Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League play-off first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, Monaco manager Niko Kovač played down his side’s status in the tie ahead of the clash against the Ukrainians.

With Les Monégasques suffering from a disappointing start to the league campagin, their European form has been a different story – having beaten Sparta Prague 5-1 on aggregate in the previous round.

“Shakhtar are a formidable opponent. They’ve qualified for the Champions League 13 times in the last 15 years. We remember their matches last year against Real Madrid, who they beat twice. They have lots of talented Brazilian players, a new Italian coach [Roberto De Zerbi], they’re a nice team to watch.”

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“I expect a different match to the ones we’ve played so far. They’re always looking to attack, to create chances and play their game. It should help us play our way too and create chances. They play with four defenders at the back, whereas usually French teams play with 5, which is harder to catch out.”

“Clearly they are the favourites, but we want to beat the odds. We want to reach a clear objective – get to the Champions League group stages. We worked very hard last season, now we have a two-act final – we are physically, mentally and tactically ready.”

BREST – 1 (Le Douaron 90+1′)

Marco Bizot, 4 – Questions persist as to if he is truly an upgrade on Larsonneur in goal. Got a hand to Guirassy’s opener and maybe should have kept it out.

Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel, 5

Lilian Brassier, 6 – The pick of Brest’s back line with some bullish and alert defending.

Brendan Chardonnet, 5

Jere Uronen, 5

Hugo Magnetti, 5

Hianga’a Mbock, 5

Irvin Cardona, 3 – Completely anonymous.

Romain Faivre, 5 – Some neat touches showing his obvious quality but flickered in and out of the game while struggling to truly affect proceedings. Links to a move away may be a little premature, another season in Ligue 1 could do him good.

Franck Honorat, 7 – Did just about enough for seven having worked hard and threatened throughout when given the chance. Created a number of openings from his flank, often taking on his full-back and crossing accurately – one such centre allowed Le Douaron to head a late leveller.

Steve Mounié, 4 – Produced a powerful first half header from the edge of the area which was superbly saved by Gomis but missed two clear chances besides later on, the second should really have resulted in a goal despite little time to react.

Others: Jean-Kevin Duverne 5, Julien Faussurier 5, Jérémy Le Douaron 7.

RENNES – 1 (Guirassy 84′)

Alfred Gomis, 7 – Amongst a handful of smart stops were two outstanding saves, the best being a fingertip touch onto the post from Mounié’s long range first half header.

Hamari Traoré, 4 – One of his more shaky displays and managed to lose Le Douaron for the late headed equaliser.

Nayef Aguerd, 5

Loïc Badé, 5

Birger Meling, 6 – Got forward well throughout, reliable in possession and provided a super cross for Guirassy’s opener.

Lesley Ugochukwu, 6 – Protected his back four well, winning the ball in midfield and using possession neatly. Still a little raw but Rennes may not need to sign a holding midfielder at this rate.

Flavien Tait, 5

Benjamin Bourigeaud, 6 – His arrowed crosses and corners were again a danger throughout and he contributed to some neat interplay.

Jérémy Doku, 6 – Somehow side footed wide with the goal at his mercy early on having arrived late at the back post but grew into the game with some typically illusive runs and some intelligent passing.

Kamaldeen Sulemana, 4 – There was one thrilling first half run but the new man posted a frustrating display besides. Occasionally threatened to create something but lost the ball a little easily and faded badly in the second half.

Martin Terrier, 5

Others: Serhou Guirassy 7, Eduardo Camavinga 5, Warmed Omari 5, Matthis Abline 5, Mathys Tel 5.

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With the departures of key players Toma Bašić to Lazio and Yacine Adli to AC Milan seemingly immanent, Bordeaux are looking to bolster their already under-strength midfield with the signing of Braga’s Fransérgio.

As reported by 20 Minutes, the 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder was expected in Bordeaux last night to undergo his medical and is expected to sign a three year deal (plus another optional year) with Les Girondins for a €6m fee.

However, for the move to be finalised, FCGB will need to sell a player to comply with the regulations of French football’s financial watchdog, the DNCG. That player is likely to be Bašić or Adli but Basic’s suitor Lazio also need to sell before signing the Croatian.

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Turkish Süper Lig club Kayserispor have announced tonight that an agreement has been reached for the sale of young goalkeeper Doğan Alemdar to Rennes.

The 18-year-old’s transfer fee has not been revealed, but according to Foot Mercato the sum is set at €3.5m, while the Turkish side will retain a percentage of the player’s future transfer fee.

Alemdar played his first full season in professional football last year, starting 28 games and contributing to securing his team’s safety by a single point.

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L’Équipe report that Montpellier will accept an offer of €10m from OGC Nice for 29-year-old striker Andy Delort, which is expected to be made imminently.

The 29-year-old has found an agreement over a 3-year contract with the option to extend by a further 4th year.

He is expected to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday to pass a medical – to replace him, Montpellier are expected to sign 31-year-old striker Valère Germain on a free transfer.

Les Aiglons have had an opening €8m proposal knocked back.

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RMC Sport report that newly-promoted Ligue 1 side ESTAC Troyes are heavily considering the possibility of signing World Cup winner and 35-year-old French central defender and free agent Adil Rami.

Rami is unattached following his exit from Portuguese outfit Boavista in June and has not played in France since he left Marseille in 2019.

Since his time at OM, he has played for Fenerbahce and Sochi before accepting Luis Campos’ proposal to join Boavista.

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With transfers for both Yacine Adli and Toma Bašić away from Bordeaux stalling in recent weeks, Les Girondins have built up a backlog of incoming deals with the club needing to sell a player before signing.

However, as L’Équipe report this morning, now Bašić’s move to Lazio is being finalised, the doors to the Matmut Atlantique will soon open. Honduran striker Alberth Elis arrived yesterday, Braga midfielder Fransérgio can now complete his move from Portugal and Brazilian forward Vitinho of Athletico Paranaense could soon join too.

Bordeaux could spend as much as €10m on the 22-year-old Vitinho, who has also been interesting Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk, with the player expected to arrive tomorrow or Friday to complete a medical and sign a five year contract in France. 

Usually a left-side wide player, although capable of playing across the front line, Vitinho has scored 15 goals and added seven assists over 59 games to date for Athletico Paranaense.

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Yesterday evening, Real Madrid made their first move of the summer for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé, as the Spaniards submitted a €160m bid for the Frenchman. The offer was turned down straight away by Les Parisiens – at least officially – are standing firm on keeping the World Cup winner, but a second offer could see them change their minds.

Mbappé’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and the forward has turned down all of PSG’s extension proposals – as such, not leaving this summer could mean a departure on a free in 10 months’ time. The PSG management had been expecting an offer from Real Madrid, but not an opening bid that high – which Real Madrid appear to have been able to finance with the sales of Martin Ødegaard and Raphaël Varane. Of the fee involved in the first bid, €35m would go to Mbappé’s previous club, Monaco.

L’Équipereport that internal sources at the club believe that a future Real Madrid offer could even surpass the €222m fee paid for Neymar in 2017. Overall, Los Merengues will have a €190m-€200m budget to work with for their second offer, considering they are yet to spend this window. Internally, few at PSG expect Mbappé to extend his contract – as a result, an offer in the region of €200m would see the club consider a sale.

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As for the forward himself, his entourage had not been made aware of the timing of the offer, seeing as he has not been in direct talks with Real Madrid. Tensions had reportedly eased with the PSG management in the last few days, although privately the striker is clear on his wish to join Real Madrid. As such, should PSG accept Real Madrid’s next offer he will move – otherwise, he would not see a season alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar as a defeat either.

Foot Mercato report tonight that various Premier League clubs have made enquiries for Sassuolo wide man Jérémie Boga, among which West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton.

The 24-year-old had also been the subject of interest from Italian clubs this summer, among which Napoli and Atalanta, with Boga’s contract running until the end of the upcoming season.

It now appears that a move to England could be on the cards in the final week of the window for the forward, who has been with the Neroverdi since 2018 and notably scored 11 goals in the 2019/20 season.

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Ignazio Genuardi reports this afternoon that Brighton are looking to sign Lille midfielder Cheikh Niasse should they sell Yves Bissouma, with a potential offer to come in from Liverpool for the latter.

The 21-year-old is under contract with the Ligue 1 champions for another two years, and spent the latter half of last season on loan at Greek side Panathinaikos.

The midfielder played in the Europa League last season, as well as making an appearance for Les Dogues in the previous league campaign.

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