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    Barcelona’s transfer of Marcos Alonso from Chelsea ‘reported to Fifa for fraud amid claims of irregularities with deal’

    BARCELONA face more transfer problems after their deal for Marcos Alonso from Chelsea was reported to Fifa for fraud.Alonso left England for Spain in September on a free transfer after six season in West London.
    Marcos Alonso’s Barcelona transfer is being investigatedCredit: Rex
    But fourth division side Union Adarve – who he represented as a youth player – claim that they should have received £91,000 (€103,000) as part of the deal.
    According to AS, Union Adarve have evidence of the two sides negotiating for Alonso in the past.
    Alonso has established himself in the Barcelona setup this season, making 22 appearances and three goals.
    They are top of LaLiga under the guidance of club legend Xavi, leading champions Real Madrid by eight points.
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    But they have financial problems off the field and took LaLiga to court in order to register Gavi’s new contract.
    The Spanish giants were initially unable to register the playmaker’s fresh deal because of LaLiga’s salary limits.
    Barcelona aimed to relieve their financial woes with a series of one-off cash injections last summer, leveraging chunks of future revenue.
    But their wage bill is still believed to still stand at around 20 per cent over and above LaLiga’s max squad spend limit.
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    Barcelona budgeted for a minimum quarter-final finish in the Champions League this season but they failed to get out the group.
    It means they face a shortfall of £18m, while winning the Europa League would only generate £13m.
    Barcelona are also still unable to register Ronald Araujo as a first-team player despite the centre-back signing a new contract last season.
    Marcos Alonso scored against Man UtdCredit: Reuters More

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    ‘Wasn’t the right time yet’ – Chelsea target hints at future transfer as he admits he ‘grieved’ when Ajax blocked move

    AJAX star Edson Alvarez reveals has revealed his “grief” over his blocked Chelsea transfer.Big-spending Chelsea swooped for the Mexican in the closing days of the summer transfer window to add midfield muscle.
    Edson Alvarez has opened up on his failed Chelsea moveCredit: Rex
    The Blues splashed £276million in the off-season, before a January splurge took their spending to £606MILLION this season in total.
    But that figure could have been £43m higher had Ajax not cancelled a deadline day move at the last minute last August.
    And Alvarez admits the collapsed deal took its toll.
    He told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf: “I grieved for one day and then showed that I am a strong person.
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    “Of course, the disappointment lasted for a while, but I believe that everything happens for a reason.”
    Alvarez has seen Chelsea owner Boehly continue to spend big since, including the British record £107m deal for Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
    But he hopes a deal could still materialised in the future: “Maybe it wasn’t the right time yet.
    “My time will come, 100 per cent. That is in God’s and my own hands.
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    Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in the January transfer window.Credit: Getty
    “My focus is 100 per cent on Ajax at the moment.
    “But if something beautiful comes along next summer that is good for Ajax and for me, then I want to seize that opportunity.” More

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    How Man Utd could line up with Mason Mount and Harry Kane next season after transfer spree

    MANCHESTER UNITED could have a very different look to their starting XI next season.The Red Devils have been tipped with moves for a host of stars that could turn them into Premier League contenders again.
    Man United have been linked with Chelsea’s Mason MountCredit: EPA
    Harry Kane is another player on the club’s wishlistCredit: Alamy
    Most recently, Chelsea star Mason Mount have been linked with the club after a lack of progress on talks over a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
    According to ESPN reporter James Olley, United have joined Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in the bidding war for Mount’s signature.
    Should Mount join, he could replace Marcel Sabitzer should his loan move at the club not be made permanent.
    This would see him line up in a midfield made up of Frenkie de Jong, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, if he is able to displace Christian Eriksen from the team.
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    De Jong was a top target for United last summer, and it appears that the club will try to sign him again this year.
    Tottenham record-breaker Harry Kane is another name that has been widely spoken about with a move to Old Trafford.
    The England captain would be and upgrade and replace loanee Wout Weghorst should he join.
    Kane would not have to take long to adapt as he is used to playing with Marcus Rashford while on international duty.
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    How the Red Devils could line up if they sign their targets
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    United have also been rumoured to be interested in signing Victor Osimhen from Napoli.
    Another spot that could be changed is in the goalkeeper position.
    David de Gea’s powers have started to decrease and the club have been linked with a move for Brentford star David Raya as a potential replacement.
    The Spaniard has been in great form for the Bees and manager Thomas Frank has insisted that he would be worth £40million should he be sold.
    David Raya has been tipped as a replacement for David de GeaCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd line up shock Mason Mount transfer as three of Chelsea’s Premier League rivals monitor his contract stand-off

    MANCHESTER UNITED are considering a shock swoop for Chelsea star Mason Mount.According to ESPN reporter James Olley, United have joined Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in the bidding war for Mount’s signature.
    Mason Mount has been linked with a sensational transfer to Man UtdCredit: EPA
    The Chelsea star has struggled for form this season.
    Consequently, he has failed to consolidate his strong form from the previous three seasons.
    Mount has scored just three times and added just two assists in the Premier League so far this season.
    The report suggests Mount could look to leave Stamford Bridge after a lack of progress on a new contract.
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    The 24-year-old is understood to be after a significant rise from his current wages of around £80,000 per week.
    Mount’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season.
    However, this economic factor has added to a further stumbling block of Mount not wanting to commit to the type of long-term contracts handed out by Chelsea in January.
    A number of January signings penned contract with deals which run for roughly eight years.
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    This massively offset the staggering fees paid via a process known as amortisation, but the risk factor lies in such long contracts with no guarantee of player success.
    Mount’s spot at the club is under threat after Todd Boehly reportedly flew to Paris for talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar.

    The Blues are already in line to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, and could even make Joao Felix’s loan move from Atletico Madrid permanent in the summer. More

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    Chelsea ‘set to offer contract rebel Mason Mount to Atletico Madrid in incredible swap transfer for Joao Felix’

    CHELSEA want to offer Mason Mount to Atletico Madrid in a sensational swap deal for Joao Felix, according to reports. So far it looks like Felix and Mount are battling for the same position in a struggling Chelsea side, however, Felix is currently winning the fight to stay at Chelsea out of the two attackers.
    Joao Felix scored in a 1-1 draw against West HamCredit: Alamy
    Mason Mount came off the bench in a 1-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
    Felix only arrived in January for a £9.7m loan fee with no option to buy, but is one of the first names on the team-sheet despite being sent off on his debut against Fulham.
    The Portuguese, 23, picked up his first goal against West Ham last weekend before impressing against Borussia Dortmund despite the Blues’ Champions League loss.
    Meanwhile, Mason Mount’s contracts talks with Chelsea are stalling as the player wants to know he’s valued by Chelsea through a significant pay rise.
    Against West Ham and Borussia Dortmund, Mount started on the bench while Felix played a full 90 minutes.
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    Liverpool are sniffing around the Englishman, 24, as their midfield is a significant weak point and he only has one year left on his deal.
    According to Marca, Chelsea want to sign Joao Felix on a permanent deal and want to include players.
    Among players available for a swap deal is Mason Mount, who, the report claims, is one of the players offered to Atletico to make the Joao operation cheaper.
    However Atletico owner Gil Marin has made it clear his intention is to receive a significant amount of money WITHOUT the inclusion of surplus Chelsea players.
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    The aim is to recover as much as possible of the £113million fee paid for the star in 2019. More

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    Arsenal ‘join Man Utd and Chelsea in race for Denzel Dumfries transfer’ after Takehiro Tomiyasu blunder vs Man City

    ARSENAL have reportedly joined Manchester United AND Chelsea in the race to sign Denzel Dumfries from cash-strapped Italian giants Inter Milan.United and Chelsea have previously held interest in the Dutchman, 26, who is a regular starter at the San Siro.

    During his near two-year spell at Inter, Dumfries has played 71 times, helping them win the Italian Super Cup twice and the Coppa Italia.
    Dumfries is also a regular in the Dutch national set-up, and is known to Red Devils boss Ten Hag, who would have managed teams against the right-back when he was playing his trade at PSV.
    But according to Fichajes, Arsenal have joined Man Utd and Chelsea in registering their interest in acquiring Dumfries’ services.
    Inter need to make around £53million from player sales this summer due to their dire financial situation.
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    And Dumfires could command a high fee, easing Inter’s financial fears.
    Mikel Arteta has been deploying centre-back Ben White at right-back this season, with Gabriel and William Saliba forming a solid partnership in the heart of the defence.
    Takehiro Tomiyasu is also being deployed there.
    However, the Japan star’s horrendous blunder in Wednesday’s 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City has brought him into question.
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    But Dumfries is a natural right-back, with far superior attacking capabilities.
    While at Old Trafford, Ten Hag is switching between Diogo Dalot and a resurgent Aaron Wan-Bissaka. More

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    ‘The art of defending is going’ – Enzo Fernandez singled out by Chelsea legend Joe Cole after Borussia Dortmund’s winner

    ENZO FERNANDEZ was singled out by Joe Cole for failing to prevent Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League winner. Karim Adeyemi put the hosts in the lead on the hour mark with a wonderful solo effort which was enough to separate the sides.
    Enzo Fernandez fails to halt Karim Adeyemi as he scores a wonderful solo effortCredit: Getty

    Dortmund broke on the counter from a Chelsea corner with Adeyemi then dribbling the ball the length of the pitch.
    He took Fernandez on one-on-one, beating the World Cup winner before rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga and finishing.
    But Chelsea legend turned-BT Sports pundit Cole believed the British-record £107million man should have done more to prevent the goal.
    Cole reckoned Fernandez should have either forced Adeyemi wide or even fouled him, Cole feels more should have been done.
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    He remarked: “The art of defending is going.”
    Fernandez may have been the topic of conversation in the studio but Jude Bellingham hailed Adeyemi’s breakaway goal.
    He said: “Just speed. We are really confident when he gets the ball one on one. Not many players can stop him.
    “He had a tough time coming here at the start – finding his feet – and now he’s flying.”
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    Adeyemi told DAZN: “It’s a case of new year, new luck. For me, it’s that simple.
    “As a team, we talked a lot during the break and it brought us closer together.
    “The win tonight was crucial and it was unbelievable to play in front of these fans. We wanted to give Chelsea a tough game from start to finish and we’ve won.”
    Karim Adeyemi scores the winnerCredit: Reuters More

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    Chelsea and Dortmund stars clash in mass brawl with coaching staff involved as tempers boil over in Champions League

    TEMPERS boiled over as Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund turned ugly. The Blues’ frustrations were showing on the field as they found themselves a goal down following Karim Adeyemi’s opener.
    Tempers flare between Chelsea and Borussia DortmundCredit: PA
    Julian Ryerson then lit the touch paper by taking out Mason Mount as the last 16 first-leg tie went into added time.
    Players from both teams and even opposing coaches then began to get physical with each other as tempers flared.
    Mount – who was initially fouled – received a booking for his part in the ruck and so too did Dortmund’s Niklas Sule.
    Chelsea take a 1-0 deficit back to Stamford Bridge after Adeyemi broke away from a corner to put Dortmund ahead.
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    The goal just past the hour mark was enough to separate the sides, mounting further frustration on Blues boss Graham Potter.
    He said: “It was a very strong performance, especially the second half.
    “We created a lot of chances and efforts on goal but I am disappointed with the goal we conceded.
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    “I thought we were the dominant team in the second half. It is half-time in the tie, we have to regroup.
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    “It is a counter-attack from a corner, we were close to scoring ourselves. They broke on us.
    “It is disappointing, we need to do better. Apart from that, we were really, really good, we just have to score.
    “I thought we had good attacking movements, clarity in terms of how we wanted to attack and got into right areas. The attitude was really positive as well.
    “You can see the supporters’ reaction, they were really positive, they can see the performance of the team, they gave us a fantastic reception.
    “We are a team in progress, we know there are a lot of positive things there. You always need a bit of luck but you can’t wait around for luck, you have to keep working.
    “The boys have been fantastic with their work but we are still suffering at the moment. But we will keep on working.”
    Graham Potter reacts to Chelsea’s defeatCredit: Getty More