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      Chelsea and Newcastle on red alert with Niklas Sule ‘set to leave Bayern Munich at end of season on free transfer’

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      NIKLAS SULE has told Bayern Munich he wishes to leave at the end of the season on a free transfer, German reports claim.The highly-touted defender has less than five months left on his Bayern contract and failure to extend it fuelled speculation over his future.
      Niklas Sule has reportedly told Bayern Munich he wishes to leave at the end of the seasonCredit: Reuters
      And now, according to Bild, Sule has informed club bosses he will refuse a new deal to instead leave on a free in the summer.
      It would come as a massive blow to the Bundesliga champions, who last season lost David Alaba, 29, to Real Madrid for nothing.
      Sule, who joined Bayern from Hoffenheim in 2017, has made 25 appearances this season, missing just four games following a bout with Covid and back problems.
      The centre-back has won four Bundesliga titles and made 37 appearances for Germany’s national team.
      As a result, the experienced yet ever-improving 26-year-old has drawn attention from across Europe.
      Chelsea and Newcastle, for differing reasons, have both been linked with Sule in the past.
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      The Blues have defender Antonio Rudiger, 28, Andreas Christensen, 25, and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, all out of contract in the summer.
      And while veteran Thiago Silva, 37, has committed his future for another year, his defensive team-mates are yet to strike a deal.
      Newcastle, who completed their £300million Saudi takeover in October, are desperately in the market for defensive reinforcements to boost their survival bid.
      They are believed to have had a bid for Sevilla’s Diego Carlos, 28, turned down, following their failure to sign Lille’s Sevn Botman, 21.
      SunSport did reveal Newcastle turned their attentions to Burnley’s James Tarkowski, 29, and lead West Ham and Leicester in the race.
      But if Sule has indicated his refusal to renew his contract, Bayern could look to put him on the market on a cut-price deal to ensure he does not leave on a free.
      The defender joined Bayern Munich in 2017Credit: Getty More

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      Chelsea in Eden Hazard transfer blow as Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti confirms winger is ‘in plans for next season’

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI insists Eden Hazard is in his plans as the Real Madrid boss poured cold water on speculation linking his with a Chelsea return this month. Hazard, 31, has had a torrid time since his high-profile £130million move to the Bernabeu from the Blues in 2019.
      Eden Hazard looks set to be part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for Real Madrid next termCredit: Getty
      The winger has been unable to replicate the stunning form that made him one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards amid a raft of muscular injuries in the Spanish capital.
      Those struggles have seen Hazard repeatedly linked with a cut-prize move away from the Bernabeu.
      And Thomas Tuchel’s Blues have been said to be lining up a £28million transfer this month, with newly-rich Newcastle also keen.
      Hazard finally scored his first goal of another interrupted season on Thursday with a dramatic extra-time winner against Elche in the Copa Del Rey.
      And Ancelotti seems to hope the former PFA Player of the Year can still come good.
      Asked about Hazard’s future, the Italian said: “Hazard is in our plans for the next season, I can confirm.”
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      Last summer, Hazard insisted he wanted to remain in Spain.
      He said: “I still have a three-year contract with Real Madrid, so going back to England is out of the question.
      “Everyone knows that my first two years were not good, so first I want to prove myself at Real Madrid. I will do everything to do that.
      “I certainly don’t see myself leaving Madrid, given the contract situation. I know myself and I know when I’m in shape. If that’s the case, I can give it my all for Real next season. That’s my plan.”
      Ancelotti is reportedly reluctant to see Hazard leave the BernabeuCredit: Rex More

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      Roman Abramovich refused to have any transfer dealings with Tottenham as Carlton Cole reveals how he blocked move

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      ROMAN ABRAMOVICH refused to sell any of his Chelsea stars to rivals Tottenham – and even blocked Carlton Cole’s switch.The former Blues striker revealed the Russian oligarch – who bought the West Londoners in 2003 – would not sanction any deal with Spurs.
      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich refuses to do business with SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Carlton Cole, second left, in his Chelsea heyday, had agreed a move to Spurs but Blues owner Roman Abramovich rejected itCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cole, speaking on talkSPORT, said: “I almost joined Spurs. I went and did my medical and everything.
      “Roman Abramovich found out and he said ‘you’ve got to come back, you’re not joining them’.
      “He said ‘you can’t go to Spurs, I don’t do business with them’.”
      The only Chelsea player in the Abramovich era to join Tottenham is Carlo Cudicini, with the reserve keeper allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2009.
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      Cole revealed that Abramovich tried to get him to move to Russia instead.
      Cole continued: “‘I’ve got an alternative for you’ [said Abramovich]. I drive back to Stamford Bridge with my uncle and my dad.
      “He had his interpreter with him. Roman Abramovich was there, we were talking. I was saying ‘where am I going?’
      “He said, ‘I will give you a new contract but you’ve got to go to CSKA Moscow. His other team.

      Cole left Chelsea in 2006 to join West Ham, where he scored 68 goals in 293 gamesCredit: Getty
      “I was trying to get into the England team. Those days you could not go abroad. If you go abroad you don’t get in the England team.
      “So I said to him, ‘I ain’t going to CSKA Moscow, pal.”
      Spurs and Chelsea have had a bitter rivalry on and off the pitch.
      Feelings escalated on the pitch, resulting in the Battle of the Bridge in 2016 when several players from both sides clashed.
      Abramovich was close to buying Spurs before he took over at the Blues.
      He was thought to have picked Chelsea only when they qualified for the Champions League in the 2002-03 season under Claudio Ranieri.
      It started an obsession with the English Premier League which nearly two decades later has resulted in multiple top-flight crowns and two Champions League titles.

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      Cole, who came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, eventually left the club in 2006 to join West Ham.
      He has previously revealed he left after a lack of first-team opportunities at Chelsea.
      The ex-Celtic centre-forward retired in 2018, with Cole now working as a technical academy coach at West Ham.
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      Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech ‘would have run’ to join Roma and only completed transfer after Serie A club refused to pay up

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      CHELSEA star Hakim Ziyech was keen to move to Roma before sealing his Stamford Bridge switch last summer, it has been revealed.Morocco team-mate Medhi Benatia claimed that the attacker ‘would have run’ to the Italian capital when a move was discussed in 2019.
      Hakim Ziyech may never have ended up at Chelsea if Roma had coughed up the cash for himCredit: AFP
      At the time, Ziyech was off the back of a stunning run to the Champions League semi-finals with an Ajax team being poached by Europe’s biggest clubs.
      He ended up remaining in Amsterdam for another 12 months before a £36.5million move to Chelsea.
      The 28-year-old star made 62 appearances since signing for the West London side, finding the 11 times.
      Although things could have worked out very different had then-Roma president James Pallotta agreed to fork out for the playmaker, according to Benatia.
      The former Roma defender, now with Al-Duhail, told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I had tried to get him to come to Roma, and he would have run to join this club.
      “I spoke to Francesco Totti and Edin Dzeko, telling them that this is the man they want.
      “As a director, Francesco did everything he could to get the deal concluded, but Pallotta said it would be ‘an excessive expense’ and nothing ever came of it.”
      Club legend Totti would famously quit the Stadio Olimpico later in the same summer, citing a lack of influence on transfers.

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      He famously complained upon leaving: “They knew of my desire to offer a lot to this squad but they never wanted it.
      “They kept me out of everything. It’s a day that I hoped never would have come.”
      Unpopular owner Pallotta eventually sold up to fellow American businessman Dan Friedkin last year after almost a decade in charge of Roma.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ex-Roma defender Medhi Benatia says he recommended his international colleague to the GiallorossiCredit: Getty
      New Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech says he idolised current manager Frank Lampard growing up in first interview since transfer from Ajax More

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      Chelsea considering Ousmane Dembele transfer move with winger at war with Barcelona over seeing out his contract

      by

      CHELSEA are among the clubs considering a swoop for Barcelona outcast Ousmane Dembele.The France forward, 24, joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund for an initial £97million in 2017.
      Ousmane Dembele has fallen out with Barcelona and is set to leave this monthCredit: Getty
      But Barca will let him go in a £3m loan deal until the end of the season — when his contract ends.
      Newcastle could also join the race.
      The Catalan giants’ director of football Mateu Alemany yesterday insisted he will go before the January 31 deadline.
      Alemany said: “He doesn’t want to be part of our project.”
      But Dembele wrote on Instagram he would not respond to “blackmail”.
      He added: “Gossip about me has been piling up for four years. It’s been fours years since people have spoken for me, shamefully lied with one sole purpose – to harm me.
      “As of today it’s over. From today I will speak honestly without giving in to any kind of blackmail.
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      “My message is transparent. I forbid anyone to give the impression that I am not involved in the sports project.
      “I forbid anyone to attribute intentions to me that I have never had. I forbid anyone to speak for me or my representative, whom I fully trust.
      “Still under contract, I am fully involved and at the disposal of my club, my coach.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      “I have always given everything for my colleagues and also for all the partners – it is not now that this is going to change. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail.
      “As you know there are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it’s his turf.
      “My field is the ball, playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-mates. Above all, let’s focus on winning.” More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd battle Juventus for pole position in Ousmane Dembele transfer as Chelsea join race for Barcelona contract rebel

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED are battling Juventus for pole position in the Ousmane Dembele transfer race, according to reports.But Chelsea also look set to try their luck in landing the Barcelona contract rebel.
      Ousmane Dembele is a transfer target for Manchester United, Juventus and ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Dembele’s current deal at the Nou Camp expires at the end of the season and he does not look likely to put pen to paper on an extension.
      And that would open the door for interested clubs to land him for free this summer.
      According to Sport in Spain, the Red Devils and the Old Lady have been in ‘especially intense’ contact with Dembele’s representatives since the middle of 2021.
      And the report even adds a suggestion that Dembele may have already signed a pre-contract agreement with one of those two clubs.
      United almost landed Dembele two summers ago.
      But with Anthony Martial set to leave Old Trafford, Dembele could come in as a direct replacement for his compatriot.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      However, Juventus may be able to lure the World Cup winner to Turin.
      They have lost winger Federico Chiesa for the rest of this season through his cruel ACL injury.
      And the favourable tax rates for professional footballers in Italy could also help Juventus’ attempt.
      The report also adds Chelsea have been in touch with Dembele this January over a potential offer.
      However, Bayern Munich will not be making any offers because Dembele’s wage demands are too high.
      And Paris Saint-Germain also have no interest in the winger because they do not trust his physical conditioning and want to pursue other targets.
      Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for £99million.
      He has 31 goals in 129 appearances – including one in 11 this season – but has been plagued by injuries throughout his time in LaLiga.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

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      Chelsea star Cesar Azpilicueta ‘wanted in Atletico Madrid transfer as replacement for Newcastle-bound Kieran Trippier’

      by

      CHELSEA captain Cesar Azpilicueta is a transfer target for Atletico Madrid, according to reports.The Blues defender, 32, will be out of contract in the summer and is stalling on a new deal.
      Cesar Azpilicueta is a target for Atletico MadridCredit: Getty

      And that has tempted boss Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who is said to be a big fan of the versatile Spanish international.
      Simeone likes that Azpilicueta can play as a centre back and right back, according to as.
      While his experience could only help improve Atletico’s already tight defence.
      The Argentinian manager is set to lose Kieran Trippier to Newcastle and sees Azpilicueta as the ideal replacement.
      The England full-back was the last player off the pitch as he appeared to say farewell to the Atletico fans after their 2-0 win against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
      After Atletico’s game, Simeone said: “We want him to stay – he’s a very important player.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      “But nowadays, when a player wants to leave, you can’t force them to stay.”
      He also remarked: “We have always had to live with these situations – important and very good players within the team who have possibilities of leaving.
      “Then it will depend on what the footballer himself wants.
      “Consequently, we will try to follow what is happening and look for solutions.
      “He is an important player for our team and we coaches can’t do too much in terms of players’ decisions, we can only tell Trippier how important he is for the team.”
      The Magpies submitted a bid for a permanent move within hours of the transfer window opening on New Year’s Day, but a fee has yet to be agreed. More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Christensen signs with agency linked to Lionel Messi’s brother fuelling Barcelona transfer talk

      by

      ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN has signed up to an agency with strong links to Lionel Messi’s brother – fuelling speculation he is Barcelona bound.Chelsea’s Danish centre-half is out of contract at the end of this season and talks over a new deal stalled just before Christmas.
      Andreas Christensen is free to enter talks with other clubs with his contract due to expire at the end of this termCredit: Rex
      About the same time, Christensen teamed up with the KIN agency, in which Nou Camp legend Lionel Messi’s older brother Rodrigo has huge interests.
      Under freedom of contract rules, the Denmark star is now free to talk to rival clubs as his contract winds down at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea have grown increasingly impatient with negotiations as they try to persuade their one-time academy player to agree to an extension.
      And first-team head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed his exasperation, admitting that several times he was convinced a deal had been sorted only for the situation to change.
      Christensen has traditionally been represented by his father Sten.
      KIN also look after world-class players such as Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
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      Christensen has had a special affection for Barcelona for many years, which endures despite their recent troubles on and off the pitch.
      Chelsea are fighting battles on two fronts as they try to convince the centre-back that his future lies with them
      And the two-Champions League winners are also facing an uphill struggle to keep hold of fellow defender Antonio Rudiger.
      Rudiger, 28, who has made 175 Blues appearances, is also out of contract this summer.
      It is reported the Germany international has now opened talks with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona’s main Spanish rivals Real Madrid about a possible deal in the summer.
      Antonio Rudiger has been linked with Bayern Munich and LaLiga giants Real MadridCredit: Getty More