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      Man City facing fight to keep hold of Bernardo Silva with his future ‘not clear’ as Barcelona circle for attacker

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      BERNARDO SILVA could be on his way to Barcelona with his Manchester City future up in the air, according to reports. The Portuguese star has been tracked by Barcelona for some time and was wanted in a £70million transfer last summer.
      Bernardo Silva could be on his way to BarcelonaCredit: AP
      However, this move failed, and fast forward eight months the La Liga leaders are once again set to try and land the 28-year-old.
      According to The Telegraph, Silva’s future at the club is “uncertain.”
      And Spanish outlet Sport have reported Silva’s intention is to leave the Premier League.
      Silva has once again enjoyed a strong season at the Etihad, scoring three goals and adding five assists in 23 Premier League games.
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      But with the Cityzens falling behind in the title race to Arsenal, Pep Guardiola has reshuffled his tactical layout.
      This has seen Silva deployed like an auxiliary left-back, filling in and helping City in buildup from their defensive third.
      Despite the change in position, Silva has continued to excel, ranking well in a number of metrics.
      These include ranking ninth in the division for progressive carries, 13th in goal-creating actions and 17th for tackles in the middle third.
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      Silva would likely fit Xavi’s system at Barcelona well, explaining their long-term interest.
      However, they will need to pay up the reported £71m asking price (€80m).
      Should the Blaugrana fail in their attempts to land Silva, Sport’s report suggests Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are both interested.
      Meanwhile, City could replace Silva with Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic. More

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      Arsenal set to suffer Vitor Roque transfer blow with 18-year-old Athletico Paranaense wonderkid wanting Barcelona move

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      ARSENAL are set to miss out on Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque as he has stated his desire to join Barcelona.The Spanish giants have been leading the race for the Athletico Paranaense forward, who turned 18 on Tuesday.
      Brazil’s Vitor Roque score six goals at the U20 South American ChampionshipCredit: AP
      He has made 37 appearances for Paranaense, contributing seven goals and three assists.
      On top of his club form, he has bagged six goals in 11 appearances for Brazil’s U20s – all of which came at the South American championships earlier this year.
      Arsenal are among a host of other clubs chasing his signature, including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.
      However, it now seems unlikely he will move anywhere but the Nou Camp after recent remarks about the Catalan club and striker Robert Lewandowski.
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      Speaking to Sport, he said: “I feel ready to make the move to Barcelona, of course. It would be amazing to play with Lewandowski.
      “Barcelona is a dream. If I end up there, it will be a great joy for my family and me. It’d be a fantastic move.”
      Known as ‘Tigrinho’ – or ‘Little Tiger’ – in Brazil, Roque has already been likened to legendary striker Ronaldo and Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.
      And he is not expected to go cheaply as his Paranaense contract contains a £53million release clause.
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      Former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is now technical director for Paranaense, has made it clear Roque is set to leave.
      The 74-year-old said: “Vitor will probably be sold.
      “He’s 17 years old and has a lot to learn on the pitch. But he’s been playing in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores since he was 16.” More

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      Man Utd still want Frenkie de Jong transfer this summer as Barcelona midfielder impresses in Europa League clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED remain keen on signing Frenkie De Jong, according to reports. De Jong and Man Utd were in a well-documented transfer saga last summer, with the midfielder ultimately rejecting a move in order to fight for his spot at Barcelona.
      Manchester United remain keen on signing Frenkie de JongCredit: Getty
      De Jong showed off his press resistance in the home leg of the Europa League clash
      However, Erik ten Hag has remained keen on signing him.
      According to Sport, United are planning to make two major signings in the summer window.
      One of the priorities is a new midfielder, particularly with a profile to complement Casemiro.
      Ten Hag wants to add a player with a strong ability to build up play from deep, a role De Jong can certainly fulfil – as proven in the Man Utd and Barcelona clash in the Europa League.
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      He is also equally comfortable as the deepest player in the midfield if required.
      The report describes De Jong, 25, as being “key” to Ten Hag’s system at former club Ajax.
      Current club Barcelona remains in need of departures in order to help balance the books, which has left them open to selling De Jong.
      But should a move not transpire as hoped, United have contingency plans.
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      Sport’s report adds Jude Bellingham is another major midfield target.
      Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are two other big-name targets – most likely to be brought in to try and solve the squad’s striker issues.
      United knocked Barcelona out of the Europa League before winning the Carabao Cup.
      The Red Devils are next in action at Old Trafford against West Ham United in the FA Cup tonight. More

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      Arsenal and Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas fumes after being robbed of LaLiga title with Barcelona

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      CESC FABREGAS believes he was robbed of a LaLiga title during his time at Barcelona.The midfielder is still fuming after a vital Lionel Messi goal was incorrectly ruled out by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for offside.
      Cesc Fabregas is still annoyed about losing the 2013/14 LaLiga titleCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Lionel Messi was denied a goal in that crucial meetingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi was judged to be offside as the ball came to him with officials thinking that Fabregas was the last one to touch the ball.
      But replays showed that it was actually Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran with the final touch.
      If the goal had been allowed to stand then Barcelona would have beaten Atletico on the final day of the 2013/14 season and sealed the league title.
      However, the game finished 1-1, meaning the trophy went to Atletico.
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      And Fabregas – who would have picked up his second Spanish LaLiga title – is still annoyed about the mistake.
      He said: “They took away a league against Atlético de Madrid from me.
      “I was in the game and they annulled a goal that was legal, because I didn’t touch the ball, Juanfran touched it.”
      Former Barcelona assistant manager Elvio Paolorosso even revealed that referee Antonio Meteu Lahoz admitted his mistake and apologised to the team after the game.
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      He said: “Messi scored a goal that would have given us the title and the referee ruled it out.
      “We were crying in the dressing room and the referee came to apologise.”
      Midfield maestro Fabregas left Barcelona following the end of the season and returned to the Premier League by joining Chelsea.
      He is now playing for Serie B side Como after a three-year stint with AS Monaco. More

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      Vladimir Putin gives Russian citizenship to two Brazilian footballers including ex-Barcelona star

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      VLADIMIR PUTIN has given two Brazilian football stars Russian citizenship.Ex-Barcelona winger Malcom, who interested Arsenal and Tottenham, plus midfielder Claudinho are key men for Russian top-flight leaders Zenit.
      Malcom was tipped as a future Brazil hero when he joined Barcelona in 2018 but the Zenit player has now accepted Russian citizenshipCredit: Getty
      Claudinho, seen tangling with Chelsea’s Reece James in the Champions League in December 2021, can also now get a Russian passportCredit: Getty
      It’s claimed both former Brazil under-23 internationals wanted their new status for tax reasons.
      But Zenit were quick to celebrate after the pair were amongst 38 foreigners granted citizenship by a special decree from Russian president Putin on Friday.
      The Saint Petersburg club stated: “Everyone at Zenit congratulates Malcom and Claudinho on becoming citizens of Russia. 
      “We wish them the best of luck and many more victories with the blue-white-sky blues!”
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      Putin’s decision might be seen as a propaganda move, exactly a year after he launched his country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
      And Dmitry Khomukha, the ex-head coach of the Russian youth team, suggested the two players were motivated only by money.
      Khomukha, who won 15 caps for Turkmenistan, is now boss of Russian third-tier club FC Kaluga.
      Just before the duo’s citizenship was granted, Sport24 quoted the 53-year-old as saying: “I have a negative attitude towards the naturalization of football players.
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      “Especially in the current situation that the national team does not participate in the tournaments and the foreign transfer has nothing to do with football.
      “Here the monetary interests of the players themselves play a role. Income tax will be reduced to 15 per cent, but now they pay much more – this is the main reason.”
      Former Bordeaux hero Malcom, 25, was linked with Premier League clubs before joining Zenit from Barca in 2019.
      And Claudinho, 26, switched from Brazilian top-flight team Red Bull Bragantino to Zenit two years ago.
      Vladimir Putin gave Russian citizenship to 38 people by decreeCredit: AFP More

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      Erik ten Hag brands Man Utd star Fred a ‘mosquito’ after ‘stopping’ Barcelona star in Europa League

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      ERIK TEN HAG heaped praise on Fred for his performance against Barcelona.The Brazilian midfielder was vital to the result as he scored the equaliser before Antony’s winning goal.
      Erik ten Hag was happy with Fred’s performance against BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
      He scored and stopped Frenkie de Jong from dominating the midfieldCredit: Getty
      Fred also stopped Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong from controlling the game.
      Ten Hag compared the 29-year-old to a mosquito as he was consistently bothering the Dutch midfielder.
      Fred was all over the pitch as he had 47 touches of the ball.
      Ten Hag said: “He had an important role already last week in Barcelona.
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      “First, to stop Frenkie de Jong playing, he had to play as a mosquito around him and go behind him, and he did it magnificently.
      “Last week, he gave a brilliant assist for Rashy [Marcus Rashford], and today he scored a goal, brilliant performance.”
      Ten Hag will also be happy with how Fred stopped De Jong considering how Man United failed to sign him in the summer transfer window.
      Fred’s energy was crucial to United’s approach to the match as he had 47 touches of the ball all over the pitch.
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      Ten Hag – who himself received a lot of praise – insisted that the speed of his players was vital to how he wanted them to play.
      He added: “I like the speed. I like dynamic football.
      “I don’t like static football, I don’t like boring football.
      “I like football that entertains the people.”
      Ten Hag will be hoping his players can continue to perform at the same level in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday. More

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      Man Utd broke incredible 37-match Barcelona streak as impressive stats from win laid bare

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’s Europa League victory over Barcelona has been backed up by some impressive stats.The Red Devils beat the LaLiga side at Old Trafford last night thanks to goals from Fred and Antony cancelling out Robert Lewandowski’s opener.
      Manchester United registered some incredible stats by beating BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
      Including ending Barcelona’s unbeaten streak when leading at half timeCredit: Getty
      The result meant that United ran out as 4-3 victors on aggregate.
      The comeback from United meant that they broke Barcelona’s 37-match unbeaten steak when they were ahead at half time.
      The win for United was their 28th in all competitions this season, no other club in Europe’s major leagues has more.
      It is also the club’s 14th win out of 18 games since Cristiano Ronaldo left the club for Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr, they are also unbeaten in 18 games at Old Trafford.
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      Ronaldo left the club by mutual consent following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
      Also, United managed to score four goals across the two legs against the Catalonians.
      This is the same as 57 per cent of the goals they have conceded in 22 LaLiga games this season.
      One of the goals came from Antony, the 19th scored by a substitute for the club this term.
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      Which is also more than any other big five European league side this campaign.
      Fellow goalscorer Fred was also impressive as he registered 47 touches across the pitch as he was involved throughout the entire game.
      The performance has seen manager Erik ten Hag gain a lot of praise from former United stars for improving the club.
      United will now switch their attention back to the Carabao Cup as they face Newcastle in the final on Sunday. More

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      Ten Hag reveals motivational dressing room talk that inspired Man Utd to beat Barcelona with five key tactical tweaks

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      ERIK TEN HAG has revealed the five tactical changes he made that helped Man United beat Barcelona.The Red Devils dumped the LaLiga giants out of the Europa League with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford last night.
      Erik ten Hag made five changes during half time against BarcelonaCredit: PA
      He wanted the team to press more and use Casemiro moreCredit: Getty
      He also brought on match-winner AntonyCredit: Getty
      Fred and Antony fired back for United after Robert Lewandowski has initially given Barcelona the lead from the spot.
      But it was not until the second half that the hosts started to really play well.
      Manager ten Hag after the game revealed to the press that there were five tweaks that needed to happen.
      The Dutchman wanted his players to have more “belief” and to use midfielder Casemiro more.
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      He also wanted Aaron Wan-Bissaka to get more of the ball and for the team to be braver in the press as well as bringing on match-winner Antony.
      He said: “I emphasised the belief. It was too flat first half.
      “We had our spare man, Casemiro we didn’t use enough. 
      “Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a lot of space on the right side, we didn’t use enough.
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      “I think in the pressing we could be more brave.
      “So that is what we emphasised.
      “The second was to make the sub with Antony, who brought more speed in the play and who brings belief on the pitch.”
      United midfielder and goalscorer Fred praised the team-talk after the game.
      He told BT Sport: “He said in the first half that we didn’t play like how we [normally] play.
      “But in the second half we were much better, we started very well and scored early.
      “We had a good talk in half-time with the coach, we changed our minds at half-time and the second half went very well.”
      United will find out their round of 16 opponents today with he draw starting at 11am. More