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      Lionel Messi ‘to accept new Barcelona deal on LOWER wages’ so club can afford Erling Haaland transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI will accept reduced terms on his new contract to help Barcelona sign Erling Haaland, according to reports.Negotiations on the Argentine’s £2.4million-a-week deal are set to begin soon after a financial review by new club president Joan Laporta.
      Lionel Messi is set to become a free agent in two months’ timeCredit: Getty
      Erling Haaland is a top transfer target for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Earlier this month, the player’s dad and agent Jorge Messi landed in Spain in preparation for the talks.
      And it has been mooted that Barcelona’s ambition in the transfer market will be a big factor in securing his commitment.
      According to Eurosport, Messi will even accept a hefty wage cut if the savings are funnelled into improving the squad.
      Borussia Dortmund star Haaland is known to be a top target of the LaLiga giants.
      The Norwegian’s dad, Alf-Inge, and agent, Mino Raiola, recently flew into the city for transfer talks.
      But the Bundesliga club will demand a fee north of £150m – which may be lowered if they fail to reach next season’s Champions League.
      Barcelona were struggling under a ballooning wage bill before the pandemic, which has exacerbated their financial problems.
      Rival interest in Messi is expected to come from Paris Saint-Germain with only two months to go until he is a free agent.
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      Ronald Koeman is hoping to bolster his squad with cheap deals for Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum rumoured for when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
      Also key to persuading Messi may be Barcelona’s LaLiga title challenge following a faltering start.
      The Catalans had the chance to reach the top of the table on Thursday but lost 2-1 at home to Granada, with leaders Atletico Madrid coming to the Camp Nou in a week’s time.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Man City keen on Lionel Messi AND Erling Haaland as Pep Guardiola eyes superstar transfer in summer More

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      Andre Silva ‘wants LaLiga transfer over Man Utd move’ with Real Madrid to offer Jovic plus cash to Eintracht Frankfurt

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      REAL MADRID could be about to move ahead of Manchester United in the race for Andre Silva.Reports in Germany indicate the LaLiga giants are willing to allow Luka Jovic to sign for Eintracht Frankfurt permanently in a player-plus-cash deal.
      Andre Silva is reportedly attracting the interest of Real MadridCredit: AFP
      Luka Jovic could make his Eintracht Frankfurt loan permanent as part of the dealCredit: EPA
      Silva, 25, has smashed 26 goals for the Bundesliga club this season after signing from AC Milan.
      Long tipped to become one of Europe’s top forwards, he has earned the attention of several prospective buyers.
      United are said to be among them along with Borussia Dortmund, who could become particularly keen if Erling Haaland leaves.
      SunSport revealed in February that the Red Devils are pondering a £30m offer if Edinson Cavani leaves for free.
      But Madrid have entered the race with a unique offer, according to Bild, and are the preferred destination for Silva.
      Serbian striker Jovic, 23, made his name with Eintracht before a £52m move to Real in 2019.

      After a poor season which saw him net just two goals, the player was loaned back to Frankfurt and could remain with the club as part of this deal.
      It is said Madrid are willing to pay around £17m plus Jovic to land Silva’s signature.
      The transfer may require the Serb to take a large pay cut from his rumoured £170,000-a-week wage.
      And Eintracht may yet seek a bigger fee for Silva if the side, currently fourth in the table, qualify for the Champions League.
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      It has been mooted that the Portugal international is available through a release clause for just £26m, something the player’s camp has denied.
      Agent Hendrik Schauerte told Bild last week: “Of course, at the current time of the season, the speculation will not decrease, we are not guided by that.
      “Andre is totally focused and wants to secure the Champions League places with Eintracht.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Thibaut Courtois caught joking with Chelsea star Olivier Giroud over Timo Werner miss by secret Real Madrid tunnel cam More

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      Gundogan reveals raging Jurgen Klopp shouted ‘do whatever the f*** you want’ at him in Dortmund training ground row

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      ILKAY GUNDOGAN revealed a raging Jurgen Klopp once shouted ‘do whatever the f*** you want’ at him in an explosive Borussia Dortmund training ground row.The Manchester City midfielder, 30, worked under the now-Liverpool boss at Signal Iduna Park between 2011 and 2015.
      Ilkay Gundogan got on the wrong side of Jurgen Klopp after failing to report an injury before trainingCredit: EPA
      The pair worked together for four years at Borussia Dortmund before Klopp’s 2015 departureCredit: Reuters
      And while they enjoyed plenty of success on the pitch – winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and reaching the Champions League final – they also had a few fiery moments behind the scenes.
      Dortmund players had a rule they had to inform the club doctor if they had any niggles or slight pains to avoid injuries – but when he woke up with a tight hamstring he decided against reporting it because he thought it would be fine.
      Writing for The Players’ Tribune, Gundogan said: “I once managed to make Jurgen Klopp angry. Like, really angry. It was in my second season at Dortmund. We were trailing in the Bundesliga, but we had a shot at the Champions League.
      “An hour before training, just to be sure, I asked the doctor to take a look at my hamstring.
      “Jurgen came in and he was not happy. I was trying to find a way out of it, even though I knew I was wrong. Jurgen kept saying that we couldn’t take any risks. I kept saying that I could train.
      “And then he snapped. You know when he gets these intense eyes and grits his teeth?
      “He gave me that look and shouted, ‘DO WHATEVER THE F*** YOU WANT TO DO!’ Then he slammed the door behind him.
      “About half an hour later, I put my boots on and walked on to the pitch. Jurgen came up next to me. I was expecting a lecture, but he put his arm around me.
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      “He said, ‘My friend, do you know why I was so angry? I just care about you. And I don’t want you to get injured.’ Then he gave me a big hug.
      “I was shocked. We had had this fight, and now he was talking to me the way a father might talk to his son.
      “That showed me what kind of person he is: very emotional, of course, but also very open and honest.
      “Jurgen taught me a lesson that day: Always try to be honest. Both with others and yourself.”
      Born and raised in Germany to Turkish parents, Gundogan considers himself to have dual nationality.
      But that has led to difficulties with Germans ‘surprised how good my German is’ and Turks ‘question how Turkish I really am’.
      And the racism continued when he signed for Dortmund and started looking to buy a house.
      The 45-cap German international said: “When I arrived at Dortmund, I thought I was prepared for anything. I was wrong. I’ll never forget what happened.
      Klopp gave Gundogan a big hug half an hour after their expletive bust-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder spent five years with Borussia Dortmund and scored in the Champions League finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “I was looking for an apartment in the city, and I overheard these people talking about me.
      “They would say, ‘Have you seen his name? Gündoğan. That’s Turkish. Do you really think he can afford it?’
      “I mean … what the f***. Where do you even start with that?
      “Of course, once I told them that I was a footballer, their tone changed completely, ‘Oh sir, please come in, have a look. Anything we can do to help, let us know.’
      “And these people were immigrants themselves! It was just so sad.”
      Gundogan spent five seasons at Dortmund but was ready to move on in 2016 and linked up with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, enjoying a stunning 2020-21 campaign.
      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      They are actually neighbours in their city apartments and Gundogan’s friend took a bottle of champagne and a card round for the manager’s birthday.
      The midfielder continued: “About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door. I was like, ‘Who the f*** is this?’ I thought my friend had ordered pizza or something. 
      “My friend opened the door, and it was Pep! He said, ‘Where’s Gundo?’
      “We were both really surprised because Pep is such a private guy. We had seen him around in the elevator and stuff, but he had never been in my apartment.
      “He had brought the champagne bottle and three glasses. He ended up staying for an hour just to chill.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Gundogan has suffered racism from both Germany and Turkey which has been difficult to overcomeCredit: Reuters
      Gundogan and Pep Guardiola shared a bottle of champagne for the boss’ birthdayCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Manchester City players İlkay Gündoğan and Phil Foden open up about their own mental health   More

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      Big-hearted Borussia Dortmund keeper Marwin Hitz donates stem cells to stranger battling leukaemia

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      BIG-HEARTED Borussia Dortmund star Marwin Hitz has taken time off between matches to donate stem cells to a stranger battling leukaemia.DKMS Germany uploaded a photograph to Instagram at the weekend showing Dortmund’s Swiss goalkeeper in a hospital bed preparing to donate.
      Borussia Dortmund star Marwin Hitz has donated stem cells to a stranger battling leukaemiaCredit: Instagram @dkms_de
      Hitz, 33, has been at Dortmund since 2018, playing 26 times in all competitions this term.
      But he made his biggest contribution this season donating stem cells in the fight against leukaemia.
      He declared: “I have a family of my own, I have children.
      “If I imagined that one of them would develop blood cancer, I would be incredibly grateful for any suitable donor.
      “Against this background, it was a matter to help when I was told that I might be the suitable donor for a person suffering from blood cancer.
      “The entire procedure is painless and, to be honest, not worth mentioning.”
      Hitz registered as a donor while playing for old club Wolfsburg.
      Hitz was handed a new two-year deal by Dortmund last monthCredit: AFP

      And after being told he was a match for a stranger battling leukaemia, Hitz jumped at the chance to help out.
      Hitz penned a new two-year contract last month after ousting Roman Burki as the club’s No1.
      And reports claim Hitz could be set to continue as Dortmund’s first-choice keeper under new boss Marco Rose next season.
      The current Gladbach gaffer is said to be impressed with Hitz, as well as Dortmund’s other goalie Burki, and doesn’t see the need to splash out on a new stopper.
      Jude Bellingham trains with Borussia Dortmund More

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      Tottenham target Nagelsmann ‘agrees to join Bayern after asking for contract termination’ but RB Leipzig demand £26m

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      JULIAN NAGELSMANN has asked to terminate his RB Leipzig deal a year early and agreed to join Bayern, according to reports.The 33-year-old coach is wanted by both Bayern Munich and Tottenham to be their next manager.
      Julian Nagelsmann has reportedly agreed to be Bayern manager after asking for his Red Bull contract to be terminatedCredit: Reuters
      And Kicker in Germany report that he’s asked to end his Leipzig contract until 2023 a year early to join Bayern.
      Bild, meanwhile, report that Leipzig will demand £26million in compensation from Bayern Munich.
      Tottenham are looking for a new boss to replace Jose Mourinho, while Bayern are searching for Hansi Flick’s successor.
      But Spurs believe they can lure Nagelsmann, who wants to manage in England.
      Chairman Daniel Levy had been weighing up sacking Mourinho, 58, for weeks.
      German coach Nagelsmann has been in charge at Leipzig since 2019.
      He had a three-year spell as Hoffenheim boss before that and was voted German manager of the season in 2017.
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      Leipzig are second in the Bundesliga, seven points off leaders and soon to be champions Bayern Munich.
      They also have a German Cup semi-final against Werder Bremen on the horizon on Friday.
      Leipzig also announced on Monday that sporting director Markus Krosche will leave the club by mutual consent.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Check out the five top young coaches in Europe, including Julian Nagelsmann More

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      Mainz 2 Bayern Munich 1: Flick’s side blow chance to win title despite late Lewandowski goal

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      BAYERN MUNICH were thwarted by Mainz as they missed out on winning the Bundesliga title with three games to spare this afternoon.Hansi Flick’s men found themselves two goals down at the interval, having delivered a lacklustre performance.
      Mainz shocked Bayern Munich this afternoonCredit: Reuters
      Bayern missed the chance to clinch the titleCredit: AP
      And even the returning Robert Lewandowski couldn’t inspire them to a comeback, although the Pole did get on the scoresheet late on.
      Jonathan Burkardt gave Mainz the perfect start after just three minutes, when he turned on a sixpence before firing past Manuel Neuer.
      Danny Latzka then nearly made it two, but saw his header denied by Germany’s No1.
      Lewandowski, in his first game in four weeks, skied a presentable chance to equalise, before Mainz extended their lead after 37 minutes.
      Robin Quaison nodded Philippe Mwene’s free-kick beyond the helpless Neuer to put Bo Svensson’s side in a commanding position going into the interval.
      Flick, who is set to depart at the end of the season, made three changes at the break – introducing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Jamal Musiala and Tanguy Nianzou.
      But Bayern still struggled to break down Mainz’s stubborn defence – despite finishing the game having had 73 per cent of the ball.
      Lewandowski did manage to grab his customary goal with virtually the final act of the match.

      Robin Quaison rose to make it 2-0Credit: AFP
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      Bayern could still clinch the title this weekend – if second-placed RB Leipzig fail to beat Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon.
      The reigning champions are ten points clear of Julian Nagelsmann’s side, who still have four games remaining.
      Bayern also possess far superior goal difference to RB Leipzig, at plus-46 compared to plus-28.
      With Flick having announced his intention to leave at the end of the season, RB Leipzig’s coach Nagelsmann may well end up at Allianz Arena next term.
      Although the 33-year-old is also a main contender for the vacant Spurs job this summer.
      Robert Lewandowski marked his return with a goalCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Hansi Flick confirms plan to quit Bayern Munich amid internal power struggle with coach set to land Germany job More

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      Chelsea in Jude Bellingham transfer blow as Dortmund make 17-year-old wonderkid ‘untouchable’ in summer

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND will not sell ‘untouchable’ Jude Bellingham this summer, according to reports.The English teenager has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, having impressed in his debut Bundesliga season.
      Jude Bellingham has made 41 appearances for Borussia Dortmund this seasonCredit: Getty
      But if Dortmund have their way, the former Birmingham City starlet will be going nowhere.
      Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that Dortmund consider Bellingham, 17, ‘untouchable’ going into the summer window.
      And the Italian ‘expects’ the German giants to keep their wonderkid this summer.
      Bellingham burst on to the scene as a 16-year-old for boyhood club Birmingham last season, making 41 appearances in the Championship.
      His performances drew interest from Manchester United, with the Red Devils having been desperate to secure the midfielder’s signature.
      But Dortmund beat them in the race, shelling out an initial £25million for Bellingham’s services.
      Such was his impact at St Andrews, that Blues bizarrely retired his No22 shirt following his departure.
      He has hit the ground running in Germany, already tallying up 41 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
      Bellingham, 17, recently scored against Manchester City in the Champions LeagueCredit: PA
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      And he recently impressed English football fans once again, when he scored a composed finish against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
      His talent has already drawn international recognition, winning two caps for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
      And his displays for Dortmund have put him in a fantastic position to make it into Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad this summer.
      Jude Bellingham has already won two England capsCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Jude Bellingham trains with England squad for the first time More

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      What is the 50+1 rule and will it be introduced in the Premier League? German football ownership system explained?

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      THE UK Government has ordered a fan-led, root and branch review of football governance following the European Super League debacle.And one proposal that could be looked at in the wake of the failed scheme is the German 50+1 fan ownership system.
      Bayern Munich and the majority of German clubs are subject to the 50+1 ruleCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Here, SunSport takes a look at how it works and whether it could be introduced in England.
      What is 50+1?
      The 50+1 rule means that every club that wants to compete in the German Football League must be 50 per cent owned by the fans, with the fans having the casting vote on all initiatives.
      Football clubs are not allowed to play in the Bundesliga if a private company or individual has more than a 50 per cent stake.
      German clubs were historically non-for-profit members organisations with private ownership of any kind prohibited, but in 1998 50+1 was introduced as a way for clubs to secure some private funding.
      The Bundesliga claims this rule is responsible for keeping wages and debts at its club under control and ticket prices low.
      Bundesliga attendances are among the highest in Europe, with Borussia Dortmund recording the largest average attendance on the continent in 2016-17 and Bayern Munich the third largest.

      Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said of the system: “The German spectator traditionally has close ties with his club.
      “And if he gets the feeling that he’s no longer regarded as a fan but instead as a customer, we’ll have a problem.
      “The 50+1 rule does significantly more good than harm in Germany.
      “Most clubs won’t get a Roman Abramovich, who in the first place wants to see Chelsea winning.
      “Most of the investors want to earn money. And where do they get it from? The spectators.”

      Are all German clubs fan-owned?
      Though the 50+1 rule is a rigid one, there are a small number of exceptions.
      Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen, who were formed by Volkswagen and Bayer pharmaceuticals respectively, are not subject to 50+1.
      Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hoff is also allowed to own his club outright after investing consistently in it for over 20 years, but he is greeted with hostility by supporters of the other Bundesliga clubs.
      A similar bid by Martin Kind to take full control of Hannover, however, was defeated due to fan opposition.
      Most controversial though, has been RB Leipzig, who found a way to comply with the letter of the law but not the spirit.
      In 2009, Red Bull purchased fifth tier SSV Markranstadt who, as a non-league club, did not have to follow 50+1.
      Once they were promoted to the league system, Leipzig allowed just 17 people to join the club as members, most of whom were employees or associates of Red Bull.
      Supporters can only join as non-voting members and even that membership is priced at a prohibitive one thousand euros per year.

      Will 50+1 be introduced in England?
      Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed that the government is looking at 50+1 as a model for English football.
      He told talkSPORT: “Naturally we’ve got to learn the lessons from the crisis in football financing during the Covid crisis.
      “We need to put this on a more sustainable footing.
      “For example in the German leagues they have a different governance structure so it’s right we look at those things.
      “The PM was good, I had a meeting with him and fans on Tuesday and he said we had to do whatever it took and that includes legislation and if legislation is required we’ll do that.
      “But the immediate legislation we were preparing to pull together was to deal with this immediate threat from this outrageous [Super League] proposal.”
      Oliver Dowden has said the government will look at introducing the German systemCredit: Alamy
      And Boris Johnson has stated that a ‘root-and-branch investigation’ will be overseen by former sports minister Tracey Crouch to review English football’s governance and to ‘promote the role of fans in that governance’.
      It is not known how and whether the government would be able to strip Premier League owners of 50 per cent shares of their clubs if the initiative were to be brought in, however.
      And decision on football club ownership in England is likely to depend on the findings of Tracey Crouch’s review. More