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      Frenkie de Jong deals Man Utd transfer blow as he drops huge hint about his Barcelona future

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      FRENKIE DE JONG has dealt Manchester United a fresh transfer blow as he admitted he hopes to stay at Barcelona ‘for many years’.The Dutch star was among United’s main targets last summer and the Red Devils went all out to try and land him.
      Frenkie de Jong has made 31 appearances in all competitions this seasonCredit: Rex
      But they could not spring the 25-year-old from the Nou Camp despite De Jong being involved in a pay dispute with Barca.
      Now any potential transfer looks even further away after the midfielder pledged his future to the Catalan club.
      He appeared to hint at a long-term stay in Spain as he made clear he wants to play at the newly renovated Nou Camp, which will not be completed until the 2024-25 season.
      De Jong, who signed for Barcelona from Ajax in 2019, told TV3: “I hope I will play at the new Camp Nou.
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      “Barcelona is the club of my dreams, so I plan to stay for many years.
      “It looks like it’s going to be nice. The plans for the stadium are very good.”
      Speculation has continued that United could try to land de Jong when the window opens this summer.
      His former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is known to be a big fan but eventually settled for Christian Eriksen when it was clear the deal could not be done.
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      Chelsea and their owner Todd Boehly are also reported to have interest in de Jong.
      United fans got a taste of what the Dutch international could bring when he starred in the Barcelona midfield for the Europa League play-off games last month. More

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      Real Madrid ‘considering Romelu Lukaku transfer swoop with Inter Milan unwilling to buy Chelsea striker’

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      REAL MADRID are considering a move for Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku, according to reports. The 29-year-old Belgian is on loan from the Blues at Inter Milan following an unsuccessful return to Stamford Bridge last season.
      Real Madrid are considering a move for Romelu LukakuCredit: Rex
      However, having struggled with injury and form, the Italians have already insisted he WILL NOT be staying beyond the end of the season.
      Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta said: “He will return to Chelsea as it’s a straight loan, it’s part of the deal — then we will see.
      “Lukaku is not in good condition yet, we are still waiting to see the real Romelu as we saw in the past.”
      That has thrown the striker’s future into doubt, with Chelsea wanting to cut their losses following his £97.5million transfer in August 2021.
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      And Real Madrid are set to take advantage of this situation by launching an offer for Romelu Lukaku.
      According to Fichajes, Los Blancos want to bolster Karim Benzema’s firepower by adding Lukaku to the fold.
      The report suggests Carlo Ancelotti and Co are admirers of Lukaku having seen how devastating he can be when he is not blighted by injuries.
      Indeed, just two seasons ago Lukaku fired Milan to the Serie A title and was crowned their Player of the Year.
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      Lukaku has been heavily hit by injury this season, seeing him make just 18 appearances and yield five goals in all competitions.
      He has been open with his desire to stay at Inter and his ultimate career path.
      The former Manchester United and Everton striker said: “Everyone knows what I want.
      “I hope to stay at Inter. I love this club and we will speak to Chelsea in order to find a solution.
      Lukaku has struggled for form in the Serie A this season
      “Inter fans are really special, for me they are the best in the world.
      “Because even if we are in difficulty they are always there to help the team.
      “It was a surprise for me, I thought they were angry with me.
      “But in the end they know I’ve always had Inter in my heart. Even if I left, they know I’ve always had Inter in my heart.
      “I’ve had conversations with my team-mates, with people from the club and they know I’ve told the truth about why I left.
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      “Now I’m back and I hope to stay in the future. I mean that for me Inter is worth everything.
      “The idea is to finish my career with Anderlecht. I’m nearly 30, my son started school here and plays in the Inter academy. I want to stay here and do things right.” More

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      Former Real Madrid doctor reveals Gareth Bale is best athlete he’s ever seen… even ahead of iconic Cristiano Ronaldo

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      GARETH BALE was a better athlete than Cristiano Ronaldo, according to ex-Real Madrid doctor Jesus Olmo.Ronaldo, who moved to Saudi Arabia after his release by Manchester United, is famed for his physique and even maintains it at the age of 38 but Olmo reckons Bale is the best athlete he has ever seen.
      Gareth Bale is a better athlete than Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a former Real Madrid doctor
      Jesus Olmo claimed Bale is the best athlete he has ever seen despite Ronaldo being famed for his impressive physique
      Ronaldo is no stranger to showing off his physiqueCredit: Getty
      Having been team-mates during Olmo’s time at the Bernabeu, Bale and CR7 probably have their own ideas about who keeps in better shape but the Portuguese doc was in no doubt.
      The ex-Los Blancos doctor previously told Ideal in 2020: “Perhaps the best athlete I’ve ever seen is Bale.
      “Gareth Bale is a natural athlete who can excel in practically any sport.
      “He has incredible athletic skills, and I would also say technical skills.
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      “He is the one who impressed me most in all aspects.”
      The medical expert also said Real Madrid fans did not see the best of the Welsh wizard during his time in Spain, because he was suffering from several injuries.
      Bale, 33, hung up his boots in January following a disappointing World Cup with Wales.
      After Ronaldo leapt 8ft 5ins into the air to score a header against Sampdoria in 2019 he revealed his fitness secrets that keep him going and claimed he could play on until he was 41.
      His mum Dolores also backed up his claim last year.
      The Madeira-based mum-of-four told presenter and comedian Guilherme Geirinhas: “I’ve already asked him if he wants to be a coach when he stops playing.
      “He told me he wants to enjoy life. He’ll play until he’s 40.” More

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      Barcelona ‘prioritise signing Man City outcast’ Joao Cancelo but will have to pay £17.5m loan transfer fee

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      BARCELONA have reportedly made Manchester City outcast Joao Cancelo their “priority signing” this summer.The defender, 28, joined German club Bayern Munich on loan for the rest of the season after falling out with Pep Guardiola.
      Barcelona have prioritised signing Joao Cancelo from Man CityCredit: Getty
      The pair were reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up after Cancelo found out he was dropped for the club’s FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
      This came as Guardiola tweaked his system after questioning his players’ hunger to win the Premier League again.
      With Cancelo’s and the City boss’ relationship becoming strained, the club took the bold decision to allow Cancelo to leave on loan.
      The Portuguese international started life at Bayern in impressive fashion and already has one goal and four assists from his eight appearances.
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      However, it has now emerged that the star is growing frustrated after being benched by the Bundesliga side’s boss Julian Nagelsmann.
      And it seems unlikely that Bayern will take up their option to buy him permanently for £60m.
      But he will still have another option regarding his future with Barcelona making him a priority signing, according to Spanish outlet SPORT.
      City are allegedly prepared to do business and would sanction another loan departure.
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      Although they are demanding a fee of at least £17.5m from Barcelona to borrow him.
      Nou Camp president Joan Laporta has already revealed that he will attempt to sign a new full-back over the summer.
      Veteran Sergi Roberto is the only recognised right-back in the current squad.
      City signed the player in a £60m deal three-and-a-half years ago from Juventus.
      Cancelo only signed a contract extension with City 12 months ago and is currently tied to the club until summer 2027. More

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      Thibaut Courtois reveals Eden Hazard’s sad reaction to missing out on opportunity to revive Real Madrid career

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      EDEN HAZARD’S head dropped after he returned from the World Cup to sit on the Real Madrid bench, keeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed.Hazard, 32, has not played a single minute of LaLiga or Champions League football since Belgium were knocked out in the group stage in Qatar three months ago.
      Thibaut Courtois, left, has spoken about team-mate Eden Hazard’s strugglesCredit: Getty
      He has now retired from international competition and had hoped to revive his Real Madrid career as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.
      Hazard has contributed just seven goals and 11 assists during his four seasons in the Spanish capital.
      But any ideas he had of forcing his way back into Carlo Ancelotti’s team have been dashed in recent months.
      The ex-Chelsea man even failed to secure any game time in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Liverpool when they had wrapped it up 6-2 on aggregate.
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      Ancelotti made five changes towards the end of the game, but Hazard was not one of them.
      And Courtois has confirmed the lack of opportunities has had an impact on his former Belgian team-mate’s mental state.
      As reported by Marca, he said: “When Hazard returned from the World Cup, he trained very well and was waiting for an opportunity because the Brazilians were not there.
      “The opportunity did not come and he lowered his head a bit. He has never disrespected anyone.”
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      Real Madrid are expected to try and sell Hazard in the summer in a bid to avoid him leaving on a free in 2024.
      Earlier this week, he revealed he wants to stay at the Bernabeu despite no longer speaking to Ancelotti.
      Talking to Diario AS, he said: “I would like to stay. I’ve always said that. I hope to play and to show that I can still do it.
      “People have doubts, that’s normal, I understand. But for me, I’m still here next year. You never know, but a transfer is not in my plan.
      “There’s respect between Ancelotti and I. But I’m not going to say we talk to each other, because we don’t. But there will always be respect.
      “I have to have respect a guy like Ancelotti. For what he represents for football, and for what he’s done in his career.”
      However, Ancelotti attempted to quash talk of a fractured relationship with Hazard before their second leg against Liverpool.
      He said: “The relationship is not cold. He has been very honest, we don’t talk much and it’s the truth.
      “Many times it’s a matter of character, you feel better talking to one person than to another.
      “This is not the most important thing, for me it’s that even though we don’t talk much and he doesn’t play, he respects me. I value this a lot and I respect him in the same way.
      “If he doesn’t play a lot it’s because there’s a lot of competition. In his position there’s a player who is contributing a lot and it’s Vinicius.”
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      Premier League leaders Arsenal were linked with a move for Hazard in January.
      A move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Galatasaray was also mooted last summer. More

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      Barcelona unveil new home kit as part of their £237m Spotify partnership… but it will cost fans an unbelievable sum

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      BARCELONA are out of tune with their fans after announcing a new kit in their £237million partnership with Spotify will cost £350.The limited edition home shirt for Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid features the logo of popular Catalan singer Rosalia.
      Barcelona supporters might want to sit in a dark room when they hear how much this limited-edition shirt will cost for the El Clasico this Sunday
      The new top marks the first anniversary of singer Rosalia’s third album
      Rosalia’s logo from her latest album Motomami is on the new Barca shirt
      And as part of Barca’s ongoing huge deal with digital music service Spotify, there’s even a highly-exclusive version available for £1746.25.
      At least that top will be signed by both starting teams in the men’s and women’s clashes with Real.
      Earlier this season, Spotify gave up their sponsor’s place on the shirt for the first Clasico, with Drake’s owl logo displayed on the kit instead.
      That emblem marked the Canadian singer becoming the first artist to reach 50BILLION streams of his songs on the platform. 
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      Now it’s the turn of 30-year-old Rosalia.
      The logo from her last studio album Motomami will adorn Barca’s shirt as Xavi’s men attempt to move TWELVE points clear of Real at the top of LaLiga with victory at the weekend.
      Barcelona revealed their new top in a quirky, murky promotional video.
      The costly kit was shown hanging up in a dark room with a butterfly fluttering around.
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      Barca punted the album name by posting: “Calling all MOTOCULERS – Gear up, Rosalia is on our team this #ElClásico. 19/03/2023.”
      The club explained: “Barça and Sportify have picked Rosalia because it is a year ago this month that her album Motomami was released, a record that has stretched the boundaries of contemporary music.”
      And certainly the new shirts will stretch the pockets of many supporters. More

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      Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Xavi’s side look to go TWELVE points clear of Los Blancos in huge title clash – TV, stream

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      BARCELONA host rivals Real Madrid in massive top-of-the-table clash in La Liga.Xavi’s side are currently nine points clear of Madrid in second, as Barca look for their first La Liga title since 2018/19.
      Karim Benzema player fights for the ball with Marcos Alonso and Ronald Araujo during the Copa Del Rey Semi Final first legCredit: AP
      The two Spanish giants recently faced off in the Copa Del Rey Semi-Final first leg.
      Barca won the game 1-0 courtesy of an Eder Militao own goal, giving them a narrow advantage for the return leg at the Camp Nou.
      Real Madrid have a busy week, with Liverpool coming to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
      While Xavi’s side have a free week following their exit from the Europa League at the hands of Manchester United.
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      When is Barcelona vs Real Madrid?

      Barcelona vs Real Madrid will take place on Sunday, March 19.
      Kick off will be at 8pm UK time.
      Camp Nou will play host.

      What channel is Barcelona vs Real Madrid on?

      Barcelona vs Real Madrid will be shown live on Viaplay Sports 1.
      Coverage begins at 7:30pm UK time.
      Viaplay Sports 1 is available to add to your existing Sky, Virgin or Prime Video membership.

      How can I live stream Barcelona vs Real Madrid?

      If you are subscribed to Viaplay, you can stream all the action live from the Viaplay app, which is available to download for free onto your mobile or tablet.
      Non-subscribers can purchase a Viaplay monthly pass for £14.99, which will give you access to all sports, series and films available on Viaplay for one month.
      Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog to keep up to date with all the action from Camp Nou.

      What is the latest team news?
      Robert Lewandowski returned to the squad for Barca’s 1-0 away win against Athletic Club.
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      Gavi also returned to the XI after serving his suspension during the win against Valencia.
      Pedri could return from a hamstring injury in time for the El Classico, but the game will come too soon for winger Ousmane Dembele.
      Carlo Ancelotti will have left-back Ferland Mendy back after several weeks on the sideline.
      Madrid frontman Karmin Benzema sat out of the 3-1 win over Espanyol with an ankle injury.
      However, Ancelotti has assured fans that the Frenchman will be involved in the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Liverpool on Wednesday night.
      Meaning if the 35-year-old avoids injury against the Premier League giants, he should be fit and raring to go in the El Clasico.
      David Alaba will remain out with a hamstring injury that occurred during Real’s 5-2 Champions League last-16 first-leg win at Anfield.
      Odds

      Barcelona – 11/10
      Draw – 12/5
      Real Madrid – 12/5

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      ‘I called my agent… my story ended’ – The day Javier Mascherano knew he had to leave Barcelona

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      JAVIER MASCHERANO has revealed the day he knew that his Barcelona career was over and he had to leave. The Argentine arrived at the Nou Camp in 2010 following a three-year spell at Liverpool.
      Javier Mascherano spent eight years at Barcelona having joined from Liverpool.Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Mascherano won La Liga four times and the Champions League twice during his time at the club.Credit: Getty
      The midfielder made 203 appearances for the Catalan giants scoring once and won La Liga and the Champions League during his time at the club.
      Despite having a successful spell at Barcelona Mascherano knew when it was time to move on.
      Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport the 38-year-old recalled the moment he had to leave the club.
      He said: ” I saw Umtiti train the first day, I called my representative and I told him: “Walter, my story at Barça ended, here is someone who is from another level.”
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      He added: “I have made thousands of errors in my career but if I had something, it is that I have always been a teammate. In the last days of Luis Enrique I had lost my edge.”
      The former Liverpool man arrived knowing it would be tough to displace Sergio Busquets and had to re invent himself as a centre half to earn his place in the side.
      Mascherano admitted when he signed that he wasn’t a player for Pep Guardiola’s style.
      He said: “I was not a player for Pep’s style. That was the reality and I knew it.”
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      The midfielder eventually left Barcelona in 2018 to join Chinese side Hebei China Fortune where he spent a season.
      The Argentine returned to his homeland signing for Estudiantes where he made ten appearances before retiring.
      Mascherano made a total of 436 appearances in his career scoring two goals. More