m).

In a statement on their official website, Marseille praised the 37-time capped Les Bleus star, saying: "He fought with all his abilities, his assets: they became his strength, his trademark.

"For all those moments shared, Mathieu deserves thanks. Good luck..."

Amongst his most memorable moments for Marseille was a stunning goal in the Champions League against Liverpool at Anfield in October 2007, which helped the French club to a famous win. In total, he would make 325 appearances for Marcelo Bielsa's club, scoring on 37 occasions.

Dinamo Moscow, who will take part in the Europa League this season, will become his third senior club, having moved to OM from Libourne in 2006 aged 21.

The Russian outfit have already signed Alexander Buttner from Manchester United and William Vainqueur from Standard this summer.

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