Kylian Mbappe's double helped Paris Saint-Germain take another step towards retaining their Ligue 1 title, thrashing Ajaccio 5-0 as Lionel Messi returned from his club-issued suspension.

Messi was jeered by some home fans throughout his first appearance since an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, but Mbappe took the focus away with a second-half brace.

Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi had earlier given PSG a commanding half-time lead, and Ajaccio's Mohamed Youssouf later put through his own net as the visitors' relegation to Ligue 2 was confirmed.

Both teams finished with 10 men as Hakimi and Thomas Mangani were dismissed for trading punches, but that was not enough to dampen PSG's spirits as they restored their six-point cushion to second-placed Lens.

Fabian's second goal in as many games broke the deadlock 22 minutes in, the Spaniard charging into the area before finishing well with the outside of his left boot.

Hakimi soon doubled PSG's lead, tapping in the rebound when Francois-Joseph Sollacaro parried Mbappe's shot, with the referee opting against penalising Mbappe for handball after an on-pitch VAR review. 

Mbappe got himself on the scoresheet inside 90 seconds of the second half, with his shot squirming under Sollacaro following a goalmouth scramble.

If Mbappe's first goal was fortuitous, his second – arriving seven minutes later – was sublime as he fired a fierce volley into the top-left corner following Cedric Avinel's failure to clear a long ball.

Mbappe was involved again as PSG scored a fifth with 17 minutes remaining. His rabona cross was cleared as far as Marquinhos, whose low effort struck Youssouf and found the bottom-right corner.

Tempers flared late on as Hakimi and Mangani saw red for throwing punches amid a scuffle, but that was as much fight as Ajaccio showed in a dispiriting outing.

Kylian Mbappe was joined on the scoresheet by Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz as Paris Saint-Germain put a tumultuous week behind them with a 3-1 win at Troyes, restoring their six-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit. 

After a chaotic few days in which PSG suspended Lionel Messi over an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and admonished fans for protesting outside Neymar's home, the champions were in full control at Stade de l'Aube.

Mbappe headed an early opener from almost directly underneath the crossbar, before Vitinha bundled home a second after the break.

Xavier Chavalerin's late header halved the arrears, but Fabian fired off the post and in to seal PSG's victory, re-establishing their six-point cushion to closest challengers Lens.

Hugo Ekitike prodded into the side netting as PSG sought a fast start and the Ligue 1 leaders went ahead after just eight minutes, Mbappe nodding in from close range after Vitinha's cross deflected against the crossbar.

A brief stoppage followed as supporters threw flares onto the pitch, with Fabian drawing two smart saves from Gauthier Gallon when play resumed.

Danilo Pereira headed narrowly over as PSG dominated possession, while Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped Mama Balde's diving header wide when Troyes finally threatened on the stroke of half-time. 

Gallon had to remain alert to keep Troyes in the contest after the restart, pushing Ekitike's low drive away before making himself big to deny Marco Verratti from a tight angle.

PSG had the two-goal lead they deserved after 59 minutes, though there was a hint of fortune about Vitinha's strike as the ball ricocheted in off his shin after Gallon saved his header.

Chavalerin appeared to have set up a grandstand finish when he nodded home with seven minutes left, but Fabian went up the other end and curled home from the edge of the area, sealing the points.

What the papers say

Lionel Messi is reportedly set to leave Paris St Germain at the end of the season, opening the door for a move to either Saudi Arabia or the United States.

The Telegraph says Messi could follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth £320million a year, while the Guardian reports Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, could make a bid for the Argentinian.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has named his summer transfer targets as they look to bolster their squad, the Daily Mail reports.

The players include Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha and defender Marc Guehi, Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby and West Ham’s England midfielder Declan Rice.

Newcastle want to bring Brazil international Raphinha back to England as they weigh up a £70million bid for Barcelona’s former Leeds winger, the Sun reports.

The Metro says Tottenham have identified former Spain and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as the man they want to become their new head coach after wage demands from Julian Nagelsmann were deemed to high.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Jude Bellingham: The 19-year-old England midfielder has been heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, but Borussia Dortmund say they are yet to receive an offer from the Spanish giants, according to Sky Sports Germany.

Tammy Abraham: Italian outlet Calciomercato says multiple clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham, are interested in the Roma forward, who would command a fee of £35-40million.

Paris St Germain has condemned the actions of supporters who are understood to have gathered outside the home of Neymar and chanted for him to leave the club.

It has been a tumultuous week for the Ligue 1 outfit, who suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks following an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and saw their title hopes hit after a home defeat to Lorient on Sunday.

Fans were filmed on Wednesday chanting for the board to resign outside club headquarters before further clips showed a group of supporters visit the home of Neymar and called for him to move on.

Messi was also believed to be the target of frustration with fans chanting for the World Cup winner to leave, having recently jeered the Argentine in home matches.

“Paris Saint-Germain most strongly condemns the intolerable and insulting actions of a small group of individuals that took place on Wednesday,” a club statement read.

“Whatever the differences of opinion, nothing justifies such actions.

“The club gives its full support to its players, its staff and all those targeted by such shameful behaviour.”

Reports suggest Messi will leave Parc des Princes at the end of the campaign following two seasons in Paris.

Achraf Hakimi's red card in Paris Saint-Germain's loss to Lorient was "very stupid", according to coach Christophe Galtier, who wants his side to be more ambitious.

The Ligue 1 champions slipped to a 3-1 defeat after they lost the defender inside the first 20 minutes to a second yellow card offence.

The loss leaves PSG still with an eight-point cushion at the summit, although it would be slashed to five if rivals Marseille were to win against Auxerre later on Sunday.

Reflecting on Hakimi's red, which came after poor challenges on Romain Faivre and Darlin Yongwa, Galtier professed his frustration with both the player and his side's wider performance.

"[There is] no reason for Achraf to be tense and nervous," he said. "The second card is very stupid. [There was] no sign this week that he would be tense.

"It's a big disappointment, and we have to react quickly because we don't know how many points we're going to have. Our second half of the season [has been] very, very average,

"There needs to be a collective but also an individual awareness. Too many players are looking inward. We have to look ahead.

"The Troyes match is coming up. We've been first since the start of the championship, but we have to finish with victories. We have the ambition to do more."

Christophe Galtier has hailed the impact made by Sergio Ramos this season as Paris Saint-Germain look to close in on the Ligue 1 title against Lorient.

The former Real Madrid defender arrived at the club ahead of the 2021-22 season but struggled for minutes during a campaign derailed by injury.

However, with a full pre-season and a clean bill of health behind him, the former Spain star has been one of the leading lights for PSG in 2022-23.

Ahead of his side's clash with Lorient, where they can help maintain their eight-point gap at the summit, Galtier has highlighted the impact made by Ramos.

"Sergio had a difficult season last year linked to calf injuries," he said. "[This time,] he had complete preparation. He is a hyper-professional player.

"When you have such a record at this age, it is because you put all the chances on your side. He brings his experience [and] he is an important player in the locker room.

"There have been exchanges between the sports management and him. I am very satisfied with his season and with what he brings on matchdays but also in everyday life.

"He is an example, which all our young players must follow."

Ramos was integral to helping arrest PSG's slide earlier this month, netting in their 2-0 win over Nice to bring a two-game wobble to a close.

He was overlooked by Spain for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and confirmed his retirement from the international game following discussions with new coach Luis de la Fuente.

Paris Saint-Germain were accused by the mayor of the French capital on Thursday of making a "ridiculous" offer to buy the city-owned Parc des Princes stadium.

PSG are 10 years into a 30-year tenancy agreement but have targeted ownership of the stadium before going ahead with ambitious expansion plans.

According to the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, the Ligue 1 giants have proposed paying €38million to buy the site.

PSG are reportedly also interested in acquiring the Stade de France, with L'Equipe claiming the club would formally lodge an expression of interest on Thursday.

They are seeking a home big enough to match their ambitions, and the Parc des Princes, which seats close to 48,000 spectators, does not currently come up to the mark.

Speaking to French broadcaster RFI, Hidalgo said: "We had opened the door to the possibility of selling the stadium to our club.

"It is true that in the economic model of the big clubs, they are almost all owners and of course we have look at this argument.

"To sell, you had to respect the rules, because the stadium belongs to the Parisians, it does not belong to me.

"We are in a state of law, so there are procedures and we have to set prices that must correspond to the good. The club offered €38million. I think ridiculous is the right word. There is no longer any possible path."

French president Emmanuel Macron has reportedly held talks with football's world governing body, FIFA, about the possible sale of the Stade de France.

It would be a startling move for FIFA to buy the stadium that was built for the 1998 World Cup but may yet be feasible.

Hidalgo said she does not expect PSG to leave the Parc des Princes and move across the city, adding that it would be "very complicated to give up a stadium, even if the president of the Republic has opened this possibility".

PSG's Qatari owners have funded heavy spending on playing and coaching staff to turn the team into France's dominant side, packed with superstars including Neymar, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos.

The owners will not find it as straightforward to navigate local rules and regulations, though. Qatar built a host of spectacular stadiums for last year's World Cup, when it wanted to show itself off to the world, but this is a different story.

Hidalgo said there was "maybe a bit of bluffing or maybe misunderstanding what our democratic rules are" when it comes to PSG eyeing up the Stade de France.

She added: "Yes, it's true that with us, stadiums don't spring up like mushrooms, it's true that you don't arrive with a bundle of millions and become the buyer of any property for any conditions."

Barcelona's determination to bring Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou is going to be a major storyline during the next transfer window.

But their pursuit of the 2022 World Cup winner is complicated given the Blaugrana's financial situation.

As a result, Barca's squad are on notice, with expectations that key players may need to be offloaded.

 

TOP STORY – PREMIER LEAGUE TRIO TO SWOOP FOR RAPHINHA

Raphinha is set to be sold by Barcelona in the off-season with three Premier League clubs circling for his signature, according to reports.

The Blaugrana will need to let Raphinha go to free up space for Messi to return given the club's financial issues, claims Fichajes. Messi is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season.

Raphinha joined from Leeds United last year and his stay could be short. AS claims Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United are all interested in the 26-year-old.

 

ROUND-UP

– Milan forward Rafael Leao has declined offers from both Real Madrid and Chelsea, claims La Gazzetta dello Sport.

– Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is drawing interest from Manchester United , according to Croatian outlet Jutarnji, with the Red Devils uncertain on David de Gea 's future.

Chelsea are tracking Brentford pair David Raya and Ivan Toney, reports Football London.

– Football 365 claims Aston Villa are circling for Emile Smith Rowe,  who is "disappointed" with his lack of game time at Arsenal.

– Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu's planned move to Atletico Madrid is signed and sealed, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Turkish defender's contract will run until 2027.

– Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg claims Yann Sommer could leave Bayern Munich in the off-season, with new head coach Thomas Tuchel set to restore Manuel Neuer to the side when he returns to full fitness.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar as a possible transfer target following the expected change of ownership in coming months.

Neymar, 31, is one of the biggest names in the sport, boasting over 100 goals for both former club Barcelona and with Paris Saint-Germain, as well as 77 goals in 124 international caps for Brazil – tying Pele for the country's international goals record.

While his resume as an all-time great is secured, Neymar is battling injuries yet again this season, with a serious ankle injury in February marking a premature end to his campaign.

After becoming the most expensive transfer in world football history back in 2017, Neymar holds all the cards for when, and if he will leave Paris, but he has fans in England if he decides to chase a new challenge.

 

TOP STORY – UNITED VIEW NEYMAR AS POTENTIAL MARQUEE SIGNING FOR NEW REGIME

According to Foot Mercato, United have been keeping an eye on Neymar's situation "for several months", having enquired about him around the January window, but they will not be able to progress in any negotiations until a sale of the club is finalised.

The report states that the belief is multiple significant stars would be brought in to Old Trafford in the event of a sale, and that Neymar would be near the top of that list.

Meanwhile, The Mirror adds Chelsea also have interest in the Brazilian talent, but ultimately the final decision will be made by Neymar, with his contract including a player option to extend through 2026.

 

ROUND-UP

– The Guardian is reporting Crystal Palace are prepared to offer 30-year-old winger Wilfried Zaha a new contract worth £200,000 to fend off interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

– According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Premier League sides Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal are all fans of 20-year-old Brentford left-back Aaron Hickey.

Eintracht Frankfurt's top priority in the upcoming transfer window is 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain centre-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu, who is valued at €15million, per Foot Mercato.

– Football Insider is reporting 26-year-old forward Allan Saint-Maximin could leave Newcastle United after the season if he does not receive assurances about his playing time, and Milan are said to be keen to snap him up.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has urged Xavi Simons to stay at PSV for another season amid strong suggestions he could be on his way back to Paris Saint-Germain.

Simons swapped PSG for PSV last August after being restricted to just 11 first-team appearances for the Ligue 1 giants, whom he joined from Barcelona two years earlier.

The 20-year-old has started all 30 Eredivisie games for second-placed PSV this season, but he recently hinted he would be open to a return to PSG in the future.

Barca have also been tipped to move for their former youth player, yet Koeman believes the young attacking midfielder is better off staying in the Netherlands for the time being.

"I think it would be very good for him to stay one more year at PSV," Koeman told Studio Voetbal.

Opening up on talks he held with Simons earlier this week, Koeman added: "I can't reveal what we talked about, but these next steps are extremely important.

"I consider Xavi to be someone who weighs up his choices very carefully."

Simons is the joint-top scorer in the Dutch top flight this season with 15 goals, level with Heerenveen forward Sydney van Hooijdonk, while also assisting a further eight goals.

The three-cap Netherlands international can play right across the frontline, and national team boss Koeman believes he can become even more of a creative force in the future.

"I see him on the left for us, and I think he can grow into the number 10 position," Koeman said. "He's very talented and already very important at PSV."

Chelsea's disappointing season has created speculation about several of their key players' futures.

The Blues are mid-table in the Premier League and will miss out on Champions League qualification next term.

It has been a tumultuous season, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter both axed under their new ownership led by Todd Boehly.

TOP STORY – REAL MADRID OPEN HAVERTZ TALKS

Real Madrid have commenced negotiations with Chelsea about a possible off-season move for Kai Havertz, reports 90min.

Los Blancos view the 23-year-old German forward as a potential successor for veteran striker Karim Benzema.

Madrid are eager to reinforce their offensive options in the next transfer window. Bayern Munich are known to be admirers of Havertz too.

 

ROUND-UP

– Gazzetta dello Sport claims Juventus are planning a move to bring Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly back to Italy as he is unhappy at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool's interest in RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol has cooled given the German club's £80m valuation which they believe is too high, according to Football Insider.

– The Mirror reports Paris Saint-Germain are considering selling Neymar in the off-season with his contract up in 2025. Chelsea and one other Premier League club are interested.

Real Madrid are preparing a new contract offer for Eduardo Camavinga amid links with Premier League clubs, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Frenchman wants to remain with Madrid.

– The Sun claims Manchester City are plotting a move for Brentford full back Aaron Hickey who is expected to cost around £30m.

– There is no truth to speculation linking Barcelona with a move for Chelsea's Reece James, according to Fabrizio Romano. James signed a long-term deal last year.

Lionel Messi's club future remains uncertain, with his Paris Saint-Germain contract at the end of this season.

The two parties have not reached any agreement on a new deal, while there has been speculation linking the 35-year-old with a return to Barcelona.

Messi has also been linked with big-money moves to clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United States.

TOP STORY – PSG WILLING TO MOVE ON FROM MESSI

Paris Saint-Germain are willing to let Lionel Messi exit on a free transfer in the upcoming off-season, reports the Sunday Mirror.

Contract talks between Messi and PSG have stalled in the months following Argentina's World Cup triumph, having reportedly been close to penning an extension.

The report claims PSG are "in no rush" to extend Messi's deal as interest, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi looking to run the club in a more sustainable way, relying less on star power.

 

ROUND-UP

Bayern Munich's number one striker target in the off-season remains Napoli's Victor Osimhen following talks with officials and new boss Thomas Tuchel, claims BILD. The German champions are also keen on Tottenham's Harry Kane, Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani.

Barcelona are considering off-season moves for Chelsea duo N'Golo Kante and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , reports The Mirror.

– Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool and Manchester United will both hold talks with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will take place "very soon".

– Brentford’s David Raya, Porto’s Diogo Costa and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili are all on Manchester United's goalkeeper shortlist to replace David De Gea, according to GiveMeSport.

– Football Insider claims Aston Villa are readying a £55m combined bid for Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips.

– Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is on Chelsea's shortlist to be their new permanent manager, reports The Guardian.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly prepared to submit a €150million bid for star Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the upcoming transfer window.

Osimhen, 24, is in his third season with Napoli after arriving in a club-record €70m move from Lille, and this time around he has put together one of the best goalscoring campaigns in Europe.

With 21 goals in 24 Serie A appearances, and five goals in six Champions League outings, the Nigeria international has been unstoppable.

Now, the world's best clubs have taken notice.
 

TOP STORY – PSG PREPARED TO MEET MASSIVE ASKING PRICE

While there is also said to be strong interest in Osimhen coming from the deep pockets of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain are trying to wrap things up early with a serious bid.

Football Insider is reporting the French giants are ready to meet Napoli's enormous €150m asking price, with the hope they can blow Chelsea out of the water as they consider a £100m (€112m) bid of their own.

Osimhen's contract ties him to the club for two more seasons after this one, but with his value at an all-time high, and with Napoli being able to offer the chance at league titles and deep Champions League runs, the Serie A leaders can demand a substantial windfall.


ROUND-UP

– According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United view Valencia's 22-year-old goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – who is priced around £45m (€50m) – as a potential long-term replacement for David de Gea.

United are also showing interest in 19-year-old Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, although they face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Real Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool, per Ekrem Konur.

– Football Insider is reporting Liverpool and Tottenham are the two teams 23-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka will choose between when his contract expires in a few months.

– According to the Daily Mail, 31-year-old Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino will join Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Arsenal sent scouts to Spain to get a closer look at the Real Sociedad duo of 24-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi and 26-year-old defender Robin Le Normand, per the Daily Mail.

Christophe Galtier insists Paris Saint-Germain "can't afford to only play one half" following their narrow 2-1 victory over bottom side Angers in Ligue 1.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice at Stade Raymond-Kopa as runaway leaders PSG moved 11 points clear at the summit, while pushing their opponents to the brink of relegation.

However, it was a generally below-par display by the visitors, who failed to press home their advantage after the restart and were denied a clean sheet when Sada Thioub struck three minutes from time.

In fact, Angers registered six more shots than PSG (10) during the 90 minutes and while Galtier was pleased to see his side edge closer to another league title, the head coach conceded he expects more from his players.

"Tonight, it was important to win," he told Amazon Prime. 

"But I must say, however, that if in the first half, we were serious and effective. In the second half, there was a total relaxation. We only carried the ball, without wanting to improve the advantage.

"Of course, we win. But when you're at PSG, you can't afford to only play one half.

"Is there also fatigue and wear and tear over a long season? Maybe, but we haven't done anything yet.

"The title is not yet ours. The gap is considerable, but we will see on Sunday [against Lorient] how things go. There are still several games to win."

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain edged out Angers 2-1 at Stade Raymond-Kopa.

Moving 11 points clear at the Ligue 1 summit despite a generally below-par display, the runaway leaders did the damage in the first half against the division's bottom side, whose relegation could be confirmed this weekend.

Mbappe's pair of well-taken goals inside the opening 26 minutes took his tally for the season to 34 in all competitions, though the visitors were denied a clean sheet by Sada Thioub's late strike.

Nevertheless, PSG registered their 14th successive league win over Angers, equalling their own record for consecutive victories over a single opponent in the French top flight (against Nantes).

Angers had the first opportunity when Batista Mendy's throughball released Ibrahima Niane, but Gianluigi Donnarumma was quickly out of his goal to deny him.

PSG broke the deadlock just four minutes later. Juan Bernat cushioned Lionel Messi's delicious diagonal ball into Mbappe who, despite fluffing his first attempt, recovered to eventually scramble home.

Messi was instrumental again as the visitors doubled their lead in the 26th minute, playing a sublime throughball for Mbappe to latch onto and round Angers goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni before slotting in.

The visitors pushed to stretch their advantage, with Achraf Hakimi firing over nine minutes into the second half, while Mbappe went close to completing his hat-trick when Bernardoni tipped over his dipping 35-yard effort.

Angers rallied and halved the deficit three minutes from time when Abdallah Sima cushioned Yan Valery's cross for Thioub to tuck home. But PSG held out to edge a step closer to yet another Ligue 1 title.

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