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      Frenkie de Jong says he knew Barcelona would ‘pressure’ him to leave amid Man Utd transfer interest

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      BARCELONA star Frenkie de Jong has claimed he knew Barcelona were going to “pressure” him into leaving. The club wanted to sell him to Manchester United over the summer but De Jong did not want to go.
      Frenkie de Jong has hit out at Barcelona for trying to make him leaveCredit: AFP
      The central midfielder has spoken out as he has been regularly left out of the starting XI by manager Xavi in big games.
      He has admitted he saw this situation coming after being shown the exit door with Pedri and Gavi ahead of him in the pecking order.
      De Jong told Ziggo Sport: “I was calm. I decided in May that I wanted to stay. My opinion has never changed during this entire period.
      “I stayed calm. But then you know the pressure would start to come.
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      “Yes, from the newspapers, from the president, exactly. From everywhere actually. But I wanted to stay at Barca so it never baffled me.”
      De Jong has not played in crucial Champions League ties against Bayern Munich or Inter Milan.
      Meanwhile in LaLiga he was benched against Sevilla and there are doubts over his place in the side tomorrow for the El Clasico versus bitter rivals Real Madrid.
      He has played 10 times this season, scoring one goal but just four have been starts – most coming versus weaker opponents like Viktoria Plzen, Cadiz and Elche.
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      De Jong continued: “I want to be a starter again. Against Bayern, I was not a starter and I hope to be against Real Madrid.
      “Maybe he [Xavi] has already decided, but normally we don’t know until the day of the game.”
      Spanish outlet Sport claims the Dutchman is “disgusted” at his lack of minutes this season.
      This all comes amid a row over unpaid wages that De Jong is still owed after taking a deferred pay cut to help the club with their financial woes.
      Man Utd chased the signing of De Jong throughout the most recent transfer window and despite sizeable bids they could not get the deal over the line.
      Erik ten Hag appeared desperate to work with the 25-year-old again, as he did at Ajax, but he still chose Barca with United not having Champions League football this season. More

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      Real Madrid interested in Alphonso Davies transfer from Bayern Munich with contract running out in 2025

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      REAL MADRID are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies.The 21-year-old Canadian international broke through in 2019 and has gone on to earn 127 appearances at the club.
      Davies is being linked with a move away from Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      He has already won four Bundesliga titles with the German champions and penned a two-year extension in 2020 to keep him at the club until 2025.
      But according to Marca, Real have identified him as one of their major transfer targets.
      In response to a fan linking fellow Bayern man Joshua Kimmich to Los Blancos, journalist Jose Felix Diaz responded by insisting Davies is a more likely acquisition.
      Speaking on Twitch, he said: “From Bayern, the name they have most in mind is Davies.”
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      Jude Bellingham is still thought to be Real’s main target over the coming 12 months.
      And they are also focused on tying existing stars Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos down to new deals.
      But aside from those goings on, Davies is high up on their agenda of potential deals.
      That is despite a turbulent couple of years for the youngster – who can play as a left winger in addition to his usual left-back role.
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      Davies, who has been capped 32 times by Canada, suffered an ankle injury in 2020 which kept him out for nearly two months.
      He then contracted Covid at the beginning of this year, with Bayern subsequently discovering he had developed a heart issue – mild myocarditis.
      Then during the Bundesliga side’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund last weekend, he sustained a cranial injury which saw him substituted at half-time.
      He subsequently missed their win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Wednesday. More

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      Why are Barcelona wearing Drake’s OVO owl on their jersey against Real Madrid?

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      BARCELONA are sporting an unusual logo on their kit when they face Real Madrid in El Clasico and everyone has the same question – why?The La Liga giants announced a partnership with music streaming service Spotify earlier in the year in a long-term deal.
      Barcelona usually take to the pitch with Spotify’s logo on their chestsCredit: Rex
      Xavi’s side usually take to action donning a gold version of the Spotify logo on their kit as part of the partnership.
      However, against Real Madrid, Barca are donning an unusual logo, with an owl appearing front and centre on their jerseys and the reason for this has been revealed.
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      Why are Barcelona wearing Drake’s OVO owl on their jersey against Real Madrid?
      Barcelona’s sponsorship with Spotify has opened up endless opportunities for the La Liga side after the long-term deal was announced.
      With the Camp Nou reportedly set to be renamed, and as Spotify are looking to take naming rights, the partnership has also allowed for a unique change of jersey sponsor.
      The OVO owl is the logo of Drake’s brandCredit: Instagram @spotify
      Xavi’s team will only sport the OVO owl on their kit for one match, and a big one at that against Real Madrid.
      With music artist Drake making history, becoming the first artist to reach 50 billion streams on Spotify, Barcelona opted to wear the OVO owl on their jersey in El Clasico to celebrate his success – the owl being the symbol of Drake’s brand.
      Barcelona explained the reasoning for this, stating that they are looking to bring football and music together with the sponsorship.
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      They wrote: “One of the main ideas behind the alliance between FC Barcelona and Spotify is to bring football and music together in order to connect with new audiences around the world.
      “As both are capable of bringing people together and exciting fans, for the first time, the men’s football team will enter the pitch for Sunday’s Clásico wearing a jersey featuring the logo of an internationally acclaimed artist – rapper and singer Drake, winner of 4 Grammy awards and the first to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify – rather than their main partner’s logo.” More

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      Fans all say the same thing as Barcelona unveil one-off kit with Drake’s OWL on the front to be worn against Real Madrid

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      BARCELONA will wear a one-off kit with Drake’s OWL logo on the front against rivals Real Madrid on Sunday – and fans are not happy.The unusual move is part of Barca’s new sponsorship deal with music streaming giants Spotify.
      Drake’s OWL logo will feature in El ClasicoCredit: Instagram @spotify
      Barca will wear the one-off shirt as part of their deal with SpotifyCredit: Instagram @spotify
      Fans are concerned the Drake curse will hit and Barca will lose to rivals RealCredit: Instagram @spotify
      Drake was the first to surpass 50billion streams on Spotify and is being honoured as a result.
      Further collaborations with other artists are likely to happen later on in the season.
      The OWL will replace Spotify’s logo on the front of the jersey.
      And some supporters can’t get past the likeness to Sheffield Wednesday’s iconic badge.
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      A statement read: “One of the main ideas behind the alliance between FC Barcelona and Spotify is to bring football and music together in order to connect with new audiences around the world.
      “As both are capable of bringing people together and exciting fans, for the first time, the men’s football team will enter the pitch for Sunday’s Clasico wearing a jersey featuring the logo of an internationally acclaimed artist – rapper and singer Drake, winner of 4 Grammy awards and the first to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify – rather than their main partner’s logo.
      “Spotify has given this privileged space on the jersey as part of the framework of the partnership with the Club, just one of the actions that both brands are putting into place to offer innovative experiences for football fans, as well as helping to reach new audiences through music.
      “As was announced when the agreement was ratified, this type of exchange on the front of the jersey is scheduled to happen more as the season progresses.”
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      However, fans are all saying the same thing: The Drake curse.
      Barca are currently sat top of LaLiga, edging out last season’s winners Real on goal difference.
      But should history repeat itself, the Drake curse – which has seen sports stars he’s supported immediately lose afterwards – could see Barca fall behind their rivals with defeat at the Bernabeu.
      Supposed victims of the curse include Conor McGregor, Serena Williams and Anthony Joshua.
      And with mood at the Camp Nou already low with the club on the verge of dropping out of the Champions League, fans don’t want superstition working against them.
      One Barca fan said: “Drake curse in full effect. Real Madrid winning 3-1.”
      Another tweeted: “Drake curse on El Clasico… are you for real?”
      On featuring on Barca’s kit, Drake admitted “this doesn’t feel real”.
      While others are just picturing League One side Sheffield Wednesday.
      Replying to the kit, a fan said: “Drake? All I see is Sheffield Wednesday…”
      Another suggested taking Drake “to the cleaners” for copying the badge.
      Drake’s symbol has been likened to Wednesday’s badgeCredit: Getty
      Drake was McGregor’s cheerleader ahead of the Irishman’s bitter meeting with Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd transfer boost with top target Frenkie de Jong set to finally quit Barcelona as he’s left ‘DISGUSTED’ at role

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      MANCHESTER UNITED target Frenkie de Jong is reportedly “disgusted” by his situation at Barcelona and looks set to quit the club.The Dutchman, 25, was at odds with Barca in the summer over millions in wages still owed to him.
      Frenkie de Jong os allegedly ‘disgusted’ with his situation at BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      De Jong was slapped with an ultimatum to either leave or take a major pay cut.
      And that led to a fee between United and Barca, which would have seen the midfielder reunite with old Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, worth £72million being agreed.
      But despite the financial dispute, Barca and De Jong appeared to repair the damage to the relationship – something the player wanted all along – after he refused to leave.
      However, since he turned down the move to United, De Jong has now found himself playing back-up in Xavi’s squad at the Nou Camp.
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      He has only appeared as a substitute in their last two matches and Spanish publication Sport is claiming that the Netherlands international is “disgusted” with his role.
      They face bitter rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
      And this latest report states that he will be “very unhappy” if he is not selected to start.
      De Jong is desperate for more game time before the World Cup gets underway in November but has found himself behind the likes of Sergio Busquets, Gavi, and Pedri in midfield.
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      Now he is allegedly refusing to rule out a January exit from Barcelona should nothing change.
      That will provide some encouragement to United as they continue to chase the star.

      Despite bringing in Casemiro, Ten Hag is still desperate to add his compatriot to his ranks at Old Trafford.
      Now he and United’s transfer chiefs will be watching De Jong’s situation with a keen interest over the coming weeks ahead of the winter window. More

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      Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes spotted meeting Barcelona chiefs for talks in restaurant

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S agent Jorge Mendes has been spotted meeting Barcelona chiefs at a restaurant in the city.Mendes is the long-time representative of the Manchester United superstar, 37, as well as City midfielder Bernardo Silva.

      Mendes – agent of Ronaldo and Silva – met Barca chiefs at a restaurant on ThursdayCredit: Reuters
      Barcelona club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Mateu Alemany are in charge of negotiating transfers at the Nou Camp.
      Gerard Romero shared footage of the pair separately entering a restaurant.
      Ron’s hot shot agent Mendes is also spotted heading into the eatery.
      The men are said to have chatted about a possible return of Nico Gonzalez – who is on loan at LaLiga rivals Valencia.
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      But it is more than possible, Ronaldo and Silva were topics of conversation too.
      CR7 starred for Real Madrid for nine years but may be considering a January switch to their biggest enemies.
      Laporta already admitted the parties held discussions in the summer.
      At the presentation of Franck Kessie, the Barca boss openly described his meeting with Mendes.
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      He said: “I had dinner with Jorge Mendes and we talked about the market in general.
      “Cristiano? I’m not going to talk about players we discussed at the meeting, but it’s always good to know how some names are on the market.”
      Reports surfaced recently in Spain saying that the Catalan club were planning to relaunch a bid for Silva in January.
      The LaLiga giants failed in an attempt to sign the Man City ace, 28, in the summer transfer window.
      And talks may have already reignited in the restaurant meeting on Thursday.
      Despite their financial woes, La Blaugrana managed to spend almost £150million on new recruits – bringing in Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Frank Kessie, Andrea Christensen, Jules Kounde, Marcos Alonso and Hector Bellerin.
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      Barcelona managed to raise £700million by selling various digital assets, which makes any potential deal for Silva a possibility.
      Although they are set to be plunged into an even deeper financial crisis as they stand on the brink of exiting the Champions League in the group stage. More

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      Atletico Madrid ‘want Liverpool star Roberto Firmino transfer with Klopp to lose another of his Big 3 after Mane exit’

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      LIVERPOOL look set to lose the second member of their infamous “big three” in as many summers, reports suggest.Following the departure of Sadio Mane last summer, Roberto Firmino looks set to follow suit by leaving Anfield next summer.
      Roberto Firmino is wanted by Atletico Madrid when his contract expiresCredit: Getty
      The Brazilian’s contract is up in 2023, and despite a strong start to the season it appears he will not be rewarded with a new deal.
      Instead, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone wants to offer Firmino an escape route.
      The energetic boss already has a stacked fron line that includes the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix.
      However, according to TodoFichajes, he believes Firmino would be the perfect player to complement them.
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      Firmino is more than comfortable dropping deep to create space for his team-mates and can also equally spearhead the team’s press.
      His exploits were key when Liverpool won the title, allowing Mane and Mohamed Salah to shine brightly thanks to his unselfish style.
      And at Atletico, such hardworking players are a necessity.
      But Firmino’s time in the Premier League may not be over, even if he leaves Anfield.
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      The Spanish publication also reports that Newcastle are interested, and could be the one obstacle which prevents a summer switch to the Wanda Metropolitano.
      Italian side Juventus could also reignite their interest after failing to land him over the summer. More

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      Barcelona ‘can’t afford £18m Champions League KO after ambitiously budgeting for quarters as group stage exit looms’

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      BARCELONA are set to be plunged into an even deeper financial crisis as they stand on the brink of exiting the Champions League in the group stage.The Catalan giants could only muster a 3-3 draw at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday night, a result which leaves them on the verge of being eliminated.
      Barcelona were frustrated in a thrilling draw with Inter on Wednesday eveningCredit: AP
      Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Barca are set for more financial turmoil
      It means a win for Inter at home to Viktoria Plzen on October 26 would see them qualify as runners-up in the group behind Bayern Munich.
      And that could have a crippling economic consequence for Barcelona.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca face an £18m cash shortage if they exit in the group stage.
      This is because their £132m investment in the team over the summer was reportedly under the provision that they would reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
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      Clubs receive around £8.3m for qualifying for the last 16 and a further £9.3m for getting through to the last eight.
      Barca are set to miss out on that windfall and it could have a major impact on their ability to pay for their spending in the transfer window.
      Even if they drop down to the Europa League, winning the competition would only bring in £13m.
      Barca’s financial crisis has rumbled on for more than a year, with the Spanish side struggling to register players in recent seasons.
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      But they have continued to spend big in the transfer market, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen all coming in during the summer.
      And they do currently sit top of LaLiga, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference.
      But in Europe they haven’t been able to make their investment count.
      And while Lewandowski did score a stoppage-time equaliser against Inter to keep their slim hopes of qualification for the last 16 alive, it only appears to have delayed the inevitable. More