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      Cesar Azpilicueta in shock transfer U-turn as he signs new TWO-YEAR Chelsea contract after snubbing Barcelona

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      CHELSEA captain Cesar Azpilicueta has performed a shock transfer U-turn by snubbing Barcelona and signing a new two-year deal. The Spaniard was entering the final year on his current deal which was only extended at the end of last season.
      Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new two-year Chelsea dealCredit: Rex
      And Azpilicueta has spent the transfer window linked with a move back to Spain with Barcelona.
      And although it was previously claimed the defender favoured a move away, according to The Athletic, he has committed his future to Chelsea.
      Azpilicueta’s commitment eases the Blues’ need to recruit further defensive reinforcements.
      Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen already left for free in the summer, following their contract both expiring.
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      Only Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli has been brought in as a replacement after the club missed out on Jules Kounde.
      The Frenchman instead joined Barca, creating tension between Chelsea and Nou Camp chiefs.
      And is was already suggested new Blues boss Todd Boehly was ready to deny Azpilicueta a move to LaLiga.
      Chelsea remain linked with Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella, Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries and Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana.
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      Azpilicueta has been at the club for a decade now, and has made 472 appearances in all competitions for them.
      His contract at the club was due to expire in this summer, but an extension clause in his deal was triggered when he hit 35 games last season.
      Azpilicueta has always appealed to Tuchel due to his ability to play in a back three or at wingback, suiting the German’s structure.
      Cesar Azpilicueta and Chelsea boss Thomas TuchelCredit: Reuters More

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      Barcelona boss Xavi dashes Chelsea’s hopes of sensational transfer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

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      BARCELONA manager Xavi has reportedly shut down talk of Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving this summer.The former Arsenal captain, 33, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge just eight months after arriving at the Nou Camp.
      The former Arsenal man has been linked with a move to Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
      Xavi is thought to have ruled out Aubameyang’s departure this summerCredit: Reuters
      It comes as Thomas Tuchel searches for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku – who returned to Inter Milan on loan after a difficult 12 months with the Blues.
      However, Xavi now appears to have poured cold water on an Aubameyang-Chelsea link-up.
      According to Sport, the club have no intention of selling him in the current window.
      Despite the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Xavi believes the pair can co-exist within the squad and even link-up together in certain matches.
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      The report also states that Aubameyang does not want to leave as he fought hard to secure the move to Barcelona and wishes to fight for his place.
      Aubameyang netted 13 goals in the second half of last season, making him the club’s joint top scorer despite not being with them for the first half of the campaign.
      And he will have more firepower alongside him this season in the form of Lewandowski and Raphinha.
      But one man who looks set to be shown the exit door is Dutch forward Memphis Depay.
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      The former Lyon star seems to be surplus to requirements and has been linked with Juventus and Tottenham.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea are continuing to search for another attacker to add to the signing of Raheem Sterling.
      The Premier League side are rumoured to be interested in RB Salzburg man Benjamin Sesko.
      However, he will reportedly set them back around £55million, with Man Utd and Newcastle also in the race. More

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      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly BLOCKS Cesar Azpilicueta’s transfer to Barcelona and wants Spaniard to remain as captain

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      TODD BOEHLY has reportedly asked Cesar Azpilicueta to remain at Chelsea as captain after BLOCKING a transfer to Barcelona.Azpilicueta has been linked with a move to Barcelona for some time now.
      Cesar Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea after a decade with the clubCredit: Getty
      Azpilicueta has won the full set at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      Todd Boehly has told the defender he doesn’t want to sell himCredit: PA
      But with a lack of defensive reinforcements this summer Boehly has prevented Azpilicueta from leaving Stamford Bridge.
      Instead, he wants the veteran to stay at Chelsea as he does not want to lose “his experience and leadership.”
      According to The Times however, Azpilicueta remains optimistic a deal can be struck between the two clubs.
      It is understood the Spaniard has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp.
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      The versatile defender has completed a clean sweep of trophies at Chelsea, following on from The Blues’ victory in the Club World Cup earlier this year.
      Azpilicueta has been at the club for a decade now, and has made 472 appearances in all competitions for them.
      The 32-year-old’s contract at the club was due to expire in this summer, but an extension clause in his deal was triggered when he hit 35 games last season.
      This gave Chelsea some much-needed breathing room around potential player losses at the start of the summer due to the club’s operations being limited as part of sanctions levelled at ex-owner Roman Abramovich.
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      New owner Boehly has already brought in Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Carney Chukwuemeka as well as a host of youngsters.
      But a number of high-profile targets have slipped through their grasp, most notably Jules Kounde and Raphinha who were ironically snapped up by Barcelona.
      The Blaugrana also signed Andreas Christensen on a free transfer after he left Chelsea when his contract expired at the end of last season.
      Chelsea have identified Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella as targets.
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      However, the club’s £63m offer for Frenchman Fofana was rejected by Leicester.
      Meanwhile, despite reports stating an agreement worth over £50m had been reached for Cucurella, Brighton issued a statement shortly after denying the claims. More

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      Chelsea ‘considering shock Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer after ex-Arsenal man slips down Barcelona pecking order’

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      CHELSEA are reportedly considering a shock approach for Barcelona’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. New Blues owner Todd Boehly started the window by signing forward Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.
      Chelsea are reportedly considering a shock approach for Pierre-Emerick AubameyangCredit: Getty
      But it appears Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is still keen on bringing another striker to the club, after Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on loan.
      The Premier League side missed out on Robert Lewandowski, who left Bayern Munich for Barcelona.
      But as a result, it has left Aubameyang’s future in doubt at the Nou Camp.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are considering the former Arsenal captain as a target for the club.
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      No bid is said to have been made but the Gabon international has emerged as a shock option.
      Aubameyang was once linked with a move to Stamford Bridge when Frank Lampard was in charge.
      But he remained at Arsenal, only to leave for FREE last January after a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta.
      Aubameyang has scored 13 goals in 23 games but Barca have also brought in winger Raphinha from Leeds already this season.
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      Frenkie de Jong, who is faced with cutting his wages at Barca, is also rumoured to be a player Tuchel likes.
      The Dutchman has so far shown no interest in joining Manchester United but is understood to welcome a move to Chelsea.
      A loan move, which would help take his £470,000-a-week wages off Barca’s hands, has been mooted.
      Frenkie de Jong is linked with a move to ChelseaCredit: GETTY More

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      Football superstar brothers look unrecognisable from heartwarming photo of them when they were children

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      AN image of two football superstar brothers as children has gone viral on social media as the duo look unrecognisable.The heartwarming photo shows Paris Saint-Germain ace Rafinha on the left, pictured with his Liverpool starring brother Thiago Alcantara.
      Rafinha (left) with brother Thiago (right)
      Rafinha won an Olympic gold medal with Brazil in 2016Credit: Getty
      Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara is one of the best technical midfielders in the worldCredit: Reuters
      Fans reacted online to the post made by Rafinha, one joked he can see the likeness to what Thiago is like now on the pitch: “He got this serious face from childhood. No smiling mood.”
      Rafinha, 29, is the younger of the pair. He is currently at PSG but spent last season out on loan at Real Sociedad.
      The central-midfielder has also played for the likes of Inter Milan and Celta Vigo.
      Like his brother Thiago he began his career at Barcelona’s La Masia.
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      While at the Nou Camp he won the LaLiga title three times and the Champions League once.
      Meanwhile, Thiago, 31, has had even more success than his sibling winning TEN league titles and two Champions Leagues in a glittering career at both Barca and Bayern Munich.
      He is now an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.
      Interestingly, the brothers play have opted to play for different national teams as a result of holding dual citizenship.
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      Rafinha has two caps for Brazil and Thiago has made 46 appearances for Spain.
      They are from a sporting family, their father is ex-footballer Mazinho who won the 1994 World Cup with Brazil.
      And their mother Valeria Alcantara was a former Brazilian volleyball player. More

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      Man Utd ‘make contact over Sergino Dest transfer signing’ with Barcelona full-back targeted to replace Alex Telles

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been in contact with Barcelona over the possibility of signing Sergino Dest, according to reports.The 21-year-old full-back has been eyed as a replacement for Alex Telles, who has been linked with a move to Sevilla.
      Sergino Dest is reportedly wanted by Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Alex Telles is set to leave the clubCredit: Getty
      Bringing Dest to Old Trafford could cost the club a minimum of £17million, claim Sport.
      The American international is predominately a right-back but can also cover on the left flank.
      Prior to his move to Barcelona he was at Ajax and worked with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag.
      Under the Dutchman’s guidance Dest produced his best attacking season chipping in with two goals and six assists in all competitions in the 2019/20 campaign.
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      His good form took him to Barca the following season and he has since made 72 appearances for the club.
      But with the Catalan giants’ boss Xavi looking to re-build the side this summer he could reportedly choose to cash in on Dest even though his contract runs until 2025.
      The team is currently undergoing a defensive overhaul with Barca having already signed Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen.
      They also want a left-back and have been linked with Marcos Alonso of Chelsea.
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      Dest is not the first player with Ajax links to be rumoured with a move to Man Utd.
      The club are still hopeful of completing a deal to sign Dest’s Barcelona team-mate Frenkie de Jong even though Chelsea have entered the race for him.
      United are also keen on Antony but are reportedly prepared to pull out of a deal unless two demands are met.
      Ten Hag’s first competitive game in charge of the club will be on Sunday in their Premier League season opener versus Brighton. More

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      Barcelona squad wages revealed despite crippling financial issues including Ousmane Dembele on nearly £300k-A-WEEK

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      BARCELONA’S staggering payroll has been revealed amid another summer of spending despite financial turmoil.The Catalan giants have a mountain of debt and owe their own players, including Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong, money in unpaid wages.
      Joan Laporta has continued to hand out huge salariesCredit: Rex

      Despite pleading poverty, club president Joan Laporta has continued to fork out on hefty transfers.
      Barca have spent £137million on Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski, while free agents Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen have also been signed.
      Website FC Barcelona Latest News have collated a wage list featuring most of the squad and what they believe their salaries to be.
      Not quite all the team feature – with Lewandowski the only new boy to have his weekly wage listed.
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      But there is certainly still enough detail to raise eyebrows.
      Ousmane Dembele put pen to paper on a new two-year contract at the end of last season after a transfer saga that saw him linked with Chelsea.
      The Frenchman is claimed to be earning £297,000-a-week – a staggering salary for a club in financial turmoil to hand out.
      Meanwhile, it’s little wonder Barca are desperate to get defender Samuel Umtiti off the books, with the injury-plagued star reportedly pocketing £263k-a-week.
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      Sergio Busquets is next up on £253k, with fellow stalwart Jordi Alba earning £231k.
      Fellow La Masia graduate Sergi Roberto is listed on £164k a week, the same figure as De Jong.
      The Dutchman’s potential Man United transfer is reportedly being held up by £17m in deferred wages that he is owed by Barca.
      Lewandowski is next up, accepting less than he could have gotten at Bayern at £160k to move to Catalonia.
      While Memphis Depay, who has had his No9 shirt taken away by the Pole, is on £148k and has reportedly accepted that he is likely to move – with Juventus and Tottenham linked.
      Barca are reportedly trying to flog Neto to Bournemouth, with the backup stopper earning an eyewatering £98k a week.
      While they are also desperate to buy out Martin Braithwaite’s deal, with the forward on the same amount.
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      Ansu Fati is claimed to be on £69k, with Sergino Dest on £64k, Eric Garcia on £51k and Ronald Araujo on £35k – despite the Uruguayan signing a new deal in April.
      Pedri is listed at an eyebrow-raising £32k a week.
      Barcelona have continued to spend big on the likes of Robert Lewandowski and RaphinhaCredit: Getty
      Frenkie de Jong is involved in a dispute regarding unpaid wagesCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea confident of sealing Frenkie de Jong transfer ahead of Man Utd with Barcelona talks ‘hurried’ ahead of season

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      CHELSEA are confident of sealing the transfer of Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.And talks with Barcelona are said to be “hurried” as they look to try and get the deal over the line ahead of the new season.
      Frenkie de Jong could be a Chelsea player very soonCredit: AFP
      De Jong, 25, has been at the centre of a summer-long saga.
      Manchester United have been desperate to sign him but De Jong has snubbed their approaches, despite Barcelona accepting a bid of around £72million from the Red Devils.
      The Catalan giants need to make money soon due to their financial disarray and gave De Jong an ultimatum to lower his wages or leave the club.
      But with Manchester United unable to offer Champions League football this season, Chelsea are trying to swoop.
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      According to Sport in Spain, negotiations are underway and De Jong is thought to be more open to making the switch to Stamford Bridge – whereas he was reluctant to head to Old Trafford.
      Barcelona are continuing to demand the same fee agreed with United.
      However, any deal could include targets Cesar Azpilicueta or Marcos Alonso going the other way to the Nou Camp.
      Thomas Tuchel’s side get their new campaign started at Everton on Saturday evening.
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      So the German manager would love to have the midfielder signed before then to meet and possibly even train with his new team-mates.
      He has publicly voiced his frustration at the squad not being ready for the season – especially after the transfer for Jules Kounde fell through while other targets such as Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana have not signed yet either.
      However, despite their salary threats to the player, Barcelona have insisted they do want De Jong to stay after all – which could scupper a deal entirely.
      President Joan Laporta told CBS: “The first thing to say is we want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona. We love the player and him as a human being.
      “I want him to stay at Barcelona. He’s a high-quality player and a good guy. I also know that he wants to stay.
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      “In football, you never know. I can’t say categorically. It all depends on the different parties.
      “But in principle, I can say there is a strong possibility he stays, and I can say as president I will do my best for him to stay at Barcelona.” More