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      Bayern Munich ‘keen on shock Frenkie de Jong transfer’ and looking to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial problems

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      BAYERN MUNICH are monitoring Frenkie de Jong amid Barcelona’s financial crisis, according to reports.
      The Dutchman caught the eye of the Bundesliga side during his rise at Ajax, which led to a £68million switch to the Camp Nou.

      Frenkie de Jong is seen as a major asset for Barcelona’s short and long-term futureCredit: Reuters

      According to ESPN, a speculative offer of £65m was floated by Bayern during the summer, only to be rebuffed by Barcelona.
      The German giants were said to be testing the water during their rivals’ economic turmoil.
      Stars including Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal were sold as the coronavirus pandemic bit on a club with a notoriously high wage bill.
      Two round of pay cuts have been agreed in the past nine months, the latest coming in November and totalling £110m.

      De Jong signed a new contract a month earlier, extending his deal to 2026, which reportedly included a 30 per cent wage deferral.
      Despite their interest, Bayern are described as highly unlikely to pull off a deal to sign the 23-year-old in January.

      The midfielder is one of the key talents Barcelona are determined to hold onto as they come through this crisis.
      Reserve goalkeeper Neto and defender Junior Firpo are named as two players up for sale when the window opens, with Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho available for the right price.

      In any case, the Blaugrana’s transfer plans may change drastically when a new club president is elected on January 24.

      Former chief Joan Laporta is the frontrunner to re-take the helm – and the 58-year-old set up a huge billboard on a huge billboard on the streets of Madrid on Tuesday.
      The banner declared his hope that he sees Real Madrid fans soon, in a clear sign of his confidence at not only reclaiming the presidency but also shooting Barcelona up the table.
      Ronald Koeman’s side sit eighth before the midweek visit of first-placed Real Sociedad.

      Roughly 200m from Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, you can see a banner of Joan Laporta’s presidency campaign.Laporta shared the picture with a “Hello Madrid” caption. pic.twitter.com/NYk1RMgJ2Y
      — Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 15, 2020

      Frenkie de Jong shows off his shooting skills in Barcelona training More

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      PSG chief Leonardo plays down Lionel Messi transfer rumours after Neymar revelation sparked talk of reunion in France

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN sporting director Leonardo has played down talk of a move for Lionel Messi.
      Rumours about the Barcelona star’s future only intensified following comments made by Neymar after PSG’s 3-1 win over Manchester United on Wednesday.

      Messi and Neymar were team-mates at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017Credit: AFP

      Neymar told journalists he hoped to play alongside Messi again in the future, but Leonardo moved to quell the transfer talk in an interview with Canal+.
      Leonardo said: “You know, it’s normal for Neymar to say that to an Argentinian journalist. He had to talk about Messi, it’s normal.
      “We have to maintain respect for others, he’s a Barcelona player.
      “When somebody talks about our players, we are not happy.

      “So we don’t touch other people’s players. Now is not the time to think about the transfer window.
      “We are very happy with the squad we have. We are thinking of our season and the end of the first part of the season, which was very complicated.
      “We have to stay focused on our goals such as qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League.
      “And also we have to think about Ligue 1 and avoid finding ourselves in a complicated situation. Let’s keep our focus.”

      PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi would not be drawn into speculation regarding a move for Messi either last week, saying: “Messi is a Barcelona player, I can’t talk about that.”
      Messi attempted to leave Barcelona for Manchester City in the summer but was forced to stay put when the Catalan giants refused to let him leave for nothing.
      The 33-year-old’s contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the season and he will be free to talk to other clubs over a free transfer from January.
      Neymar and Messi enjoyed a trophy-laden spell as team-mates at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, winning two La Liga titles, three Spanish Cups and the Champions League in 2015.
      The Brazilian told ESPN on Wednesday night: “What I want most of all is to play with Messi again, to be able to enjoy him once again on the pitch.
      “I’m sure that next year, we have to do it again.”

      Neymar sensationally admits he wants to he wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next year More

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      Barcelona interim president regrets not selling Lionel Messi in summer and tells Neymar he can only come back for FREE

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      BARCELONA’S interim president has hailed the players for ‘saving their season’ after agreeing a wage deferral – but admitted his regret at not selling Lionel Messi last summer.
      Carles Tusquets also revealed the only chance of Neymar coming back to the Nou Camp is if it is on a free due to their financial state.

      Barcelona’s interim president says he would have sold Lionel Messi last summerCredit: Getty

      The Barca players have agreed to defer a significant amount of their wages this season to save the club up to £155m next month.
      The La Liga giants have been hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic financially and have had their salary cap reduced by almost £270m this season.
      Tusquets said: “The agreement we currently have allows us to finish the season without cash flow problems. This season is saved.”
      Barca were forced to cut costs, which led to the sales of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal.

      They were also rocked by Messi, who earns a basic wage of around £54m-a-year, handing in a transfer request.
      Manchester City were desperate to sign the 33-year-old Argentine, who believed he could leave due to a clause in his contract.
      He eventually performed a U-turn after La Liga backed Barcelona in the transfer row, but with his deal up in June, he now looks set to leave for nothing at the end of the campaign.
      And Tusquets admitted if he was in charge, he would have agreed to flog the legendary frontman as it made financial sense.

      He told RAC1: “From an economic point of view, I would have sold Messi in the summer.
      “It would have been desirable for the money we would have received, and for what we would have saved.”
      Neymar has been linked with a return to Barcelona and has said he ‘has to’ play with Messi again.
      But the prospect of the Catalans signing the Brazilian next year have been dashed as Tusquets said they can only get him ‘if he comes for free, unless the next president brings a miracle’.
      The interim chief also explained how the club will recover financially once they restore and repair their stadium.
      He revealed: “There is a part of the Camp Nou structure that is falling. Pieces of the ceiling have fallen from the roof at some gate to the stadium.
      “The economic situation is worrying. Terrible but hopeful.
      “When the stadium opens we will enter 220 million without doing anything, 320 million thanks to sponsors.
      “Meanwhile the expense meter does not stop. The situation is horrible.”

      Neymar says he is desperate to play with Lionel Messi againCredit: Getty

      Neymar sensationally admits he wants to he wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next year More

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      Memphis Depay hints at Lyon exit with cryptic tweet about ‘missing me when I’m gone’ amid Barcelona transfer speculation

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      LYON star Memphis Depay has hinted he could be leaving the club with a cryptic message.
      Barcelona were linked with a move for the former Manchester United forward in the summer, but nothing materialised.

      Memphis Depay seemingly wants to join BarcelonaCredit: EPA

      Y’all will appreciate me when im gone. Enjoy the Sunday. 😘
      — Memphis Depay (@Memphis) November 29, 2020

      He has scored five goals in 12 games for his French club in all competitions so far this season.
      Depay tweeted: “Y’all will appreciate me when im gone. Enjoy the Sunday.”
      It came after he failed to score in Lyon’s 3-0 win against Reims in Ligue 1.
      The 26-year-old was subbed off in the 71st minute.

      Depay was hugely frustrated after his dream move to Barcelona in the summer collapsed.
      He came close to sealing a reunion with former Dutch manager Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp but a deal fell through over ‘certain rules.’
      And Depay has appeared to hit out at the club, claiming problems behind the scenes.
      Reported by Get French Football News, he said: “The title? That should be our aim.

      Memphis Depay was subbed off at the weekend as he failed to score against ReimsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      “Even if I cannot say everything going through my head right now… in terms of what’s happening, what I am seeing at the club, there are things that I honestly can’t say.”
      Barcelona are expected to reignite their interest in Depay in the January window.
      According to publication Sport, a deal has been agreed with both the player and Lyon.
      However, either Ousmane Dembele or Martin Braithwaite must leave first to ensure Barcelona keep on top of their massive wage bill.
      It is believed Depay’s £25million transfer fee was the obstacle over the summer with the cash-strapped Catalan giants failing to raise the funds through player sales. More

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      Barcelona include Arsenal ace Mustafi and Chelsea’s Rudiger on January transfer shortlist but Eric Garcia is No1 target

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      RONALD KOEMAN is formulating his January wishlist with Shkodran Mustafi one name being eyed by the Barcelona boss.
      Injuries to two stars will dominate the Catalans’ transfer business with centre-back Gerard Pique and striker Ansu Fati out until the spring.

      Shkodran Mustafi has been linked with a move to BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea is also struggling for first-team opportunities in EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Memphis Depay is reportedly still Koeman’s preference for a new attacker.
      But the club’s desperate financial situation, plus the wealth of other options available to the coach, may make the Dutchman’s switch unlikely.
      Pique’s injury, Ronald Araujo’s absence, Samuel Umtiti’s long-term knee problem and a recent knock to Clement Lenglet may see a centre-back favoured.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, Koeman has told the club that former Barcelona academy star Eric Garcia is his preferred target.

      Manchester City put up a considerable fight to keep the Spaniard in the summer and may continue to do so, even if he can leave for free when his contract expires in June.
      Should Garcia remain out of reach, a defender with top-level European experience is thought to be the objective.

      Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi and Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger are named as two alternatives.
      Neither player is prominent in their manager’s thoughts with Mustafi limited to Europa League outings following his disastrous Premier League return against Leicester.

      Likewise, Rudiger has been regularly benched by Frank Lampard with just one league outing to his name.
      Vital in any Barcelona bid is the upcoming presidential election, taking place on January 24.

      Eric Garcia is thought to want to leave Manchester CityCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Tuesday’s Mundo Deportivo highlights Barcelona’s continued desire for the youngster

      The new chief could decide to forego the club’s ailing economics to oversee a spending spree in the final days of the window.
      However, Koeman has been getting on relatively well without Pique and Fati.
      Academy prospect Oscar Mingueza, 21, stepped into the defence for the 4-0 wins over Dynamo Kyiv and Osasuna.
      And unwanted forward Martin Braithwaite has also made his mark, netting three goals in the past week.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Watch Messi and Maradona’s eerily similar goals for Barcelona and Newell’s Old Boys as Barcelona star honours icon More

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      Martin Braithwaite among four Barcelona players fighting for futures and could be flogged in January transfer window

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      MARTIN BRAITHWAITE is among four Barcelona players fighting for their futures at the club, according to reports.
      And they are all at risk of being flogged in January as the club look to make further cost-cutting measures.

      Martin Braithwaite is at risk of being sold less than 12 months after signing for BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      According to Marca, Braithwaite, Junior Firpo, Carles Alena and Riqui Puig must all impress in the coming weeks with eight fixtures before the end of the year.
      Or they will find themselves in the shop window when the market reopens on January 1.
      Barcelona are in desperate need to slash costs amid spiralling debts as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
      That saw the annual wage bill cut by 43 per cent to £343million for the 2020-21 season.

      Lionel Messi, the rest of the players and manager Ronald Koeman did agree a pay cut last week.
      Braithwaite, 29, arrived in an emergency £15m deal in February due to an injury crisis but is not seen as a long-term solution.
      It took him 14 appearances for club and country to get his first goals of the season, scoring twice in the 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev last week before hitting his first LaLiga strike of the campaign against Osasuna on Sunday.

      Braithwaite scored his first LaLiga goal of the season in the weekend win over OsasunaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Firpo, 24, was signed from Real Betis a year ago but has struggled to dislodge Jordi Alba in the side.

      Big things are expected from La Masia graduates Alena, 22, and Puig, 21.
      But they have struggled to get their chances this season with Barcelona enduring a poor start to life under Koeman.
      That led to reports linking Puig – who has an £88m release clause – with a January switch to Leeds on loan.

      Watch Messi and Maradona’s eerily similar goals for Barcelona and Newell’s Old Boys as Barcelona star honours icon More

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      Coutinho stalls over new Barcelona contract until new president appointed in career U-turn after flop Nou Camp start

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      PHILIPPE COUTINHO is reportedly stalling over a new Barcelona contract as he wants to wait until the new president is appointed.
      The former Liverpool midfielder endured a miserable start to his Barca career but has rediscovered his form this season under new coach Ronald Koeman.

      Philippe Coutinho is playing the waiting game before agreeing to a new contractCredit: Reuters

      Coutinho left Anfield in a £142million move to Barca in 2018 but his time in Spain got off to a forgettable start.
      The Brazil international was shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich but struggled to make a big impression last season.
      Coutinho has returned to the Nou Camp and is back in favour after being used by Koeman on the left flank.
      It is a remarkable turnaround for a player that appeared to be heading for the exit door.

      Coutinho’s contract runs until 2023 and there was talk of a new deal but the playmaker reportedly wants to bide his time.
      Barcelona are in the process of appointing a new president after Josep Maria Bartomeu’s recent resignation.
      Coutinho wants to wait and see the plans of the new president with the possibility of Koeman being ousted.

      If the coach is moved on, Coutinho does not want to commit his future without having guarantees over his and the club’s long-term plans.

      The 28-year-old was reportedly keen to return to Liverpool in the summer after a frustrating time in Spain.
      But Coutinho appears much more settled at Barca now and the incoming president appears to be a deciding factor in whether he pens an extended contract.

      Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font say Messi is critical to the club’s future More

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      Barcelona ‘pull out of Adama Traore transfer race’ but Wolves winger also eyed by Liverpool and Real Madrid

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      BARCELONA are not interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore, according to reports in Spain.
      It has been suggested that Traore is becoming frustrated with a lengthy spell on the bench amid contract extension talks at Molineux.

      Adama Traore continues to be linked with a move away from WolvesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A host of European clubs, including Real Madrid and Juventus, as well as Liverpool, have been linked with the player.
      But one side who will not bid for Traore is former team Barcelona.
      That is according to Mundo Deportivo, who report on the move being seen as ‘unfeasible’ at the Camp Nou.
      Wolves are said to want a fee as high as £90million for the 24-year-old.

      However, Traore has not started a game since September and is in the midst of a long spell on the bench.
      Despite being dropped, the Spain international is still thought to be discussing a contract extension past his current deal to 2023.

      The Catalonia-born star began his career with Barcelona, joining at the age of eight before making just a handful of appearances with the first-team.
      After leaving for Aston Villa in 2015, the bulked-up player finally showed his full potential with a stunning run in the Wolves side last season.

      Reports linking him with a return to Barcelona came amid the LaLiga giants’ financial crisis.
      Players are being asked to take a second round of pay cuts following a summer of sales.

      Arturo Vidal, Luis Suarez, Nelson Semedo and Rafinha were among the stars moved on in a bid to lighten the wage bill.
      Limited funds meant late bids for Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay failed to come off, with Ousmane Dembele’s exit also falling through.
      Barcelona are thought to be keen on finally signing the duo in January.

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