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      Cicinho apologised to Sir Alex Ferguson for snubbing Man Utd transfer in 2005 to join Real Madrid’s Galacticos

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      FORMER Manchester United target Cicinho said sorry to Sir Alex Ferguson for once turning down a move to Old Trafford. The retired Brazilian right-back revealed last year he was close to signing for Manchester United in 2005 before Roberto Carlos’ intervention.
      Cicinho has apologised to Ferguson for snubbing the chance to join Man UtdCredit: AFP
      Cicinho opted to sign for Real Madrid, while Ferguson led United to trophy-after-trophy in a glittering era for Man UtdCredit: PA:Press Association
      Legendary left-back Carlos put in a call to Cicinho and convinced him to join Real Madrid at the eleventh hour.
      Recalling the saga on Instagram, Cicinho, 42, jokingly apologised to Ferguson, but admitted he couldn’t turn down the chance to be a part of Madrid’s star-studded line up.
      He wrote last December: “Today marks the 16th anniversary of my introduction to @realmadrid.
      “Sorry, Sir Alex Ferguson, but in 2005 @officialrc3 (Roberto Carlos) called Cicinho and in the moment I had to answer.
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      “He asked me if I wanted to come and play with him for the Galacticos.
      “It was almost all right for me to go to Manchester United, but how could I say no to the chance to be friends with Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, (Zinedine) Zidane, (Luis) Figo, (David) Beckham, Robinho, Raul, Julio Baptista, (Iker) Casillas, Sergio Ramos and so on?”
      Cicinho ultimately chose Madrid over Manchester, signing for a reported £3.5million from Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo.
      But it was Ferguson who had the last laugh, as Cicinho was shipped off to Roma after just 18 months and 32 appearances for the club.
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      He won a LaLiga title playing alongside the famous Galacticos, but failed to really establish himself in a side packed full of legends of the game.
      Earlier this year Cicinho revealed he “drank 10 beers a day” and turned up to training drunk while at the Bernabeu.
      He was capped 15 times by Brazil, but a promising career faded into mediocrity after his troubled time in Madrid.
      At Roma he had spells on loan with Villarreal and former club Sao Paulo, before joining Turkish side Sivasspor to once again link-up with old pal Carlos.
      But the former defender must be left thinking what could have been had he signed on the dotted line with Manchester United. More

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      Arsenal and Man Utd in transfer blow as Barcelona make Ruben Neves top target to replace Sergio Busquets

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      BARCELONA want to sign Ruben Neves as a replacement for Sergio Busquets next summer, according to reports.The Barca stalwart, 34, is set to leave Catalonia for Inter Miami next summer after 15 years in his boyhood club’s first-team.
      Ruben Neves is among Barcelona’s key targetsCredit: EPA
      Sergio Busquets is set to finally leave Barcelona after 15 yearsCredit: Getty
      Barca chiefs see midfield as an area of weakness and are eager to find a suitable replacement for such an important player.
      According to Catalan paper Sport, Wolves star Neves, 25, has emerged as a key target for Xavi and Co.
      Manchester United and Arsenal were both linked with the Portuguese ace over the summer, although neither got close to agreeing a deal.
      And now they may be gazumped by Barcelona.
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      Despite keeping Frenkie de Jong and recruiting Franck Kessie last summer, the LaLiga giants still feel the need for more options alongside Pedri and Co.
      With Neves’ contract at Molineux running until 2024, Barca feel that a deal should be simple enough to do.
      The two clubs have recent history in negotiating together, with Wolves having loaned Adama Traore back to his boyhood club in January.
      Barcelona also want to take advantage of their strong relationship with Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes.
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      Should they fail to agree a deal, however, they are claimed to like Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 23, as an alternate option.
      Zubimendi’s release clause currently stands at around £54m, but could soon rise to £80m if not met within a certain time frame.
      A previous report linked Barcelona with Jorginho, Rodri and Joshua Kimmich.
      The former is likely to be easier to get, with his Chelsea contract set to expire at the end of the season.
      But deals for Rodri and Kimmich would be much more complicated.
      Barca like Real Sociedad ace Martin ZubimendiCredit: Rex More

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      Watch as Eden Hazard dances with group of women at nightclub while on international duty with Belgium

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      EDEN HAZARD went clubbing to unwind while on international duty with Belgium.The Real Madrid star captained the Red Devils in Nation League matches against Wales and the Netherlands.

      Eden Hazard danced in a club with women
      The winger partied after playing twice for Belgium over the international break
      Hazard is hoping to go to the World CupCredit: Getty
      He also used his time away from his home in Madrid and his wife Natacha and four children to go partying.
      The winger was spotted in a nightclub dancing with girls while wearing a black t-shirt and baseball cap.
      He also shook hands with someone he knew and appeared to be loving life as he danced the night away.
      Hazard has struggled for game time at the Bernabeu this season but started both of Belgium’s matches and completed more than an hour in both games.
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      But he admitted he is in a “delicate situation” at Real Madrid ahead of the World Cup.
      He said: “There have been difficult times because I want to play and I don’t play.
      “I feel good at Real Madrid, I just play less. And when I play, I play well. It’s a delicate situation because I want to play more.”
      He then went on to add: “I know what I can do when I play.
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      “I want to play the maximum number of minutes and get to the World Cup in shape.”
      But some fans feel Hazard’s best days are behind him after a “worrying” training video emerged online.
      The former Chelsea star lacked the agility and dynamism he possessed at his peak and that means he may struggle to make Roberto Martinez’s side for the World Cup. More

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      Barcelona chief drops huge Lionel Messi free transfer hint with Argentina captain to decide future after World Cup

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      LIONEL MESSI’S future could see a return to Barcelona after the club’s vice president dropped a huge hint about his potential return. Barcelona and Messi parted ways in the summer of 2021 due to the Spanish giants’ crippling financial state.
      Lionel Messi’s future is up in the airCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Barcelona’s vice president Romeu has dropped a major hint about Messi’s returnCredit: Getty
      Messi then signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain, but with that contract expiring next summer speculation has been mounting on his future.
      SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday the 35-year-old has no concrete options currently on the table.
      But he is not worried about this as his focus is on trying to claim World Cup glory in Qatar with Argentina.
      However, Barcelona’s vice president has dropped a massive hint that they will make a move to re-sign La Pulga.
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      In an interview with El Matí de Catalunya Ràdio, Barca vice president Eduard Romeu revealed the return of Messi would be economically viable.
      He said: “If I came back, it would come for free, so I’m sure it would be viable. In any case, it’s a technical and player decision.”
      It is understood PSG want to retain the star forward by offering him a one-year extension, but they are yet to officially make the offer.
      Romeu later elaborated on how the structure of the club has changed both on and off the pitch and how this will accommodate Messi’s return.
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      He said: “We have completely changed the structure.
      “From having players with salary levels outside the market and an already large squad at the average age level, we have gone on to have players with projection and market levels, which will surely be important.
      “Without sounding presumptuous, we have saved Barca but we are not financially healthy and a lot of austerity and rigour are needed and there is a lot of work to do.
      “Barça will be healthy in five years. In the 2024-25 season we will be at the level that belongs to us.”
      He went on to reveal the club have cut £135million from their salary bill. More

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      Tottenham line up transfer move for Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak as Hugo Lloris’ long-term replacement

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      TOTTENHAM are lining upJan Oblak as a long-term replacement to Hugo Lloris, according to reports.The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has attracted the interest of boss Antonio Conte after impressing for years in Spain.
      Hugo Lloris is an injury doubt ahead of Saturday’s huge North London DerbyCredit: Alamy
      Oblak has impressive for years as Atletico Madrid’s no.1Credit: Reuters
      Spurs are believed to be putting into place a plan to replace Lloris, who has been at the club for over a decade now.
      The reliable Frenchman has made 425 appearances for the London club but his contract runs out in 2024.
      The Evening Standard reports that the 35-year-old is not expected to sign a new one and so Spurs are putting a long-term replacement plan in place.
      Top of their list is Oblak, who has been Atletico’s goalkeeper since 2014.
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      He has regularly been ranked as among the best keepers in Europe and played a crucial role in the Atletico team who won La Liga in 2021.
      The Slovenian also starred as the Spanish side reached the 2016 Champions League final.
      Conte and managing director Fabio Paratici have spoken about landing the stopper, but could find him difficult to prise away.
      Oblak’s contract runs until 2028, which offers Diego Simeone and the club security, and he reportedly had a release clause of £107m.
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      But the Standard reports that clause is believed to have been lowered significantly.
      Tottenham may face a fight from their Premier League rivals to secure Oblak’s signature.
      Manchester United are believed to be monitoring the 29-year-old’s situation closely, and could themselves be contemplating a move to replace a long-term keeper in David De Gea.
      While Chelsea have previously made contact with Oblak via their former goalkeeper and technical advisor Petr Cech during Frank Lampard’s reign. More

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      Antoine Griezmann wins Atletico Madrid Player of the Month despite only starting ONE MATCH as Barcelona spat continues

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      ANTOINE GRIEZMANN won Atletico Madrid’s Player of the Month despite starting just ONE MATCH, with the transfer spat with Barcelona still ongoing. The Frenchman, 31, rejoined Atletico from Barca on a two-year loan deal following an unsuccessful two years at the Nou Camp.
      Griezmann won Atletico’s Player of the Month awardCredit: Rex
      Despite Barca paying over £100million for Griezmann in 2019, they inserted a cut-price fee of £35m in his Atletico loan.
      However, that will only be triggered if the World Cup winner plays a certain amount of games.
      And to avoid triggering the buy option, Atletico have only played Griezmann for less than 30 minutes per match – which is under the threshold to be counted as a game in the terms.
      A new deal could be negotiated for around £22m to end the stalemate and give Griezmann the game time he deserves ahead of France’s world title defence in Qatar later this year.
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      Barca have threatened legal action against Atletico regarding their seeming exploitation of this loophole, and unless a deal is hashed out before January to sort it Griezmann may be recalled.
      Griezmann won Atletico’s Player of the Month for September, despite starting just ONE MATCH, paying testament to his bench cameos.
      He got a goal and an assist across all competitions in the month, including a last-gasp Champions League winner over Porto.
      Whether Atletico and Barca come to an agreement is yet to be seen.
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      But other clubs are starting to sniff around Griezmann.
      Premier League giants Manchester United, as well as Serie A title-chasing Juventus are said to be keen. More

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      Liverpool looking to land Memphis Depay in shock swap transfer with Roberto Firmino joining Barcelona

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      LIVERPOOL are eyeing an audacious swap deal to land Barcelona star Memphis Depay, reports suggest.Depay, 28, was heavily linked with a Barcelona exit over the summer.
      Memphis Depay was in action for the Netherlands over the international breakCredit: AFP
      Roberto Firmino playing for Liverpool in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      But with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving to join Chelsea instead, the Dutchman ended up staying at Barcelona to play second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski.
      However, this has not stopped rumours about his future at the Camp Nou.
      And the latest reports from Sport indicate there could be movement in the January window between him and Liverpool.
      The Reds are said to be plotting a swap deal for Depay with cult hero Roberto Firmino.
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      Firmino, 30, joined Liverpool in 2015, scoring 101 goals and registering 77 assists since.
      With less than a year left on his current deal though, they are keen to try and move him on.
      He has fallen down the pecking order with the arrival of Darwin Nunez and established stars such as Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
      Both Depay and Firmino share a similar player profile, and a swap deal in January could benefit all parties – as opposed to both clubs losing their respective players for nothing next summer.
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      Of course, Depay’s history as a former Manchester United player could mean his welcome from the crowd is less than warm.
      Firmino stepped into the starting XI brilliantly this season against Bournemouth, scoring twice and adding three assists.
      He then scored the equaliser one week later against Newcastle at Anfield.
      Depay has made the most of his rare starts, scoring in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Elche, albeit after starting on the left wing.
      Liverpool have also been eyeing up midfield reinforcements, with Jude Bellingham and Mosies Caicedo earmarked as their first choice transfer targets to rejuvenate their midfield. More

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      Shakira and Gerard Pique watch son play baseball but pair keep awkward distance after bitter split

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      POP SENSATION Shakira and her ex-footie star fella Gerard Pique were spotted watching their son play baseball – but kept well away from each other.The former couple both showed up to watch nine-year-old Milan in action on Saturday in Barcelona.
      Shakira kept a lengthy distance from her ex-Gerard Pique as they watched their son play baseballCredit: Splash
      The Barcelona defender was spotted with his mother watching the gameCredit: Splash
      Spanish World Cup winner Pique was decked out in a cap and denim jacketCredit: Splash
      The former partners stood at separate ends of the pitchCredit: Splash
      Barca defender Pique, 35, and the Colombian broke up this summer after 12 years together and are now finalising their bitter split.
      And the tension seemed to be in the air two days ago as they headed out to support their boy.
      Pique was spotted sat with his mother in one of the stands at the baseball venue, while Shakira attended the game with her own mom and some pals, who sat either side of her.
      She was then also even spotted sitting in the team’s dug-out.
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      The pair remained several metres apart throughout the afternoon and allegedly hardly looked at each other throughout the baseball game, according to TMZ Sport.
      And it was not until their other son Shasa, aged seven, went to say goodbye to Shakira that the ex-lovers went anywhere near each other.
      The singer, 45, has been rocked by Gerard’s new relationship with PR girl Clara Chia Marti, 23, who is believed to have met him while working on events at his sports investment firm Kosmos.
      Hips Don’t Lie hitmaker Shakira, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, has recently opened up about her break-up.
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      She spoke about their children Milan and Sasha being her “medicine” and said writing music is like her “therapy” during her “darkest hours”.
      Shakira met Gerard after he featured in the video to her song Waka Waka, released for the 2010 World Cup.
      The pair split in June, with the Colombian singer confirming a separation by releasing a statement.
      It was alleged by the Spanish media that Pique cheated on Shakira, although that has never been confirmed.
      But months after they went their separate ways, the ex-Man Utd star went public with his new relationship with student Clara – and was seen kissing her at the Summerfest Cerdanya festival in Catalonia.
      Meanwhile, Shakira is said to face up to eight years in jail if she is found guilty of an alleged £12million tax fraud.
      She has been accused of defrauding the Spanish treasury from 2012-2014.
      Shakira even took some time for herself as she sat in the dug-outCredit: Splash
      Shakira was at the game with her motherCredit: Splash
      Pique’s other son Shasa was also in attendance to watch his brother MilanCredit: Splash
      The couple before their bitter splitCredit: Getty More