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    Barcelona’s Messi offer revealed with ace ‘needing to take 75 PER CENT pay cut on previous deal to secure free transfer’

    LIONEL MESSI will reportedly be offered just a QUARTER of his old Barcelona salary if he is to return to the Nou Camp.The Spanish giants are attempting to bring the Argentine legend, 35, back to the club.
    Lionel Messi is being linked with a return to Barcelona in the summerCredit: Getty
    Messi left in emotional circumstances two years ago as the Catalan side were forced to address their critical financial situation.
    He has now spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, contributing 31 goals and 33 assists in 69 appearances.
    But he is out of contract with the Ligue 1 champions in the summer.
    And a return to Barcelona has been mooted as a potential destination for Messi, along with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami.
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    The World Cup-winner had spent his entire career at Barcelona before leaving in 2021, registering 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games.
    But, according to Sport, Messi will not receive anywhere near the £88million annual salary that he was earning by the end of his spell at Nou Camp if he is to make a come back.
    It is understood they will offer Messi a deal worth £22m per year – in line with the sum being paid to Robert Lewandowski.
    That is a world away from the £375m a year he could reportedly scoop at Al-Hilal.
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    The length of the Barca contract is expected to be two years, but the Argentine will be given the option to terminate it after one season.
    And even if Messi is prepared to take a 75 per cent salary reduction, his return is still dependent on Barcelona slashing their wage bill.
    They are expected to sell players in order to raise the funds for Messi.
    A number of stars have already been linked with moves away from at the end of the season.
    Midfielder Gavi, 18, is being monitored by Chelsea after Barcelona removed him from their registration of first-team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
    This means he could leave on a free transfer in the summer.
    Ansu Fati is another player who could depart the Spanish giants as Manchester United eye the 20-year-old forward. More

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    Pique’s mum breaks silence for first time since Shakira split after claims she helped ex-Barcelona star hide ‘affair’

    GERARD Pique’s mum has broken silence for first time since her son’s split with Shakira after claims she helped the footballer hide his “affair”.Montserrat Bernabéu now joins the ex-Barcelona star in the controversy that has swirled since he parted ways with the Colombian music icon.
    Gerad Pique’s mum, Montserrat Bernabeu, has broken silence on he son’s messy ‘affair’Credit: Getty
    The ex-Barcelona star dated Shakira for 11 yearsCredit: Getty
    Happier times when the star couple were in loveCredit: Getty
    His mum appeared in her first televised interview following her son’s dramatic break-up in September 2022.
    The 60-year-old woman featured in an interview on Barcelona TV program Collapse, where she touched on her job but steered clear from family life.
    The transcript was republished by Spanish journal Lecturas, which read: “As everyone else does, I have a personal life and a professional life.
    “But my personal life is only discussed with my closest friends and family.
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    “When I’m at work, I’m focused on what I need to be doing and I’m doctor Bernabéu.”
    However, GeoNews later reported that Bernabéu spilled the beans on Shakira.
    The news agency reported she allegedly considered the singer an “intruder”.
    They further claimed Bernabéu was “bothered” by the ten-year age gap between the former lovers.
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    The claims follow an inside source who reportedly told Geo News: “We are talking about very closed environments.
    “For many families in the city, if you are from Madrid you are already an intruder, imagine if you are from Colombia.
    “For Montse it was a shock.
    “She saw her from the beginning as an intruder.
    “She was bothered by everything about her – that she was ten years older than her son, that she was a singer, no matter how successful she was, that she was not Catalan or at least from a recognizable family.”
    The reports followed Shakira’s final moments in Spain before she jetted off to the US to start her new life.
    The Hips Don’t Lie singer left Barcelona on April 3 as she finalised her move to Florida.
    Spanish media described the scenes as her “final goodbye” to her old life.
    Her departure was met with a heartfelt Twitter post, which read: “I settled in Barcelona to give my children stability, the same that we are now looking for in another corner of the world next to family, friends and the sea.
    “Today we start a new chapter in the search for our happiness.”
    The popstar was supposed to move on January 3 with her two sons Milan, 10, and Sasha, 7, but her trip was pushed back after her elderly father’s health deteriorated.
    The news of her departure comes as her footballer-ex Pique is said to be “very annoyed” after he was given just “days notice” that his former partner will be moving to Miami with their two sons this week.
    Shakira’s lawyer Pilar Mane told Pique’s lawyer Ramon Tamborero in a formal announcement that the star was leaving definitively, according to journalists Lorena Vasquez and Laura Fa.
    The Colombian singer, they said, then phoned the former Barcelona player to confirm the news, yet he was said to be furious about being kept in the dark about the exact date they would be leaving.
    The Spanish journalists also claim the two boys would start school in Florida on April 11 – the day US school kids will return to classes after spring break.
    The ex-couple of 11 years have been engaged in a bitter falling out since their high-profile split last summer.
    Former Barcelona defender Piqué revealed he was dating 24-year-old Clara Chia Marti not long after they announced the bombshell break up.
    Since then, their dirty laundry has been aired globally as cheating rumours concerning Pique and his younger lover have swirled since the new year.
    The former couple confirmed in November that they had finally reached a child custody agreement after a protracted negotiation which came to a head with a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers.
    They signed the accord at a court in Barcelona the following month.
    As part of the agreement retired footballer Pique will spend holiday time with his children.
    Shakira’s wish to move to Miami, where she used to live and part of her family is based, is understood to have been the principal sticking point in their bitter custody battle.
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    The singer-songwriter, who has relatives and several close friends in Miami, owns a £14 million mansion in the city she is said to have put up for sale in 2018 before removing it from the market a few months ago.
    Spanish media also claim that Shakira has been cosying up to a new mystery man who is based in Miami. More

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    Barcelona want Lionel Messi to become the new Michael Jordan as they plan for his sensational transfer return

    BARCELONA reportedly want to re-sign Lionel Messi and make him the “new Michael Jordan”. The Argentinian legend left the club for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
    Lionel Messi is ready to quit PSG and re-join BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona chiefs believe Lionel Messi’s return could have a similar financial impact to the return of Chicago Bulls hero Micheal JordanCredit: AFP
    But the World Cup winner is supposedly unhappy in France and with his contract expiring there at the end of the season, he wants to return to Barca on a free transfer.
    The LaLiga side are keen on his return from an on and off the pitch perspective.
    Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona chiefs believe the return of Messi could contribute to 25 per cent of the club’s revenue next year.
    Some even believe the boom in the sales of tickets and merchandise along with cash injections from sponsors could be worth 33 per cent of turnover.
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    They are confident that the financial impact could be bigger than the boost the Chicago Bulls received when Michael Jordan came out of retirement in 1995 for a second spell with the team.
    Barca are also looking to help play a major part in building the “Messi brand” and they have drawn comparisons to the American’s “Air Jordan” venture with Nike.
    Xavi supposedly talks to the player regularly and is looking forward to Messi’s own “Last Dance”.
    He is set to be offered a two-year contract by the club.
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    Barcelona are desperate for a financial boost with the club under orders from LaLiga to balance their books.
    They have been effectively placed under a transfer ban and may need to recoup £178million via player sales.
    The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele have all been linked with moves to the Premier League. More

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    Shakira ‘charters special medical plane to fly elderly parents from Barcelona to join her in Miami’ after Pique split

    POP sensation Shakira reportedly chartered an air ambulance to bring her beloved parents across the Atlantic to join her in her swanky Miami mansion.The Colombian superstar recently moved from Barcelona to Miami following her blowout split with her ex, footballer Gerard Pique.
    The performer has made sure to spare no expense in helping her parentsCredit: Getty
    Shakira has remained very close to both of her parents throughout her careerCredit: AFP
    They are expected to move in with the singer in her swanky Miami digsCredit: Getty
    But as she set up her new life abroad – the star was taking no chances in moving her parents, mum Midia Ripoli and dad William Mebarak.
    The superstar’s parents were reportedly moved via a specially chartered air ambulance, complete with a private doctor, to Miami, reports InfoBae.
    Shakira, 46, had previously hoped to bring them over when she initially moved, but due to health concerns for her parents, the journey was delayed.
    Non-stop flights from Barcelona to Miami can take up to nine hours.
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    “The plane that will take them is an air ambulance. A doctor will travel with them and will monitor them at all times,” a source told Vanitatis.
    The reunion with her parents will no doubt be a joyful one, as Shakira was previously seen looking sombre as she left her long-time home of Barcelona.
    She wrote a heartfelt Twitter post before departing: “I settled in Barcelona to give my children stability, the same that we are now looking for in another corner of the world next to family, friends and the sea.
    “Today we start a new chapter in the search for our happiness.”
    Most read in Football
    The singer’s new mansion in Miami is estimated to be worth £12million pounds, with neighbours including Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Matt Damon.
    The impressive gated estate boasts a stunning heated swimming pool and outdoor kitchen surrounded by palm trees with spectacular views over the bay.
    The property even has it’s own private dock for a boat, which she used to share with ex Pique.
    Her overseas move comes as her footballer-ex Pique is said to have been “very annoyed” after he was given just “days notice” that his former partner was heading off to Miami.
    The ex-couple of 11 years have been engaged in a bitter falling out since their high-profile split last summer.
    Former Barcelona defender Piqué revealed he was dating 24-year-old Clara Chia Marti not long after they announced the bombshell break up.
    Since then, their dirty laundry has been aired globally as cheating rumours concerning Pique and his younger lover have swirled since the new year.
    Shakira and Pique confirmed in November they had finally reached a child custody agreement after a long negotiation which came to a head with a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers.
    Read More on The Sun
    They signed the agreement at a court in Barcelona the following month.
    As part of the agreement, retired footballer Pique will spend holiday time with his children.
    She was seen teary eyed leaving her long-time home of BarcelonaCredit: The Mega Agency
    She often shares sweet snaps of her and her two sonsCredit: Instagram
    Her mansion in Miami will host herself, her sons and her parentsCredit: Getty
    She split with long-time partner Pique following a cheating scandalCredit: AFP
    Since, she’s released multiple diss tracks about the ex Barca footballerCredit: Getty More

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    Real Madrid set to break 23-year-old Luis Figo Law as they look to pull off transfer raid on Barcelona

    REAL MADRID are preparing a shock transfer raid on rivals Barcelona for the first time in 23 years, reports suggest.That is according to Marca, via El Futbolero, who report that Real are keeping tabs on Barca star Gavi ahead of the summer transfer window.
    Real Madrid are eyeing Barcelona star Gavi ahead of the summer transfer windowCredit: Rex
    That means Los Blancos are planning to break an unwritten transfer rule agreed between the two LaLiga foes back in 2000.
    The two European giants promised they wouldn’t try to sign each other’s players in what is now known as the Luis Figo Law.
    The Merengues signed Figo from Barcelona 23 years ago in a deal that was met with intense rage from the Blaugrana faithful.
    Real splashed a then record £50million for the Portugal great, who enjoyed tremendous success at the Nou Camp with 45 goals and 58 assists in 249 appearances throughout a five-year stint.
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    The legendary winger then turned into persona non grata in Catalonia and was met with immense fury when visiting Barcelona with Real’s colours until 2005 when he left for Inter Milan.
    Figo is the last person to make a direct switch from one rival to another in Spain.
    Real now appear to consider Barcelona as “just another club” and are eyeing Gavi, whose deal runs out in 2026 and he has yet to pen an extension, but have yet to make an official move.
    The Catalan giants have been forced to remove the midfielder from their registration of first-team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
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    Consequently, the 18-year-old may now leave as a free agent in the summer.
    This comes amid Barcelona’s bid to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi.
    Barca will therefore have to raise funds to meet Messi’s salary demands.
    Gavi has also been targeted by Chelsea, who are looking for major reinforcement in the summer amid a disastrous Premier League campaign.
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    Real Madrid are looking to break the Luis Figo Law with BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    In fact, the Blues have been in talks with the Spain international’s representatives over a potential deal.
    And the West Londoners’ owner Todd Boehly is willing to make Gavi one of the Prem’s highest earners. More

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    Barcelona president Joan Laporta overheard revealing Lionel Messi transfer plan at LaLiga clash vs Getafe

    BARCELONA president Joan Laporta appeared to reveal his Lionel Messi transfer plan.Laporta was in the stands at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez yesterday to watch Barca’s 0-0 draw with Getafe.
    Joan Laporta appeared to confirm he will try and sign Lionel Messi back for Barcelona
    Messi is the club’s record appearance maker and goalscorerCredit: AFP

    The result saw the Catalan giants’ lead at the top of LaLiga cut to 11 points with Real Madrid beating Cadiz.
    But more importantly, it could have revealed the grand designs Laporta has to bring Messi back to the Nou Camp this summer, with initial contact already made.
    The 60-year-old posed for photographs with Barca supporters.
    And as he was doing so, one said to him: “Messi to Barca.”
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    Laporta replied with a smile and a wink and simply said: “Yes.”
    Now Barcelona fans are convinced the video circulating online is proof their club will try and re-sign Messi.
    One said: “It’s happening.”
    Another wrote: “He is coming home.”
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    A third added a video of Thomas Tuchel celebrating wildly down the touchline.
    But others are less convinced – after Laporta suggested Messi would not leave in 2021.
    One replied: “This guy is really good at PR and cheated Messi before. I don’t think he is reliable.”
    And a final user commented: “Until I see Messi in Barca shirt, I don’t believe anything.”
    Messi, 35, left Barcelona in tears when his contract expired in 2021 but could not sign an extension due to the LaLiga club’s financial woes and Spanish employment law preventing a major wage cut.
    Instead he signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
    But with that deal running out at the end of this season, his future is still unclear.

    There has reportedly been offers from Inter Miami as well as Saudi Arabia to try and lure Messi to a new market.
    However, Barcelona fans would be delighted to see their former captain, record appearance maker and record goalscorer return to the club he first joined aged 13.
    Messi was in tears as he left Barcelona in 2021Credit: AFP
    The Argentine’s contract at PSG expires this summerCredit: AFP More

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    Barcelona and Inter Milan in talks over transfer swap deal involving two of their top midfield stars

    BARCELONA and Inter Milan have discussed a swap deal involving midfielders Franck Kessie and Marcelo Brozovic, according to reports. Kessie joined Barcelona from Inter’s rivals AC Milan on a free transfer last summer but has consistently been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp.
    Kessie only joined Barcelona last summer but has been linked with a move away from Nou CampCredit: Rex
    Brozovic is reportedly seen as an ideal replacement for Sergio BusquetsCredit: Rex
    Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that a swap deal with Kessie and Inter midfielder Brozovic still has legs with specific factors making it an attractive option for both clubs.
    Brozovic has been at Inter since joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015 and has made 253 appearances for the club.
    The report adds that Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio met with his Barcelona counterpart Mateu Alemany on Thursday with the midfield pair part of their discussions.
    The idea of a swap deal was first mooted in January with nothing happening but Gazzetta have reported that the deal is still alive.
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    According to the report both midfielders are valued at about £26million which would make any potential swap relatively straight forward.
    It is also noted that both clubs would stand to benefit financially from the potential swap.
    Despite having a contract to 2026 there is ongoing tension between the Croatian and Inter with the report adding that Xavi likes his playmaking abilities.
    They report that the Catalan’s view the Croatian star as an ideal successor to Sergio Busquets.
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    The Ivory Coast international has reportedly been on Inter’s radar from long before he joined Barcelona. More

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    Gavi holds talks over Chelsea transfer but desperate Barcelona boss Xavi warns ‘I don’t think he would be happy’

    BARCELONA boss Xavi has warned Gavi the grass is not always greener amid reports linking him with a transfer to Chelsea. Gavi was rewarded with his first contract at the Nou Camp which would keep him at Barcelona until 2026.
    Gavi could leave Barcelona as a free agent this summerCredit: AP
    But Xavi has warned the grass is not always greenerCredit: Getty
    But the Catalan giants have been forced to remove him from their registration of first team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
    Consequently, the teenager may now leave as a free agent in the summer.
    Chelsea have reportedly been in talks with Gavi’s representatives over a potential deal, with one report suggesting Todd Boehly is willing to make him one of the Premier League’s highest earners.
    However, Xavi is desperate to keep the 2022 Kopa Trophy winner and he has questioned whether a move away from Barcelona would be right for him.
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    When asked about Gavi leaving, he said: “I don’t think Gavi would be happy at another club.
    “He has everything here. He is 18 years old. He’s a key player of our team.
    “For me, he’s a footballer that is outstanding.
    “I don’t know what he’ll decide but I think his future is here at the club.”
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    Gavi has featured 40 times in all competitions for Barcelona this season, including 27 times in La Liga.
    He also starred at the World Cup and became the youngest goalscorer at the tournament for Spain with his effort against Costa Rica. More