The Rumour Mill: PSG hunt strikers from Arsenal and Siena

Now that Euro 2012 is nearly over, attention will inevitably turn back to domestic football and the summer transfer market. For the France team the Euros came to an end in ignominious fashion a week ago with a meek surrender at the hands of reigning champions Spain - you can insert your own joke about similarities with the French army here if you like that sort of thing. PSG’s efforts in the transfer market so far have been similarly half-hearted. The transfer of Ezequiel Lavezzi still isn’t complete despite having been “announced” several weeks ago, but could go through on Monday. If the transfer does go through, Lavezzi could be providing the bullets for Robin Van Persie. According to the Daily...

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Menez: La clé pour Les Bleus?

"I see myself in Renaud, whom I respect enormously. He's a single-minded character who stands out. One feels that he is on the edge and that speaks to me." The words of Jeremy Menez, talking to the official PSG magazine about his favourite singer, the French rapper Arnaud. Compared to his team-mates, who list the likes of Jean-Jacques Goldman, Vasco Rossi (me neither) and, er Justin Timberlake as their top chanteurs, you'd have to say Jezza has reasonable taste. Sort-of. He and the rest of the France squad will be hoping they are on-song tonight when they Les Bleus take on the mighty Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012. According to those in the know, manager Laurent Blanc will choose either Menez or Samir Nasri to join Franck Ribery...

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UPDATE: Thiago Silva to PSG? Er, no...

So AC Milan defender Thiago Silva won't be joining Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian becomes the latest in a long line of big-name players not to join PSG, and this is how the non-transfer unfolded: [View the story "Thiago Silva comes to Paris? Erm, no..." on Stori...

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So long Ceara

Ceara: On his way somewhere All the talk yesterday was of a Brazilian defender arriving at Paris Saint-Germain, but the club also said goodbye to a less high-profile samba star. Talks are supposedly at an advanced stage with AC Milan defender Thiago Silva, who could join PSG in the next few days for a fee of €40-50million. Were the 27-year-old to arrive it would represent by far the most impressive signing of the QSI era to date, but we'll discuss that more if and when it happens. On his way out was full-back Marcos Ceara, who has left the Parc-des-Princes after five years. The 32-year-old had a year to run on his contract, but decided to leave after talks with Leonardo. "It is painful and difficult to leave," said Ceara. "In discussions...

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Euro 2012: Split loyalties ahead of France vs England

So far Euro 2012 has been pretty great: goals, red-cards, and an opening ceremony which was mercifully short, even if it did feature a dubious dubstepper in the form of DJ Karmatronic. Yesterday PSG's Thiago Motta played a starring role as Italy held Spain to a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu was on the bench, as he probably will be throughout the tournament, while tonight our other two representatives could take to the field, with Blaise Matuidi and Jeremy Menez part of the France squad which will face England. England vs France is a very difficult match for me; At the last three tournaments I've supported both teams and their paths have never crossed. Now they're crossing at the earliest possible opportunity, and it's about time...

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What will become of the Likely Lads

"Just like the PSG first team qualified for the prestigious Champions League this season, the PSG U19 squad will also measure itself against the best in its on the continent," declared the club website today, after the draw was made for the group stage of the 2012/13 Next-Gen series. You may have read about the competition, which pits the under-19 sides from many of Europe's top clubs against each other in a sort-of adolescent Champions League, and after a successful first year it is following the model pioneered by it's big brother and becoming as bloated as it can. PSG are one of a number of new competitors, and our under-19s have been plonked in a group with Manchester City, Juventus and Fenerbache. PSG's youth teams have enjoyed plenty of success in recent years, and indeed our...

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The Rumour Mill: WAGs "confirm" Napoli striker move as PSG eye raids on AC Milan and Tottenham

The Pastores pose (left), while Yanina (right) will be able to afford a new poncho if Lavezzi's move goes through Now that Paris St-Germain have aspirations to become one of Europe's elite football clubs, the players wives and girlfriends will have to up their game accordingly. Expect fake tan, stupid clothes, and "exclusives" aplenty for Paris Match and the other gossip mags. You may remember we've met Jeremy Menez's WAG previously, but apparently she wasn't invited to this little get-together of the club's latino contingent. In fairness those ladies look reasonably classy, so probably wouldn't want a reality TV star pouting about the place. Anyway, Mrs Javier Pastore, aka model Chiara Picone, has been busy breaking hot transfer gossip...

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