The Independent on Saturday

Neymar set to make PSG debut – coach

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PARIS: World-record signing Neymar looks set to make his debut for Paris St Germain tomorrow after the French football federation confirmed it had received the player’s transfer certificat­e.

The Brazilian, whose €222 million signing from Barcelona doubled the world-record transfer fee, was prevented from playing in PSG’s first Ligue 1 match of the season against Amiens last week because his registrati­on had gone through too late.

PSG travel to En Avant Guingamp tomorrow.

“One thing is clear: we want him to make his debut,” PSG coach Unai Emery said. “He’s been good in training. He is ready. We want him to be in the squad and to start. He’s a player we need.”

The French football federation (FFF) confirmed that Neymar was now licensed to play in France. “The FFF confirms it has received the transfer certificat­e of Neymar Jr, sent by the RFEF (Spanish football federation),” the FFF said on its Twitter feed yesterday.

PSG opened the season by beating Amiens 2-0 at the Parc des Princes last Saturday. They ended last season as runners-up to Monaco after winning four successive Ligue 1 titles.

Meanwhile, Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho has submitted a formal transfer request at Liverpool, despite the Premier League club stating they will not release the player.

After reports that Liverpool had rejected a second bid worth €100 million from Barcelona, who had already been rebuffed last month in an €80 million offer for the 25-yearold, the club’s ownership group released a statement.

“We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho,” Fenway Sports Group said in a statement on the Merseyside club’s official website. www.liverpoolf­c.com.

“The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes.”

But soon afterwards, the Liverpool Echo reported that Coutinho had sent an email to Liverpool’s sporting director Michael Edwards expressing his wish for a move.

Liverpool did not respond to a request for comment.

In recent days, Liverpool’s manager Juergen Klopp has repeatedly insisted the Brazilian was not for sale.

Klopp told reporters yesterday that Coutinho would miss Liverpool’s opening Premier League game against Watford today because of a back injury and is doubtful for Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier first leg in Hoffenheim. Klopp said Coutinho had not trained for a week.

“No he’s not available. He’s not been in training since last Friday. He’s a doubt for Tuesday unfortunat­ely,” he said.

Klopp was asked by reporters about Coutinho’s position at the club given persistent media reports that the midfielder would like to move to Barcelona.

“I can’t keep players happy, if you are not happy you won’t be if I say be happy. It’s not about this at the moment. For me the bigger issue is that he is unable to play,” he said.

Coutinho’s situation has dominated the lead-up to Liverpool’s opening game at Vicarage Road.

He is one of four Liverpool players, along with Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Daniel Sturridge, who will miss the Watford game through injury although Klopp said Sturridge should be fit for Hoffenheim.

The statement on Coutinho from Liverpool’s owners is the latest blow for Barcelona in their plans to rebuild their squad after Neymar’s move to Paris St Germain.

Barca have also attempted to lure French forward Ousmane Dembele to the club from Borussia Dortmund but had their €100million rejected.

The Catalans, who only managed to win the King’s Cup last season in a disappoint­ing campaign, face Liga champions Real Madrid tomorrow in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. – Reuters

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