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    Barcelona say emotional goodbye to the Nou Camp with players in tears and fireworks lighting up sky for huge send off

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    BARCELONA said an emotional farewell to the Nou Camp with departing players left in tears and fireworks lighting up the sky.The Spanish giants are moving to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic next season whilst the Nou Camp is redeveloped.
    Barcelona bid farewell to the Nou Camp until November 2024Credit: AP
    Jordi Alba said his goodbyes to the Nou CampCredit: Rex
    Club captain Busquets is expected to move to Saudi ArabiaCredit: Rex
    The departing players were given a proper send offCredit: AFP
    Xavi’s side cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Mallorca in their last game at the Nou Camp until November 2024, with Ansu Fati netting a brace and Gavi scoring the other.
    The Spanish champions will return to the Nou Camp in the 2024-25 season with the capacity at 50 per cent, before work is completed during the 2025-26 season.
    It was an emotional night for club legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba who both played their final home game for Barcelona.
    Both players were applauded off the pitch by the home support and received souvenirs from the club for their service before addressing the fans.
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    Alba is leaving Barcelona after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract a year early.
    The 34-year-old joined the club from Valencia in 2012 and has gone on to make 458 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 19 times and providing 91 assists.
    He has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and is also expected to have lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia.
    Alba said: “Good evening, first of all I would like to thank all the fans for all the love in my career.
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    “Today I also have to remember many people who played a very important role in my career and it was a great honour to share the pitch with them.
    “Thanks to my teammates, this year maybe I didn’t play a lot, but the most important thing is always to try to help, of course I feel very proud of helping my teammates.”
    Alba also paid tribute to Busquets, who he has played alongside for more than a decade.
    He added: “I want to talk about an important and beloved person, Busquets. It was a great honour to play alongside him. I wish him all the best.”
    The left back finished by saying how proud he has been to be a Barcelona player.
    He concluded: “Now I will follow the team from another place. Always proud to be a Barcelona player. Visca Barça! Visca Catalunya!”
    Club captain Busquets is expected to move to Saudi Arabia having spent his entire senior career at the club, making 481 appearances and scoring 11 goals.
    In his address to the fans he said: “Good evening, first of all I want to thank all the players, the current players and those who have been with me these last few years, I thank them all.
    “I thank the coaching staff, the employees, everyone at the club and everyone who helped me during this period, and I also thank the fans. They played a very important role in what we achieved. It is a great honour to be in the team.”
    Busquets added that it had been a dream to play for the club he had supported since he was a child.
    He said: “I dreamt when I was young to play a match in this stadium, this dream came true and I played several matches here, the best stadium in the world. I will never forget this.
    “I came here as a fan when I was a child, and now I’m very proud to be part of the best club in the world.”
    The Spanish midfielder did hint that he could be back in the future.
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    He finished: “Now I’m leaving this team, but the dream I had has come true, this is not a definitive goodbye, it’s a see you later.”
    Barcelona round out their LaLiga campaign away at Celta Vigo on Sunday.
    Fireworks erupted over the stadiumCredit: Getty
    The departing players said their farewellsCredit: Getty More

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      Jordi Alba to leave Barcelona aged 34 after more than a DECADE in end to glittering Nou Camp spell

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      JORDI ALBA will leave Barcelona this summer after 11 trophy-laden years.The Spanish left-back has won the lot during his time at the Nou Camp.
      Jordi Alba will leave Barcelona this summer after 11 yearsCredit: Getty

      The 34-year-old will depart at the end of the season despite having a year left on his contract.
      He uploaded a farewell video on his social media pages, which Barcelona also shared.
      Alba confirmed in February he was willing to walk away following Barcelona’s recent financial woes.
      And the defender is likely to have a host of clubs chasing his signature after being strongly linked with Inter Milan last year.
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      Alba joined Barcelona from Valencia for around £11million in 2012.
      He has since scored 27 goals in 458 appearances for the Spanish giants.
      And Alba has scooped numerous trophies including six LaLiga titles, five Copa del Reys and a Champions League.
      The veteran had been a decent squad member for Xavi this season, playing 29 times in all competitions.
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      But the capture of Marcos Alonso from Chelsea last year, plus the emergence of youngster Alejandro Balde, saw most of Alba’s appearances come from the bench.
      He’s not the first old boy to call it a day, with Gerard Pique retiring from football midway through the season.
      Sergio Busquets is also moving on this summer.
      And after losing Lionel Messi several seasons ago, it truly spells the end of a golden period at the Nou Camp.
      Reflecting on his future earlier this term, Alba said: “I think I’m at a good level. It is true that I am not playing everything, but when I go out I try to do my best.
      “And when I’m not playing I try to help all my teammates by supporting them from the bench.
      “It’s a new facet for me because normally I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of minutes.
      “This year not so much, but I also have my minutes and I’m happy with this role.
      “It is important to help my colleagues, to be with them, to advise them, and this is also positive and motivates me.”
      When asked whether he would lower his salary, he replied: “Yes. It’s a club decision and I’ve always helped when asked.
      “My intention is to help the club and that both parties are happy.”
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      Alba added: “I feel good, I feel capable and I have the support of the coach and team-mates.
      “When I go down the street people let me know. I feel good and the day I feel that I am not capable of defending a club like Barcelona, ​​I will be the first to leave.” More

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      Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool handed transfer update as Barcelona star Gavi reveals future plans

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      BARCELONA midfielder Gavi insists he wants to stay at the club despite interest from the Premier League.Several teams were put on high alert earlier this year when Barcelona’s attempt to register the 18-year-old as a first team player was rejected by LaLiga.
      Gavi has revealed he wants to stay at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Gavi had just signed a new long-term contract – which includes a £870million release clause.
      However, rules mean he will be be available on a free transfer until cash-strapped Barcelona resolve the issue.
      Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all expressed an interest in signing the Spain starlet, but his head has yet to be turned.
      Gavi told Movistar: “I want all of you to be calm on my future… I’m very calm.
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      “Since I was little I’ve wanted to stay at Barca. It’s my dream club, I always say it.
      “Don’t worry, let everyone be calm.”
      Last month, Barcelona boss Xavi admitted he is desperate for Gavi to remain at the club.
      He also suggested that the teenager wouldn’t be as happy elsewhere.
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      When asked about Gavi leaving, he said: “I don’t think Gavi would be happy at another club.
      “He has everything here. He is 18 years old. He’s a key player of our team.
      “For me, he’s a footballer that is outstanding.
      “I don’t know what he’ll decide but I think his future is here at the club.”
      Gavi joined Barcelona’s world renowned La Masia academy at the age of 11 in 2015.
      He signed his first professional contract in 2020 and was promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
      The Spaniard made his first team debut in August 2021 and has since scored four goals in 93 appearances for the La Liga giants. More

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      Man Utd plot double transfer raid on Barcelona despite BOTH players publicly rejecting Old Trafford move

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly interested in TWO Barcelona stars, despite BOTH of them rejecting the Red Devils last season.Erik ten Hag is hoping to bolster his squad in the summer United set to return to the Champions League.
      Frenkie de Jong has been linked with Manchester United for more than a yearCredit: Alamy
      Ronald Araujo could also leave Barcelona this summerCredit: Alamy
      And they are understood to be plotting a return for Barcelona duo Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, United are planning to swoop for centre-back Araujo if the Catalan giants’ financial situation means they fail to register him for the 2023/24 campaign.
      The Uruguayan defender, 24, has been a key part of Xavi’s defence which has conceded just 15 goals in 35 LaLiga games this season.
      But United failed to sign him last summer when he opted to pen a contract extension to keep him at Barcelona until 2026.
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      He then came out and told ESPN: “I am really happy and I am convinced that staying is the right decision because there are good years ahead for the club. I was always certain I wanted to stay.
      “There were big offers from abroad, but I’m happy at Barcelona. My family love it here and the fans and my team-mates have always made me feel at home. I’m grateful for the effort the club have made.
      “We all gave a little bit to reach an agreement, which is what we all wanted. [The Premier League interest] didn’t distract me at all.
      “I was convinced what I wanted. It’s true money is a factor, but for me it’s not the most important thing.
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      “I am happy at Barcelona. The idea is to be here for many years, and maybe in two years I can renew again and go for even more [success]. That’s the intention. I am convinced that with the team and the project we are building.”
      De Jong also publicly rejected a move to Man Utd last summer after a long-running transfer saga.
      The Dutch midfielder, 26, who is also under contract until 2026, starred for Ajax under Ten Hag and was thought to be a done deal to come to Old Trafford on a number of occasions.
      But he ended up staying, telling NOS: “The club was in a difficult situation and they could have sold me for a big fee. But I didn’t want to go and stayed.
      “Manchester United spoke with Barca, even though I wanted to stay. I want to be at Barca for as long as I can.”
      Barcelona recently regained the LaLiga title following an impressive domestic campaign.
      But they were eliminated by United in the play-off round of the Europa League – having been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second successive year.
      Barcelona are thought to be in the process of offloading players so they can afford to bring Lionel Messi back to the club.
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      The Argentine icon, 35, is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
      And while a romantic return to Barcelona has been mooted, a move to Saudi Arabia now appears most likely for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. More

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      Ruben Neves ‘agrees four-year Barcelona deal as he rejects Arsenal and Man Utd transfer… but Wolves won’t get a penny’

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      WOLVES midfielder Ruben Neves has reportedly agreed to join Barcelona at the end of the season.The Portuguese star, 26, has been heavily linked with Manchester United and Arsenal during the last several transfer windows.
      Ruben Neves appeared to say goodbye to the Wolves crowd on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      But he is now understood to be closing in on a deal that would see him grace the Nou Camp turf.
      According to Sport, Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes has struck an agreement with Barcelona.
      It will involve Wolves paying £26million and Neves in a part-exchange deal for Ansu Fati.
      However, Fati, 20, is yet to give the go-ahead for the switch to be completed.
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      The Barca forward has contributed 26 goals and 10 assists in 106 matches, but has started just 11 LaLiga games this season.
      There is pressure from all parties to complete the transfer before June 30.
      Neves joined Wolves when they were in the Championship back in 2017 for £15.8m from Porto.
      Helping Wanderers to secure promotion in his first season, he has gone on to register 30 goals and 13 assists in 251 appearances.
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      But it appears his time in the Black Country is coming to an end – with his contract up at the end of next season.
      Neves brought his wife and kids onto the Molineux pitch following their final home game of the campaign.
      Julen Lopetegui’s side conceded a last-gasp equaliser to draw 1-1 with Everton.
      But that did not stop Neves from being all smiles as he received applause from the supporters after the final whistle. More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2 urges Man Utd to ‘do everything’ to land top midfield target that Ten Hag is ‘chasing’

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has urged Manchester United to go all out for Frenkie de Jong. The Red Devils spent most of last summer chasing the Barcelona man but repeatedly fell short.
      Rene Meulensteen was No2 at Old Trafford before spending three months as boss of Fulham in the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Manager Erik ten Hag has managed to get on just fine without the 26-year-old as United edge closer to a top four spot.
      They could also end the season with a domestic cup double if they can mastermind a Wembley win over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final next month.
      But Meulensteen, who was United assistant coach between 2007 and 2013, still believes his old side need another top class midfielder to compete at the very top.
      He told Man United’s official Scandinavian supporters club: “They need a really good midfield player.
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      “Yes, they’ve got Casemiro in there. You’ve got Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes – a lot of experience, a lot of qualities – but there’s also a little bit of a vulnerability because their mindsets are predominantly in going forward.
      “I would 100 per cent do everything to get De Jong. He’s got energy, he’s got legs, he’s tactically very, very good in the build-up.
      “For De Jong, I think to be fairly honest, he would have already been here if he had not been happy at Barcelona.
      “But he’s obviously very happy playing for Barcelona otherwise he would have said, ‘Okay, no problem, sort me out’ because there’s always a way to fill that financial gap. That can never be the reason. But I can see why Ten Hag is chasing him.”
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      The summer recruitment of Casemiro and Eriksen helped United plug holes in their midfield.
      The pair have been fantastic and helped deliver a solid debut season for ten Hag.
      Barcelona’s chaotic financial situation means they could need to sell some of their star players this season, despite winning LaLiga.
      United could also be in the market for a new goalkeeper and Meulensteen believes that is also an important area following the long tenure of David de Gea.
      He added: “I really like David de Gea, I’ve obviously worked with him myself, lot of experience, done fantastically well. 
      “People are judging him sometimes because the mistakes that he’s made in this season in certain games are so much unlike him – which you have to ask the question: why is that?
      “That could be because sometimes you can get a bit stale, sometimes you need a new environment or to freshen things up.” More

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      Barcelona want Kimmich from Bayern Munich in stunning summer transfer – and German is open to move

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      BARCELONA are tipped to launch a shock move for unhappy Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The German national team captain, 28, was said to be upset at Bayern sacking Julian Nagelsmann in March.
      LaLiga champs Barca could be poised for an amazing swoop on Joshua KimmichCredit: Getty
      Bayern currently sit atop the Bundesliga table with two games to go, leading long-time rivals Borussia Dortmund by a point, but face third-placed RB Leipzig in their penultimate game.
      Following Nagelsmann’s departure, Kimmich experienced a tense situation and divided atmosphere inside the dressing room, with many players in the dark on the sudden dismissal.
      And he is reportedly excited by the Barcelona project after their success this season under former star Xavi.
      Kimmich could fit perfectly into the role vacated by Sergio Busquets, who has announced he is leaving the club, and is a cheaper option than Martin Zubimendi.
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      The Real Sociedad star, 24, has four years left on his deal with a £51.5m release clause.
      He is also likely to attract a bidding war in the transfer market, with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly among his admirers.
      Xavi believes Kimmich “would be perfect for Barca” with the German calling Xavi his role model.
      The 2010 World Cup winner was introduced to Kimmich by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who said: “I have a player who can literally play in any position.”
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      Kimmich has spent eight seasons with Bayern after joining from RB Leipzig in 2015, winning seven Bundesliga titles, three German cups and a Champions League, including the historic sextuple in 2020. 
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      He has featured 45 times in all competitions this season, scoring seven and assisting 11.
      Should he move to the Camp Nou he would rejoin his former teammate Robert Lewandowski, who made the switch last summer, and fellow countryman Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
      The Polish striker has netted 21 goals in La Liga this season taking Barcelona to the title as the top scorer in the league with the German shot-stopper holding the most clean sheets.
      Barcelona are also linked with signing Athletic Club centre back Inigo Martinez at the request of Xavi and could also pull off an emotional return for club legend Lionel Messi from PSG. More

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      Chelsea flop Aubameyang becomes league winner for the first time in career after playing just EIGHT MINUTES this season

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      CHELSEA striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has become a league winner – after playing EIGHT MINUTES for Barcelona.The Catalan club were crowned LaLiga champions on Sunday night after a 4-2 away win at rivals Espanyol.
      Before his move to Chelsea in September 2022, Aubameyang sneaked in a single appearance in Barcelona’s team this seasonCredit: EPA
      And Blues flop Aubameyang, 33, will recognised as part of the winning squad despite his very limited involvement in Barcelona’s successful campaign.
      Before his ill-fated move to Chelsea last summer, Aubameyang came off the bench for Jordi Alba in the final few minutes of Barca’s opening league game against Rayo Vallecano.
      That small cameo in the 0-0 draw may alone be enough to earn the striker credit for the league victory, the first of the former Arsenal star’s career.
      In the Premier League a minimum of five league appearances are needed to allow a player to be considered part of the winning squad.
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      But this rule is not the same elsewhere in Europe and means Aubameyang could be included as a league winner in La Liga’s records.
      It would prove to be a silver lining for the star after a dreadful campaign at Chelsea.
      The 33-year-old has made just 21 appearances for the Blues and contributed only three goals.
      He was recruited by his former manager at Dortmund Thomas Tuchel to try and fix Chelsea’s long-standing scoring issues.
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      But within weeks of his arrival, Tuchel would be dismissed and Aubameyang would watch Graham Potter, Bruno and Frank Lampard stand in the dugout over the following months.
      But he still failed to become a permanent fixture for any of those managers and likely won’t be at Stamford Bridge for the arrival of the incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Few would have predicted such a calamitous spell after the forward’s electric form for Barcelona last season.
      After arriving mid-season from Arsenal, the former Gabon international hit 11 goals in 17 La Liga games.
      The Spanish side have been linked with a move for their ex-striker, who joined in with his former teammates’ celebrations after March’s El Clasico win over Real Madrid. More

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      Barcelona chief says he will ‘do everything we can to bring Lionel Messi back’ ahead of summer transfer pursuit

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      BARCELONA’s president has promised to “do everything” to bring Lionel Messi back to the club.The Argentine legend infuriated Paris Saint-Germain when he missed training for an unsanctioned visit the Middle East with his family recently.
      Barcelona are attempting to bring Lionel Messi back to the clubCredit: Rex
      He was then slapped with a suspension by PSG for the unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia – although they later backed down.
      In his first game back after the incident, the 35-year-old was jeered and whistled by some of the team’s supporters in their 5-0 win over Ajaccio.
      Messi now looks set to depart, along with world-record signing Neymar, who SunSport understands is another target for United, with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
      And there is also a host of interest from the MLS in bringing him to the States.
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      However, fresh from clinching the LaLiga title last night with a 4-2 win at Espanyol, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has vowed to try and re-sign the icon.
      He told Jijantes: “We will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona.”
      Vice-president Rafa Yuste also added to Carrusel: “Messi? He’s a very good friend of many guys who are celebrating La Liga today… I’m sure he is so happy! I would love Messi to come back.”
      And Laporta has also now revealed that to RAC1 he has already been in contact with the superstar.
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      He said: “I spoke with Messi recently, we have a relationship with him.
      “Messi is the best player in the world and any coach would want him in his team. He had some unpleasant incidents with the fans in Paris, I won’t disturb him right now.
      “We exchanged some messages recently. Barca is Messi’s home and Barca can compete with Saudi Arabia and everyone.”
      Messi departed the Nou Camp in 2021 due to the club’s financial difficulties making a new contract impossible.
      He penned a two-year deal with PSG but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will become a free agent in June. More