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    Real Madrid ‘make £41.75m Mbappe transfer offer’ and look to steal PSG striker cheap as contract runs down

    REAL MADRID are claimed to have made a cut-price offer to Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian Mbappe.Italian football agent Giovanni Branchini claims Real hope a £41.75million bid will secure Mbappe – just six months after a £150MILLION offer was rejected.
    Kylian Mbappe is thought to be a top transfer target for Real Madrid this yearCredit: Zuma Press
    Mbappe, 23, who moved to the French giants from Monaco in 2018, has emerged as a top summer transfer target for some of Europe’s biggest sides.
    His contract expires in June and he is now free to negotiate with non-French clubs to move on a free transfer.
    It is thought Liverpool are among the giants competing to sign the forward, who has informed PSG of his intent to leave the club this summer.
    But Spanish giants Madrid are claimed to want to acquire the striker before the summer to avoid a bidding war.
    Branchini told Gazzetta Dello Sport: “It depends on PSG now, as Real Madrid have gone back in for Mbappe by offering 50m euros (£41.75m) a few days ago.
    “I don’t know how this will play out. It seems to me that this move from Florentino Perez is worth watching closely.
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    “It would be a shame for a player like Mbappe to move for free in the summer. I don’t know what they think about this in Paris.”
    France World Cup winner Mbappe has racked up 18 goals and 13 assists in in all competitions this season.
    PSG, who face Lyon next in Ligue One, are reported to have turned down multiple bids from Carlo Ancelotti’s club for their star striker.
    And the France ace, who is free to enter talks with Real and other sides, claims he is happy to see out the rest of the season in Paris.
    In December, Mbappe told CNN: ‘I’m at PSG, I’m really happy. I will finish the season (here), 100 per cent.
    “I’ll give everything I have to win the Champions League, the league and cup and to give all the pleasure to the fans because they deserve it.
    When quizzed on his decision to tell PSG of his wish to leave, the forward added: “I was honest. I gave a feeling, I gave what I have in my heart,”
    PSG are set to go head-to-head with Madrid in the round 16 knockout stages of this term’s Champions League.
    France’s top tier leaders are targeting their first-ever win in the competition after finishing runners-up in the 2019-20 tournament.
    Mbappe said: “We have to be ready. It’s time. It’s the most important part of the season.
    “Of course, we want to step up now. It’s been two years we do final, semi-final, but now we want to win.”
    Mbappe is free to speak with other clubs with his PSG contract expiring this summerCredit: Zuma Press More

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    DJ forced to deny giving Lionel Messi Covid after receiving death threats following encounter with PSG star

    AN ARGENTINIAN DJ has gone to the extraordinary length of posting his negative Covid result online – after being blamed for Lionel Messi’s coronavirus.Fer Palacio said he took the decision after being called an “assassin” by social media haters.
    Lionel Messi is reported to have tested positive for Covid-19Credit: Reuters
    DJ Fer Palacio shared proof of his negative Covid test result on his Instagram page after receiving death threats
    And ESPN reports the musician, who denies infecting the Argentina star, had received death threats from trolls online.
    Some accused him of being responsible for the playmaker getting coronavirus.
    Messi’s club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Sunday morning he was one of the team’s four footballers that had tested positive for Covid.
    The 34-year-old dad-of-three is now in quarantine at his home in his native city of Rosario after he was forced to miss his flight back to Paris and extend his stay in his homeland.
    The seven-times Ballon d’Or winner jetted to Argentina on December 23 to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve with his family.
    Messi and his wife were filmed singing and dancing at a private party last week after returning to Argentina for the festive season.
    The same night the footballer met famous Argentinian DJ Fer Palacio after hiring him to perform at the bash.
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    The DJ said on his Instagram on Sunday: “I’ve just got up and seen I’ve got a lot of messages and am trending on social media because Messi tested positive for Covid and people are saying I gave it to him.
    “I’ve got loads of private messages and people have even gone as far as calling me an assassin.
    “I had done a Covid test yesterday because I have to travel to Uruguay tomorrow and I haven’t got Covid. I’ll show you all now.”
    He finished his selfie video by blowing a kiss to all those who were “insulting him” before posting his negative PCR test.
    And he shared the result which featured his full name of Fernando Palacio on his Instagram so his one million followers could see it.
    Messi is currently waiting to get the all-clear before leaving Argentina and returning to FranceCredit: Splash
    The result was dated January 2. It is not yet clear if Messi alone or his wife Antonela Roccuzzo as well has tested positive for Covid.
    Neither has updated their social media accounts at the time of writing.
    Messi is one of four PSG players reported to have tested positive for Covid after the winter break.
    Other stars from the French side who returned positive test results are Juan Bernat, Nathan Bitumazala and Sergio Rico.
    And a member of staff is thought to be isolating after being confirmed as having the virus.
    PSG say Messi will remain in Argentina until he tests negative and will then take a flight back to Paris to rejoin his teammates.
    After performing for the playmaker last week, DJ Palacio posted a selfie with the football star and wrote: “I made the greatest dance.
    “Thanks to the whole Messi family for the invitation.”
    The PSG star had returned home to Argentina during the winter breakCredit: Instagram / @leomessi More

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    Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger ‘in talks over FREE transfer with Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus’

    ANTONIO RUDIGER is in talks with four top European clubs over a free transfer, reports say. The German has just half a year left on his current deal and is yet to extend it, despite efforts from Chelsea.
    Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is entering the last six months of his contractCredit: EPA
    Having entered the last six months of his contract, Rudiger, 28, is now able to negotiate a free transfer abroad.
    And according to Sky Sports, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus have all opened talks with his representatives.
    It could see him finalise a pre-contract agreement this month and secure a move away from Stamford Bridge.
    But, it is also claimed staying at Chelsea has not yet been ruled out by Rudiger.
    He has started 20 Premier League games this season – the most of any outfield player – and remains hugely valued by the club.
    It is believed the Blues have been unable to strike a financial agreement with the defender, who reportedly earns in the region of £140,000-per-week.
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    The Telegraph had claimed LaLiga giants Real are willing to DOUBLE that salary in order to prize Rudiger over to Spain.
    He is also joined by Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, Andreas Christensen, 25, and Thiago Silva, 37, who are all entering the final stages of their contracts.
    Azpilicueta is understood to be pushing for a two-year extension with the option of a third.
    But Chelsea – who have a policy of offering over 30s only one-year extensions – are expected to counter with a 12-month deal with the option of another year.
    Christensen had appeared close to agreeing terms with Chelsea, but has since changed agents and been linked to Barcelona on a free, Sky in Italy say.
    Silva on the other hand is nearing a one-year extension, which would guarantee him three years at the club.
    Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas ChristensenCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Welcome to Arsenal’ – Jonathan David sends Gooners into meltdown by wearing Thierry Henry shirt amid transfer links

    JONATHAN DAVID may have just dropped a HUGE hint on who his next club will be… by wearing a Thierry Henry top.The Arsenal transfer target has been spotted at an airport dressed in a black T-shirt sporting a picture of Henry in an Arsenal kit.
    David has been spotted wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Henry on it
    The Lille forward has added to speculation that he could be on his way to ArsenalCredit: Getty
    And Gunners fans are convinced it means the 21-year-old Lille star is heading to the Emirates.
    One excited supporter wrote on Twitter: “That’s enough for me welcome to Arsenal @JonathanDavid.”
    Meanwhile another joked: “Is it too early to start tracking his private plane?”
    The Canadian star is set to leave Lille in the summer after his agent revealed this season would be his last in France.
    Nick Mavromaras said that the Premier League is a ‘good option’ for David, who has scored 15 goals in just 26 appearances this campaign.
    Real Madrid are also rumoured to be tracking the youngster, but Arsenal fans are now convinced he is joining them.
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    David may just be a fan of Gunners legend Henry, but he’s certainly teasing Gooners with his choice of clothing.
    And with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future uncertain after being stripped as Arsenal captain, and Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out-of-contract in the summer, a new striker is a priority.
    A January move seems unlikely though given Mavromaras told Radio Canada that he would finish the season at Lille.
    But after spending over £150million in the summer Arsenal have proven that they are not afraid to splash the cash.
    So a big money offer in the New Year could be hard for the French side to turn down.
    David has previously expressed his desire to play in England, calling the Premier League ‘the best in the world’.
    With hefty dreams of becoming the best striker in world football, David may make the move over the channel to do just that.
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    Arsenal transfer target Jonathan David set to quit Lille next summer amid Premier League interest, reveals his agent

    JONATHAN DAVID will leave Lille at the end of the season – putting Premier League clubs on notice, his agent said. Already this season, the forward has 15 goals in 26 appearances, attracting transfer attention from across Europe.
    Jonathan David will leave Lille at the end of the season, his agent saidCredit: Getty
    He is contracted with Lille until 2025, but his agent revealed they will push to leave next summer.
    Nick Mavromaras said on Radio Canada:  “For us, the goal is to finish the season in Lille, but it will be his last season there for several reasons.
    “I think the Premier League is a good option for him. I think that he likes Spain a lot also because he likes the feeling of the ball and the very technical players.
    “These two leagues are a big priority for him, but nothing is excluded.”
    Real Madrid and Arsenal are also among the club believed to be tracking the Canadian international.
    David, 21, has been hailed as one of the most promising talents on the market right now, but could come at a cost.
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    Agent Mavromaras added: “I can’t say the price today. It’s down to Lille. But in the end, that’s football.
    “Jonathan isn’t going to show it, but he knows he is one of the best young forwards in the world.
    “There’s also Erling Haaland who could cost between €75m and €100m.
    “If you want to be part of that list, you have to learn to manage the pressure.”
    David played his youth football in Ottawa before joining Greek’s Gent, where he stayed from 2018-2020 before joining Lille.
    Real Madrid and Arsenal are also among the club believed to be tracking the forwardCredit: Getty More

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    UFC legend Khabib snubs Lionel Messi as Cristiano Ronaldo’s pal picks two players he says should have won Ballon d’Or

    KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV picked Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema as his most deserving of the Ballon d’Or award. Lionel Messi, 34, pipped UFC legend Nurmagomedov’s close friend Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, to the prize.
    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov pictured with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram / @khabib_nurmagomedov
    But several believed Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski, 33, was hard done by having been overlooked in the competition.
    The Pole came second, with Chelsea’s Jorginho, 29, third and Real Madrid’s Benzema, 33, in fourth.
    Football-mad Khabib said: “I would give it to Lewandowski or Benzema. One of them. 
    “Lewandowski, I think. Last three years, he is the best football player.
    “We can just look at his results. What he does. He has won the Champions League. He has scored more than 120 goals last two years.
    “For the national team and club. It is an amazing result.
    @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 Sport .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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    “For the entire football history, I cannot remember, we can name a pair of players who scored 120 goals over two years.
    “He has 65 goals this year. It is too much. For football I think it is too much. I think he deserves Ballon d’Or.”
    Nurmagomedov, 33, retired in October 2020, right after beating Justin Gaethje, also 33.
    It was his first and only fight without his influential father and coach Abdulmanap, who passed away in July of last year.
    Khabib vowed never to continue without his dad and has since retired to focus on coaching.
    But rumours circulated that the former UFC champion, who speaks regularly to Manchester United’s Ronaldo, was starting a footballing career.
    He even received an offer from Russian third tier football side FC Kamaz, which was not taken up.
    PSG’s Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty More

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    Eden Hazard could make shock transfer return to Lille after Chelsea legend’s struggles at Real Madrid, says club chief

    EDEN HAZARD could make a shock return to Lille in January after reportedly being placed on the transfer list at Real Madrid.The winger joined the Spanish giants in 2019 for a huge fee of £89million but has failed to live up to expectations.
    Real Madrid are willing to let Eden Hazard go in JanuaryCredit: AP
    He has not scored a goal in the 12 appearances he has made so far this season, with the club reportedly willing to let him leave in the next window.
    Now, Lille president Olivier Letang about the possibility of a return to the club for the 30-year-old.
    When speaking to L’Equipe Letang said: “A return of Hazard to Lille? It is not impossible to see it here.
    “I go to Spain if necessary. It may seem impossible.
    “Obviously, Hazard is an incredible player with a lot of quality.
    “Right now, he is a Real Madrid player and is under contract with Real Madrid every day.”
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    Hazard made his professional debut for Lille in 2007 and remained at the club until he signed for Chelsea in 2012.
    He scored 50 goals during his five-year spell at the French club and helped them win a league title and the Coupe de France in the 2010-11 season.
    Whilst a return to France is possible, the winger will have to lower his wage demands if Lille are to have any chance of taking him back.
    Hazard has already been linked to a number of clubs this season with offers from teams such as Belgian Minnows KVS Westerlo and Fenerbahce.
    A move back to England is also a possibility after he was linked to West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea.
    Belgium manager Roberto Martinez recently revealed that Hazard is ‘unhappy’ at Real Madrid due to his situation in a hint he is looking to leave the club. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Man Utd and PSG stars’ head to head record ahead of Champions League showdown

    IT IS the question that divides football fans across the globe –  who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?They gave El Clasicos a bit of extra spice for nine years and were set to face off in the Champions League Round of 16 before the draw was repeated after an error.
    The last time Messi and Ronaldo met, CR7 scored two penaltiesCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have played against each other 36 times
    Manchester United and Paris St Germain were paired together in the first draw, but a mistake in picking out the balls means the whole draw has taken place again.
    The greatest managers of the modern era have had their say, fans have had their say and even former team-mates have waded in on the never-ending GOAT debate.
    So we thought we’d look past the trophies and accolades to see how they fared when they were in direct competition.
    The pair know each other well, of course, having gone toe-to-toe in dozens of El Clasico contests down the years.
    Not only would the rivals share the same pitch whenever Real Madrid played against Barcelona, but they would tussle for LaLiga supremacy season after season.
    El Clasico has always been more that just a football match to the clubs’ fans and having the two best players in the world took it to a different dimension.
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    Ronaldo has gone up against Messi 36 times in total during his spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Juventus as well as on the international stage.
    The Portuguese legend was ruled out of the first group stage game between Juve and Barcelona due to coronavirus – but made sure to get revenge in the return fixture netting a brace from the penalty spot.
    Messi pipped the former Los Blancos ace by one goals in all of their meetings, finding the back of the net 22 times.
    Ronaldo and Messi have enjoyed a career-long rivalry

    While Ronaldo may have one goal fewer, he holds the record for the scoring in the most consecutive El Clasicos – in six consecutive games in 2012.
    Messi poetically netted his 500th goal for the Catalan giants against Real in a thriller in 2017, which also put Barca top of LaLiga.
    The Argentina ace famously celebrated by whipping off his No10 shirt and holding it aloft to the away support to prove why he is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time.
    Ronaldo later had to have his say too, of course.
    The next time he visited the Nou Camp and scored in the Supercopa de Espana final first leg in August 2017, he mimicked his great frenemy’s celebration by showing his No7 shirt to the crowd.
    In that same clash, Ronaldo’s night hit a sour note when he was shown a second yellow card for diving, which resulted in the forward PUSHING the referee.
    He had already been booked for taking his shirt off after mimicking Messi’s celebration.
    That has been the only red card shown to either hero in the duo’s 36 stand offs with Messi managing to keep his cool and escape with three fewer yellows than his arch-rival.
    Lionel Messi scored a last-minute winner to give Barcelona a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in April 2017
    Cristiano Ronaldo showed the Nou Camp who was boss in his celebration
    Football is a results business so when it comes to score lines, the Argentine maestro leads the way.
    In the 35 matches, Messi has 16 wins, Ronaldo has 11 and there have been nine draws.
    Ronaldo’s United got the better of Barca in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals with a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp and 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
    Messi and Co got their revenge a year later, winning the 2009 final 2-0 as Messi scored a header.
    That started a run of five consecutive wins for Messi over Ronaldo including a 5-0 Barca win and a 2-1 victory for Argentina over Portugal in an international friendly as both players found the net.
    Arguably their greatest contest came in the 2012-13 LaLiga campaign as both players scored twice in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
    Messi played his entire career at Barca up until last summer when his contract expired.
    The Argentine signed for PSG and has five UCL goals in the group stages, but it’s not quite Ronaldo’s six for United.
    Ronaldo might just get the chance to show Messi up after his record-breaking seventh Ballon d’Or win.
    Breakdown of Ronaldo and Messi’s careers More