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      Liverpool handed Georginio Wijnaldum boost as LaLiga chiefs BLOCK Barcelona making transfer bid for Dutch midfielder

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      LIVERPOOL were handed a boost as they look to keep hold of Georginio Wijnaldum as LaLiga blocked Barcelona’s transfer plans, according to reports.
      New Barca boss Ronald Koeman has been tasked with revamping his squad after replacing Quique Setien following the 8-2 embarrassment against Bayern Munich.

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      LaLiga look set to block any attempts Barcelona make to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio WijnaldumCredit: Getty – Pool

      And he identified two of the players who starred under him for the Dutch national team, Memphis Depay and Wijnaldum, as primary targets.
      However, as reported by the Sunday Mirror, the Catalan giants will not be able to sign either player – meaning Liverpool could well keep their title-winning man.
      Due to the financial impact of coronavirus, the Spanish league officials have stepped in by introducing strict guidelines for clubs.

      Therefore Barcelona – who have a staggering £510million-a-year wage bill – must raise funds by selling players to complete any new purchases.
      The reports adds they must also pay the same amount as the transfer fee to the Spanish government following financial support handed to clubs during the global pandemic.
      LaLiga placed a budget limit for transfers and staff costs on all 20 top-flight clubs based on financial results from the past five years.
      Joris Evers, the league’s director of communications, said: “We have a financial system, which goes beyond Uefa’s Financial Fair Play.

      “At Uefa they look at figures when a season is finished, we set the standards before the season starts.

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      Ronald Koeman was desperate to be reunited with Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay after their success together with the Dutch national teamCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      “If Barcelona try to do a deal behind the scenes, our analysts will notice this immediately.
      “The clubs agreed on this system as a reaction on a period when they were struggling to pay the wages of the players, because they’d overspent time and time again. Nobody wants to go back to that situation.”
      Barcelona have lost a reported £300m in the last six months as a result of Covid-19 while players are handing back up to 70 per cent of wages.
      The potential sale of Lionel Messi to Manchester City would have brought in a big cash injection but his U-turn to see out his contract ensured those funds were not available.
      That looks set to scupper plans to reunite Koeman with Lyon ace Depay and the Reds’ Wijnaldum who are both in the final years of their contracts and keen on a move to the Nou Camp.
      Liverpool bolstered their midfield, and provided further competition for Wijnaldum, this week with the £25m coup to land Thiago Alcantara from Bayern.

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

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      Barcelona aim to hijack Bayern Munich’s transfer for Sergino Dest, 19, after Bundesliga giants ‘had agreed a deal’

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      BARCELONA are out to hijack Bayern Munich’s move for Sergino Dest after failing with two bids for Max Aarons.
      A new right-back is on the Blaugrana agenda as Ronald Koeman looks to revamp his aging squad.

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      Sergino Dest is one of Europe’s hottest defensive talentsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      United States international Dest was born in the Netherlands and raised through Ajax’s academy, playing 36 times for the club.

      And his performances have caught the eye of Europe’s biggest teams, including Bayern and Barcelona.
      According to Bild, the Bundesliga champions have agreed personal terms with Dest but are yet to persuade Ajax to sell up.

      That leaves room for Barcelona to make a bid, which Mundo Deportivo believe will focus on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
      On Saturday, SunSport revealed the Catalans’ desire to sign Dest having failed with two bids for Aarons.
      Norwich rebuffed an offer topping £20million for the 20-year-old despite suffering relegation from the Premier League.
      Reportedly set to leave Barcelona is Nelson Semedo with an unnamed club said to have bid around £40m for the Portuguese defender.

      Replacing Semedo with Dest, 19, would leave the struggling LaLiga giants with a healthy profit with Ajax wanting around £15m for Dest.

      Barcelona are attempting to push down their mega wage bill

      Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag has insisted he would like Dest to remain in Amsterdam, telling reporters on Friday: “He is an Ajax player, he has trained and we are going to prepare for RKC.
      “I can’t say anything about it, there is a lot of interest in all of our players. Dest has developed well so it’s not surprising there is interest.”
      He added: “Bayern Munich is a very nice club in Europe. I focus on Ajax and the development of Ajax.
      “I want [Dest] to stay. If there is a different outcome, we’ll have to change things around.”

      Luis Suarez arrives to take Italian exam which Barcelona star must pass or Juventus transfer deal will collapse More

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      Barcelona in shock £20m bid for Max Aarons as Norwich TURN DOWN offer for right-back so Catalans move on to Sergino Dest

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      NORWICH have turned down TWO offers from Barcelona for right-back Max Aarons.
      The second offer could have been worth £20million including add-ons but the Championship club are holding out for more.

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      Max Aarons’ move to Barcelona could be off after Norwich rejected two bids for the defenderCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Aarons, 20, is one of the most wanted young right-backs in Europe and has already interested Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
      Barcelona are now set to sign their second choice Sergino Dest from Ajax.
      Norwich, relegated from the Premier League, want a guaranteed £20m for Aarons and are refusing to budge on their price.

      They have already sold Jamal Lewis to Newcastle for £15m and are in a stable financial situation.
      Norwich boss Daniel Farke admitted earlier in the month that key players could be sold if “unbelievable” offers are received.
      He said: “Let’s see where we are when the window is closed.
      “At this moment everything is possible in football. Let’s wait because the experience of the past tells you major transfers can happen quite late.

      “I expect it will be getting worse and worse with the speculation and rumours.

      Barcelona boasted the highest wage bill in football ahead of a crucial transfer window at the Camp Nou

      “But as long as the club and these young players are open, honest and transparent with each other then we are pretty clear.
      “We have said we don’t want to sell them unless we get an unbelievable crazy offer and the club has to make a decision. That is the business we are in. But they are fully in our plans.”
      England Under-21 international Aarons was named EFL Young Player of the Year after his breakout campaign of 2018/19, and was one of the Canaries’ bright spots of their single season in the top-flight.

      Watch Lionel Messi score stunner with his RIGHT foot in Barcelona friendly after Man City’s failed transfer swoop More

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      Liverpool ‘ask for Dembele in loan transfer from Barcelona with Klopp wanting him to link with Salah, Mane and Firmino’

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      LIVERPOOL have reportedly made contact with Barcelona over a loan move for Ousmane Dembele.
      Jurgen Klopp is keen on signing a new forward to provide competition for his established front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

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      Liverpool are interested in Barcelona winger Ousmane DembeleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Reds are thought to be open to offers for Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi, while Rhian Brewster has been linked with a move to Sheffield United.
      Wolves speedster Adama Traore and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr have both attracted interest from Liverpool.
      Yet Spanish news outlet Sport claim that the Premier League champions have launched an official enquiry for Barca ace Dembele.

      The report claims that Liverpool hope to land the Frenchman on a season-long loan deal.
      The Reds are said to be willing to pay Barcelona a fee to take Dembele for the campaign as well as front the winger’s full salary.
      Yet the outlet suggest that the LaLiga giants are uninterested in Liverpool’s offer and won’t sanction a loan for the former Borussia Dortmund star.
      The £135.5million signing has struggled with injuries at the Nou Camp and could only muster nine appearances last season.

      Yet Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently claimed Dembele would not be sold amid interest from Manchester United.

      He told Barca TV: “Messi is untouchable & non-transferable. He knows it, we all know it.
      “But there are various non-transferable players like [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen, [Clement] Lenglet, [Nelson] Semedo, De Jong, Griezmann, Dembele… players we are counting on in the future.”
      Liverpool are currently set to unveil their second capture of the window following the arrival of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

      Ousmane Dembele show his skills and scores amazing goal in Barcelona training More

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      Edinson Cavani ‘wants free Barcelona transfer as striker offers services to replace Luis Suarez up front’

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      EDINSON CAVANI has reportedly offered his services to Barcelona as a replacement for outgoing striker Luis Suarez.
      Sport reports the former Paris Saint-Germain forward has contacted the Catalan giants TWICE in the last few weeks.

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      Edinson Cavani offered his services to BarcelonaCredit: Reuters

      The 33-year-old is a free agent after his contract expired in the French capital.
      And the report states he asked for a short-term two-year deal to help plug the club’s gap in attack.
      Suarez was given the boot by new Barca boss Ronald Koeman in a brutal one-minute phone call.

      The Uruguayan has been very heavily linked with a move to Juventus but reports suggested he could snub the Old Lady to stay in LaLiga with Atletico Madrid.
      Suarez was also rumoured to be heading back to old side Ajax after becoming surplus to requirements in Catalonia.
      And after being told to train alone, the 33-year-old could suffer a similar fate to Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale.
      If Suarez turns down a move away from the Nou Camp he could spend a YEAR in the stands as his contract runs down.

      Compatriot Cavani is also looking for pastures new after his move to Benfica collapsed at the last minute.

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      Edinson Cavani could replace fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      And the report states his proven goalscoring ability – he has netted 341 goals in 556 career appearances – and presence in the box did interest Barcelona enough to consider the proposal.
      Leeds target Cavani can join for no fee which would help the Catalan giants’ financial strife after the accounts for 2019-20 reported a £90million loss.
      The former Napoli ace may be a stop-gap as Barca look to sign younger targets for the future like Inter Milan’s 23-year-old Lautaro Martinez.
      But a deal now appears unlikely as the club told Cavani he is not in their sights – despite the fact he would earn a lot less than international team-mate Suarez.
      Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu is desperate to get the annual wage bill down and will reportedly ask Lionel Messi to take a pay cut in their first face to face meeting since the end of the Argentine’s transfer saga.

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      Lionel Messi will be asked to take pay cut in first meeting with Bartomeu since transfer saga to lower Barca squad wages

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      LIONEL MESSI will reportedly be asked to stomach a pay cut by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
      Cuatro reports the proposal will be put to the Argentine superstar when the two meet face to face for the first time since the end of Messi’s transfer saga.

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      Lionel Messi will be asked to accept a cut in wages

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      Josep Bartomeu will ask Messi to take a pay cut in their first meeting since he agreed to stayCredit: AFP or licensors

      The 33-year-old shocked the world by announcing he wanted to leave the club in August.
      Debate raged over whether Messi could leave for free and if he would sensationally reunite with Pep Guardiola and play for Manchester City in the Premier League.
      But ultimately he made a reluctant U-turn after revealing he would not take the club he loves to court in order to leave.

      The report states Messi wants nothing to do with Bartomeu, given the forward believes he went back on his word after saying he would be allowed to go if he desired.
      However, the Catalan giants’ financial situation is dire.
      Club accounts for the 2019-20 season revealed massive losses of £90million.
      And despite a net gain of around £20m from the deal that saw Arthur leave for Juventus and Miralem Pjanic arriving at the Nou Camp, more needs to be done.

      Messi knows – after being re-elected as skipper – he will have to lead by example when it comes to cost-cutting measures.

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      The club are desperate to get their annual wage bill down and need Messi to give a reduction the green light before moving onto other big earners in the first-team squad.
      The report adds that sparks will fly in the meeting between Bartomeu and Messi after such an eventful summer.
      On the pitch, Messi returned to training last Monday under new boss Ronald Koeman.
      And the former Holland boss immediately selected him to start the first game of the season on Saturday.
      Barca beat Gimnastic 3-1 with Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and the returning Philippe Coutinho nabbing the goals.

      Lionel Messi plays in Barcelona friendly after transfer saga with Griezmann, Coutinho and Dembélé scoring in win More

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      Barcelona in huge fire sale with TWELVE ‘up for grabs including Suarez and Umtiti’ as Koeman plans squad overhaul

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      BARCELONA are set for a huge fire sale under new manager Ronald Koeman – with 12 players reportedly up for grabs.
      Big names like Luis Suarez and Samuel Umtiti are facing the chop as the Spanish club looks to rebuild following their 8-2 Champions League humiliation and the prolonged Lionel Messi transfer saga.

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      Ronald Koeman is prepared to be ruthless in a squad clear-out, reports say

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      Luis Suarez arrives for Barcelona training yesterday with his future unclear

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      Arturo Vidal waves for the cameras as he heads for training

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      French defender Samuel Umtiti is one of a number of players who may be shipped out before the end of the window

      The Catalan giants are also believed to be on the hunt for new names in their dramatic squad overhaul.
      But with Lionel Messi set to stay, the inflated wage bill must first come down to accommodate expensive signings, according to Spanish sports site Mundo Deportivo.
      Along with Suarez and French international Umtiti, the likes of ex-Middlesbrough flop Martin Braithwaite and Arturo Vidal could also be shown the door.
      Liverpool fan favourite Suarez, 33, is tipped with a move to Juventus costing around £2.8million plus £12 million in variables, which would link him up with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after he spent the last few years alongside Messi.

      The deal appeared close before Atletico Madrid become involved and now the Uruguayan is considering staying in Spain, reports say.
      If he were to leave, that would leave Braithwaite as the only recognised out-and-out striker at the club.
      But Koeman is reportedly not keen on him either and is open to offers, despite the 29-year-old’s professionalism.

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      Vidal, Suarez and Messi embrace during happier days for the clubCredit: EPA

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      Rafinha looks set for a Premier League move
      Vidal’s move to Inter Milan has stalled, with reports suggesting this is due to the financial repercussions of the coronavirus lockdown.

      And Umtiti also looks set for a move away from the Nou Camp after Koeman told him he can go.
      Along with the big names, the clearout could also see centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo on his way – with Leicester and Everton linked to him – and Nelson Semedo’s position is far from secure.
      Rafinha’s future appears to lie in the Premier League with Arsenal and Leeds battling it out for his signature.
      Left backs Junior Firpo and Miranda, along with youngsters Moussa Wague, Barcelona B central midfielder Monchu and defensive midfielder Oriol Busquets, may also be axed from the club.

      Former Everton boss Koeman is believed to be taking no prisoners to fix the crisis-hit club.
      Along with their dismantling by Bayern Munich, the club also finished five points off La Liga champions Real Madrid in a disappointing domestic season, with Quique Setiens sacked after only eight months in charge.
      On the bright side for Barcelona fans, rumours persist that Lyon hotshot Memphis Depay is on his way to join his former international manager.

      Lionel Messi trains with Barcelona for first time since failed transfer request as he prepares for new season More

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      Messi transfer debacle can be forgotten with new president and he can stay at Barcelona until he’s 38, says Rivaldo

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      BARCELONA legend Rivaldo believes the Lionel Messi transfer debacle could soon be forgotten – and he may stay there until he is nearly 40.
      The Argentine superstar, 33, rocked the Nou Camp by handing in a transfer request last month as he tried to invoke a clause to allow him to leave for free.

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      Lionel Messi could end up signing a new long-term contract at BarcelonaCredit: Reuters

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      Rivaldo believes the superstar could soon put the sorry saga behind himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now he is back training after a sensational U-turn from his position just a fortnight ago, when he missed all of new boss Ronald Koeman’s first training sessions.
      Messi demanded to leave Barcelona in the wake of the 8-2 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, blasting the club’s hierarchy and pointing to mismanagement of team-mates including close pal Luis Suarez.
      He believed he still had a clause valid in his contract until the end of the season allowing him to depart Catalonia on a free transfer.
      But Barcelona argued that the clause expired in July and were quickly given backing by LaLiga.

      It led to Messi confirming last week that he will be staying at the club for the final year of his contract, as the only way to press on with the potential free transfer was by taking Barcelona to court.
      However, Rivaldo insists the whole sorry chapter could soon be forgotten about.
      The Brazilian, who spent five years at Barca during his illustrious career, told BetFair: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed at the club beyond his current deal.

      “A lot could happen this season, as Barcelona begin life under new manager Ronaldo Koeman and elections for club president take place in March.

      “Messi criticised the current president Josep Bartomeu, so if a new president is elected in March perhaps Messi will decide to stay.
      “Messi has his life in the city, his family enjoy living there and the fans have great affection for him.
      “These are reasons to stay and perhaps with a new president, who understands Messi’s needs and can persuade him that the club is heading in the right direction, can persuade him to extend his contract.
      “He loves Barcelona, and nowadays players are fit enough to prolong their careers at the highest level, so I can see Messi playing for them until he’s 38-years-old.”

      And when quizzed on whether the goal-machine will still be as prolific as usual this term following the saga, Rivaldo had no doubts he will be as good as ever.
      He added: “Many people are questioning Messi’s commitment after asking to leave the club, but I have no doubt that he will be the same player this season, always trying his best for the club he loves.
      “Of course, he might not start right away after all these problems during the summer, but even in his poorer seasons he scored 30-odd goals, so I’m sure he’ll continue to make the difference for the team.”

      Lionel Messi trains with Barcelona for first time since failed transfer request as he prepares for new season More