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      Jules Kounde blames Thomas Tuchel for failed Chelsea transfer as he reveals how Xavi was able to lure him to Barcelona

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      JULES Kounde has claimed that he snubbed Chelsea over a move to Barcelona because Xavi is a better communicator than Thomas Tuchel.The French international looked on course to make the switch to Stamford Bridge from Sevilla earlier this summer, only for the La Liga giants to swoop in and secure his services in a £55m deal ahead of the new season.
      Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea earlier this month following their slow start to the seasonCredit: EPA
      Kounde revealed that he also spoke with ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel, but he was sold by the ‘new wave’ at the Nou Camp.
      He told L’Equipe: “First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less.’
      ‘I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned.
      ‘I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barça back where it has always been, among the best clubs. 
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      ‘Then there was the conversation with the coach.
      “We talked about football, mainly. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities.’ 
      ‘I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech’.
      Despite being ineligable for the first two games after the club were unable to register him, Kounde has enjoyed a strong start to his Barca career since coming into the team.
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      He has started three of the last four La Liga matches to help Xavi’s men remain unbeaten and stay two points behind leaders Real Madrid, while he’s been ever-present in the Champions League.
      But Kounde was mocked by Chelsea defender Thiago Silva following Barca’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
      Silva shared a photo on Instagram with a caption that read ‘he almost joined us’, clearly taking a swipe at Kounde after his side were beaten for the first time this season.
      Chelsea hardly fared much better 24 hours later after Graham Potter’s opening game in charge was a 1-1 draw against Salzburg, leaving them winless in Europe.
      Kounde holding the Barcelona shirt after completing his move from Sevilla back in JulyCredit: AFP More

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      Barcelona set to go back to the future with retro 1970s badge for 2023-24 season

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      BARCELONA will go full retro as they prepare to change their badge for the 2023/24 season. The Spanish giants have seen 10 badges throughout their history, with the current one being kept in place since 2002.
      Barcelona’s current badgeCredit: Roddy Scott – The Sun Glasgow
      Barcelona could introduce this retro badge onto their 2023/24 away kitCredit: Footy Headlines
      How the modern badge looked on a previous kitCredit: Getty
      However, it seems the club want to spice things up a little bit by throwing in something new, but old.
      Barcelona have spent years trying experimental and modern kits, but now the club is going back to its roots with a plan to please football purists.
      Along with kit manufacturer Nike, the club are planning a retro theme with their away kit in the 2023/24 season.
      The kit will feature a club crest from the 1970s, with Footy Headlines predicting the logo will be the one from the 1974/75 season.
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      The Blaugrana used three different badges in the 1970s.
      The first which they used for 14 years prior to the 74′ change had C.F.B. written on, before the next kit switched this to F.C.B. and went for a more sleek design by rounding it off and cutting the extra frills.
      However, the white background behind the letters didn’t last as the crest was updated again.
      This time the update saw the return of the yellow background but kept the lettering the same.
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      Of the three it bears the most similarities to its successor – the modern crest – with the main difference being the boldness and sharpness of the colouration in the badge.
      The current badge looks like it is here to stay for a while longer, but fans could be pleasantly refreshed with this flash from the past. More

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      Chelsea star Jorginho being tracked by Barcelona over contract situation and could make January transfer move

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      BARCELONA are keeping an eye on Jorginho’s contract situation at Chelsea and they could make a move for him in the new year.The Italian is in the final year of his deal at Stamford Bridge and Barcelona are interested in bringing him to the club on a free transfer.
      Jorginho is wanted by BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Barca see him as a possible replacement for long-serving Sergio Busquets.
      Nou Camp legend Busquets, 34, is also out of contract at the end of the season and the Spanish giants accept he will need replacing soon.
      If Jorginho does not agree an extension soon he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs in January.
      It remains unclear whether the 30-year-old is part of Graham Potter’s plans at Chelsea.
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      However he did play the full 90 minutes in his first game in charge of the Blues versus Salzburg in the Champions League.
      Jorginho has been a Chelsea player since 2018 when he signed from Napoli.
      He has since gone onto play 196 times for the West Londoners scoring 27 goals.
      At the club he has won the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
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      He also played an important role in Italy’s Euro 2020 win.
      Jorginho already has connections to the Barcelona squad as Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso both joined the club in the summer.
      Xavi continues to look to revamp their squad despite financial problems.
      And more central midfielders could be needed especially if Manchester United and Chelsea go back in for Frenkie de Jong. More

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      Bayern Munich’s incredible Champions League unbeaten record revealed… with huge dominance over Barcelona included

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      BAYERN MUNICH have been undefeated in the Champions League group stages since 2017.That means Bayern haven’t lost a single time in their last 29 games in that stage of the competition.
      Bayern Munich are undefeated in their last 29 group stage matches in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Bayern Munich also hold a dominant record over Barcelona in EuropeCredit: Getty
      The German champions extended their magnificent streak on Tuesday when they beat Barcelona 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.
      That means the Bundesliga giants have won a whopping 27 out of their last 29 matches.
      But that’s not the only impressive streak Bayern have under their belt in Europe.
      Barcelona appear to be one of their favourite victims across all competitions.
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      Bayern have beaten Barca 10 times in all of their 14 meetings and only lost twice.
      And the German outfit has scored a staggering 32 goals along the way.
      Lucas Hernandez and former Manchester City star Leroy Sane added to that tally last night.
      Robert Lewandowski has also contributed four goals but this time he was on the receiving end without firing back.
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      Thomas Muller has scored the most of the exchange as he was on target eight times.
      Barcelona haven’t beaten Bayern since 2015 when they won 3-0 in the semi-finals at the Nou Camp.
      Lionel Messi netted a brace and Neymar sealed the win with a late goal. More

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      ‘I never expected that’ – Miralem Pjanic fires parting shot at Barcelona after sealing transfer to UAE side Sharjah

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      FORMER Barcelona star Miralem Pjanic has hit out at the club after leaving for United Arab Emirates based side Sharjah FC. The central-midfielder joined the Catalan giants back in 2020 and stayed for two seasons but last year he was on loan at Besiktas.
      Miralem Pjanic has also played for Roma, Juventus and LyonCredit: Getty
      Barca then forced Pjanic out the club amid their financial difficulties as they looked to cut the wage bill.
      It resulted in him having his contract ripped up despite two years remaining on it so he could join Sharjah FC on a free.
      Pjanic has spoken of his shock at the situation saying: “I thought it was the right choice to sign for a club like Barca, but I didn’t know it was like that at the time.
      “It was very complicated. I never expected to experience such a difficult situation. I never expected that.”
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      The Bosnian had an underwhelming spell at the Nou Camp playing just 30 times for the club and never scoring.
      He was one of many Xavi tried to shift this summer to varied success, such as Martin Braithwaite and Memphis Depay.
      Frenkie de Jong was another that the club tried to get to take a pay cut.
      Looking back before the most recent summer, club legends like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were both forced out of Barcelona in recent years while Pjanic was there.
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      The 32-year-old also spoke about the state of another of his former clubs Juventus.
      The Italian side have been in poor form in the last couple of seasons and pressure is building on manager Max Allegri.
      Pjanic said: “Juventus is now highly criticised, the players have to take responsibility because the coach cannot always be to blame. 
      “They have a very good coach, sometimes the criticism is exaggerated. You have to find a balance and the players have to understand that you have to give more.”
      Pjanic got his Sharjah career off to a positive start scoring on his debut in the UAE Pro League.
      He is joined at the club by another ex-Barcelona star in Paco Alcacer. More

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      Man Utd transfer blow with Barcelona wonderkid ‘Gavi already agreeing new contract including €1BILLION release clause’

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      BARCELONA star Gavi has already agreed to a new contract that includes a €1BILLION release clause, according to reports.The 18-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the current season but a new deal was negotiated as early as last December.
      Gavi was a summer transfer target for Man Utd as they looked to bolster their midfieldCredit: Getty
      The release clause will supposedly be worth €1billion (£868million).
      Fabrizio Romano claims it will soon be signed and completed with the player committing his long-term future to Barca.
      Gavi has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United in the past.
      However, the Catalan giants have reportedly never been worried about rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League – with Liverpool and Manchester City also keen.
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      The teenager has become a key player for club and country at his young age.
      He has already played 53 times in the Barcelona first-team scoring two goals.
      On the international stage he has amassed ten caps for Spain.
      Alongside Pedri, Gavi is seen as the future of his club and country’s midfield.
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      Under LaLiga rules it is mandatory for every player to have a release clause in their contract.
      And big release clauses are nothing new in Spanish football.
      In fact, Barcelona youngsters Ansu Fati and Pedri both have £868m buy-out clauses in their current deals.
      New summer signing Jules Kounde – a target of Chelsea – also has the same bumper clause in his contract. More

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      Man Utd in Frenkie de Jong transfer boost with Barcelona ‘willing to sell midfielder in January to raise funds’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S hopes of signing Frenkie de Jong have been boosted with Barcelona keen to sell the star in January, according to reports.De Jong, 25, was one of United’s main transfer priorities in the summer.
      Barcelona will reportedly try and sell Frenkie de Jong in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      But despite agreeing a £71.5million deal with Barcelona to sign the midfielder, the move collapsed.
      Barca still want to offload De Jong however and will look to sell the Netherlands international in January, report 90min.com.
      That could also put other clubs on high alert after Chelsea and Bayern Munich were linked in the summer.
      The Blues failed to reach an agreement with Barcelona over a transfer fee but the Spanish club could reduce their asking price in January since De Jong has started just two out of five league games.

      United also allowed negotiations to be drawn out before finally matching Barca’s asking price.
      But De Jong snubbed them – not wanting to move to a team in the Europa League.

      And Red Devils chiefs now reportedly believe that had they made more of an effort to sign him in June, they would have got their man.
      United instead turned their attention to Casemiro and snapped up the former Real Madrid star for £70m.
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      Despite the Brazilian’s arrival, it is thought Erik ten Hag still wants De Jong.
      United chiefs even flew to Barcelona after Casemiro’s capture to thrash out a last-ditch move for the former Ajax man, but to no avail. More

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      Man Utd’s ‘indecisiveness cost them Frenkie de Jong transfer after refusing to meet Barcelona’s asking price’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED still believe that they could have signed Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, according to reports.The Red Devils chased the Dutchman all summer before finally admitting defeat.
      Frenkie de Jong refused to leave BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Erik ten Hag was not reunited with his former Ajax favourite De Jong, with United instead splashing £70million on Casemiro.
      According to Dutch outlet AD, the Red Devils feel that “indecisiveness” cost them a deal.
      They add that club chiefs knew what they would have to pay to secure his signature after his matches with the Netherlands in early June.
      But they wavered over the asking price, reportedly £73m, and did not appear to relent until after De Jong had returned from his holiday the following month.
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      By this point the 25-year-old was determined to dig his heels in and stay at Barcelona – making a deal difficult.
      United did finally agree to pay £73m and left a £350,000-a-week contract on the table.
      But De Jong snubbed them – not wanting to move to a team in the Europa League.
      Red Devils chiefs now reportedly reckon that had they made more of an effort to sign him in June, they would have got their man.
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      De Jong has featured in all six of Barcelona’s matches so far this term under Xavi.
      He started in the weekend’s 4-0 drubbing of Cadiz, even netting his first goal of the season in the clash.
      United, meanwhile, have opted to bed Casemiro in slowly – with the 30-year-old yet to start in the Premier League. More