Paris Saint-Germain shattered the world record for the biggest transfer in soccer at the beginning of August, splashing €222 million ($264 million) on Brazilian attacker Neymar. This was more than double Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba, who previously held the title of world’s most expensive player. Just when we thought one crazy transfer was enough to make this summer exciting, PSG decided to shake the soccer world once again. The team has announced today that they have signed talented French striker Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

Paris Saint-Germain are thrilled to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappé! #BienvenueKylian pic.twitter.com/dOLX2YpP7x

— PSG English (@PSG_English) August 31, 2017

Although the details of the contract were not explicitly revealed, ESPN‘s sources say that the deal is worth €180 million ($214 million) plus bonuses. Mbappe will initially join PSG on a one-year loan deal with the obligation to buy. The only scenario in which PSG won’t be obligated to buy Mbappe is if they are relegated from Ligue 1.

It is believed that Paris Saint-Germain had to structure their deal for Mbappe like this so they wouldn’t hurt FFP (financial fair play) regulations. FFP only allow for a team to have €30 million ($35 million) deficit. Given the money they have spent on Neymar, the loan-to-buy deal allowed them to avoid sanctions that come with FFP violations like exclusion from Champions League and being banned from bringing new players to the club.

Kylian Mbappe established himself as one of the most promising young soccer players in the world before he even turned 18. Last season saw him scoring 26 goals in 44 appearances, with 6 of them coming in Champions League. Although Monaco was keen to hold onto him, it was almost inevitable for Mbappe to make a switch to another club given the number of clubs interested in him. For a long time, Real Madrid and Arsenal were mentioned as the most probable destination for the young star, but it looks the money of PSG had the final say.

The post Kylian Mbappe at Age 18 becomes The World’s Second Most Expensive Soccer Player appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Champions League 2017-18 season is all set to start, with the group phase draw in Nyon held yesterday. The draw saw some teams getting handed tough group, while others were lucky and avoided tough opponents. So let us take a look.

Group A: Benfica, Manchester United, FC Basel, CSKA Moscow

One of the teams that had it easy is certainly Man Utd. Mourinho’s boys shouldn’t have thought time nabbing the first place, while Benfica and CSKA will eye for the second. Although Basel has a quality team, their fans shouldn’t get high hopes.

Group B: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Anderlecht, Celtic

Bayern and PSG are clear favorites in this group, while Celtic proved last year that it can provide major problems for the bigger teams holding Man City to a draw in both of the clashes.

Group C: Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, FK Qarabag

This is the group you want to follow closely. Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Roma all have high ambitions, but there are only two places that lead out of the group stage. One of these teams will have to be content with Europa League. Quarabag, on the other hand, will look to make the life tougher for all of them and try to go down fighting.

Group D: Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Sporting CP

This group will offer us once again a duel between Juventus and Barcelona after they clashed in the last season’s semi finals. These two teams will most certainly nab the first 2 positions while Olympiacos and Sporting will have their eyes on the 3rd place which would lead them to Europa League.

Group E: Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Liverpool, NK Maribor

Liverpool was handed an easy group in which their only true contender will be Sevilla.

Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli, Feyenoord

Although Manchester City and Napoli will want nothing short of advancing to the next stage, Shakhtar proved many times it can be a hard nut to crack.

Group G: Monaco, FC Porto, Besiktas, RB Leipzig

Although Monaco and Porto could be viewed as slight favorites, this group could see any of the 4 teams claiming the top spot.

Group H: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, APOEL Nicosia

Another tough group sees Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham as challengers for the top spot in Group H. After destroying Barcelona in Spanish Super Cup, we are sure these teams will not provide a challenge enough for the reigning champions. Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham matchups will provide the second passenger for the next phase, while APOEL will be a bystander this season.

The post UEFA Champions League Draw Puts Barcelona Against Juventus Once Again appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Paris Saint-Germain shattered the world record for the biggest transfer in soccer at the beginning of August, splashing €222 million ($264 million) on Brazilian attacker Neymar. This was more than double Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba, who previously held the title of world’s most expensive player. Just when we thought one crazy transfer was enough to make this summer exciting, PSG decided to shake the soccer world once again. The team has announced today that they have signed talented French striker Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

Paris Saint-Germain are thrilled to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappé! #BienvenueKylian pic.twitter.com/dOLX2YpP7x

— PSG English (@PSG_English) August 31, 2017

Although the details of the contract were not explicitly revealed, ESPN‘s sources say that the deal is worth €180 million ($214 million) plus bonuses. Mbappe will initially join PSG on a one-year loan deal with the obligation to buy. The only scenario in which PSG won’t be obligated to buy Mbappe is if they are relegated from Ligue 1.

It is believed that Paris Saint-Germain had to structure their deal for Mbappe like this so they wouldn’t hurt FFP (financial fair play) regulations. FFP only allow for a team to have €30 million ($35 million) deficit. Given the money they have spent on Neymar, the loan-to-buy deal allowed them to avoid sanctions that come with FFP violations like exclusion from Champions League and being banned from bringing new players to the club.

Kylian Mbappe established himself as one of the most promising young soccer players in the world before he even turned 18. Last season saw him scoring 26 goals in 44 appearances, with 6 of them coming in Champions League. Although Monaco was keen to hold onto him, it was almost inevitable for Mbappe to make a switch to another club given the number of clubs interested in him. For a long time, Real Madrid and Arsenal were mentioned as the most probable destination for the young star, but it looks the money of PSG had the final say.

The post Kylian Mbappe at Age 18 becomes The World’s Second Most Expensive Soccer Player appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Champions League 2017-18 season is all set to start, with the group phase draw in Nyon held yesterday. The draw saw some teams getting handed tough group, while others were lucky and avoided tough opponents. So let us take a look.

Group A: Benfica, Manchester United, FC Basel, CSKA Moscow

One of the teams that had it easy is certainly Man Utd. Mourinho’s boys shouldn’t have thought time nabbing the first place, while Benfica and CSKA will eye for the second. Although Basel has a quality team, their fans shouldn’t get high hopes.

Group B: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Anderlecht, Celtic

Bayern and PSG are clear favorites in this group, while Celtic proved last year that it can provide major problems for the bigger teams holding Man City to a draw in both of the clashes.

Group C: Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, FK Qarabag

This is the group you want to follow closely. Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Roma all have high ambitions, but there are only two places that lead out of the group stage. One of these teams will have to be content with Europa League. Quarabag, on the other hand, will look to make the life tougher for all of them and try to go down fighting.

Group D: Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Sporting CP

This group will offer us once again a duel between Juventus and Barcelona after they clashed in the last season’s semi finals. These two teams will most certainly nab the first 2 positions while Olympiacos and Sporting will have their eyes on the 3rd place which would lead them to Europa League.

Group E: Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Liverpool, NK Maribor

Liverpool was handed an easy group in which their only true contender will be Sevilla.

Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli, Feyenoord

Although Manchester City and Napoli will want nothing short of advancing to the next stage, Shakhtar proved many times it can be a hard nut to crack.

Group G: Monaco, FC Porto, Besiktas, RB Leipzig

Although Monaco and Porto could be viewed as slight favorites, this group could see any of the 4 teams claiming the top spot.

Group H: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, APOEL Nicosia

Another tough group sees Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham as challengers for the top spot in Group H. After destroying Barcelona in Spanish Super Cup, we are sure these teams will not provide a challenge enough for the reigning champions. Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham matchups will provide the second passenger for the next phase, while APOEL will be a bystander this season.

The post UEFA Champions League Draw Puts Barcelona Against Juventus Once Again appeared first on SportzBonanza.