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    Barcelona ‘line up Hector Bellerin free transfer’ with Arsenal outcast seen as cheap option for right-back slot

    BARCELONA are lining up Hector Bellerin as an option to fill in their squad’s right-back slot.Bellerin is out of favour at Arsenal and is pushing for a move away from the club for a fresh start.
    Hector Bellerin wants out at ArsenalCredit: Getty
    And this could come in the form of a move to Barcelona, who are now considering the Spaniard as a cheap option due to him being available on a free transfer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
    While Barcelona have activated a number of “economic levers” to bring players in this summer, departures remain a necessity.
    Among those earmarked to leave the club is full-back Sergino Dest, who Manchester United and Chelsea are targeting in a potential £17million move.
    Bellerin would represent a cost-effective and natural replacement for the Dutch-born American.
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    Dest has struggled to live up to expectations at the Nou Camp following his move from Ajax in 2020.
    Therefore, Bellerin, who was on loan at Real Betis last season, could come into the Barca set-up to replace the outgoing Dest for a fraction of the price.
    It has also now emerged Bellerin wants Arsenal to TERMINATE his £110,000 per week contract so he can make a return to Spain
    Bellerin was one time a part of Barcelona’s youth academy, but left for Arsenal in 2011.
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    For many years Bellerin looked set to be a star for the future, with his dazzling speed a deadly weapon for The Gunners across a number of campaigns.
    However, a cruciate ligament injury in 2019 saw Bellerin’s career stall until he was granted a loan move to Betis, where he made 32 appearances. More

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    Barcelona ‘ready to go to war with Martin Braithwaite’ as striker refuses transfer offers to leave cash strapped club

    BARCELONA are reportedly “ready to go to war” with Martin Braithwaite.That’s after the striker refused all transfer offers to leave his cash-strapped club.
    Martin Braithwaite is refusing transfer offers to leave BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Braithwaite, 31, is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp this summer.
    Barca have been splashing the cash on numerous big-name signings despite their financial problems.
    And the Spaniards now need to offload several big earners for registration purposes.
    Xavi Hernandez and Joan Laporta have made it clear to Braithwaite he is not in their plans for this season.
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    But the Denmark international has so far refused to rip up his contract, which has two years left to run.
    And Sport claims Braithwaite is now refusing to talk to interested clubs over a transfer.
    Braithwaite insists he will only leave if he is paid his £98,000-a-week wages for the next two years in full.
    But Barca have no intention of meeting his demands.
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    And the club is now ready to do whatever it takes to offload Braithwaite before his salary counts towards LaLiga’s limits for this season.
    Barcelona are now exploring legal options that will allow them not to pay his entire contract.
    And they are also considering terminating Braithwaite’s deal on transfer deadline day to leave him without a club until January.
    The former Middlesbrough man has been at Barcelona since February 2020 after a shock move from Leganes.
    He has gone on to score ten goals in 58 games.
    But with Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay all battling for a place in attack, Braithwaite’s chances of playing again for Barcelona are virtually zero. More

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    Watch David Alaba score stunning free-kick with first touch to win Real Madrid match against Almeria

    REAL MADRID star David Alaba scored a worldie with his first touch of the league season.The Austria international, 30, came straight off the bench to bury a free-kick and seal Madrid’s 2-1 win over Almeria on Sunday night.
    Alaba headed onto the pitch as a substitute to immediately score the winner from a delightful free-kickCredit: Getty

    In the 73rd minute, Los Blancos were given the chance on the edge of the Almeria box as Modric was fouled.
    Alaba was waiting to be substituted when the kick was awarded.
    The defender immediately ran to where the ball was placed and insisted on taking it.
    His left-footed curler found the top corner, brushing the post on it’s way in and sending Real ahead.
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    The Champions League winners went in behind at half time as former Man Utd prospect Largie Ramazani scored after six minutes.
    But Lucas Vasquez netted on the hour mark to pull things back and set up Alaba’s magic moment.
    The La Liga TV commentator and ex-Barcelona man Andrea Orlandi stated: “What an introduction! Alaba doesn’t need to warm up.”
    The game remained 2-1 to the team from the capital, who took home all three points.
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    Meanwhile, boss Carlo Ancelotti has doubled down on retiring when he departs Real Madrid.
    The 36-year-old Italian boss is under contract until 2024.
    Ancelotti didn’t quite rule out signing a new deal but confirmed the Spanish giants will be his last club.
    He told Il Messagero: “This stage at Madrid will bring an end to my career. After Real Madrid, I will retire.
    “Real Madrid is at the very top of football. It makes sense to call it a day after this experience.” More

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    Fans are all saying the same thing as Bernardo Silva posts cryptic tweet as Barcelona transfer rumours swirl

    MANCHESTER CITY fans believe Bernardo Silva could be on his way to Barcelona next week after the Portuguese playmaker posted a cryptic message on Twitter.Silva, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp since last summer.
    Silva posted a cryptic tweet, possibly hinting at a move awayCredit: Getty
    But, Barcelona’s financial status has prevented a deal from ever being completed.
    Now, after agreeing to sell their TV rights in order to raise funds, the La Liga giants could finally be in a position to commit to a bid.
    Man City are claimed to be demanding a fee of around £80million for their midfield maestro, so Barca chiefs will have to pull out all the stops to push the deal across the line – especially after spending big on signing Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Joules Kounde.
    However, City fans believe that Silva has already said his goodbyes to the club.
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    The Portugal international sent out a cryptic tweet to thank fans for their support after Man City’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
    It read: “A great performance from the team and a fantastic atmosphere!
    “I would also like to thank everyone at the stadium for those beautiful moments of love and support you guys showed me.”
    Many City fans had the same thing to say about the ambiguous message.
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    One person replied: “Why does this sound like a goodbye?”
    Another added: “Looks like a farewell message.”
    A third said: “What are you trying to say?”
    While other supporters begged him not to make the move, with one person writing: “I couldn’t believe the atmosphere when you came on yesterday, we sang your name nonstop for 20 minutes.
    “We really want you to stay. The fans adore you and you’re one of the top players in one of the best teams on earth.
    “Throwing that away to join that mess in Barcelona? Crazy.”
    Another tweeted: “Thank you for those moments, Bernardo, thank you for everything.
    “You did an excellent job during your time with Man City. Best of luck on your next trip.”
    Silva joined Man City in a £43m transfer from Monaco five years ago.
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    Since his arrival he’s scored 48 goals and assisted 50 in 252 appearances.
    The Portugal star has also won four Premier League titles and one FA Cup with the club. More

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    Xavi ‘asks for Barcelona to re-sign Messi in shock transfer return from PSG’ after struggles against Rayo Vallecano

    BARCELONA boss Xavi has asked the club to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.Messi, 35, joined PSG in a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, but he failed to reach the same heights that he did while in Spain.
    Xavi wants Messi to return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    In 37 appearances for the Parisians he’s scored 14 goals and assisted 16, but many fans have been unimpressed with his performances.
    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was BOOED off the pitch following PSG’s 3-0 win against Bordeaux earlier this year.
    And some fans even urged him to quit the club in a graffiti message plastered across the Camp des Loges training ground.
    Meanwhile, Barcelona are pushing to climb back to the top of La Liga after finishing 13 points behind league champions Real Madrid last season.
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    Despite already spending big this summer, the Catalan giants only managed to claim a point from their opening league game of the 2022-23 campaign.
    They were held to a 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano on Saturday with new forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both failing to get on the scoresheet.
    As a result, Xavi is now eager to bring in at least two more attacking players.
    And according to Spanish football reporter Guillem Balague, he wants Messi to return to the Nou Camp.
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    Xavi is already known to be interested in signing Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who has not denied rumours of a proposed £80million move to Spain, but now Messi has emerged as a top target.
    Balague tweeted: “Clearly the midfield of Barcelona, with the exception of Pedri, has not got the subtle touch/thinking necessary to play as Xavi wants, to find the right tempo, to feed forwards (and Busquets has played his best football).
    “Hence Xavi wanting Bernardo Silva (and asking for Messi).”
    The Argentina legend’s father and agent Jorge Messi was claimed to be on the phone to Barca chiefs repeatedly at the start of the year in a bid to negotiate a return for his son.
    Messi’s PSG contract expires next summer, so it will likely cost his former club to bring him back.
    But, Barcelona are currently in a financial crisis so some current players will have to be offloaded before another deal can be pushed through.
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    Officials are currently attempting to force Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay out of the club in a bid to free up space on the wage bill.
    And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also depart just eight months after signing – he is being targeted by Chelsea. More

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    Juventus closing in on Memphis Depay transfer with striker ‘set to have Barcelona contract terminated’

    JUVENTUS are reportedly on the verge of signing Memphis Depay on a free transfer from Barcelona.Depay, 28, has been told by Barca chiefs that he is surplus to requirements.
    Depay is set to join Juventus after having his Barcelona contract terminatedCredit: Getty
    The La Liga giants have already stripped the striker of his No.9 shirt following the arrival of Robert Lewandowsi, who joined the club in a £42.5million transfer from Bayern Munich last month.
    And now they are attempting to force him out in order to reduce the wage bill.
    Depay’s representatives are currently attempting to negotiate a deal with club officials which would see his contract terminated.
    He would then have the chance to move elsewhere on a free transfer.
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    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Dutchman could be on his way to Juventus.
    The Italian giants are currently in talks with Depay and his agent regarding a potential move.
    And the two parties are claimed to be close to reaching a verbal agreement.
    Tottenham were also interested in signing the forward, but Juventus are now clear frontrunners in the transfer race.
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    Depay joined Barcelona last summer and signed a two-year deal upon his arrival.
    He has since scored 13 goals and assisted two in 36 appearances for Xavi’s side.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also be on his way out just eight months after joining the club.
    The former Arsenal striker is being targeted by Chelsea. More

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    Thomas Tuchel says he ‘NEVER had an issue’ with Chelsea transfer target Aubameyang in dig at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

    CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel appears to have taken a sly dig at Mikel Arteta over his handling of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.Aubameyang was frozen out at Arsenal last season following a disciplinary issue in December.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thomas Tuchel enjoyed great success together at Borussia DortmundCredit: Reuters
    Following another window of significant investment, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal look set to seriously challenge for a place in the top fourCredit: Getty
    The ex-Gunners captain was then allowed to join Barcelona in the following January, where he scored 13 goals in 23 games.
    Tuchel oversaw Aubameyang’s most prolific period in his career so far, with 79 goals and 17 assists in 95 games at Borussia Dortmund.
    Speaking ahead of his side’s crunch London derby against Tottenham, Tuchel said: “I enjoyed a lot working with him. It was a pleasure.
    “This has nothing to do with the situation now, but some players stay your players because you were very, very close. We had a very close relationship.
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    “‘I don’t follow the press about Auba. I don’t know if he has a good press or bad press, I couldn’t care less.”
    It was revealed in Arsenal’s All or Nothing series that Arteta had a file on all of Aubameyang’s “misdemeanours” while he was in charge at the club.
    Asked about the docuseries’ revelations, Tuchel added: “I never experienced none of this.
    “This has nothing to do with the situation at Arsenal which I will also not comment on out of respect. At Dortmund, there was never an issue”
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    Tuchel and Aubameyang could soon be set to reignite their relationship at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea rumoured to be interested in signing the player from Barcelona.
    However, it is understood Barcelona will only allow one of Aubameyang or Memphis Depay to leave the club, with their preference being to keep Aubameyang to play as Robert Lewandowski’s understudy.
    SunSport columnist Piers Morgan accused Arteta of “humiliating” Aubameyang, and linked the ill-timed loss of the attacker to why the club missed out on top four. More

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    Frenkie de Jong ‘has told Barcelona dressing room that he could join Man Utd’ and is ‘very angry’ with Spanish club

    FRENKIE DE JONG has told the Barcelona dressing room he could join Manchester United, according to reports.And it is said the Dutch midfielder is “very angry” with the Nou Camp club.
    Frenkie de Jong is said to be unhappy with the way Barcelona are treating himCredit: Getty
    De Jong, 25, has been at the centre of the biggest transfer saga of the summer.
    Manchester United have been chasing him all the way through the transfer window before Chelsea looked on course to hijack a possible deal by reportedly agreeing a deal.
    But for most of the summer, De Jong has wanted to stay at Barca.
    However, SPORT in Spain now state the midfielder has admitted to team-mates in the locker room he could be on his way to Old Trafford.
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    De Jong was desperate to play Champions League football this season but could be willing to forgo that demand.
    The ex-Ajax star is still owed millions in unpaid wages which he wants settled before his future is resolved.
    But the report adds he is now growing increasingly furious with the way the club are treating him and putting pressure on him to leave.
    De Jong was given an ultimatum earlier in the summer that he had to take a wage cut or agree to be sold.
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    And now his patience at the club appears to have finally worn out.
    A fee of around £72million has already been agreed between United and Barca, who are keen to sell one of their valuable assets to raise much-needed funds.
    However, personal terms would still need to be sorted.
    The transfer would be a major boost to Red Devils chief Erik ten Hag, who has once again stated his desire for more signings before deadline day.
    And Thomas Tuchel would need to find an alternative central midfielder if he misses out on the 44-cap international – despite looking like a deal was on the verge of being completed.
    As it stands, De Jong is included in the 23-man matchday Barcelona squad to face Rayo Vallecano tonight.
    New arrivals Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha are also involved despite fears over LaLiga registration. More