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      Barcelona president defends role in Lionel Messi transfer saga as under-fire Bartomeu fights to keep job

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      UNDER-FIRE Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has defended his role in this summer’s sensational Lionel Messi transfer saga.
      The football world was stunned when the six-time Ballon d’Or winner demanded a transfer from his boyhood club.

      Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted he put Barcelona’s interests ahead of his own and Messi’s

      Lionel Messi has decided to stick it out for one more season at BarcelonaCredit: Reuters

      Messi had grown disillusioned with matters on and off the pitch, and the 8-2 Champions League thrashing by Bayern Munich proved the final straw.
      He was also understood to have been furious that best pal Luis Suarez was exiled by new boss Ronald Koeman.
      The Uruguayan would later go on to be sold to rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Messi eventually withdrew his transfer request and agreed to stay for one more sesason, with his contract expiring next summer.

      Now Bartomeu, who along with the board are facing a vote of no confidence, has said that he put the club first during the entire saga.
      Speaking at a press conference, as reported by ESPN, the 57-year-old said: “I was accused of wanting to force a transfer for financial reasons to ‘balance the books.
      “That’s not true. I defended the interests of the club, accepting the consequences that refusing Messi’s decision to go to one of our rivals would entail.”
      Manchester City and a reunion with his old boss Pep Guardiola emerged as the most likely destination for the Argentine superstar.

      Messi was furious at how the club was being ran this summerCredit: AFP or licensors

      But in the end Messi, and his father and agent Jorge, were persuaded to see out the remainder of his contract rather than go to war with the club in the courts.
      And Bartomeu is even hoping the 33-year-old will extend his contract with the Catalans in the summer.
      He added: “Messi had a contract in vigour. The option to rescind the deal unilaterally had expired.
      “And the most important thing was to start a new sporting cycle with Messi in the team.
      “I understand he may be angry about not leaving. I tried to explain to him and his family that we could not let him go. He’s the key to Koeman’s project.
      “I hope in the future he says he’s happy, that he wants to renew his contract with the club and that he ends his career here.”
      If Messi does indeed decide to go for a new challenge next summer, he has been warned he could ‘damage his reputation’.

      That warning came from LaLiga president Javier Tebas who also turned on Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar for leaving the Spanish top flight.
      Tebas, 58, told AFP: “We’ve been lucky to enjoy him for so many years but Messi should think very carefully about what he does next.
      “If Messi left Barcelona, that reputation he has now and that has worked so well for him would be very damaged.
      “It’s true he could get a better offer financially but the reputation he has after more than 20 years, I think he has to hold onto that.
      “It wouldn’t be a drama. Cristiano Ronaldo left, Neymar left.
      “Neymar went to PSG and I haven’t seen the French league reaching a super level because of him.
      “That’s the reality. People who think the players are the ones who define a competition are wrong and I’m glad they think that way because they won’t grow.”

      Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez reunited for first time since striker’s Barcelona axe as they arrive at airport together More

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      Arsenal were ‘really close’ to Philippe Coutinho transfer but Koeman blocked move as Barcelona couldn’t sign replacement

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      ARSENAL missed out on a deal to sign Philippe Coutinho because Barcelona could not sign a replacement, it has been claimed.
      Several teams were keen on the Brazilian playmaker after his loan spell at Bayern Munich.

      Philippe Coutinho has started the season in good form, hitting two goals for BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Under Quique Setien, it appeared the 28-year-old had no future at the Nou Camp with Barcelona also desperate for cash.
      However, Ronald Koeman took charge and has given Coutinho a new lease of life.
      At the start of the autumn transfer window, Barcelona were planning on selling the ex-Liverpool star with Tottenham and Arsenal alerted to his availability.

      And the Gunners were ‘really close’ to a deal before Koeman pulled the plug, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
      The Catalans’ attempts at bringing in new attackers ahead of the new season were hampered by their inability to get Ousmane Dembele off their books.
      Memphis Depay was lined up as a replacement for the Frenchman but Liverpool and Manchester United did not meet Barcelona’s demand of a permanent sale.
      Furthermore, the winger was intent on remaining in Spain and is being given a fresh chance in the Blaugrana side.

      New boss Koeman has also handed Coutinho a reprieve – and yielded instant results.

      In each of his four starts this season, the 28-year-old has bagged a goal or an assist.
      His latest strike came in the 5-1 Champions League demolition of Ferencvaros on Tuesday night.
      Koeman recently explained Coutinho’s return to form, telling Sport: “He’s a very good player. That’s it.
      “He’s a player that learned a lot in England, a lot in Bayern Munich.
      “My job as a coach is to get the best out of every player. And that starts by putting them in their position. I think that generates more confidence.
      “All that helps but it starts with the quality in the player and Coutinho’s a great player.”

      Arsenal, meanwhile, brought back Dani Ceballos on loan to bolster their attacking midfield options.
      The North London club were themselves unable to offload an expensive talent going to waste, in Mesut Ozil.
      But a hefty spending spree nonetheless brought in Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian, Thomas Partey and tied Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to a new contract.

      Kia Joorabchian says Arsenal have been warned it will take ‘big numbers’ to secure Coutinho transfer from Barcelona More

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      Memphis Depay ‘reaches Barcelona transfer agreement to move in January from Lyon’ after failed summer switch

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      BARCELONA are ready to go back in for Memphis Depay this January after failing with a deadline day swoop.
      The Lyon forward, 26, was left upset having all-but signed for the LaLiga side – before they decided against completing the deal.

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      Memphis Depay is once again waiting on a transfer to BarcelonaCredit: EPA

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      Dutch coach Ronald Koeman is a big fan of his countrymanCredit: EPA

      Reports suggest Barcelona were only able to afford Depay if Ousmane Dembele left.
      But the winger could not complete a move to Manchester United, with the Catalans demanding a permanent transfer.
      Once again, a January move for Depay is based around Barcelona making room for the Dutchman.

      According to Spanish newspaper Sport, a deal is agreed with both the player and Lyon.
      However, either Dembele or Martin Braithwaite must leave first to ensure Barcelona keep on top of their massive wage bill.
      A £95million purchase in 2017, 23-year-old Dembele has struggled to maintain form and fitness.
      Blaugrana boss Ronald Koeman has reportedly sent the winger in for extra training as he enters the last chance saloon at the Camp Nou.

      Meanwhile, emergency February signing Braithwaite, 29, is said to want to stay with the club.

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      Sport’s front page on Friday with a deal said to be agreed

      But Barcelona will reportedly accept a decent return on the £16m they invested in the Danish striker, who has scored once since arriving.
      In contrast, Depay has been on fire for Lyon, reviving his career in France after a flop spell at Manchester United.
      The forward already has four goals to his name this season, including an opening day hat-trick against Dijon.
      And former Netherlands national team coach Koeman, 57, is said to have expressly asked for Depay’s signing.

      Olympique Lyonnais star Memphis Depay shows off his physique as he works out at his luxury villa More

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      Man Utd star Paul Pogba ‘interested’ in Barcelona transfer as skint Spanish giants eye shock free swoop for midfielder

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      PAUL POGBA is ‘interested’ in a shock free transfer to skint Barcelona, according to shock reports.
      The Frenchman’s Manchester United future remains unclear with just one year left to run on his current contract – although the Red Devils do have a 12-month extension clause.

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      Paul Pogba is reportedly open to signing for Barcelona on a free transfer next summerCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      And according to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants are hoping to take advantage by landing Pogba for nothing next summer.
      The LaLiga side are struggling for cash and were unable to spend big in the transfer window this summer as a result.
      So the report suggests they will make a swoop for the World Cup winner, 27, with a Bosman agreement able to be arranged as early as January.

      Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is also out of contract at the end of the season and is another target for Barca – although Juventus appear favourites to sign the Austrian.

      Pogba is thought to be a big admirer of the Nou Camp outfit and would be open to a move.
      He revealed in 2019 he is ready for a new challenge but a switch to Real Madrid was the most likely destination for the midfielder.
      But Pogba opened another can of worms surrounding his club career while away on international duty by declaring it a ‘dream’ to play for Los Blancos.
      The midfielder said: “I heard a lot of noise that I was going to leave and I was going to leave to clubs left and right.

      “Today, I am still at Manchester United and I am fighting to try to take the club even higher.
      “Yes, all footballers would like to play for Real Madrid. Maybe it is a dream. It is a dream for me, why not one day?”
      Pogba, who has started all three Premier League games this season and scored in the Carabao Cup win over Brighton, added on his contract renewal: “Nobody has said anything to me. I have not spoken with Ed Woodward.
      “I have not been spoken about an extension. For the moment, I am at Manchester United and I am thinking above all to hit my top form.
      “I think that there will be a moment where the club comes to speak to me and maybe offers me something, or not.
      “For the moment, nothing has happened.” More

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      Barcelona eye ‘January bargains’ in transfer window with Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Eric Garcia on shortlist

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      BARCELONA are reportedly set to revive their interest in Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Eric Garcia in January.
      La Liga giants Barcelona failed in their attempts to sign the trio in the summer with the club lacking funds due to being hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

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      Lyon striker Memphis Depay failed to secure a move to Barcelona in the summerCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

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      Spanish media claim Barca want to bring in Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Eric Garcia in 2021

      Ronald Koeman’s side recently announced after-tax losses of £88million due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

      The Nou Camp side even had to slash players and staff’s wages by 70 per cent after feeling the full economic impact of the deadly virus.
      As a result, Barca were unable to land their main targets – a striker in the shape of Lyon’s Depay and a centre-back in the form of Manchester City’s Garcia.

      And Liverpool midfielder Wijaldum was also of interest, and Barcelona are prepared to dip back into the market in the winter transfer window.
      The trio are all set to become free agents in 2021, and according to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish side will look to secure their services in cut-price deals.
      They claim Barca will look to test City’s resolve yet again having had a £16million offer rejected for him on deadline day.
      But the Citizens could keep him on their books to provide cover if needed, leaving it likely that Barca will sign him on a free transfer.

      Wijnaldum will also be monitored to see whether they can reach a deal with the Reds.

      Meanwhile Barca will have to offload one of Ousmane Dembele or Martin Braithwaite if they want to bring in Depay in January.
      Depay has spoke of his failed move to the Nou Camp as he claimed ‘certain rules stopped it’.
      And Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that the Dutchman will push to join Barcelona in the New Year.
      Aulas revealed: “He is going to do everything he can to find himself in a position where he moves there in January.
      “Rudi Garcia, he fought with everything he had for Memphis to stay.
      “I have not abandoned the idea of extending [Depay’s] contract, but as he has always said no, it looks difficult to do.”

      FIFA 21 guesses that Barcelona’s Ansu Fati will win the Ballon d’Or in 2034 More

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      From Neymar and Martinez to De Ligt and Depay, Bartomeu failed to sign an entire team’s worth of stars as he faces axe

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      BARCELONA’S president Josep Maria Bartomeu is facing the Nou Camp axe.
      The man who was at war with superstar captain Lionel Messi during a spectacular summer transfer saga, will face a vote of no confidence.

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      Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu Credit: AFP or licensors

      More than 16,000 fans signed a motion against the Catalan giants’ hapless chief to trigger a referendum.
      Bartomeu is guaranteed to be out by March with a presidential election scheduled and the 57-year-old unable to seek another term.
      Despite Messi reluctantly being convinced to stay this season, Bartomeu’s stewardship has been slated for a number of failed signings.
      SunSport casts an eye over a whole team of stars whose moves never materialised.

      Andre Onana

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      Ajax keeper Andre Onana has been linked with BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana has caught the eye with some impressive performances between the stick and was previously linked with a move to Chelsea.
      But Spanish outlet Sport claims Barcelona have been targeting the 24-year-old.
      A former youth star at Barca, Onana is yet to be lured back to the Nou Camp.

      Inigo Martinez

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      Inigo Martinez’s move to Barcelona collapsedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In 2017 Barcelona were monitoring defender Inigo Martinez with then boss Ernesto Valverde keen on poaching him from Real Sociedad.
      A five-year deal was in place before Sociedad president Jokin Apperibay pulled the plug.
      Martinez fumed at Apperibay for going back on his word as Barca missed out on another class operator at the back with the player sold to Atheltic Bilbao in January 2018.
      Matthijs De Ligt

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      Matthijs de Ligt chose Juventus over BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      After excelling in the heart of Ajax’s defence in 2019, centre-back Matthijs de Ligt was high in demand.
      The ball-playing defender won the Golden Boy gong in 2018 and became the Dutch club’s youngest ever aged just 19.
      But Barcelona lost out in a head-to-head transfer battle with Juventus as De Ligt opted for Serie A to become a ‘more complete player’.
      Eric Garcia

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      Eric Garcia has long been linked with a return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Manchester City centre-back has refused to pen a new deal with his heart seemingly set on a return to Catalonia.
      After cutting his teeth at La Masia, the 19-year-old has consistently been linked with a move back but a transfer has yet to transpire.
      Although he is likely to arrive for nothing when his City deal expires next summer, Barca have made hard work of bringing him back into the fold.

      Marco Verratti

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      Marco Verratti turned down Barcelona to stay at PSGCredit: AFP or licensors
      Barcelona reportedly had looked at landing Marco Verratti in a big-money deal in 2016.
      The Catalan club wanted him to fill the void left by Xavi but despite offering a huge pay day, they failed to land their man and he remained at PSG.
      Adrien Rabiot

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      Adrien Rabiot joined Juventus after a Barca move fell throughCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Like De Ligt, midfielder Adrien Rabiot plumped for Juventus over a move to Barca.
      In the summer of 2019 he had looked certain to arrive after running down his PSG deal.
      But a move collapsed with some reports claiming he saw himself playing further up the field than a No6 role and an alleged disagreement over a signing-on fee.
      Willian

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      Willian left Chelsea for Arsenal rather than the Nou CampCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Brazilian Willian, 31, ditched Chelsea for Arsenal this summer on a free but could easily have left Stamford Bridge for the Nou Camp.
      Bartomeu is said to have had TWO bids for the wideman – a £50m offer in 2018 before Chelsea rejected the £20m put on the table in January.
      Memphis Depay

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      Barcelona could not get a deal for Lyon’s Memphis Depay over the lineCredit: Reuters
      The former Manchester United flop looked set to reunite with his former international boss Ronald Koeman at Barca.
      But the Lyon skipper’s £25m move to Spain came unstuck largely thanks to Barcelona’s dire financial state.
      With the club unable to offload Ousmane Dembele’s hefty wages to United in a loan deal, Depay’s move fell through.
      Neymar

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      Neymar is yet to return from PSG to BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors
      Ever since he joined PSG from Barca for just shy of £200m in 2017, Neymar has been linked with a dramatic return.
      And Messi is thought to have urged the board to bring back his old MSN pal.
      But despite the speculation, the French giants held firm – refusing to sell their prized asset.
      Lautaro Martinez

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      Barcelona failed to poach No1 target Lautaro Martinez from Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez was Barca’s No1 target to fill the void left by Luis Suarez’s departure this summer.
      But the skint Catalan giants balked at his £90m price tag and were forced to end their pursuit of the 23-year-old Argentine.
      Rodrigo

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      Leeds signed Rodrigo ahead of BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Before Leeds star Rodrigo was firing in equalisers against Manchester City, he was another man linked with Barca.
      Valencia reportedly wanted £50m for the striker in January which was too much for Bartomeu and Co.
      And Leeds snapped up the 29-year-old Spaniard for £35m in the summer window.
      Manager – Xavi

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      Barcelona legend Xavi manages Qatari side Al Sadd Credit: AFP or licensors
      Club legend Xavi was linked with a fairytale return to replace Quique Setien at the helm.
      Bartomeu hinted the Al Sadd boss would be on his way back ‘sooner or later’.
      But he signed a new deal with the Qatari side and Ronald Koeman was brought in instead.

      Watch as furious Barcelona fans break into Nou Camp in support of Lionel Messi and demand president Bartomeu resign More

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      Lionel Messi ‘has held clear the air Barcelona talks and resolved his issue with club’ after transfer saga over summer

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      LIONEL MESSI has resolved his issues with Barcelona and ‘it’s positive that he stayed’, according to Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.
      Messi bagged the winner from the penalty spot in Argentina’s 1-0 triumph over Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

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      Lionel Messi has resolved his issues with Barcelona according to his Argentina bossCredit: Reuters

      And before the game, his international manager revealed he is pleased the 33-year-old superstar remained at the Nou Camp despite an explosive transfer saga.
      Scaloni said: “I spoke to Leo when everything was resolved and I saw him calm.
      “Since his arrival, we’ve been able to have a long chat.
      “He is happy to be here. He’s now well in his club.

      I spoke to Leo when everything was resolved and I saw him calm. He’s now well in his club. For us, it’s positive that he stayed.”
      Lionel ScaloniArgentina boss

      “All we wanted from a distance was for everything to be resolved and for him to play and to be fit.
      “For us, it’s positive that he stayed because he was able to play immediately, he knows the club, but in terms of decisions, we don’t get involved in that, we don’t step in the player’s territory.”
      Messi sensationally revealed he wanted to leave the Catalan giants in the summer.
      Fresh from the 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich, Messi revealed he wanted to pursue a new challenge.

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      Messi bagged the winner for Argentina against EcuadorCredit: AFP or licensors

      But after weeks of intensive speculation and a falling out with president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner made an emotional U-turn.
      Messi revealed his kids were in tears after he told them of his plans to leave and eventually decided he could not take the club he loves to court in order to force an exit.
      Barca’s skipper faced more hardship when new boss Ronald Koeman booted best pal and neighbour Luis Suarez out of the club.
      Suarez joined Atletico Madrid for a bargain £5.5million and Messi publicly bashed the club saying his friend ‘deserved better’.
      Now the talismanic forward is facing another pay cut as skint Barcelona look to alter the contracts of ALL employees.

      Lionel Messi trains with the Barcelona squad More

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      Wijnaldum claims Barcelona transfer interest ‘was not that serious’ and hints at new Liverpool contract

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      GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM has insisted his rumoured move to Barcelona was never likely to happen.
      The LaLiga giants were heavily linked with Wijnaldum throughout the transfer window but he stayed put at Liverpool.

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      Georginio Wijnaldum’s four-year stint with Liverpool will continue after Barcelona failed to sign the midfielderCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      With the Dutchman’s contract up at the end of a season, a move to the Nou Camp is still reportedly on offer but he believes a fresh deal at Liverpool is also possible.
      Wijnaldum told reporters: “I don’t think [the interest] was that serious.
      “Otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened. There was nothing precise.

      “The way it looks now, I will stay in Liverpool.
      “My contract is valid for another 10 months and that can change.
      “You never know in football. We will see what happens.”
      It had been reported that Wijnaldum was leaving Liverpool to make way for Thiago Alcantara.

      But the former Newcastle star, 29, has completed every minute of the Reds’ title defence thus far, including the recent 7-2 defeat by Aston Villa.

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      Meanwhile, Barcelona completed a relatively quiet market in terms of incomings, with only Sergino Dest purchased during the window.
      They shifted Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, Nelson Semedo and Rafinha off their wage bill, but failed with a deadline day bid for Memphis Depay.
      The £22million deal was reliant on Ousmane Dembele leaving the Catalans and, with Manchester United not interested in a permanent deal for the winger, Depay stayed at Lyon.

      Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez reunited for first time since striker’s Barcelona axe as they arrive at airport together More