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    Luis Suarez ‘agrees free transfer to Gremio from Lionel Messi’s house’ as ‘friend’ urges Uruguay star to sign

    LUIS SUAREZ is reportedly set to join Brazilian club Gremio after being urged by a “friend” – believed to be Lionel Messi – to make the switch.The Uruguayan was at his boyhood club Nacional but he is believed agreed to the free transfer following advice from his former Barcelona team-mate.
    Luis Suarez is reportedly close a move to Brazilian club GremioCredit: EPA
    Suarez is staying with Lionel Messi who is said to have told him to join the Brazilian clubCredit: Instagram – @leomessi

    The striker is currently staying at Messi’s home in Rosario to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
    Suarez is happy for his close friend, despite suffering his own heartbreak at the competition in Qatar as Uruguay were knocked out at the group stage.
    During their holiday, they are believed to have discussed Suarez’s future and terms put forward by Gremio, according to reports.
    Gremio football deputy Paulo Caleffi has told TV Bandeirantes: “Suarez said that ‘his friend’ recommended coming to Gremio, which was the best way”.
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    However, the move is not 100 per cent complete as the 35-year-old striker has other interest in him.
    The report has suggested that Mexican side Cruz Azul have offered Suarez a contract “twice as big” as the Brazilian club.
    Although Gremio are stated as expecting “a response” from Suarez and that they will not “extend the negotiation for a long period”.
    The report says that they are hoping to have a “definitive” answer by Sunday.
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    The former Liverpool striker played with Messi during a trophy-filled six-year stint at Barcelona.
    He left the LaLiga side in 2020 as he joined Atletico Madrid and in his first season he won his fifth Spanish league title. More

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    Man Utd think Barcelona are ‘playing games’ over Frenkie de Jong and using tactics to inflate his transfer fee

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly convinced that Barcelona are trying to drive up the price for Frenkie de Jong.The Dutch midfielder is a long-term target for the Red Devils after they tried to sign him during the summer transfer window.
    Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong’s price is reportedly being driven up by BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that De Jong is “non-transferable”, according to Sport.
    But the report suggests that it is a tactic in order to raise his price ahead of a potential sale of the player.
    This season, the midfielder has made 17 appearances for Barcelona, scoring twice and assisting one goal.
    De Jong is believed to have told Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag that he was happy to move to Old Trafford.
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    But a move failed to materialise in the summer as the 25-year-old refused to leave the club due to his deferred wages.
    De Jong took a pay cut in order to help Barcelona’s financial crisis, and he is still owed £17 million by the La Liga club.
    In the summer, United were willing to pay up to £60m for the midfielder but after failing to pull off the move, they opted for Real Madrid star Casemiro.
    However, it is thought that United are still very much interested in signing him.
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    They reportedly want to pair him with Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham in a £200m splurge to reinvent their midfield.
    Although the transfer are more likely to happen in the transfer window next summer. More

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    Barcelona consider selling Raphinha with Brazil star ‘failing to live up to his Leeds standard’ following £55m transfer

    BARCELONA will consider selling Raphinha if his form does not improve before the end of the season, according to reports.The 26-year-old joined the Catalan giants from Leeds in the summer in a deal worth a huge £55million.
    Raphinha has struggled to settle since arriving at the Nou CampCredit: Getty
    But he has failed to hit the ground running in Spain, managing just two goals and four assists in 18 appearances.
    He then went to the World Cup with Brazil and did not register any goal contributions in five matches as Tite’s men were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Croatia.
    According to Sport, it is now imperative he turns his form around at the Nou Camp before the summer.
    If he does not, it is believed Barcelona will assess his situation at the end of the campaign.
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    Manager Xavi and the rest of his backroom stuff are thought to be getting “impatient” with the South American as they “expect much more from him”.
    Ousmane Dembele has made the right flank position his own ahead of Raphinha.
    And there is a danger Ansu Fati could also leapfrog the ex-Leeds playmaker if his performances do not improve.
    Raphinha snubbed Arsenal and Chelsea in order to secure his “dream” move to Barcelona.
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    Speaking after putting pen to paper, he said: “All my idols played and made history here so it’s a huge honour and I can’t thank Barca enough for giving me the chance to wear this jersey.
    “I hope I can achieve half of what my idols accomplished here.
    “It’s a dream come true for me and my family. I’m going to do my best to help this club win (trophies).”
    Barcelona will resume LaLiga action in a local derby at home to Espanyol on December 31.
    They currently sit two points above Real Madrid at the top of the table having won all six of their league games before the World Cup break.
    But they exited the Champions League in the group stage for the second season running after picking up just seven points from six matches. More

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    Man Utd handed Frenkie de Jong transfer blow as Barcelona chief Laporta says ‘I’ve never wanted to sell him’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt another blow in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta insistent that he does not want to sell the midfielder.The Red Devils were heavily linked with a swoop for De Jong throughout the summer transfer window, but a move never came to fruition.
    De Jong has been linked with a move to Man UtdCredit: Reuters
    Laporta has insisted that he has no intention to sell the DutchmanCredit: AP
    Manager Erik ten Hag was desperate to reunite with the former Ajax star and he even prepared an offer of at least £70million in an attempt to sign him from Barcelona.
    However, Barca chief Laporta has now revealed that he never wanted to sell De Jong in the first place.
    In an interview with Barca TV, he said: “I’ve never wanted to sell Frenkie de Jong. He has to be a pillar of the team.”
    Earlier this year, De Jong confirmed his desire to remain in Spain.
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    He told The Guardian: “I’m very happy I’m at Barcelona: from a young age I’ve wanted to be here, so in that way it has been a dream come true.
    “But I would have liked to win more trophies than we did in my first two years. I expected more in that sense, let’s put it that way.
    “But other than that, I’m very happy here and hopefully [will be here] for many more years.”
    However, he recently informed Ten Hag that he would be “happy” to join Man Utd.
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    After missing out on signing De Jong during the summer transfer window, the Red Devils added Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to their midfield ranks.
    Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Antony also made the switch to Old Trafford, but Ten Hag is looking to make a few more additions come January.
    United are reportedly interested in signing World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, but they will have to fork out over £105m for his services.
    Another name on the transfer radar is PSV winger Cody Gakpo, who has been priced at around £50m.
    PSV manager and former Man Utd striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is determined to to keep the Dutchman in Eindhoven until the summer, but he recently admitted that it will be difficult.
    He said: “If I have the choice, I prefer the summer, but it can also be now, you know there comes a time when you can’t say no.
    “It is wonderful how he has showcased himself.
    “I enjoyed watching him (at the World Cup), he deserves this because of how he has behaved, how he has continued to work and perform.
    “I was able to help him from very close by and that makes me proud. I’ll give him his path when it comes.” More

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    Chelsea star N’Golo Kante ‘wants to sign pre-contract with Barcelona in January as he targets free transfer exit’

    N’GOLO KANTE wants a pre-contract deal with Barcelona in January as he eyes a summer free transfer, reports in Spain say.But Barca are also considering his Chelsea team-mate Jorginho, Leicester’s Youri Tielemans and Real Sociedad star Martín Zubimendi.
    French midfielder N’Golo Kante is reportedly hoping for a free transfer from Chelsea to Barcelona in the summerCredit: Getty
    The Spanish giants have held talks with Kante’s representatives.
    And the Frenchman, 31 is hoping Nou Camp chiefs make a quick decision.
    That’s because he has other options as he nears the end of his contract.
    Juventus and Inter Milan have also been linked with the ex-Leicester hero.
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    But Kante’s fitness record this season could count against him.
    He missed the World Cup with a hamstring injury suffered against Tottenham back in August.
    Sport say Barca rate him as a proven, like-for-like replacement should legend Sergio Busquets depart in the summer.
    But Zubimendi reportedly tops the wishlist of Nou Camp boss Xavi.
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    Manchester United were also mentioned in connection with the 23-year-old last month amid claims they are prepared to activate his £52million release clause at Sociedad.
    And new Aston Villa chief Unai Emery also hopes to tempt Zubimendi, whose contract runs until 2027.
    It’s also believed Barca have monitored Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan and Wolves’ main man Ruben Neves. More

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    Frenkie de Jong ‘set to snub Man Utd and Chelsea again with Barcelona star prepared to agree transfer to Euro giant’

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong could snub a move to England in favour of joining Bayern Munich, according to reports.The Dutchman was heavily linked with the Prem duo in the recent window although he ended up staying with Barcelona.
    Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona is still uncertainCredit: AP
    But he was said to be unhappy with Barca for trying to force him to leave.
    As a result, De Jong found himself out of the team following a summer of uncertainty, starting just one of Barca’s first four La Liga games.
    He’s since won his place back and has established himself as a regular once again.
    But his future still remains in doubt.
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    According to Spanish outlet Sport, the midfielder wants to stay at the Nou Camp.
    However, Bayern Munich, another who were interested in the summer, are hoping to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial mess.
    And the report claims the ex-Ajax star would be “tempted” by a switch to the Bundesliga.
    Meanwhile, Bayern are “convinced” that Barcelona might be forced to sell next summer, with another year off his contract likely to make for a more reasonable price.
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    On the pitch, De Jong enjoyed an impressive World Cup, helping Holland reach the quarter-finals before they suffered penalty heartache against Argentina.
    The 25-year-old played all-but four minutes, chipping in with one goal and one assist. More

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    Arsenal ‘considering January transfer swoop for Barcelona star Ferran Torres’ after Gabriel Jesus injury

    FERRAN TORRES is being considered by Arsenal as a replacement for crocked ace Gabriel Jesus, reports suggest.Brazilian Jesus is set to be sidelined for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery.
    Arsenal could move for Ferran Torres next monthCredit: Getty
    Gabriel Jesus is set to be sidelined for three monthsCredit: Instagram
    And this has left Eddie Nketiah as the club’s only recognised striker, leading them to accelerate their transfer plans into January.
    According to Fichajes, former Manchester City star Torres is wanted by Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to relieve their firepower issue.
    Arteta wanted Torres in the summer too, and would have landed his man were it not for a late veto from Barcelona boss Xavi.
    Arsenal submitted a late bid for the Spaniard worth around £26million – a price Barcelona’s board accepted.
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    Torres’ versatility is a desirable quality and it would allow him to fit anywhere in Arsenal’s attack.
    Much of the style Arsenal employ is similar to Arteta’s previous boss Pep Guardiola’s own philosophy and style.
    In the season and a half Torres was in Manchester, he had some strong displays all across the front three.
    In the end, his City record ended with 20 goal contributions in 43 games.
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    While he did seal a dream move to Barcelona in January of this year, the move has turned sour.
    Torres has scored just 12 times in 44 games for the Blaugrana and they are now prepared to let him leave just one year after his transfer to the club. More

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    Josip Juranovic transfer news: West Ham & Everton trail Barcelona and Europe’s elite in chase for Croatia & Celtic star

    JOSIP JURANOVIC’S World Cup displays have got Europe talking and now their elite sides look to be chasing the Celtic star’s signature.Of them, Barcelona have emerged as favourites to sign the Croatia defender following his Qatar heroics.
    Barcelona lead the race for Josip JuranovicCredit: Getty
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    That’s according to bookmakers Coral, who make the Spanish giants the 2/1 favourites to sign Juranovic.
    West Ham have been linked with a move for the Celtic star, with the Hoops willing to cash in having spent just £2.5million on him 18 months ago.
    The 27-year-old revealed yesterday that he has switched off from any transfer speculation to focus on the task at hand with the semi finalists.
    He said: “Honestly, I haven’t read what was written since we arrived at the World Cup.

    “We’re just focused on the national team, I even told my agent not to send me anything, I’m not interested at all right now.
    “I want to do something for myself, my future sons and daughters, I want to tell them the story of what we did and to be proud.”
    Whether he wants to hear it or not, there’s been huge speculation surrounding his future after a string of excellent displays.
    He was also voted in the ‘team of the quarter finals’ after keeping Brazil star Vinicius Jr quiet.
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    He still has three-and-a-half years left on his Parkhead contract, having signed for just £2.5million in the summer of 2021.
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    Josip Juranovic next clubCoral odds

    Barcelona 2/1
    Atletico Madrid 3/1
    West Ham 7/2
    PSG 6/1
    Juventus 8/1
    AC Milan 10/1
    Everton 12/1
    Borussia Dortmund 16/1

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    Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad had watched the Croat in action, though it’s La Liga big shots Barcelona who are 2/1 favourites to sign him.
    Atletico are next in the betting at 3/1, just ahead of the Hammers at 7/2.
    Big spending PSG are next best at 6/1, with Juranovic set to go up against star man Lionel Messi in the World Cup semi finals.
    That could prove a huge opportunity for Juranovic to test himself once again as they bid for another World Cup final spot.
    Serie A sides Juventus (8/1) and AC Milan (10/1) are also in the mix, ahead of Everton (12/1) and Borussia Dortmund (16/1).
    Coral’s John Hill said: “Josip Juranovic has had an excellent World Cup, so it would be no surprise if some of the biggest clubs in Europe came knocking for his services in January.
    “Barcelona and Atletico Madrid sit at the top of our betting on his next club club and the Spanish duo may be locked in a battle for the player in the upcoming transfer window.
    “West Ham are the shortest price Premier League club in the betting. The Hammers have been linked with the Croatian and they are only likely to be even more impressed by what they saw from the full back against Brazil.”
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