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      Newcastle ‘make transfer £70m offer for Barcelona star’ but fans say Toon are ‘getting scammed’

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      NEWCASTLE have reportedly approached Barcelona over a £70million move for Raphinha.The Brazilian winger has failed to live up to the hype following his £55m move from Leeds to the LaLiga giants in 2022.
      Newcastle have been linked with RaphinhaCredit: Getty
      But fans think Newcastle are getting ‘scammed’Credit: Reuters
      But during his time at Elland Road, Raphinha had become one of the best players outside of the ‘big six’.
      And it is thought that Newcastle would be interested in giving him a chance to revive his career in the Premier League.
      According to Gerard Romero on the Jijantes FC Twitch channel, the Magpies have suggested they would be willing to offer Barcelona a £70m fee to wrap up a deal.
      A tweet from the account read: “Barça has received a verbal proposal from Newcastle for Raphinha.
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      “The English club would be willing to offer a figure of around €80M [£70m] for the Brazilian player.”
      The 26-year-old has managed to score eight goals and assist seven in 40 appearances in all competitions.
      And many fans think that the Magpies would be paying well over the odds to sign him.
      One fan tweeted: “Newcastle getting scammed.”
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      A second wrote: “Raphinha would be a great signing but £70m seems very steep.
      “A lot less risk with him over [Moussa] Diaby as he’s played Premier League previously, but Diaby 5 years younger and probably a higher ceiling at a cheaper price.”
      A Barca supporter added: “For performance, he is our best winger this year, but let’s go, for 80 million I will take him on a piggyback to Newcastle if necessary.” More

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      Former LaLiga star accepts six-year prison sentence after confessing to leading drug trafficking ring

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      A former LaLiga footballer has accepted a six-year prison sentence after confessing to leading a drug trafficking ring.Sergio Contreras, better known as Koke, agreed to a plea bargain deal at a court in Malaga after being warned state prosecutors were seeking to have him imprisoned for 16 years ahead of his trial.
      Sergio Contreras played for the likes of Marseille, Malaga and Sporting LisbonCredit: AFP
      He has accepted a six-year prison sentenceCredit: AFP
      The ex-striker, whose clubs included Malaga, Marseille and Sporting Lisbon, was one of 17 defendants accused of buying large amounts of drugs that were smuggled in lorries into different European countries.
      Koke had been described in a pre-trial indictment as the gang leader.
      The drugs were mainly marijuana and cannabis resin, but also included cocaine.
      The gang Koke has now admitted he led was raided in November 2019 following a police operation codenamed Operation Vinculada that involved wiretaps and undercover follows.
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      One of the drug runs linked to the ex-footballer’s gang, consisting of vacuum-packed marijuana and cocaine hidden inside a cargo of garlic, was valued at £350,000.
      All 16 of the defendants who showed up for a trial at Malaga’s Provincial Court on March 27, which ended up being suspended following a no-show by a 17th female defendant police are still hunting, admitted their guilt at a brief hearing on Tuesday.
      As part of the plea bargain deals they struck following a subsequent period of negotiation between state prosecutors and their defence lawyers, they have agreed to accept prison sentences of between two and six years reflecting their different responsibilities in the gang.
      Jail sentences for first-time offenders in Spain normally end up being suspended.
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      Koke, 40, started his footballing career at hometown club Malaga.
      He went on to join Marseille before being loaned to Sporting Lisbon.
      He produced the best football of his career in years at Greek side Aris, where the first of his two spells there included a brief cameo in a 2011 3-0 Europa League defeat to Manchester City.
      The forward retired from football in 2016. More

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      Fans ‘think they’re in love’ as former Barcelona star’s Wag strips to barely-there bikini for stunning pics

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      FANS think they’re in love with former Barcelona Wag Jessica Goicoechea after she posted stunning bikini pics.The beautiful influencer was out at sea as she dazzled her followers with gorgeous snaps.
      Jessica Goicoechea looked at ease as she enjoyed a drink by the seaCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The model and influencer is currently dating Trabzonspor defender Marc BartraCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Jessica has attracted a big online fanbase for her glamorous picsCredit: Instagram / @goicoechea
      Jessica is the girlfriend of ex-Barca defender Marc Bartra and has become a social media sensation.
      Her 1.8 million followers were left open-mouthed by the 29-year-old’s latest pics as she posed in a tiny green bikini.
      Jessica clutches a drink as she sits on a white sofa by the sea.
      She looks cool and composed as she stares alluringly down the camera.
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      The model also posts a short video as she allows fans to see her incredibly toned physique as she sips on her beverage.
      Fans were left overwhelmed by the Jessica’s beauty.

      One admirer said: “I think I’m in love.”
      Another fan added: “Can there be too much of a good thing? Damn.
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      Jessica has posted some jaw-dropping photos on Instagram over the last monthCredit: Instagram / @goicoechea
      Jessica has 1.8 million Instagram followersCredit: Getty
      While another said: “Oh my God wow.”
      Jessica has had fans entranced for some time now and stunned with her see-through black top last month.
      The Spanish model has also recently stunned with hot beach pics.
      Her boyfriend Bartra is currently at Turkish club Trabzonspor after joining last year.
      The 32-year-old went to Borussia Dortmund and then Real Betis after leaving the Nou Camp.
      Jessica and Marc Bartra confirmed their relationship earlier this yearCredit: Instagram / @goicoechea
      Fans have often flocked to Jessica’s photos and left admiring commentsCredit: Instagram More

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      I won the World Cup and then the lottery – but my jackpot was less than two weeks’ wages at Barcelona

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      BARCELONA legend Xavi won a Qatari lottery during the final years of his playing career.The Spanish icon’s 17-year stint in the Catalan giants’ first team came to an end in 2015 when he joined Middle Eastern outfit Al Sadd.
      Xavi spent nearly two decades in the Barcelona first team before moving to QatarCredit: Getty
      He won the Doha Bank lottery back in 2017
      He spent four years playing and coaching for the Qatari side – in the middle of which he won £250,000 in the Doha Bank lottery.
      Now Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi, 43, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, earned more in a fortnight with the Catalan side – around £170,000-a-week – than he received in lottery winnings.
      But he was still left stunned and over the moon at his incredibly fortunate windfall.
      Speaking after the lottery result, he said: “Winning the QR1m cash prize was an unexpected but welcome surprise.
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      “I had opened my account at Doha Bank on December 5, 2016, as I had taken interest in the Al Dana programme after hearing about how Doha Bank encourages their customers to save money, and get a chance to become millionaires, as well as the opportunity to win other cash prizes.
      “I started to invest with the Al Dana Savings programme, aiming to win the QR1m.
      “Today, I can say that I’m happy that I opened an Al Dana Savings account and invested my savings.
      “I would like to thank Doha Bank for this opportunity and I wish the same luck unto the other Al Dana customers in the future.”
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      Xavi was presented with a huge novelty cheque after claiming the lottery sum.
      But money is no issue for the former Spanish midfielder – who is now the manager of his boyhood club.
      And he is set to lead Barcelona to the LaLiga title this season.
      Barcelona hold an 11-point lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid with just six games remaining. More

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      Aston Villa star Alex Moreno reveals key advice Pep Guardiola gave him as Barcelona youth as he prepares to face Man Utd

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      ALEX MORENO knows all about ending a club’s long wait for silverware.The Spanish left-back, 29, helped win the Copa del Rey for Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis last season.
      Alex Moreno has impressed since joining Aston Villa in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola was manager of Barcelona when Alex Moreno was at the club as a youngsterCredit: Reuters
      It came after 17 years without top honours for Betis and Moreno owns a green bracelet that commemorates the win.
      Villa’s last major win came in the 1996 League Cup final success against Leeds.
      But their boss Unai Emery convinced Moreno to leave Betis for Villa in a £14million January deal with a plan to have them competing for titles again.
      Moreno said: “This is the ambition and to fulfil this we have to be focused on the biggest prizes together as one club, not as individuals.
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      “It is an historical club. Unai explained it, what he envisions and his ambition, and what he aspires to do. That is why I was so keen to join.
      “It is a club that’s been away from the highest level for a while and Unai believes we can do big things with this team.”

      After a bad start to the term under ex-boss Steven Gerrard, Villa are now sixth with five games left and six points behind today’s hosts Manchester United in fourth.
      Moreno’s career has taught him achieving your dreams requires patience.
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      He signed for Barcelona’s youth set-up aged 17, learning from Pep Guardiola and training with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
      Moreno said: “The only words from Guardiola I remember were to listen, enjoy the moment and don’t get too carried away. Feel it, enjoy it and act normal.”
      After Barca, he had to forge a career in Spain’s third and second divisions with Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano and Elche before “fighting his way” to La Liga with Betis in 2019.
      Moreno said: “To Betis, I owe a lot. They trusted me and I grew there. I played at a high level, Pellegrini made me better.
      “I still have a lot of friends there and keep receiving nice messages from them.”
      Moreno makes connections with Villa fans through streaming videos and online gaming.
      And it has helped that his fine attacking play, which has led to three assists, has become key to Emery’s winning tactics.
      The Catalonia-born star is also enjoying his personal life as, just before his arrival at Villa Park, he proposed to his girlfriend at the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome.
      But he is missing his two puppies who are back home in Seville and awaiting approved paperwork before they can make the trip to England.
      The prospect of a European spot is keeping Villa focused, though and he added: “Five months ago the situation was very different.

      “This is a result of the work that has been done together in order to change the situation.
      “There is now a possibility for us to finish in Europe but it is about focusing on the next five games, which for us are five finals — and that starts on Sunday.” More

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      Erling Haaland miles ahead in Europe’s Golden Boot race but current and former Arsenal stars make top 10

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      ERLING HAALAND is miles ahead in this season’s hunt for the European Golden Boot.But Arsenal have two horses in the race – despite neither actually playing for the club this season.
      Man City ace Erling Haaland is leading the charge for the European Golden BootCredit: Getty
      Spurs star Harry Kane is number two on the listCredit: Getty
      The continent’s top strikers have been in top form this term.
      Their goals are contributing to several big title races, with some even proving to be decisive in recent matches.
      And no one else has been more prolific in front of goal than Manchester City star Haaland.
      The Norwegian only made the move to the Etihad last summer.
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      But he has already smashed the record for most goals in a Premier League campaign after bagging his 33rd in the 4-1 win over Arsenal.
      Haaland’s stunning feat means he is also nine goals clear in the Golden Boot race, handed to the player with the most league goals in Europe.
      However, he’s not alone in having a fine season in England’s top flight.
      Step forward Tottenham star Harry Kane, who has still managed to bag 24 goals despite his club’s torrid downturn in form.
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      PSG star Kylian Mbappe is third on the listCredit: Getty

      The England captain is on his third manager of the season, yet his haul is still the fourth-best of his career – with five games still to play.
      Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe is currently in third place with 22 goals for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Frenchman started the term slowly, but seven goals in his last five matches has seen him storm up the charts.
      Mbappe is one clear of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Lille’s Jonathan David, who are both being tipped for big transfer this summer.
      Surprisingly, the next in line is ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette.
      He has smashed in 20 goals for Lyon, a feat he never achieved in five years at the Emirates.
      Lacazette is followed by Brentford star Ivan Toney, who has 19 goals ahead of an impending ban for betting.
      Robert Lewandowski, who has won the award the past two seasons, is next after hitting 18 goals during his first season at Barcelona.
      And he is level-pegging with Folarin Balogun, on loan at Reims from Arsenal.
      The final spot in the list goes to Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder, who has 17 goals this term.
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      It means three of the top 10 – including the top two – are made up of players from the Premier League.
      But Ligue 1 takes the crown for the most amount of stars, boasting no less than six. More

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      Mauricio Pochettino ‘turned down management offers as he waited for Real Madrid to call’ ahead of PSG move

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO previously turned down management offers to wait for the Real Madrid job.That’s before he eventually ended up joining Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
      Mauricio Pochettino is set to join Chelsea after leaving PSGCredit: Getty
      The former Tottenham boss, now set to join Chelsea, was out of football for more than a year after being sacked by Daniel Levy in November 2019 following a lengthy spell with the North London club.
      The Argentine coach was linked with replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United several times – and then again before Erik ten Hag was appointed.
      Poch is now on the verge of becoming Graham Potter’s successor at Chelsea, replacing Frank Lampard once the caretaker boss finishes the remainder of the season.
      But it was reported last year by Mundo Deportivo that he was once waiting to take over from Zinedine Zidane at Los Blancos in 2021.

      It soon became clear that the role at the Spanish giants was not on the horizon so he joined PSG – ironically Zidane then left the Bernabeu while he was in charge of the Parisians.
      They then subsequently brought Carlo Ancelotti back to the club and he has had much success winning LaLiga and the Champions League last season.
      Pochettino won the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions in his first season and then the Ligue 1 title in his second.
      However it was not enough for him to keep his job and he was relieved of his duties last summer.
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      The Champions League remains the trophy PSG are desperate to get their hands on and Poch signed the likes of Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and Achraf Hakimi to help them.
      When the French side were knocked out of the Champions League by eventual winners Real Madrid in the Round of 16 it appeared Poch was on borrowed time.
      They had a 2-0 aggregate lead with just 30 minutes to play but crashed out of the competition in spectacular fashion.
      Karim Benzema’s quickfire hat-trick combined with PSG’s capitulation left the writing on the wall for Pochettino.
      Kylian Mbappe now has lots of control over decisions made at the club and there was rumours he wanted a new man in charge with the club eventually going for Christophe Galtier.
      But even Poch’s successor isn’t safe from the chaos behind the scenes, and now looks set himself to depart at the end of the season.
      Since leaving the Parc des Princes, former Southampton boss Pochettino has been linked with a number of jobs as he eyes a return to management.
      Nice were interested in him, as were Chelsea when they sacked Thomas Tuchel in September.
      But Poch and the Blues finally feel the time is right to come together as Todd Boehly looks to entrust his under-performing squad to a once-rival gaffer.
      Mauricio Pochettino will be back in management soon with ChelseaCredit: Reuters More

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      I made history by scoring four goals against Real Madrid then had to take a pill to help me sleep

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      GIRONA striker Taty Castellanos scored FOUR goals against Real Madrid – and then needed a pill to get to sleep.The 24-year-old Argentine stunned Los Blancos with his incredible solo performance.
      Tity Castellanos scored all four Girona goals against Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      He hit the back of the net four times from just six shots and 15 touches against the 14-time European champions, who reduced the deficit through Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez.
      And Castellanos admitted he was absolutely buzzing and unsurprisingly struggled to nod off last night.
      The on-loan New York City man said: “It was incredible, a dream night.
      “I couldn’t even sleep well and I stayed until four in the morning without being able to rest, I even had to take a pill to sleep.
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      “Messages were coming out everywhere and I also had family and friends at home after a dream night in Montilivi with our people.
      “I haven’t had much time to reply to everyone.
      “Scoring four goals against Real Madrid is not achieved every day.
      “Putting in the first was already something I dreamed of. When I saw the ball go into the net, so many things came to mind.
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      “It was a huge joy for me as the other goals fell, I couldn’t believe it. I shot [on target] five times and scored four goals. This was my night, I thought.
      “Luck smiled on me against Real Madrid.”
      Castellanos came through in Argentine youth football before spells in Chile and Uruguay with City Football Group outfit Torque before moving to their sister-club in New York.
      But his incredible quadruple against Carlo Ancelotti’s men has burst him into the global spotlight.
      Castellanos is determined to keep humble – but does have ambitions of linking up with his hero Lionel Messi on the international stage.
      He added: “I have my feet on the ground. I will remain the same.
      “We are talking about the best in the world, if Messi saw them, for me, it is crazy.
      “I’ve never dealt with him but it’s a dream I have.
      “For me, he is a god of football and he has made me cry many times. I am passionate about his figure.
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      “I know how difficult it is to join the Argentina national team because there are very good players in my position.
      “If one day I manage to get there, I want it to be because I am in a good moment and because I have earned it. If I also play with Messi, I will be able to die peacefully.”
      The on-loan striker turned on the style at the MontiliviCredit: AFP More