It is an open secret that Lionel Messi will cut ties with PSG. Meanwhile, a suitable replacement for the Argentinian world champion is being thoroughly searched in the French capital. The name of Bernardo Silva pops up.
Mbappé tips old acquaintance as successor to Messi
Everything points to Messi leaving PSG after this season. Barcelona and Saudi Arabia are mentioned as possible destinations. Meanwhile, Luís Campos is considering a successor. l’Équipe and Le Parisien report that the technical boss has come out in Manchester. Negotiations with City about a transfer of Silva have reportedly already started.
As technical director of AS Monaco, Campos relieved Silva of his hopeless situation at Benfica in 2015. On the Côte d’Azur, the Portuguese playmaker then earned a transfer to City, where he is in his sixth season. In Stade Louis II, Silva still played together with Mbappé. The PSG star player is said to have urged the club management for a reunion.
Silva was also in the interest of PSG last summer, which then missed his arrival. Jorge Mendes, the 28-year-old attacker’s agent, maintains close ties with the Ligue 1 league leaders and Campos in particular. Mendes previously brought Vitinha and Renato Sanches to PSG. Chances seem plausible that Silva will be next.
Toulouse removes Aboukhlal from selection pending internal investigation
Zakaria Aboukhlal is currently training for herself at Toulouse. The French club has removed the 23-year-old attacker from the selection until further notice following reports from RMC Sport. The club has launched an internal investigation.
Toulouse does not report which RMC coverage it concerns. French media reported on Sunday about five players suspended by the club because they did not want to associate themselves with a statement on the international day against homophobia. Aboukhlal would have been one of the five players.
RMC came up with another story about Aboukhlal on Monday, which was about celebrating the win of the Coupe de France. During the festivities, the group of players was addressed by Laurence Arribagé, deputy mayor and alderman for sports of the city. When the players were a bit rowdy, Arribagé asked for silence. Aboukhlal is said to have said: “Women don’t talk to men like that at home.”
In a response, Arribagé said that she did indeed ask the players if they wanted to be quiet. She denies that Aboukhlal made the statement being written about, but RMC relies on various sources. “The players just don’t like it when they’re asked to shut up like this,” says Arribagé.
According to RMC, there were several witnesses to the incident and Toulouse was also notified. A penalty was initially not followed for Aboukhlal, who has now been removed from the selection by the Ligue 1 club, pending the investigation that is being carried out.
