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      Man Utd could have landed Sergino Dest from Barcelona in summer but Ten Hag and Murtough ‘disagreed over transfer’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have signed Sergino Dest this summer only for a boardroom bust-up to scupper the move, according to reports.The American full-back, 21, was made available by Barcelona as they desperately tried to balance their finances.
      Sergino Dest made his debut for AC Milan this week – but could have turned out for Man Utd insteadCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag and John Murtough reportedly disagreed over whether to sign the AmericanCredit: PA
      United manager Erik ten Hag was interested in a reunion with Dest, whom he managed at Ajax during the 2019-20 season.
      But according to The Athletic, Red Devils football director John Murtough wanted to stick with Aaron Wan-Bissaka – despite his awkward fit in Ten Hag’s system.
      Barca initially wanted around £17.5million for Dest, but ended up sending him out on loan to AC Milan with no obligation to buy.
      The Serie A champions have the option to make the move permanent for £17.5m next summer.
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      Diogo Dalot has started all seven games under Ten Hag this term.
      Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, has played just four minutes of action under the Dutchman – coming on late in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
      Dest travelled with Barcelona on their summer tour of the US, but was left out of their opening LaLiga matches.
      After joining Milan he made his debut in the Champions League this week, coming on in his new side’s 1-1 draw at RB Salzburg.

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      AC Milan beat off late interest from Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund to sign Dest.
      They made the swoop for the 21-year-old after Alessandro Florenzi suffered a serious injury.
      Barca considered a swap deal with Dortmund for Thomas Meunier, although talks didn’t progress far.
      They were also interested in using Dest to sign former Spurs ace Juan Foyth from Villarreal.
      But a transfer to Unai Emery’s side was considered too much of a “step down” for the American. More

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      Barcelona have power to ‘unilaterally terminate’ Gerard Pique’s contract despite club legend taking HUGE pay cut to stay

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      GERARD PIQUE could see his Barcelona contract terminated at the end of the season, according to reports.Last month, the 35-year-old Spaniard took a substantial pay cut in order to help the club sign SEVEN players who they were struggling to register.
      Gerard Pique could have his contract terminated at the end of the seasonCredit: AFP
      This was because of Barcelona’s crippling financial crisis.
      Back in July, it was reported that manager Xavi told his former team-mate Pique that it would be best for him to leave.
      Pique wanted to stay and help the team, so took a massive pay-cut instead.
      There were even rumours he was willing to play for free before LaLiga insisted that was not allowed.
      And now reports are claiming that he could be unceremoniously shown the exit door at the end of the campaign.
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      According to Sport, if Pique does not play more than 35 per cent of Barcelona’s matches then they will be able to terminate his contract in the summer.
      The eight-time Spanish champion and three-time Champions League winner has a deal which runs until 2024 at the Nou Camp.
      But that will supposedly end 12 months earlier if his game time is kept to a minimum up until the end of the season.
      Pique has played more than 600 times for Barcelona, winning a remarkable 30 trophies during his time there.
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      But he is now well down the pecking order of centre-backs in the Catalans squad.
      Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are all ahead of him in Xavi’s side.
      Barca have started the campaign in fine form, winning four out of five matches and scoring 16 goals.
      But Pique has played a total of just 45 minutes – which came in the first half of their Champions League opener against Viktoria Plzen.
      He was replaced by Sergi Roberto at half-time. More

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      Barcelona’s spending cap for season increased by £700m after selling assets as they register Bellerin and Alonso

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      BARCELONA’s spending cap for the season has increased by £700million after leveraging club assets this summer.The Catalan club registered new signings Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso ahead of their clash with Cadiz this weekend.
      LaLiga have confirmed Barcelona have a £700m spending cap now they have sold off assetsCredit: Rex
      The Catalan club signed top striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich during the transfer windowCredit: Rex
      LaLiga confirmed on Friday that Barca had generated the income after a year of financial turmoil at the Nou Camp.
      They sold 25 per cent of their domestic TV rights for the next 25 years and 49 per cent stake of its local TV production ‘Barca Studios’.
      It’s allowed them to spend a whopping £130m on players this summer.
      It is a far cry from the summer of 2021 when the cash situation was so dire they were forced to let Lionel Messi leave for free.
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      The superstar was believed to be close to agreeing a new contract but financial restrictions meant the deal could not be finalised.
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner departed for Paris Saint-Germain.
      But thanks to leveraging the club’s assets this term, top marksman Robert Lewandowski confirmed his transfer from Bayern Munich.
      Lewandowski, 33, forced through an exit from the Allianz Arena and put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Nou Camp.
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      The transfer saw Barcelona pay £38million with a further £4m in add-ons.
      His release clause has been set at a staggering £426m should anyone try and buy the Polish international.
      They also nabbed Jules Kounde away from Chelsea’s grasp.
      The Spanish side beat the Blues to the Sevilla centre-back on a five-year which cost them up to £46million.
      Kounde, 23, claimed team boss Xavi – previously a Nou Camp midfield genius – was a major lure in choosing Barcelona.
      Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso all arrived on free transfers. More

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      Barcelona ‘preparing lawsuit against Atletico Madrid over Griezmann after they find loophole around £35m transfer’

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      BARCELONA are preparing a lawsuit against Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Antoine Griezmann, Spanish media say. The Frenchman left Atletico for Barcelona in 2019 but returned on a two-year loan in August 2021.
      Antoine Griezmann is currently on loan with Atletico MadridCredit: Rex
      The Spanish side face having to pay £34million to buy Griezmann permanently if he plays more than half of their matches this season.
      This obligation is only reached if he plays a full 45 minutes of football in half the games.
      To avoid activating the clause, Atletico appear to be restricting his game time.
      This season, Griezmann has been subbed on from the 62nd, 64th, 63th and 61st minutes of play.
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      But according to Sport, Barca are set to launch legal action, believing terms of the deal have already been met.
      Nou Camp chiefs insist Griezmann needed to play for 45 minutes or more in over 50 per cent of the matches during his first season on loan.
      And the second year would not be taken into account in calculations as it was simply an extension from the original terms agreed.
      But Atletico hit back to argue the clause extends over the second season of loan.
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      Meaning, by not meeting the conditions this campaign, they will not obliged to pay the full £34m transfer fee.
      Barca are believed to have informed Atletico of their intentions to file a lawsuit, seeking immediate payment.
      Griezmann joined Barca for £108million but failed to settle in, scoring just 35 goals in his 102 matches.
      Last season, he played 39 times, scoring only eight times all while starting 32 games.
      This term, Griezmann, 31, has three goals in his five matches but has only started twice.
      Antoine Griezmann is in his second year on loan with AtleticoCredit: Rex More

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      England star Keira Walsh agrees to world record Barcelona transfer and becomes second Lionesses Euros winner at Nou Camp

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      KEIRA WALSH has become the world’s most expensive female footballer following a sensational £400,000 Barcelona move. The ex-Manchester City ace joined the LaLiga Women’s champions after signing a three-year contract.
      Barcelona paid a record-breaking fee of more than £400,000 to get Keira WalshCredit: Getty
      The midfield star is the second Manchester City player to join Spain’s championsCredit: Getty
      The switch sees Walsh, 25, become the eighth senior player to leave City this summer.
      The move comes two years after Chelsea broke the women’s transfer record with a swoop for Pernille Harder for a reported fee of more than £250,000
      It will see Lionesses ace Walsh – who grew up admiring the talents of former Spain and Manchester City hero David Silva – become the second English top-flight ace to sign for the Catalan giants.
      She joins England team-mate Lucy Bronze at the club who have won a record seven Spanish top-flight titles.
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      It comes after City reportedly rejected multiple offers for Walsh, who was among England’s standout performers during the Euros.
      Rochdale-born Walsh won a player of the match award for her display in the Lionesses’ 2-1 defeat of Germany in the final
      Her move to Barca comes at a crucial time for the Catalan club.
      Their captain and midfield superstar Alexia Putellas is currently out of action following an ACL injury sustained shortly before the Euros in July.
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      Walsh, who began her playing career at Blackburn in 2008 before joining Man City in 2014, has been described as having “the best football brain” by former Citizens gaffer Nick Cushing.
      City have been hit by a raft of departures and England veterans Ellen White, Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley all decided to call time on their playing careers this summer.
      Other big-name players who have left include Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Canada forward Janine Beckie, and Scotland playmaker Caroline Weir.
      And Weir returned to haunt her old club netting the goal that saw Real Madrid knock them out of the Champions League qualifying round for a second successive season.
      The exodus has left some fans concerned about the club’s league title and top three chances.
      Telegraph Sport reports City are thought to be working on signing new players ahead of the WSL transfer deadline of 5pm on Thursday for domestic acquisitions.
      Walsh impressed with her international performances this summer helping England to win the Women’s EurosCredit: PA
      The window for overseas signings closes at midnight on Thursday.
      Walsh’s move will see her become the third WSL star this summer to swap England’s top-flight for Spain’s with Weir moving to Barca’s rivals Real Madrid.
      The Catalan side will face Granadilla Tenerife in their league season-opening game on September 17.   More

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      Miralem Pjanic completes shock Sharjah FC free transfer as Barcelona terminate contract after just 19 LaLiga games

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      BARCELONA midfielder Miralem Pjanic has made a shock switch to Sharjah FC after having his contract terminated at the Nou Camp.The 32-year-old, who joined the Catalan giants in 2020, moves to the UAE-based club for free until 2024, with the option of a further year.
      Pjanic has seen his Barcelona contract terminated ahead of a free transfer to the UAECredit: Getty
      Barcelona facilitated the move by ripping up his contract – which wasn’t due to expire for another two seasons.
      A club statement read: “Barcelona and Miralem Pjanić have reached an agreement to release the player from the contract binding the player to the club until the end of the 2023/24 season.
      “The club publicly expresses its gratitude to the player for his professionalism, dedication and commitment and for always adapting his contract to the club’s situations and needs.
      “It wishes him every success and fortune in the future.”
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      Moments after Barcelona’s announcement, the switch to Sharjah was confirmed.
      Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Official, confirmed. Miralem Pjanić leaves Barcelona and joins Sharjah FC on permanent deal, contract valid until June 2024 with option until June 2025.
      “Deal signed after agreement reached last Monday.”
      Pjanic made 30 appearances for Barcelona in the 2020/21 campaign after joining from Juventus – with 19 of those coming in LaLiga.
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      Last year the Bosnian was shipped out on loan to Turkey where he spent a season with Besiktas, playing 26 times.
      Upon returning to the Nou Camp, Pjanic has been on the bench for every one of Barcelona’s games so far this season.
      And he has not received a single minute of action – although does have a new hairline after his Turkish stint.
      The likes of Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets are all ahead of Pjanic in the Nou Camp pecking order.
      Now he has departed European football altogether and moved to the Middle East.
      In joining UAE outfit Sharjah FC, the midfielder will be linking up with Paco Alcacer.
      Read More on The Sun
      The only trophy Pjanic has to show for his time at Barcelona is the Copa del Rey, which he won in 2021.
      However, he did win four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italias with Juventus. More

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      Miralem Pjanic quits Barcelona and set to join UAE side Sharjah FC in shock transfer, confirms Xavi

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      MIRALEM PJANIC has QUIT Barcelona and will seal a transfer to the United Arab Emirates Pro League. The former Roma and Juventus star will leave Barcelona after two years with the club.
      Miralem Pjanic has seen his role at Barcelona limited to a bench one this seasonCredit: Alamy
      Pjanic previously in action for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Barcelona boss Xavi has confirmed the 32-year-old would be departing soon, after omitting him from the club’s squad.
      As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, he said: “Pjanić has decided to leave for more opportunities — he has been a great professional, so I think he had chances here but everyone chooses their own path”
      In joining UAE side Sharjah FC, the midfielder will be linking up with a familiar face from European football in Paco Alcacer.
      Pjanic has been on the bench for every one of Barcelona’s games this season, but has failed to play a single minute in any of them.
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      Last year the Bosnian was shipped out on loan to Turkey, where he spent a season with Besiktas playing 26 times.
      And Pjanic would have not been thrilled to see Barcelona massively bolstering their squad without any major departures in central midfield.
      Xavi has a whole host of options to choose from, with Pjanic some way down the pecking order in terms of ranking.
      His options are so vast in fact, that Manchester United and Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong has been limited mostly to a bench role with Sergio Busquets, Gavi, and Pedri taking up slots in midfield.
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      While his career may be on a downward trajectory as it stands, Pjanic has breathed new life into his hair following a hair transplant.
      Photos revealed the extent of the difference between his hair before and after his loan move to Turkey. More

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      Hector Bellerin to be given ‘absurd’ termination clause in Barcelona deal after quitting Arsenal – but there’s a catch

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      BARCELONA have reportedly added a huge termination clause into Hector Bellerin’s new contract in a bid to avoid a breach in Financial Fair Play rules.Bellerin, 27, joined the La Liga giants on a free transfer from Arsenal on deadline day.
      Bellerin joined Barcelona in a free transfer from Arsenal on deadline dayCredit: Getty
      The defender has signed a one-year dealCredit: Reuters
      However, club chiefs were only able to offer him a one-year deal due to FFP regulations.
      According to Spanish outlet MundoDeportivo, in a bid to avoid FFP breaches Barcelona have taken advantage of financial ‘tricks’ such as offering short-term deals.
      And, they have inserted a £50MILLION termination clause into his contract.
      New boy Marcos Alonso was also offered the same deal following his last-minute move away from Chelsea.
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      The Spaniard joined Barcelona as part of a swap deal which saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go the other way to Stamford Bridge.
      Xavi was eager to add at least one new full-back to his ranks after Sergino Dest agreed to join AC Milan on a season-long loan.
      Despite the club’s dwindling financial status, Barca spent over £140m on new signings during the transfer window.
      Raphinha became Xavi’s first big signing of the summer when he made the £55m move from Leeds in July.
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      Robert Lewandowski then joined in a £42.5m transfer from Bayern Munich after requesting to leave the Bundesliga.
      And Jules Kounde made the £45m switch from Sevilla.
      Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen also signed in free transfers from AC Milan and Chelsea respectively.
      But Barcelona almost had to RELEASE both players before the season kicked off after struggling to register them. More