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    Arsenal ready to ‘rescue’ Real Madrid’s ‘next Martin Odegaard’ who could help solve two problem positions

    ARSENAL are plotting a January swoop for Real Madrid star Arda Guler, according to reports in Spain.The Gunners are seeking reinforcements for Mikel Arteta’s squad.Arda Guler has struggled for starts at Real MadridCredit: GettyAnd they see similarities with their club captain Martin Odegaard.The Norwegian, 25, had arrived at the Bernabeu as a highly-rated teen, but found game time hard to come by during the first half of the 2020-21 season.In January 2021 the Gunners moved to sign him on loan, before making the deal permanent in the summer.Odegaard has gone on to be a huge success at the Emirates and is now viewed as one of Arteta’s most important players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to Spanish outlet Sport, Gunners chiefs believe that something similar could happen with Guler.The Turkish wonderkid, 19, arrived in Madrid from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.Amid several injuries and stiff competition, he has struggled for minutes under Carlo Ancelotti.They claim that he has become unhappy with the situation, having made just three LaLiga starts so far this term.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMartin Odegaard struggled for game time at Real MadridCredit: GettyGunners chiefs are claimed to have “made contact” with Guler’s entourage as they plot a potential move.But they are set to face fierce competition, with other teams having reportedly done the same.Excited fans say ‘whoever gets Arda Guler is so lucky’ as they realise Turkish wonderkid’s ‘bargain’ release clauseGuler has made 24 appearances in total for Real Madrid, scoring six goals.Last season he was scuppered by knee and muscle injuries, being limited to just 10 LaLiga outings.The teenager has already become a key man for his country.He starred at Euro 2024, scoring against Georgia and laying on assists vs Austria and the Netherlands. More

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    Mia Khalifa slams rumours she’s dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez in bizarre statement

    MIA KHALIFA has denied rumours that she is dating former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez.Reports in Italy and Argentina have linked the pair – despite Alvarez being in a long-term relationship.Mia Khalifa has denied involvement with Julian AlvarezCredit: GettySocial media rumours had linked Mia with AlvarezCredit: GettyThe Atletico Madrid forward, who moved to Spain in a club record £81million summer deal, is dating childhood sweetheart and social media influencer Maria Emilia Ferrero.Former adult star Mia, 31, has taken to social media to deny any involvement with the 24-year-old after rumours began to circulate on social media.She wrote on X: “To clear things up: I’m not dating anybody, and if I was, it certainly wouldn’t be someone not old enough to remember where they were on 9/11.”Mia has twice been married but is currently single.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe wed her high school boyfriend in 2011, with the pair divorcing five years later.The Beirut-born star then wed Swedish chef Robert Sandberg, although the pair split the following year.Mia has since dated rapper Jhayco.She has made no secret of her love of football in the past.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAlvarez is in a long-term relationship with Maria Emilia FerreroCredit: ReutersAnd speaking to AFTV in 2019, she revealed her three favourite footballers of all time.She began: “I’ve got to say (David Beckham) Becks because I’m a girl.”Mia Khalifa excites fans in West Ham shirt as she visits London for Premier League project Mia then went on to add: “Zinedine Zidane because that (his World Cup final head-butt) was the most exciting thing I’ve seen happen in a football match.”I love violence and I hate that there is so much flopping in football. Yes! That (the headbutt) was the greatest moment of all time.”After naming two Real Madrid legends, she then made a very left-field pick – justifying her selection by likening him to NBA star Kawhi Leonard.She concluded: “And Aaron Mooy. He’s like the Kawhi Leonard of football. He doesn’t look like him but he acts like him.”He’s kind of camera shy, he’s a little goofy but you never see it.”I don’t know, he reminds me of him. Kawhi Leonard is a good guy.”Mia is known to be a huge football fanCredit: GettyThe former adult star has a soft spot for Aaron MooyCredit: Kenny Ramsay More

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    Barcelona BLOCKED from moving into £1.25billion stadium due to little-known rule as return to Nou Camp is postponed

    BARCELONA’S return to the Nou Camp has been DELAYED due to a little-known Uefa rule.The Spanish giants have spent the last 18 months playing at the Estadio Olimpico while a £1.25billion renovation is carried out on their home ground.Barcelona’s Nou Camp has undergone a £1.25billion renovationCredit: RexThe club had hoped to return to their home ground before the end of 2024Credit: FC BarcelonaHansi Flick’s side sit top of the LaLiga table after a superb startCredit: GettyThe development includes increasing capacity from 99,000 to 104,000, as well as the additions of a roof, luxury bar and new escalators.Barcelona had hoped to move back to the Nou Camp before the end of the year.However, Uefa rules dictate clubs cannot change stadiums before the end of the league phase of the Champions League.It means Barcelona would either have had to play league matches at the Nou Camp and European games at the Estadio Olimpico – or push back the move.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow, in an email to season-ticket holders who had requested a pass to the Nou Camp for the second half of the season, Barcelona have confirmed they will not return until at least mid-February.They said this is because of “Uefa regulations that prevent changing stadiums during the initial phase of the Champions League and the logistical difficulties and extra costs involved in maintaining two large-capacity facilities operating at the same time”.The date change means games against Valencia, Alaves and Atalanta will now take place at the Estadio Olimpico.According to Mundo Deportivo, the first game back at the Nou Camp could either be a LaLiga clash with Rayo Vallecano on February 16 or a Champions League play-off round fixture.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBarcelona released virtual images in September of how the ground will look once finishedCredit: FC BarcelonaBut they will not return to the Nou Camp until at least mid-FebruaryCredit: FC BarcelonaBarcelona will discount the price of the passes to account for the matches moved from the Nou Camp to the Estadio Olimpico – the Valencia and Alaves games.The Atalanta clash was already included in the Estadio Olimpico pass.Wojciech Szczęsny spotted ‘smoking cigarette’ in Real Madrid changing rooms after Barcelona’s El Clasico winVirtual images were released on the website Espai Barcelona in September showing how the ground will look once completed.A summary of the development read: “A space where anything is possible, a place to experience new ways of enjoying sport and entertainment, strengthening inclusion and integration with the neighbourhood.”An innovative and groundbreaking project.”A far-reaching improvement to boost the club’s growth, ensure new sources of income, and secure the future of the organisation.”The stadium improvements are set to earn Barcelona £25m more in revenue each year.Barcelona sit top of the LaLiga table, six points clear of Real Madrid having played one game more.In the Champions League, they have won three of their four matches and occupy sixth place in the table, meaning as it stands they will qualify automatically for the last-16. More

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    Former Premier League chief now owns ‘Spanish Accrington Stanley’ with 6,000-capacity stadium

    FORMER Burnley chief Mike Garlick has swapped Lancashire for Andalusia to become owner of Spanish third tier side Antequera.After stepping down from his role at Turf Moor in 2020 following ALK Capital’s takeover, the businessman set his sights on a new challenge.Former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick has embarked on a new ventureCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe 61-year-old has become owner of AntequeraCredit: PA:Press AssociationGarlick left Burnley in 2020Credit: Getty Images – GettyAnd when the opportunity arose to become Antequera boss at the start of this year, he grabbed it with both hands.”I didn’t want to buy a big club,” he told The Times.”The most enjoyable thing about Burnley wasn’t the day you won something or got promotion but the actual journey — and I wanted a journey.”I looked at Antequera and thought, ‘We could go on a journey here.’Read More in Football”I knew I’d miss the buzz of football and I got offered a lot of different clubs in England but I’m a Burnley fan so I wasn’t that keen.”We already had a house in Spain, near Marbella, and my wife speaks Spanish so why not here? I can get on a plane to Malaga, jump in a car and be here really quickly.”On top of that, they’d been promoted in three of the past five years so they are clearly on an upward trend.”Antequera currently sit second in Primera Federación Group 2 – only behind Betis Deportivo Balompie, the reserve team of Real Betis.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIf they win the group, the Spanish side will earn promotion to the second tier.Otherwise, they may have to do so via the play-offs at the end of the campaign.Bungling Burnley academy manager quits after sending bombshell message slamming ‘mad’ and ‘lazy’ players to WRONG groupGarlick has ambitions of leading the team all the way up to LaLiga.If Antequera achieve the feat, they would represent one of the smallest towns in the division.The 61-year-old continued: “I’ve compared it to Accrington as the population’s just over 40,000 so if we did get into La Liga one day, we’d be one of the smallest-ever towns in there.”Burnley was the smallest town in the Premier League — you’ve got 78,000 people there. It’s a dream but why not try for it?”Who are these famous footballers? More

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    Spanish newspaper’s XI of best U18 starlets in 2016 goes viral with forgotten English prodigy and ‘9 of them top tier’

    A 2016 best XI of wonderkids has gone viral on social media – and nine of them have hit the heights.But one English-born ace has fallen off the radar and now plies his trade with an unfashionable German outfit.Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was among the most promising talents at the timeCredit: GettyArsenal’s Kieran Tierney was also part of the list during his success at CelticCredit: GettyMarca predicted Europe’s best Under-18 talents in 2016Spanish newspaper Marca put together the best XI of Under-18 talents in Europe back eight years ago.Among them was an unknown Monaco kid called Kylian Mbappe, who is now considered by many as the best in the world.In the 2016 version, the now-Real Madrid superstar was joined by Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.Donnarumma had just taken football by storm with AC Milan before moving to PSG – where he played with Mbappe – in 2021.Read More on FootballRomanian Cristian Manea was at right-back with Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney on the other side, with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and forgotten England prospect Reece Oxford at centre-back.Rapid Bucharest’s Manea was playing for Belgian outfit Mouscron, on loan from Apollon Limassol, but got lost in the shuffle as did Oxford, who was a revelation at West Ham before joining Augsburg.Gomez is a utility defender for the Reds, while Tierney’s success at Celtic has yet to be replicated at the Emirates due to a raft of injury set-backs.Renato Sanches, Youri Tielemans and Ruben Neves formed the midfield.Most read in FootballSanches was considered the next big thing during his successful stint at Benfica but failed to live up to expectations and even endured a painful loan stint at Swansea.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe midfielder is currently on PSG’s books but returned to Benfica on loan in his bid to rediscover his old form.Tielemans played for Anderlecht at the time and went on to enjoy success with Leicester – where he won the FA Cup – and current club Aston Villa, who are standing out in the Champions League.Meet Ayden Heaven: Arsenal’s next William SalibaNeves burst onto the scene with Porto and became a star at Wolves but has dropped from the spotlight after moving to Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal.Mbappe was joined by Martin Odegaard and Dominic Solanke up-front.Odegaard was struggling for minutes at Real after his major move from Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset, where he emerged as one of the world’s most promising wonderkids.But the playmaker found his groove at Arsenal and quickly earned the captain’s armband.Solanke played for Vitesse at the time on loan from Chelsea, where he failed to earn a permanent spot and endured a disappointing stint at Liverpool.But the striker showed exactly why there was so much hype around his name with a stunning spell at Bournemouth, which led to a big move to Tottenham last summer.Mixed fan reactionMbappe dominated at Monaco and earned a big move to PSG where he quickly developed into one of the world’s biggest stars and ultimately completed a highly-anticipated move to Real.Fans were left in awe by that nostalgic post, which received some mixed reaction.One fan posted: “Pretty good tbf.”Another commented: “I miss Kieran Tierney.”A third wrote: “As a West Ham fan, Reece Oxford not fulfilling his potential was so sad.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThis fan wrote: “9 out of the 11 are top tier.”And that one stated: “Not a bad return to be fair.” More

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    Real Madrid star Federico Valverde reveals he had decided to join Arsenal before being handed Gunners transfer snub

    REAL MADRID star Federico Valverde revealed he decided to join Arsenal before being turned down by the club.The midfielder has been a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the past few years, but he could have been playing in the Premier League.Federico Valverde trained with Arsenal ten years agoCredit: RexHe trained with Arsenal ten years ago and felt at home at London Colney.Valverde, 26, was welcomed by the likes of Emi Martinez and Alexis Sanchez and he claims he saw a future at the club – only to be rejected by the Gunners.He told Marca: “I was 16. I said: ‘That’s it. This is my club. I’m going to grow here.”In Uruguay, the Premier League was watched a lot. I imagined a future there. READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I enjoyed it and I trained with spectacular players. “I don’t know if he’ll remember me, but Dibu [Emi Martinez] was one of the ones who helped me the most in everything, along with [Hector] Bellerín, Alexis [Sanches] and [Santi] Cazorla. I didn’t know English and they had to explain all the work to me.”Valverde was playing for Uruguayn side Penarol at the time and he went on to join Real Madrid two years later.He has 275 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 24 times, while winning plenty of silverware.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSValverde has three LaLiga titles to his name as well as two Champions League victories.He was also subject to a £51million bid from Liverpool last summer, which was rejected.’He bottled it,’ squeals Neville as Carragher gives updated title prediction More

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    France World Cup winner reveals shock plans to retire at 34 for career in real estate

    FRANCE star Ousmane Dembele has already planned out his retirement despite being only 27 years old.Dembele has already experienced immense success at both club and especially international level, having won the 2018 World Cup with Les Bleus.Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele revealed he will retire at the age of 34Credit: GettyWorld Cup winner Dembele is planning to get in the real estate businessCredit: GettyThe forward also counts three LaLiga titles as well as two Copa del Rey trophies with Barcelona, a German Cup with Borussia Dortmund and last season’s double with current club Paris Saint-Germain.And Dembele appears to only have about seven years left in his career to win even more honours.That is because the France international revealed he has decided to hang up his football boots at the age of 34.And then the ex-Rennes star is planning to get in the real estate business in France as well as several African nations.Read More on FootballDembele told The Bridge – a YouTube show, which is co-presented by Real Madrid ace and France team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni: “I want to retire at 34. “And then I want to get into the property business. Invest in Africa, in France…”Dembele has had a strong start at PSG this season as he already counts five goals and seven assists in 13 appearances across all competitions.Ever since his arrival in Paris from Barcelona last year, the versatile attacker counts a total of 11 goals and 21 assists in 55 matches.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Frenchman has also registered a total of six goals and four assists in 53 caps with his national team.That includes four appearances in the World Cup six years ago, when France lifted the trophy.PSG return to action on Friday in Ligue 1 against Toulouse at Parc des Princes.Inside futuristic three-sided stadium built on a cliff and covered with LED screens that could host 2034 World Cup games More

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    Tottenham flop, 35, becomes an OIL TYCOON in major career change three years after retiring from football

    FORMER Tottenham star Giovani dos Santos has swapped boots for barrels… by becoming an OIL TYCOON.The Mexico winger, a £9million Spurs buy from Barcelona, spent four seasons at White Hart Lane.Giovani Dos Santos has become an oil tycoonCredit: instagram @ oficialgioThe footballer spent time at Tottenham and Ipswich during his careerCredit: PA:Press AssociationHe scored three goals in 33 games, and also had a loan spell with Ipswich Town, before leaving for Mallorca in 2012.Dos Santos also helped Mexico win gold at the 2012 London Olympics, beating Brazil 2-0 in the final at Wembley.Dos Santos, 35, retired in 2021 and has since had a business buying and selling luxury cars in his home country.But the 106-cap international has now become the JR Ewing of football by investing in Procura Mexico.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe company is part of the country’s state-owned oil giant Pemex.And Dos Santos is reported to be earning up to £400,000 a year from Pemex, Latin America’s second-largest oil company.A source said: “According to our information, his new job brings him in four to five hundred thousand dollars a year – over 10 million Mexican pesos.”Barcelona academy product Dos Santos was once dubbed the new Lionel Messi.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe also had spells with Galatasaray, Racing Santander, Villarreal, LA Galaxy and Mexico’s Club America before hanging up his boots.Dos Santos played eight times for Ipswich in 2009, scoring four Championship goals.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersDos Santos’ brother Jonatha, right, starred for VillarrealCredit: Rex FeaturesHe comes from a footballing family with his brother, Jonathan, also a successful pro.He also came through the youth ranks at Barcelona.He went on to play for Villarreal before moving to the MLS with LA Galaxy.He then returned to Mexico to join Club America in 2022 and is still playing for the club.Who are these famous footballers? More