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    Lionel Messi has ‘verbal agreement’ to snub summer transfer and STAY at PSG with talks over contract extension imminent

    LIONEL MESSI has made a “verbal pact” with Paris Saint-Germain to stay at the club beyond the end of the season, according to reports.The Argentine, 35, will become a free agent in the summer if he does not agree a new deal with the French champions.
    Lionel Messi is set to extend his stay in Paris beyond two seasonsCredit: Getty
    He has been linked with a return to Barcelona or a move to the MLS to join Inter Miami.
    But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Messi and PSG have an informal agreement and will not hurry the details of the contract extension.
    Speaking on Twitter, Romano said: “Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain have verbal pact to continue together. 🔴🔵🇦🇷 #PSG
    “There will be a new meeting with his camp to discuss length of contract, salary and more.
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    “Nothing signed this week, no rush as the plan is already clear: Messi will continue in Paris.”
    Messi struggled during his first year in the French capital, contributing 11 goals and 15 assists in 34 games.
    But since the start of the 2022/23 campaign the South American icon has rediscovered some of his best form.
    He already has as many goal contributions this term than in the entirety of last season – 12 goals and 14 assists in just 19 matches.
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    In November, he paused his time at PSG to head to the World Cup.
    And Messi produced a remarkable set of performances throughout the tournament as he achieved a career-long goal of lifting the World Cup with Argentina.
    His seven goals and three assists inspired Lionel Scaloni’s men to glory as Argentina became three-time world champions.
    He is yet to play for PSG since the World Cup but flew back to Paris on January 1 and is set to train in the coming days.
    Christophe Galtier’s side are four points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
    They are also in the last-16 of the Champions League and will face Bayern Munich in the first leg of a blockbuster tie on February 14, before the return leg on March 8. More

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    Barcelona ‘eye Wilfried Zaha free transfer as club seek cut price replacement for flops Ferran Torres and Raphinha’

    BARCELONA are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer.Zaha, 30, has been on top form so far this season, with six goals and two assists in 15 Premier League games for Crystal Palace.
    Barcelona are interested in signing ZahaCredit: PA
    However, his future at Selhurst Park is in serious doubt.
    The winger has just six months remaining on his current contract and he is yet to agree terms for a new deal.
    On New Year’s Day, he became free to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs.
    And according to Fichajes, La Liga giants Barcelona are considering a swoop.
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    The cash-strapped Catalan giants are currently seeking a replacement for out-of-favour attacker Ferran Torres.
    Torres joined the club in a £55million transfer from Manchester City 12 months ago, but he has failed to impress Barca boss Xavi.

    The Spaniard has scored 12 goals in 45 appearances since joining Barcelona last winter, but he quickly fell down the pecking order at the club when Robert Lewandowski signed in the summer transfer window.
    Xavi is now hopeful that Torres will be sold for a reasonable fee this month.
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    Barcelona are seeking a replacement for TorresCredit: Getty
    Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing the striker as a back-up for Harry Kane.
    Fichajes claim that Spurs are willing to offer £31m for Torres.
    Arsenal and AC Milan are also known to be considering a move. More

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    Shakira appears to take swipe at Gerard Pique in New Year’s Day post after messy split with ex-Barcelona star

    SHAKIRA appeared to hit out at ex Gerard Pique in a New Year’s Day Instagram post.The Colombian pop superstar and the footballer confirmed their split after 11 years back in June.
    Shakira and Pique ended their 11-year relationship last yearCredit: Getty
    The pair have two kids together, Milan, nine, and Sasha, sevenCredit: Instagram
    She recently denied claims that she’s dating Gorka Ezkurdia after they were seen together near the Spanish city of Santander.
    And the 45-year-old seems still have Pique on her mind after she sent a message to fans on social media.
    She wrote on Instagram: “Although our wounds continue to be open in this new year, time has surgeon’s hands.
    “Even if someone has betrayed us, we have to keep trusting. In the face of contempt, keep valuing yourself.
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    “Because there are more good people than bad people. More empathetic people than indolent people.
    “There are fewer who leave and more who stay by our side.
    “Our tears are not a waste, they water the soil where the future will be born and make us more human, so in the midst of heartbreak we can continue to love. Doubt❣️.”
    Shakira met ex-Barcelona star Pique, 35, when he was training in Madrid ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
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    They never tied the knot, but they did have two kids together, Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven.
    Reports in Spain claimed the former defender, who recently announced his retirement from football, allegedly cheated on the singer.
    The duo appeared in court last month over the custody of their children and their £12m house.
    They eventually reached a custody settlement after a 12-hour meeting with lawyers. More

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    Frenkie de Jong ‘keen on Man Utd transfer’ following improved form under Ten Hag, leaving Barcelona fuming

    FRENKIE DE JONG was the one that got away from Manchester United in the summer.But the Red Devils could reignite their interest in the midfielder amid reports he wants to join the club.
    Frenkie de Jong is rumoured to be open to joining the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
    De Jong has revealed his desire to move to Old Trafford, according to a sensational report from Fichajes.
    That’s after United spent much of the summer trying to sign him, with Barcelona looking vulnerable due to their financial issues.
    In the end he stayed, and has been an important player for Xavi this season.
    His reported desire to join the Red Devils is said to have angered Barcelona chiefs.
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    The club were claimed to be open to letting him leave in the summer in order to trim down their wage bill.
    De Jong himself though wanted to stay in Spain, and hit back at critics who accused him of rejecting a wage cut.
    So now the fact he is alleged to have changed his mind, after claims from Sport any attempts to reduce his wages have been shelved, has not gone down well at the club.
    The midfielder may have been left impressed by Erik ten Hag’s side this season.
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    United have won their last three Premier League games and are fourth in the table.
    Although Ten Hag recently hinted at January transfers as he bemoaned the lack of “quality” depth at the club.
    An attacker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo is top of the agenda, although the Red Devils did lose out on Cody Gakpo to rivals Liverpool. More

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    Tottenham ‘make £13m transfer bid for Franck Kessie just six months after Ivorian midfielder joined Barcelona on a free’

    TOTTENHAM have reportedly submitted a bid for Franck Kessie – just six months after his move to Barcelona.The Ivory Coast international has failed to establish himself in the starting XI at the Nou Camp – starting only five of Barca’s 20 matches this season.
    Franck Kessie has yet to hold down a place in Barcelona’s starting XICredit: GETTY
    And Tottenham have reportedly tabled a £13m bid for the Ivory Coast internationalCredit: REX
    And Kessie’s lack of minutes is said to have prompted Spurs boss Antonio Conte to table a £13million for his services.
    Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez said: “There is an offer from Tottenham for Kessie of just over 15 million euros.”
    Despite his poor start to life at the Nou Camp, Kessie is eager to fight for his place in the starting XI.
    Sport claim Kessie, 26, is “convinced” he can turn things around and become an integral part of Xavi’s squad.
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    But he’ll have to hit the ground running as it’s claimed club legend Xavi “doesn’t trust him”.
    Spurs chief Conte revealed plans to strengthen his underperforming squad following their 2-2 draw with Brentford on Boxing Day.
    He said: “What do I want the club to do? I think it’s not right to say this.

    “I think that in every club, there is the head coach, and sporting director and the owner, to try to speak about the situation.
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    “I can give advice to my club, the way to try to improve the team, and to improve the quality in the squad.
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    “Especially because after five months, the situation has changed, from the start of the season.
    “I think if there is the opportunity to strengthen the squad, we will do something.
    “You know which is our policy, you know very well which is our policy.
    “We will try to follow this policy and to improve the team.
    Spurs boss Antonio Conte is keen to bring in reinforcements next yearCredit: Getty
    “If there is the possibility to strengthen the squad we will do it.
    “Otherwise, we will continue with these players, and I am happy with them.”
    Barcelona will be back in action on New Year’s Eve in a local derby with Espanyol at the Nou Camp.
    Spurs, meanwhile, will welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on New Year’s Day. More

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    Sergi Roberto reveals he is paid like a YOUTH TEAM player at Barcelona after taking huge salary cut amid financial woes

    BARCELONA star Sergi Roberto revealed he took a youth team wage to remain at the club in the summer.The defender signed a one-year deal at the end of last season to stay at the Nou Camp.
    Sergi Roberto accepted a big wage cut to stay at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    But he took a significant wage cut due to the financial problems at the LaLiga giants.
    Roberto has just over six months remaining on his contract but he is hopeful of signing a long-term deal on a much-improved salary.
    However, he admitted in an interview with RAC1 that the club are yet to open talks over a new contract.
    He said: “Right now I’m getting paid as if I had moved up from Barca B, but I do it with pride because I want to be here. For me the economic issue is not important.
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    “We haven’t started talking [about a new contract] yet, but my idea is to stay. From what the coaching staff have told me, they are very happy with me and want me to stay.
    “I would be very excited to be able to continue, to be able to enjoy myself on the pitch with the Barca shirt.”
    Barcelona could open negotiations with Roberto over the next few weeks, while Frenkie de Jong is also now said to be indispensable.
    It is also claimed any attempts to reduce the Dutchman’s wages have been shelved.
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    De Jong’s position at Barcelona had for long appeared unstable with a row over his wages making headlines earlier this season.
    But it now appears tensions have cooled and the 25-year-old has become a key part of Xavi’s side. More

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    Premier League flop and ex-Barcelona ace once dubbed ‘the next Lionel Messi’ leaves TENTH club

    BARCELONA academy graduate and ex-Stoke ace Bojan Krkic is set to find himself without a club for the TENTH time aged only 32.Bojan has confirmed his spell at Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe is coming to an end, which means the nomadic career of the once dubbed “next Lionel Messi” is set to extend.
    Ex-Barcelona ace Bojan Krkic is without a club for the TENTH timeCredit: AFP – Getty
    Former Stoke ace Bojan Krkic is leaving Japanese outfit Vissel KobeCredit: Rex Features
    The forward reunited with Barca legend Andres Iniesta in the J1 League last year but only managed one goal and three assists in 26 appearances.
    Bojan said: “I would like to thank everyone involved with Vissel Kobe for giving me the opportunity to come to Japan and experience this country and the league.
    “While interacting with the culture of this country, I felt the love and respect from everyone.
    “Thanks to that, I was able to adapt to the environment right away, and I developed a sense of respect for Japan as a country.
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    “My challenge at Vissel Kobe will end with this, but I will continue to support the team as a supporter with this memory as a treasure.”
    Bojan looked destined for greatness when he was promoted to Barcelona’s first team by then manager Pep Guardiola in 2007 and looked set to follow in Messi’s footsteps.
    The former Spain international quickly became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer – before Ansu Fati broke his record – but has since seen his career nosedive.
    The versatile striker fell out of favour at the Nou Camp and moved to Roma in 2011 but only lasted a year before being sent out on loan at AC Milan.
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    The Spaniard returned to Barcelona in 2013 but was immediately loaned out to Ajax after impressing Blaugrana legend Johan Cruyff.
    Bojan was signed by Stoke a year later with then manager Mark Hughes singing his praises.
    During his time on the Potters’ books he amassed 16 goals and three assists in 85 appearances across all competitions.
    Bojan spent two of his five years at the bet365 Stadium on loan to Mainz and Alaves.
    He left Stoke in 2019 for the MLS as he signed for Montreal Impact where he only stayed for a year before joining Vissel Kobe. More

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    Youssoufa Moukoko ‘ready to join cash-strapped Barcelona on free transfer but Chelsea could nab Dortmund ace in January’

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND youngster Youssoufa Moukoko reportedly wants to join Barcelona.But the cash-strapped Spaniards can only afford to sign him on a free in the summer.
    Barcelona want to sign Borussia Dortmund and Germany ace Youssoufa MoukokoCredit: Getty
    That raises the possibility of Dortmund selling elsewhere in January to avoid losing him for free.
    There is reported to be interest from both Chelsea and Liverpool.
    The Blues are even claimed to have submitted a contract proposal to Moukoko.
    However, the 18-year-old is ready to join Barcelona, according to Sport.
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    Moukoko is out of contract at the end of the season and free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January.
    He is alleged to have rejected Dortmund’s offer of a new deal and is prioritising a switch to the Nou Camp.
    But Barca have made it clear to him that they will only sign him for free in the summer.
    They are unable to bid for him in January, and also won’t be able to match the personal terms offered by Premier League clubs in the summer.
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    If Dortmund are resigned to losing Moukoko, they would rather part ways with him in January in order to receive a transfer fee.
    Although signing a new deal at Dortmund has also not yet been ruled out after Moukoko hit out at claims that he turned down an offer.
    Barcelona are claimed to be in advanced negotiations with the teenager, but reportedly need the teenager to compromise on wage demands.
    Moukoko’s representatives are allegedly demanding £6.1million-a-year for the striker, which works out at £117,000-a-week.
    Barca are not willing to match that figure, which could see another team swoop in January. More