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      Holland boss Louis van Gaal begs Frenkie de Jong to ditch Barcelona for Man Utd or Chelsea transfer before World Cup

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      LOUIS VAN GAAL has urged Frenkie de Jong to leave Barcelona before the World Cup kicks off in November.De Jong, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Nou Camp this summer.
      De Jong has been linked with a move away from BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Van Gaal has urged him to leave the club before the World CupCredit: Getty
      Manchester United have been pushing to sign him since the transfer window opened in June, but the midfielder has made it clear that he does not want to make the move to Old Trafford.
      However, Barcelona chiefs are attempting to force him out of the club, suggesting that he should reduce his wage demands or leave.
      The Catalan giants already owe De Jong around £17million in unpaid wages after he agreed to defer the payment of his salary during the Coronavirus pandemic.
      Club officials now believe that negotiating a move away for the Dutchman would resolve any financial differences.
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      But, Holland boss Van Gaal is concerned that the situation at Barcelona could destroy De Jong’s chances of breaking into the World Cup squad.
      According to Dutch outlet AD, the 71-year-old has claimed that the midfielder must be given the chance to play regularly in order to properly prepare for the World Cup.

      De Jong will likely have to seek a move away in order to get more game time, but a move to Chelsea could now be on the cards.
      The Blues are reportedly close to striking a £67.6m agreement with Barcelona for the Dutchman, who is understood to be willing to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
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      Van Gaal has also expressed the same concern for out-of-favour forward Memphis Depay.
      The former Man Utd star has been informed by Xavi that he will have no place at Barcelona this season.
      Tottenham are claimed to be in advanced talks to sign him on a free transfer, but Juventus are still in the race to complete a deal. More

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      ITV announce they will show LaLiga games FREE to air from this season – with Real Madrid or Barcelona in every game

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      ITV have announced they will show 10 LaLiga matches free to air this season, with Barcelona or Real Madrid involved in every one.The three-year deal, which was confirmed on Friday, will see games be shown on ITV, ITV4 and ITV Hub.
      Real Madrid are the reigning LaLiga champions heading into the 2022/23 campaignCredit: Reuters
      The first free-to-air match selected is Real Sociedad vs Barcelona which will be on ITV4 from 8.30pm on Sunday, August 21.
      As part of the deal, Premier Sports will also continue to show LaLiga games in the UK.
      Following the news, ITV Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, said: “This deal ensures free to air coverage for all football fans of one of the most entertaining leagues in the world.
      “The deal with Premier Sports will give fans the chance to see some of the most iconic clubs and world-class players in action, live on ITV.”
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      The deal means ITV have secured the rights to show LaLiga football up until and including the 2024/25 campaign.
      Real Madrid are the current LaLiga champions after they clinched their 35th Spanish title last season.
      Carlo Ancelotti’s men finished 13 points ahead of rivals Barcelona and 15 in front of Atletico Madrid.
      And they then also went on to lift a 14th European Cup after beating Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final.
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      Meanwhile, last season saw Barcelona eliminated in the Champions League group stages for the first time in 20 years.
      They then dropped down to the Europa League but lost to Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.
      However, a trophyless season has been followed up by a spree of summer signings – despite the club’s financial crisis.

      They have brought in Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.
      The Catalan giants are also strongly linked with Marcos Alonso and Bernardo Silva. More

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      Barcelona sell another 25 per cent of in-house production company for £85m to ‘free up funds to register new signings’

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      BARCELONA have sold another 25 per cent of their in-house production company in order to register their summer signings.Barca face dire financial issues and have yet to declare recent arrivals Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele, who signed a new deal.
      Barcelona have yet to register summer signings, such as Robert LewandowskiCredit: Rex
      Barcelona want to declare Jules Kounde before their LaLiga openerCredit: The Mega Agency
      Manager Xavi wants this to be sorted before Saturday’s LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp.
      However, the club is confident the matter will be dealt with after the recent agreement that saw them raise £85million.
      According to Football Daily, the deal will allow them to register “a number” of their new players this week.
      According to the Mail, the Blaugrana activated their fourth “economic lever” after they signed a deal with Socios.com to sell off 25 per cent of their stake in Barca Studios last month.
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      And the Catalan giants’ most recent deal has been agreed with Orpheus Media.
      Barcelona released the following statement: “With this investment the strategic partners in Barca Studios show confidence in the value of the project and the future of digital content in the world of sport.”
      Barcelona have been unable to register their new signings because they are currently too close to their spending cap.
      The Spanish outfit needed to generate additional funds by selling key players, trimming their wage bill or activating “economic levers” by selling parts of their domestic TV rights or offloading sections of Barca Studios.
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      Barcelona faced the dilemma of either selling Manchester United and Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong or offloading another 25 per cent of Barca Studios to Orpheus Media.
      In the end, they opted to sell another section of their production hub. More

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      Man Utd offer Diogo Dalot to Barcelona in swap transfer as Red Devils bid to beat Chelsea to Sergino Dest

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are set to offer Barcelona a swap in order to sign right-back Sergino Dest.The Red Devils hope to use Diogo Dalot as a makeweight to sign Dest.
      Sergino Dest joined Barcelona in 2020 but could soon be on his way outCredit: Getty
      Diogo Dalot was one of the players who disappointed in Man United’s opening day loss to BrightonCredit: Getty
      United want to steal a march on Premier League rivals Chelsea, who also want to sign the American.
      However, Barcelona don’t want to do a swap deal, and prefer a cash option of £17million.
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, Dest is on the club’s for sale list after failing to convince since his move from Ajax in 2020.
      Dest broke into the Ajax first team under Erik ten Hag’s tenure, so it makes sense why United would harbour an interest in him.
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      However, United’s attempts to swap Dalot with the American are set to fall flat due to Barcelona having no interest in the Portuguese defender.
      United cannot recruit another player at right-back without first getting rid of one of the two they have.
      For this reason, United have added Dalot to their for sale list, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been on this list for some time, and is rumoured to be courting interest on a loan move to Crystal Palace.
      Barcelona have seen a well-documented pursuit of Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta end in failure after the Spaniard signed a new two-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
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      Earlier today the club announced they were selling off a further 24.5 per cent of Barca studios in order to raise £85m.
      However, they are desperate to see the back of a number of players, with La Liga refusing to allow them to register several squad members who have either signed contract renewals or who are new arrivals.
      The Blaugrana are currently far in excess of La Liga’s wage rules, and it could consequently mean the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Ousmane Dembele might not be able to be registered.
      Indeed the situation is so bad they may be forced to release Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen after the pair signed on free transfers over the summer.
      Read More on The Sun
      It is why the club have reportedly given Frenkie de Jong an ultimatum to either leave the club in a deal to join either Manchester United or Chelsea or told him to cut his wages.
      They have even threatened legal action against him if he doesn’t revert back to his pre-2020 contract with the club after the new board allegedly found “evidence of criminality” from the old board. More

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      How Barcelona could line up in LaLiga opener with – or WITHOUT – transfers Lewandowski, Christensen, Raphinha and Co

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      BARCELONA boss Xavi still doesn’t know whether he will be able to field his new star signings for tomorrow’s LaLiga curtain raiser against Rayo Vallecano.The poverty-pleading Catalan giants have had a baffling summer – shelling out £138million on new transfers despite not fully paying their own players.
      Barcelona could be forced to line up with only players from last season – in which case this might be the XI
      Xavi has some big decisions to makeCredit: Rex
      Barcelona’s new signings may not be able to playCredit: Getty
      Due to LaLiga financial rules, new signings – including contract renewals – cannot be registered with the league until certain financial requirements are met.
      So while Barca have shelled out on plenty of new players, none of them are eligible to play yet.
      New-boys Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen are all sweating on whether they will be registered in time.
      While Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto are also ineligible as it stands after renewing their deals earlier in the summer.
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      Xavi’s squad have virtually a clean bill of health, with only Ferran Torres missing through injury.
      But the 42-year-old bossmay still have to field a much-weakened XI.
      Should they not register their star signings in time, they will at least be able to depend upon Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
      But with no Kounde or Christensen, Xavi may have to pick a back four comprising of Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba – although Gerard Pique could be involved.
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      Sergio Busquets would anchor the midfield, with Pedri and potentially Frenkie de Jong – a man Barca are accused of trying to bully out of the club – alongside him.
      The Dutchman, however, might be held out as transfer speculation rumbles on.
      Another heavily linked with an exit in Memphis Depay could start as a makeshift right winger, with Ansu Fati on the left and Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang upfront.
      Barcelona have today announced the sale of 25 per cent of Barca Studios to Orpheus Media for £85m.
      Club president Joan Laporta believes that this will enable him to register his new buys, while also recruiting another player in Marcos Alonso.
      Should this be the case, Barca’s XI will look rather more fearsome tomorrow.
      Should Barca register their new signings, this is how they might look
      Read More on The Sun
      Christensen and Kounde could start in place of Araujo and Garcia – with Roberto instead of Dest at right-back.
      Kessie may debut in midfield, with Dembele, Lewandowski and Raphinha forming a potentially devastating front three.
      Frenkie de Jong’s future is still clouded by uncertaintyCredit: Getty More

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      ‘It’s horrific’ – Gary Neville claims it would be ’embarrassing’ if Man Utd miss out on Frenkie de Jong transfer now

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      GARY NEVILLE has admitted it will be “embarrassing” if Manchester United miss out on Frenkie de Jong – and “horrific” if he joins Chelsea.Reports today claimed the Red Devils are ready to accept defeat in their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder.
      Frenkie de Jong appears to be edging towards a move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Gary Neville has suggested it will be “horrific” if De Jong signs for the BluesCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are now thought to be in pole position to sign De Jong.
      That’s after Erik ten Hag made De Jong his No1 transfer target at the start of the summer, with United even agreeing a fee with Barcelona for the Dutchman.
      A move failed to materialise – and Neville is bracing himself for the worst if De Jong heads to Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford.
      The United legend told Football Daily: “If they (United) don’t get him, it’s embarrassing but if he goes to Chelsea, it’s horrific.
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      “If he doesn’t want to come the deal would have been switched off a few weeks ago.
      “Because of the relationship the player has with the manager, there must be some communication between them that’s saying, ‘wait for me I’m coming’.”

      De Jong is claimed to be holding showdown talks with his agent today in attempt to try and finally resolve his future.
      While a move to Old Trafford could still be on the cards, De Jong joining a Premier League rival is something Neville cannot “even contemplate thinking about”.
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      He continued: “There are three outcomes. One, he comes and Man United look smart and patient.
      “The second is that he stays at Barca and there’s a bit of embarrassment because they’ve put all their eggs in one basket, and they haven’t got anyone else in.
      “They’ve got a void in the squad, they’re starting the season with Fred and McTominay, and it makes them look like they can’t get a deal over the line.
      “The third one does not even contemplate thinking about – he goes to a rival club in the Premier League against the manager who he’d worked under for the previous few years.”
      The 25-year-old has made it clear he would like to stay at Barcelona.
      But the club’s dire financial position, which means they cannot register any of their new signings, means they are eager for De Jong to leave. More

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      Fans all saying same thing after claims Christensen took Barcelona out of Instagram profile and reverted back to Chelsea

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      FANS on social media are in agreement after Andreas Christensen allegedly change his Instagram profile picture BACK to a shot of him in a Chelsea kit.The Danish defender is claimed to have swapped his profile picture to one of him wearing a Blues shirt, with suggestions he previously took it down when he signed for Barcelona.
      Andreas Christensen could leave Chelsea before playing a competitive game for the clubCredit: Rex
      Christensen is claimed to have changed his Instagram profile picture back to a snap of him in a Chelsea shirt after originally taking it downCredit: Instagram
      But with Barca unable to register him, or any of their new signings, rumours have emerged that Christensen could return to Stamford Bridge.
      ESPN claim both Christensen and fellow free signing Franck Kessie could leave for free if they aren’t registered before the season opener against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
      Allegations that Christensen changed his profile picture has only fuelled those rumours.
      His current profile shot shows him giving a thumbs up with a Champions League winners medal around his neck.
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      Christensen also deleted an Instagram post announcing he had joined Barcelona, according to the Daily Star.
      And fans on social media have been left confused following the reports he changed his picture, with some even joking he could be on his way back to Chelsea.
      One wrote on Twitter: “Naaah why has Andreas Christensen deleted his Barcelona Instagram post.”
      Another added: “Imagine Christensen returning back to Chelsea after Saturday.”
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      A third said: “Christensen back to Chelsea because Barcelona can’t sign him. Christensen posting lots of Chelsea stuff on his IG. This is going to be hilarious.”
      While Christensen and Kessie have an option to leave if they are not registered by the weekend, there are no suggestions it will come to that.
      The 26-year-old left Chelsea to join Barca on a free transfer earlier this summer.
      He played 160 times in total for the Blues, winning six trophies along the way. More

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      Frenkie de Jong goes wakeboarding with stunning fiancee while Barcelona continue transfer talks with Man Utd and Chelsea

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      FRENKIE DE JONG cut a relaxed figure as he forgot about his transfer woes with a wakeboarding session in Spain.The Barcelona star, 25, has seen his future constantly come under the spotlight this summer.
      Chelsea and Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong enjoyed some wakeboarding in BarcelonaCredit: @frenkiedejong
      De Jong’s fiancee Mikky Kiemeney joined him on the tripCredit: Instagram / @mikkykiemeney
      The pair shared some loved up picsCredit: Instagram / @mikkykiemeney
      Chelsea and Manchester United are both eager to sign De Jong.
      And although he would like to stay at Barca, the Dutchman is yet to be paid around £14million in deferred wages.

      Indeed, Barcelona are now threatening legal action unless he agrees to take a mammoth pay cut.
      And with De Jong yet to decide where his future lies, the transfer saga is set to rumble on this month.
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      In the meantime, De Jong has been enjoying what could potentially be his final days in Catalonia.
      The Dutch ace and fiancee Mikky Kiemeney decided to take a trip so they could try their hand at wakeboarding.
      An Instagram Story video showed De Jong gliding along the water while being pulled by a high-speed boat.
      The playmaker looked to be in total control of his board – just like he is with a football at his feet.
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      And a further picture showed De Jong travelling with just one hand while using the other for the perfect pose.
      One would be forgiven for thinking there was nothing going on in regarding De Jong’s playing future.
      But the Holland ace now has a big decision to make ahead of the new LaLiga campaign this weekend.
      Barcelona’s financial woes are still very much present.
      And until De Jong goes, they can’t even register new signings Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
      De Jong was joined by fiancee Mikky KiemeneyCredit: Instagram @mikkykiemeney More