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      Andres Iniesta’s fairy tale Japan transfer becoming a nightmare with Barcelona legend on brink of being RELEGATED

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      BARCELONA legend Andres Iniesta is in danger of being relegated in Japan with Vissel Kobe as his fairy tale Asian adventure threatens to turn into a nightmare.The 38-year-old, who is in his fifth season at the Misaki Park Stadium having joined in 2018, is the current captain of the Cows.
      Andres Iniesta has been plying his trade in Japan with Vissel Kobe since 2018Credit: AP
      Since arriving from Barcelona four years ago, Iniesta has chipped in with 26 goals in 126 games where he has been a key figure.
      He has won both the Emperor’s Cup – the Japanese equivalent to the FA Cup – as well as the Japanese Super Cup where he scored in the penalty shootout victory against Yokohama F. Marinos.
      Those trophies are the only pieces of silverware that Vissel Kobe have claimed in their 56-year history.
      But his love affair in Kobe could soon be about to change with Vissel dropping into the bottom three of the J1 League with nine games to go.
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      They currently occupy 16th spot, which would see them compete in a play-off against the J2 playoffs-winning team for the chance to play J1 football.
      Vissel only sit two points clear of 18th spot having won just one out of their last four matches.
      And to make matters worse, Takayuki Yoshida’s side have just been knocked out of the AFC Champions League in the quarter-finals stages to South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
      Iniesta has failed to feature in any match in Asia’s premier competition this season due to repeated injuries.
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      He was on the bench for the Round of 16 victory against Yokohama last week, but was omitted from the squad that lost 3-1 to Jeonbuk on Monday.
      Despite being hampered by injuries in 2022, Iniesta has still chipped in with three goals and as many assists in 25 games in all competitions.
      Retirement is not yet on the player’s mind with Iniesta tied down at Vissel until January 2024.
      He will now be hoping his former Blaugrana team-mates Bojan and Sergi Semper help inspire Vissel to avoid a humiliating relegation after they finished third last term. More

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      How Casemiro will fit in to Man Utd XI with ex-Real Madrid star unleashing Fred and finally getting best out of him

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      JUST a few days ago there seemed little chance of Casemiro leaving Real Madrid.  Why would he want to rock the boat just a few months before the Qatar World Cup?
      Casemiro of Real Madrid is on his way to join Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Manchester United’s Fred could benefit from the arrival of his Brazilian teammateCredit: AP
      In an ideal universe, the offer from Old Trafford would have come in the January transfer window but that is not the way that things have worked out.
      The horror show against Brentford has highlighted the urgency of Manchester United’s needs.
      True, the long-term aim of Erik ten Hag may well be a dynamic, high pressing side – a model of play for which Casemiro is not a natural fit. 
      But the short term necessity is to balance out the side – a need which may extend into the next couple of seasons as United rebuild.
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      Brazil coach Tite refers to Casemiro as his “competitive leader.” And it is certainly that type of temperament that United could do with at the moment. 
      The 30-year-old midfielder is not the quickest or the most mobile.
      However, he has excellent awareness of what is going on around him allowing him to plug defensive gaps while also transferring the ball quickly and efficiently to the front players.
      A fascinating aspect of Casemiro’s move to Old Trafford is the effect this could have on his Brazil midfield partner Fred.
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      He is much maligned by the Premier League pundits and it is unfortunate that they do not see more of him for Brazil. 
      He is coming under pressure for his place from Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle, but for the time being Fred is first choice on merit after a sequence of good displays.
      It is striking how much more freedom he enjoys when he wears the yellow shirt. 
      Fred, 29, is able to use his lung power to link up with the strikers, and even run beyond them. 
      Brazil’s coaching staff have a healthy admiration for him, as the type of unselfish player who makes those around him look better.
      They also suspect that he can be too nice for his own good and has reigned in too much of his natural box-to-box game for Man Utd because he has been asked to do so.
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      The balance of Fred’s game could be about to change. There is no doubt now about who is going to do the holding midfielder.
      Casemiro will sit in front of the back four, probably not too far away from the centre-backs. Once he has bedded in, the division of responsibilities will be much clearer. Casemiro holds, Fred can run on.
      The ideal midfield trio of functions has one to get the ball, one to give it and one to go. In this case they win possession collectively, Casemiro gives the forward pass and Fred makes the forward burst.
      The news of Casemiro heading to Manchester United has come as a huge surprise. Nowhere will that news have been greeted more warmly than in the house of United’s No.17 Fred.
      Casemiro has earned 63 international caps in his glittering careerCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Watch as raging Mario Hermoso storms into stands to confront Atletico Madrid fans after defeat to Villarreal

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      ATLETICO MADRID defender Mario Hermoso was involved in an extraordinary bust-up with the club’s fans after a LaLiga defeat on Sunday.The five-cap Spain defender had to be restrained as he furiously tried to confront hecklers in the stands after a 2-0 loss to Villarreal.
      Atletico’s Mario Hermoso confronts their Ultra fans on SundayCredit: Getty
      Team-mates tried unsuccessfully to stop the 27-year-old from climbing over advertising hoardings to confront Atleti’s Ultras.
      The ugly clash is then brought to an end when stewards and police intervene to bring him back onto the pitch.
      It happened after Diego Simeone’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat which has left them three points behind the early LaLiga leading pack.
      Reports in Spain claim Hermoso was left furious by comments aimed at his French team-mate Antoine Griezmann.
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      It is thought those jibes came from a supporter who had stayed behind with dozens of others to berate the players for a poor display.
      Hermoso can been seen shouting at someone before shrugging off those restraining him to square-up to whoever had enraged him.
      It all happened as bottles and other missiles rained down on him from the stands at the Wanda Metropolitano.
      Other Atleti stars can be seen looking on in disbelief as it all unfolded during their post-match warm-down.
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      Hermoso was an unused sub while on-loan Barcelona striker Griezmann came on to replace Marcos Llorente just after the hour mark.
      Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno scored late goals to seal Villarreal’s win and Atleti saw Nahuel Molina sent off in stoppage-time for a foul on Alex Baena. More

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      Fans all say the same thing as Casemiro breaks down in tears in Real Madrid farewell ahead of Man Utd transfer

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      FANS are all saying the same thing after Real Madrid star Casemiro broke down in tears during his farewell speech ahead of his move to Manchester United. The Brazilian midfielder said an emotional goodbye to the club he has been at since 2013.
      Casemiro is on his way to join Man Utd
      The Brazil star was visibly emotional in his farewell speech to Real Madrid
      His wife also cried
      Tears flowed for the whole family as his eldest daughter was also emotional
      As he begun to cry, fans saw the an opportunity to poke fun at his new club with one saying: “Casemiro is crying because he has to move to Man Utd.”
      The same comment was repeated by many: “Just found out he is going to United.”
      Social media continued to react: “He’s crying not because he’s leaving Madrid. He’s crying because he will have to play in midfield along with McFred.”
      The banter kept coming, even United fans themselves joined in saying: “Can’t tell if he’s crying because he’s a class act or the fact that Harry Maguire will now captain him.”
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      In his farewell speech Casemiro spoke of his admiration for Los Balncos saying: “This is Real Madrid. When you win, you have to win again; when you lose, it’s worth nothing.
      “My value is that I always gave it my all inside the pitch. I will always continue to be a Real Madrid fan.
      “I’m going to, the biggest team in the world and that can compete with the greatness of Real Madrid, although now it doesn’t.
      “I haven’t spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo, I hope he stays because he’s one of the best players in all the time.
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      “I want to bring my values ​​to Manchester United, everything that Real Madrid taught me, to win from day to day, from every training session.
      “At 30 years old, I am in the best moment of my career I enjoy everything I have.
      “My mother taught me that there are no mountains you can’t climb. That’s how I face what’s coming.
      “I’m like an 18-year-old. I’d play tonight against Liverpool if it was up to myself. I’m excited about the challenge of working to win again.
      “New challenges, a new club, another country, another culture. I arrive with all the enthusiasm in the world
      “Those who think I’m leaving for money is because they don’t know me.”
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      Casemiro, 30, is set to fly to Manchester today and be unveiled as a new signing at Old Trafford tonight before his new club take on Liverpool.
      The transfer was not completed in time for him to feature versus Jurgen Klopp’s side due to visa issues resulting in a delay.
      Former Real Madrid star Raphael Varane supposedly played a key role in convincing the five-time Champions League winner to join him at United.
      Casemiro played for Real Madrid 336 times scoring 31 goals forming part of an iconic midfield trio with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
      Erik ten Hag has allowed around £60million of his budget to be spent on Casemiro and he is set to be one of the highest earners at the club on around £375,000-a-week.
      The United boss has been keen to strengthen his options after a woeful start to the season.
      He has pursued Frenkie de Jong all summer but moved quickly to snap up Casemiro, they maintain interested in the Barca star too. More

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      Barcelona have 10 days to register Jules Kounde or risk losing him for FREE as he misses Real Sociedad clash

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      BARCELONA have just TEN DAYS to register new signing Jules Kounde or face seeing him leave on a FREE.The 23-year-old Spaniard joined the Catalan giants at the end of last month after Sevilla agreed to a transfer worth up to £46million.
      Kounde is still waiting to make his competitive debut for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      But Barcelona’s perilous financial situation has left them struggling to register their new signings.
      Last week, Xavi’s men did finally register four of their latest acquisitions in Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen.
      But Kounde was not included in that group and has been made to wait while Barca attempt to raise funds.
      Now it has been confirmed that he will NOT be eligible to play against Real Sociedad on Sunday evening.
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      That is because LaLiga require the club to balance their books before Kounde can be registered.
      Barca had hoped the sale of Memphis Depay to Juventus would go some way to achieving this.
      However, talks have stalled about the potential transfer of the Dutch forward.
      And Sport are reporting that the departure of Depay alone would still not be sufficient enough to see Kounde registered.
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      If he is not registered before the transfer window closes on September 1 then he will technically be able to join another club for nothing.
      This could open the door to Chelsea who had been monitoring Kounde all summer.
      Thomas Tuchel’s men ended up missing out on the Sevilla centre-back, but may be interested in a second opportunity should Barca fail to get their finances in order.
      The Blues are also chasing Leicester ace Wesley Fofana and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. More

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      Miralem Pjanic shows off full head of hair after returning to Barcelona following season-long loan transfer to Turkey

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      SMILING Miralem Pjanic returned to Barcelona with a full head of hair following his loan in Turkey. The midfielder, 32, spent the 2021-22 season with Besiktas after being shipped out by Ronald Koeman.
      Miralem Pjanic was not blessed with a thick head of hair before going to Turkey on loanCredit: Getty
      He returned to the Nou Camp this summer with a new lookCredit: Rex
      And as well as gaining 26 appearances and the Turkish Super Cup, he headed back to the Nou Camp sporting a thick thatch and a huge grin.
      Pictures comparing Pjanic at Barcelona before the loan and now he is back with the LaLiga giants reveal the stark contrast.
      And fans on social media were loving the improved new look for the Bosnian – suggesting he got a hair transplant.
      One said: “Good to see Miralem Pjanic made the most of his time on loan in Turkey…”
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      Another wrote: “Would it be a surprise to tell you that Miralem Pjanic spent last season on loan in Turkey?”
      Pjanic clearly picked the best place to go on loan for the sake of his barnet.
      Istanbul’s airport has even been dubbed the ‘hairport’ in the past because of the number of people who go to the Turkish capital for their transplants.
      If he has had a hair transplant as expected, Pjanic would not be the first footballer to do so.

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      Wayne Rooney and Rob Holding are among those to go public with their treatment.
      And supporters are also convinced another Arsenal defender, Gabriel, has also had work done judging by his dramatic transformation.
      Pjanic was an unused sub in Barcelona’s first game on the season – a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano. More

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      Barcelona agree to RIP UP Memphis Depay’s contract after just one year amid Juventus transfer interest

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      BARCELONA have reportedly agreed to rip up Memphis Depay’s contract.But a free transfer to Juventus is still yet to be completed as the two parties remain locked in talks.
      Barcelona are ready to terminate the contract of Juventus target Memphis DepayCredit: Alamy
      Fabrizio Romano claims Depay is no longer wanted by Barcelona.
      The Catalans need to free up funds so they can register new signings including Jules Kounde.
      And one player Xavi Hernandez is happy to sacrifice is Depay.
      The Dutch ace only joined Barca a year ago from Lyon on a free transfer.
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      His Nou Camp deals runs for one more season until 2023.
      But Barcelona want to move Depay on as soon as possible.
      Tottenham were reportedly interested in the former Manchester United winger.
      Chelsea have also been linked as they pursue teammates Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong.
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      Barcelona are now ready to terminate Depay’s contract for a clean break.
      But it’s Juventus who are in pole position as Max Allegri looks to boost his attacking options.
      It was reckoned the fallen Italian giants had already reached an agreement on terms with Depay.
      However, it’s now transpired they remain locked in talks over his salary and other details.
      Even so, the decision over Depay’s future lies with the player and Juve, as Barcelona have now given the green light to tearing apart his deal.
      Depay played 38 times for Barca last term, scoring 13 goals.
      But the arrivals of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, plus Ousmane Dembele’s contract renewal and Ansu Fati’s return from injury, have seen him plummet down the pecking order.
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      Should he join, Depay would become Juventus’ sixth summer signing.
      Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria joined on free transfers, while Andrea Cambiaso, Filip Kostic and Bremer were snapped up for a combined £55million. More

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      Bizarre clause in Jules Kounde’s deal means he can quit Barcelona for FREE if he’s not registered before end of window

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      THERE remains a chance that Jules Kounde does not become a Barcelona player this season due to a clause in his contract, according to reports.The bizarre claim has been made by Spanish journalist Adria Soldevila who reports that he could walk away on a free transfer if the club don’t register him soon.
      Jules Kounde has only featured in pre-season games for Barcelona so farCredit: Getty
      Kounde, 23, has agreed to join Barcelona from Sevilla in a deal believed to be worth around £50million.
      However, the centre-back is currently nursing an injury so has therefore not been officially registered as a Barca player.
      Therefore it is reported that if he isn’t registered by the end of August he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
      The speculation further suggests that Barcelona would have to pay him £2million in contract clauses if this happens.
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      LaLiga banned the club earlier this summer from registering new players until they met spending regulations.
      Kounde was not in the squad for their season opener at home to Rayo Vallecano and it remains to be seen whether he is available for the second match versus Real Sociedad this weekend.
      The Catalan giants reportedly therefore have less than two weeks to sort out the deal or he could depart.
      This unusual saga could become music to Chelsea’s ears after they were desperate to bring him to West London only for their £55million deal to be hijacked by Xavi’s side.
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      With Barcelona battling financial difficulties the last thing they’d want is for the deal not to go through and lose a sizeable amount of money.
      Barca have spent heavily this summer bringing in the likes of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, who both have been registered after delays.

      More players could be set to arrive at the Nou Camp with Marcos Alonso, Hector Bellerin and Bernardo Silva some of the players linked with moves.
      There could be departures too with Frenkie de Jong, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergino Dest all rumoured to be of interest to Premier League sides. More