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      Neymar ‘is not giving up on sensational transfer return to Barcelona’ with PSG eager to ‘get rid of Brazilian’

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      NEYMAR has not given up hope of a sensational return to Barcelona this summer.This comes despite Barcelona manager Xavi brutally shutting down rumours of Neymar’s return earlier this month.
      PSG are encouraging Neymar to find a new club this summerCredit: Getty
      Commenting on rumours that Neymar would offer himself to Barcelona, Xavi said: “I’m surprised… he’s not in our plan.
      “I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities.”
      Despite this, Spanish outlet Sport report that the forward has not given up hope and is “insistent” on a move.
      This being despite rumoured interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Saudi Arabian sides.
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      It is not the first time Neymar has attempted to return to Barcelona.
      In 2018, just a year after joining PSG, the forward pushed to leave.
      He also told Brazil legend Ronaldo that he “tried everything” to return to Barcelona in the summer of 2019.
      Both times his exit was blocked because PSG were unwilling to sell after signing the winger for a world record £198million transfer fee.
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      But circumstances are different this time around as the Paris club are desperate to get the 31-year-old’s salary off their wage bill.
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      The club have told Neymar he is free to leave and have encouraged him to find a club.
      His preference is a move to Barcelona and he has hired super agent Pini Zahavi to help broker the move.
      Zahavi is a close friend of Barca president Joan Laporta according to Sport.
      Given Barcelona’s delicate financial situation it is unlikely that any transfer would be permanent.
      But given PSG’s need to get the striker off the wage bill a loan move could be an option.
      Neymar is also willing to lower his wages in order to get his dream move back to Barcelona this summer. More

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      Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez ‘closing in’ on return to management with FIFTEENTH club

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      RAFA BENITEZ is reportedly closing in on a return to management and a FIFTEENTH job.Benitez, 63, has been out of work since January 2022 when he was dismissed by Everton.
      Rafa Benitez looks set to become the new Celta Vigo managerCredit: AFP
      Talks with Leicester failed to materialise as Dean Smith headed to the King Power.
      But now reports state Benitez looks set to take over at LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo.
      The Spanish side are without a manager after Carlos Carvalhal left by mutual consent earlier in June.
      And Benitez seems ready to replace him.
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      According to Relevo, negotiations have hotted up today and a deal is said to be imminent.
      President Carlos Mourino and daughter and new director general Marian Mourino have given the green light to seal the legendary boss’ football comeback.
      His status in the game and experience were key factors in Benitez being the No1 target.
      Andoni Iraola was on the Celta Vigo shortlist before he secured a deal to replace Gary O’Neil at Bournemouth.
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      Benitez has managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe after starting out with Real Madrid’s youth then Castilla sides.
      He worked around Spain, winning two LaLigas and the Uefa Cup with Valencia, before joining Liverpool, famously lifting the 2005 Champions League.
      Since then, the Spaniard has been in the dugouts at Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle, Dalian Professional and Everton.
      His stint at Goodison Park did not go to plan, though, with Benitez sacked five months into the season after ten defeats from his 22 games.
      Celta Vigo ended the 2022-23 LaLiga season in 13th – three points above the relegation zone.
      But they did finish the campaign with a 2-1 win over champions Barcelona. More

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      Super League ‘could be brought back by Saudi Arabia with Barcelona and Juventus among clubs considering link up’

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      THE Super League could be brought back by Saudi Arabia with Barcelona and Juventus interested, according to reports.Two years ago, 12 founding clubs proposed a breakaway from European football but the plan quickly fell apart after huge backlash.
      Juventus could join Saudi Arabia’s version of the Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      Bareclona are also reportedly keenCredit: Getty
      But the idea of a Super League could return via Saudi Arabia.
      Chiefs in the Middle East are looking to grow their division following the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema amongst other stars.
      And to help their sides become more attractive, they want to compete with teams from Europe and rival the Champions League.
      The Saudis supposedly plan to convince Barca and Juve to be part of the new competition.
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      Tuttosport claim they are both interested amid ongoing issues at both clubs.
      Barca are struggling financially and could also be hit with a ban from Uefa competitions over the Negreira case.
      The governing body are investigating claims that the Catalan giants allegedly paid £6.5million to former refereeing chief Jose Mara Enriquez Negreira.
      Meanwhile, Juventus are under scrutiny for potential FFP breaches, having already been slapped with a ten-point deduction for a false accounting scandal.
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      Both the Serie A side and Barcelona were original European Super League members.
      Saudi Arabian clubs would also reportedly welcome other big teams that fail to qualify for the Champions League.
      Uefa are supposedly concerned by the plan. More

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      Brazil ‘keen to appoint Carlo Ancelotti’s SON’ as coach as bid to hire Real Madrid boss stalls

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI’S son is reportedly being considered for a coaching role in the Brazil National Team.Davide, who works with his father at Real Madrid, is being earmarked for a role ahead of Ancelotti’s expected appointment in 2024.
      Davide Ancelotti is being earmarked for a coaching role with BrazilCredit: Getty
      It comes with Carlo Ancelotti in line to take over the Brazil team next yearCredit: PA
      Ancelotti is said to be the first choice of Brazil football association (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues to take over.
      However, the Italian’s contract with Madrid does not expire until 2024, leaving Brazil in the lurch with interim boss Ramon Menezes.
      Brazil are looking at how best to deal with the transition period after Tite’s departure at the end of the World Cup, with ESPN claiming Davide’s appointment is one path they are considering.
      The intention of the move would be to help smooth over the period before Ancelotti senior is appointed.
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      The report adds a meeting to address the situation is set to be held at the end of this month.
      Davide, 33, started working under his father at Bayern Munich.
      Since then he has also joined him at Napoli, Everton and now Madrid.
      Brazil won their most recent match against Guinea 4-1, with the South Americans due to face Senegal tomorrow.
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      Ancelotti has an illustrious career at club level, standing as the only manager to win the Champions League four times.
      However, the 64-year-old is yet to take charge of a national team, though has been backed by Manchester City star Ederson to take the job. More

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      Two former Premier League stars look unrecognisable as they star for Real Madrid in legends match

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      TWO former Premier League stars looked completely unrecognisable as they recently lined-up for Real Madrid in a legends match.One was a Croatian striker that was almost unplayable at the 1998 World Cup.
      Two former Prem stars looked unrecognisable as they returned to match actionCredit: Twitter
      The pair both played recently for a Real Madrid legends teamCredit: Twitter
      One of the icons posed with ex-ref Mark Halsey and posted the snap on TwitterCredit: Twitter
      The hotshot grabbed the Golden Boot as he fired his team to a fourth-place finish and eventually ended up as his country’s all-time top scorer.
      Domestically, he starred for Sevilla before going on to shine at Real Madrid during a three-year spell from 1996.
      Then, to a lesser extent, the ace headed to England to join Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal for a season before moving across London to West Ham for a 12-month stint.
      He scored eight goals in 22 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, with just two in 11 for the Hammers, and then moved to Germany to finish his career at 1860 Munich.
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      The ex-forward was then president of the Croatian Football Federation.
      Meanwhile, the other was a team-mate of the Croatian striker briefly at the Bernabeu after Real snapped him up from Mallorca in 1998.
      He became a huge favourite and a stand-out star due to his famed perm haircut, winning the Champions League twice at Madrid.
      However, he was shipped out on loan to Bolton Wanderers in the 2002/03 campaign and eventually made that move permanent.
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      Under Sam Allardyce, the Spanish international midfielder played for the Trotters for another five years and achieved icon status at the club before going on to join Ipswich Town for a season prior to ending his career at Cypriot club AEK Larnaca.
      The two players in question, of course, are Davor Suker and Ivan Campo.
      The pair were recently reunited as they starred for a Real Madrid legends team.
      An ex-Premier League referee was also involved with Mark Halsey being the man in charge of the action.
      And Campo, now 49, even shared a shot of himself with the whistleblower and captioned it with: “Today I was with a special person and big friend : @RefereeHalsey.
      “Very very very happy to see you again in Orihuela playing with @VeteranosRM.”
      He also posted numerous other shots from the match, including one with him next to now 55-year-old Suker.
      And some of his followers were quick to jump into the comments, with one writing: “Look at those legends.”

      “Dream team right there,” declared another as a fellow fan tweeted: “Ivan Campo Ivan Campo my hero … Baller end of .. love this man ..”
      And the two men both showed they still possessed some of the magic as they helped Madrid to a 5-0 win over an Alicante XI thanks to a brace from Edwin Congo and goals from Jose Amavisca, Fernando Moran and Alberto Rivera.
      Davor Suker went on to star for Arsenal after Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Ivan Camp achieved legend status after a switch to England with Bolton WanderersCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Eden Hazard to make shock U-turn on ‘retirement decision’ and sign for new club with brother after Real Madrid release

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      EDEN HAZARD is reportedly considering a shock move to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.The 32-year-old will become a free next month following a four-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.
      Hazard’s Real Madrid contract was ripped up earlier this monthCredit: Getty
      The winger could join his brother Kylian (R) in the Belgian Pro LeagueCredit: https://www.instagram.com/hazard.k10/
      His contract was due to expire next summer, but Real Madrid made the decision to TERMINATE his deal at the beginning of June.
      Following the announcement of his departure, many reports suggested that Hazard would retire from professional football.
      However, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims he could join his brother, Kylian, at RWD Molenbeek in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.
      Tavolieri tweeted: “At first sight improbable, the possibility of a return [to the] Belgian Jupiler League has been considered by Eden Hazard. 
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      “In this context, the ‘financial’ factor would be considered incidental if he decides to continue his career. Playing with his brother Kylian at RWD Molenbeek is part of the thinking.”
      Hazard scored just seven goals in 76 appearances for Real Madrid after joining the club in a huge £125million transfer from Chelsea in 2019.
      He now has just one other transfer offer on the table – from MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.
      The winger retired from international football in December after Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages.
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      In an official statement on Instagram, he wrote: “A page turns today… Thank you for your love.
      “Thank you for your unparalleled support. Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008.
      “I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready.
      “I will miss you…”
      Hazard scored 33 goals in 126 appearances for Belgium during his 14-year international spell. More

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      Forgotten Arsenal cult hero on verge of completing free transfer to third club in a YEAR since leaving Gunners

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      FORMER Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is set to complete his THIRD transfer in just NINE MONTHS as he prepares to return to Real Betis.The Spanish right-back, 28, left the Emirates last summer after more than a decade with the club.
      Hector Bellerin looks set to return to Real Betis where he enjoyed a loan spellCredit: Alamy
      He spent more than a decade at Arsenal before leaving last summerCredit: Getty
      He played 239 times for the North London outfit, winning three FA Cups.
      But his Arsenal exit began a tumultuous 12 months for Bellerin.
      In September, he agreed to join Barcelona – who he left for Arsenal as a youth-team player.
      And things did not turn out how he would have hoped at the Nou Camp.
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      Bellerin had totalled just 141 minutes by January and was shipped out of the club after just four months.
      He signed for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon where he made 13 appearances, scoring one goal.
      But at the end of the season he was released as he searched for another new path.
      And now Fabrizio Romano is reporting that he is “on the verge” of joining LaLiga side Real Betis – with parties simply “waiting for paperwork”.
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      Bellerin spent one season on loan with Betis during the 2021/22 campaign – prior to his permanent departure from Arsenal.
      He played 32 games for the Spanish outfit, registering five assists.
      And he could feature in the Europa League next season after Betis’ sixth-place finish in LaLiga saw them qualify for the competition. More

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      Incoming Leicester manager Maresca broke Aguero’s nose with brutal headbutt before linking up with him at Man City

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      INCOMING Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca once broke Sergio Aguero’s nose during a LaLiga match between Sevilla and Atletico Madrid.The 43-year-old is currently in advanced talks to take over from Dean Smith at the King Power Stadium.
      Maresca violently headbutted Aguero during a match in 2008Credit: https://twitter.com/lcfcadyy/status/1669429284002250758
      The striker was left with blood pouring from his noseCredit: https://twitter.com/lcfcadyy/status/1669429284002250758
      Although he has no managerial experience in England, Maresca has spent the last season as Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester City.
      Before becoming the Spaniard’s right-hand man, he took charge of City’s Elite Development Squad for one year, where he worked with some of the club’s top talents.
      His move to Manchester saw him reunite with some old friends – and foes.
      Upon his arrival, he met with Aguero again – 12 years after the pair clashed during a LaLiga match.
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      In March 2008, Maresca’s Sevilla played host to Atletico Madrid, who boasted 19-year-old up-and-coming striker Aguero.
      With 30 minutes left to play, the Argentina striker tripped Maresca on the halfway line, which sparked a furious reaction from the midfielder.
      He immediately got up and HEADBUTTED Aguero, subsequently leaving him covered in blood.
      Maresca was sent off for violent conduct as a result, but Aguero was able to play on despite suffering a broken nose.
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      Atletico Madrid went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez.
      After hanging up his boots in 2017, Maresca turned to a career in coaching.
      He enjoyed stints as an assistant manager at Ascoli, Sevilla and West Ham respectively before joining Man City.
      The former midfielder then spent six months as manager of Serie B side Parma prior to reuniting with Guardiola in June 2022.
      He is now on the verge of becoming the new manager of Leicester, who were relegated to the Championship last month.
      Maresca is now set to become the new manager of LeicesterCredit: Getty More