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      Two-time Champions League finalists could face extinction with club ‘only able to survive one year if relegated’

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      VALENCIA may only survive for ONE YEAR if they are relegated from LaLiga this season.The Spanish giants sit 18th in the top flight, three points adrift of safety with just nine games remaining.
      Valencia sit three points adrift of safety following defeat to Sevilla on SundayCredit: Getty
      Peter Lim has been slammed for his ownership of the clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Owner Peter Lim, who also has a share in Salford City, has been heavily criticised for the demise of the club and dragging them into a relegation dog fight.
      It comes just two decades on from a thoroughly successful era.
      They reached back-to-back Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001, losing to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
      Rafa Benitez then took over and guided the club to two league titles in three years between 2002 and 2004.
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      But now they face the very real prospect of dropping down to the second tier for the first time since 1987.
      And Marca Valencia’s journalist Javi Lazaro insists the club could cease to exist under its current ownership.
      He said: “To this day, the continuity of Meriton [the owners] can only bring one thought, that of disappearance.
      “Practically the team economically could last a year in the second [division], for sure it would not manage two.
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      “And seeing Lim’s management, they are hardly going to make a project to get promoted from the second to the first.”
      Valencia, who appointed Ruben Baraja as Gennaro Gattuso’s replacement in February, are on a run of four games without a win.
      On Sunday, a frustrated home crowd watched them lose 2-0 to fellow strugglers Sevilla.
      Next up in their fight to avoid the drop is a trip to Elche this weekend. More

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      Karim Benzema handed one-year contract extension due to special clause as Real Madrid apply unwritten rule

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      KARIM BENZEMA has been handed a one-year contract extension.That’s after Real Madrid activated a special unwritten clause in the Frenchman’s deal.
      Real Madrid have extended Karim Benzema’s contract with a secret clauseCredit: Reuters
      Benzema, 35, will go down as one of the greats after spending an incredible 14 years at the Bernabeu so far.
      He joined Real from Lyon for £36million in 2009 after winning four consecutive league titles in France.
      And Benzema has since gone on to land four LaLigas and five Champions Leagues with Los Blancos.
      The striker has also netted an incredible 349 goals in 640 games.
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      And after last term’s 44-goal haul, Benzema was awarded his first-ever Ballon d’Or in October.
      As a result, AS claims his contract has now been extended for another year.
      Winning the coveted individual trophy saw an unwritten clause activated by Real president Florentino Perez.
      Benzema’s contract was due to expire this summer.
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      But he will now be staying put at the Bernabeu until 2024, with next term expected to be his last.
      Real already have a replacement lined up in Brazilian teenager Endrick.
      The versatile forward, who can play through the middle or on the left, will cost Real £60m.
      The Spaniards saw off competition from Chelsea to sign Endrick from Palmeiras.
      And he could be set to form a front three featuring fellow Samba stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. More

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      Fans lose their minds at unnaturally jacked Robert Lewandowski as Barcelona star enters ‘beast mode’

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      FANS have been left in shock at Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski’s incredible physique.A picture of the 34-year-old training was uploaded to the Catalan giants’ Instagram showing him looking ripped.

      Robert Lewandowski’s body transformation has left fans wowedCredit: Getty
      His bulky arms and legs have left supporters stunned, and one said: “Beast mode.”
      Another reacted: “Lewandowski is built different.”
      More commented: “Bro never misses a gym day.”
      Barcelona have a lot of slimmer players like midfield duo Gavi and Pedri, which led to some fans joking that they should put on muscle like Lewandowski.
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      The striker spent eight seasons with Bayern Munich and fans want the club to “release their gym programme” after former team-mate Leon Goretzka also quickly bulked up.
      Lewandowski is reaping the rewards of his physique, missing just two games all season due to injury.
      And the player is closing in on an incredible ninth league title in a row after winning eight on the spin at his former club Bayern.
      Barcelona currently sit eleven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
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      Meanwhile, the Polish striker is also going for the Golden Boot and leads Karim Benzema in the standings by three goals.
      Lewandowski has netted an incredible 27 goals in 37 games in all competitions this season, with all but ten strikes coming in LaLiga. More

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      Arsenal lining up transfer for £53m-rated defender Robin Le Normand after impressing Martin Odegaard at Real Sociedad

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      ARSENAL are lining up a transfer for Real Sociedad star Robin Le Normand after he impressed Martin Odegaard, according to reports.The duo played together while the Gunners captain was on loan at the Spanish club in the 2019-20 season and he has remained a fan of his ever since.
      Robin Le Normand is wanted by ArsenalCredit: Rex
      Reports from Relevo claim that Le Normand has a £53million release clause that Arsenal will have to trigger if they want to sign him.
      The centre-back is supposedly happy at Real Sociedad after he penned a new deal that runs until 2026 last summer.
      The 26-year-old previously suggested he would be open to spending his whole career at the club.
      However, if they fail to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, then Le Normand could be sold.
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      Imanol Alguacil’s side currently sit fourth in LaLiga with nine matches to go.
      Le Normand has been one of the standout defenders in the division this season, featuring 34 times in all competitions.
      He has made his way up the ranks at Real Sociedad after joining from Brest as a teenager.
      The Frenchman has also reportedly been contacted by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente about changing his nationality to represent his country, as he is eligible to play for both.
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      Arsenal are keen to sign a centre-back this summer as manager Mikel Arteta looks to increase the quality of options in his squad.
      William Saliba is currently out with a back problem and is ready to rush back for the title run-in and risk further injury, highlighting the club’s need for more strength in depth.
      There is hope that he will be fit enough to play in the potential title-decider against Manchester City next Wednesday. More

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      Barcelona want Lionel Messi to become the new Michael Jordan as they plan for his sensational transfer return

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      BARCELONA reportedly want to re-sign Lionel Messi and make him the “new Michael Jordan”. The Argentinian legend left the club for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
      Lionel Messi is ready to quit PSG and re-join BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Barcelona chiefs believe Lionel Messi’s return could have a similar financial impact to the return of Chicago Bulls hero Micheal JordanCredit: AFP
      But the World Cup winner is supposedly unhappy in France and with his contract expiring there at the end of the season, he wants to return to Barca on a free transfer.
      The LaLiga side are keen on his return from an on and off the pitch perspective.
      Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona chiefs believe the return of Messi could contribute to 25 per cent of the club’s revenue next year.
      Some even believe the boom in the sales of tickets and merchandise along with cash injections from sponsors could be worth 33 per cent of turnover.
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      They are confident that the financial impact could be bigger than the boost the Chicago Bulls received when Michael Jordan came out of retirement in 1995 for a second spell with the team.
      Barca are also looking to help play a major part in building the “Messi brand” and they have drawn comparisons to the American’s “Air Jordan” venture with Nike.
      Xavi supposedly talks to the player regularly and is looking forward to Messi’s own “Last Dance”.
      He is set to be offered a two-year contract by the club.
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      Barcelona are desperate for a financial boost with the club under orders from LaLiga to balance their books.
      They have been effectively placed under a transfer ban and may need to recoup £178million via player sales.
      The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele have all been linked with moves to the Premier League. More

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      Real Madrid star Courtois makes cheeky gesture towards Chelsea fans after they relentlessly boo their former hero

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      THIBAUT COURTOIS hit back at Chelsea fans with a cheeky gesture. During Real Madrid’s clash with the Blues at Stamford Bridge, Courtois was relentlessly booed by the fans who once adored him.
      Thibaut Courtois produced a great save against Marc CucurellaCredit: EPA
      And then hit back at Chelsea fan boos by kissing the Real Madrid badge
      However, the Belgian did not take the abuse lying down.
      As he went to get the ball following a massive save to deny Marc Cucurella from close range, Courtois was pictured kissing the Real Madrid badge in front of the Chelsea fans.
      Footie fans rushed online to share their thoughts on the act.
      Chelsea fans were understandably not too pleased, with a number of fans labelling him a “snake”.
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      A fan said: “All I know is that karma is real. Shouldn’t of done that.”
      On the other hand, rivals fans loved the act.
      One said: “nah that’s another level of disrespectful 😭.”
      As a second said: “tears on my eyes 😭😭.”
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      A third declared: “Best Goalie in the world. THE BELGIAN WALL.”
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      Following Cucurella’s saved effort Chelsea would continue to be denied for the rest of the night, with Mykhailo Mudryk’s effort when he fired wide being their only other major chance.
      But a second half brace from Rodrygo would put the icing on the cake for Carlo Ancelotti to ensure they progressed into the semi-finals with a 4-0 aggregate scoreline.
      The other semi-final saw AC Milan conquer Napoli in 2-1 on aggregate. More

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      LaLiga chaos as league could be brought to a STOP with referees ‘considering going on STRIKE’

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      SPAIN’S top flight could grind to a halt this weekend.That’s as referees consider going on strike following a string of controversial incidents.
      LaLiga could be halted as Spanish refs consider going on strikeCredit: AP
      Football Espana claims LaLiga may be halted as officials plan protests due to “public pressure” and “physical danger”.
      An U19s game between Polillas and Calavera ended with a referee allegedly being assaulted outside the ground by various people, including the father of a player.
      The official in question reportedly suffered “various wounds” after being dealt a “number of blows”.
      The Spanish Referee Federation loudly condemned the incident, blaming it on anti-official rhetoric.
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      And the Anti-Violence Committee want top clubs to take more responsibility after Valencia chief Javier Solis blasted the referee following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday.
      Federation refs are now considering calling a strike which would result in LaLiga being halted at the weekend.
      They are unhappy with the way they are being spoken about by fans and football higher-ups.
      Should refs strike, it would impact Barcelona’s crunch clash at home against Atletico Madrid.
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      The Catalans are leading the LaLiga title race and know victory against their rivals would put them within touching distance of the trophy.
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid are due to play Celta Vigo.
      But first they will face Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
      The reigning European champs are 2-0 up from last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu.
      And they know just 90 minutes separates them from a semi-final showdown against Man City or Bayern, with Pep Guardiola’s men already 3-0 up. More

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      Real Madrid set to break 23-year-old Luis Figo Law as they look to pull off transfer raid on Barcelona

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      REAL MADRID are preparing a shock transfer raid on rivals Barcelona for the first time in 23 years, reports suggest.That is according to Marca, via El Futbolero, who report that Real are keeping tabs on Barca star Gavi ahead of the summer transfer window.
      Real Madrid are eyeing Barcelona star Gavi ahead of the summer transfer windowCredit: Rex
      That means Los Blancos are planning to break an unwritten transfer rule agreed between the two LaLiga foes back in 2000.
      The two European giants promised they wouldn’t try to sign each other’s players in what is now known as the Luis Figo Law.
      The Merengues signed Figo from Barcelona 23 years ago in a deal that was met with intense rage from the Blaugrana faithful.
      Real splashed a then record £50million for the Portugal great, who enjoyed tremendous success at the Nou Camp with 45 goals and 58 assists in 249 appearances throughout a five-year stint.
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      The legendary winger then turned into persona non grata in Catalonia and was met with immense fury when visiting Barcelona with Real’s colours until 2005 when he left for Inter Milan.
      Figo is the last person to make a direct switch from one rival to another in Spain.
      Real now appear to consider Barcelona as “just another club” and are eyeing Gavi, whose deal runs out in 2026 and he has yet to pen an extension, but have yet to make an official move.
      The Catalan giants have been forced to remove the midfielder from their registration of first-team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
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      Consequently, the 18-year-old may now leave as a free agent in the summer.
      This comes amid Barcelona’s bid to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi.
      Barca will therefore have to raise funds to meet Messi’s salary demands.
      Gavi has also been targeted by Chelsea, who are looking for major reinforcement in the summer amid a disastrous Premier League campaign.
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      Real Madrid are looking to break the Luis Figo Law with BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      In fact, the Blues have been in talks with the Spain international’s representatives over a potential deal.
      And the West Londoners’ owner Todd Boehly is willing to make Gavi one of the Prem’s highest earners. More