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    Ex-Man Utd star reveals why club should NOT sign Frenkie de Jong with transfer damaging prospect’s career

    FORMER Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has warned the Red Devils against signing Frenkie de Jong this summer.De Jong, 26, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford ever since Erik ten Hag took over.
    Man Utd have been linked with a move for Frenkie de JongCredit: Getty
    Mikael Silvestre has warned the Red Devils against signing the midfielderCredit: Getty
    Silvestre is concerned that signing De Jong will hinder Kobbie Mainoo’s developmentCredit: Getty
    United tried in vain to sign him all summer in 2022, with the midfielder ultimately snubbing them even after a fee was agreed with Barcelona.
    However, he is now finally open to a transfer, and several clubs are reportedly prepared to battle it out for his signature.
    Man Utd are expected to re-enter the race to sign De Jong, but Silvestre has warned that signing him could hinder Kobbie Mainoo’s development.
    The ex-United star told Bettingexpert.com: “If a player like Frenkie de Jong is available, he should be considered. But again you look at Kobbie and we talked about Scott, and we have Casemiro here.
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    “Will De Jong be an upgrade? Of course. Ahead of Kobbie but if you want to continue developing Mainoo and give him the time, I don’t think De Jong should come in.”
    He added: “If you qualify for the Champions League, then signing De Jong makes sense. You have to consider him for sure.

    “He’s a top player but putting him in a midfield where the manager likes to play with two defensive midfielders, if you play with three, it could be a different proposition.
    “So the answer is yes, do consider him.”
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    How De Jong and Mainoo compare this season
    Chelsea are also understood to be interested in signing De Jong.
    They are allegedly prepared to table a bid worth up to £85m for the Dutchman.
    Bruno Fernandes made incredible Kobbie Mainoo prediction ‘two or three years ago’ before he burst on to scene at Man Utd
    Paris Saint-Germain have also expressed an interest in signing him.
    The Dutchman joined Barcelona in a £64m transfer from Ajax in 2019 and has since made 206 first team appearances. More

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    Cancelo set to stay at Barcelona but cash-strapped LaLiga giants may have to talk Man City into another loan transfer

    BARCELONA are increasingly confident that on-loan Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo will stay at the Nou Camp.But the cash-strapped Catalans may have to talk City into another loan deal if they are to get their wish.
    Joao Cancelo has enjoyed the taste of life in Barcelona but finding an agreement to stay could be trickyCredit: Reuters
    Cancelo has been one of the success stories of a difficult season for Barca and is believed to want to remain at the club.
    The Portugal international has more than three years left on his City contract but the Premier League champions are in no hurry to have him back after his falling-out with boss Pep Guardiola.
    City would prefer to offload Cancelo this summer on a permanent deal to the highest bidder.
    But reports in Spain suggest agent Jorge Mendes is working hard to find a way his client could remain at Barcelona.
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    The club’s ongoing financial problems will make it difficult for them to fund a big-money deal for Cancelo this year while at the same time revamping an under-performing squad.
    A loan deal with a decent fee and an obligation to buy would be one way to keep everyone happy.
    Cancelo, 29, has featured in all but one of Barcelona’s LaLiga games this season and was involved in all six Champions League group games.
    Just as at City, his ability to play as a defender on both flanks, as well as further forward, has proved useful.
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    Cancelo also spent the second half of last season away from the Etihad, on loan at Bayern Munich, after a bust-up with Guardiola.
    The player made it know he was unhappy at being dropped in favour of Rico Lewis and was shown the door in January 2023.
    Fans fear Joao Cancelo has been ‘possessed’ after ‘terrifying’ interview of Barcelona star emerges – laliga
    Cancelo went on to complete a title double, winning the Bundesliga with Bayern and receiving a medal for his part in City’s Premier League triumph.
    There seems to be no way back at the Etihad for a player who arrived in 2019 from Juventus in a swap deal involving Danilo that was worth £60m. More

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    Ralf Rangnick lined up by European giants in first club job since Man Utd spell

    RALF RANGNICK has been lined up to make a stunning return to club management at Barcelona. Following legend Xavi’s shocking announcement that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, all eyes have turned to potential replacements.
    Ralph Rangnick is a shock contender for the Barcelona jobCredit: Getty
    The likes of Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta and even Lionel Messi have all been tipped.
    And now, straight out of left field, former Manchester United flop Rangnick has joined the list.
    The Austrian national team boss is 33/1 with the bookies for the job – leaving him outside the top 20 in the betting.
    Yet it has been reported that Barcelona President Joan Laporta ‘really likes’ him as an option to replace Xavi.
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    Rangnick is currently managing the Austrian national team but previously had a successful spell at RB Leipzig, where his genius recruitment strategy turned heads.
    He cleverly brought the likes of Emil Forsberg, Naby Keita and Timo Werner under the Red Bull roof.
    And he was credited with the meteoric rise of Leipzig from the lower leagues of German football to the Champions League from 2015 to 2021.
    It is fair to say things didn’t go so well at United, who finished the season in dreary sixth with 58 points, their lowest total to date.
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    Manchester United only managed 11 wins under Rangnick
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    But Laporta has a soft spot for German technicians and it won’t be the first time the club has gone down that route.
    Barca have had two German coaches in their history, Hans Weisweiler in the 75-76 season and legend Udo Lattek coached them between 1981 and 1983.
    Ten Hag reacts to Man Utd’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa
    Both had issues with star players – famously Weisweiler clashed with Johan Cruyff while Lattek had a run-in with Diego Maradona.
    Other candidates on Barca’s ‘shortlist’ include Arsenal’s Arteta, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique, Brigton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Xabi Alonso amongst others.
    But it’s Barca legend Raphael Marquez, currently manager of Barca’s B team, who has shot to the top of the betting. More

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    Xabi Alonso lined up for huge move to European giants his dad played for in blow to Liverpool

    XABI ALONSO has been lined up for a stunning move to Barcelona – a club his dad played for – in a huge blow to Liverpool. The Spaniard is currently top of the Camp Nou club’s ‘shortlist’ to replace Xavi Hernandez, who announced earlier this season he would be leaving the club this summer.  
    Xabi Alonso’s father Miguel Alonso played for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona are hoping Xabi Alonso’s childhood ties with them might tip the balance in their favourCredit: Getty
    Barca are keen to get their paws on the red-hot Bayern Leverkusen manager and are hoping his childhood ties with them might tip the balance in their favour.  
    Alonso’s father Miguel Alonso, known to some as Periko, played for Barcelona between 1982 and 1985. making 54 appearances.
    A large portion of Alonso’s childhood was spent in Catalonia, first in Barcelona, and then in Sabadell where his father also played. 
    If he were to be swayed, it would be a heavy blow to Real Madrid who reportedly want the 42-year-old to replace Carlo Ancelotti and work some of his magic at Bernabeu.
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    They’ve also got their own claim to the Leverkusen manager, whose six seasons, 236 appearances and six major trophies at the club have made him a legend there. 
    Alonso even went on to spend time as a youth coach in the Spanish capital, another reason for Real Madrid to hope they might soon hold the managerial ace. 
    Liverpool however lead the hunt, despite Alonso’s childhood ties with Barca.
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    He’s been tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool after the Reds manager dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. 
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    Alonso is leading the betting at 4/5 with Jamie Carragher believing the Spaniard would be the ideal choice.
    Unearthed video shows Xabi Alonso admitting Liverpool job is his DREAM after Jurgen Klopp quit
    Carragher told Sky Sports: “You can’t get away from Xabi Alonso because he’s so respected at Liverpool already for what he did as a player – he’s a Champions League winner, held himself with real class, he’s a World Cup winner.
    “Right now, the job he’s done at Bayer Leverkusen, he looks like the brightest young thing in European football. It certainly makes him the front-runner.”
    But now Bayern Leverkusen have thrown a spanner in the works as their managing director has announced he doesn’t think Alonso will be going anywhere at all.
    It’s no surprise the Leverkusen HQ are digging their fingernails in given the success Alonso’s had with them.
    He took over in October 2022 when the club were in a relegation battle and has since led them to the very top of the Bundesliga. 
    Now sitting five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a 3-0 victory to their biggest rivals Bayern Munich at the weekend.
    Managing director Simon Rofles responded ‘I’m sure’ to a question asking whether Alonso would stay. 
    He went on, saying: “The other thing is how comfortable he feels, the family, himself and that he knows what he has in the club. 
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    “He also has a very good team, we will have a very good perspective next year and there is no change in the team.
    “These are all points that, in addition to contracts, coaches like Xabi but also players who arouse interest from other clubs often keep us with us.” More

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    Watch as three women embarrassingly stack it on live TV while celebrating Barcelona goal

    BARCELONA’S 3-3 draw with relegation-threatened Granada wasn’t the only embarrassing moment for the club in this week’s LaLiga action.The crisis-hit side looked to be heading towards a routine win over the 19th placed side when young star Lamine Yamal put them in front in the 14th minute.
    The fans were celebrating Yamal’s openerCredit: ESPN via X formerly Twitter
    Before one lost her footingCredit: ESPN via X formerly Twitter
    And pulled her friends down with herCredit: ESPN via X formerly Twitter
    The three were sent tumblingCredit: ESPN via X formerly Twitter
    Before completely disappearing from viewCredit: ESPN via X formerly Twitter
    The 16-year-old got on the end of a Joao Cancelo cross to volley home in front of an open goal.
    And the breaking of the deadlock cued wild celebrations at the Olympic Stadium, where Barcelona are playing their football while the Nou Camp is renovated.
    Unfortunately for three fans, though, their celebrations were one to forget.
    Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) couldn’t help but notice three fans take a tumble in the midst of the celebrations.
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    One fan on the right, held her arms outstretched before losing her footing and pulling down her friend next to her.
    The tumble caused a chain reaction, with the fan on the left of her also being dragged down in the chaos of the celebration.
    The LaLiga TV feed then instantly cut to a shot of the Barcelona players to spare the blushes of the fans involved.
    Fans on X reacted to the clip, with one saying: “This just happened in Lamine Yamal’s goal I’m crying.”
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    Yamal opened the scoring for BarcelonaCredit: Rex
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    Another wrote: “Hahahahhahahaha they really fell out of their chair.”
    A third posted: “Context: They fell for it.”
    Xavi announces he’s stepping down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season
    While a fourth said: “She took them all with her.”
    Granada were able to come away with a point from Barcelona’s temporary home, with Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri able to get his share of the goals.
    The draw leaves Barcelona third in the league with their title defence dead in the water.
    The Catalan club are 10 points off leaders Real Madrid, with head coach Xavi already announcing he will step down at the end of the season amid the pressures of being Barca boss. More

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    Broke Barcelona put almost whole squad on transfer list with club desperate to sell two ex-Prem stars

    BARCELONA are set to make a series of high-profile players available for transfer this summer, according to reports.The cash-strapped LaLiga champions have made a series of short-term moves, including sanctioning the sale of Barca Studios, since Joan Laporta returned as club president in 2021.
    Xavi is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
    Barca’s decisions have been made in a bid to keep the team fighting on all fronts, despite being in more than a £1bn worth of debt.
    Splashy acquisitions in spite of their perilous financial situation included that of Robert Lewandowski in 2022.
    The approach initially led to winning last season’s LaLiga title.
    Their hopes of adding further silverware this term went up in smoke last month, however, as they crashed out of the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey.
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    They have also fallen 11 points behind Real Madrid in the title race, with boss Xavi to depart at the end of the campaign.
    According to The Athletic, Barca are set to have to slash their wage bill in the summer.
    Spanish outlet Marca add that they will make their most promising young talent “untouchable”.
    Barcelona are determined to keep the likes of Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Alejandro Balde, Ferran Torres and Pau Cubarsi.
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    In addition to to this exciting crop, Barca are also likely to try to retain experienced heads Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
    The rest of their squad are expected to be on the chopping block.
    Xavi announces he’s stepping down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season
    In particular, Jules Kounde and former Premier League duo Andreas Christensen and Raphinha are likely to be flogged.
    Kounde, 25, joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2022 after months of being strongly linked with Chelsea.
    He has gone on to play 69 times for Xavi’s side, often at right-back rather than in the middle.
    Christensen, 27, signed for Barca from the Blues that same summer and has two-and-a-half years left on his deal.
    Raphinha, meanwhile, signed in a deal worth around £55m from Leeds.
    The Brazilian, 27, has played 70 times for Barca – scoring 14 goals and laying on 19 assists.
    He attracted interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham prior to moving to Barcelona.
    The Catalan giants’ sporting director Deco has already confirmed that his side won’t make any splashy signings this summer.
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    He told local TV: “We will not do big signings next summer.
    “We need a new manager who understands the situation of the club, who understands that we have a lot of youngsters that need to be improved and worked on, who understands we are growing as a team and that we won’t make top signings next summer.”
    Raphinha and Andreas Christensen could both be sold this summerCredit: Getty
    Jules Kounde was linked with Chelsea before joining BarcelonaCredit: Rex More

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    I played with Messi for seven years at Barcelona but he wasn’t a great friend – we had to be separated during a bust-up

    A BARCELONA legend – who could soon be their new manager – has lifted the lid on a row with Lionel Messi that forced Pep Guardiola to intervene.And he insists that both he and the icon Argentina forward were just merely work colleagues and not friends.
    Rafael Marquez became a legend at Barcelona and now coaches their B teamCredit: Getty
    He had a bitter falling out with Lionel Messi while at the Nou CampCredit: AFP
    The man in question is Mexican icon Rafael Marquez, who is now back at the Nou Camp as boss of their second team.
    The 44-year-old, who has been touted as the replacement for Xavi in the Barcelona dug-out this summer, spent seven years playing for the club until 2010.
    He won the LaLiga titel four times and the Champions League plus a number of other honours during that period as the then-teenage Messi burst onto the scene.
    However, Messi’s continual dribbling in training left Marquez fuming.
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    He has now revealed how it led to him losing his temper as a huge argument erupted between them.
    And he says it got so bad that ex-boss Guardiola, now in charge of Manchester City, had to step in.
    Speaking to Yordi Rosada, Marquez said: “We knew that Leo could dribble to three or four players, but sometimes exaggerated it a lot.
    “We tried to direct it, saying to him: ‘Here you dribble, here you don’t’.
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    “By my strong insistence in these instructions, started a problem between Messi and I.
    “We began to exchange words and Guardiola had to intervene to solve the problem.
    GRAPHIC-VID_LIONEL_MESSI
    “Messi and I were not big friends, we were colleagues.”
    Marquez had spells with New York Red Bulls, Leon, Hellas Verona and Atlas prior to hanging up his boots in 2018.
    Messi, meanwhile, left in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after smashing dozens of records at Barcelona, before moving on to Inter Miami, where he currently plays.
    Both players have starred in five World Cups, with the latter leading Argentina to glory in Qatar in December 2022. More

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    Barcelona to rival Man Utd and Arsenal for Amadou Onana transfer… but can get nowhere near Everton’s asking price

    BARCELONA will join the race to sign Amadou Onana – but only if Everton drop their £51m asking price.Like the cash-strapped Toffees, Barcelona have their own financial issues and cannot afford to go beyond £34m as things stand.
    Barcelona have joined the chase for Everton’s Amadou OnanaCredit: Getty
    But the Spanish giants are monitoring the midfielder’s situation closely.
    Everton will hope to generate an auction for Onana this summer.
    Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all among the clubs to have him on their shortlist.
    The 22-year-old Belgian international arrived at Goodison Park from Lille for £33.5m after snubbing West Ham in August 2022.
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    He instantly became a key player under Frank Lampard.
    And he remains an integral part of the Toffees team under Sean Dyche as they fight relegation.

    Onana is under contract at Everton until 2027 after penning a five-year deal upon his arrival.
    Man United boss Erik ten Hag is also still keen to revive interest in Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
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    The Old Trafford club have been linked with a £120m double swoop for De Jong and Nou Camp team-mate Ronald Araujo.
    If Barca received a big fee for one or both players, it would give them a better chance of competing for Onana without risking a breach of FFP rules.
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