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      Tottenham ‘are best placed to land Franck Kessie as they lead two giants in transfer chase for Barcelona midfielder’

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      TOTTENHAM are considering a January move for Barcelona star Franck Kessie, according to reports.The midfielder signed for the Spanish giants as a free agent last summer.
      Tottenham, Napoli and Inter Milan want to sign Franck KessieCredit: Getty
      But he has started just two LaLiga matches and made only seven league appearances in total.
      Barcelona are open to Kessie leaving but they want to sign a replacement first, according to Sport.
      The report also outlines Tottenham’s interest, while revealing Kessie’s future will be decided this month.
      The former AC Milan star had wanted to wait until June to assess his options, but there are offers on the table including one from Spurs.
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      Antonio Conte is keen on the 25-year-old and the North London outfit could try to sign Kessie on loan or permanently.
      Napoli and Inter Milan have reportedly made contact with Kessie’s agent and are eyeing a temporary deal.
      But in order to sign him both clubs want Kessie to lower his wage demands.
      The Cote d’Ivoire international earns £80,000 a week at Barcelona.
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      Spurs tried to sign Kessie while he was at Milan but lost out to Barcelona when his contract expired in June.
      They were believed to be close to agreeing a £165,000-a-week contract with the midfielder before he opted for the Nou Camp. More

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      Man Utd are ‘most interested’ in Memphis Depay transfer as they look to re-sign Barcelona and Holland star in January

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are keen on a dramatic reunion with Memphis Depay, according to reports. The striker, 28, is available with Barcelona desperate to get him off their wage bill.
      United are keen on a reunion with Depay, who becomes a free agent next summerCredit: Rex
      The Catalan club are said to be using the World Cup as a shop window for Memphis, whose contract is over next summer.
      In Tuesday’s edition of AS, they claim that the Red Devils are the “most interested” side in Europe.
      They could supposedly capture Depay for just £4.3million in the January window.
      The star had an ill-fated spell at United between 2015-2017.
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      He was signed for £31million by Louis van Gaal but failed to live up to expectations after scoring seven goals in 53 games and was subsequently sold to Lyon.
      But with a new Dutchman in the dugout in Erik ten Hag United could make a new bid for the Netherlands international.
      Depay was utilised as a left winger when he was at Old Trafford, but he is now capable of leading the line.
      He has been more successful in recent years, scoring 76 goals in 178 games for Lyon and 14 in 41 for Barca.
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      The forward opened the scoring against the USA on Saturday for his nation as the Netherlands gave a ruthless display.
      Goals from Depay, Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries helped the Dutch to a 3-1 win and secure a spot in the last eight.
      They play Argentina for a World Cup semi-final spot, and face a rampant Lionel Messi looking for the one piece of silverware he has never got his hands on. More

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      Where Lionel Messi’s 15 wonderkids picked out to be future superstars are now, including Mason Mount

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      IN 2020, Lionel Messi picked out 15 young stars to watch – but where are they now?The PSG superstar, 35, named his favourite wonderkids for a Topps ‘Lionel Messi Designed Set’ card pack.
      We look at how the 15 youngsters Messi picked out as ones to watch have fared in the year that followedCredit: Reuters
      Messi selected a hatful of young English talent among his crop – with no fewer than FOUR Three Lions stars making the grade.
      But the 15 youngsters have endured very different years since Messi’s announcement.
      Take a look at where they are now, one year on…
      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
      Alexander-Arnold has struggled a bit for consistency since his epic riseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      MESSI got a first-hand view of the Liverpool right-back’s talent in the 2018-19 Champions League.
      Alexander-Arnold, 24, was in blistering form as the Reds thumped Barcelona 4-0 in the second-leg of their semi-final clash – and even took the corner leading to Divock Origi’s winning goal to send them to the final.
      Still Liverpool’s No1 right-back, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism over his defensive ability in the last few seasons.
      But with key Liverpool players, it’s little wonder consistency has been hard to come by.
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      HOUSSEM AOUAR
      Houssem Aouar excelled for Lyon in his first full seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
      LINKED with a move to Arsenal, Aouar has captained Lyon and already won cap for France.
      Technically superb, the versatile midfielder, 24, was expected to complete a big-money move to another of Europe’s giants in 2021.
      However, a loss of form and questions about his temperament emerged.
      Most recently, Nottingham Forest reportedly tried to bring him to the Premier League.
      FRENKIE DE JONG
      Frenkie De Jong is still waiting to find his top form at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A former team-mate of Messi, the Argentine knows all about De Jong.
      The Dutchman, 25, moved from Ajax following their run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final.
      While De Jong is yet to replicate his top form at the Nou Camp – time is certainly on his side.
      Man Utd thought so, anyway, and were desperate to sign him in the summer. However, he snubbed their offer – preferring to stay at Camp Nou.
      MOUSSA DEMBELE
      Moussa Dembele moved to Atletico Madrid on loan in 2021Credit: Alamy Live News
      THE French striker, 26, joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Lyon with a view to a permanent move back in 2021.
      But, he failed to impress Diego Simeone – and was soon back to France.
      The ex-Fulham and Celtic forward was rated one of Europe’s most-sought-after stars after a sensational three-year spell in France.
      Dembele has scored 69 times in 159 matches in all competitions for Lyon.
      JOAO FELIX
      Joao Felix is slowly starting to find his feet at Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters
      ANOTHER Atleti forward, Diego Simeone added Felix to his squad for a record £113million in 2019.
      But the 23-year-old has failed to live up to the hype expected of him.
      A poor return of 33 goals in 129 games and has meant Simeone is ready to cut his losses.
      Man Utd are one of the clubs that have been linked with the fallen wonderkid.
      PHIL FODEN
      Phil Foden has been in exceptional form for Man CityCredit: AFP
      THE Manchester City star, 22, is making a name for himself across Europe.
      As well as Messi, Foden has garnered praise from the likes of Arsene Wenger.
      Under Pep Guardiola, Foden has flourished and become a full international.
      The clamour for him to be England’s main man at the World Cup was too much for Gareth Southgate to resist – and he inspired the Three Lions to a 3-0 win over Wales.
      KAI HAVERTZ
      Kai Havertz has struggled mightily since his £70m move to Chelsea last summerCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      AFTER Messi’s comments, Havertz teased clubs across Europe by showing off his unquestionable talent at Bayer Leverkusen.
      After Chelsea opted to splash £70m on the midfielder/forward, Havertz, 23, was expected to take the next step.
      The German star has blown hot and cold for the Blues, showing glimpses of his talent – but never on a consistent level.
      LUKA JOVIC
      Luka Jovic tried to rekindle his form back at Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: EPA
      SIGNED by Real Madrid from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019, Jovic’s career has really stalled.
      The Serbian, 24, scored just twice in 21 LaLiga games before being shipped back on loan to Frankfurt last year.
      Jovic scored twice off the bench in his first game back in the Bundesliga – but didn’t exactly pull up trees.
      Los Blancos cut their losses in the summer – flogging him to Fiorentina where he has seven goals in all competitions this season.
      JOSHUA KIMMICH
      Joshua Kimmich continues to prove he is one of the best players in the worldCredit: AFP
      HARDLY a wonderkid at the time of Messi’s revelation – Kimmich was already 25.
      The German feels like he’s been around for a decade already and is easily one of the best players on the planet.
      The versatile star can play in midfield or at right-back and has already won 74 international caps, while helping Bayern Munich to a famous Treble last season.
      Kimmich was part of the Bayern team who trounced Messi’s Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final, even getting on the scoresheet.
      KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best striker on the planet at presentCredit: AFP or licensors
      QUITE possibly the best striker on the planet right now, Mbappe has scored a sensational 190 goals in 237 league games for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The 2018 World Cup winner, 22, was set to move to Real Madrid last summer, but snubbed the LaLiga giants for a bumper £300million contract with the French club.
      Now he is his country’s greatest light at the World Cup in Qatar.
      EDER MILITAO
      Eder Militao is yet to earn himself a regular spot in the Real Madrid XICredit: Getty Images – Getty
      HAVING moved to Real Madrid from Porto in the summer of 2019, huge things were expected of the Brazilian, who was handed a SIX-YEAR contract.
      Militao, 24, has shown flashes of talent after breaking into the first team last campaign.
      But Militao can’t dislodge Thiago Silva and Marquinhos in the Brazilian national team.
      MASON MOUNT
      Mason Mount has been in superb form for a struggling Chelsea this seasonCredit: Tom Jenkins/ The Guardian
      A FUTURE Chelsea – and possibly even England – captain, Mount has been superb for the Blues.
      Mount, 23, bizarrely seems to split fans – but has shown grit, determination and extraordinary talent in a struggling Chelsea team.
      The midfielder has gone from strength-to-strength since Messi comments.
      It’s expected Mount will go on to forge an incredible partnership with the likes of Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Phil Foden for England in what’s increasingly looking like another ‘Golden Generation’.
      BENJAMIN PAVARD
      Benjamin Pavard is a key member of Bayern Munich’s rampant squadCredit: EPA
      MESSI was never going to leave the Bayern Munich man out of his list.
      After all, Pavard, 26, scored the goal of the tournament as France knocked Argentina out of the 2018 World Cup at the last-16 stage with a sensational strike in a 4-3 win.
      The versatile defender is now a regular in the Bayern XI, playing 140 Bundesliga games since joining from Stuttgart in 2019.
      CHRISTIAN PULISIC
      Christian Pulisic needs to fully recover from his injuries to show his true talentCredit: PA
      DESPITE struggling with injuries, Pulisic has shown fans – and Messi – just what he can do.
      Chelsea always seem to look more dangerous with the American, 24, in the team.
      Pulisic has also led the USA’s charge in Qatar.
      JADON SANCHO
      Sancho starred at Borussia Dortmund, but has struggled since moving to Man UtdCredit: EPA
      OF all the players on Messi’s list, Sancho has arguably been the most disappointment.
      The Man Utd star, 20, was the subject of the longest-running transfer saga ever, seemingly in 2021.
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      Sancho eventually joined in a deal worth a staggering £73million.
      But he has been a big disappointment at Old Trafford – which culminated in being dropped from Southgate’s World Cup squad. More

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      Pep Guardiola admits he’s open to shock Barcelona return despite signing two-year Man City contract extension last week

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has declared that he would return to Barcelona if it “was essential”, despite signing a new two-year Manchester City extension last week.The Spaniard has committed his future to City until the summer of 2025.
      Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension last week at CityCredit: Getty
      But Pep has refused to rule out a return to BarcaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      His plans for after that are unknown, but Guardiola has hinted that he would be open to returning as Barca manager if “I thought I was essential”.
      As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the four-time Premier League-winning manager said: “It’s a bad way to see it that I have to go back, because Pep left and Barca kept winning.
      “You shouldn’t think like that.
      “If I thought I was essential, I would return, but that’s not the case.

      “There are stages, there are processes, and if one day I have to meet again, we will meet again naturally.”
      City are on the hunt for a fifth Prem title under the legendary boss, but trail league leaders Arsenal by five points.
      However, they are yet to win the Champions League – a competition Guardiola last won as Barca manager back in 2011.
      Guardiola believes his stay until 2025 is vital to City’s next chapter.
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      He said after signing a new deal: “I am so pleased to be staying at Manchester City for another two years.
      “I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me.
      “I am happy and comfortable, and I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.
      “I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade.
      “It happened over the last ten years, and it will happen in the next ten years because this club is so stable.
      “From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place.
      “I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies.” More

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      Chelsea star Marc Cucurella admits Barcelona transfer return dream despite sealing £63m Blues move just FOUR MONTHS ago

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      CHELSEA star Marc Cucurella has admitted he would love to play for Barcelona, despite only joining the Blues four months ago.Cucurella, 24, signed a six-year contract with Chelsea in the summer which saw Brighton receive £63million.
      Marc Cucurella revealed he wants to return to Barcelona one dayCredit: Getty
      Cucurella was a part of the club’s legendary academy set-upCredit: Getty
      In that time Chelsea have undergone some changes, including a managerial one which has seen Graham Potter reunite with Cucurella after replacing Thomas Tuchel.
      Despite this, Cucurella has not hit the ground running in his time at Chelsea and has struggled with hit-and-miss form for the club, though Potter has backed him to improve.
      This erratic form saw him miss out on a spot in the Spain squad for the World Cup.
      And while the Spaniard will be hoping to give his Chelsea career the jolt it needs when domestic football returns after the World Cup, he has spoken about his dream to one day return to boyhood club Barcelona.
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      Cucurella progressed through the club’s infamous La Masia academy but only managed one appearance in the senior team before leaving in search of more game opportunities.
      Speaking to Catalunya Radio, he said: “I didn’t get the chance to really play for Barcelona and I’ve always been gutted about that.
      “In the end, if I had the chance in future, I would value it. It would be very nice.”
      Cucurella has made 18 appearances this season, contributing two assists but is yet to net his first goal.
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      Since joining he has not been afforded the security of being played in a singular position, with his versatility coming back to haunt him in his struggles to embed at Stamford Bridge.
      The ex-Brighton defender has played as a centre-back in a back three, a left-back and a left wing-back. More

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      Chelsea transfer boost as ‘Barcelona WILL sell Memphis Depay for just £4m’ after Dutch star returns from World Cup 2022

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      BARCELONA are willing to sell Chelsea target Memphis Depay for just £4million, according to reports.The Dutchman nearly departed the LaLiga side last summer, only for a transfer away to fall through.
      Memphis Depay was in action for the Dutch on MondayCredit: Rex
      He has since played just 131 minutes in all competitions, however, with Barca now eager to take whatever money they can for him in January.
      The Catalan giants are reportedly unhappy with how he handled a hamstring injury sustained in September.
      According to Spanish paper AS, Barcelona expected the issue to keep Depay sidelined for only four weeks.
      They add that Barca were fuming that six weeks later Depay remained “on leave” – asking to head back to Holland early ahead of the World Cup.
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      Depay’s injury woes have reportedly strengthened Barcelona’s desire to sell him – with a bid of just £4million claimed to be enough to secure his signature after the tournament.
      Chelsea have been linked with the former Manchester United attacker, as they aim to add firepower to Graham Potter’s attack.
      A switch would see Depay reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who made the same switch in August.
      Despite his injury troubles, Depay was named in Louis van Gaal’s 26-man Netherlands squad for the World Cup.
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      He was only deemed fit enough for the bench for his side’s opener, coming on with 28 minutes remaining in their 2-0 victory over Senegal on Monday.
      In Depay’s absence, Vincent Janssen and Steven Bergwijn started up top for the Dutch.
      Barca are hoping that a strong World Cup showing could help Depay regain some market value.
      His only goal this season came in a 3-0 victory over Elche back in September.
      Chelsea are desperate to improve offensively – sitting eighth in the Prem table having scored just 17 goals in 14 games – the lowest tally in the league’s top ten.
      Addressing his future on the eve of the tournament, Depay said: “I don’t know what will happen after the World Cup. The injury has been hard, but I’m already recovered and I’m enjoying the World Cup.
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      “We have a good team that can prove things. I don’t want to think about the past, I’m focused on the World Cup. I also don’t want to think beyond this competition. I don’t know what will happen after the World Cup.
      “I’m very happy to play again, very happy. It took me a long time to come back. It hasn’t been easy mentally, but I’ve worked hard to get there.” More

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      Barcelona ‘to sell Hector Bellerin after just SIX MONTHS with ex-Arsenal ace set for transfer away from boyhood club’

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      BARCELONA are reportedly preparing to sell full-back Hector Bellerin after just SIX MONTHS at the Nou Camp.The 27-year-old joined the Catalan giants in the summer after seeing his Arsenal contract ripped up.
      Bellerin is set to be moved on by Barcelona in JanuaryCredit: AP
      But he has started just three games in all competitions as we head into the World Cup break.
      And according to AS, Barcelona are already keen to move him on in the January window.
      Xavi missed out on right-backs Cesar Azplicueta, Juan Foyth and Thomas Meunier ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
      As a result, he eventually landed on agreeing a one-year deal for Bellerin as a low-cost solution.
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      However, his poor displays are set to see him booted out just six months after signing for his boyhood club.
      Bellerin made 239 appearances for Arsenal, winning the the FA Cup in 2015, 2017 and 2020.
      He has also received four caps for the Spain national team.
      Roma have been linked with a move for the Spaniard – who spent last season on loan at Real Betis.
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      Jose Mourinho’s men are keen to sell current right-back Rick Karsdorp.
      And if they are able to offload the Dutch defender then Bellerin is being looked at as an ideal replacement.
      They were previously monitoring Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, but they gave up on him when he returned to the fold under Erik ten Hag. More

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      ‘I see myself at Barcelona for a long time… hopefully 10 YEARS’ – Frenkie de Jong deals Man Utd huge transfer blow

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      BARCELONA star Frenkie de Jong has dealt Manchester United a major transfer blow after expressing how happy he is at the club. Man Utd were desperate to bring De Jong to Old Trafford in the summer but a move did not materialise.
      Frenkie De Jong has again tried to put to bed specualtion he will join Man UtdCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman was supposedly being forced out the club but he decided to stay at Barca and he has now said he sees his long-term future there.
      De Jong told De Telegraaf: “I am very happy in Barcelona. When I play it’s great and in terms of living here life is perfect.
      “I see myself at Barcelona for as long as possible. I personally hope for another eight or ten years.”
      The 25-year-old has fallen out of favour at Barcelona this season starting just two of their six Champions League group games but despite previous reports, he is not unhappy at manager Xavi.
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      De Jong said: “I never got the feeling that Xavi was against me. To the media he said that he was happy with me but that there’s also the financial part of the club.
      “I really don’t put the blame on Xavi.”
      This is not the first time De Jong has tried to shut down rumours about him leaving the Nou Camp.
      He had previously said: “I always wanted to stay at Barcelona and this is why I always remained calm in the summer.”
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      Reports suggest that Man Utd were hoping to go back in for De Jong in January and battle Chelsea for his signature but the player is maintaining his stance from the summer of not wanting to go.
      However, Barca could be forced into selling him due to their ongoing financial difficulties that even led to De Jong accepting a wage cut.
      If he does stay at the Catalan giants he could feature against Man Utd in the Europa League next year. More