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      Brighton snap-up Jeremy Sarmiento as ace, 19, seals transfer from Benfica after rejecting Barcelona and Bayern offers

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      BRIGHTON have signed ex-England Under-17 international Jeremy Sarmiento from Portuguese giants Benfica.The 19-year-old wonderkid has joined the Seagulls on a two-year deal after rejecting offers from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
      Former Charlton prodigy Jeremy Sarmiento has joined Brighton on a free transfer from BenficaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The attacking midfielder was a free agent after his contract with the Portuguese giants expired.
      Former Charlton rookie Sarmiento moved to Portugal from the Addicks in 2018.
      He was previously linked to Manchester City, before heading to Lisbon to continue his football education.
      However, after finding first-team opportunities hard to come by in Lisbon, Sarmiento has returned to England where he will link up with Graham Potter’s men.
      It has been confirmed that the exciting youngster will initially train with Andy Croft’s U23s.
      Croft said: “We are delighted that we are able to bring a player like Jeremy in, who we’ve watched extensively during his time with both Charlton and Benfica.
      “The pathway we have in place was a big factor in Jeremy choosing us ahead of many suitors, which is of huge credit to the academy and first-team staff.
      “We look forward to welcoming Jeremy and seeing him in action with the U23s in the near future.”

      Born in Madrid to Ecuadorian parents, Sarmiento also has a decision to make about his international future.
      SunSport has learned that the lightning-quick starlet is at the centre of a tug-of-war between England, Spain and Ecuador, who all believe Sarmiento has the potential to play for them.
      The wideman, likened to Borussia Dortmund sensation Jadon Sancho, has already played for Ecuador’s U15 side, as well as the Three Lions at U17 level.
      Ben White shows his skills in football training with Brighton More

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      Lionel Messi wakes up unemployed as Barcelona contract officially expires with new deal still unannounced

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      LIONEL MESSI will wake up on international duty in Brazil this morning unemployed and knowing there is no weekly £2.4million pay cheque on the way.That is because his Barcelona contract expired at midnight meaning he is now a free agent.
      Lionel Messi is no longer a Barcelona player as of July 1 with his contract expiredCredit: Getty
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta called for ‘calm’ among supporters and is confident of a new deal getting sorted
      Messi’s most-recent deal, signed in November 2017, ran until June 30, 2021.
      And with a new deal yet to be confirmed then announced, he now does not have a contract with the club he joined 7,478 days earlier aged 13 in 2001.
      That technically opens the door for any club to sign him for free immediately.
      However, it is widely accepted captain Messi will put pen to paper on fresh terms for two years at the Nou Camp very soon and continue his legacy with the LaLiga giants.
      Barca president Joan Laporta called for ‘calm’ among supporters, telling them ‘don’t worry’.
      He added: “We want Lionel Messi to stay and Leo wants to stay.
      “Everything is on track.
      “We have the issue of Financial Fair Play, we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties.”

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      The fact Messi is now not a Barcelona player is also bad news for sponsors, such as kit manufacturers Nike who cannot include him in adverts for the time being.
      ‘Messi 10’ shirts cannot be sold in the club shop, either.
      The forward is also likely to be exempt from the Barcelona medical cover so the Nou Camp side would not receive compensation if he picked up an injury.
      They will get up to £17,600 per day while Ousmane Dembele recovers from surgery under the Fifa Protection Programme.

      Messi is currently with Argentina at the Copa America, preparing for Saturday night’s quarter-final with Ecuador.
      Messi officially became a Barca player on January 8, 2001 – a month after the famous initial agreement on a napkin in a restaurant – then signed his first professional terms in June 2005.
      But last year he tried to force through an exit by handing in a transfer request.
      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were poised to battle it out for his signature, with the prospect of linking up with Pep Guardiola again at the Etihad.
      But after a dramatic U-turn, Messi honoured his contract to the club he joined aged 13 – although both clubs would surely look to pounce if there were further unanticipated stumbling blocks in the contract negotiations.
      Messi officially joined Barcelona in January 2001 aged just 13Credit: AFP
      Messi is preparing to face Ecuador with Argentina in the Copa America but may not be covered for Fifa’s insuranceCredit: Getty

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      Watch Spanish TV’s dramatic countdown to Messi’s contract expiry with studio going black and host in grave silence

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      LIONEL MESSI is now a free agent – and Spanish TV pulled out all the stops to cover the moment it happened.El Chiringuito TV had a countdown clock until midnight and the studio was sent pitch black and silenced when the timer ended.
      As a countdown clock reached 0 and Messi was officially a free agent, the lights in the TV studio went outCredit: El Chiringuito TV
      There was silence as the clock ticked to the time Messi was free to leave BarcelonaCredit: El Chiringuito TV
      A huge clock appeared on the studio’s big screen and counted down for over a minute-and-a-half while the presenters sat in eerie silence.
      It made Sky Sports legend and talkSPORT’s Jim White and his transfer deadline day dramatics look tame in comparison.
      Football fans on social media loved the ‘sensational TV’.
      Ali Elaraby posted: “Oh my good god, I need subtitles to this video.”
      Jack Kenny wrote that he ‘wants to see this with the Countdown music,’ while ‘insanity’, ‘absolutely hilarious’ and ‘so dramatic’ were also responses.
      Messi will wake up on international duty in Brazil this morning unemployed and knowing there is no weekly £2.4million pay cheque on the way.
      That is because his Barcelona contract expired at midnight.
      Messi’s most-recent deal, signed in November 2017, ran until June 30, 2021.
      And with a new deal yet to be confirmed then announced, he now does not have a contract with the club he joined 7,478 days earlier aged 13 in 2001.
      That technically opens the door for any club to sign him for free immediately.

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      The lights dimmed as the countdown clock ticked closer to 0Credit: El Chiringuito TV
      The host of the Spanish TV channel reported that Messi ‘is free’Credit: El Chiringuito TV
      Messi went from wearing the Barcelona shirt….Credit: El Chiringuito TV
      To wearing a plain one, showing he no longer belongs to any clubCredit: El Chiringuito TV

      However, it is widely expected captain Messi will put pen to paper on fresh terms for two years at the Nou Camp very soon and continue his legacy with the LaLiga giants.
      Barca president Joan Laporta called for ‘calm’ among supporters, telling them ‘don’t worry’.
      He added: “We want Lionel Messi to stay and Leo wants to stay.
      “Everything is on track.
      “We have the issue of Financial Fair Play, we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties.”
      The fact Messi is now not a Barcelona player is also bad news for sponsors, such as kit manufacturers Nike who cannot include him in adverts for the time being.
      ‘Messi 10’ shirts cannot be sold in the club shop, either.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract expires TODAY after 7,478 days at Nou Camp with ‘several issues’ over new deal

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      LIONEL MESSI’S Barcelona contract expires today after 7,478 days.And there are still ‘several issues’ that need to be sorted before he puts pen to paper on a new deal.
      Lionel Messi will not be contracted to Barcelona for the first time in more than 20 years tomorrowCredit: Getty
      Spanish newspaper Marca’s headline reflected the fact Messi is a free agent tonight
      Messi officially became a Barca player on January 8, 2001 – a month after the famous initial agreement on a napkin in a restaurant – then signed his first professional terms in June 2005.
      But at midnight tonight, for the first time in more than 20 years, Messi will not be under contract at the Nou Camp with the latest paperwork sealed in November 2017 running out.
      Spanish newspaper Marca went with the headline ‘Messi: Tonight is free’ while Sport chose ‘Messi Day’.
      That means he could negotiate a free transfer to any club he chooses because he has no written, legal obligation to Barcelona.
      However, all parties are confident an agreement for an extension will be finalised imminently.
      There was talk the fresh terms would be confirmed on either Messi’s 34th birthday on June 24 or Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s 59th five days later.
      Final complications need to be ironed out before that, though.
      As reported by Sport, captain Messi will sign a two-year deal – just a year after handing in a transfer request to try and force through an exit.

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      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were poised to battle it out for his signature, with the prospect of linking up with Pep Guardiola again at the Etihad.
      But after a dramatic U-turn, Messi honoured his contract to the club he joined aged 13 – although both clubs would surely look to pounce if there were further stumbling blocks in the contract negotiations.
      In 2023, Mundo Deportivo reckon he is likely to head to the MLS and serve as a Barcelona ambassador in the United States.
      Unless the new contract is signed in the next couple of days, though, Messi is likely to play for Argentina as an unattached footballer.
      His country face Ecuador in the Copa America quarter-finals on Saturday night.
      And playing with no club contract could potentially put Messi at risk should he suffer a major injury.
      Sport labelled today as ‘Messi Day’ with the captain yet to finalise and sign a contract extension

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      Barcelona confirm France star Ousmane Dembele will be out for four months after going under the knife

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      BARCELONA have announced that Ousmane Dembele will be sidelined for four months after undergoing knee surgery.Dembele got injured during Euro 2020 playing for France against Hungary on June 19 in Budapest and had since been ruled out of the rest of the tournament.
      Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele will be sidelined for four monthsCredit: Reuters
      Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele got injured at Euro 2020 while on international dutyCredit: Getty
      The winger was then flown to Finland for an operation on his right knee and Barca understand that they will be deprived of his services until the autumn.
      A statement from Barcelona read: “The first team player Ousmane Dembele underwent a successful operation in Turku (Finland) by Dr. Lasse Lempainen, under the supervision of the Club’s medical services, for discerning the distal biceps femoris tendon in his right knee. 
      “The approximate time out is four months.
      “Barca’s No. 11 had participated – coming off the bench – in  France’s first two matches at the Euros and was injured in the second of them, which was played on Saturday June 19 in Budapest against Hungary.

      “It should be remembered that Ousmane Dembele played a total of 44 games this season under Ronald Koeman, in which he has scored 11 goals.”
      Dembele’s four-year stint at Barcelona has been riddled with injury ever since his £135.5million move from Borussia Dortmund.
      The France international’s maiden season in Spain was marred by a series of knocks and he was thus limited to just 23 appearances across all competitions.

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      In February 2020, the 24-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring tear.
      However, that hasn’t stopped Dembele from amassing 118 appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring 30 goals along the way.
      The Frenchman didn’t miss much from Euro 2020 after his injury as his national team was shockingly eliminated from the competition by Switzerland in the Round of 16.
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      Chelsea interested in Barcelona outcast Miralem Pjanic but face three-club transfer battle with Juventus and PSG

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      MIRALEM PJANIC is reportedly attracting interest from Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a Barcelona fire sale.The LaLiga giants are facing mounting debt and have been told to drastically cut their wage bill.
      Miralem Pjanic reportedly favours a move to JuventusCredit: Getty
      Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite are just some of the players linked with moves this summer.
      According to ESPN, midfielder Pjanic is among them.
      The 31-year-old signed only 12 months ago from Juventus in a contrived swap deal for Brazilian playmaker Arthur Melo.
      Yet he has failed to light up the Camp Nou and did not score a goal during their failed LaLiga title bid.
      Therefore Barcelona are said to be ready to accept a reasonable bid for Pjanic.
      Massimiliano Allegri signed the Bosnian for Juventus in 2016 and helped turn him into one of the world’s top central midfielders.

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      The Italian is now back in Turin for the new season and is reportedly interested in securing Pjanic’s return.
      But the Old Lady are thought to not be too keen on a permanent transfer with a significant fee.
      Whether a loan deal is of interest to Barcelona remains to be seen.
      Earlier in the summer, the player was said to want a move back to Italy.

      Chelsea and PSG have also been named by Le10Sport as considering a loan bid.
      Thomas Tuchel is preparing to spend big to turn his Blues team into Premier League title challengers.
      On the German’s wishlist is a new centre-back with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde strongly linked alongside Real Madrid star Raphael Varane.
      Former striker Romelu Lukaku has also been lined up but is not thought to be ready to leave Inter Milan.
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      Barcelona should sign Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, claims Samuel Eto’o who played for BOTH fierce rivals

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      BARCELONA legend Samuel Eto’o thinks the Catalans should sign Sergio Ramos this summer.The Real Madrid legend was released this month after his contract expired and is being linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
      Samuel Eto’o says he would sign Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos if he was in charge at former club Barcelona
      But Eto’o, 40, who played for both Spanish giants, is keen for Ramos to do likewise.
      As a PSG fan the Cameroonian would also like Ramos to move to Paris, as he believes the Spaniard could help the club to an elusive first Champions League title.
      But he also suggested that Barcelona ought to make a move for the 35-year-old.
      He told AS: “Hopefully Sergio goes to PSG. If I could sign him for Barca, I would.
      “If he goes to PSG, I will be happy and I know that he will help us win the Champions League, which is proving very difficult for us.”
      Eto’o may not get his Barcelona wish however, as Ramos has reportedly ruled out a move to the Nou Camp or to his former club Sevilla.
      Ramos struggled with fitness last season and made just 15 league appearances for Real.
      And his lack of game time meant Luis Enrique left him out of the Spain squad for Euro 2020.
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      Ramos, 35, has been heavily linked with a move to PSG this summer

      But Ramos does have plenty of options available this summer.
      Chelsea have become the latest side linked to the veteran defender while Jose Mourinho is keen to take him to Roma.
      But both clubs could be left disappointed as Ramos has reportedly told his Madrid pals that he is destined for PSG.
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      Premier League clubs ask about Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka but face transfer battle with Barcelona and Real Madrid

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      LEON GORETZKA has emerged as a target for Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a host of Premier League clubs.Bayern Munich are in talks over extending the midfielder’s contract, which runs out in 2022.
      Leon Goretzka has been a key player for Bayern Munich after signing in 2018Credit: AP
      A continued stay in Bavaria is reportedly Goretzka’s preferred option but negotiations over his salary have not yet produced an agreement.
      The 26-year-old’s agent, Jorg Neubauer, was recently forced to retire and Neubauer’s wife has taken charge in his stead along with Bundesliga heavyweight agent Thomas Kroth.
      According to German outlet Sport1, a deal is very much in sight with Bayern determined not to lose the player.
      But interest is high with Premier League clubs as well as Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly contacting his new representatives.
      In three seasons with Munich, Goretzka has won a trio of Bundesliga titles plus two DfB-Pokals and a Champions League.
      He is tipped to start in Germany’s Euro 2020 decider against Hungary on Wednesday night having overcome a thigh problem.

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      Thomas Muller is a major doubt for the Allianz Arena clash due to a knee injury.
      And Goretzka said: “I’ve got it in me to play the Thomas Muller role.
      “In many ways, his position for the national time is similar to mine. It’s a position I’ve played in before for the national team, and I’m ready to help the team.
      “The tournament can really begin for me now.”
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