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    Ex-Barcelona ace Martin Braithwaite says Ousmane Dembele left him more shocked by his talent than club idol Lionel Messi

    FORMER Barcelona star Martin Braithwaite has surprisingly said that Ousmane Dembele shocked him with his ability more than Lionel Messi.The Danish forward recently left the Nou Camp on a free transfer after his contract was terminated.
    Martin Braithwaite’s difficult time at Barcelona has come to an endCredit: Getty
    Ousmane Dembele’s talent wowed BraithwaiteCredit: AFP
    Lionel Messi has won four Champions Leagues at BarcelonaCredit: AP
    And the now-Espanyol player has spoken out about his former Barcxa team-mates.
    He said: “Messi is something else but Ousmane has talent that I have never seen.”
    Braithwaite spent two seasons at the club, both with Dembele and one with Messi before he departed for Paris-Saint Germain.
    The ex-Middlesbrough man played with Dembele 25 times and the duo combined for two goals.
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    Messi and Braithwaite were both on the pitch on 44 occasions also combining for two goals.
    The 31-year-old Dane really rates Dembele.
    Braithwaite recently said that the French winger provides more to the Barcelona team that new signing Robert Lewandowski.
    He stated: “He [Dembele] makes the difference more than Lewandowski. 
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    “Ousmane is a very good kid, I like him a lot. He has an enormous talent.”
    Dembele has got off to a fantastic start this season scoring two goals and assisting four in seven games.
    His manager Xavi has also praised him but urged the 25-year-old to keep improving, saying: “He makes the difference, assists, scores, and he is in a good moment.
    “I don’t want to shower him in praise but the capacity he has in the one-on-one is at the level of the best Neymar.
    “He has to be more bold, shoot at goal more and score.” More

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    Top 25 Barcelona youth players from La Masia academy, including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Mauro Icardi

    IN 1979, Barcelona decided they wanted a steady stream of homegrown talents to one day blossom in their first team.They launched their now famed La Masia (Catalan for “The Farmhouse”), a state-of-the-art academy designed to train youngsters the Barca way, and has since produced a slew of top-class footballers.
    Lionel Messi (in the mask), Cesc Fabregas (back row, second right) and Gerard Pique (back row, third left) are Barcelona youth productsCredit: PA:Press Association
    They were schooled at Barcelona’s famous La Masia AcademyCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun
    Many have gone on to become legends at the club, while others have slipped away and grown at pastures new.
    Here are their best 25 best academy trainees.
    25. ALEX GRIMALDO
    The Spanish left-back, 26, is one of the most sought-after defenders in world football at the moment.
    Currently starring at Benfica, he has been linked with a move to Tottenham previously.
    Barcelona let him go for £1.5million in 2015, without playing a game in the first team.
    Originally, he was plucked from Valencia in 2008 – spending four years with the Catalans until he was sold.
    Alex Grimaldo has made his name at BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    24. DANI OLMO
    The Spanish 24-year-old international midfielder, who moved in January 2020 to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, arrived at La Masia aged just nine.
    But in a surprising move, Olmo decided to leave Barca when he turned 16 and signed for Dinamo Zagreb.
    Barcelona were rumoured to be looking at bringing him back to Catalonia before he moved to Germany.
    He has since starred in the Bundesliga and is a regular in the Spain squad.
    Dani Olmo gambled with his career leaving Barcelona aged 16 for Dinamo ZagrebCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    23. NAYIM
    Arsenal fans won’t want to be reminded of Nayim’s most famous moment in his career.
    But before he was lobbing David Seaman from the halfway line, he was a young hopeful at La Masia.
    He joined Barcelona aged 12 – leaving his hometown Cueta.
    But his chances were limited in a team that was managed by Terry Venables.
    He later joined the former Three Lions boss at Spurs.
    Former La Masia product Nayim scored the winner the Cup Winners’ Cup final against ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    22. LUIS GARCIA
    The former Liverpool midfielder had two spells with Barcelona.
    First as a 12-year-old youth player, where he starred in their reserve team.
    But having failed to break into the first team, he was sold to Atletico Madrid in 2002.
    However, after impressing with Atletico, Barcelona exercised a clause in Garcia’s contract to buy him back a season later.
    Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez moved for the playmaker in 2004 – having had him at Tenerife on loan in 2000-01.
    Luis Garcia had two spells at Barcelona but never made the gradeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    21. ANDRE ONANA
    Another surprise, keeper Andre Onana had a spell at Barcelona from 2010 to 2015.
    He joined the club after starting out at the Samuel Eto’o Academy, but failed to make the grade there.
    Five years ago he signed for the Dutch giants, and has since become their No1.
    He was suspended for 12 months for a doping violation, returning to first-team training last November, but the Cameroon international left Holland for Inter Milan this summer.
    Goalkeeper Andre Onana had five years at La Masia before moving to AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    20. ALBERT FERRER
    It was right-back Ferrer’s dream to play for Barcelona – having grown up in the city.
    And he appeared in 221 LaLiga games during nine seasons with his boyhood club, after he was signed as a 13-year-old.
    In 1998 he moved to Premier League with Chelsea in a £2.2m deal, where he retired aged 33.
    Albert Ferrer was a local lad who got to represent his boyhood clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    19. PEPE REINA
    The son of former Barcelona goalkeeper Miguel Reina, Pepe was always destined to follow in his father’s footsteps.
    He joined La Masia in 1995, and from 1999 he was playing for their reserve side in the third tier of the Spanish football pyramid.
    Reina was never more than an understudy at the Camp Nou, and was told he could leave in 2002.
    The Liverpool legend is still playing now aged 40 after recently returning to Villarreal.
    Pepe Reina was surplus to requirements to Barcelona in 2002 after being an understudy for yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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    18. GUILLERMO AMOR
    Benidorm-born Amor became one of Barcelona’s most important players under Cruyff in the 1990s.
    He joined La Masia in 1980 – winning five league titles and a European Cup.
    With Barcelona in his blood, it is unsurprising he is now responsible for the club’s youth system.
    Former youth product Amor now manages Barcelona’s youth set-upCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    17. HECTOR BELLERIN
    The Arsenal full-back might speak like a cockney, but he’s Barcelona through and through.
    Bellerin was also eight when he joined the club – but after eight years at La Masia he moved to the Gunners.
    He was vice-captain of the Premier League giants, until moving back to LaLiga with Real Betis on loan last term.
    However, he is now living his dream after re-joining Barcelona in the summer from the Gunners.
    Hector Bellerin left Barcelona for Arsenal and played against his old side several times before returning to the Nou CampCredit: PA:Press Association
    16. SERGI
    The marauding Spanish left-back joined Barcelona in 1988, and went on to become a club legend – appearing 382 times and winning three league titles.
    He was handed his Barca debut by Cruyff in a heated Champions League match away at Galatasaray
    From then on, he became a mainstay before he was sold to Atletico Madrid. He hadn’t lost that nastiness that made him a tricky player to play against either – earning 33 yellow cards in his three seasons there.
    Sergi won three La Liga titles after coming through La MasiaCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
    15. THIAGO MOTTA
    Barcelona never really saw the best of Motta.
    Like Pedro, he was signed late – aged 17 from local side Clube Atletico Juventus – and was assigned to the B side.
    He made his debut in 2001, but his time at Barcelona was robbed from him by a serious knee injury.
    Eventually, he found himself at Inter Milan, where Jose Mourinho got the best out of him – winning the Champions League in 2010 before heading to PSG.
    Thiago Motta never fulfilled his potential at BarçaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    14. IVAN DE LA PENA
    The hype around De La Pena, nicknamed “Little Buddha”, was immense when he was a teen.
    The child prodigy joined La Masia in 1991 from Racing Santander and initially looked to have a big future at the club.
    But fallouts with Cruyff and Van Gaal, who were frustrated with his work-rate, saw his progress curtailed and he had more success with city rivals Espanyol.
    De La Pena had fall outs with Johan Cruyff and Louis Van GaalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    13. ADAMA TRAORE
    Wolves winger Traore has finally shown the potential Barcelona youth managers believed he had.
    He joined the Spanish champions aged just eight, making his debut aged 17, but failed to break into the first team under managers Gerard Martino and Luis Enrique.
    The speedy winger then moved to England, and had an ill-fated spell at Aston Villa before rediscovering himself at Middlesbrough and then starring for Wolves.
    He returned back to Barcelona on loan for the second half of last season but they decided against signing him permanently in the summer.
    Adama Traore moved to England to get first team footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    12. MIKEL ARTETA
    The Arsenal manager is best known for his time in the Premier League playing for both the Gunners and Everton.
    But before he made it in England, Arteta dreamt of becoming a pro in San Sebastian playing football on the beaches with childhood friend Xabi Alonso.
    He joined Barcelona aged 15, but struggled to break into the first team – joining PSG on loan before starring at Glasgow Rangers and returning to play for Real Sociedad with Alonso.
    Mikel Arteta struggled to break into the Barcelona first team
    11. VICTOR VALDES
    Valdes is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history – having played 535 games and winning 21 major titles, including LaLiga six times and three Champions Leagues.
    But it looked like his time at the club had come to an end in 1995 when his family moved to Tenerife.
    However, Barca re-signed him and quickly progressed through the youth teams – making his debut aged 20.
    Victor Valdes left La Masia academy only to return three years laterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    10. PEDRO
    The ex-Chelsea winger was a late-comer when it came to joining La Masia.
    Pedro arrived from Canary Islands team CD San Isidro aged 17 in 2004.
    But soon, he became a key member of the first team once he was promoted by Pep Guardiola.
    In the 2018-19 season Pedro became the first player to score in six different club competitions during a single season and in the same year.
    Pedro was a late-comer to La Masia, joining aged 17Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    9. MAURO ICARDI
    Argentina striker Icardi, 29, had a spell at La Masia from 2008-11, after rejecting overtures from Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool.
    But the poacher failed to show his class in Spain and was shipped out on loan to Sampdoria in 2011, which became a permanent move six months later for just £400,000.
    He has since become one of the most sought-after strikers in European football, boasting a remarkable goalscoring record.
    Icardi always stood by his decision to leave Barca, because it ultimately benefited his career, although he is now on loan at Galatasaray after falling out of favour at PSG.
    Super poacher Mauro Icardi failed to impress at La MasiaCredit: FC Barcelona
    8. GERARD PIQUE
    Another one that got away, but returned to become a hero.
    Pique, 35, played in the same youth teams as Messi and Fabregas from 1997, although he was deployed as a defensive midfielder in his early years.
    Manchester United snapped him up in 2004 on a pro-contract, without having to pay a fee.
    In 2008, he returned to Catalonia for a fee of £5million and has gone on to play over 500 times for the club and is still at the Nou Camp now.
    Pique returned to Barcelona after a spell at Man Utd and bagged a celebrity missus in ShakiraCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    7. SERGIO BUSQUETS
    One-club man Busquets has become one of the greatest defensive midfielders of his generation.
    At youth level though he bounced around a few teams playing for the likes of Badia, Barbera Andalucia, Lleida, and Jabac Terrassa, before settling at Barcelona in 2005,
    Guardiola promoted Busquets to his first team in 2008, but it’s his former international manager Vincente del Bosque who provided this accurate quote about his abilities.
    He said: “If you watch the whole game, you won’t see Busquets – but watch Busquets, and you will see the whole game.”
    Sergio Busquets has established himself as the best defensive midfielder of his generationCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    6. CESC FABREGAS
    Fabregas trained at La Masia for six years before making the bold move to Arsenal in 2003, believing his chances would be limited at the Nou Camp.
    With the Gunners, he soon established himself into one of the Europe’s most promising players – replacing Patrick Vieira in the heart of their midfield, before eventually being named captain.
    In 2011 he returned to Barcelona for £35m, and in three seasons played 96 times for them before moving to Chelsea for £30m in 2014.
    Cesc won the World Cup and the Euros twice, and has been capped 110 times by Spain.
    Fabregas returned to Barcelona after making his name at ArsenalCredit: Action Images – Reuters
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    5. PEP GUARDIOLA
    Johan Cruyff called the Man City boss one of the best midfielders of his generation, and it’s hard to argue with that seeing he was a major influence in playing style of the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.
    Guardiola joined La Masia at 13, and within six years the deep-lying playmaker made his debut against Cadiz.
    In 1998, Louis van Gaal made him captain, but in 2001 he left for Serie A side Brescia after years of injury problems with a troublesome calf.
    Pep Guardiola became Barcelona captain after making it through their youth ranksCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    4. CARLES PUYOL
    Arguably the most un-Barcelona-like player.
    But Puyol became a cult hero as an inspirational captain with his uncompromising style of defending.
    He joined La Masia in 1995, playing as a defensive midfielder before converting to full-back and then centre-half.
    But Puyol almost left the club three years later when Barca accepted an offer from Malaga after deeming him surplus to requirements.
    However, seeing Xavi getting a chance in the first team encouraged Puyol to stay, and the rest is history.
    Puyol became a cult figure at Barcelona but nearly left the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    3. ANDRES INIESTA
    Plucked from Albacete at the age of 12, Iniesta never looked back.
    He steadily climbed up the youth ranks, making his debut aged 18 in 2002.
    Iniesta would go on to become the most-decorated Spanish footballer in history – winning 35 trophies, including nine LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.
    Famously, he helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup – scoring the winner against Holland.
    Iniesta joined La Masia as a 12-year-oldCredit: Rex Features
    2. XAVI
    The greatest playmaker of his generation, and the embodiment of their tiki-taka passing style, Xavi joined La Masia at 10.
    At that age though it wasn’t Michael Laudrup he idolised, but in fact British-based stars like John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne, and Matt Le Tissier.
    “I’ve been lucky enough to be brought up on the Barcelona ethos,” he once revealed.
    “Which has taught me the value of being part of a team. ‘Today for you, tomorrow for me.’ Those qualities are essential for life in general.”
    After a spell in the Middle East, Xavi returned to the Nou Camp in November 2021 to take over as manager.
    Xavi idolised Paul Gascoigne, Matt Le Tissier and John Barnes growing upCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    1. LIONEL MESSI
    Without doubt the best youngster to come from Barcelona’s youth set-up, and the best to ever play for the club.
    Messi joined the LaLiga giants in 2001 from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, who he had trained with since the age of six.
    Realising they had such a prodigious talent on their hands, Barcelona agreed to pay for his treatment after he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.
    However his love affair with the club came to an end in the summer of 2021 as he moved to French giants PSG amid Barca’s financial difficulties.
    Messi graduated from La Masia to become Barcelona’s greatest ever playerCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    ‘I never expected that’ – Miralem Pjanic fires parting shot at Barcelona after sealing transfer to UAE side Sharjah

    FORMER Barcelona star Miralem Pjanic has hit out at the club after leaving for United Arab Emirates based side Sharjah FC. The central-midfielder joined the Catalan giants back in 2020 and stayed for two seasons but last year he was on loan at Besiktas.
    Miralem Pjanic has also played for Roma, Juventus and LyonCredit: Getty
    Barca then forced Pjanic out the club amid their financial difficulties as they looked to cut the wage bill.
    It resulted in him having his contract ripped up despite two years remaining on it so he could join Sharjah FC on a free.
    Pjanic has spoken of his shock at the situation saying: “I thought it was the right choice to sign for a club like Barca, but I didn’t know it was like that at the time.
    “It was very complicated. I never expected to experience such a difficult situation. I never expected that.”
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    The Bosnian had an underwhelming spell at the Nou Camp playing just 30 times for the club and never scoring.
    He was one of many Xavi tried to shift this summer to varied success, such as Martin Braithwaite and Memphis Depay.
    Frenkie de Jong was another that the club tried to get to take a pay cut.
    Looking back before the most recent summer, club legends like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were both forced out of Barcelona in recent years while Pjanic was there.
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    The 32-year-old also spoke about the state of another of his former clubs Juventus.
    The Italian side have been in poor form in the last couple of seasons and pressure is building on manager Max Allegri.
    Pjanic said: “Juventus is now highly criticised, the players have to take responsibility because the coach cannot always be to blame. 
    “They have a very good coach, sometimes the criticism is exaggerated. You have to find a balance and the players have to understand that you have to give more.”
    Pjanic got his Sharjah career off to a positive start scoring on his debut in the UAE Pro League.
    He is joined at the club by another ex-Barcelona star in Paco Alcacer. More

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    Real Madrid set for Kylian Mbappe transfer return with leaked details showing PSG star’s deal runs for just two years

    REAL MADRID’S pursuit of Kylian Mbappe is set to start AGAIN next summer after full details of his Paris Saint-Germain contract emerged.The French champions announced the 23-year-old France star had signed a new, three-year deal worth £650,000-per-week in May.
    PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has been a long-term target for Real MadridCredit: Getty
    That appeared to tie Mbappe down until 2025 and he wore a PSG shirt with that year on the back when he publicly put pen to paper.
    But it has now emerged the contract initially runs for just TWO seasons, until 2024.
    Mbappe – rather than the club – then has the option to extend the deal into a third season if he chooses to do so.
    If he signals he will not extend, PSG will have to look to sell next summer or see their £150million-plus rated striker potentially walk away for NOTHING 12 months later.
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    There was speculation in France that when Mbappe signed the new deal it was to ensure he was still playing for the Qatar-owned club when he took part in this winter’s World Cup in the Gulf state.
    But once the tournament is over, the Qataris will be less reluctant to sanction a sale – even if it means PSG losing their star asset.
    A move for Mbappe might turn out to be a positive for PSG due to his difficult relationship with superstar team-mate Neymar.
    The exit would mean the 30-year-old Brazil icon would be assured of No1 status at the Parc des Princes.
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    Selling Mbappe for a huge fee would also end of any concerns over PSG’s ability to meet Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
    And it would enable the Ligue 1 champions to meet new financial sustainability regulations that will begin to be calculated from January. More

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    Real Sociedad suffer huge blow as Alexander Isak’s replacement Umar Sadiq suffers ACL injury and out for season

    REAL SOCIEDAD have suffered a huge injury blow as Umar Sadiq, their replacement for Alexander Isak, has suffered a season-ending injury.The Spanish side sold their star striker to Newcastle for £63million at the end of August.
    Umar Sadiq has been ruled out for the rest of the season in a huge blow to Real SociedadCredit: Getty
    Newcastle have a new hero in Alexander IsakCredit: EPA
    And they chose to spend £18m bringing in Sadiq from Almeria to fill the void.
    The Nigerian striker, 25, managed just three games for his new club before picking up an ACL injury.
    He scored on his debut against Atletico Madrid and also netted twice for newly-promoted Almeria prior to his move.
    But the chances of him finding the back of the net again this season now appears unlikely.
    Real Sociedad confirmed the forward has suffered a “rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament” and is now set to undergo surgery.
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    Spanish media report Sadiq will not be able to play any more part of the season.
    Sociedad were hoping to build on their sixth-place finish in LaLiga last season and go far in the Europa League, where they find themselves in the same group as Manchester United.
    Imanol Alguacil’s side usually play with two strikers and will have to rely on ex-Real Madrid youngster Takefusa Kubo, fellow new signing Momo Cho and ex-Crystal Palace flop Alexander Sorloth for goals.
    The club relied heavily on their defence last season – netting just 40 goals in 38 matches – and may have to do the same again this term.
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    As for Isak, he has got off to a positive start at Newcastle following his club record transfer.
    He scored on his debut against Liverpool and was unlucky not to net a second in the game.
    With Callum Wilson out injured, the Swedish striker is expected to start against Bournemouth this weekend. More

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    Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ‘close to cut-price £22m deal over Antoine Griezmann transfer’ after avoiding £35m clause

    BARCELONA and Atletico Madrid are reportedly close to agreeing a cut-price £22million deal for Antoine Griezmann.Griezmann, 31, has grown frustrated this season by a loan clause that has seen him introduced after the hour-mark in every match he’s played this season.
    Griezmann has been limited to substitute appearances due to a loan clauseCredit: EPA
    Despite Simeone subbing the Frenchman on with little time left, the pair have a good relationshipCredit: Getty
    Atletico are negotiating a lesser fee for GriezmannCredit: Rex
    Atletico must pay Barca £35m if Griezmann play more than 45 minutes in 14 or more games for Atletico this season.
    And Diego Simeone is working around it by subbing Griezmann on after the hour mark.
    Barca were reportedly preparing legal action as they felt they were already owed the money.
    However, according to L’Equipe, the two sides will instead find a compromise.
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    It’s claimed Barcelona and Atletico only communicate through the player’s lawyer, Sevan Karian, who has assumed the role of mediator.
    Atletico will pay Barca a lesser fee worth £22m with Griezmann’s short cameos coming to an end.
    The report states negotiations should be concluded during the upcoming international break.
    That will be music to Griezmann’s ears, as he is hoping to make France’s 2022 Qatar World Cup squad, having won the tournament in 2018.
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    Despite playing limited minutes, Griezmann has a good relationship with manager Simeone and Atletico.
    And he has paid back his manager in goals, netting three times across all competitions this season, including a last-gasp winner in the Champions League against Porto. More

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    Man Utd transfer blow with Barcelona wonderkid ‘Gavi already agreeing new contract including €1BILLION release clause’

    BARCELONA star Gavi has already agreed to a new contract that includes a €1BILLION release clause, according to reports.The 18-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the current season but a new deal was negotiated as early as last December.
    Gavi was a summer transfer target for Man Utd as they looked to bolster their midfieldCredit: Getty
    The release clause will supposedly be worth €1billion (£868million).
    Fabrizio Romano claims it will soon be signed and completed with the player committing his long-term future to Barca.
    Gavi has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United in the past.
    However, the Catalan giants have reportedly never been worried about rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League – with Liverpool and Manchester City also keen.
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    The teenager has become a key player for club and country at his young age.
    He has already played 53 times in the Barcelona first-team scoring two goals.
    On the international stage he has amassed ten caps for Spain.
    Alongside Pedri, Gavi is seen as the future of his club and country’s midfield.
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    Under LaLiga rules it is mandatory for every player to have a release clause in their contract.
    And big release clauses are nothing new in Spanish football.
    In fact, Barcelona youngsters Ansu Fati and Pedri both have £868m buy-out clauses in their current deals.
    New summer signing Jules Kounde – a target of Chelsea – also has the same bumper clause in his contract. More

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    Watch fuming Marco Asensio throw bottle and bib in dugout meltdown after he is not brought on pitch for Real Madrid

    A FUMING Marco Asensio threw a bottle and a bib in a dugout meltdown after not being brought on the pitch for Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga Champions made it five wins in a row and maintained their perfect start after coming from behind against Mallorca.
    Marco Asensio threw a strop after not being subbed on against his former clubCredit: Rex
    Madrid made four subs but there was no space for Asensio to come onCredit: Rex

    A stunning individual goal by Federico Valverde got Madrid back in the game before they ran away with it.
    The only downside for Carlo Ancelotti’s side was the touchline antics of Asensio, who is out of contract at the end of the year.
    The forward was disappointed at not coming on to face his former club as the manager made second-half changes.
    While Eduardo Camavinga, Nacho, Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal made second half appearances off the bench, Asensio was left as an unused substitute.
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    Tension boiled over for the 26-year-old at one point when he was snubbed by Ancelotti.
    The Spaniard could be seen ending a touchline warm-up, marching back to the dugout and throwing a training bib towards a seat.
    Asensio then appears to kick out at something on the ground as he heads back to the substitute’s bench.
    When he sits down, he chucks a bottle down in frustration.
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    After the game, Ancelotti said: “Asensio’s anger for not playing? I agree with him, so I’ll keep it in mind.”
    His reaction could be of interest to some Premier League clubs, with Asensio long-linked with a move to England and a free agent next year.
    The attacker reportedly attracted the interest of Newcastle in July with the Magpies considering whether to pounce.
    Asensio, who has been at Real Madrid since 2014, was also believed to have been pursued by Arsenal.
    The star’s reaction to not being subbed on was the only blemish in an otherwise fine day for Los Blancos.
    After falling behind to Vedat Muriqi’s goal, Valverde’s dribbled from the halfway line before hitting a stunning effort from the edge of the box to equalise.
    His goal lit the touch paper with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and former Chelsea-star Antonio Rudiger netting in the second half.
    It was the defender’s first goal for the club since his summer move from Stamford Bridge. More