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      Fans are all saying the same thing as Bernardo Silva posts cryptic tweet as Barcelona transfer rumours swirl

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans believe Bernardo Silva could be on his way to Barcelona next week after the Portuguese playmaker posted a cryptic message on Twitter.Silva, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp since last summer.
      Silva posted a cryptic tweet, possibly hinting at a move awayCredit: Getty
      But, Barcelona’s financial status has prevented a deal from ever being completed.
      Now, after agreeing to sell their TV rights in order to raise funds, the La Liga giants could finally be in a position to commit to a bid.
      Man City are claimed to be demanding a fee of around £80million for their midfield maestro, so Barca chiefs will have to pull out all the stops to push the deal across the line – especially after spending big on signing Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Joules Kounde.
      However, City fans believe that Silva has already said his goodbyes to the club.
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      The Portugal international sent out a cryptic tweet to thank fans for their support after Man City’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
      It read: “A great performance from the team and a fantastic atmosphere!
      “I would also like to thank everyone at the stadium for those beautiful moments of love and support you guys showed me.”
      Many City fans had the same thing to say about the ambiguous message.
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      One person replied: “Why does this sound like a goodbye?”
      Another added: “Looks like a farewell message.”
      A third said: “What are you trying to say?”
      While other supporters begged him not to make the move, with one person writing: “I couldn’t believe the atmosphere when you came on yesterday, we sang your name nonstop for 20 minutes.
      “We really want you to stay. The fans adore you and you’re one of the top players in one of the best teams on earth.
      “Throwing that away to join that mess in Barcelona? Crazy.”
      Another tweeted: “Thank you for those moments, Bernardo, thank you for everything.
      “You did an excellent job during your time with Man City. Best of luck on your next trip.”
      Silva joined Man City in a £43m transfer from Monaco five years ago.
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      Since his arrival he’s scored 48 goals and assisted 50 in 252 appearances.
      The Portugal star has also won four Premier League titles and one FA Cup with the club. More

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      Xavi ‘asks for Barcelona to re-sign Messi in shock transfer return from PSG’ after struggles against Rayo Vallecano

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      BARCELONA boss Xavi has asked the club to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.Messi, 35, joined PSG in a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, but he failed to reach the same heights that he did while in Spain.
      Xavi wants Messi to return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      In 37 appearances for the Parisians he’s scored 14 goals and assisted 16, but many fans have been unimpressed with his performances.
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was BOOED off the pitch following PSG’s 3-0 win against Bordeaux earlier this year.
      And some fans even urged him to quit the club in a graffiti message plastered across the Camp des Loges training ground.
      Meanwhile, Barcelona are pushing to climb back to the top of La Liga after finishing 13 points behind league champions Real Madrid last season.
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      Despite already spending big this summer, the Catalan giants only managed to claim a point from their opening league game of the 2022-23 campaign.
      They were held to a 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano on Saturday with new forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both failing to get on the scoresheet.
      As a result, Xavi is now eager to bring in at least two more attacking players.
      And according to Spanish football reporter Guillem Balague, he wants Messi to return to the Nou Camp.
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      Xavi is already known to be interested in signing Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who has not denied rumours of a proposed £80million move to Spain, but now Messi has emerged as a top target.
      Balague tweeted: “Clearly the midfield of Barcelona, with the exception of Pedri, has not got the subtle touch/thinking necessary to play as Xavi wants, to find the right tempo, to feed forwards (and Busquets has played his best football).
      “Hence Xavi wanting Bernardo Silva (and asking for Messi).”
      The Argentina legend’s father and agent Jorge Messi was claimed to be on the phone to Barca chiefs repeatedly at the start of the year in a bid to negotiate a return for his son.
      Messi’s PSG contract expires next summer, so it will likely cost his former club to bring him back.
      But, Barcelona are currently in a financial crisis so some current players will have to be offloaded before another deal can be pushed through.
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      Officials are currently attempting to force Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay out of the club in a bid to free up space on the wage bill.
      And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also depart just eight months after signing – he is being targeted by Chelsea. More

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      Juventus closing in on Memphis Depay transfer with striker ‘set to have Barcelona contract terminated’

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      JUVENTUS are reportedly on the verge of signing Memphis Depay on a free transfer from Barcelona.Depay, 28, has been told by Barca chiefs that he is surplus to requirements.
      Depay is set to join Juventus after having his Barcelona contract terminatedCredit: Getty
      The La Liga giants have already stripped the striker of his No.9 shirt following the arrival of Robert Lewandowsi, who joined the club in a £42.5million transfer from Bayern Munich last month.
      And now they are attempting to force him out in order to reduce the wage bill.
      Depay’s representatives are currently attempting to negotiate a deal with club officials which would see his contract terminated.
      He would then have the chance to move elsewhere on a free transfer.
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      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Dutchman could be on his way to Juventus.
      The Italian giants are currently in talks with Depay and his agent regarding a potential move.
      And the two parties are claimed to be close to reaching a verbal agreement.
      Tottenham were also interested in signing the forward, but Juventus are now clear frontrunners in the transfer race.
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      Depay joined Barcelona last summer and signed a two-year deal upon his arrival.
      He has since scored 13 goals and assisted two in 36 appearances for Xavi’s side.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also be on his way out just eight months after joining the club.
      The former Arsenal striker is being targeted by Chelsea. More

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      Thomas Tuchel says he ‘NEVER had an issue’ with Chelsea transfer target Aubameyang in dig at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

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      CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel appears to have taken a sly dig at Mikel Arteta over his handling of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.Aubameyang was frozen out at Arsenal last season following a disciplinary issue in December.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thomas Tuchel enjoyed great success together at Borussia DortmundCredit: Reuters
      Following another window of significant investment, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal look set to seriously challenge for a place in the top fourCredit: Getty
      The ex-Gunners captain was then allowed to join Barcelona in the following January, where he scored 13 goals in 23 games.
      Tuchel oversaw Aubameyang’s most prolific period in his career so far, with 79 goals and 17 assists in 95 games at Borussia Dortmund.
      Speaking ahead of his side’s crunch London derby against Tottenham, Tuchel said: “I enjoyed a lot working with him. It was a pleasure.
      “This has nothing to do with the situation now, but some players stay your players because you were very, very close. We had a very close relationship.
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      “‘I don’t follow the press about Auba. I don’t know if he has a good press or bad press, I couldn’t care less.”
      It was revealed in Arsenal’s All or Nothing series that Arteta had a file on all of Aubameyang’s “misdemeanours” while he was in charge at the club.
      Asked about the docuseries’ revelations, Tuchel added: “I never experienced none of this.
      “This has nothing to do with the situation at Arsenal which I will also not comment on out of respect. At Dortmund, there was never an issue”
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      Tuchel and Aubameyang could soon be set to reignite their relationship at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea rumoured to be interested in signing the player from Barcelona.
      However, it is understood Barcelona will only allow one of Aubameyang or Memphis Depay to leave the club, with their preference being to keep Aubameyang to play as Robert Lewandowski’s understudy.
      SunSport columnist Piers Morgan accused Arteta of “humiliating” Aubameyang, and linked the ill-timed loss of the attacker to why the club missed out on top four. More

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      Frenkie de Jong ‘has told Barcelona dressing room that he could join Man Utd’ and is ‘very angry’ with Spanish club

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      FRENKIE DE JONG has told the Barcelona dressing room he could join Manchester United, according to reports.And it is said the Dutch midfielder is “very angry” with the Nou Camp club.
      Frenkie de Jong is said to be unhappy with the way Barcelona are treating himCredit: Getty
      De Jong, 25, has been at the centre of the biggest transfer saga of the summer.
      Manchester United have been chasing him all the way through the transfer window before Chelsea looked on course to hijack a possible deal by reportedly agreeing a deal.
      But for most of the summer, De Jong has wanted to stay at Barca.
      However, SPORT in Spain now state the midfielder has admitted to team-mates in the locker room he could be on his way to Old Trafford.
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      De Jong was desperate to play Champions League football this season but could be willing to forgo that demand.
      The ex-Ajax star is still owed millions in unpaid wages which he wants settled before his future is resolved.
      But the report adds he is now growing increasingly furious with the way the club are treating him and putting pressure on him to leave.
      De Jong was given an ultimatum earlier in the summer that he had to take a wage cut or agree to be sold.
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      And now his patience at the club appears to have finally worn out.
      A fee of around £72million has already been agreed between United and Barca, who are keen to sell one of their valuable assets to raise much-needed funds.
      However, personal terms would still need to be sorted.
      The transfer would be a major boost to Red Devils chief Erik ten Hag, who has once again stated his desire for more signings before deadline day.
      And Thomas Tuchel would need to find an alternative central midfielder if he misses out on the 44-cap international – despite looking like a deal was on the verge of being completed.
      As it stands, De Jong is included in the 23-man matchday Barcelona squad to face Rayo Vallecano tonight.
      New arrivals Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha are also involved despite fears over LaLiga registration. More

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      Barcelona finally register four transfers by selling shares in TV company but no room yet for one huge new signing

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      BARCELONA have managed to register four of their new signings with LaLiga ahead of their opening game – but Jules Kounde still cannot play.The Catalans take on Rayo Vallecano at home on Saturday but faced a race against time to get their recent additions registered.
      Robert Lewandowski and three other of Barcelona’s new signings have been registered for LaLigaCredit: Getty
      The club still need to raise extra capital to get Jules Kounde registeredCredit: Rex
      Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen finally got the green light just 24 hours before kick off.
      However, defender Kounde cannot play as Barcelona still need to free up more of the wage bill in order to get the Frenchman registered before the end of the month.
      The star is still recovering from a pubis operation and was unlikely to feature at the Nou Camp anyway, but the club remain confident they will get it over the line in time.
      Barcelona sold a further 24.5 per cent of Barca Studios today which, after the Spanish League’s Economic Control department reviewed the details, enabled them to confirm the four new players in their squad.
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      And both Sergio Roberto and Ousmane Dembele, who each signed new contracts this summer, were registered aswell.
      The head of the Orpheus Media company, Jaume Roures, that purchased part of Barcelona’s in-house production company had stated he believed the club would be able to field all of their big names.
      He said: “I would not have interrupted my holidays if it were not to ensure that we can see all the best players (in the first game of the season).”
      Barcelona are still trying to bring in extra revenue before the end of the month in order to get Kounde registered.
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      They are also looking to complete a move for Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso.
      Barca are trying to offload more members of the squad to raise more cash.
      And they have also managed to convince Gerard Pique to accept a pay cut while they still try to convince Sergio Busquets and Frenkie De Jong to do the same. More

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      Barcelona living in Never-Never Land as financial mayhem sends once-proud club’s reputation down the pan

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      IF BARCELONA played football in the way they manage their financial affairs, they would soon be in Spain’s fourth tier.The club’s glorious reputation is in decline on the field and already destroyed off it.
      Lewandowski joined Barca despite the club’s financial situationCredit: Getty
      Barca also splashed out on Frenchman Jules KoundeCredit: Rex
      Ex-Leeds ace Raphinha was another summer marquee signingCredit: Rex
      Nou Camp attendances are dropping alarmingly, a position caused partly by the loss of Lionel Messi and other stars but more by the behaviour of its most recent presidents who, it seems, couldn’t run a tapas bar in Las Ramblas.
      These are the chumps who favoured — and still favour — a European Super League, presumably because they reckon it would rescue them from themselves.
      You can see why they are seeking redemption by the way they are conducting their headquarters business.
      No fewer than four first-teamers are arguing they are owed millions of pounds because they agreed to do the club a favour by postponing pay rises.
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      For a reason that is beginning to escape me, one of the quartet, Frenkie de Jong, is hanging on to his job there rather than moving to Manchester United.
      I guess he wants his £17million back-pay first.
      Club president Joan Laporta appears to live in Never-Never Land, a wonderful country where his football team can owe well over £1bn, with a net loss close to half that.
      Imperfect circumstances for the purchase of new players? Not for Laporta who — take a deep breath here — has in this transfer window acquired Brazil ace Raphinha from Leeds, Poland super-scorer Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich and France centre-back Jules Kounde from Sevilla.
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      Andreas Christensen (ex-Chelsea) and Franck Kessie (ex-AC Milan) were free transfers, which doesn’t mean they were free from costs.
      That little lot added up to £117m in transfers and there are a couple of other likely acquisitions, too.
      The structure of the club looks like democracy in action, supporter-members electing a president for five years, Laporta replacing his adversary Josep Bartomeu, who began the madcap  dealings in 2017.
      Theirs isn’t democracy, though. It is much closer to the so-called “constitutional authoritarianism” of former President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines — and not only because his wife Imelda collected expensive shoes like Barca’s bosses collect expensive players.
      No player ever will fill the shoes left by Messi.
      His departure, and the recent failure to win  much while rivals Real Madrid march on to LaLiga and European titles, has now been reflected in Nou Camp attendances falling from 70,000-plus to just 54,000 last  season.
      The pandemic has not helped either.
      An odour of panic hangs over the Nou Camp.
      Laporta and manager Xavi are prepared to pay out-of-proportion sums for the best players and still they are beaten to top whack by Gulf State-sponsored Manchester City and PSG.
      They note, too, that the Premier League is now the world’s biggest domestic competition, able to reach TV contracts beyond those of the leading continental competitors.
      Indeed, this is why the two Spanish giants and Italians Juventus cherish thoughts of the ESL.
      Barcelona are looking for saviours.
      This amounts to borrowing money on a major scale — £550m to restructure debts is a recent loan — but rivals are becoming wary about transfer dealings.
      A former CEO of the club said recently they were “technically bankrupt” while Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann said: “Barcelona, the only club that has no money but then… buys every player they want. I do not know how. It’s kind of weird, kind of crazy.”
      The fall has been traced back to the £200m sale of Neymar to PSG five years ago.
      That money was blown in months and the madness hasn’t stopped.
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      Now waiting in the gloom is the threat of Financial Fair Play.
      It is almost certain they’ve breached the rigid Uefa rules — but we are all wondering if there will be consequences? More

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      Barcelona ‘must pay Ousmane Dembele HALF of transfer fee if sold’ with new release clause at £42MILLION after pay cut

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      BARCELONA will reportedly have to pay Ousmane Dembele HALF of any transfer fee should they sell him within the next two years.The French star, who had been linked with Chelsea, looked set to depart the Nou Camp this summer after an injury ravaged five years there since joining from Borussia Dortmund.
      New details of Ousmane Dembele’s Barcelona contract have been revealedCredit: Rex
      However, he ended speculation over his future by recently penning a new two-year contract rather than leaving as a free agent in June.
      Now Spanish publication Sport have released details of his mega new package.
      The 25-year-old will allegedly earn around £17million a year.
      Dembele will pocket at least £13.5m gross for each year of his contract and could net a further £3.4m through bonuses each campaign.
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      That means that the attacker could earn nearly £34m across his contract over the next two seasons.
      And the ex-Rennes player will also receive 50 percent of any transfer fee should he be sold – with his contract including a release clause of £42m.
      That could tempt Dembele to leave before the end of his contract with the potential to bank an extra £21m on top of his salary.
      Dembele cost Barcelona a whopping £120m back in 2017 but he has struggled to make an impact due to a number of injury problems.
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      However, his form improved following the arrival of Xavi in the dug-out as he produced a goal and 13 assists in 15 LaLiga starts under the Spaniard last term.
      He has continued his good form into pre-season, and Xavi was full of praise for the ace after he bagged a brace in a recent friendly against Juventus.
      He said: “He has shown what he is capable of. He is different, special.
      “There are not many of this type. He gives us a lot with the way we play.
      “Not everyone has the ability to make a difference in the world of soccer and he does. He is involved and he shows it.
      “I don’t know the Dembele from before November, I don’t know him. I am very happy with this one.” More