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With the FIFA World Cup draw upon us, some club news has taken a back seat with everyone focused on the international break. We are here to make sure that you have not missed a thing with some stories which might have crept by unnoticed.

Our picks.

Al-Khelaifi reveals PSG bids

Paris Saint-Germain chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been active this week ahead of the World Cup draw in Doha and the European Club Association chief revealed that the French giants have received offers in the past as well as reiterating that the Super League is firmly buried.  

"Imagine there was no investment over the past few years," said the Qatari supremo to the BBC. "Soccer would have collapsed, I promise you. We are an investment fund. We bought the club for $77 million. We have since received offers in the multi-billions. This is the brand we built as a real investment -- across men's and women's teams. People criticize because it is sovereign wealth.

"What about other forms of ownership -- is the private equity takeover of sport about social good? What about clubs leveraged to the sky by private individuals -- is that good? Barcelona is a fan-owned club with $1.7 billion debt -- does that work? Our investment in PSG also does not just help one club.

"Imagine PSG were not in Ligue 1. Where would they find an investment fund to invest $1.7 billion, which goes to the small clubs to invest? When you look at the full picture of what we are doing, it has raised the level."

Why it matters: Al-Khelaifi's dim view of the Super League is nothing new while PSG's agreement has been crucial in French soccer's COVID-19 and Mediapro bailout package which will be funded by CVC Capital Partners. As we are seeing with Chelsea at present, investment in clubs has not peaked.

Mbappe deepens betting war

The PSG and France star made waves over the international break by refusing to do media obligations relating to certain sponsors, notably betting companies, and the 23-year-old challenged Winamax's recent attempt at online humor with typical maturity: "The danger of online betting ... No longer knowing the limit."  

Why it matters: Few players are as image conscious as Mbappe and given its importance to him, there is the very real possibility that freedom to choose his own sponsors becomes an extremely important part of his next contract wherever that may be. Perhaps this is something PSG can exploit to keep him.

Lyon recruit Tete

Olympique Lyonnais have moved to recruit Tete from Shakhtar Donetsk in a move which we might see more of over the coming weeks and months as Ukraine and Russia-based players find new clubs temporarily or permanently.  

Why it matters: Many other European clubs will be looking at Lyon's business and exploring the possibility of giving these talented players a new home either as an unexpected short-term fix this season or beyond that.

Kyiv moving to Bucharest

Dynamo Kyiv are reportedly on the move to Bucharest to restart training under boss Mircea Lucescu with hopes that they can return to competitive action as soon as possible despite the war against aggressor Russia raging on Ukrainian soil. The Romanian coach and the club are trying to arrange a series of friendlies against the likes of PSG, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, SL Benfica, Ajax, Sporting CP, FC Basel, Steaua Bucharest and Legia Warsaw between now and June.  

Why it matters: First of all, this might stem the tide of expected temporary and semi-permanent moves away from Ukrainian clubs. Second of all, this could prove vital in Ukraine's hopes to still compete in the World Cup qualifiers this summer with Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk players vital to that possibility. If the other Ukrainian giants join forces with Kyiv, there is hope yet that the embattled nation will be able to compete for a place in Qatar while Russia remains excluded.

French stadium situation

French Ligue 1 outfit Stade Brestois 29 have unveiled their plans for a new stadium to be ready by 2026 with a capacity of 15,000 for a price of $94 million. Meanwhile, former top-flight presence FC Sochaux Montbeliard could soon leave their Stade Bonal home due to a local rental conflict.  

"We are threatening nobody," said Sochaux's general manager. "It would be a terrible logistical headache for us and heartbreaking for the fans. We are enjoying our best campaign for seven years -- it would be awful. Put simply, there are constraints, especially regarding the league. If there is no stadium deal, it is possible that our venue might be considered unapproved."

"Ours is a 10-year agreement," Montbeliard council's Charles Demouge said. "We are reaching that end. We proposed a six-month extension. Back in March of 2018, it was agreed that all tenants of any local establishment pay the utility costs. It is not my fault if energy prices have gone up! We ask FC Sochaux that they pay the utility costs -- that is all. We are their 12th man and not giving up."

Why it matters: Smaller stadiums, such as Brest or even Nimes Olympique's proposed Stade Nemausus project, and rental issues are indicative of the precarious financial state French soccer finds itself in. Moves toward sustainable venues with more reasonable capacities should be welcomed while promotion back to Ligue 1 has become more vital than ever for clubs like Sochaux with a topflight ticket now worth nearly $17 million to second tier sides this season.

Kaiserslautern investment

Fallen German giants Kaiserslautern have announced new 10% investors in the form of Pacific Media Group who are currently seeing several their teams such as Barnsley and AS Nancy Lorraine struggle in their respective leagues. "We completed the investment in Kaiserslautern," announced Chien Lee of partners New City Capital. "One of the most historic clubs in Germany and our eighth investment in European soccer."  

"After Saar-Pfalz-Invest GmbH, an alliance of financially strong, regional investors with a high level of identification with FCK, documented their willingness to strengthen professional football in Kaiserslautern in the long term," said the third tier promotion hopefuls. "The entry of U.S. investors has now succeeded in achieving another important, strategic international partner for 1. FC Kaiserslautern,"

Why it matters: Given the struggles of many of their other sides across Europe, Paul Conway's PMG are rightly under scrutiny for adding to a portfolio which also includes Den Bosch in the Netherlands, Esbjerg FB in Denmark, KV Oostende in Belgium and FC Thun in Switzerland as none are proving particularly successful.

Pique trolls Espanyol

Barcelona's Gerard Pique has fanned the flames of the Catalan rivalry with Espanyol by gloating that his personal wealth exceeds the budget of Barca's local rivals: "I have had as much money as Espanyol's budget for a long time. I like going to Cornella more than to the Bernabeu. I was happy when they were promoted to Primera because I was going to play there again. I like going on the pitch there and being whistled at. Then you laugh and they get even more wound up. I would say that it is better than sex. I enjoy it more than I do against Real Madrid."

Why it matters: It does not particularly but Pique, who owns lower league side FC Andorra, is never far from controversial views and opinions, but is this one shared by his partner Shakira?