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Mid-Day Ticker: PSG open to Beckham move, Diarra joins Fulham and more

BECKHAM REUTERS

The David Beckham to Paris Saint-Germain rumors are back.

PSG sporting director Leonardo said despite Beckham's rejection of the wealthy club "the door is still open" to signing the English midfielder. Beckham, 36, cited family considerations as a major factor in his decision to stay in LA and re-sign with the Galaxy.

Paris has fallen out of the Ligue 1 lead despite a hefty payroll but are likely to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Here are some more stories to keep your Monday going.

FULHAM SIGN DIARRA ON FREE TRANSFER

Fulham have signed Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra on a free transfer to a contract through the end of the season. The former Real Madrid player has been without a club since leaving Monaco last summer.

The deal is contingent on Diarra receiving a work visa but that should not be a problem considering his high number of caps for Mali. The 30-year-old's contract has the option for an additional year.

KEAN SAYS BLACKBURN BETTER OFF WITHOUT SAMBA

Christopher Samba finally got his long-sought move away from Blackburn Rovers with a shocking 12 million pound move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala on Friday. The Congolese international was able to complete the move because the Russian transfer window didn't shut until last Friday. Samba will join newly-signed manager Guus Hiddink in a side flush with cash and ambition.

Samba's former manager, Steve Kean, is far from upset with the news. Kean said the Blackburn dressing room is a more cohesive place without Samba and they are a better side moving forward.

KAISERLAUTEN INVESTIGATING FANS FOR HITLER SALUTE

Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern has reported a group of fans to the police for allegedly giving the Hitler salute to an Israeli player. According to the club a group of less than 10 fans gestured to striker Itay Shechter during practice on Monday following the team's 4-0 defeat to Mainz.

Kaiserslautern said the fans belonged to a hooligan group that has been banned from games for several years. The club has issued a statement distancing itself from the fans and encouraging anyone with knowledge of the perpetrators to alert the police.

DROGBA, VAN DER VAART, ROONEY OUT OF FRIENDLIES

Less than a month after a devastating loss in the African Cup of Nations final, the Ivory Coast will be without star striker Didier Drogba for a friendly against Guinea. Drogba was taken off injured in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Bolton on Saturday. The injury to his right knee is not thought to be serious but will require treatment through at least the end of the week.

Rafael van der Vaart will miss the Netherland's friendly with England on Wednesday with an ankle injury. The Spurs midfielder picked up the injury in Tottenham's 5-2 loss to Arsenal on Sunday. Wayne Rooney will also miss Wednesday's international with a throat infection while Tom Cleverley is out with an ankle injury.

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What do you think of today's stories? Tired of the Beckham to PSG rumors? Will Diarra be successful at Fulham? Will the injuries diminish your interest in the international break?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I would just like David Beckham to know that the door remains open for talks regarding the merger between his bank account and mine.

    Reply
  2. The structure is bad for players not in Europe. Playing Sunday, traveling thousands of miles and training one day does not make good sense or soccer. Klinsmann wanted a full side but a European only side makes sense for Wednesday friendlies in Europe.

    Reply
  3. Good move by Fulham picking up Mahamadou Diarra. Dembele doesn’t defend and Murphy is losing his legs. They looked soft in the middle most games.

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  4. Not just him…….

    LD is welcome at Everton, Keane should consider AV and Henry could extend his stay. I don’t see any of it happening.

    Does ANYONE see any of it happening ? My guess, NO.

    Reply
  5. Maybe they’re thinking they can sell a bunch of #23 shirts with his name on them if they are just publicly on the record saying they’d like to have him on their roster.

    Reply
  6. BINGO!!!!

    This PSG fan is so tired of it. Leonardo needs to shut the F.. up and focus on making sure the club is set for playing in Champion’s League next season. Midfield is clogged. Team needs time to actually gel and this talk does nothing but make everyone say what the F…!

    I guess it’s not enough when half your team is filled with players representing their national team isn’t enough.

    Reply
  7. It’s pretty amazing the way everyone gets sick or injured right in time for International friendlies.

    It must be a sign that our US team players are improving–they’ve also learned how to get sick at exactly the right moment….

    Reply
  8. To PSG: too bad! why don’t you take some time to look up a few other footballers that might be available for the right price; Dempsey, Agudelo, Edu, Shea, Guzan,

    Reply
  9. It’s pretty obvious that the simple mention of Beckham’s name to the media leads to free publicity, and somehow through the magic of human psychology, more fan interest in and revenue for a certain Parisian club.

    Reply
  10. In other news, my Saturday Men’s league is also open to a Beckham move. We can’t pay the same as PSG, but hey, we’re in the United States.

    Reply
  11. If you, PSG, must continue to tell us why Beckham chose LA over PSG…then you’ve already lost the war.

    Go away.

    sidenote: we’ve already catered to Becks Olympic hopes, don’t ANYONE associated with the clubs/league bring up a loan move with PSG, please.

    Reply

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