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PSG have made transfers worth close to €2 billion in their quest for European supremacy

Paris Saint-Germain have significantly inflated an already wild transfer market ever since new owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired a majority stake in the club in 2011.

In their ultimate mission to be crowned champions of Europe, PSG have splashed the cash on numerous high-profile signings over the last decade or so.

We all remember when they changed the transfer market forever by spending a world record €222 million on Neymar in 2017, followed by the second-most expensive transfer in history when they parted ways with €180m to bring Kylian Mbappe on board two years later after a successful loan spell.

There have been far more high-profile transfers over the course of the last two decades or so, though, so let's take a look at their spendings each season and at their most-expensive arrivals of the 21st century.

PSG most expensive incoming transfers

*All figures are taken from Transfermarkt.

PSG's top 10 most expensive player signings

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  10Javier Pastore | €42 million/£37.80 million | Palermo | 2011

  Javier Pastore was one of the first few superstars to arrive at PSG in the initial days of the club's takeover by QSI.

  Signed for €42 million (£37.80m) from Palermo in 2011, Pastore eventually spent seven years at PSG, scoring 29 goals in 186 appearances.

  It was Pastore who vacated his number 10 jersey and gave it as a gift to Neymar when the Brazilian arrived at the club.

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  9Thiago Silva | €42 million/£37.80 million | Milan | 2012

  A transfer that very much took advantage of Milan's financial turmoil at the time, Thiago Silva signed for PSG for €42 million (£37.80 million) in the summer of 2012.

  Milan initially refuted all rumours relating to the Brazilian defender so much so that the club's owner at that time, Silvio Berlusconi, insisted that he would stay at the club.

  The whole saga even reached a stage where just 12 days before signing for PSG, Thiago Silva extended his contract with Milan until 2017.

  However, the move happened after all mere weeks later, making Thiago Silva the most expensive defender in history at that time.

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  8Nuno Mendes | €48.80 million/£44.11 million | Sporting CP | 2022

  PSG initially signed Nuno Mendes on a season-long loan in the summer of 2021.

  His performances for the club saw him nominated for Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year award and also saw him rewarded with a place in the Team of the Year.

  The Portuguese left-back was so good that PSG decided to exercise their option to trigger his buyout clause of €48.80 million (£44.11m) and sign him on a four-year deal.

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  7David Luiz | €49.50 million/£44.55 million | Chelsea | 2014

  Just two years after signing Thiago Silva for a world record fee for a defender, PSG broke their own record and brought in David Luiz from Chelsea in the summer of 2014.

  Signed for €49.50 million (£44.55 million), Luiz won all four domestic competitions in his two-season spell in France before returning to Stamford Bridge in a €35m (£31.50m) million transfer in 2016.

  After another three seasons at Chelsea, Luiz joined Arsenal before returning back to his home country to join Flamengo in 2021.

Oh wow 😍

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With the Premier League season now only a matter of weeks away, every club has unveiled at least its home kit for the upcoming season. With the deluge of new designs and new innovations – from West Ham’s graffiti detailing to Manchester United’s returning collar – we thought it was time to look back at the best kits each of this season’s 20 clubs has worn in the Premier League over the last three decades.

• Bournemouth / GOAL
  

  AFC Bournemouth 2022-23

  AFC Bournemouth don’t have the longest history in the Premier League – five seasons between 2015 and 2020 and the upcoming year – and throughout most of that they stuck to the same formula. The club’s signature black and red stripes were a constant, including in the two seasons the kits were produced by JD Sports. After two years in Championship exile, though, Bournemouth are back and they’ve reworked the stripes. Breaking from tradition, the stripes have been transformed into a jagged new design that references the architectural pillars of the home stadium.

  Get it from Umbro for £60.00

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  Arsenal 2005-06

  As a Premier League mainstay, Arsenal have had some bangers. For the 2005-06 season, the club paid tribute to its iconic stadium Highbury, which it was due to leave at the end of teh season. The usual red and white was gone, with “Redcurrant” covering the shirt and socks instead. The design was a tribute to the first kit ever worn at Highbury, giving the ground the perfect send off as Henry broke the 30 barrier and the special-edition kit became an instant classic.

  Get it from Vintage Football Shirts for £185.00

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  Aston Villa 2021-22

  Claret and blue is one of the Premier League’s great colour combinations and, in recent years, the chosen colours of three clubs. Aston Villa have a good claim to be the originators of the combination, and have stayed true to it for most of their 148-year history. The 2021-22 season saw it given a subtle update, with tonal stripes running down the claret section of the shirt. The massive Cazoo logo doesn’t help, but the 2021-22 kit was still one of Villa’s best ever. 

  Get it from Pro Direct Soccer for £52.00

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  Brentford 2021-22

  Brentford’s 2021-22 kit qualifies because it’s their only ever Premier League kit, and is due to remain for their second season in the division as well. While that may not be the most romantic reason to feature on this list, the shirt is a smart and simple design. The front and back both feature four red stripes and three white, honouring the colours that Brentford have worn for almost 100 years, referencing the club’s home country of Middlesex.

  Get it from the Brentford club shop for £49.00

Darren Moore picked up his first win as Sheffield Wednesday manager on Saturday afternoon but despite all of the positives, there was one glaring downside – the performance of Adam Reach.

The versatile 28-year-old has been the epitome of inconsistency throughout his Owls career – you get moments of magic with the odd screamer thrown in there, and then you get displays like that.

This is something Reach has even admitted himself, speaking to YorkshireLive last season, he said: “My own season’s been similar to the team’s, a little bit topsy-turvy. I’ve had some good moments and some not-so-good moments.”

We certainly saw the latter this weekend, even if Wednesday ended a run of eight matches without a victory.

SofaScore graded him as the worst player on the pitch with a 5.9 ratings yet somehow, he lasted the entire duration of the match.

In that time, he lost possession a whopping 40 times, meaning he lost the ball once every two minutes and after racking up a squad-high 81 touches, it means every other touch involved him gifting possession back to Barnsley. Very, very poor.

On average, the £2.5m-rated star loses possession 13.6 times per outing, so this is rather telling on just how shocking he was on the day.

Reach was also weak in his battles, winning just five of 12 duels (42%), both on the ground and in the air. Moore is rather lucky that the in-form Tykes didn’t punish such mistakes as that left flank was clearly an area of weakness that could’ve been exploited.

In addition to that, the Owls ace was dribbled past three times – only adding to the idea that the home side should have done a lot more to damage their struggling rivals.

The rangy 6 foot 1 dynamo, who is thought to be among Wednesday’s high earners on £20k-per-week, badly let his manager down with his performance. He cannot be excused just because they finally won a game, he’ll have to improve to help ensure it wasn’t merely a fluke result in the coming weeks.

Reach was quite simply abysmal with the ball – he managed to make just 46% of his 46 passing attempts, including only five of 24 long balls finding a player in an Owls shirt, as per SofaScore.

Somehow, there were even worse returns amongst the Owls squad here, but still, this did not help Reach’s overall game.

The 28-year-old’s pathetic outing shouldn’t dent confidence going into the international break, though he will certainly need to improve if the Owls are to stand a chance of beating relegation.

AND in other news, 20 clearances: Owls colossus stole the show for Sheffield Wednesday…

It is no surprise to see the Argentine lead the way when it comes to dead-ball situations, but who else is adept at beating the wall?

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  10Shunsuke Nakamura | CAM | Jubilo Iwata | Japan

  Free kick: 88
  Curve: 87

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  9Paulo Dybala | CAM | Juventus | Argentina

  Free kick: 88
  Curve: 88

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  8Memphis Depay | ST | Lyon | Netherlands

  Free kick: 88
  Curve: 85

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  7Marvin Plattenhardt | LB | Hertha | Germany

  Free kick: 89
  Curve: 87

Everything you need to know about the latest batch of yesterday's stars on EA Sports' new title

Every year, EA Sports rolls out a new 'class' of FIFA Ultimate Team Icons as game-makers resurrect the glory days of some of the best players in football history.

The new Icons in FIFA 21 will join a considerable cast of former stars, which already includes the likes of Johan Cruyff, George Best and Ronaldinho, among others.

Last year, FIFA 20 bedazzled fans with the addition of Zinedine Zidane to the Icons roster, with Pep Guardiola and Ronald Koeman also joining the throwback crew.

So, what about this year? Which new players are in FIFA 21's 'Class of 21'? Goal has all the details, including ratings, below…

• EA Sports
  

  David Beckham

  Overall ratings: 87 | 92 | 89

  Legendary Manchester United and Real Madrid star David Beckham is the headline addition to FIFA 21 as a FUT Icon, rekindling an association with EA Sports for the first time in 23 years.

  One of Beckham's overall ratings in the game – from the 2003-04 season – will be 86. As expected, Beckham's passing is his best attribute, with his shooting and dribbling skills following.

  His three FUT Icon cards come in at overall ratings of: 87, 92 and 89.

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  Eric Cantona

  Overall ratings: 88 | 93 | 90

  As well as Beckham, another iconic Manchester United No. 7 joins the cadre of classic stars on FIFA 21: Eric Cantona.

  The man known as 'King Eric' at Old Trafford has an impressive rating on the game and his inclusion will allow you to relive the glory days of the 1990s.

• EA Sports
  

  Petr Cech

  Overall ratings: 86 | 91 | 88

  Petr Cech established himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world during his time in the Premier League with Chelsea and he carried on into his late 30s at Arsenal before hanging up his gloves (though he has returned as an emergency goalkeeper for Chelsea!).

  There are not many goalkeeper Icons on FIFA so Cech joins an exclusive club, which includes Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and Lev Yashin.

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  Ashley Cole

  Overall ratings: 85 | 89 | 87

  Regarded as one of England's best-ever left-backs, Ashley Cole makes his bow as an Icon in FIFA 21.

  A winner of multiple Premier League titles across his spells with Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as a Champions League winner, Cole's career spanned two decades from the turn of the millennium.

Premier League side Everton have been linked with a move for Roma central defender Gianluca Mancini.

Recently, Italian outlet Leggo had reported that Everton are monitoring the situation of Mancini and along with Inter, they had expressed their interest in the defender. Fresh reports now are stating about the Toffees’ interest in the 6 foot 2 Italian, who has played for the national team already.

Everton ‘like’ Mancini

A report from Italian outlet Calciomercato has stated that Mancini’s performances for Paulo Fonseca’s Roma have left multiple parties impressed. Everton are one of the clubs that like the Italian but recent performances have caught the attention of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea too, while Bayern Munich asked for information about Mancini in the January transfer window.

Apart from them, Antonio Conte also likes Mancini and Juventus see the defender as an ideal Italian defender in the mould of Leonardo Bonucci and Georgio Chiellini.

Roma had initially signed Mancini from Atalanta on a loan deal but the move was made permanent for a fee of £11.70 million this past summer. He recently scored against Genoa and has already scored four times in the league.

Mancini would be an excellent signing for Everton

Mancini has picked up a rating of 6.98 in Serie A this season, also impressing in the Europa League. He has been Roma’s fourth-highest rated player in the league campaign, which shows that he has had quite a good season under Fonseca (as per Whoscored).

Everton do have four out-and-out centre-back options currently, even though Yerry Mina is injured. Mancini would add more depth and quality to the side and would offer European experience, so it is easy to see why the Italian would be a very good signing for the Toffees.

In other news, Everton could part ways with a key midfielder – read more here.

The Blancos, amid a testing 2017-18 campaign, are expected to overhaul their squad in the summer and will have a sizeable budget at their disposal

• Galacticos of 2018?

  Real Madrid are expected to spend big this summer, with a forgettable domestic campaign highlighting the flaws in a squad that swept to a La Liga and Champions League double in 2016-17. Reports suggest that the Blancos could invest as much as €600 million in fresh faces, with high-profile sales – such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Keylor Navas – helping to counter a sizable outlay and ensure the club adheres to Financial Fair Play regulations. Who, though, is on their shopping list as the next ‘Galactico’ recruitment drive at Santiago Bernabeu is pieced together?

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  David de Gea: €130m

  The Manchester United goalkeeper has been a longstanding target, with a deal almost done in the summer of 2015 only for a now-infamous fax delay to scupper a return to Spain for the former Atletico Madrid custodian.

  De Gea has said of his Old Trafford future: “I don't think it's the time to start talking about the future, it's not the time to be talking contracts. Being a player and a part of this club is special, so when you get to wear the shirt, you go to away games, that's something you are always proud of and is very special.”

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  Thibaut Courtois: €100m

  Amid the struggles to get an agreement in place for De Gea, Chelsea’s current number one has emerged as a possible alternative – with the former Atletico loanee having made no secret of his desire to return to Spain.

  Courtois has said: “Yes, my heart is in Madrid. It is logical and understandable. If they [Real] want me, they have to contact Chelsea. We'll see. But they have not done that. What is certain is that one day I will return to Madrid.”

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  Toby Alderweireld: €30m

  Another man to have once graced the books at Real’s cross-city rivals Atletico, the Tottenham defender is now considered a realistic target as he is yet to commit to fresh terms in England and has a release clause set to kick in from 2019 if no extension is agreed.

  Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has said of the Belgian centre-half: “Toby still has two-and-a-half years of contract. Messi was six months left on his contract. Messi! If something happens, the club is going to communicate.”

Fans of Aston Villa have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed the ‘significant’ news that Jaden Philogene-Bidace has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club.

According to a statement on the club website, Philogene-Bidace has signed a new deal with Dean Smith’s side that will see him remain at Villa Park until the summer of 2024.

The 19-year-old forward, who is yet to make a senior appearance for Villa, is said to have highly impressed for the club’s U23 side this season, bagging five goals and providing two assists over his 11 appearances.

And, after the club relayed the news of the England U19 international’s new contract on Twitter, fans of Villa flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing delighted at the prospect of  Philogene-Bidace remaining at their club for the foreseeable future.

So, what exactly did these Aston Villa fans have to say in reaction to the news regarding Jaden Philogene-Bidace?

“Our club is doing all the right things. This kid is special.”

@hill_hilly18

“Fantastic news!! I love the approach our club is taking to promoting youth and building for our future!”

@jamesupnorth

“YESSSSSSSSS UTVVVVV.”

@Finleydb10

“Fantastic news! A lot of big clubs been sniffing round him, one to watch for sure.”

@TheWillRoss

“This is great news. Chukwuemeka next, hopefully.”

@SimonLRead

“Class news.”

@vill1874

“Outstanding. This club is amassing all the best young talent out there. Well done Jaden. Great choice.”

@EvoflashUK

“This is super, super news and shows the ambition and pull of the club – up the villa!!! Aaron Ramsey next!!”

@StephenArnold78

“Superb Jaden.”

@gazswain

“Excellent news. Future star! Massive statement on intent by Villa.”

@tonywoots69

“Incredible.”

@DOUGLASLUlZ

“This is significant. Congratulations.”

@richallen10

In other news, these Villa fans are loving this crazy statistic – find out more here!

Steve Bruce has confirmed that Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson will face six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a “devastating” hamstring injury.

That’s according to the Mirror, who quote the Toon boss as revealing that his £20m summer signing from AFC Bournemouth will miss the best part of the next two months.

Wilson could miss up to seven Premier League fixtures as a result of the issue, starting with Monday night’s trip to Chelsea and subsequent meetings with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and potential relegation rivals Wolves, West Brom and Brighton.

Wilson sustained a deep hamstring tear during last weekend’s 3-2 win over Southampton, that also saw United lose Javier Manquillo for multiple weeks and Fabian Schar for several months.

Manquillo is now expected to miss around six weeks with a muscular injury, while Bruce has confirmed that Schar underwent surgery on Tuesday after sustaining knee ligament damage that the defender will hope does not rule him out of this summer’s Euros.

As for Wilson, the striker underwent scans to assess his hamstring injury earlier this week after being forced to limp off the field during the first-half of last week’s win over the Saints, which returned sombre news for Bruce.

“Unfortunately for Callum, it is a tear to the hamstring and that could be six to eight weeks,” the Toon boss said. “The aftermath of a fantastic victory has blighted us. Losing the centre-froward for weeks is a bitter pill to swallow.

“We hoped it was a grade on two to three weeks, but it is worse than that. We have to be without him for six-eight weeks, but we won’t put a time scale on it. It is devastating news for us. It takes time, when you are pace and power as Callum is. His rehab will have to be spot on. We need him back as quick as we can.

“His performance at Everton [last month] was terrific. We are all struggling with muscle injuries, the sheer number of games and no rest between. Without Callum, it will be hard core. He has been terrific. It will be difficult to replace him.”

The scale of the task now facing Bruce is colossus, with Newcastle left with a mammoth obstacle in their way toward securing Premier League survival for another season.

No Magpies player has been as involved in United’s attacks this term than Wilson, who has offered 2.0 shots a game over his 21 top-flight appearances, in a side that has only offered on average 9.7 each league fixture played to date, per WhoScored.

His efforts have also returned the most goals (10), while Miguel Almiron’s brace against Southampton was enough to move the Paraguayan second on the scoring chart at St. James’ Park with four – only Jeff Hendrick, who’ll be suspended against Chelsea, has also scored twice or more.

Jonjo Shelvey, who boasts one goal to his name, has taken the second-most shots per game with 1.6 but only 0.5 of those have come inside the box, where Wilson is the only player to have offered over 1.0 among those who have featured more than once for Bruce thus far.

Joelinton, who has also only scored once, has taken 1.2 shots a game over his 17 outings, while fellow strikers Andy Carroll (1.1) and Dwight Gayle (0.7) will hope to improve their output in Wilson’s absence.

AND in other news, Newcastle have an ace up their sleeves in efforts to sign a striker valued at £30m earlier this season…

Many Aston Villa fans are loving an “exceptional” statistic which has been revealed and also retweeted by The Athletic journalist Gregg Evans highlighting how good they have been this season.

The stat was originally from @WhoScored, before Evans also tweeted his opinion. It shows that, in 11 of their 12 wins in the Premier League this season, they have kept a clean sheet. The exception was their 7-2 romp over Liverpool in October.

The club have the second-most clean sheets in the division with 13 (Premier League) and this was already a remarkable achievement based on the fact that they barely stayed in the division last year.

However, it is even more amazing to see how efficient they are at keeping hold of a victory, and it is testament to the defence and goalkeeper as well as John Terry, who has clearly improved massively as a defensive coach.

Hopefully this remarkable feat continues and, if it does, then there is no doubt they could finish in the top half, or even perhaps manage to end up in a European spot.

Here is how Villa fans reacted to the stat:

“This is fantastic, but also shows that when we go behind we never recover. We’ve picked up 2 points in the last 19 games we’ve gone behind. Our last comeback win was Watford 14 months ago. Bit of a mental block we need to overcome soon!”

Credit: @notawelshsinger

“Exceptional! we have come so far in such a short space of time”

Credit: @lockleyps3

“Quite a remarkable statistic!”

Credit: @TheVillaHome

“Wow.”

Credit: @futurefilm1

“Pretty remarkable this”

Credit: @Liam_ODwyer

“I love a good stat and this is a real good one”

Credit: @SteG613

In other news, some Villa fans discussed one player who impressed against Leeds