PSG have announced the signing of Lucas Beraldo, and it was expected that Moscardo would sign at the same time. However, that will not happen, even if the Brazilian is still set to sign for Les Parisiens, according to L’Équipe. 

Moscardo arrived in Paris, alongside Beraldo, on Friday in order to undergo his medical ahead of a €20m move to PSG, however, a foot injury was detected during the medical. Moscardo has taken to social media to confirm that he will undergo an operation on his left foot, which will see him ruled out for three months. 

However, Moscardo’s move to the Parc des Princes is not in question, despite the setback. According to Fabrizio Romano, more talks will take place this week ahead of the finalisation of the transfer. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

After a great start to the season with Nice, Todibo is attracting major interest this January. The France international has already been the subject of an approach from Tottenham, however, according to Fabrizio Romano, the move seemed to collapse after Tottenham wanted to quickly conclude a transfer, whilst Les Aiglons were wanting to wait. 

In the wake of Tottenham’s failure to quickly conclude a deal for Todibo, Chelsea, who are still unsatisfied with their defence, despite significant investment in recent windows, have opened talks with Nice, according to Foot Mercato. Manchester United, who in INEOS now share a common owner, are still interested in Todibo, as they have been for many months. A move to Old Trafford seems logical given the newly constructed link between the clubs, however, a move is unlikely to take place before the summer. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Sarr and Gueye were part of the AFCON-winning side back in 2022, however, for Ndiaye, who switched Sheffield United for boyhood club Marseille in the summer, it is an AFCON debut that awaits him in January. “Obviously, it means a lot to represent my country, Senegal. It is a dream that is coming true to play in the AFCON. I can’t wait to get started,” Ndiaye told Get French Football News in an exclusive interview.

The three OM players are the latest of a long list of players to have also represented Senegal. They follow in the footsteps of Mamadou Niang, Bouna Sarr, Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Diallo, Souleymane Diawara, Boubacar Sarr, Sylvian N’Diaye and more recently, Bamba Dieng in representing both Les Phocéens and the Lions of Terranga.

Naturally, a strong link has therefore been forged between Marseille and Senegal. “There is a lot of pride in representing Olympique de Marseille in Africa because Marseille are really big in Africa. So to represent them for me is a very proud moment,” said Ndiaye.

The creation of OM Nation Dakar, one of the biggest Marseille supporters associations, which unites thousands under the OM flag. “Olympique de Marseille is like a religion to us,” said Serigne Sall Ndiaye, the association’s president. That fervency explains the hero’s welcome that Gueye received upon his return to Senegal in December. “Allez l’OM”, go Marseille in English, chanted the crowd as the midfielder arrived ahead of January’s AFCON.

“It is a source of pride and joy to represent OM in Africa because there are lots of Olympique de Marseille supporters in Africa. We are going to bring Marseille everywhere we go. I am very proud,” Sarr told Get French Football News.

Ndiaye and Sarr happy at Marseille

Whilst Sarr and Ndiaye both expressed pride in representing Senegal at AFCON, there is also pride – and joy – in representing OM. “The emotions were high. Obviously, it is a childhood dream to play for Marseille,” said Ndiaye, who has said that he has since “put those emotions aside” in order to “focus” on his football with Les Phocéens.

“I feel good. We are a family, a team. I feel really great here,” added Sarr, who has four goals and two assists since his summer move from Watford. Sarr, Ndiaye and Gueye al head to the Ivory Coast with renewed confidence thanks to an uptick in form at OM.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side are unbeaten in their last six games in Ligue 1 and have won three out of their last four, following a difficult start to the campaign. “I am happy for the team and for everyone. We are on a good run. We’ll try and continue that for the supporters as well. We have been expecting (a turnaround) for some time as well and we will be looking to keep it up,” said Sarr in mid-December.

However, the trio’s focus now turns to AFCON, where Senegal will be looking to retain their crown. “I must admit that it [won’t be] easy, but the first time wasn’t easy either! There are lots of teams like Morocco and the Ivory Coast that will want to win it as well, Algeria, Tunisia, and Cameroon as well. Everyone wants to win this AFCON. It won’t be easy, but we’re going there to do something,” said Sarr, who is expecting stiff competition.

“Of course, we are going to come into it with the same intent and the same passion, I saw ‘we’ as I’m part of the team now, even though I wasn’t in the same AFCON-winning team, but we’ll come in with the same intent and passion as the last AFCON,” Ndiaye told Get French Football News.

He added, “Obviously, we, as a team, are a family, and when you’re a family, you help each other to perform to the best of your ability. I can’t wait to get there and get going.” Ndiaye, Sarr, Gueye, and the rest of the Lions of Terranga are hungry to retain their title.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Henrique’s strengths have always been just as clear as his weaknesses. The Brazilian came through at Atletico Madrid as a No.10, and it often shows. Now functioning at left-wing-back, his upside in the final third is considerable, whilst his dead-ball delivery ranks amongst not only the best in Ligue 1, but in Europe. 

Last season, he registered nine assists, the joint-fifth highest total in Ligue 1. In his first six games of this season, he registered four assists. Despite not featuring since mid-September, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Florian Sotoca and Ousmane Dembélé have more assists than the Brazil international. 

However, his defensive weaknesses have often been exploited by the opposition, with lapses in concentration and poor positioning all too often leading to goals. Under new manager Adi Hütter, those weaknesses have been masked. 

Henrique in race to feature again before end of season

He had been registering more complete performances, and that has facilitated his breakthrough on the international scene. Henrique had often been questionably overlooked, leading him to consider his international allegiance. The former Atletico Madrid player also possessed a Spanish passport, and he had publicly touted the possibility of representing La Roja. 

However, he finally made his debut in September, making a substitute appearance in a 5-1 win against Bolivia. If that was the high point of his career, two weeks later he experienced one of, if not the biggest, lows. 

Having suffered an ACL injury against OGC Nice, he required surgery. Hütter has said that he will therefore be absent for “six, seven or eight months”, meaning that he may not feature again before the end of the season. 

It is a cruel blow for a player that finally looked to have ironed out some of the weaknesses in his game, or at the very least, that he was now being deployed in a system that masked them. Beyond the personal disappointment, his absence is also a blow to Monaco, whose potential to challenge PSG for the Ligue 1 title has been negatively affected by the injury. However, should Henrique rediscover his pre-ACL form, he will remain a huge asset for Monaco and Brazil going forward. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

In June, Mbappé informed the PSG hierarchy that he would not be triggering the one-year extension, included in his contract, signed back in May 2022. Fearing losing the most valuable player in the world on a free, Les Parisiens’ response was to omit Mbappé from their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea amidst a wider objective, which was to garner a fee for the France captain. 

PSG optimistic about renewal

However, Mbappé dug in his heels. He publically repeated the claim that whilst he was unwilling to renew, he would be seeing out the final year of his contract at the Parc des Princes. That stance was tested when PSG reportedly accepted a world-record €300m bid from Al-Hilal, but Mbappé stood firm.

Whilst Mbappé ultimately re-integrated the first team following PSG’s opening day draw against FC Lorient, there has been little talk of a renewal. The facilitator of Mbappé’s re-integration is reportedly the Frenchman’s acceptance to forego considerable loyalty bonuses. 

However, despite Mbappé now being able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with other clubs, ahead of a free transfer, there is optimism at PSG. According to The Athletic and L’Équipe, Les Parisiens are growing increasingly optimistic that Mbappé will once again shun interest and remain at the club. 

Finances limit Mbappé suitors

Mbappé’s perceived happiness at the club, following some big-name departures in the summer and the reconstruction of the project by Luis Enrique and Luís Campos, both of whom he shares good relations with, is a source of hope for PSG, who will be desperate to avoid the fiasco that marred the second half of the 2021/22 season.

Another source of optimism for PSG is the lack of suitors for Mbappé. The Frenchman, although arriving potentially on a free, would have extortionate wage demands, limiting the number of clubs that could feasibly pull off a deal. “There is no chance [of signing Mbappé], absolutely no chance. Sorry for killing the idea,” said Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in November, citing the financial barriers to a move. 

Manchester City, one of the few clubs financially capable of signing Mbappé, are also unlikely to make a move. “Manchester City aren’t after Mbappé. Everyone knows where he wants to go,” said Pep Guardiola back in June. As reported by RMC Sport, Barcelona’s reported interest in signing the AS Monaco academy product is unfounded, and given the Catalan club’s financial difficulties, completely unrealistic. 

Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia in the race

As things stand, only Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia have the means to sign Mbappé. A move to the latter seems unlikely, given the Frenchman’s rejection of a move in the summer. However, that has not deterred Michael Emenalo, the Suadi Pro League Director of Football. 

“With Mbappé, the conversation is open,” Emenalo began in an interview with Marca earlier in December. “But we don’t know what he wants to do. Our position is clear: all of these kinds of players know where we are. If there is a possibility or an interest from Mbappé to be a part of what we’re building, today or in the future, we can’t reject the possibility. It is a player that I like.”

The more likely scenario sees Mbappé heading to Real Madrid this summer. According to The Athletic, Real Madrid are preparing a limited-time offer for Mbappé, who must respond to the proposal by mid-January. The offer is likely to be less lucrative than the one offered back in 2022. Whilst Mbappé is now free to negotiate with any club, he is not exactly spoilt for choice. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Marseille is very much your city. How have you handled your return?

Of course, there have been a lot of emotions over the past few months. Now they have come down a bit and I am more focused. The emotions were high. Obviously, it is a childhood dream to play for Marseille. Of course, I had played for them before, but playing in the stadium, in front of all the fans, was unbelievable. But now, I have had to put those emotions aside and really focus on my football in general in Marseille. I have been really focused, kept a smile on my face. I am more ready than ever. 

What does it mean to represent Senegal at your first AFCON?

Obviously, it means a lot to represent my country, Senegal. It is a dream that is coming true to play in the AFCON. I can’t wait to get started. There is a lot of pride in representing Olympique de Marseille in Africa because Marseille are really big in Africa. So to represent them for me is a very proud moment, and I can’t wait to get started. 

And Senegal will be one of the favourites…

We are going to come into it with the same intent and the same passion, I saw ‘we‘ as I’m part of the team now, even though I wasn’t in the same AFCON-winning team, but we’ll come in with the same intent and passion as the last AFCON. We, as a team, are a family, and when you’re a family, you help each other to perform to the best of your ability. I can’t wait to get there and get going. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Is there pressure due to Senegal’s previous win, or the opposite as you know how to win it?

I wouldn’t say that there is pressure. Everyone in Senegal wants us to win the AFCON again. We are going to go into it calm, collected and focused to try to win it a second time. 

Do you expect winning AFCON to be a more difficult task this time around?

Yeah, I must confess that it isn’t easy, but the first time wasn’t easy either! There are lots of teams like Morocco and the Ivory Coast that will want to win it as well, Algeria, Tunisia, and Cameroon as well. Everyone wants to win this AFCON. It won’t be easy, but we’re going there to do something. 

OM are hugely popular in Senegal. Is there pride in representing your club at AFCON too?

It is a source of pride and joy to represent OM in Africa because there are lots of Olympique de Marseille supporters in Africa. We are going to bring Marseille everywhere we go. I am very proud. 

Do the results OM give you confidence too?

I am happy for the team and for everyone. We are on a good winning run. We’ll try and continue that for the supporters as well. We have been expecting (a turnaround) for some time as well and we will be looking to keep it up. On a personal level, I feel good. We are a family, a team. I feel really great here.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Now 27, Udol has fought back from four cruciate ligament injuries (as well as undergoing an operation on his meniscus) and few can begrudge him the prolonged injury-free run that he is now enjoying.

A Messin born and bred, Udol came through the club’s youth ranks before making his professional debut at Metz’s Belgian sister club FC Seraing, where he spent half a season on loan, before being recalled and breaking into the Metz team two days before his 20th birthday.

All set to make the left back position his own, the proceeding four seasons were all but ruined by his injury woes – even when finally fit for the second half of the 2019-2020 campaign, his match-time was curtailed by Covid-19 causing the early end to the season. A return of 25 Ligue 1 matches in 2020-2021 was by far Udol’s best season in terms of appearances before 2021-2022 was cut short again by his fourth ligament tear, the club vice-captain forced to watch from the sidelines as Metz were relegated.

Udol extends Metz stay

Udol came back stronger than ever however and, now promoted to club captain, Udol has enjoyed 18 injury-free months, allowing him to help Metz to promotion from Ligue 2 last season (his third promotion with the club – to go with two relegations) and a reasonably positive Ligue 1 return thus far.

He featured for all but nine minutes of last season and in the 2023 half of the campaign contributed five assists – including one in the 3-2 victory over Bastia on the last day, which secured Metz second place and promotion.

Udol has been a fixture for Metz this season, contributing three assists which have directly helped secure a draw and two wins. His goal this week against PSG proved in vain but was another indication of his will to fight to overcome the odds, whether from his left-back berth or filling in at centre-back to help the team out.

Udol signed a contract extension in August and one has to ask if he’ll play for Metz his entire career; he replies that it’s too early to say but that this love story will continue for a little while longer at least. Considering what Udol has had to overcome, that is already a great achievement.

GFFN | Jeremy Smith

As per a report from L’Équipe, Marseille are open to selling Ounahi in January. The midfielder joined OM from SCO Angers in January after a standout World Cup with Morocco. However, he has yet to hit his stride at the Vélodrome. Marseille are looking to recruit this winter, however, they lack considerable means to do so. If OM want to buy, they will have to sell, and in light of considerable interest from the Middle East, Ounahi represents a very bankable asset for Les Phocéens. 

According to Foot Mercato, Al-Ittihad and Al-Shabab are amongst those showing interest in the Moroccan international. Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Duhail are also interested in Ounahi. Saudi Arabian clubs displayed an interest in Ounahi in the summer, however, a move did not come off. Given the number of clubs interested in a move this January, a departure is perhaps more likely. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle