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      Liverpool looking to land Memphis Depay in shock swap transfer with Roberto Firmino joining Barcelona

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      LIVERPOOL are eyeing an audacious swap deal to land Barcelona star Memphis Depay, reports suggest.Depay, 28, was heavily linked with a Barcelona exit over the summer.
      Memphis Depay was in action for the Netherlands over the international breakCredit: AFP
      Roberto Firmino playing for Liverpool in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      But with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving to join Chelsea instead, the Dutchman ended up staying at Barcelona to play second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski.
      However, this has not stopped rumours about his future at the Camp Nou.
      And the latest reports from Sport indicate there could be movement in the January window between him and Liverpool.
      The Reds are said to be plotting a swap deal for Depay with cult hero Roberto Firmino.
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      Firmino, 30, joined Liverpool in 2015, scoring 101 goals and registering 77 assists since.
      With less than a year left on his current deal though, they are keen to try and move him on.
      He has fallen down the pecking order with the arrival of Darwin Nunez and established stars such as Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
      Both Depay and Firmino share a similar player profile, and a swap deal in January could benefit all parties – as opposed to both clubs losing their respective players for nothing next summer.
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      Of course, Depay’s history as a former Manchester United player could mean his welcome from the crowd is less than warm.
      Firmino stepped into the starting XI brilliantly this season against Bournemouth, scoring twice and adding three assists.
      He then scored the equaliser one week later against Newcastle at Anfield.
      Depay has made the most of his rare starts, scoring in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Elche, albeit after starting on the left wing.
      Liverpool have also been eyeing up midfield reinforcements, with Jude Bellingham and Mosies Caicedo earmarked as their first choice transfer targets to rejuvenate their midfield. More

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      Shakira and Gerard Pique watch son play baseball but pair keep awkward distance after bitter split

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      POP SENSATION Shakira and her ex-footie star fella Gerard Pique were spotted watching their son play baseball – but kept well away from each other.The former couple both showed up to watch nine-year-old Milan in action on Saturday in Barcelona.
      Shakira kept a lengthy distance from her ex-Gerard Pique as they watched their son play baseballCredit: Splash
      The Barcelona defender was spotted with his mother watching the gameCredit: Splash
      Spanish World Cup winner Pique was decked out in a cap and denim jacketCredit: Splash
      The former partners stood at separate ends of the pitchCredit: Splash
      Barca defender Pique, 35, and the Colombian broke up this summer after 12 years together and are now finalising their bitter split.
      And the tension seemed to be in the air two days ago as they headed out to support their boy.
      Pique was spotted sat with his mother in one of the stands at the baseball venue, while Shakira attended the game with her own mom and some pals, who sat either side of her.
      She was then also even spotted sitting in the team’s dug-out.
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      The pair remained several metres apart throughout the afternoon and allegedly hardly looked at each other throughout the baseball game, according to TMZ Sport.
      And it was not until their other son Shasa, aged seven, went to say goodbye to Shakira that the ex-lovers went anywhere near each other.
      The singer, 45, has been rocked by Gerard’s new relationship with PR girl Clara Chia Marti, 23, who is believed to have met him while working on events at his sports investment firm Kosmos.
      Hips Don’t Lie hitmaker Shakira, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, has recently opened up about her break-up.
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      She spoke about their children Milan and Sasha being her “medicine” and said writing music is like her “therapy” during her “darkest hours”.
      Shakira met Gerard after he featured in the video to her song Waka Waka, released for the 2010 World Cup.
      The pair split in June, with the Colombian singer confirming a separation by releasing a statement.
      It was alleged by the Spanish media that Pique cheated on Shakira, although that has never been confirmed.
      But months after they went their separate ways, the ex-Man Utd star went public with his new relationship with student Clara – and was seen kissing her at the Summerfest Cerdanya festival in Catalonia.
      Meanwhile, Shakira is said to face up to eight years in jail if she is found guilty of an alleged £12million tax fraud.
      She has been accused of defrauding the Spanish treasury from 2012-2014.
      Shakira even took some time for herself as she sat in the dug-outCredit: Splash
      Shakira was at the game with her motherCredit: Splash
      Pique’s other son Shasa was also in attendance to watch his brother MilanCredit: Splash
      The couple before their bitter splitCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd joined by Juventus in Antoine Griezmann transfer chase as move from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid stalls

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been joined in their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann by Juventus, according to reports. Griezmann, 31, is free to leave Barcelona after flopping at the club and is currently on loan at rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Antoine Griezmann is wanted by Man United and Juventus if Atletico do not sign him permanentlyCredit: Rex
      Griezmann captained France in their 2-0 loss to DenmarkCredit: AFP
      There is an clause in his loan deal which could see him sign permanently for Atletico for a cut-price fee of £35million, although recent reports suggest it could be as low as £22m.
      However, the clause inserted into the deal means the full transfer is only triggered if the Frenchman plays a certain amount of games.
      And to avoid triggering the buy option Atletico have only played Griezmann for less than 30 minutes per match – which is under the threshold to be counted as a game in the terms.
      If Atletico continue to do this, he won’t automatically become their player, which would allow interested parties such as United and Juventus to sign him.
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      Barcelona have threatened legal action against Atletico regarding their seeming exploitation of this loophole, and unless a deal is hashed out before January to sort it Griezmann may be recalled.
      According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are keeping an eye on the situation and are alert to any changes ahead of a potential transfer.
      Massimiliano Allegri’s side have struggled in Serie A this season and are way off the pace of getting close to winning a Scudetto.
      Consequently, they are already looking at reinforcements in January and next summer.
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      The likes of Marco Asensio and Christian Pulisic are among their targets who are at a reduced price, with Griezmann the latest addition to the list.
      Man Utd’s interest dates back to the summer, but the 2018 World Cup winner was not entertaining moves away from Madrid and snubbed a potential move.
      However, the current situation is leaving all parties frustrated and could end with United making an approach in January. More

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      Ex-England boss Fabio Capello says he was ‘proud’ of selling Ronaldo due to Brazil legend’s ‘love of parties and women’

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      FABIO CAPELLO has revealed he was “proud” to sell Ronaldo because the Brazil legend loved “parties and women”.The ex-England chief even found it “funny” when AC Milan signed the striker from him at Real Madrid in 2007 – as he had WARNED the Italian giants about Ronaldo skipping training.
      Ronaldo, pictured with then girlfriend Susana Werner, took the attention OFF the fieldCredit: AFP
      Ronaldo enjoyed a good party, according to his former boss Fabio CapelloCredit: EPA
      Italian disciplinarian Capello was amused when Milan signed RonaldoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The Italian, 76, was known as a disciplinarian, even clamping down on family visits for the Three Lions’ ill-fated 2010 World Cup.
      So it could hardly have been a bigger clasher of off-field styles when he managed Ronaldo during in his second spell in charge of Real.
      The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was in the last of his five years at the Bernabeu when matters with Capello came to a head.
      Ronaldo, 30 at the time had previously played for Barcelona and Inter Milan, as well as winning the World Cup in 1994 and 2002. 
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      But Capello explained the strains of life with the Rio de Janeiro icon.
      He told A Bola: “Being a Real Madrid coach is a huge responsibility. In my second spell, the decision to send Ronaldo away and sign Cassano helped to create a winning spirit in the team.
      ‘I remember Silvio Berlusconi [former AC Milan owner] calling me to ask how Ronaldo was doing. 
      “I told him that he didn’t even train himself and that he was very fond of parties and women, so hiring him would be a mistake. 
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      “The next day I saw the headline in the newspaper and it was Ronaldo in Milan. It was very funny.’ 
      Ronaldo, now 46, was offloaded to the San Siro for £8million, despite his 83 goals in 127 games for Real.
      He then finished his career back home in Brazil with Corinthians from 2009-11.
      Ronaldo poses with one of his exes, Racia, and David and Victoria BeckhamCredit: Rex
      The legendary Brazilian striker led a hectic lifestyle at Real MadridCredit: Rex
      Fabio Capello was happy to sell Brazil great Ronaldo to AC MilanCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      David Beckham in Inter Miami transfer blow as Xavi demands Barcelona hand captain Sergio Busquets new contract

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      DAVID Beckham might fail in his attempts to bring Barcelona star Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami.That’s because Barca manager Xavi wants to keep the midfielder beyond the expiration of his current deal next summer, according to Culemani.
      Busquets’ current Barca deal runs out in 2023Credit: AFP
      Despite turning 34 earlier this summer, Busquets remains a key player in midfield for Barcelona.
      After all, the Spain international is captain of the club and has already made five starts this season.
      And Xavi will know all about Busquets’ qualities first-hand after playing alongside him for seven years prior to his move to Qatar.
      The pair won five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues together, with Andres Iniesta the other part of what was a memorable midfield trio.
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      And Busquets now looks set to continue what has been an incredible career at the Nou Camp.
      He has made almost 700 appearances for Barcelona, winning more than 25 trophies across a career spanning more than 14 years.
      But a contract extension would come as a blow for Beckham, who was reportedly trying to bring Busquets to Miami.
      Miami are currently inside the play-offs in the Eastern Conference after beating Wayne Rooney’s DC United 3-2 last weekend.
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      Beckham is still looking for reinforcements, though, with Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain his most high-profile signing to date.
      But with Busquets likely to remain with his boyhood club, Beckham will have to look elsewhere if he wants to sign another footballing giant.
      Busquets played alongside his current manager for seven yearsCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Barcelona ‘rushing to finalise Antoine Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid transfer’ amid interest from Man Utd

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      BARCELONA are reportedly trying to rush through a cut-price £22million deal for Antoine Griezmann to join Atletico Madrid permanently.The Frenchman, 31, has hit the headlines this term due to the bizarre clause inserted into his loan agreement.
      Barcelona are trying to push through an agreement with Atletico for Antoine GriezmannCredit: Getty
      He has only been appearing off the bench after the hour mark for Diego Simeone’s side.
      That is due to Atletico being obliged to pay Barcelona £35m if he plays in 50 per cent of their game time during his loan period.
      Forward Griezmann is growing increasingly frustrated over his substitute appearances, which has sparked Manchester United’s interest.
      Erik ten Hag is believed to be plotting a January swoop for the World Cup winner if his current situation at Atletico remains unsolved.
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      However, now a fresh report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona are looking to negotiate a transfer with their LaLiga rival’s for a reduced £22m.
      And they want the deal completed by January 7 – the date the two teams face each other for the first time this season in LaLiga.
      Barca could still take legal action if it is not resolved but they would rather try to find an amicable compromise first.
      The Catalan team are insisting that Atletico have already triggered the option to buy during the first of his two-year loan when he featured for over 50 per cent of their game time.
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      From his eight games this campaign, Griezmann has chipped in with three goals – two of which have come in LaLiga.
      All of his outings in the Spanish top-flight have come after the 60th-minute this season.
      Atletico boss Simeone has strongly hinted that the restrictions have been placed on him from the higher-ups at the club. More

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      Ex-Arsenal chief Raul Sanllehi ‘repeatedly made Neymar cry and claimed ex-Barcelona star had many personal problems’

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      EX-BARCELONA director of football Raul Sanllehi made Neymar cry on several occasions.The former Catalan chief, 56, also claims that the Brazilian left the club after a row with his father over a bonus payment.
      Neymar was reportedly made to cry several times by former Barcelona director of football Raul SanllehiCredit: Getty
      Sanllehi, who was Arsenal’s head of football until 2020, told Marca that Neymar has personal issues and is “lost” and “vulnerable”.
      He said: “I have told you all separately that the problem in this case was the player’s head. 
      “The boy is in a bad way, he has many personal problems, he is very confused and very vulnerable. 
      “So he has mistakenly thought that by running away from Barcelona he will also run away from his problems when really what he should do is face them and not leave. 
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      “I have spoken directly with him, repeatedly, I have made him cry more than once, and he has admitted to me on more than one occasion that he was lost.”
      The former Gunners chief explained that the winger’s father was at fault for him leaving the club after a financial dispute.
      Sanllehi added: “The father’s anger came when he saw the signing bonus published. He said ‘I don’t trust you, you have repeatedly deceived me’.
      “He demanded the immediate payment of said bonus, something that Barcelona did not do, and that’s when Neymar left.”
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      Sanllehi’s comment come after a week of leaks out of the Spanish club’s financial department.
      One of the leaks details the lucrative contract awarded to global superstar – and now Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate – Lionel Messi.
      Messi’s demands from 2020 appeared to suggest he wanted a whopping signing-on bonus of £8.7million.
      He also wanted a private jet, plus VIP boxes at the Nou Camp for his AND Luis Suarez’s families.
      Former Manchester United star Gerard Pique also had contract information shared.
      Reports suggest the defender did “very serious damage” to the club owing to conflicting private interests to those of the club.
      Pique demanded £124m gross across his five-year contract from 2017 which followed on from him telling the club he wanted to be paid more than rival Sergio Ramos. More

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      Eden Hazard frustrated at Real Madrid as ex-Chelsea star admits he is in ‘delicate situation’ warming bench

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      EDEN HAZARD has admitted he is in a “delicate situation” at Real Madrid ahead of the World Cup.The Belgian captain, 31, started his country’s Nations League clash with Wales on Thursday night as they edged to a 2-1 victory.
      Hazard started for Belgium against Wales and produced a positive displayCredit: PA
      Hazard managed 65 minutes before being replaced by Leandro Trossard and showed some positive signs that his form is still there.
      That is despite the former Chelsea man having started just one of Madrid’s six LaLiga matches so far this season.
      And his status as a benchwarmer for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is something which has him worried less than two months out from the World Cup in Qatar.
      Speaking to Marca, he said: “There have been difficult times because I want to play and I don’t play.
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      “I feel good at Real Madrid, I just play less. And when I play, I play well. It’s a delicate situation because I want to play more.”
      He then went on to add: “I know what I can do when I play.
      “I want to play the maximum number of minutes and get to the World Cup in shape.”
      Hazard has suffered a host of injury issues since joining Madrid from Chelsea for £88.5million back in 2019.
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      He has made 70 appearances across more than three seasons, scoring just seven goals and providing 11 assists.
      Hazard has also struggled with weight issues in recent years, returning from summer breaks out of shape.
      In 2019 and 2020, he appeared to start the season heavier than normal, before injuries hampered both campaigns.
      Last month, he was linked with a move away from the Bernabeu as Galatasaray were rumoured to be interested in him.
      However, he remained in the Spanish capital, only to be benched again for the start of the season. More