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      Martin Braithwaite brutally axed by Barcelona and shipped to Espanyol with striker’s bizarre spell at Nou Camp ended

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      BARCELONA have released Martin Braithwaite just hours before the transfer window slams shut. It means the 31-year-old’s unusual spell at the Catalan giants comes to an end as he joins cross-city rivals Espanyol.
      Martin Braithwaite had fallen out of favour at Barcelona and has joined EspanyolCredit: AFP
      The striker who is also capable of playing on the wing was initially brought to the club in February 2020 after they were allowed to sign a player outside the transfer window on emergency circumstances.
      Ousmane Dembele picked up a long-term injury so an exception was made granting Barca a transfer and they purchased Braithwaite from LaLiga rivals Leganes for £15million.
      The Danish international signed a four-year contract at the club and many deemed the transfer strange after he failed to impress at Middlesbrough before.
      He went on to play 58 times for Barcelona scoring on ten occasions.
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      His manager Xavi has been desperate to get rid of him this summer but there was no takers.
      Barcelona wanted him to mutually terminate his contract to help ease the pressure on them amid financial difficulties and so they could meet the salary limits set by LaLiga but Braithwaite refused.
      Some claimed he held the club to ransom and he reportedly demanded a pay-off worth £4million to quit the team.
      The stand-off continued with Braithwaite allegedly wanting his £98,000-a-week contract paid to him in full despite being deemed surplus to requirements.
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      Reports from the Daily Mail claimed Barcelona were only willing to give him a year’s salary and that the striker had an offer on the table from Real Mallorca.
      Braithwaite may not be the only attacker leaving the Nou Camp on deadline day.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to join Chelsea in a deal that sees Marcos Alonso head in the opposite direction. More

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      Kenedy finally set to leave Chelsea on permanent transfer after seven years as he closes in on Real Valladolid move

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      CHELSEA star Kenedy is on the verge of leaving the club on a permanent basis to sign for Real Valladolid, according to reports.The Brazilian has been spotted by Spanish outlet Marca arriving in Valladolid ahead of his transfer.
      Kenedy was training with the Chelsea first-team in pre-seasonCredit: Getty
      They claim that a deal has been agreed between Chelsea and the LaLiga side but personal terms still need to be agreed.
      Fran Sanchez, their sporting director, was reportedly in London recently to help secure the transfer.
      It will mean Kenedy’s long-term stay at Chelsea is over, he has been on their books for seven years after arriving for a fee of £6.3million from Fluminense.
      The 26-year-old made just 30 appearances for the Blues during that period scoring three goals.
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      He has spent most of his time away on loan having spells at Watford and Newcastle.
      The player is capable of playing at left-back or on the left-wing and already has LaLiga experience having been loaned out to Getafe and Granada previously.
      In total he has gone on loan five times – last season he was back in his homeland playing for Flamengo.
      Real Valladolid are one of the newly promoted side’s in Spain’s top flight and in their most recent game they were hammered by Barcelona 4-0.
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      The club’s majority owner is footballing legend Ronaldo.
      Kenedy is not the only player leaving Stamford Bridge today with Dujon Sterling set to join Stoke on a short-term deal.
      Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso could be set to join Barcelona as part of the transfer that brings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea. More

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      Memphis Depay emerges as shock Chelsea transfer target after Man Utd links with Barcelona ready to rip up contract

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      MEMPHIS DEPAY has emerged as a shock transfer target for Chelsea, according to reports. The forward is ready to be let go by Barcelona if a deal can be struck in the next few hours.
      Chelsea could be in for a shock move for Memphis Depay from BarcelonaCredit: AP
      As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have emerged as late contenders to land the Dutch star.
      And Barca will rip up his contract and allow him to leave for free if personal terms can be agreed with Chelsea.
      Depay, 28, is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp following the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer.
      And with the club in financial ruin, getting Depay off the wage bill would be a welcome boost.
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      Depay scored 12 goals in 28 LaLiga games in his first season but has been an unused sub in all three matches so far this term.
      However, there are just a few hours to go until the 11pm deadline.
      It is said Depay – linked with a free transfer to Juventus or even a shock return to Manchester United earlier in the window – put in a request to leave the club on Wednesday.
      However, Barcelona will only sanction the termination of his contract if he can strike a deal with Chelsea in time as Thomas Tuchel looks to bolster his attack.
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      But Romano adds there are no advanced talks taking place at this stage.
      Chelsea’s primary focus is securing Depay’s Barcelona team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      It is understood a £12million fee plus Marcos Alonso is in place to land the former Arsenal captain on a two-year deal with an option of a third.
      Aubameyang will land in London around 5pm to complete the final details of his Stamford Bridge switch, just seven months after being shipped out by Mikel Arteta at the Emirates. More

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      Inaki Williams’ astonishing LaLiga record of playing 236 consecutive matches set to cruelly come to an end

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      INAKI WILLIAMS’ astonishing record of playing 263 consecutive LaLiga matches has come to a cruel end.That’s after the Spanish striker suffered a devastating ankle injury this week.
      Inaki Williams’ consecutive appearance record has come to an end after suffering an injuryCredit: Getty
      Williams, 28, has long been regarded as an Athletic Bilbao legend after joining the club in 2012.
      But he further endeared himself to fans when he smashed the record for the most consecutive Spanish league appearances in October 2021.
      The fact that the previous record of 202 belonged to Juanan Larranaga of fierce Basque rivals Real Sociedad made Williams even more popular with Bilbao supporters.
      And the one-time Spain international continued to rack up the games as he made it SIX YEARS without missing a league match in April.
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      Williams reached 263 LaLiga games straight when he started for Bilbao in Monday’s 4-0 win at Cadiz.
      The former Manchester United target, who has also been linked with a Premier League move to Liverpool, opened the scoring after 24 minutes.

      But disaster struck later on when he went down injured and was forced to come off.
      Bilbao have now confirmed that Williams has suffered a sprained ankle ligament.
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      And if the damage is significant, he could be sidelined for several months.
      It brings Williams’ record run in the side to a staggering halt.
      But with his contract running until 2028, he has plenty of time to make another attempt and break his own incredible record.
      Williams has made a total of 343 appearances for Bilbao, scoring 74 goals in the process.
      He was part of last year’s Spanish Super Cup win, and has also finished as a runner-up in the Copa del Rey twice. More

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      Aubameyang breaks silence after horror robbery and says ‘we are no longer safe in our own house’

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has broken his silence after he was attacked by burglars at his home at the weekend. The Barcelona forward was smashed on the chin with an iron bar while trying to protect his wife and two children from the robbers.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took to Instagram to reveal the details of the violent attack on his homeCredit: Getty
      Aubameyang and wife Alysha were said to have been tied up by the intrudersCredit: Instagram / @auba
      And now he has taken to social media to reveal they are “no longer safe in our own house”.
      Aubameyang wrote on Instagram: “Hey guys, thanks a lot for all the messages.
      “On Sunday night, some violent cowards broke into our home and threatened my family and my children, just to steal some stuff.
      “They injured my jaw but I will recover in no time and thank God no one else was physically harmed.
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      “The feeling that we are no longer safe in our own house is hard to understand and describe, but as a family, we will overcome this and stand stronger than ever.
      “Thanks for all the support, it really means a lot to us.”
      Four intruders climbed into the back garden before threatening Aubameyang and his family.
      The forward and his wife, Alysha Behague, were reportedly handcuffed and tied up in front of their kids Curtys, 11, and Pierre, six, by the burglars.
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      Alysha, 36, is also claimed to have been hit over the head during the break-in at their home in Castelldefels, near Barcelona.
      They forced Alysha to open a safe full of valuables including jewellery before fleeing in a white Audi A3, according to police sources reported by El Pais.
      It was reported Aubameyang may even have fractured his jaw and could potentially face surgery.
      Either way, he will need a few weeks to recover physically and mentally from the ordeal.
      And that has thrown doubt over his transfer to Chelsea.
      The Blues were in talks with Barcelona over securing a transfer on a one-year deal for the former Arsenal captain who is also a target for Manchester United – although he wants two years.
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      However, the major sticking point could still be securing a transfer fee with cash-strapped Barca wanting maximum money for the man who joined in January.
      Thomas Tuchel, who worked with Auba at Borussia Dortmund, is desperate to bring in a new striker and talks are said to be ongoing. More

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      Tottenham confirm loan transfer of Sergio Reguilon to Atletico Madrid as boss Antonio Conte culls squad

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      SERGIO REGUILON has returned to Spain after signing for Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan from Tottenham.The 25-year-old has failed to deliver in North London after joining from Atletico’s city rivals Real Madrid in 2020.
      Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon has linked up with Atletico Madrid on loan
      Spanish defender Reguilon hasn’t featured in any match for Spurs this season
      The left-back lost his place in the Spurs team to Ryan Sessegnon under Antonio Conte last season.
      And following the arrival of wing-back Ivan Perisic, the ex-Sevilla loanee was deemed surplus to requirements by the Italian gaffer.
      He has been omitted from all four of Spurs’ opening Premier League clashes with Conte banishing him from the first-team squad.
      Reguilon was linked with a switch to the Wanda Metropolitano last week prior to Spurs’ 2-0 away win at Nottingham Forest.
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      And he has now sealed a return to LaLiga, with a Tottenham statement reading: “Sergio Reguilon has joined Atletico Madrid on loan for the 2022-23 season.”
      Reguilon departs Spurs having scored twice in 67 games in all competitions.
      He had seemed destined to join Lazio before Atletico entered the fray.
      Diego Simeone’s side acted quickly in managing to bring the defender back to his native country.
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      Atletico do not have an option-to-buy clause in their loan agreement for the player.
      Reguilon isn’t the only star Spurs have shipped out on loan with Tanguy Ndombele signing for Napoli, including a £25million buy option.
      Meanwhile Giovani Lo Celso has returned to Villarreal on loan after spending last term with the Yellow Submarines.
      And academy graduate Harry Winks is also set to follow the trio out of the door with Sampdoria hopeful of bringing him in on a temporary basis. More

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      Atletico Madrid look to avoid £34m Barcelona transfer payment… by only playing Griezmann for 28 MINUTES per game

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      ATLETICO MADRID are attempting to avoid paying £34million for Antoine Griezmann – by only playing him for 28 minutes per game. The 31-year-old star is currently on loan at Atletico from Barcelona but has a contract stuffed with clauses.
      Griezmann has still netted two in three games despite his cameo appearancesCredit: Rex
      Atletico face having to pay £34m to buy him permanently if he plays more than half of their matches this season.
      This obligation is only reached if he plays a full 45 minutes of football in half the games.
      UOL report that to avoid activating the clause, Atletico are making sure to restrict his game time.
      The opening two LaLiga games saw him come off the bench at the same time and play for exactly 28 minutes.
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      In their most recent game at Valencia, Griezmann’s time on the pitch was fractionally less as he appeared on the 64th minute for the remaining 26 minutes of the game.
      Despite Diego Simeone limiting the Frenchman’s game time to very specific blocks, he has still managed to shine.
      He scored two minutes after coming off the bench against Valencia, while the opening game at Getafe saw him net 15 minutes from time.
      The only game he failed to make an impact in was the home loss against Villarreal, where Atletico had a player sent off.
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      It means Atletico have begun the season with six points from nine, with Real Madrid and Real Betis the only sides to make 100 per cent starts.
      Griezmann’s parent club Barcelona remain unbeaten on the field, but off the pitch the club continued to be mired in issues.
      Along with their creative attempts to ease their financial issues, the club have also clashed with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Martin Braithwaite over unpaid wages and contract terminations. More

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      Alexander Isak ‘REJECTED Man Utd transfer after advice from agent’ before sealing record £63m Newcastle move

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      ALEXANDER ISAK rejected Manchester United before sealing his record-breaking £63million Newcastle transfer, according to reports. The Swedish striker, 22, completed his move from Real Sociedad to St James’ Park on Friday.
      Alexander Isak snubbed Manchester United to join Newcastle this summerCredit: Getty
      But according to Mundo Deportivo, Isak had the chance to go to Old Trafford instead.
      It is said the Red Devils considered a substantial offer for the forward to try and lure him to the North-West.
      However, the report states advice from Isak’s agent led to the 37-cap international turning down Erik ten Hag’s advances.
      And United, therefore, did not make an official bid as they continue to hunt for a new forward – with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Victor Osimhen both targeted.
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      That meant there would be no immediate clash for Isak his former side.
      United host Sociedad in their opening Europa League group game on September 8 – less than two weeks after Isak’s exit from the club he joined in 2019.
      Instead, the new No14 chose the project at the mega-rich Magpies and is hoping to make his Newcastle debut tomorrow at Liverpool.
      Eddie Howe cannot select him until he has received his work permit.
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      So the Toon are doing all they can to secure clearance from the Home Office – with the paperwork needing to be done and sent to the Premier League by midday today.
      The Isak transfer smashed the £40m transfer records the club spent on Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.
      Speaking to Newcastle’s website, Isak said: “I’m delighted to have it done. It was a big, big decision for me but it is a decision I am really happy with.
      “It is a great, historical club that I think anyone would like to play for, with amazing fans.
      “They were a big part of why I came here – and also the club’s project, which is one that I really believe in.
      “You always want to go into a team and know how they play.
      “I think Newcastle play very attractive football and I want to be a part of that.” More