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Man Utd are ‘favourites’ to sign Pau Torres ahead of Tottenham as they prepare £43m transfer bid for Villarreal defender
by Philippa Kaur 9 June 2022, 13:04
MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham are battling it out to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres, according to reports in Spain.Torres, 25, has impressed in LaLiga and the Champions League, helping Villarreal to the semi-final.
Manchester United are favourites to land Pau TorresCredit: Getty
United have held a long-term interest in Torres but appear to be preparing a move this summer.
Villarreal are seeking £43million for the Spaniard and United are favourites to sign him, according to La Razon.
But Tottenham could twist Villarreal’s arm by offering Giovani Lo Celso in exchange.
The midfielder spent the second half of the season on loan at the club and returned to form under Unai Emery.
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Spurs were also interested in Torres last summer but were rejected by the defender, who explained he wanted to play Champions League football with his hometown club.
He could be more interested in a move this summer however with Spurs also playing in Europe’s top club competition.
The prospect of working under Antonio Conte could also appeal, with the Italian open to letting Lo Celso leave.
Conte has made Inter star Alessandro Bastoni his number one defensive transfer target.
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United are also keen on the centre-back and have reportedly enquired about the Italian’s availability.
Bastoni has spoken about his future and failed to rule out a move.
Speaking to Rai Sport, he said: “I have two years of my contract with Inter, so I am relaxed. The club hasn’t told me anything.
“I am just waiting to go on vacation after this and then start pre-season with Inter.” More
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The rise of Benfica star Darwin Nunez, from surgeries and tears to being Liverpool’s No1 attacking target this summer
by Philippa Kaur 8 June 2022, 14:17
DARWIN NUNEZ is set to be the face of one of the summer’s biggest transfer sagas with Liverpool now leading the race to land the in-demand striker.West Ham came close to snapping up the Benfica striker, 22, in the January window on deadline day before a late collapse.
Darwin Nunez scored a classy goal against Liverpool at Anfield and could now join the RedsCredit: Getty
Nunez also netted against the Reds in the first leg with Jurgen Klopp to bring him to AnfieldCredit: Getty
And now, some of the biggest clubs on the continent have joined the chase to secure the services of the Uruguayan who has announced himself on the European stage during the 2021-22 season.
As well as scoring an incredible 26 goals in 28 games domestically, Nunez netted six goals in ten Champions League matches.
Those ridiculous stats include a pair against Barcelona, one against Bayern Munich, one against Ajax and two versus Liverpool in Benfica’s quarter final defeat.
Now strongly tipped for a move to Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in a club-record £85m deal, it is important to understand the player and the person behind the incredible goal-scoring stats.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NU KID ON THE BLOCK .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Nunez Liverpool transfer makes more sense than Haaland’s Man City move
Nunez grew up in a poor neighbourhood called Los Piratas in Artigas – a Uruguayan village on the borders of Brazil.
His upbringing in football was a tough one, suffering potentially significant knee injuries that required surgery as an 18-year-old.
Despite this, his biggest attribute was always one of physicality and power, and after scoring 16 goals in his first season with Spanish second division outfit Almeria, Benfica took a punt on Nunez in September 2020 signing a five-year deal for a club-record £20m.
Upon completing that move, it is said Nunez cried with his father in their family home having achieved his dreams after overcoming his knee issues.
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But despite adapting well to the Portuguese league in his first season, the tears soon returned as his knee troubles resurfaced in May 2021.
Those closest to him explain how emotions spilled over after he was subbed during a game against Farense, sobbing on the bench clutching his knee, raging with then-boss Jorge Jesus.
Another poor performance against Sporting Lisbon, where he was clearly playing through the pain, saw him delete his social media account after feeling the wrath of the Benfica fans.
More knee surgery that summer meant he missed the first few weeks of the 2021-22 campaign but came back strong, and has been an unstoppable force since.
Nunez is described by those who know him best as reserved and now in control of his emotions, especially as he has recently become a father.
And since returning to social media, he has even embraced a meme targeting his long hair, and now often celebrates goals by pointing to it.
WHERE WILL HE GO?
Should he get his big move abroad, no one will be laughing at him.
His representatives believe he is ready with Portuguese football always seen as a launch pad.
But which club will he choose? SunSport understands that despite admiring Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Nunez and his camp do not see it as the perfect fit.
In their eyes, he needs space to run, a physical style of play and a guarantee of minutes, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham all preferable locations, while Man Utd are viewed as more of a risk.
The Benfica striker has attracted attention from the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
Just watching him against Klopp’s men in the quarter final first leg in Lisbon showed what he is capable of, bravely battling with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate before pouncing on the latter’s mistake with a true poacher’s finish.
He also took his goal in the 3-3 draw at Anfield superbly.
No wonder Klopp praised him before that second leg.
Benfica manager Nelson Verissimo claims Nunez should be valued at the same amount that Joao Felix was when he left for Atletico Madrid for £113m in 2019.
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The club were willing to part with Nunez for around £65m in January, but that figure now appears to have rocketed up to closer to £85m.
Wherever he ends up, Nunez will be ready and determined to seize his moment.
It is unlikely Nunez will choose Pep Guardiola’s Man City as his next club – but he could link up with Jurgen Klopp’s LiverpoolCredit: Reuters More
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Gareth Bale snubbed as Real Madrid plan special send-off for Marcelo despite Wales winger winning five Champions Leagues
by Philippa Kaur 7 June 2022, 15:45
REAL MADRID are reportedly planning a special send off for departing legend Marcelo… but not for Gareth Bale.Both stalwarts are leaving the Bernabeu this summer after winning numerous trophies with the Spanish giants.
Gareth Bale picked up his fifth Champions League medalCredit: Getty
Marcelo leaves Real Madrid after winning his 25th trophyCredit: Splash
Madrid released a gushing statement announcing Bale’s departure last month, describing him as a “club legend”.
Marcelo, meanwhile, will get a special send off event – most likely held at Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex.
AS report that the Brazilian will be surrounded by all 25 major trophies that he won with Madrid, as well as relatives and former team-mates.
Fellow legends Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas were given similar send-offs.
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Marcelo announced after the Champions League final that he’d be leaving Madrid after 15-and-a-half years.
The left-back made 545 appearances for Los Blancos – winning six LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues among his 25 major trophies.
Bale, who has had a rocky relationship with Madrid in recent years, had to be content with just a statement – despite winning five Champions League titles.
Saying goodbye to the LaLiga champions, Bale wrote on social media: “I write this message to say thank you to all my team mates, past and present, my managers, the back room staff and to the fans that supported me.
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“I arrived here nine years ago as a young man who wanted to realise my dream of playing for Real Madrid.
“To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and to be part of what it’s so famous for, to win the Champions League.
“I can now look back, reflect and say with honesty that this dream became a reality and much, much more.
“To be part of this club’s history and to achieve what we achieved while I was a Real Madrid player, has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget.
“I also want to thank president Florentino Perez Jose Angel Sanchez, and the board for giving me the opportunity to play for this club.
“Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football. It has been an honour. Thank you! HALA MADRID!”
Bale finished his Madrid career with 106 goals and 67 assists in 258 appearances.
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He will NOT retire, having helped Wales to qualify for the World Cup this winter.
The former Tottenham ace is reportedly wanted by more than TEN clubs including Cardiff after leaving Madrid. More
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Dave Kidd: Mourinho, Conte and Ancelotti can’t all be wrong… Gareth Bale’s days as an elite footballer are long gone
by Philippa Kaur 6 June 2022, 19:33
WANT to sign a five-time Champions League winner on a free transfer?Still only 32, one of the most decorated British footballers of all time and about to captain his nation at the World Cup?
Bale says he has ‘loads’ of offers from clubs this summer but what does he have to offer a Premier League side?Credit: Rex
Gareth Bale claimed, with a grin, that he has “loads” of offers for a new club this summer after leaving Real Madrid, then leading Wales to Qatar.
But are any of those offers from the Premier League?
Because, despite his outstanding talent and stellar CV, what sort of signing would Bale be for any English top-flight club?
A player whose devotion to his country is totally unshakeable — but who makes no bones about the waning of his enthusiasm for club football.
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Had Ukraine defeated Wales on Sunday, Bale may have opted for retirement, or the semi- retirement, of Major League Soccer.
So give Bale a one-year deal and you might get a couple of months at full pelt, but as we get close to the World Cup in November, a player who will be more desperate than most to avoid an injury before Qatar.
And after the tournament, a player ready for his pipe and slippers or — more accurately — his five-iron and golf spikes.
Three managerial greats — Jose Mourinho, Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti — have all been reluctant to play Bale in recent seasons. Were they all wrong?
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FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
There will be some in the Newcastle hierarchy who would love to snap up Bale as a marquee signing for the Geordie Arabia project but is the supremely- sensible Eddie Howe likely to concur?
A return to Tottenham seems impossible under the demanding Antonio Conte.
Might his first club Southampton fancy a stab?
Bournemouth, under Bale’s former Spurs team-mate Scott Parker?
But any of them would be grappling with exactly the same issues.
Spending a weekend in Cardiff for Wales’ play-off victory over Ukraine was to experience a cultish hysteria around Bale.
While the skipper’s free-kick led to Andriy Yarmolenko’s own-goal winner, and he played with energy and passion, this Welsh victory was not truly about Bale.
Bale has got used to life on the bench at Real MadridCredit: Getty
Burnley’s second-choice keeper Wayne Hennessey had the game of his life, while Ben Davies and Neco Williams were magnificent in defence — and substitute Brennan Johnson was arguably the liveliest Welsh attacking player.
But the mutual love-in between Bale and his homeland is extraordinarily strong.
A succession of Wales managers are adamant that he is an outstanding individual player who fully buys into the team collective and that the national team is where he feels a sense of belonging, especially given his fractious relationship with Madrid.
Recalling his sicknote for Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics, the Wales fans love to sing: ‘Viva Gareth Bale, he had a bad back, f*** the Union Jack, Viva Gareth Bale’.
That dodgy pull-out is long-forgotten elsewhere in Britain — but in Wales it is used to add to a growing sense of Welsh nationalism.
Wales will be dangerous group-stage opponents for England in Qatar — the first-ever all-British match at a World Cup finals.
Gareth Southgate would have preferred to avoid a domestic tear-up. He was wary of the unique atmosphere around such matches before last summer’s Euros clash with Scotland. And he was right, as that goalless draw was comfortably England’s worst performance of the tournament.
The England boss will also know that Bale — who scored against England at Euro 2016 — will be a dangerous opponent, given the right preparations.
But where will those preparations be, given that Bale stated this weekend that it is ‘very unlikely’ that he would go to Qatar as a free agent?
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The one club to have gone public about their desire to sign Bale is Cardiff City, where he would be afforded hero status, boost gate receipts and merchandising income, as well as being allowed to pick and choose matches in the grind of a Championship season.
For while Qatar may afford Bale a glorious swansong with Wales, his days as an elite club footballer are surely in the past.
MUST BE KIDDING
SO the children of Hungarian racists turned out to be racist and booed England’s players taking the knee. Who’d have imagined it?
If Hungary – or England, or any other nation – are to be punished for fan misbehaviour – then behind-closed-doors must mean behind-closed-doors.
Allowing 30,000 schoolkids in – or even the couple of thousand expected at Molineux on Saturday for England’s ‘behind closed doors’ Nations League fixture with Italy – is a farce.
But then this is UEFA and, as anyone who was in Paris for the Champions League Final can attest, farce is simply what they do.
NATIONS PLEAS
THE Nations League is a fundamentally good idea. It provides competitive fixtures instead of friendlies.
And when England are winning in it, we do consider them to be competitive.
It is the staging of four Nations League fixtures at the end of a congested domestic season which caused Kevin De Bruyne to criticise the competition as “unimportant”, amid fears about burnout.
International sides need matches — it is the club game which is bloated.
The only answer to this mess is less club football. Good luck with that one, Kev.
GOD, IT’S SO SILLY
THERE was uproar on social media, and if there wasn’t uproar it wouldn’t be social media, after Trent Alexander-Arnold refused to sing God Save The Queen before England’s loss in Hungary.
After four days of parades and bunting and Paddington Bear (who’d be heading off to Rwanda if he’d arrived from Darkest Peru now), it’s worth remembering many of us are able to feel pride and joy in being English, while not wanting to sing about a hereditary monarchy.
BAT’S IT JOE
FOR two years or more, it felt as though the England captaincy was an unnecessary burden on Joe Root — and that Ben Stokes, an obvious natural leader, should have succeeded him.
So it was heartening to see that switch pay off in the First Test victory over New Zealand at Lord’s — with Root playing one of the innings of his life to secure a rare England victory over the world champions in Stokes’ first match in charge.
Root, a hugely likeable bloke, a magnificent batsman, but pretty average skipper, admits he had an ‘unhealthy relationship’ with the captaincy for some time.
After he became only the second Englishman to reach 10,000 Test runs, we might now reasonably expect the Yorkshireman, 31, to have a damned good go at surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 15,921.
BUM STEER
ONE of my favourite things about a day at the cricket has always been bumping into David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd for a chat about the usual subjects.
Such as locating the best real ale pubs in the vicinity, the fortunes of Accrington Stanley FC and the music of Half Man Half Biscuit.
And one of the best things about watching cricket on Sky was the gentle humour of the former England coach, which gave their coverage a welcome change of pace.
Sky dropped a ricket by axing Lloyd.
Having also lost the wonderful Michael Holding, to retirement, and the amusing Rob Key, to his new role as England supremo, they need old Bumble back. More
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‘I’m a Real Madrid fan who was attacked by thugs after Champions League final vs Liverpool, it’s a miracle I’m alive’
by Philippa Kaur 6 June 2022, 18:56
A REAL MADRID fan has given his account of a hellish Champions League final experience, saying “it’s a miracle I’m alive”.Madridista Paco Martinez Marin was among those attacked by notorious French ‘Saint-Denis’ thugs and has shared his story with fans forum La Galerna.
Real Madrid confirmed their fans were ‘assaulted and robbed’ outside the Stade De France
Paco was among the supporters attacked after a jubilant night
He said: “I never thought I expected to fear for our lives. Yes, I was really scared and thanks to my son today I can tell about it.
“Without exaggeration… it saved my life.
“A lot of people went together when we left the stadium. Happy. Our team had won.
“But fate was that we met a group of criminals armed with cutters who attacked us mercilessly making us fall to the ground and then rob us.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REAL FINAL FURY .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Madrid demand Champions League final probe after fans ‘assaulted & robbed’
“Some put the cutter around their necks and asked for their mobiles”.
“The worst of all was his attitude, that of the French Police, which at no time helped us.
“Neither us nor so many people who asked for help. I asked for an ambulance please because of the wounds I had, I was bleeding.
“A guard told the people asking for help: ‘Welcome to France…’.
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“People didn’t know where to go, it was chaos.
“A French citizen who was passing by, seeing his wounds, got out of his car and told me: ‘To the Hospital!’
“I went with him and yes, he took me to the closest one where I spent the night between priests and observing the blow to the head.
“I cried, yes, but not because of the aggression but because of rage, because of the help not received from the police to some injured people. That’s a crime.”
A guard told the people asking for help: ‘Welcome to France…’Paco MartinezLa Galerna
The most elite game in European football was tarnished by crowd issues with thousands of Liverpool supporters stuck outside the Stade de France, causing kick-off to be delayed by over half an hour.
Reds fans peacefully trying to enter the stadium were also tear-gassed by French police.
And CEO Billy Hogan admitted he was “in complete disbelief” after French ministers blamed Liverpool fans for the scenes outside the ground.
Chiefs also claimed there had been NO TROUBLE in the Real Madrid end of the ground.
But Real released a statement confirming their fans were in fact “assaulted and robbed” outside the stadium – as Paco’s account backs up.
Investigations are under way into the organisation and policing of the event. More
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Erik ten Hag ‘confident of luring Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd’ despite Barcelona ace wanting Champions League transfer
by Philippa Kaur 6 June 2022, 09:45
FRENKIE DE JONG’S desire to play in the Champions League does not appear to have hindered Erik ten Hag’s plans to sign him. The Manchester United boss is convinced he can persuade his fellow Dutchman to join the Old Trafford revolution, according to reports.
Frenkie de Jong is a target for Manchester United this summerCredit: AFP
Reports suggest Erik ten Hag is confident he can convince the midfielder to join the clubCredit: Getty
SunSport exclusively revealed last week that the Red Devils have opened talks with Barcelona over a deal for De Jong.
Meanwhile reports in Spain suggest Ten Hag is confident he will be able to convince De Jong to join his project.
Mundo Deportivo say the 25-year-old is said to be happy at Barcelona and “prioritises” playing in the Champions League – something Ten Hag cannot offer.
After a shock elimination at the group stage last season, a second place finish in LaLiga means De Jong will be playing in Europe’s elite competition if he stays at Barca.
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De Jong may need some persuading after saying last week Barcelona was his “dream” club and he wants to stay.
But the midfielder did play under Ten Hag at Ajax and the United gaffer is claimed to be optimistic an agreement can be reached.
Ten Hag is said to want to build his team around De Jong as he bids to lead the club back to its former glory.
A new central midfielder is a must for the upcoming window, with both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic confirmed to be leaving.
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was sham & begged me for nude pics, says BB star
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The Red Devils are hoping to seal a deal for De Jong for £50million, while Barcelona are demanding at least the £67m they paid for him three years ago.
Although Barcelona’s perilous financial position means they may be forced into a sale.
Chiefs at the club are claimed to be split over whether to let De Jong leave or not.
While the midfielder is a key figure at the Nou Camp, the financial rewards from a sale mean some technical figures are open to letting him leave. More
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Jose Mourinho faces awkward relationship with Lionel Messi at PSG after calling Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo the GOAT
by Philippa Kaur 5 June 2022, 16:06
JOSE MOURINHO risks the wrath of Lionel Messi if he takes the Paris Saint-Germain manager’s job, after he declared Cristiano Ronaldo was the greatest player of all time. SunSport understands the former Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham chief is being considered by PSG to take over from Mauricio Pochettino.
Ronaldo won the first of his two La Liga titles with Real under MourinhoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Messi and Mourinho have clashed a number of times but could soon be on the same teamCredit: AFP
Messi has previously described his rivalry with Ronaldo as “beautiful”Credit: AP
Pochettino won Ligue 1 with the Parisians but could only manage to guide the team to the last 16 in the Champions League, losing out to eventual winners Real Madrid.
And following the news that Kylian Mbappe signed a new deal which gives him powers to decide the club’s manager, Pochettino and PSG director Leonardo have been linked with the exit door.
Mourinho reaffirmed his credentials as one of the world’s best managers by becoming the first manager to win all three European Cups after guiding Roma to their first-ever European trophy in the Europa Conference League.
And if he does decide to take the plunge and enter his first managerial job in France, he may have some explaining to do to Messi about some comments he made in 2012.
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The Portuguese tactician told A Bola in 2012: “If Messi is the best on the planet, Ronaldo is the best in the universe.”
However, this was from a decade ago, and Mourinho has also given a far more neutral answer on the debate of the ‘GOAT’ since.
While in-between managerial jobs he told beIN Sports: “I think it’s unfair to both of them when somebody says this one is better than the other one. I think they are just different.
“When you go to Messi and Ronaldo, I think it’s just unfair to compare the players. The only thing I can say is that when I had Ronaldo on my side, I was a very happy man.
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“And when I had to play against Messi – and also against Ronaldo because I played against Ronaldo a few times – I had to think a lot to try and help my team have chances to succeed.”
Of course, whether Messi actually cares about the debate is another matter. Last year Messi hailed the rivalry he had with Ronaldo as “beautiful.”
Both Messi and Ronaldo changed clubs last summer, with Messi leaving Barcelona for PSG and Ronaldo leaving Juventus for a return to Man United.
Despite Ronaldo’s return and 24 goals, The Red Devils season was disastrous as they failed to qualify for the Champions League and endured another trophyless season.
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Meanwhile, Messi’s change of scenery saw him produce his worst league goal return since 2006.
Though he has only produced more league assists in five other seasons, perhaps indicating a change to playmaker as opposed to goalscorer. More
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Where are Tottenham’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ signed with Bale money in 2013, from Soldado and Paulinho?
by Philippa Kaur 5 June 2022, 06:00
IN 2013, Spurs were forced to blow up their squad following the world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.The Welshman had scored 26 goals in the previous campaign, sweeping the Premier League’s various individual awards ahead of the likes of Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard.
Spurs recruited the ‘Magnificent Seven’ in the summer of 2013
Gareth Bale was unveiled at Real Madrid in September 2013Credit: AFP
But there was a problem – Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification by a point.
Daniel Levy was bullish that he could keep his star asset, but Real Madrid turned on their charm offensive and it soon became just a matter of when, not if.
So Spurs got busy, signing seven new players for more than £100million – as the line went, they’d ‘sold Elvis, and signed The Beatles’.
But while Bale was off winning Champions League titles with Madrid, Spurs’ new signings were producing contrasting performances.
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So let’s take a look at what became of the ‘Magnificent Seven’.
ROBERTO SOLDADO – £26m
Spurs thought that they had secured a prolific goalscorer in SoldadoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Soldado, 36, has recently joined Levante from LaLiga rivals GranadaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Spaniard Soldado was probably the most exciting of the acquisitions, when he arrived from Valencia for £26m, fresh from wowing at the Confederations Cup and banging in 24 goals in LaLiga.
Despite no lack of trying, his time at White Hart Lane was a disaster, however, as he only managed seven goals in 52 Premier League appearances – with five of them coming from the penalty spot.
Levy did manage to squeeze £10m out of Villarreal for his services in 2015, and he has since played for Fenerbahce and Granada.
Now 37, he has linked up with Spanish top-flight Levante on a two-year deal and scored six goals last season in 20 games.
PAULINHO – £17m
The Brazilian struggled to make an impact at SpursCredit: Getty – Contributor
Paulinho played for Saudi side Al-Ahli after reinventing himself in ChinaCredit: AFP or licensors
Another that arrived off the back of a stellar Confederations Cup, Spurs fans thought they were getting ‘the Brazilian Frank Lampard’ when Paulinho arrived in N17.
Initial performances were steady, with a late back-heeled winner at Cardiff prompting pandemonium among the travelling supporters.
Things went downhill very quickly, however, with Paulinho being red carded in Andre Villas-Boas’ final game in charge, before becoming a nervous wreck barely capable of completing a five-yard pass by the end.
He was offered a career lifeline by Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande, where he became a big star – via a very strange, if not totally unsuccessful year at Barcelona.
Paulinho, 33, linked up with Saudi side Al-Ahli but has since signed a deal with Corinthians.
VLAD CHIRICHES – £8m
The Romanian struggled to cut down on his mistakes at TottenhamCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
A considerably scarier-looking Chiriches now turns out for Sassuolo in Serie ACredit: Reuters
Fans were excited at Chiriches’ arrival, as they thought they’d unearthed a hidden gem from Steaua Bucharest, with a penchant for playing the ball out from the back.
And while he was very laid back, it often proved to be to the team’s detriment, as his casual style tended to gift opponents easy goals, while leaving fans’ hearts in their mouths.
Like Soldado and Paulinho, Chiriches lasted two seasons at the Lane, before being shipped off to Napoli.
The Romanian managed just 48 appearances across four seasons at San Paulo, before joining Sassuolo on loan two years ago – before making it permanent for just shy of £10m.
NACER CHADLI – £7m
Chadli became a useful player in his three years at SpursCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
One of the more successful acquisitions of that summer, Chadli became a popular figure at Spurs despite an underwhelming start.
The Belgian joined from FC Twente, having scored against Tottenham home and away in the 2010-11 Champions League campaign.
But it was not until his second season that he really began to shine, scoring 13 goals as Mauricio Pochettino began to transform the club’s fortunes.
He left for West Brom in 2017, eventually joining Istanbul Basaksehir in 2020, via stints at Monaco and Anderlecht, where he still plays today.
ETIENNE CAPOUE – £9m
Etienne Capoue struggled to make a big impact at SpursCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Capoue helped Villarreal beat Manchester United in the Europa League finalCredit: Getty – Pool
Neither wildly awful nor outstandingly memorable, Capoue is possibly the most forgettable player of the seven.
With Sandro having regressed due to knee injuries, Capoue initially seemed to be the perfect foil for Mousa Dembele in his place.
But the Frenchman fell out of favour despite steady performances, although was hung out to dry following a few awful displays as a makeshift centre-back.
He lasted one season beyond Pochettino’s arrival in 2014, before joining Watford.
Capoue made 11 outings in the Championship in the first half of the 2020-21 season, before signing for Villarreal in the January transfer window.
And his impact was immediate as he helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Europa League final – the club’s first major trophy in their history.
While he was also crucial in their Champions League run last season to the semi-final.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – £11m
Eriksen was a talismanic figure at Tottenham for more than six seasonsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Denmark international Eriksen linked up with Inter Milan in January 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Without doubt the most successful acquisition of that summer, Christian Eriksen was an outstanding, indispensable member of the squad for six years, before eventually departing for Inter Milan in January 2020.
A bargain at £11m, the Dane papered over cracks during Tim Sherwood’s tenure, pulling out a brilliant goal or moment of genius time and time again to dig the team out of trouble.
He then became vital to Pochettino’s side, so much so that they struggled to adapt whenever he was absent.
Eriksen admitted his desire to ‘try something new’ after losing the 2019 Champions League final and joined Inter six months later.
The playmaker helped Inter win the Serie A title last season, but his playing career hung in the balance after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
However, he returned to the Premier League last season on a short term deal with Brentford, excelling, and is now linked to a move to Manchester United and Spurs.
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ERIK LAMELA – £30m
Lamela joined Spurs just two days before Bale’s move to Madrid was confirmedCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Erik Lamela has become the last of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ to depart North London.
Argentine Lamela, 30, actually had a bizarre start at Spurs, starting just three league matches in his first season before disappearing back to his homeland following a back injury early on in Tim Sherwood’s tenure.
He returned following his compatriot Pochettino’s arrival, wrestling for a starting berth before sustaining a troublesome hip injury in October 2016 that would keep him out for 13 months.
Lamela again recovered and returned to action – chipping in with 255 appearances before joining Sevilla in a swap deal with Bryan Gil heading in the opposite direction.
His most memorable moment will be his ‘rabona’ strike in the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, with his strike winning the Premier League Goal of the Season award. More

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