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      Liverpool ‘tried to AXE Darwin Nunez in shock swap transfer… but top target snubbed Reds and Man Utd to stay in Spain’

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      LIVERPOOL reportedly tried to axe Darwin Nunez for Portuguese star Joao Felix in a shock swap transfer with Atletico Madrid.But Felix had his heart set on joining Barcelona and turned down the offer from the Reds.
      Liverpool were prepared to axe Darwin Nunez for Joao FelixCredit: Rex
      Felix joined his dream team Barcelona insteadCredit: Getty
      Manchester United are also said to have been keen.
      Felix, 23, signed for Barca on deadline day and was in floods of tears at his unveiling after sealing his dream move.
      That’s despite the forward, who joined Atletico in 2019 for a record fee of £113m from Benfica, only joining on loan, with no option to buy.
      Felix burst onto the scene with 15 goals in 25 appearances for the Portuguese side as a teenager.
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      Felix has failed to live up to his mammoth fee in the Spanish capital.
      He has scored just 25 goals in 96 appearances and had an underwhelming loan spell at Chelsea last season.
      Nevertheless, according to the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Portuguese star had many admirers, especially Liverpool.
      And they say Jurgen Klopp was even willing to trade in his own £85m striker Nunez to seal a deal.
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      The 24-year-old joined the Reds last year from Felix’s boyhood club Benfica.
      He made 42 appearances last season and scored 15 goals last season.
      But Nunez showed fans a glimpse of his destructive best with a match-winning late double against Newcastle two weeks ago.
      The report claims Liverpool was not alone in signing Felix as United and Aston Villa were keen to recruit the forward.
      Saudia Arabia also tried to take their chances as Al-Hilal sounded out a deal to link him up with Neymar.
      The report added Felix swiftly declined all teams with the same reply: “No, thank you, I want to go to Barca and I’m going to wait for you.” More

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      Sergio Ramos SNUBS huge Saudi Arabian transfer offer to sign for former club in emotional return

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      REAL MADRID legend Sergio Ramos has snubbed a move to the Saudi Pro League in favour of an emotional return to Sevilla.The Spaniard left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in June following a two-year stint at the Parc des Princes.
      Ramos is set to join SevillaCredit: Getty
      The defender kicked off his professional playing career with Sevilla in 2004Credit: EPA
      He was heavily linked with a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami throughout the summer transfer window, but a deal failed to materialise.
      Besiktas also sent a proposal to him, but the two parties failed to agree personal terms.
      And now Ramos is set to make an emotional return to his boyhood club.
      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 37-year-old has penned a one-year deal with Sevilla.
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      The report also claims he rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia in favour of a return to Spain.
      Al-Ittihad allegedly offered him £17.1million-a-year to join them, but the defender instead opted for a £855,000-a-year deal with Sevilla.

      Ramos joined the Sevilla academy at the age of 10 in 1996 and made his first team debut eight years later.
      He made 49 appearances during his first spell at the club before joining Real Madrid in 2005 for £23million – which was a record fee for a defender at the time.
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      In 671 appearances for Los Blancos he scored 101 goals, won four Champions League titles and five La Liga titles.
      After 16 years in Madrid, he left the Santiago Bernabeu in 2021 to join PSG in a free transfer.
      Ramos was limited to just 13 appearances during his first season in France due to a series of injury issues, but he returned to full fitness last season. More

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      Iconic stadium unrecognisable as it opens it doors for first game since incredible £1BILLION renovation works

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      THE Santiago Bernabeu has finally re-opened its doors after a near £1BILLION renovation.LaLiga big boys Real Madrid began renovating their iconic home back in 2019 with the aim of bringing it up to the standard of its modern rivals.
      Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu is finally open after its stunning refurbCredit: TWITTER@REALMADRID
      The Bernabeu looks stunning from the insideCredit: AFP
      The stadium’s facelift has made it even more luxuriousCredit: AFP
      The Bernabeu features a stunning new hospitality terraceCredit: TWITTER@REALMADRID
      The piste de resistance of the new and improved Bernabeu is undoubtedly its stunning and fully retractable roof.
      A brand-spanking new terrace – which provides fans a stunning view of the pitch and incredible hospitality – has also been installed in the historic ground.
      Real spared no expense with the upgrade, which also included a new pitch.
      The Spanish giants shared footage of the stunning renovation with the world on social media before their clash with Getafe on Saturday.
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      The clips give an inside and outside birdseye view of the stadium and its stunning new terrace.
      The Bernabeu’s renovations were due to have been completed LAST YEAR but went past their initial completion date.
      Real opened the doors of their new-and-improved ground for their first home game of the season – a Madrid derby against Getafe.
      Manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “It’s a spectacular atmosphere, there’s something new.
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      The stadium now has a retractable roofCredit: Twitter @realmadriden
      It was fully opened for the first time on SaturdayCredit: Twitter @realmadriden
      “I think the fans pushed a lot today, it’s a much more enclosed atmosphere.
      “You can feel that the fans pushed — it’s going to be a very important help and it was today.”
      Real ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a stoppage-time winner from England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
      Bellingham has made an incredible start to life in Madrid, scoring five goals and picking up one assist in four matches.
      Ancelotti said of the 20-year-old: “I’m not surprised by Bellingham’s quality. What surprises me is that he has scored so many goals in the first few games.
      “It’s quite surprising for everybody and for him. He’s a professional and he’s very serious.
      “The professionalism of the squad is at a high level and he has the example there.
      “He’s adapted very well and has gone on holiday with the rest of the young players. I think it’s all good.
      “He can get to 15 goals because he did it with Dortmund.
      “He excels without the ball and doesn’t give it away.
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      “He often gets into the box and breaks lines.
      “He’s in almost constant attacking movement and that’s why he has scored all those goals.”
      The Bernabeu opened its doors to fans on SaturdayCredit: GETTY
      Jude Bellingham bagged the winner in Real’s 2-1 win over Getafa on SaturdayCredit: REX More

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      Barcelona ace Lewandowski in astonishing rant with star at risk of lengthy ban after fuming ‘refs are killing league’

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      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI risks being slapped with a lengthy domestic ban after claiming “referees are killing” LaLiga.The former Bayern Munich hitman is two seasons into the Spanish spell of his career, which is seemingly close to coming to an end.
      Robert Lewandowski is two seasons into his Barcelona careerCredit: REX
      The Poland international is far from happy with the officiating in Spain’s top-flightCredit: GETTY
      Lewandowski has been nothing but prolific since moving to the Nou Camp, scoring 34 goals and racking up nine assists in 49 appearances.
      But the Poland international is far from happy with the state of officiating in Span’s top flight.
      The 35-year-old said: “LaLiga is not attractive and attacking enough.
      “Referees are killing the league. I didn’t expect Spanish league teams to be this reluctant to play football.”
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      Lewandowski’s comments could land him in hot water with Spanish footie chiefs.
      LaLiga bigwigs began stomping out inflammatory comments on officiating last season.
      Valencia skipper Jose Gaya is currently serving a four-match ban for his condemnation of referee Jorge Figueroa for not giving them a penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Osasuna last season.
      He said: “It’s what we’ve been dealing with all season, [VAR] should have advised him about a clear penalty, as keeps happening to us this year.
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      “The referee saw it and well, he didn’t want to call it.”
      Former Real Madrid man Sergio Canales was also slapped with a four-game suspension after claiming his 13-second dismissal in Real Betis’ clash with Atletico Madrid last season was premeditated.
      If LaLiga bosses follow their new protocol, Lewandowski will likely also be hit with a four-match ban.
      The Spaniards’ stamping out of critical comments comes in the wake of Barcelona being charged for alleged payments to the former vice president of the refereeing committee.
      Prosecutors in Spain filed corruption charges against the club’s former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu – as well as ex-executives Oscar Grau and Albert Soler – in March.
      Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is facing corruption chargesCredit: GETTY More

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      Rudiger sent flying into crowd after flattening Tchouameni as Alaba slaps Diaz celebrating last-gasp Real Madrid winner

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER launched himself into the crowd before David Alaba slapped Brahim Diaz as Real Madrid’s players wildly celebrated Jude Bellingham’s late winner on Saturday.Carlo Ancelotti’s men looked set to drop points at home to Getafe as they headed into stoppage time on course for a 1-1 draw.
      Jude Bellingham scored a last-minute winner for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Antonio Rudiger launched himself over his team-mates during the celebrationsCredit: Twitter
      But Rudiger ended up in the crowd after misjudging his leapCredit: Twitter
      But a Lucas Vazquez shot was spilled by the visitors’ keeper David Soria and Bellingham, 20, was first to react and poke home the deciding goal.
      This sent the newly-renovated Bernabeu into meltdown as Real Madrid maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.
      And the celebrations fitted the importance of the goal.
      Bellingham, who now has five goals in four games for Real Madrid, ran off to the corner to soak in the moment with the fans.
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      His team-mates soon joined him as they piled on top of the England international.
      But as ex-Chelsea man Rudiger, 30, arrived on the scene, he misjudged his jump and accidentally leapt over the players and into the crowd.
      And the crazy scenes were not over yet.
      As the Real players made their way back onto the pitch and headed for the halfway line, Alaba was seen slapping Diaz in the face.
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      Reacting to the celebrations, one social media user said: “Alaba and Rudiger’s reaction to the goal is wholesome man. I love this club soo much 😭🤍.”
      Another added: “RUDIGER 😭😭😭😭😭.”
      A third replied: “Rudiger is the funniest player 😭.”
      While a fourth responded: “Alaba, what have you done?!”
      Bellingham has made a remarkable start to life in Madrid, scoring in each of his first four games in the Spanish capital.
      And Real sit top of the LaLiga table as the only side with a perfect record after four games. More

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      Jude Bellingham scores 95th minute winner to match Ronaldo record and sink Mason Greenwood’s new team on home Real debut

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM’S 95th-minute winner on his home Real Madrid debut equalled an incredible Cristiano Ronaldo record and sunk Mason Greenwood’s new club.Fans glimpsed the new Bernabeu for the first time as the England midfielder matched Ron’s feat of scoring in his opening four Real games.

      Jude Bellingham celebrates his record-equalling, last-gasp Real winnerCredit: Getty
      Bellingham was as composed as ever to see off Getafe with his fifth goal in four LaLiga matches for 100% leaders Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Bellingham clinched a 2-1 comeback win over Getafe as Carlo Ancelotti’s men made it four straight victories as the only 100% LaLiga team.
      Manchester United striker Greenwood was not in Getafe’s match-day squad following yesterday’s 11th-hour loan move for the season.
      But he must have been impressed when Borja Mayoral punished a mistake from Fran Garcia with a shock 11th-minute opener for the visitors.
      Spain striker Joselu conjured a close-ranger equaliser soon after the break as Real ramped up the pressure.
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      And although it came late, Bellingham’s clincher was no great surprise, such was the home side’s dominance of possession.
      The £115million summer buy from Borussia Dortmund nipped in for the decider after David Sorias could only parry Nacho’s shot.
      It means Bellingham, 20 is LaLiga’s five-goal top scorer – after emulating Ronaldo’s four-game scoring start.
      Portugal legend Ron, 38, amassed 450 goals and 120 assists in 438 matches for the Spanish giants from 2009-2018.
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      The ex-Old Trafford and Juventus attacker won the first of his five Ballon d’Ors aged 23.
      Ronaldo is now at Al-Nassr and seven-time world player-of-the-year Lionel Messi, 36, has switched to David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami.
      So who would bet against Bellingham winning football’s top individual gong by the time his Real contract runs out in 2029?
      In contrast, Greenwood must wait for his Getafe debut after Real’s city rivals gave the 21-year-old the chance to revive his career.
      Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational impact on his Real arrival on 2009, just as Bellingham has done nowCredit: Getty More

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      Iconic stadium looks unrecognisable as new photos of demolition work show TWO historic features torn down

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      THE NOU CAMP looks completely unrecognisable as demolition work continues at the iconic football stadium.The home of Barcelona has been undergoing a huge renovation process since the World Cup in Qatar.
      The Nou Camp is being redevelopedCredit: Getty
      And is now completedly unrecognizableCredit: FC Barcelona
      And fans will now struggle to recognise the Nou Camp as two historic features have been pulled down.
      One element that has been removed is the visor that covered one side of the field and gave shelter to fans from the sun.
      Cranes have been brought in to remove what is left of it as much of the framework lies where the pitch used to be.
      And the third tier of the stadium has already been completely demolished.
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      While the work is underway Barcelona are currently playing at the Estadi Lluis Companys Stadium.
      The LaLiga giants will play the entirety of the season at the ground in southwest Barcelona.
      The stadium – which is the home of the Catalonia National football team – can seat up to 55,000 people.
      It is considerably smaller than the Nou Camp which was able to house 99,000 spectators.
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      The stadium has been the home of Barcelona for the last 65 years but it now having a major upgrade.
      The redevelopment will include a retractable roof 30,000 square metres of solar panels.
      Energy generated from the panels will be used to power a new 360-degree LED display which will span across the whole stadium.
      And new office spaces are said to also be incorporated in the plans while the area outside of the ground will feature a smaller stadium for the club’s basketball team, an ice rink, green space and a hotel.
      It has been reported that the transformation will cost approximately £1.3billion which will also see the venue expand to a 105,000-seater stadium. More

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      Forgotten Man Utd wonderkid ‘linked with surprise Saudi move with Al-Tai considering cut-price transfer swoop’

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      FORGOTTEN Manchester United wonderkid Adnan Januzaj is being lined up for a transfer to Saudi Arabia. Januzaj, now 28, is the latest star who could make the switch from Europe to the Middle East.
      Adnan Januzaj is being lined up for a transfer to Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in TurkeyCredit: Getty
      The winger currently turns out for Sevilla but spent the second half of last season on loan with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.
      The La Liga outfit are looking to sell Januzaj in order to raise cash for a new midfielder and centre-back.
      And Mundo Deportivo now claim Saudi side Al-Tai could make the Spanish club’s wish come true.
      Al-Tai finished ninth in the Saudi Pro League last season.
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      With Januzaj appearing to not have a future in Spain, a deal would represent European quality heading to a lesser Saudi team.
      Most major stars have headed to one of the four clubs owned by the nation’s Public Investment Fund – Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahil and Al-Hilal – who also own Newcastle.
      While the European window shuts on September 1, the Saudi window does not close until September 20.
      This means there is plenty of time for the two parties to strike a deal.
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      Januzaj has an estimated market value of £5.2million.
      He showed promise when breaking into the United first team during David Moyes’ ill-fated time in charge of United back in the 2013/14 season.
      But he never managed to consolidate this momentum and was eventually sold to Real Sociedad in 2017.
      He then joined Sevilla on a free transfer on 2022.
      Januzaj broke through at United under David MoyesCredit: Getty More