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      Real Madrid president tried to move team to THEME PARK called RealMadridLand – with rollercoaster based on Zidane volley

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      REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez reportedly wanted to move the team to a Disneyland-style theme park.Perez first came up with the idea in 2004 but started to draw up plans for the project in 2017.
      Florentino Perez dreamed of building RealMadridLandCredit: EPA
      Perez wanted a rollercoaster based on Zinedine Zidane’s goal in the 2002 Champions League finalCredit: Splash
      According to a new book titled ‘Messi vs Ronaldo’, as reported by the Independent, Perez was keen to maintain Real’s position as the top club in the world amid the emergence of state-owned clubs Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
      There were also rising costs with Real Madrid’s wage bill increasing by 32 per cent in 2017 alone.
      Perez’s concept of a RealMadridLand sought to reinvent the club by moving away from the Bernabeu into a new complex that would include a new stadium, training ground and of course, rollercoasters.
      Disney executives were consulted and sketches were drawn up for rollercoasters based on famous club goals, such as Zinedine Zidane’s volley to win the 2002 Champions League final.
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      Michael Eisner, Disney CEO and owner of Portsmouth, worked with Perez but raised concerns over funding and the fact the training ground would be visible to rivals.
      The £1.2billion Perez sourced was deemed far too short of the £2.1bn required, with the Real president also unable to find a plot of land big enough to house the complex, which was also set to include hotels and conference centres.
      As well as the amusement park and new stadium, the training ground was planned to accommodate Real Madrid teams from the under sevens up.
      It was all part of Perez’s dream to maintain the club’s place at the top of the football pyramid, with the Spaniard also viewing the project as a “financial necessity”.
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      In a meeting with Disney bosses Perez is reported to have said: “In our world, we are as big as Disney.
      “Real Madrid must do things like this because we are the number-one club, and the only way we will remain there is by always being the first big innovator.”
      The Disney executives, including Eisner, spent three months examining the plans before returning to Perez with a list of concerns, and the idea was scrapped. More

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      Gerard Pique hilariously asks Busquets to untie knot in boots with Barcelona ace completely unprepared as he’s subbed on

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      GERARD PIQUE hilariously asked Sergio Busquets to untie a knot in the laces of his boot.That’s after being completely unprepared when called on as a sub for Barcelona.
      Gerard Pique needed Sergio Busquets to undo a knot in his laces after being unprepared as a sub
      Pique was wearing flip flops and no shin pads or socks when he was called upon after an injuryCredit: Getty
      The 35-year-old centre-back was seen on the bench without boots or shinpads on as Xavi called on him to replace the injured Jules Kounde 15 minutes from time.
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      But as it became clear Kounde was coming off, Pique was still sat down wearing flip-flops, as well as no socks or shin pads.
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      And as he slowly began to get ready, Pique called upon pal Busquets to help untie a knot in his boot laces.
      Commenting after the game, boss Xavi said: “Pique was not wearing boots nor shin guards because he didn’t expect to come on.
      “He had no time to warm up either.”
      It’s not the first time Pique has taken a casual approach to a game this season.
      He came under fire from fans earlier this month for a “shameless” warm-up against Villarreal.
      The Catalans kept the pressure on rivals Real Madrid with a 1-0 win over Valencia on Saturday.
      Robert Lewandowski scored in the 93rd minute to take his side one point behind the defending champs.
      Meanwhile, reports in Spain claim Pique may not be at Barcelona for much longer.
      It’s reckoned the Catalans are in talks with him and veteran left-back Jordi Alba to terminate their deals in January.
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      The pair are still owed £125MILLION between them on their remaining deals.
      But Barca hope to negotiate a lower pay-off in order to free up their wage bill for more signings. More

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      Real Madrid throw away lead to draw with Girona but return to top of LaLiga as Toni Kroos sees first-ever red card

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      REAL MADRID returned to the top of LaLiga on Sunday.That’s despite being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Girona.
      Vinicius Jr scored but Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by GironaCredit: Reuters
      Toni Kroos received his first-ever red card as Real returned to the top of LaLigaCredit: Getty
      The defending champs threw away a lead at the Bernabeu as they were pegged back with 10 minutes remaining.
      And the result was further overshadowed when star man Toni Kroos received his first-ever red card at the death.
      Carlo Ancelotti fielded his strongest available XI this afternoon, with Rodrygo in for the missing Karim Benzema.
      Real dominated possession in front of a buoyant home crowd desperate for a win following Tuesday’s defeat at RB Leipzig.
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      The hosts peppered Girona’s goal with an incredible 19 shots.
      But it wasn’t until the 70th minute when Real finally broke the deadlock through winger Vinicius Jr.
      Los Blancos then surged forward in order to put the game to bed.
      However, disaster struck in the 80th minute when Girona won a penalty for a Marco Asensio handball.
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      The spot-kick was calmly put away by Cristhian Stuani for 1-1.
      And the visitors proceeded to park the bus as Real piled on the pressure.
      Los Blancos thought they had won late in the day when Rodrygo fired home in the 89th minute.
      However, it was disallowed as the Brazilian was deemed to have kicked the ball out of the Girona goalie’s hands.
      Real’s bad day wasn’t over just yet either.
      That’s because Kroos was shown a second yellow in the 92nd minute as tempers boiled over.
      It was the German’s first-ever sending off and capped off another miserable day for Ancelotti’s Treble winners.
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      But despite the result, Real returned to the summit of LaLiga.
      They are one point above fierce rivals Barcelona, who beat Valencia 1-0 last night thanks to a 93rd minute strike from Robert Lewandowski. More

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      Franck Kessie’s agent slams ‘fake news’ linking ‘unhappy’ Man Utd target with exit six months after Barcelona transfer

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      FRANCK KESSIE’S agent has slammed rumours linking the midfielder with a move away from Barcelona as “fake news”.The 25-year-old joined Barca on a free transfer in the summer.
      Franck Kessie has started just two league games for BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Kessie joined Barcelona as a free agent in JulyCredit: Getty
      But he has started just twice in La Liga since arriving at the Nou Camp.
      Reports in Italy have even linked Kessie with a quick exit from Barcelona as soon as January, with former club AC Milan claimed to be keen.
      Now Kessie’s agent, George Atangana, has put those rumours to bed.
      Atangana told Mundo Deportivo on the links: “They are fake news, totally false.
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      “Kessie is very happy at Barca and in Barcelona.
      “He’s only been at the club for a few months and he’s still in the process of adapting to the team and the Barca style of play, which has nothing to do with the rest of the clubs, and, therefore, it takes time.”
      Manchester United were previously linked with Kessie before he decided to join Barca.
      But Atangana vowed Kessie will work hard to earn a place in Xavi’s team after turning down other offers in the summer in favour of the Spaniards.
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      Atangana continued: “Kessie will continue working to earn a place in the team. He is not a player who gives up easily.
      “He had other offers in the summer and bet heavily on Barca.”
      Kessie has played 12 times in total for Barcelona, but the majority of his appearances have from the bench. More

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      Real Madrid to launch fresh transfer bid for Arsenal star Jesus after pulling out of deal for ex-Man City ace over visas

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      REAL MADRID are set to launch a bid for Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus next summer, according to reports.The Brazilian was linked with the Spanish giants in the summer, only for them to pull out of the running.
      Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Madrid reportedly decided against the move because of an “issue with Jesus’ passport”.
      Despite this, he remains a player that boss Carlo Ancelotti admires.
      According to Goal, Jesus is on a five-man shortlist compiled by the Italian.
      They claim that Ancelotti sees him as a perfect understudy, and potential successor, to Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
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      Jesus, 25, contributed to Arsenal’s strong start to the season.
      The former Manchester City man has scored five goals in 11 Prem outings – also laying on four assists.
      Arsenal’s form has them second in the table, with the possibility of leapfrogging City back into top spot if they beat Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
      Also on Madrid’s shortlist are Alphonso Davies, Endrick, Enzo Fernandez and Piero Hincapie.
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      Earlier this month, Jesus told BT Sport of the bond he already feels with Arsenal fans.
      He said: “In the first days when I signed here I went to a Brazilian restaurant.
      “I was waiting in my car outside, and a lot of Arsenal fans came to say welcome to the club.

      “It is different at Manchester City of course. City have had a lot of impact in the last 10, 15 years. Arsenal before that had a lot. It’s different, you know.
      “I feel that welcome, the way they come to talk to me. They are supporting you to the end. Exactly.
      “I was happy with the fans at City as well, but it’s different.” More

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      Norwich star Marcelino Nunez wanted by LaLiga giants Sevilla in shock transfer just months after arriving at Carrow Road

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      NORWICH’S Chilean star Marcelino Nunez is being watched by Spanish giants Sevilla.The midfielder only joined the Canaries from Universidad Catolica in the summer but is already on the radar of the La Liga club.
      Marcelino Nunez has been an instant hit in the Championship for NorwichCredit: Alamy
      The Canaries would be stunned to lose Chile midfielder Nunez so quicklyCredit: Alamy
      Sevilla sent senior scout Jose Manuel Santos Hernandez to check out the 22-year-old, who has 10 caps to his name, last week as they consider a move for the South American.
      Meanwhile, Norwich may send Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah out on loan in the New Year after his progress has been stalled by injury.
      Derby County boss Paul Warne is a fan of the target man and tried to land him in his Rotherham days, so may go in again.
      Sevilla’s interest in Nunez comes as the Spaniards surprisingly struggle – lying fourth bottom in LaLiga and level on points with the drop zone.
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      Former Chile and Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli was appointed boss for a second time on October 6.
      That followed the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, who is now being targeted by Wolves for a THIRD time this month.
      The Spanish coach rejected the chance of his first taste of English football straight after Bruno Lage’s axing.
      But although Wolves looked at old boss Nuno Espirito Santo and QPR’s Michael Beale, they now hope to persuade Lopetegui to change his mind. More

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      Real Madrid fans all say same thing about Jude Bellingham transfer as Vinicius, Rodrygo & Militao land Spanish passports

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      REAL MADRID have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.Earlier this month, SunSport revealed that the Spanish giants were confident in winning the transfer race for the 19-year-old.
      Bellingham has been linked with a move to Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius have all been granted Spanish citizenshipCredit: Getty
      While Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are also pushing to sign the youngster, Real Madrid consider themselves in pole position to complete the deal, which is expected to be worth around £87million.
      Many fans are now convinced that Bellingham is Bernabeu-bound following the revelation that three Real Madrid stars have been granted Spanish passports.
      Brazilian trio Eder Militao, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo recently became citizens of Spain, meaning that there are three non-EU player spots now available in the squad.
      This opens up the opportunity for Bellingham – who is an English citizen – to join the club.

      Fans took to Twitter to react to the revelation, with one person writing: “Does this signing excite me? Very much. Did Real Madrid need an English player? Since a long time. Is Bellingham the ideal signing for 2023? Without a doubt.”
      Another added: “Let’s gooooo!!!!”
      While a third simply said: “Perfect timing.”
      Bellingham’s current contract with Borussia Dortmund expires in 2025, but he is expected to leave Signal Iduna Park next summer.
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      He made history earlier this month by becoming the youngest Bundesliga captain EVER as he stepped in as a replacement for Marco Reus and Mats Hummels.
      The midfielder is also on track to become one of the most expensive players in Bundesliga history. More

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      Barcelona eye Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante as replacement for Sergio Busquets with France star a free transfer next summer

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      BARCELONA are considering a move for Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, according to reports.The Catalan giants are set to be in the market for a midfielder next summer, when Sergio Busquets leaves.
      N’Golo Kante has only played twice this seasonCredit: AFP
      The legendary Spaniard has outlined his intention to depart his boyhood club upon the conclusion of his deal.
      According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Kante is Barca’s No1 target to replace Busquets.
      The Frenchman has played just twice for Chelsea this season, having suffered a hamstring injury against Tottenham in August.
      He briefly returned to training earlier this month, before suffering a devastating setback that will rule him out of the World Cup.
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      Kante, 31, is set to be out for four months – further complicating his contract situation at Stamford Bridge.
      The 2018 World Cup winner’s current contract expires at the end of this season – and he wants a three-year deal with an option for a fourth to renew.
      Chelsea are reluctant to offer him that length of deal, given his injury woes.
      Kante is reportedly willing to join Tottenham or Arsenal if he doesn’t get the deal he covets in West London.
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      But he could also move to Spain.
      In their hunt to replace Busquets, Barca have been linked with Ajax star Edson Alvarez.
      Although they will have to compete with Manchester United and Chelsea for his signature.
      On Kante’s latest injury setback, Blues boss Graham Potter said: “Again he’s due to see a consultant at the weekend. It’s a setback so it’s not good news. But anything other than that, at this stage I can’t give you any more.
      “Historically, there are things which have happened which are a concern and we need to get the bottom of that.
      “It’s a setback in the last stage of his rehab so again that’s worrying. But all we can do is get the right diagnosis, the right consultation and then try help him get back to full fitness and enjoying his football.”
      Sergio Busquets is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: AP More