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      I was offered a ten-year contract by Barcelona, but now I’m looking for a new club after being released by Doncaster

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      FORMER wonderkid John Bostock, who was offered a 10-year contract by Barcelona, is now a free agent looking for his 15TH club.Bostock burst onto the scene at the tender age of 14 while starting out at boyhood club Crystal Palace and was so good he often played above his age group.
      John Bostock was offered a 10-year-old deal by Barcelona when he was a teenagerCredit: Getty
      The midfielder’s stunning development caught Barca’s attention who got in touch and offered him a deal that would see him joining their ranks for a decade.
      The Blaugrana were so keen to have him they even sent him a signed poster by then superstar Ronaldinho after finding out he was Bostock’s favourite player.
      According to Sport, however, the now 30-year-old turned down a move to the Nou Camp because his parents wanted him to continue his development in London.
      The ex-England youth international was also approached by other major clubs – including Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea – but rejected them all in favour of the team he grew up supporting.
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      Bostock told the BBC two years ago: “When I was 14, Barcelona offered me a 10-year contract.
      “Ronaldinho was my favourite player at the time so they sent me a signed poster from him.
      “I’ve still got it at my house in London. It said: ‘To John from Ronaldinho’.
      “You name the club, I had interest from them. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter [Milan], Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool – the who’s who of European football.”
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      However, the youngster, who was dubbed the next big thing, didn’t get the career many expected he would have.
      Bostock left Crystal Palace for Tottenham in a dramatic move that saw the two clubs going to a tribunal in 2008.
      But he never managed to play in the Premier League as he was offloaded on loan to Brentford, Hull, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon and Toronto until his departure in 2013.
      Bostock’s nomadic career extended abroad with spells at Royal Antwerp, Leuven, Lens, Bursaspor and Toulouse, who loaned him out to Nottingham Forest.
      The versatile midfielder joined Doncaster Rovers in 2021 but left in June following the club’s relegation from League One.
      And so the young talent, who could have ended up playing alongside Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique at Barcelona, is once more a free agent.
      John Bostock is now a free agent and looking for his 15th clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Man Utd joined by Juventus in Antoine Griezmann transfer chase as move from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid stalls

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been joined in their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann by Juventus, according to reports. Griezmann, 31, is free to leave Barcelona after flopping at the club and is currently on loan at rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Antoine Griezmann is wanted by Man United and Juventus if Atletico do not sign him permanentlyCredit: Rex
      Griezmann captained France in their 2-0 loss to DenmarkCredit: AFP
      There is an clause in his loan deal which could see him sign permanently for Atletico for a cut-price fee of £35million, although recent reports suggest it could be as low as £22m.
      However, the clause inserted into the deal means the full transfer is only triggered if the Frenchman plays a certain amount of games.
      And to avoid triggering the buy option Atletico have only played Griezmann for less than 30 minutes per match – which is under the threshold to be counted as a game in the terms.
      If Atletico continue to do this, he won’t automatically become their player, which would allow interested parties such as United and Juventus to sign him.
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      Barcelona have threatened legal action against Atletico regarding their seeming exploitation of this loophole, and unless a deal is hashed out before January to sort it Griezmann may be recalled.
      According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are keeping an eye on the situation and are alert to any changes ahead of a potential transfer.
      Massimiliano Allegri’s side have struggled in Serie A this season and are way off the pace of getting close to winning a Scudetto.
      Consequently, they are already looking at reinforcements in January and next summer.
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      The likes of Marco Asensio and Christian Pulisic are among their targets who are at a reduced price, with Griezmann the latest addition to the list.
      Man Utd’s interest dates back to the summer, but the 2018 World Cup winner was not entertaining moves away from Madrid and snubbed a potential move.
      However, the current situation is leaving all parties frustrated and could end with United making an approach in January. More

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      Lionel Messi says he ‘feels very good’ as he enjoys football again following tough first season at PSG

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      LIONEL MESSI insists he is feeling “very good” as he continues to return to top form for both club and country.The legendary 35-year-old shocked the world in the summer of 2021 when he left Barcelona following 21 years at the Nou Camp to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      Lionel Messi says he is now ‘feeling very good’ with life at PSGCredit: AFP
      Despite his incredible goal record for the LaLiga side, he struggled to replicate those numbers for PSG during his first campaign in France.
      Messi scored just six times in 26 appearances in Ligue 1, with 17 assists, in an underwhelming season.
      However, the veteran seems to now be hitting top gear at the right time with the Qatar World Cup just weeks away.
      He already has six goals and eight assists in just 11 games for PSG this term and is continuing to break records.
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      Messi’s goal against Lyon last week was his 672nd from open play, which puts him one ahead of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Last night he scored two for Argentina, including a sublime chip, against Honduras to take his international tally to 88 in 163 caps.
      And afterwards he admitted that he feels a lot more at home in the French capital this year.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, Messi said: “I feel good, I feel different from last year. I knew it was going to be like this.
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      “I’m more comfortable with the club, the dressing room, my teammates, the game.
      “I feel very good again, so I’m starting to enjoy it again.”
      PSG are currently two points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and have won both their two Champions League group matches so far.
      Messi is likely to be back in action for Argentina in Wednesday’s friendly with Jamaica before the nation’s focus switches to the World Cup in November.
      The South American and his side will face Saudi arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C in Qatar. More

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      David Beckham in Inter Miami transfer blow as Xavi demands Barcelona hand captain Sergio Busquets new contract

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      DAVID Beckham might fail in his attempts to bring Barcelona star Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami.That’s because Barca manager Xavi wants to keep the midfielder beyond the expiration of his current deal next summer, according to Culemani.
      Busquets’ current Barca deal runs out in 2023Credit: AFP
      Despite turning 34 earlier this summer, Busquets remains a key player in midfield for Barcelona.
      After all, the Spain international is captain of the club and has already made five starts this season.
      And Xavi will know all about Busquets’ qualities first-hand after playing alongside him for seven years prior to his move to Qatar.
      The pair won five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues together, with Andres Iniesta the other part of what was a memorable midfield trio.
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      And Busquets now looks set to continue what has been an incredible career at the Nou Camp.
      He has made almost 700 appearances for Barcelona, winning more than 25 trophies across a career spanning more than 14 years.
      But a contract extension would come as a blow for Beckham, who was reportedly trying to bring Busquets to Miami.
      Miami are currently inside the play-offs in the Eastern Conference after beating Wayne Rooney’s DC United 3-2 last weekend.
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      Beckham is still looking for reinforcements, though, with Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain his most high-profile signing to date.
      But with Busquets likely to remain with his boyhood club, Beckham will have to look elsewhere if he wants to sign another footballing giant.
      Busquets played alongside his current manager for seven yearsCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Chelsea icon Ramires gets tattoo of iconic Champions League goal vs Barcelona after announcing retirement aged 35

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      FORMER Chelsea star Ramires has marked his retirement by getting his memorable Champions League goal against Barcelona tattooed on his leg.The 35-year-old scored 34 goals during six seasons in English football, with the most notable coming at the Nou Camp back in 2012.
      Ramires marked his retirement with a tattoo of his most famous goal
      Ramires scores a brilliant chip against Barcelona in 2012Credit: Reuters
      With Chelsea trailing 2-1 on aggregate after Barca wiped out their first leg advantage, and down to 10 men following John Terry’s red card, Ramires took matters into his own hands in first half stoppage-time.
      Having been sent through by Frank Lampard, Ramires beat both Carlos Puyol and Sergio Busquets to the ball before exquisitely chipping over Victor Valdes to bring Chelsea level in the tie and ahead on away goals.
      Ultimately, the game was more remembered for Fernando Torres’ late strike, which sealed Chelsea’s place in the Champions League final.
      But Ramires’ goal was still equally as important, with the Blues going on to win the competition for the first time ever after beating Bayern Munich on their own patch on penalties in the final.
      Ramires won both the Premier League and League Cup under Jose MourinhoCredit: PA:Press Association
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      Unfortunately, Ramires was booked later in the game against Barcelona, which meant he was suspended for the showpiece in the German capital.
      Nevertheless, the 35-year-old, who’s set to call time on his career having been without a club since leaving Palmeiras back in 2020, has marked the semi-final occasion by getting the moment tattooed on his right leg.
      Chelsea fans reacted to the tattoo on Twitter, with one calling it a ‘so beautiful’, while another described it as ‘unforgettable’.
      Ramires would spend four more years at Stamford Bridge before leaving for Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning, although only after adding the Premier League, Europa League and League Cup to his medal collection with the Blues.
      Ramires spent four years in China after leaving ChelseaCredit: Getty
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      He rounded off his playing days by returning home to Brazil, with his final professional game coming for Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores almost two years ago.
      Ramires has been a free agent since his departure in November 2020, but has only now decided to officially hang up his boots. More

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      Barcelona ‘rushing to finalise Antoine Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid transfer’ amid interest from Man Utd

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      BARCELONA are reportedly trying to rush through a cut-price £22million deal for Antoine Griezmann to join Atletico Madrid permanently.The Frenchman, 31, has hit the headlines this term due to the bizarre clause inserted into his loan agreement.
      Barcelona are trying to push through an agreement with Atletico for Antoine GriezmannCredit: Getty
      He has only been appearing off the bench after the hour mark for Diego Simeone’s side.
      That is due to Atletico being obliged to pay Barcelona £35m if he plays in 50 per cent of their game time during his loan period.
      Forward Griezmann is growing increasingly frustrated over his substitute appearances, which has sparked Manchester United’s interest.
      Erik ten Hag is believed to be plotting a January swoop for the World Cup winner if his current situation at Atletico remains unsolved.
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      However, now a fresh report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona are looking to negotiate a transfer with their LaLiga rival’s for a reduced £22m.
      And they want the deal completed by January 7 – the date the two teams face each other for the first time this season in LaLiga.
      Barca could still take legal action if it is not resolved but they would rather try to find an amicable compromise first.
      The Catalan team are insisting that Atletico have already triggered the option to buy during the first of his two-year loan when he featured for over 50 per cent of their game time.
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      From his eight games this campaign, Griezmann has chipped in with three goals – two of which have come in LaLiga.
      All of his outings in the Spanish top-flight have come after the 60th-minute this season.
      Atletico boss Simeone has strongly hinted that the restrictions have been placed on him from the higher-ups at the club. More

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      Ex-Arsenal chief Raul Sanllehi ‘repeatedly made Neymar cry and claimed ex-Barcelona star had many personal problems’

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      EX-BARCELONA director of football Raul Sanllehi made Neymar cry on several occasions.The former Catalan chief, 56, also claims that the Brazilian left the club after a row with his father over a bonus payment.
      Neymar was reportedly made to cry several times by former Barcelona director of football Raul SanllehiCredit: Getty
      Sanllehi, who was Arsenal’s head of football until 2020, told Marca that Neymar has personal issues and is “lost” and “vulnerable”.
      He said: “I have told you all separately that the problem in this case was the player’s head. 
      “The boy is in a bad way, he has many personal problems, he is very confused and very vulnerable. 
      “So he has mistakenly thought that by running away from Barcelona he will also run away from his problems when really what he should do is face them and not leave. 
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      “I have spoken directly with him, repeatedly, I have made him cry more than once, and he has admitted to me on more than one occasion that he was lost.”
      The former Gunners chief explained that the winger’s father was at fault for him leaving the club after a financial dispute.
      Sanllehi added: “The father’s anger came when he saw the signing bonus published. He said ‘I don’t trust you, you have repeatedly deceived me’.
      “He demanded the immediate payment of said bonus, something that Barcelona did not do, and that’s when Neymar left.”
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      Sanllehi’s comment come after a week of leaks out of the Spanish club’s financial department.
      One of the leaks details the lucrative contract awarded to global superstar – and now Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate – Lionel Messi.
      Messi’s demands from 2020 appeared to suggest he wanted a whopping signing-on bonus of £8.7million.
      He also wanted a private jet, plus VIP boxes at the Nou Camp for his AND Luis Suarez’s families.
      Former Manchester United star Gerard Pique also had contract information shared.
      Reports suggest the defender did “very serious damage” to the club owing to conflicting private interests to those of the club.
      Pique demanded £124m gross across his five-year contract from 2017 which followed on from him telling the club he wanted to be paid more than rival Sergio Ramos. More

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      Barcelona draw up three-man transfer shortlist to replace Sergio Busquets including Man City star Rodri

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      RODRI has been earmarked as one possible name to replace the indomitable Sergio Busquets at Barcelona at the end of the season, reports suggest.Busquets, 34, is set to leave the Nou Camp when his contract expires at the end of the season after 15 years of distinguished service in the first team.
      After almost 700 club appearances and 35 trophies won Busquets is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Rodri is one of three names Barcelona have on their shortlist to replace BusquetsCredit: Getty
      And the Catalonia-based giants have drawn up a three-man list of candidates to replace him, as reported by Sport.
      Manchester City stalwart Rodri is one of the names on the list, and he is joined by fellow Premier League star Jorginho.
      The other name on their list is Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.
      Barcelona have an idea of who tops their wish list but will weigh up the economic factors of such deals.
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      Rodri and Kimmich both have valuations of at least £70million – values the club consider to be high.
      Consequently, it means Chelsea star Jorginho is the most likely candidate to replace Busquets in the summer.
      The Italian’s future at Stamford Bridge has been up in the air for some time now.
      The 30-year-old has less than a year left on his current deal, meaning he will be a free agent in the summer unless Graham Potter deems him worthy of a new deal.
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      Previous reports had already hinted that Barcelona were tracking Jorginho with a view to making a move happen as early as January.
      Due to the World Cup break Jorginho has just under two months to convince Potter and Todd Boehly of his value beyond this season if he is to earn a new contract before the next transfer window.
      But Barcelona will be waiting in the wings regardless.
      Jorginho could leave Chelsea at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty More