Monday Hoddle of Coffee, Soccer News and Notes, September 3, 2017

Here’s something to amuse you. Nice’s president explains why the Jean Pierre Seri move fell through:

"The two clubs had agreed a price of 40 million euros, but the situation changed at the last moment,” he said.

"Jean Pierre, I don't understand this at all. Barcelona just called. Bartomeu, somewhat embarrassed, told me they don't want Seri.

"It was basically a done deal. If I put myself in Seri's shoes it's very tough. He was close to his dream move to Barça, but it was shattered overnight.”

So let’s review Barça bought Paulinho and Gerard Deulofeu, sold Neymar, bought Ousmane Dembele, and then on deadline day failed to ship out flop Andre Gomes and failed to buy Seri. Granted, this is Nice’s side of things, but according to them, the breakdown was on Barça’s end—and given the way their summer went, that seems totally plausible to me.

Other News

Speaking of Barcelona hilarity... Lionel Messi is waiting to sign his contract until the end of the season.

How will PSG get around FFP? (It’s an interesting piece but the assumption that UEFA is going to enforce FFP is kinda adorable.)