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      Barcelona break club protocol lasting 45 years with release of new away kit.. with special nod to legendary ex-player

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      BARCELONA have broken 45 years of protocol by releasing a WHITE away kit for their 2023-24 season.The Catalan club typically stay clear of the colour scheme given its association with fierce rivals Real Madrid.
      Barcelona’s new white away kit… the same colour as rivals Real Madrid’s home shirtCredit: Instagram @fcbarcelona
      The red and blue bands on the sleeve of the shirt are a nod to Johan Cruyff’s armbandCredit: Instagram @fcbarcelona
      Johan Cruyff was the last Barcelona captain to wear a white kit… against Aston VillaCredit: Rex
      But there is a good reason behind this season’s white away strip.
      The kit is inspired by Barca legend Johan Cruyff, who captained the team the last time the team donned a white away kit.
      The shirt features a classic white design with red and blue stripes on the cuffs which mimic the captain’s armband Cruyff wore in the late 70s.
      The club wrote on their website: “Barcelona introduces their second kit for the 2023/24 season, which has an innovative design that pays tribute to the man who developed Barca’s playing style, Johan Cruyff.”
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      The statement continues: “This isn’t the first time Barca has used the colour for their kits. Players like Alcántara, Samitier, César and Kubala, among others, already wore a white jersey between the 1920s and 1970s.
      “When it comes to Cruyff – who developed a new brand of playing style for FC Barcelona – he also wore white on several occasions, like on 1 March 1978 during a UEFA Cup game against Aston Villa, when he captained and led the team.”
      Barcelona have resisted the urge to go back to their white away kit origins over the years – so as not to anger fans that believe it to be the colour of Real Madrid.
      Instead they have favoured yellow, orange, grey and blue away kits in recent seasons.
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      Barcelona announced the new kit with a tongue in cheek video on Twitter that featured President Joan Laporta opening a cardboard box with “It’s just a box” written on it.
      Laporta has a surprised reaction when he pulls the shirt out of it which likely reflects what many supporters felt when the club unveiled a kit in the colour of their rivals.
      But social media reaction to the kit was generally positive.
      One fan tweeted a picture of Cruyff in the 70s kit with a number of love heart emojis as caption – clearly appreciating the throwback vibe of the kit.
      Another fan replied: “Love it.”
      A third fan replied “We wear white better” – in reference to rivals Real Madrid.
      Barcelona will be hoping the kit is a good luck charm as they look to retain the LaLiga title and also return to Champions League action in the 2023-24 season. More

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      Jordi Alba completes Inter Miami transfer as Lionel Messi’s former team-mate becomes third ex-Barcelona star to join

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      JORDI ALBA has reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.Alba has completed his move to David Beckham’s MLS club and becomes the third Barca star to move to Miami after Sergio Busquets.

      Jordi Alba is set to reunite with ex-Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter MiamiCredit: AFP
      Alba has signed a deal with Inter Miami until the end of next yearCredit: Rex
      Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut on Friday against Cruz AzulCredit: Reuters
      The American outfit confirmed the left-back’s arrival to the US on social media.
      The Spain international has put pen to paper on a contract that runs until next year.
      Inter Miami tweeted: “Oficial. Bienvenido [Welcome] @JordiAlba.
      “We have signed Spanish international defender Jordi Alba to a contract through the 2024 season.”
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      Alba spent nine years playing with Messi at Barcelona after his arrival from Valencia in 2012.
      The 34-year-old amassed a total of 27 goals and 99 assists in 459 appearances with the Blaugrana.
      The Spaniard also won six LaLiga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies and the 2015 Champions League with the Catalan giants.
      Alba’s expected debut date with Inter Miami is currently unknown after just joining Tata Martino’s side.
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      But Messi is expected to debut against Cruz Azul on Friday in the Leagues Cup.
      Tickets to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Inter Miami bow will cost anywhere from $350 (£272) to $2,000 (£1,555) on Ticketmaster.
      The Argentina captain put pen to paper on a deal with Inter Miami until 2025 after running down his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. More

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      Ilkay Gundogan’s stunning Wag forced to hobble onto pitch in protective boot and crutches as he’s unveiled for Barcelona

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      ILKAY GUNDOGAN’S wife Sara Arfaoui attended the Manchester City legend’s Barcelona unveiling in crutches.Gundogan left City in June shortly after captaining Pep Guardiola’s side to an historic Treble triumph.
      Ilkay Gundogan’s wife Sara Arfaoui attended his unveiling in crutches and a protective bootCredit: Reuters
      Sara is a model, actress and TV personality hosting reality showsCredit: Splash
      Gundogan joined Barcelona after leaving Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
      Gundogan rejected a one-year extension at City and left when his contract ran outCredit: AP
      The midfielder decided to move out of the Etihad once his contract expired as he rejected a one-year extension.
      The Germany international has instead put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months at the Catalan giants.
      The 32-year-old was unveiled by the Blaugrana earlier today at the Nou Camp.
      Gundogan was joined by his family but Sara entered the pitch in crutches.
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      The actress, model and TV personality also donned a black protective boot on her left foot.
      The reality show host wore a blue summer dress as she joined her husband on the grass.
      Sara’s injury is currently unknown but Gundogan will be hoping he won’t be following her onto the treatment room any time soon just after joining Barcelona.
      The ex-Borussia Dortmund star’s wife was born in 1995 in France, with her family later moving to Italy.
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      The couple met in 2021 and maintained a level of secrecy regarding their relationship.
      That was until they announced their engagement in December of that year.
      The pair then married at a registry office in Denmark before holding a lavish wedding for friends at Lake Como in Italy in May 2022.
      Gundogan and Sara welcomed the birth of their first child on March 16, 2023, which was the day after City’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig.
      Gundogan and Sara met in 2021 and maintained their relationship secretCredit: Alamy
      Sara and Gundogan announced their engagement in December of 2021Credit: Splash
      The couple married at a registry office in Denmark before holding a lavish weddingCredit: Splash More

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      Barcelona chief reveals club owe wages to Lionel Messi for another TWO YEARS even though club failed to re-recruit him

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      BARCELONA chief Joan Laporta has revealed the club still owe Lionel Messi TWO YEARS worth of payments relating to his final seasons at the club.The revelation comes amid a developing war of words between Messi and Barcelona, with both sides offering different accounts as to why a reunion never came to fruition.
      Messi is still owed money from Barcelona owing to his last two years at the clubCredit: Getty
      Messi said after joining Inter Miami that the reason a move back to Barcelona never materialised was down to his previous experience with the club and its financial issues.
      When Messi left Barcelona in 2021, the club was in a dire financial situation with a number of high-profile players being forced into taking pay cuts.
      There was even a suggestion that the likes of Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi would play for free to help ease the club’s financial situation.
      Messi said that similar issues were still present this summer and were ultimately the reason he did not return to the Nou Camp.
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      He said: “I really wanted [to join Barcelona], I was very excited to be able to return, but after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again.
      “I heard that they had to sell players or lower players’ salaries and the truth is that I didn’t want to go through that, nor take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that.”
      In an interview with Catalan outlet La Vanguardia, Barca President Laporta confirmed that the financial issues that came between the club and Messi had not been completely ironed out – with Barcelona still owing Messi money.
      He said: “What is owed to him is the deferral of the salary bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces pending payments that end in 2025.”
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      Laporta however denied that Barcelona would have faced a similar situation had they signed Messi this summer.
      He said: “We had an agreement with LaLiga that we would dedicate part of the resources we have to Messi. Within the feasibility plan It was contemplated.
      He then appeared to take a swipe at the Barca legend when he suggested Messi no longer wants to play in the pressurised environment of a top European league.
      Laporta continued: “We communicated [the proposal] to Jorge Messi. He told me that Leo had had a very difficult year in Paris and that he wanted less pressure. 
      “With our option, he would have continued to have pressure and I understood his decision. Good luck to him and we start preparing his super tribute.”
      Lionel Messi’s first game for Inter Miami is expected to be against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21 as part of the Leagues Cup – which sees MLS sides face off with teams from Liga MX.
      The David Beckham-owned franchise will need all the help Messi can give, with the club currently rock-bottom of the MLS.
      As part of Laporta’s interview with La Vanguardia, the Barca President also revealed that he expects Clement Lenglet to join Tottenham on a permanent deal this summer.
      He said: “I think Tottenham will reach an agreement for Lenglet. This almost never goes fast. It depends on the other party. For us, they are all cases that would have been solved yesterday”. More

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      Forgotten Barcelona star and World Cup winner wakes up unemployed as ex-Arsenal target is given free transfer

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      SAMUEL UMTITI is a free agent after agreeing to have the remaining three years of his Barcelona contract terminated.The former World Cup winner has left the Catalan club 18 months after his final appearance for them.
      Samuel Umtiti has left Barcelona after having his contract terminatedCredit: Reuters
      Umtiti, once a target of Arsenal’s, will now search for a new club after coming to an agreement to end his time at Barca.
      The 29-year-old joined the LaLiga giants from Lyon for around £21m in 2016.
      He was initially a key man, helping his side to two league titles in his first three seasons.
      Amid interest from elsewhere, Barca handed Umtiti a lucrative new contract in 2018.
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      A series of knee issues derailed his career from that point, although amid financial issues in January 2022, Barcelona opted to extend his contract to 2026 in order to stretch the time period in which he would be paid the money he was entitled to.
      This allowed Barca to register new players in line with LaLiga rules.
      Umtiti played just once during the 2021-22 season, making what would be his 133rd and final Barcelona appearance in a 2-2 draw with Osasuna in December 2021.
      He spent last season on loan at Lecce, managing to stay relatively injury-free in Serie A.
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      Samuel Umtiti spent last season on loan at LecceCredit: Getty
      Umtiti made 25 appearances in the Italian top flight, helping his temporary side avoid the drop.
      His form and fitness was not enough to earn another shot at Barcelona, however, with Xavi and Co opting to move forward with Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and new signing Inigo Martinez.
      After agreeing a contract termination with Umtiti, Barca will also look to flog former Tottenham loanee Clement Lenglet.
      It felt like four years of being imprisoned at BarcelonaSamuel Umtiti
      Earlier this year, Umtiti told French Broadcaster Canal Plus of how Barcelona had begun to feel like a “prison”.
      He said: “It felt like four years of being imprisoned at Barcelona, not just on a sporting level, but in my everyday life too.
      “I was really in a bad way, I preferred to stay out of everyone’s way.
      “At the start I felt good and performed at a high level, but then I started to feel some diffidence towards me and realised then that nobody believed in me anymore.”
      On his time at Lecce, he added: “It was a challenge for me, I needed to feel appreciated, respected and just useful.
      “I know that securing safety from relegation isn’t the same as winning a title, but I am grateful to Lecce, because I rediscovered my smile here.” More

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      Man City mull stunning £90m Frenkie de Jong transfer that would see Treble winners deliver another body blow to Man Utd

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is mulling over a move for Frenkie de Jong — after Manchester City’s boss walked away from a Declan Rice bid.But Barcelona will want up to the £90million that Guardiola was prepared to pay in his attempts to sign West Ham ace Rice.
      Frenkie de Jong has been linked with a move away from Barcelona for some timeCredit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning side could go after De Jong this summerCredit: Getty
      The City chief is keen to bring in a new midfielder after Ilkay Gundogan turned down a new deal and opted for a move to the Nou Camp instead.
      Pep ended his interest in Rice when the fee went higher than he was prepared to pay, leaving the way clear for Arsenal.
      Guardiola tried to sign De Jong in 2019, before the Dutchman was swayed by the huge contract at Barca – and he remains a fan.
      He was a major Manchester transfer target a year ago, when his old Ajax boss Erik ten Hag tried to make him one of his first Man Utd signings.
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      But the 26-year-old Dutch star opted to stay in Barcelona and is still in no rush to leave Spain.
      However, he is aware Nou Camp executives are open to a sale in a bid to improve the club’s desperate finances.
      De Jong earns £400,000 a week after tax, has three years left on his agreement and retains the backing of coach Xavi.
      But Barca would like his wages off the books and know that City have cash for a top-class midfielder after the race for Rice.
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      Speaking in February about last summer’s transfer saga involving De Jong, Xavi said: “He was very clear with me. He wanted to stay with us and there was no doubt.
      “He is our player and I am very happy and satisfied with his performance and leadership.
      “He is in a great moment, like the whole team.
      “I think he is having a good time on the field, which is the most important thing.”
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag coached De Jong at AjaxCredit: Getty More

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      Barcelona have ‘everything agreed upon’ with PSG for sensational Neymar transfer return except for one big issue

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      BARCELONA have “everything agreed upon” for Neymar to return to Barcelona from PSG – but there is one major issue standing in the way. Neymar famously swapped Spain for France in 2017 for £198million in what remains the biggest transfer of all time.
      Neymar is linked with a return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But following six years in Paris, the club and player look ready to part ways, putting Europe’s elite on notice.
      Chelsea and Manchester United are among those linked with Neymar but a return to the Nou Camp appears to be the forward’s preference.
      And according to beIN Sports’ Khaled Waleed, PSG and Barca have an agreement in place for the transfer.
      But Neymar’s salary proves a sticking point and would need PSG to help pay a bulk of it.
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      The Samba superstar is believed to earn £600,000-a-week, leaving even the super-rich French kings wanting to get him off their books.
      But Barca’s dire financial situation leaves them in no position to match Neymar’s current salary.
      It could mean striking a loan agreement with PSG were the player’s wages are shared.
      But Barca boss Xavi – a former team-mate Neymar’s – brutally shut down a reunion when pressed last month.
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      He said: “I’m surprised… he’s not in our plan. I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities.”
      Neymar has pushed to leave PSG before but he found himself shut down.
      Although now, the Ligue 1 champs are understood to be willing to let Neymar leave and have encouraged him to find a club.

      Barca also missed out on bringing Lionel Messi back to Barca this summer after the Argentine announced he was leaving PSG.
      Money issues meant a deal could not be agreed and Messi instead revealed he will play for Inter Miami in the MLS next.
      Lionel Messi and Neymar at PSGCredit: Reuters More

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      Man City flop Ferran Torres ‘offered Premier League return’ just 18 months after joining Barcelona

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      BARCELONA are reportedly prepared to sell Ferran Torres this summer.The LaLiga champions are set to let go of several first team stars in a bid to free up space on their wage bill.
      Barcelona want to sell Torres this summerCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Torres is one of the names on the transfer list.
      Barcelona are said to be demanding £35million for the out-of-favour striker.
      Torres has already received three offers from the Premier League, but he is reluctant to leave the Nou Camp.
      The 23-year-old joined Barcelona in a £55million transfer from Manchester City in January 2022.
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      He has scored 14 goals in 71 appearances since joining the club, but he fell out of favour last summer following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski.
      Barcelona are expected to complete the signing of Vitor Roque in the next few weeks, which would likely see Torres fall further down the pecking order.
      Newcastle are understood to be interested in signing striker.
      The Magpies would be willing to match Barcelona’s £35m asking price.
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      Arsenal were linked with a swoop for the Spaniard in January, however they are yet to submit an official bid.
      Unless Torres is sold this summer, Barcelona will likely struggle to recruit and register players due to their financial issues. More