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      Barcelona ‘chose to sign Ousmane Dembele over Kylian Mbappe’ reveals former director in transfer shocker

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      BARCELONA chose to sign Ousmane Dembele over Kylian Mbappe, the club’s former director Javier Bordas revealed.
      The Catalan giants splashed £124million on signing French forward Dembele, 23, from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

      Barcelona could have bought Kylian Mbappe instead of his France team-mate Ousmane DembeleCredit: EPA

      Former Barca director Javier BardasCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Bordas has now claimed they could have signed Dembele’s compatriot and Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe, 21, instead.
      Mbappe was still with Monaco at the time and Barca’s former exec suggested he could have been lured to the Nou Camp for around £90m.
      As it turned out Mbappe left for Ligue 1 rivals PSG instead, first on loan in 2017 before making the move permanent for £108m the following year.
      In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Bordas said: “Yes, when we were ready to sign Dembele, [Josep Maria] Minguella called me to tell us that Mbappe was within reach.

      “I spoke with [Josep Maria] Bartomeu and he told me to look at him.
      “I called his father and he told me that he was not going to go to Madrid because Cristiano, Benzema and Bale were there and instead he could go to Barca because Neymar was not there.
      “The president of Monaco preferred for him to go to Barca so as not to strengthen PSG, a direct rival.
      “And for €100m it could have been done.

      “But Robert preferred Dembele and Pep Segura supported him.
      “The explanation was that Mbappe plays for himself and Dembele plays for the team.
      “And since a winger like Ney[mar] left, Robert preferred a winger more than a finisher.”
      But if they could do things over, Barcelona are sure to have changed their mind after Dembele’s torrid run with injuries and Mbappe’s sensational goalscoring.
      Since moving to the French capital, Mbappe has scored 97 goals in 132 games in all competitions.
      While Dembele has mustered just 22 goals in only 82 games and is reportedly up for sale in January as cash-strapped Barca look to recoup some of his handsome transfer fee.
      Manchester United are said to be interested in landing the forward – who turned down a move to Old Trafford on deadline day – for a cut-price £45m.

      Ousmane Dembele shows off his skills in training with Barcelona More

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      Man Utd boosted in Ousmane Dembele transfer chase as Barcelona prepare January swoop for Memphis Depay

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have received a boost in their pursuit of Ousmane Dembele after Barcelona prepared to launch a January swoop for Lyon’s Memphis Depay.
      The Red Devils had feared Barca would hold onto Dembele after their superstar youngster Ansu Fati, 17, suffered a knee injury which has ruled him out for four months.

      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Ousmane Dembele’s move to Manchester United could be back onCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Barcelona are lining up a January move for Lyon star Memphis DepayCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
      But Sport reports the Catalan giants will launch a move in the New Year for former United flop Depay, 26.
      However, in order for the Lyon skipper to be reunited with his old Holland boss Ronald Koeman at the Nou Camp, cash-strapped Barca must offload some unwanted stars – boosting United’s hopes of landing French ace Dembele.
      After controversial president Josep Maria Bartomeu quit last month, managing committee president Carles Tusquets is steering the ship.

      And the report states he said signings are possible but only if players are sold first.
      United had turned to Dembele, 23, after failing to nab No1 target Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in the last window.
      And the Barca forward came close to arriving at Old Trafford on loan on deadline day before pulling the plug on a move at the last minute with reports suggesting he favoured a move to Juventus.
      United could land Dembele for a cut-price £45million as Barca look to recoup some of the £124m they paid Borussia Dortmund for him in 2017.

      Lionel Messi’s side need to raise quick cash to repair their disastrous finances after news they must cut £171m from their budget to avoid hitting the wall.

      Dembele has scored 22 goals in 82 appearances for Barca but has failed to live up to his hefty price tag after struggling with form and fitness in Catalonia.
      Barcelona are confident of signing Depay as they have a good relationship with Lyon.
      Personal terms are not thought to be an issue after the LaLiga giants first went in for him in the summer.
      And with Depay’s contract expiring at the end of the season he should be considerably cheaper this time around as the Ligue 1 side risk losing him for free next year.
      Depay resurrected his career after a torrid spell in Manchester by leaving for the South of France in 2017, and has bagged 59 goals and 46 assists in 148 games for Lyon.

      Ousmane Dembele shows off his skills in training with Barcelona More

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      Dani Alves reveals he wanted Barcelona return but club ‘didn’t have the balls to admit they were wrong with me’

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      DANI ALVES revealed he wanted to return to Barcelona but the club ‘didn’t have the balls to admit they were wrong with me’.
      Brazilian Alves, 37, starred 391 times for the Catalan giants from 2008 to 2016, winning 23 trophies, including six LaLiga crowns and three Champions League titles.

      Brazilian Dani Alves wanted to return to BarcelonaCredit: AFP – Getty

      After establishing himself as the world’s prominent right-back he was surprisingly allowed to leave on a free and joined Juventus on a two-year deal in 2016.
      But he left Turin by mutual consent after winning a domestic double in his only season and signed for French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
      But Sao Paolo star Alves revealed he fancied a return to Spain after leaving Serie A – but the club’s failure to recognise they treated him poorly prevented him rejoining the Blaugrana.
      He told RAC 1: “I offered myself to Barca to come back. I went to Juve to prove I was still at a good level.

      “I wanted to return to Barca and they needed me, but they didn’t have the balls to admit that they were wrong with me.
      “If they had treated me as I thought I deserved, today I would still continue playing for Barca. I love this club.”
      Alves added another six trophies to his collection in two years in the French capital with PSG.
      Before returning to play in his homeland with Sao Paolo in 2019.

      The veteran full-back is still captain of the Brazilian side and has amassed 118 caps since his 2003 debut.
      He is the latest star to slam the Barcelona hierarchy after skipper Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all ripped into the Catalan chiefs.
      Controversial president Josep Maria Bartomeu quit last month ahead of a vote of no confidence and Alves believes it’s time for a rebuilding project at the cash-strapped giants.
      He added: “The style of Barca is changing. The club has lost its identity a bit and now has to go through a tough process to recover it.
      “I think that Barca only wants to be a commercial and business club…buy and sell players. When you do that, you lose your identity. I think that is the problem for Barcelona.”

      Barcelona boss Koeman blasts VAR after loss to Real Madrid More

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      Man Utd ‘set to return for Ousmane Dembele with January transfer bid as Barcelona look to offload winger’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are looking to return in January with a bid to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona, reports suggest.
      United failed with every attempt to bring a winger to the club in the summer window, including their doomed saga with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.

      Man Utd are reportedly looking to return in January with a bid to sign Ousmane Dembele from BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      They instead signed striker Edison Cavani on a free, but Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still keen to enhance his attacking options.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, United will look to sign 23-year-old Dembele in the winter sales.
      But they are said to be looking for a six-month loan with no option to buy.
      That proved to be a stumbling block last time around as Barca instead wanted to sell the Frenchman permanently.

      The Spanish giants – now managed by Ronald Koeman – missed out on signing Lyon’s Memphis Depay as a result of not selling enough stars.
      Dembele, who has attracted attention from Liverpool before, remained in LaLiga and has featured seven times, starting three games this season.
      The £124million signing has just two years left on his contract, with his transfer value decreasing after every window.
      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      But with United appearing unwilling to commit to anything other than a temporary loan deal, they could fail in a pursuit for Dembele.
      Solskjaer is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford, after they slumped to consecutive defeats, first to Arsenal in the league and then at Istanbul Basaksehir.
      The club are already reported to have approached former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino as a possible replacement – although SunSport understands no contact has yet been made.
      They travel to fourth placed Everton this weekend placed 15th in the table.

      Jamie Ohara says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must take responsibility for Man Utd defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir More

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      Barcelona to sell five players in January including Man Utd transfer target Ousmane Dembele to raise cash

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      CASH-STRAPPED Barcelona will reportedly flog five stars in January, including Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele, to raise funds.
      Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports the club will try and offload Dembele, Martin Braithwaite, Carles Alena, Junior Firpo and Samuel Umtiti.

      Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele could leave Barcelona in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo splashed on Barcelona’s transfer plans

      The club need to offload players surplus to requirements to allow boss Ronald Koeman to reinvest in the squad.
      Former Holland boss Koeman, 57, is lining up moves for ex-United flop Memphis Depay and Manchester City ace Eric Garcia.
      But club chiefs have made it clear they need to balance the books first after reporting losses of £88million.
      Barca are desperately trying to slash their whopping £355m annual wage bill as crisis talks with players continue.

      Dembele attracted attention from the Red Devils as an alternative to Jadon Sancho but reportedly snubbed a move to Old Trafford on deadline day in favour of Juventus but that move also failed to materialise.
      The French ace arrived at the Nou Camp from Borussia Dortmund for £124m in 2017 but has failed to live up to his hefty price tag and the club will reportedly seek to recoup £45m in January.
      But Mundo Deportivo reports United would prefer a loan move with an option to buy rather than an obligation as the club looks to fix their dismal start to the season.
      The report states Barca’s other option for quick cash is to sell Dembele’s compatriot Umtiti.

      The centre-back has previously been linked with both United and Arsenal and his torrid run of injuries plus Barca’s Covid crisis has convinced them to put the 26-year-old up for sale.
      He is yet to feature at all this season and his injury could make it hard to secure a deal.
      Umtiti previously revealed he held talks with Lyon in the summer but a deal could not be brokered as he revealed he wished to stay in Catalonia.
      The desire for Koeman to be reunited with old international player Depay is likely to spell the end for Danish forward Braithwaite, 29, who has failed to convince the new boss of his worth.
      Barca are also willing to listen to offers for midfielder Alena, 22, but are not interested in a loan deal.
      Versatile Junior Firpo, 24, is also up for grabs after slipping down the impact sub pecking order.

      Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has handed in his resignation from the club More

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      Barcelona ‘considering transfer swoop for Tottenham ace Ndombele’ but struggling LaLiga giants will wait for the summer

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      BARCELONA are reportedly plotting a summer transfer bid for Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.
      Reports emerged earlier this year that the Catalans were interested in the Frenchman.

      Tanguy Ndombele is reportedly wanted by BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The midfielder endured a tough start to life at Tottenham but is improving under Jose MourinhoCredit: AFP or licensors

      Jose Mourinho largely ignored Ndombele last season but recent weeks have seen the £54million signing begin to make his mark at Tottenham.
      Ahead of Thursday’s trip to Ludogorets, he has featured 10 times and scored twice – matching his goal tally from the 2019-20 campaign.
      But Ndombele could be given the chance to leave North London, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
      It is claimed that Barcelona were keen on the player in the summer and are considering a fresh move at the end of this season.

      A midfielder is said to be high on the Catalans’ agenda after a bid for Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum fell through.
      However, massive financial problems are taking a toll on the Camp Nou club.

      A second round of player wage cuts is being discussed with major targets, such as Memphis Depay or Lautaro Martinez, missed out on in the summer.
      Lionel Messi’s contract situation remains unchanged too, while on the pitch Barcelona have suffered their worst LaLiga start in 18 years.

      Ndombele was touted for a swift exit after only a year at the club but is now becoming a first-team regular under Mourinho.
      The 23-year-old recently talked up his relationship with the Spurs boss, admitting that last season was a far from ideal start.
      He told Tottenham’s in-house media: “I’ve got a good relationship with the coach – we speak together, we laugh together.

      It’s true that the last season was difficult – to change leagues like that, it isn’t easy.
      Tanguy Ndombele

      “The more difficult moments last season have been left behind us. We’re now both trying our hardest to help the team.
      “I find myself working harder in training and in the matches.
      “But above all I think I’ve just settled in better. It’s true that the last season was difficult – to change leagues like that, it isn’t easy.
      “But now I feel like I’m really settling in better and I really hope that I’m on the right track for the future.”

      Spurs boss Jose Mourinho admits Gareth Bale isn’t the star he once was but says neither are Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi More

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      Neymar set to sign lucrative new PSG contract after ‘accepting Barcelona cannot afford transfer’

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      NEYMAR is reportedly ready to rule out a return to Barcelona and commit to Paris Saint-Germain.
      A five-year deal with the Ligue 1 club is now on the agenda for the Brazilian following multiple transfer sagas involving his old team.

      Neymar, 28, is set to finally end talk of a move to Barcelona and sign a new PSG contractCredit: Getty – Pool

      According to FootMercato, Neymar told PSG bosses that he wanted to sign a fresh contract during their run to the Champions League final.
      Bayern Munich beat Les Parisiens in their first trip to the showpiece match, with RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta conquered in the knockout rounds.
      It was after PSG’s victory over the Serie A side that the 28-year-old is said to have made his mind up on staying.
      Currently earning north of £600,000-a-week, Neymar is reportedly content with a contract on the same terms.

      He is said to have communicated his desire directly to PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, although negotiations are not expected to be completed overnight.
      PSG are thought to be focusing on renewing Kylian Mbappe’s contract as a matter of greater urgency.

      The Frenchman, 21, is a massive target for Real Madrid next summer, with both players’ deals expiring in 2022.
      Ruled out until the end of the month with a groin injury, Neymar has two goals and four assists to his name in 2020-21.

      A move back to Barcelona was strongly touted last year and the winger even told PSG he wanted to leave.

      However, the Catalans are now fighting a crisis on and off the pitch.
      Lionel Messi’s summer bid to move away came amid heavy financial losses, accentuated by the coronavirus pandemic.
      And, having been thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Barcelona have made their worst start to a LaLiga campaign in 18 years.

      Neymar asks to be subbed after just 25 minutes of PSG’s clash with Basaksehir after apparent groin injury More

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      PSG wanted to sign Thiago but ended up with his brother Rafinha instead, reveals pair’s dad

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN were forced to settle for Rafinha Alcantara after failing with bid for brother Thiago, it has been revealed.
      Liverpool did not sign Spain international Thiago until mid-September but their move for the playmaker was long in the making.

      Thiago Alcantara (right) became a target for Paris Saint-Germain before he joined LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Ligue 1 side were instead pushed to sign his brother, Rafinha (left)Credit: Reuters

      With PSG suffering an injury crisis in midfield, they turned to the 29-year-old but, according to the players’ father, Mazinho, they arrived too late.
      That led them to consider other options with Mazinho urging Les Parisiens’ sporting director Leonardo to consider his other son.
      He told France Football, via GFFN: “I had already spoken with Leonardo a while ago, but it was for Thiago.
      “Leonardo wanted to sign him for PSG, but Thiago had already found an agreement with Liverpool.

      “We then spoke about Rafa but he wasn’t part of Leonardo’s plans at that moment. I think that he must have thought about it, that he realised the nature of the opportunity and that it would be a coup to sign him.
      “When he began talks again, Leonardo had changed his mind. And everything accelerated on the final day.

      “It was on Monday that we had to work hard to convince both clubs.
      “We were scared, but thanks to God, five or six hours before the deadline, we found an agreement.

      “Leonardo wanted Thiago, he got Rafinha. And for Rafa, it was a dream to join such a club.”
      The Alcantara clan is a considerable one in footballing terms, with dad Mazinho, 54, part of the Brazil side that won the 1994 World Cup.
      Both players came through the ranks at Barcelona with Thiago joining Pep Guardiola in moving to Bayern Munich, before his recent switch to Liverpool.
      The Reds have been unable to enjoy their £25million signing with only one start to his name.

      Coronavirus kept the midfielder out of the side for a week before he was injured in the challenge that earned Richarlison a red card in last month’s Merseyside derby.
      Rafinha, who chose to represent Brazil, has put together an unexpectedly solid start to life in Paris.
      Three Ligue 1 starts have come in convincing wins over Nimes, Dijon and Nantes while he has come off the bench twice in the Champions League.
      PSG are said to have paid as little as £2.7m for the 27-year-old, who was unwanted at Barcelona after a loan spell at Celta Vigo.

      Ex-Brazil midfielder Mazinho (left) has spoken of PSG’s attempts to sign his sons

      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in good spirits looking forward to Thiago Alcantara signing More