Barcelona transfer news

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      How Barcelona could line up in LaLiga opener with – or WITHOUT – transfers Lewandowski, Christensen, Raphinha and Co

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      BARCELONA boss Xavi still doesn’t know whether he will be able to field his new star signings for tomorrow’s LaLiga curtain raiser against Rayo Vallecano.The poverty-pleading Catalan giants have had a baffling summer – shelling out £138million on new transfers despite not fully paying their own players.
      Barcelona could be forced to line up with only players from last season – in which case this might be the XI
      Xavi has some big decisions to makeCredit: Rex
      Barcelona’s new signings may not be able to playCredit: Getty
      Due to LaLiga financial rules, new signings – including contract renewals – cannot be registered with the league until certain financial requirements are met.
      So while Barca have shelled out on plenty of new players, none of them are eligible to play yet.
      New-boys Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen are all sweating on whether they will be registered in time.
      While Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto are also ineligible as it stands after renewing their deals earlier in the summer.
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      Xavi’s squad have virtually a clean bill of health, with only Ferran Torres missing through injury.
      But the 42-year-old bossmay still have to field a much-weakened XI.
      Should they not register their star signings in time, they will at least be able to depend upon Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
      But with no Kounde or Christensen, Xavi may have to pick a back four comprising of Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba – although Gerard Pique could be involved.
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      Sergio Busquets would anchor the midfield, with Pedri and potentially Frenkie de Jong – a man Barca are accused of trying to bully out of the club – alongside him.
      The Dutchman, however, might be held out as transfer speculation rumbles on.
      Another heavily linked with an exit in Memphis Depay could start as a makeshift right winger, with Ansu Fati on the left and Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang upfront.
      Barcelona have today announced the sale of 25 per cent of Barca Studios to Orpheus Media for £85m.
      Club president Joan Laporta believes that this will enable him to register his new buys, while also recruiting another player in Marcos Alonso.
      Should this be the case, Barca’s XI will look rather more fearsome tomorrow.
      Should Barca register their new signings, this is how they might look
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      Christensen and Kounde could start in place of Araujo and Garcia – with Roberto instead of Dest at right-back.
      Kessie may debut in midfield, with Dembele, Lewandowski and Raphinha forming a potentially devastating front three.
      Frenkie de Jong’s future is still clouded by uncertaintyCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal won’t get a penny if Aubameyang makes Chelsea transfer despite paying his £7m Barcelona wages last season

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      ARSENAL failed to secure a sell-on clause when they allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave for nothing to join Barcelona.Now the Spanish giants could cash in just six months later as Chelsea want the £15million-rated frontman as well as Barca team-mate Frenkie de Jong.
      Barcelona could make a tidy profit if they sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea as they got him for free and only started paying his wages this seasonCredit: Reuters
      Barcelona did not even pay Aubameyang’s wages for the 23 games he played for them last season as Arsenal picked up the tab.
      Emirates chiefs  were so desperate to offload Auba after his fallout with boss Mikel Arteta that they agreed to pay his £7m wages for the rest of the season.
      That call came back to bite them when the Gabon international scored 13 goals to fire Barca to second in LaLiga.
      Arsenal terminated Aubameyang’s £350,000-a-week contract, so they were unable to insist on a cut of any future transfer.
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      But the £42.5m signing of Robert Lewandowski means Auba is now surplus to requirements.
      And Nou Camp bigwigs know Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to work with his former Borussia Dortmund player again.
      Aubameyang agreed a pay cut to £80k a week when joining in January.
      But Barca only started paying that this season due to the Gunners’ £7m Auba pay-off.
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      Cash-strapped  Barca are happy to sell so they can register £42.5m strike legend Lewandowski and four other summer buys.
      Leeds winger Raphinha cost £47m and the Spanish giants paid Sevilla £55m to beat Chelsea to centre-back Jules Kounde.
      Stamford Bridge defender Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie came in for free.
      Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto also cannot be registered until Barcelona slash their wage bill as they’ve both signed new contracts.
      Chelsea have splashed out even more than Barca under new owner Todd Boehly – £178m so far this summer.
      The Blues’ American backers have invested in £50m frontman Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £34m, and £62m Brighton left-back  Marc Cucurella.
      Chelsea also recruited Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa for £20m and Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire for £12m. More

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      ‘It’s horrific’ – Gary Neville claims it would be ’embarrassing’ if Man Utd miss out on Frenkie de Jong transfer now

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      GARY NEVILLE has admitted it will be “embarrassing” if Manchester United miss out on Frenkie de Jong – and “horrific” if he joins Chelsea.Reports today claimed the Red Devils are ready to accept defeat in their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder.
      Frenkie de Jong appears to be edging towards a move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Gary Neville has suggested it will be “horrific” if De Jong signs for the BluesCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are now thought to be in pole position to sign De Jong.
      That’s after Erik ten Hag made De Jong his No1 transfer target at the start of the summer, with United even agreeing a fee with Barcelona for the Dutchman.
      A move failed to materialise – and Neville is bracing himself for the worst if De Jong heads to Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford.
      The United legend told Football Daily: “If they (United) don’t get him, it’s embarrassing but if he goes to Chelsea, it’s horrific.
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      “If he doesn’t want to come the deal would have been switched off a few weeks ago.
      “Because of the relationship the player has with the manager, there must be some communication between them that’s saying, ‘wait for me I’m coming’.”

      De Jong is claimed to be holding showdown talks with his agent today in attempt to try and finally resolve his future.
      While a move to Old Trafford could still be on the cards, De Jong joining a Premier League rival is something Neville cannot “even contemplate thinking about”.
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      He continued: “There are three outcomes. One, he comes and Man United look smart and patient.
      “The second is that he stays at Barca and there’s a bit of embarrassment because they’ve put all their eggs in one basket, and they haven’t got anyone else in.
      “They’ve got a void in the squad, they’re starting the season with Fred and McTominay, and it makes them look like they can’t get a deal over the line.
      “The third one does not even contemplate thinking about – he goes to a rival club in the Premier League against the manager who he’d worked under for the previous few years.”
      The 25-year-old has made it clear he would like to stay at Barcelona.
      But the club’s dire financial position, which means they cannot register any of their new signings, means they are eager for De Jong to leave. More

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      Gerard Pique set to take massive pay cut to help cash-strapped Barcelona after LaLiga refuse to let him play for FREE

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      GERARD PIQUE is willing to take another huge pay cut to help Barcelona register their five summer signings – as LaLiga won’t let him play for free.Cash-strapped Barca will open their season at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday without seven stars – unless they slash their wage bill.
      Ex-Spain defender Gerard Pique is set for another pay cut to remain at BarcaCredit: Rex
      And defensive legend Pique, 35, is doing all he can as the Spanish giants battle to avert a farcical situation.
      Barcelona have defied their money problems by spending big.
      In came £47million Leeds winger Raphinha, £42,5m Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea target Jules Kounde from Sevilla for £55m.
      Stamford Bridge centre-back Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie arrived for free.
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      And that duo could LEAVE for free if they are not registered – because of a clause in their contract.
      Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto also face missing out on the LaLiga curtain-raiser if Barca don’t sort out their wage dilemma.

      They agreed new contracts this summer, but that means they too can’t be registered unless the overall pay bill is slashed.
      Barcelona even hope to make more major signings, although they could offload Frenkie de Jong to Chelsea or Manchester United.
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      Barca still want Marcos Alonso and possibly even his Chelsea team-mate Cesar Azplicueta.
      And most ambitiously,  they have an eye on Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva, who could cost at least £67million.
      Former Red Devils and Spain central defender Pique took his first pay cut last summer.
      But it couldn’t save Barcelona from losing Lionel Messi to PSG as their cash crisis hit hard.
      And that quandary has now deepened – with seven players in limbo. More

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      Inside Johan Cruyff’s boyhood home where Barcelona hero lived with greengrocer parents and is available for fans to rent

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      FOOTBALL fans have been offered the chance to rent Johan Cruyff’s house… for just £150 a week.Ajax, Barcelona and Holland legend Cruyff was born in Amsterdam in 1947.
      Johan Cruyff’s childhood house is available for fans to rentCredit: Google Maps
      A plaque pays tribute to Cruyff on the buildingCredit: AFP
      Flowers were laid at the house in tribute to the icon when he passed awayCredit: Getty
      The Ajax legend grew up on a street five minutes away from the club’s stadiumCredit: SportMob
      He spent his first 12 years in the city’s Betondorp suburb, where his parents ran a greengrocer’s shop.
      Future Ajax and Barca coaching icon Cruyff died in 2016, aged 68.
      Fans from around the world have made pilgrimages to the modest three-room property at 32 Akkerstraat, Amsterdam.
      It has been covered with fan messages, and its windows display pictures of its famous former resident.
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      Plans had been made to turn the house into a museum honouring the World Cup star, who won three European Cups in the 1970s with Ajax.
      But it has now instead been put up for rent by Amsterdam’s Ymere housing association for 762 euros, or £655, a month.

      Ymere spokesman Coen Springelkamp said: “Given the long waiting lists for social housing, the best solution is to rent this house out.
      “You don’t have to be a football fan to answer the advertisement, although of course that would be nice.
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      “But don’t worry – we won’t ask you to do keepy-uppies before we rent it to you.”
      The house offers two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, toilet, bathroom and a back garden.
      And neighbours include devoted fans of Ajax, who Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag led to the Eredivisie title last season.
      One local told De Telegraaf: “If a Feyenoord fan comes to live in the house, I’ll throw a firebomb through the window.”
      The football icon finished his playing career in 1984 and died in 2016Credit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Frenkie de Jong goes wakeboarding with stunning fiancee while Barcelona continue transfer talks with Man Utd and Chelsea

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      FRENKIE DE JONG cut a relaxed figure as he forgot about his transfer woes with a wakeboarding session in Spain.The Barcelona star, 25, has seen his future constantly come under the spotlight this summer.
      Chelsea and Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong enjoyed some wakeboarding in BarcelonaCredit: @frenkiedejong
      De Jong’s fiancee Mikky Kiemeney joined him on the tripCredit: Instagram / @mikkykiemeney
      The pair shared some loved up picsCredit: Instagram / @mikkykiemeney
      Chelsea and Manchester United are both eager to sign De Jong.
      And although he would like to stay at Barca, the Dutchman is yet to be paid around £14million in deferred wages.

      Indeed, Barcelona are now threatening legal action unless he agrees to take a mammoth pay cut.
      And with De Jong yet to decide where his future lies, the transfer saga is set to rumble on this month.
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      In the meantime, De Jong has been enjoying what could potentially be his final days in Catalonia.
      The Dutch ace and fiancee Mikky Kiemeney decided to take a trip so they could try their hand at wakeboarding.
      An Instagram Story video showed De Jong gliding along the water while being pulled by a high-speed boat.
      The playmaker looked to be in total control of his board – just like he is with a football at his feet.
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      And a further picture showed De Jong travelling with just one hand while using the other for the perfect pose.
      One would be forgiven for thinking there was nothing going on in regarding De Jong’s playing future.
      But the Holland ace now has a big decision to make ahead of the new LaLiga campaign this weekend.
      Barcelona’s financial woes are still very much present.
      And until De Jong goes, they can’t even register new signings Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
      De Jong was joined by fiancee Mikky KiemeneyCredit: Instagram @mikkykiemeney More

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      Tottenham in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Barcelona over Memphis Depay transfer and could get ex-Man Utd star for FREE

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      TOTTENHAM are in advanced talks to sign Memphis Depay on a free transfer from Barcelona, according to reports.Spurs have been one of the most active clubs in this summer’s transfer window.
      Depay could leave Barcelona on a free transferCredit: AFP
      Antonio Conte has already introduced six new players to the squad including former Everton forward Richarlison, who made a blockbuster £60million move from Merseyside last month.
      But, now the Italian is eager to further strengthen his attack by signing Depay from Barcelona.

      According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham’s Managing Director of Football Fabio Paratici approached the LaLiga giants earlier this week to discuss the possibility of a transfer.
      Spurs were originally willing to bid around £15m for the Dutchman, but the club could now be offered the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer.
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      Depay’s representatives are currently attempting to negotiate a deal with Barca officials which would see his contract terminated.
      The forward has been informed by Xavi that he will have no place at the club next season.
      This is largely due to the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, who joined the club in a £42.5m transfer after forcing a move away from Bayern Munich.
      Juventus are also interested in signing Depay.
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      The Dutchman is claimed to be enticed by the prospect of a move to Serie A, but he has been ‘distracted’ by the approach from Tottenham as it would see him return to the Premier League.
      He spent two seasons in England’s top tier when he signed for Manchester United in 2015.
      In 53 appearances for The Red Devils he scored seven goals before joining Lyon in 2017.
      Depay then went on to sign a two-year deal with Barcelona last summer, but, he will depart much sooner than expected. More

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      Piers Morgan slams Mikel Arteta for ‘humiliating’ Aubameyang which ‘cost Arsenal top four’ amid Chelsea transfer links

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      PIERS MORGAN has accused Mikel Arteta of “humiliating” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal amid reports he could be set to join Chelsea.The 33-year-old saw his Gunners contract terminated back in January after several disciplinary issues.
      Aubameyang is being linked with a move to Chelsea this summerCredit: Getty
      Morgan leapt to the defence of Aubameyang on social mediaCredit: The Mega Agency
      He joined Barcelona for the second half of last season, scoring 13 times in 23 games.
      But now he is rumoured to be on his way back to the Premier League as Chelsea eye him up as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
      A potentially swift exit from the Nou Camp led to a tweet from @GoonerTalk who said: “Piers Morgan went on and on about Arsenal offloading ‘world class striker’ Aubameyang, just for Barcelona to try to get rid of him 6 months later.
      “If a player is rumoured to be problematic and then two teams bin him within 6 months, you can take those rumours as gospel.”
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      To which SunSport columnist Piers replied: “No reports of [Aubameyang] being anything but exemplary at Barca, and a goal machine.
      “Now he may go to Chelsea, managed by [Thomas] Tuchel who managed him at Dortmund & loved him so much he wants to work with him again.
      “So every part of this tweet is utter twaddle.”
      Another social media user then slammed Aubameyang’s inability to attend meetings on time.
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      With Morgan snapping back again, saying: “He’s a poor time-keeper, big deal.
      “Tuchel managed him superbly, Arteta chose to humiliate him and give him away – costing us top four.”
      Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in December last year after returning home late from a trip abroad.
      Explaining the decision at the time, Arteta said: “The decision we have taken as a club is very clear.
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      “It is because we believe he has failed to be committed as the level we all expect and agree. It is as simple as that.
      “What I expect from any person in this football club, that is representing this badge, is passion and that he gives absolutely 100%, that he puts the club in front of any personal interests and is able to do anything to fulfil the badge we have on the chest.
      “Apart from that, you can listen to individuals and you can understand different cultures, but that commitment and passion has to be there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.”
      Aubameyang was axed by Arteta in January as Arsenal terminated his contractCredit: PA More