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      Barcelona chief CONFIRMS Antoine Griezmann has completed £17.5m Atletico Madrid transfer after season-long stand-off

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      BARCELONA sporting director Mateu Alemany has confirmed Antoine Griezmann’s move to Atletico Madrid has FINALLY been made permanent.The forward has been with Diego Simeone’s side since the start of last season after securing a two-year loan.
      Antoine Griezmann’s loan deal to Atletico Madrid has been made permanentCredit: Getty
      A bizarre clause meant Atletico would have to buy Griezmann permanently for £35million if he played 30 minutes or more in over half their matches.
      To get around it, Atletico have often sent the 31-year-old on as a sub after the hour mark.
      Then reports emerged last week that Barcelona had accepted a fee of £17.5m – half the agreed figure – to put an end to the stand-off.
      And today Barca chief Alemany confirmed at a shareholders’ meeting that Griezmann is now an Atletico player for good.
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      Although Barcelona have had to compromise in order for that to happen.
      Alemany claimed Barca will receive somewhere between £17.5m and £26m for Griezmann, dependent on bonuses, which is significantly less than the original £35m agreement.
      He said on Griezmann: “We have renegotiated the conditions with Atletico Madrid this week and we will receive between 20 and 30 million euros, depending on the bonuses.”
      He added: “It’s a massive, extraordinary deal for us because of Griezmann salary — and same for Coutinho.”
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      It’s understood Griezmann was on around £300,000-a-week at Barcelona.
      The Frenchman has started just three out of 11 games in all competitions this season.
      But that number now looks likely to increase after his move was made permanent.
      Griezmann originally signed for Barcelona from Atletico in 2019 for a whopping £107m.
      He scored 35 goals in 102 games for the Catalan giants before being sent back to his former side after failing to live up to expectations. More

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      Man Utd tried to get Ronaldo to go to Barcelona instead of Real Madrid in 2009 – and he could’ve played with Messi

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      MANCHESTER UNITED almost managed to get Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to link-up… for Barcelona.Portuguese superstar Ronaldo shattered football’s transfer record in 2009 when he left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid for £80million.

      Los Blancos had already splashed out on Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka in response to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering debut season as Nou Camp chief the year before.
      But they were almost denied the jewel in returning president’s Florentino Perez’s masterplan if Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way.
      The legendary Scot was desperate to avoid losing Ronaldo to Real once he’d accepted that the former Sporting Lisbon winger was set to leave.
      Fergie had even said back in 2008 that he wouldn’t sell Madrid a ‘virus’ let alone his best player.
      And according to Spanish newspaper AS, the United boss realised at the time that Barcelona were the only other club who could afford Ronaldo.
      Fergie apparently contacted the Catalans to encourage a bid but the Portugal captain had already set his mind on a move to the Bernabeu.
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      Guardiola’s most notable signing that summer involved an infamous swap deal with Inter Milan involving Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
      But the acquisition of Ronaldo would have not only ushered in an era of pure dominance for Barcelona, but also have cancelled out his famed rivalry with Messi.
      Whether Manchester City chief Pep could have managed to get the two to play together is up for debate, as he boasted an embarrassment of attacking riches while in charge of Barca.
      While Arsenal legend Thierry Henry flourished for Barca on the left wing, Ronaldo could have occupied the opposite flank to leave Messi in the hole behind Ibra.
      Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets may have had to share a spot on the substitutes bench, with Spanish duo Xavi and Iniesta holding down the two spots in the middle.
      Messi was asked by Mundo Deportivo last year whether he would pass to Ronaldo if the two were on the same team.
      The Argentine joked: “I guess so, in the end, yes.”
      Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a then-world record transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Portuguese superstar was also offered to Barcelona which would have made him teammates with Lionel MessiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Barcelona ‘agree to sell Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid for £17.5m’.. just half of bizarre transfer clause

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      BARCELONA are reportedly set to sell Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid for £17.5million – just HALF of the strange transfer clause agreed between the two clubs.The French forward, 31, returned to Atletico for a second spell last season as he secured a two-year loan move.
      Griezmann is set to seal a permanent return to Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
      Within the finer details of the deal was a clause which stated Atletico would have to buy Griezmann permanently for £35m if he played 30 minutes or more in over half their matches.
      And as he played significantly more than that last season, Atletico have been trying to minimise his playing time so far this term to ensure they do not have to pay the fee.
      Griezmann has started just two of 10 matches for Diego Simeone’s side since the summer.
      He has frequently been brought on just after the 60th minute in a clear affront to the clause in the contract.
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      According to Marca, the stand-off has forced Barcelona to come to a compromise.
      That is for Atletico to pay Barcelona half of the £35m fee to complete the Griezmann transfer.
      The World Cup winner scored 133 goals in 257 appearances during his first spell at Atletico.
      He then hit the back of the net 35 times in 102 games for Barcelona, but ultimately failed to live up to his £107m price tag.
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      A subsequent return to the Spanish capital saw him score eight times last season.
      And despite starting just once for the club in September, he still won their Player of the Month award.
      He contributed a goal and an assist across all competitions, including a last-gasp Champions League winner over Porto.
      Manchester United and Juventus were both said to be interested in Griezmann, but Atletico now finally look set to complete a deal. More

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      Wolves given HUGE boost in new manager hunt as favourite for job Julen Lopetegui is sacked by Sevilla

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      SEVILLA have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after three years at the club.The Spanish side were thrashed 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night, leaving them winless in three European games so far this season.
      Lopetegui was sacked after the loss to Dortmund on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      They have also suffered a nightmare start to their domestic campaign, sitting 17th in the LaLiga table following just one win in eight matches.
      And the Dortmund loss proved to be the final straw for Lopetegui as he was dismissed by the Sevilla board less than one hour after the final whistle.
      Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli is expected to replace him.
      Meanwhile, Lopetegui’s departure from Sevilla leaves the door open for him to join Wolves.
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      Bruno Lage was sacked by Molineux chiefs at the weekend and Spaniard Lopetegui is the favourite to replace him.
      Wanderers currently sit 18th in the Premier League table with just one win from their opening eight matches.
      Lage was dismissed following the 2-0 loss to West Ham on Saturday.
      Wolves bosses targeted Lopetegui six years ago when he almost became Fosun’s first head coach appointment at Molineux.
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      On that occasion he was snatched away at the 11th hour to manage Spain’s national team, however he has never lost his hunger to test himself in the Premier League.
      His solid organisational skills appeal to Wolves, who have no intention of returning to the Championship and are determined to avoid a relegation scrap.
      Lopetegui is the high-profile, safe pair of hands Wolves chiefs crave after he led Sevilla to three top-four finishes in Spain.
      He also toppled Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2020, on the way to winning the trophy. More

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      Carlo Ancelotti delivers blow to Eden Hazard over game time after Real Madrid star moans about warming the bench

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI has delivered a brutal blow to Eden Hazard after the star complained over his lack of game time at Real Madrid.The Belgian star left Chelsea for the Bernabeu back in 2019 but has endured a nightmare since.
      Eden Hazard has been complaining about his game-time at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Carlo Ancelotti has claimed the Belgian ‘knows his situation’Credit: Reuters
      Hazard is now desperately needing to revive his career after struggling with injuries since his big money switch, missing over 70 games through injury.
      His stop-start spell at Real has stopped him from producing the magic Chelsea fans were used to seeing week in and week out.
      Hazard has managed to score just seven goals and provide ten assists, while picking up a reported £416,000-a-week.
      He has played just 98 minutes of domestic action so far, but he has scored once and provided one assist in his one Champions League outing.
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      Hazard remains down the pecking order, with Ancelotti preferring the likes of Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo to the ex-Lille ace.
      The attacker recently revealed his frustration while on international duty with Belgium at his lack of match action this term at the LaLiga club.

      But when his boss was asked about his comments ahead of today’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, the Italian hit back.
      He said: “Eden hasn’t had to speak to me because he knows the situation, that there’s a lot of competition. I think his situation is quite clear.”
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      Hazard had said last month: “When I play, I give it my all.
      “It’s a delicate situation at Real Madrid. I feel like playing more, but I can’t do more.
      “I’ve always said the old Eden Hazard will come back when he plays. I just need to get back into the rhythm.
      “I know what I can do when I play. I want to scratch the maximum number of minutes and get to the World Cup in shape.” More

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      Real Madrid draw up three-man shortlist to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager including ex-star Xabi Alonso

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      REAL MADRID have three managerial targets in mind to replace Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports.Ancelotti is safe in his job after guiding the club to LaLiga and Champions League success last season, but Los Blancos are still planning for the future.
      Xabi Alonso is said to be on Real Madrid’s shortlist to replace Carlo AncelottiCredit: The Mega Agency
      Real legend Raul is also under considerationCredit: Getty
      Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is another managerial targetCredit: Getty
      The Italian, 63, recently pledged his future to the club but a period without a trophy could see Ancelotti under pressure and possibly sacked.
      If that happens Real could make a move for Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann, report Le10sport.
      The 35-year-old has built a big reputation in the game in his short career, reaching the semi-final of the Champions League with RB Leipzig in 2020 to earn a move to Bayern.
      He won Bundesliga with the German giants last season and has won 70 per cent of his matches in charge – he was also named Germany manager of the year in 2017 after finishing fourth with Hoffenheim and qualifying for the Champions League.
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      Nagelsmann knows what it takes to manage a European giant but the two other names on Real’s shortlist would be even more suited to managing at the Bernabeu – Raul and Xabi Alonso.
      Both played for Real Madrid and won the league and Champions League – Raul, 45, won 10 major trophies and scored 323 goals for the club.
      He is also manager of Real Madrid Castilla and has won 40 per cent of his games in charge.
      Zinedine Zidane also gained experience in charge of Real’s B team before taking over the top gig after 18 months with Castilla.
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      Former Liverpool star Alonso is also said to be in the frame and has similar experience to Raul having managed Real Socidedad’s B team for three years.
      Alonso, 40, left in the summer following relegation but Real are still interested, while German club Borussia Monchengladbach have thought about appointing him in the past.
      Bayer Leverkusen are also believed to be targeting the Spaniard after missing out on former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. More

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      Arsenal star William Saliba was ‘lined up for Barcelona transfer in summer before club opted for Jules Kounde’

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      ARSENAL star William Saliba was lined up by Barcelona for a transfer over the summer. Saliba, 21, has hit the ground running since breaking into the Arsenal first team this season.
      William Saliba has been an integral part of Arsenal’s rise up the tableCredit: Getty
      However, speculation over the summer suggested the Frenchman may be allowed to leave due to Mikel Arteta previously snubbing him for involvement at Arsenal.
      Consequently, rumours suggested he may leave the Emirates in favour of a transfer back to previous loan club Marseille or even Barcelona.
      The latter were looking at Saliba as one option to bolster their defensive ranks, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
      But upon beating Chelsea to Jules Kounde, the Spanish giants cooled their interest in the Arsenal man.
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      And as it has turned out, both clubs currently sit top of their respective divisions.
      Barca are level on points with reigning La Liga and Champions League holders Real Madrid, while Arsenal have a one-point gap to Man City after beating North London rivals Tottenham in the derby.
      More recently Saliba has been earmarked to sign a new contract at Arsenal.
      When asked if a contractual agreement could be struck, he said: “Yeah, we will see. They talk a little bit. We will see.”
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      Saliba first arrived at Arsenal from Saint Etienne in 2019 for £27million.
      After his arrival he was shipped out on loan on three occasions to allow him to develop, capping it off by becoming the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year last season.
      Cesc Fabregas – who is a co-owner of Serie B side Como – also levelled high praise at Saliba, declaring he could be an Arsenal defender for the next 20 years. More

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      I played in the 2002 World Cup, scored in this season’s Europa League and am now hosting my own TV talk show

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      WHEN a 21-year-old winger played for Spain at the 2002 World Cup, not many fans would have imagined he would still be scoring in Europe TWO DECADES later.Even fewer would have believed the now 41-year-old hosts his own TV show alongside his football career.
      Joaquin played in the 2002 World Cup for SpainCredit: AFP
      The winger has scored in the Europa League this seasonCredit: AFP
      Joaquin even has his own TV talk showCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
      The man in question is La Liga legend Joaquin, who made his professional debut way back in the 1999-2000 season.
      Two years later he was included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in South Korea.
      Joaquin played in Spain’s final group game of the tournament, a 3-2 win over South Africa, and missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to hosts South Korea.
      Fast forward 20 years – and 816 club appearances later – and Joaquin is still delivering on the football pitch.
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      The winger scored a stunning goal in Betis’ 3-2 Europa League win over Ludogorets last month.
      And in doing so the 52-cap Spain international became the oldest scorer in the history of the competition.
      Joaquin’s show is set to air on WednesdayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
      The 41-year-old made his debut in the 1999-2000 seasonCredit: Getty
      Joaquin has spent the majority of his career with Betis, but he also played over 200 times for Valencia and had spells with Malaga and Fiorentina.
      He extended his contract with Betis for a further year over the summer, and was also snapped up by Spanish TV channel Antena 3.
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      The first episode of his brand new series ‘Joaquin, the rookie’ airs this Wednesday.
      The programme is a TV talk show, and will see Joaquin joined by various celebrity guests.
      Speaking on his new venture on to the screen, Joaquin said: “I like television very much. I have a great time and I have fun. 
      “I jumped head first at this proposal because it is a very nice opportunity.”
      His current Betis contract expires at the end of the season, and Joaquin has vowed to continue playing on next year if Manuel Pellegrini’s side qualify for the Champions League.
      He told Diario AS last month: “In principle, the intention is for it to be my last year. But, if we qualify for the Champions League? They won’t be able to get rid of me!”
      Joaquin in action for Spain at the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty
      The winger missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to South KoreaCredit: EPA More