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    Barcelona interested in Benjamin Pavard transfer with Bayern Munich full back’s contract expiring in 2024

    BARCELONA are considering making a move for Bayern Munich star Benjamin Pavard, according to reports.The right-back’s contract at the German champions expires in 2024 and he supposedly would like to leave the club.
    Benjamin Pavard is reportedly ready to leave Bayern Munich with his deal running outCredit: Getty
    Barcelona are keen to sign a full-back with nobody consistently nailing down the spot in the starting XI this season.
    Sergi Roberto has featured 11 times on the right side of the defence this campaign but his contract ends at the end of this season.
    Former Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin was signed by Barca in the summer to play there but he has made just four appearances since arriving at the Nou Camp.
    Jules Kounde has had to fill in at right-back despite predominately being a centre-back.
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    Xavi reportedly sees adding a new full-back to the squad as a priority and Pavard could be his first choice, claim outlet Sport, after scoring against his potential new employers.
    The 26-year-old has starred for Bayern since joining them in 2019.
    He has featured 136 times winning the Bundesliga three times and the Champions League once.
    But the French World Cup winner is ready to quit the club in the summer in seek of a new challenge.
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    If a deal for Pavard does not materialise then they could potentially turn their attention to Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot.
    Barcelona could be set for another busy window at the end of the season amid talks regarding legend Lionel Messi and a plethora of midfielders.
    Messi could be set to join Inter Miami and is reportedly ignoring calls from Barcelona who want to bring him ‘home’.
    The Catalan giants have also been linked with Jorginho, Bruno Guimaraes and Ruben Neves. More

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    Barcelona ‘line up Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’ as next boss as pressure on Xavi heats up after Champions League exit

    BARCELONA are reportedly considering Mikel Arteta as their next boss.That’s as pressure ramps up on Xavi Hernandez following last week’s Champions League exit.
    Barcelona boss Xavi is feeling the heat after last week’s Champions League exitCredit: Getty
    Club chiefs are eyeing Arsenal’s Mikel Areta if a change is needed further down the lineCredit: Getty
    Former Man City assistant Arteta is shining in the Emirates dugout this season.
    He has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.
    And Sport claims Barcelona chiefs are keeping tabs on Arteta after being impressed.
    Current Nou Camp boss Xavi is under the spotlight after seeing Barca crash out of Europe’s top competition in the group stage.
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    The cash-strapped Catalans were banking on a major pay day from the knockouts after a summer splurge.
    It’s reckoned the early exit will set Barcelona back at least £20million, plus add-ons they could have had later down the line.
    And there will now be more pressure on Xavi to deliver in the league, with Barca one point behind leaders Real Madrid.
    However, club chiefs are still backing their former midfielder to deliver.
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    And Arteta is instead seen as a future option should a change become necessary.
    That’s good news for Arsenal, who hope their ex-player can deliver a first Premier League title since the Invincibles in 2004.
    As for Xavi, he admits he is fully aware of the consequences if he doesn’t deliver trophies after signing stars including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
    He said: “With the effort made by the club and the squad we have, we have to compete for trophies.
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    “And if we don’t win, as the president said, there will be consequences, starting with me.
    “But if we don’t win, another coach will come in. But I am going to give everything so that this works.” More

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    Barcelona star Gerard Pique’s £17.25m hotel build delayed after 250 graves found in ground in gruesome discovery

    BARCELONA star Gerard Pique’s £17.25million hotel build has been delayed after 250 graves were shockingly found on the grounds.In 2015, Spanish defender Pique bought the land located on the Costa del Sol in Malaga.
    Pique’s hotel build is going to be delayed while studies take placeCredit: Getty
    And he is planning to open up a hotel complex there as part one of his many off-field business ventures.
    But Marca are now reporting that work on the project is set to be delayed until at least next year following the gruesome discovery.
    Archaeologist Alberto Cumpian said: “We have excavated about 250 tombs, of which the vast majority are empty.
    “Possibly, the tombs were never used, and are not valuable enough to be preserved.
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    “It is one of the largest necropolises in the country.”
    Studies are now expected to be carried out to determine what century the graves are from.
    The building of the hotel should then be able to resume at the beginning of 2023.
    Pique has been in the headlines a lot over recent weeks following his split from popstar partner Shakira – who he has two children with.
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    And the separation took a strange turn last month when it was revealed the Barcelona star may be forced to have his ex’s name on his shirt.
    Reports in Spain say Shakira could benefit from the club’s sponsorship with Spotify.
    She recently released her new single Monotonia and has already sparked speculation it reflects her acrimonious split with Pique after 11 years.
    Barcelona-based sports journalist Moises Llorens’ claims a deal is close to being sealed with the singer-songwriter which would see her feature on the Barcelona shirt.
    Despite the difficult situation with Shakira, Pique has already moved on and is dating Clara Chia Marti, 23. More

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    Lionel Messi ‘ignoring calls from Barcelona’ with old club desperate to seal return despite Inter Miami transfer talks

    LIONEL MESSI is IGNORING calls from Barcelona as he holds talks over a sensational transfer to Inter Miami, reports suggest. The legendary Argentine has been linked with a switch to the MLS side when his current contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer.
    Lionel Messi is said to be ignoring phone calls from Barcelona’s presidentCredit: Getty
    This is despite the clear desire of former club Barcelona to bring him back – with their season once again threatening to capitulate.
    And according to Spanish outlet Sport, Messi has even been ignoring phone calls from a close negotiator to club president Joan Laporta – which would doubtless come as a huge blow to their ambitions.
    Messi, 35, seems to have finally hit his stride in Paris, with 12 goals and 13 assists in just 17 games this season.
    And while PSG would also like to keep him for longer, most reports on Messi’s future see it pointing elsewhere.
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    Inter owner David Beckham hinted at a possible move for Messi months ago.
    With this plan now out in the open the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG star’s MLS franchise is said to be growing “increasingly confident” about securing Messi’s services.
    Miami already plays host to a $9million apartment for Messi, who previously admitted a desire to one day play in America.
    Messi has confirmed that the Qatar World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament.
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    And as fate would have it, his 1000th career appearance could well be the final – though he would need to miss a few games between now and then to make that coincidence a reality.
    He “scared millions” earlier this month after going down and appearing to be injured – only for him to tie up his laces instead.
    The former Barca man recently overtook the record of Brazilian great Pele for the most goals and assists ever. More

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    Man Utd arrange La Liga friendly during World Cup with likes of De Gea, Martial and Sancho set to miss out on Qatar

    MANCHESTER UNITED have arranged to play a friendly during the World Cup. The fixture, announced by United on Monday, will see them face off against La Liga side Cadiz CF in December.
    Erik ten Hag’s side will face Cadiz in a friendly over the winter breakCredit: Reuters
    David de Gea will be among the high-profile names expected to be involvedCredit: Alamy
    United will not be involved in a competitive match for well over a month due to the tournament in Qatar.
    The club’s final fixture before the break comes on November 13 against Fulham before their next Premier League game on December 27 when they host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
    However, if United beat Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup third round they will be forced to contend with a fourth-round fixture on December 20 or 21.
    The Spanish side will play host to United at the Nuevo Mirandilla Stadium on December 7.
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    The game will come as Erik ten Hag takes his remaining squad out to Spain for a week-long warm-weather training camp.
    The likes of David de Gea – who failed to make Spain’s 55-man preliminary squad list – will be among a number of high-profile names who are set to miss out on a spot at the World Cup.
    Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek are expected to be a part of this group.
    Meanwhile, Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga are also set to be involved due to their respective nations failing to qualify.
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    United football director John Murtough said: “Erik and the team have made good progress during this first half of the season, and it is important we maintain this momentum coming out of the World Cup break.
    “A winter training camp will be a vital part of the team’s preparations for the second half of the season.
    “We have lined up a high-quality local opponent to play against, ensuring match fitness and sharpness is retained.
    “The camp and game will also allow for some of our young talent to experience training and playing in a first-team environment, as well as provide entertaining club football for fans.”
    Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek have seen playing time limited ahead of the World CupCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    Neither Victor Lindelof nor Scott McTominay will be at the World Cup after their countries failed to qualifyCredit: Getty More

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

    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

    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

    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