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    Top 10 highest paid LaLiga stars revealed with Real Madrid dominating list and outcast Gareth Bale raking in fortune

    GARETH BALE is set to quit Real Madrid in the summer – and possibly even retire.The Welsh golf-enthusiast, 32, has won it all for Los Blancos since his 2013 transfer from Tottenham.

    Bale has won four Champions League and two LaLiga crowns, scoring over 100 times in the process.
    Despite that, his relationship with Real Madrid fans has soured in recent years due to his constant injuries and controversial “Wales. Golf. Real Madrid. In that order” banner stunt.
    Not only that, Bale earns a whopping £550,000 A WEEK to mostly sit on the bench.. or physio’s table.
    That staggering figure – which equates to just shy of £30million per year – is comfortably the highest in LaLiga, despite his lack of action in recent seasons.
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    Bale’s contract expires this summer, with the ex-Spurs winger admitting he could even retire, depending on how Wales fare in their World Cup qualifying play-off final.
    And Real Madrid will be happy to get his pay off their books – with SIX of the top ten best-paid players in LaLiga at the club.
    Another former Premier League star turned LaLiga flop, Eden Hazard, sits second on the rich-list, level with Antoine Griezmann.
    The ex-Chelsea man and the Atletico Madrid star both pocket £490,000 per week from their respective clubs.
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    Karim Benzema is another Los Blancos star near the top of the pile, taking home £390,000 a week from the Bernabeu payroll department.
    Barcelona stalwart Sergio Busquets earns £370,000 per week, with Real veteran Toni Kroos on £360,000 weekly.
    Two more Real Madrid stars, Luka Modric and David Alaba, sit in the top ten – both earning £325,000 per week.
    They’re joined by Barca’s Jordi Alba and Atleti’s Jan Oblak in joint-seventh.
    But how do the LaLiga top earners compare to their colleagues in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1? More

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    Rudiger’s agent spotted in transfer talks with Barcelona as Chelsea fear losing hat-trick of stars to Spanish giants

    BARCELONA are planning a stunning hat-trick of transfer raids on Chelsea as they plot their way back to greatness.The Spanish giants have now entered the race as shock contenders to sign Blues’ defender Antonio Rudiger.

    Rudiger’s agent is claimed to have held talks with BarcelonaCredit: AP
    Rudiger’s agent Sahr Senesie, the player’s brother, held talks with Barcelona representatives on Wednesday.
    The two parties had a three hour meeting at a posh hotel in Barcelona’s centre less than 24 hours after Rudiger played for Germany in a friendly against Holland.
    Barcelona have been struggling with major cash flow problems in recent months.
    Yet the shock move for Rudiger also comes just two days after the club’s president Joan Laporta boasted that his side have already completed the signings of two big name players for the summer.
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    One is believed to be Rudiger’s team-mate Andreas Christensen.
    And Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also edging closer to a move to Spain despite having a contract extension automatically triggered.
    Rudiger and Christensen will be allowed to leave for free at the end of this season under the Bosman ruling.
    And insiders close to talks between Azpilicueta and Chelsea hinted that he may be released as a gesture of goodwill if he can find a better offer elsewhere.
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    Real Madrid and Juventus have been trying for months to lure Rudiger with huge money on offer and promises of building their futures around one of the most sought-after defenders in the world.
    Losing all three players to one club seems unthinkable but Chelsea are in a precarious position.
    Talks with Christensen over a new deal broke down weeks ago and now appears to be beyond repair.
    Rudiger and the club failed to agree terms for a contract extension and are at an impasse.
    Azpilicueta, 32, loves Chelsea and life in London but wants a long-term contract but the club will only offer 12 months.
    And sanctions imposed on Chelsea’s outgoing owner Roman Abramovich even mean they cannot negotiate new contracts with existing players as well as buy and sell others.
    Boss Thomas Tuchel does have rookies Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah coming through with more and more first team experience to help combat any loss of stars like Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen. More

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    Barcelona invite Lionel Messi to opening of new stadium but admit communication with legend is ‘no longer fluid’

    BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has invited ex-player and legend Lionel Messi to the inauguration of the revamped Nou Camp.However, the former Spanish politician admitted that his relationship with his former employee “isn’t as fluid as it once was”, but did say that the Argentine would “always be welcome back at the club, as it’s his home”.
    Joan Laporta has been talking about Barcelona’s revamped stadiumCredit: EPA
    Messi has been told he is welcome back at the Nou Camp – but not to playCredit: AFP
    Speaking to publication Esports RAC1, Laporta said: “My communication with Messi is no longer fluid but I’d love to have Leo here present with us during the inauguration of the new stadium.”
    The club recently approved plans for a £1.3billion revamp of their decaying ground that they hope to have completed in 2025.
    Messi left Barcelona last summer to join French side Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
    Speaking on the transfer, Laporta said the club had to act due to Barca’s money problems.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BOSS-ELONA .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}How Barcelona could line up next season with Kessie and Christensen ‘sealed’
    He said: “Camp Nou will always be his home. His departure to PSG? We did what we had to do [last summer].”
    Messi has struggled to replicate his electric form for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and has only scored two goals in Ligue 1 since arriving in the French capital.
    When asked about a possible permanent move back to the five-time Champions League winners, Laporta rebuffed any talk of a sensational reunion between the pair.
    He said: “There’s no conversation with Leo Messi over his potential comeback to Barça. The reality is that we’re not considering this possibility. Leo is Leo, he’s the best – but this kind of deal is not part of our plans.”
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    According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero Messi’s father Jorge Messi phoned up his old club to see if a move back to the Nou Camp was a possibility.
    Messi scored 672 times in 778 appearances at Barcelona and picked up a remarkable 34 trophies.
    It seems that now being a guest for the stadium opening will be the closest Messi comes to a return. More

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    Barcelona star Putellas says El Clasico at Nou Camp could be a ‘before and after moment’ for women’s game

    ALEXIA PUTELLAS reckons Barcelona’s historic battle with Real Madrid on home turf could be a watershed moment for women’s football.More than 90,000 tickets are reported to have been sold with punters set to pack out the Nou Camp for the Champions League quarters clash.
    Barcelona’s duel with Real Madrid at the Nou Camp could see the game set a new record for crowd attendance at a women’s football matchCredit: Getty
    And Forbes reports that very few tickets are currently on sale for the match which kicks off at 5:45pm this evening.
    It is thought the game at the ground, which has a 99,534 capacity, could break the record for the highest number of spectators at a women’s football match.
    That record was set back in 1999 at the Rose Bowl in the United States, when a 90,185-strong crowd turned out to watch the USA defeat China in the Women’s World Cup.
    For Putellas, 28, playing in front of tens of thousands of fans at a stadium she often visited as a child, is a dream come true.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DEAL ME IN .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Arsenal could offer Lacazette short-term contract as Barcelona and Lyon circle
    On Monday the Barca midfielder, a lifelong supporter of the club, told reporters: “This match will inspire many people.
    “They will see women play at Camp Nou and I’m sure that in the future the fruits of that will be reaped. 
    “Many girls will dream of being able to play on such a special stage.
    “It could be a before-and-after moment in women’s football.”
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    Barcelona, who defeated Madrid 3-2 in the first leg of the contest’s quarter-final tie, have been on a storming run on the domestic front.
    The LaLiga Women’s side won Spain’s top-flight title for the third season in a row after crushing Madrid in a 5-0 rout on March 23rd.
    And they did so after a league run that saw them win all 25 games they have played so far this term, scoring a whopping 138 goals.
    It comes almost nine months after they claimed their first Champions League crown after a 4-0 defeat of Chelsea.
    Their efforts saw Putellas win last year’s Ballon d’Or award as well being named Fifa’s Women’s Player of the Year.
    Putellas and her team-mates are targeting a second successive Champions League trophy winCredit: Getty
    The Barca captain added: “I didn’t picture myself playing in the Nou Camp as a girl as I only saw men playing there.
    “The game can open so many doors for so many girls and I feel proud Barca makes it possible.”
    Barcelona vs Real Madrid can be watched live from 5:45pm tonight on DAZN’s YouTube channel More

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    Liverpool told they can have Real Madrid winger Rodrygo for just £34m as Real Madrid prepare for transfer clearout

    REAL MADRID are rumoured to be open to hearing bids for Brazil winger Rodrygo Goes. And reports in Spain claim Liverpool are thought to be interested in the winger who is reportedly vying for a starting spot with Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard.
    Real Madrid are rumoured to be willing to hear offers for Rodrygo according to reportsCredit: Getty
    It is claimed the forward, 21, is among a number of Madrid players who could be set for summer exit from the Bernabeu.
    The club are reportedly keen to sign Erling Haaland, 21, and Kylian Mbappe, 23, with the strikers thought to be top targets for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
    It is rumoured Mbappe, who has been prolific in attack for Paris Saint-Germain, could be in line for a jaw-dropping salary of £800,000-a-week.
    Madrid, who play Celta Vigo next, are believed to be keen on establishing a formidable front three comprised of Haaland, Vincius Jr and Mbappe.
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    So far this season trio the trio have scored a combined total of 45 top-flight goals.
    Spanish news outlet Sport suggests Madrid may be willing to part company with some of their current crop of forwards in the next transfer window.
    Players include Luka Jovic, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and former Chelsea star Hazard.
    It is thought the club are open to selling Rodrygo for a fee of £34million.
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    This comes almost four years on from the starlet’s £45.6million (€54m) Madrid arrival from Brazilian outfit Santos.
    It was a move that made him one of the most expensive teenagers in world football.
    Rodrygo’s contract with the LaLiga leaders is set to expire in June 2025.
    The player has registered 11 goals and 18 assists in appearances for the Spanish side since his arrival as a 17-year-old in June 2018. More

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    Cesar Azpilicueta’s Chelsea contract has been extended after clause met… but could still leave in Barcelona transfer

    CESAR AZPILICUETA’S Chelsea contract has been extended thanks to a clause put in place BEFORE the club was hit with sanctions, according to reports.But the defender could still leave the club for Barcelona in a summer transfer.
    Cesar Azpilicueta has had his Chelsea contract extended but could still quitCredit: Getty
    Azpilicueta’s deal was due to expire at the end of this season.
    But as reported by The Telegraph, the Spaniard triggered an automatic extra 12 months by reaching the threshold for appearances in 2021-22.
    The terms of the arrangement were settled before the Blues were slammed with sanctions over Roman Abramovich’s ownership.
    That included being unable to sign players or pen new contracts.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BLUES NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Roman Abramovich attends Ukraine peace talks in Turkey after suspected poisoning
    However, as this was sorted in advance, it gets the green light.
    But Azpilicueta may still leave the club for free this summer.
    He has been heavily linked with Barcelona – alongside fellow Stamford Bridge defender Andreas Christensen.
    And therefore the current Chelsea captain could opt for a gentleman’s agreement and walk away for nothing.
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    Barca are desperate to land the experienced defender who has won everything available to him during ten successful seasons in West London.
    As well as his versatile defensive capabilities, he would be a useful leadership addition to Xavi’s young dressing room. More

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    Barcelona all but confirm signing Chelsea’s Christensen and AC Milan’s Kessie by announcing transfers for next season

    BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has all but confirmed the signings of Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.The pair are both out of contract in the summer and have been free to talk to foreign clubs since January.
    Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen has all-but been confirmed as a Barcelona signingCredit: Rex
    Barca are also understood to have secured the services of AC Milan midfielder Franck KessieCredit: Getty
    Denmark international Christensen has been heavily linked with a switch to the Nou Camp as he seeks a new challenge abroad.
    It has even been stated that such is his desire to join the Catalan club, he has rejected offers from other English sides due to his loyalty for Chelsea.
    Thomas Tuchel has already discussed Christensen’s imminent exit where he declared he is “not happy about it”.
    Meanwhile Barca made bringing Kessie to Spain a top priority as they looked to beat Arsenal and Manchester United in the race to secure his services.
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    It was reported earlier this week how the Blaugrana had reached a total agreement with the Ivory Coast international.
    And there were even claims that Kessie had completed a medical where he is due to pocket £105,000-a-week.
    Barca president Laporta has now revealed that the club have signed two players for next term, though he failed to name who.
    He told RAC1: “We’ve completed two signings for the next season.
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    “One is a midfielder, the other one is a centre-back.
    “But I’m not allowed to mention their names.”
    Commenting on his remarks, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Of course, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen deals are both fully agreed.”
    Laporta also commented on potential deals to sign Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, but played down either player joining.
    He said: “Haaland or Mbappe to Barça?
    “The conditions I’ve been told about these two deals… we’d never accept to spend those figures, no way. I see both of them really far from Barca.” More