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      ‘Laporta’s words hurt me’ – Lionel Messi slams Barcelona president and insists he was never asked to play for free

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      LIONEL MESSI has slammed Barcelona president Joan Laporta for suggesting he could have played for free as he insisted he was never asked to.The 34-year-old departed the Nou Camp in August on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after 21 years spent in Catalonia.
      Argentine forward Lionel Messi swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summerCredit: Getty
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated earlier this month he was surprised Messi didn’t offer to play for freeCredit: AFP
      Messi had wanted to remain with the Blaugrana and had agreed to lower his salary by 50 per cent, only for LaLiga to impose a salary cap on the crisis club.
      Speaking earlier this month, Laporta revealed he thought that Messi would have offered to play for nothing instead of linking up with Les Parisiens.
      That is despite Spanish law making it legally impossible for a player to represent a team for free, with the rule in place to avoid financial manipulation.
      Laporta, 59, told RAC1: “With Messi I do not get angry because I appreciate him.
      “I know he had a huge desire to stay, but also a lot of pressure because of the offer he had.
      “Everything indicates that he already had the offer from PSG. Everyone knew that he had a very powerful offer. We knew from Messi that they had a very good offer.”

      Before adding: “I did hope that at the last minute Messi would say that he would play for free. I would have liked that and he would have convinced me.
      “I understand that the league would have accepted it. But we cannot ask that of a player of his level.”
      And Messi has now broken his silence over Laporta’s comments as he declared he has been left ‘hurt’, with the forward stating he did everything possible to stay.
      He told Sport: “The truth is that, as I explained on my way out, I did everything possible to stay, never at any time was I asked to play for free.
      “I was asked to cut my salary by 50 per cent and I did it without any problem. We were in a position to help the club more.
      “The desire of me and my family was to stay in Barcelona. 
      “Nobody asked me to play for free but at the same time, it seems to me that the words said by the president are out of place.
      “They hurt me because I think he doesn’t need to say that, it’s like getting the ball off you and not assuming its consequences, or taking charge of things. 

      “This makes people think or generates a type of doubt that I think I do not deserve.”
      Messi has also declared he does intend to return to Barca in the future, though only when his playing days are over.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is planning to become the club’s ‘technical secretary’ – a role designed to bridge the gap between the boardroom and dressing room, as well as helping to sign players and hire coaches.
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      Barcelona ready to compete with Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe as cash-strapped Catalans target free transfer

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      BARCELONA are ready to take on Real Madrid in the battle for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe. Despite being in dire straits financially, the Catalans believe they can make ‘one great signing’ before next season.
      Lionel Messi’s arrival at PSG has not convinced Mbappe to stay at the Parc Des PrincesCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish outlet AS, the club have emerged as a possible shock destination for the 22-year-old.
      Mbappe is out of contract at PSG next summer and is available on a free transfer, but any club wanting to sign him will have to pay a hefty signing on fee.
      But Barcelona are rumoured to be willing to pay up to £76million to secure a move despite their financial woes.
      And the Catalans believe Los Blancos will only offer £42million.
      As a result a much higher sum could sway Mbappe’s decision, after he was widely expected to seal a move to the Bernabeu.
      Madrid however are in a better position than their bitter rivals financially – meaning they are able to offer a higher weekly wage than the Catalans.

      And AS report that the side from the capital still have the ‘advantage’ when it comes to negotiations for the World Cup winner.
      Mbappe is allowed to start talks with clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
      He has publicly admitted that he wants to move to Real Madrid, but Barca still remain determined to ‘hinder the operation’ which was seemingly all but done.
      Los Blancos reportedly made two bids for the superstar in the summer, both of which were rebuffed by Les Parisiens.
      And according to president Florentino Perez they could even sign him in January, rather than wait until the summer and have to compete with rival clubs.
      Rumours linking Mbappe to Barcelona come after former president Josep Bartomeu revealed the club could have signed the Frenchman in 2017.
      But then manager Ernesto Valverde and his coaching staff instead recommended that the club sign Ousmanne Dembele.
      Bartomeu told on Esport3: “[Mbappe’s] signing was on the table, but the coaches preferred Dembele because they wanted a player to open the field.”
      Dembele was signed from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £138m, and has just 30 goals in 118 appearances in four years at Camp Nou.
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      Man Utd joined by Liverpool in Ousmane Dembele transfer race with Jurgen Klopp hoping to snatch Barcelona star on free

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      LIVERPOOL are considering a transfer move for Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele, according to reports.Dembele, 24, has interested the Reds for some time and could be signed to provide competition for the likes of Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota.
      Ousmane Dembele is wanted by several clubs across Europe
      The Frenchman signed for Barca in 2017 for a fee of £138million but his contract expires at the end of the season.
      That means he is affordable, and though Barcelona want to keep him they are requesting he accepts a reduction in his £200k a week wages.
      Dembele has the ball in his court as a result, with Liverpool one of several teams eyeing a free transfer, report TEAMtalk.
      Manchester United have been long-term admirers of the winger.
      Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly chasing Dembele too, as are Newcastle now they have more spending power.
      Elsewhere in Europe Juventus and Bayern Munich could also try and tempt him away from the Nou Camp.

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      Liverpool are determined to land a new wide forward however, having previously targeted West Ham star Jarrod Bowen.
      Watford’s Ismaila Sarr is another player who has interested them in the past and would represent a much cheaper option than Dembele.
      Klopp is said to be a fan of the former Borussia Dortmund ace and there could be a transfer battle on the cards next summer. More

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      Donny van de Beek and Tanguy Ndombele among ‘four transfer options’ Barcelona are exploring in bid to improve midfield

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      BARCELONA have reportedly set their sights on four midfielders they are interested in signing in the January transfer window.The Catalan giants saw a host of players depart in the summer including Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Miralem Pjanic.
      Van de Beek has struggled to settle since arriving in ManchesterCredit: Getty
      Ndombele wanted to leave Tottenham in the summerCredit: Getty
      And, according to Sport, under pressure boss Ronald Koeman has identified Manchester United man Donny van de Beek as someone he would like to add to his squad.
      The 24-year-old Dutchman struggled to make any sort of impact during his first campaign at Old Trafford last season.
      And things haven’t improved much at the start of the new season as he has started just one of Man Utd’s seven Premier League games.
      A move to Barca could give Van de Beek a second chance to rediscover the form he showed at Ajax.
      Another man who Koeman’s side are looking at closely is Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele.
      The Frenchman arrived in North London for a club record fee of £55million in 2019 but has found it difficult to sustain a lengthy period of consistency.

      Brozovic is another man the Catalan giants could pursueCredit: Getty
      Ndombele enjoyed some good form last season but then handed in a transfer request in the summer.
      He was offered to Barcelona as Spurs looked to offload him, but the Spanish side could not afford the 24-year-old due to their financial problems.
      Two other midfielders the club are looking at currently reside in Serie A and are set to become free agents in the summer.
      Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie both have contracts that expire at the end of the season.

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      And Barcelona could look to take full advantage of that situation by snapping them up in January.
      Koeman’s side have suffered a very tough start to the season, winning just three of their first seven LaLiga games.
      They have also been beaten 3-0 in both their Champions League matches by Bayern Munich and Benfica.
      Kessie is another man who could be approached by BarcelonaCredit: Getty More

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      Seven transfers we could see in January as Arsenal move for Calvert-Lewin and Watkins and van de Beek in Man Utd exit

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      THERE is less than three months until the transfer window swings wide open again and clubs try and find some New Year deals.The likes of Luis Suarez, Bruno Fernandes and Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang arrived in the Premier League during previous winter windows
      Everton may have to listen to offers for Dominic Calvert-Lewin this JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      And there is already plenty of speculation surrounding who will be going where in the first few weeks of 2022.
      So SunSport rounds up some of the biggest transfers that could get over the line in January…
      Ollie Watkins or Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Arsenal
      The Gunners need a new striker with Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expiring at the end of the season.
      And as revealed by SunSport, they are eyeing two of the Premier League and England’s hottest young strikers to lead the line long-term.
      Ollie Watkins is being eyed by Arsenal as their new No9Credit: Getty
      Donny van de Beek to Everton
      He wanted out of Old Trafford in the summer but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blocked a last-minute loan to the Toffees.
      But now clearer than ever he is not in the plans, Van de Beek could be allowed to make the switch in January – or may return to boyhood club Ajax.
      Donny van de Beek is desperate to end his Manchester United nightmareCredit: Reuters
      Raheem Sterling to Barcelona
      The England winger continues to struggle for game time under Pep Guardiola this term and Barcelona could be set to pounce.
      Apparently, the Catalan giants have the funds, despite their financial mess, to stump up £60million for Sterling.
      Raheem Sterling’s season is yet to really get going, especially with Jack Grealish’s arrivalCredit: Getty
      Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea
      The RB Leipzig midfielder, who scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in September, worked under Thomas Tuchel at PSG and could be reunited with the German.
      The 23-year-old’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has confirmed he is in talks with Chelsea, Man City and Real Madrid over a 2022 switch – but the Blues may swoop and get a deal done early.
      Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is also a target but Chelsea face competition from Juventus for his signature.
      Christopher Nkunku has been in fine form for RB Leipzig this termCredit: Reuters
      Paul Pogba to PSG
      The ongoing saga surrounding Pogba continues with his current Manchester United contract expiring next summer.
      The Red Devils want him to make a decision on his future by Christmas but failure to do so could see the club sell him on the cheap in January rather than lose him for free with PSG ahead of Real Madrid and Juventus in the race.
      Could Manchester United fans see the back of Paul Pogba come January?Credit: EPA
      Pau Torres to Man City
      That’s right – Manchester City are being linked with yet another centre-back with the Etihad club ‘well positioned’ to land the Villarreal ace.
      United and Tottenham have wanted him in the past but Pep Guardiola likes his compatriot and wants him as further competition for Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nathan Ake.
      Pau Torres has a host of top clubs chasing his signature with Manchester City thought to be winning the raceCredit: Reuters
      Allan Saint-Maximin to Liverpool
      Newcastle’s exciting winger certainly catches the eye with his dazzling runs and trickery – and it has not gone unnoticed at Anfield or Stamford Bridge.
      Liverpool looks the likeliest destination but it would surely take a mammoth bid to convince Mike Ashley to sell one of his best players amid a relegation dogfight.
      Allan Saint-Maximin has been a rare sharing light in a grim season for NewcastleCredit: Getty
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      Barcelona offer 18-year-old wonderkid Ansu Fati new contract with club desperate to keep hold of star youngster

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      BARCELONA are battling to keep hold of the heir to Lionel Messi’s No10 shirt amid reports they have offered him a contract extension.Ansu Fati inherited the iconic jersey when Messi headed to Paris this summer and has told his agent Jorge Mendes that he wants to stay at Barca.
      Ansu Fati scored on his return from injury at the weekendCredit: Getty
      The 18-year-old’s deal at the Nou Camp runs until the end of the season and reports in Spain say Barca have already offered an extension.
      Football director Mateu Alemany is set to meet Mendes to finalise the deal once the agent returns from holiday in Qatar.
      But there are fears the proposal could unravel due to the shocking state of the Catalan giants’ finances.
      They are saddled with a crippling debt of around £1 billion and have reportedly been set a salary cap of just £85m – £553m less than rivals Real Madrid.
      That could leave Barca unable to afford any long-term deal for the highly-rated Fati.
      Mendes is understood to be talking to club officials about a short-term extension with potential for a review later when money flows once again.

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      The Blaugrana lost talisman Messi in the summer transfer window after they were unable to offer him a new deal within salary cap limits.
      The former skipper was believed to have been close to agreeing an extension before financial restrictions saw him move to cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain.
      Fati has claimed he feels ‘no pressure’ stepping into the void left by Messi.
      The Spain forward scored just nine minutes into his return after ten months out injured as the fitful Catalans beat Levante 3-0 on Sunday.
      Barcelona talent Ansu Fati celebrates with medical team after ten months out through injury More

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      Man Utd ‘make contact with Barcelona over Ousmane Dembele transfer as Solskjaer looks to add for Prem title push’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly opened talks over a transfer swoop for Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.The 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp since his big-money arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 due to injuries.
      Man Utd are plotting a swoop for Ousmane DembeleCredit: Getty
      The attacker’s contract expires at the Nou Camp in JuneCredit: Reuters
      But last season he did manage to find some form, and with 13 goals in 48 games, convinced the club to offer him a new contract.
      His current arrangement ends at the end of the campaign and he will be free to leave for nothing – although his team did meet Barca officials before the recent clash with Granada to begin talks over an extension.
      Spanish outlet El Nacional reports that contact has already been made by United with France international forward.
      The Red Devils have allegedly informed Dembele’s representatives of their desire to bring him to Old Trafford on a freebie in June.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have Cristiano Ronaldo back in his ranks but the midweek defeat to West Ham highlighted his lack of firepower elsewhere.
      United, who rested the Portuguese legend, were dumped out of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 1-0 home loss.

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      Anthony Martial failed to take his opportunity and he could be one of those sold to make room for Dembele within the attacking ranks.
      United are believed to be demanding around £40m for the French ace.

      Edinson Cavani also looks set to leave at the end of season and return to South America once his deal expires.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      Barcelona ‘to make Raheem Sterling transfer move in January window after having bid turned down over summer’

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      BARCELONA are keen to reignite their interest in Raheem Sterling when the transfer window re-opens in January.The Catalan club tried to sign the 26-year-old in the last transfer window according to Sport, but a deal never materialised.
      Sterling has scored one goal so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      But has found game time hard to come byCredit: Getty
      And now Nou Camp chiefs are ready to test Manchester City’s resolve once again in the New Year.
      Sterling has started just two out of City’s six games so far this season, with Sport naming Barcelona as an ‘ideal destination’ for the 70-cap England international.
      The winger has even given the thumbs up for a move to go ahead, according to reports.
      But any potential move won’t come cheap.
      Sterling is valued in excess of £80million and earns around £300,000-a-week at the Etihad.
      Cash-strapped Barca have more funds to play with than they did in the summer but money is still tight at the Nou Camp.

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      Despite the club’s dire financial situation the Spanish giants sent Director of Football Mateu Alemany to Manchester in the summer to discuss a possible transfer for Sterling.
      Barca’s summer proposal reportedly included a swap deal including Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele or Sergi Roberto.
      A loan move was also discussed between the clubs.
      Sterling has played 298 times for Manchester City since his move from Liverpool in 2015, scoring 115 times so far for the Cityzens.
      But he appears to have fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola this season.

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