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      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘reject Sevilla loan bid for Anthony Martial’ as Red Devils want all of his wages covered and a loan fee on top

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly rejected a loan bid for Anthony Martial from Sevilla.The Spanish club are said to have made a straight loan proposal with no option or obligation to buy clauses.
      Man Utd have reportedly rejected a loan offer from Sevilla for Anthony MartialCredit: Alamy
      According to Sky Sports News, the Spanish club wanted the French forward until the end of the season.
      However, ESPN later reported that the deal had been batted away by United over wages.
      United are said to want ALL of Martial’s wages covered in the deal, with a loan fee on top.
      Sevilla are said to have only offered to pay half of Martial’s reported weekly wage of £250,000.
      United are said to be happy to keep Martial in January if their terms are not met – even though he has made it clear he wants to leave.
      Martial’s agent has already stated that his client wants to move next month, despite his contract not expiring until June 2024.
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      But last week, Rangnick told Martial ‘Forget about leaving in January because NOBODY wants you’.
      He confirmed the French international told him he wants out of Old Trafford.
      But Rangnick said the Red Devils will only sell the 26-year-old next month if it suits the club.
      United are still fighting in three competitions and seem certain to have a busy end to the season.
      Rangnick said: “Yes we spoke on Wednesday. We spoke at length.
      “He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
      “In a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
      “We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions.
      “I told him as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
      “So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley irritated Rangnick earlier this month by going public with his client’s desire to leave prior to discussing it with the United boss.
      The striker, who cost £36million from Monaco in 2015 in a deal that could rise to £58m, has started only three matches in all competitions this season with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo limiting his opportunities.
      Martial has made ten appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice.
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      in Soccer

      Former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos set for £8.5m permanent transfer from Real Madrid to Real Betis

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      FORMER Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos is reportedly set for an £8.5million January transfer from Real Madrid to Real Betis.The Spaniard has not played a minute for Los Blancos this season and his Bernabeu career looks to be over.
      Dani Ceballos is set to leave Real Madrid for Real Betis in an £8.5m January moveCredit: Getty
      Betis are willing to cough up £8.5m while Real want around £12.5m, according to Mundo Deportivo.
      Despite the difference in valuation, both sides are optimistic a deal can be done.
      Ceballos, 25, is said to have a ‘burning desire’ to return to his old club.
      Madrid signed him from Betis for around £13m in 2017.
      But he has been an outcast in the Spanish capital since picking up a horror ankle injury with Spain in the Tokyo Olympics.
      If the move goes through, Ceballos would link up with former Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.
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      Betis are currently third in LaLiga.
      Jose Mourinho’s Roma have also been keeping tabs on Ceballos.
      Mourinho made no secret of his desire to bring in a midfielder last summer and was said to be keen on Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka.
      And the Gunners are also said to be monitoring Ceballos’ situation – whose contract expires in June 2023.
      Ceballos scored two goals and added five assists in 77 games for the Gunners and was part of their FA Cup-winning team in 2019-20.
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
      But the Spaniard underwhelmed during his Emirates spell and was allowed to return to his parent club after two disappointing Premier League seasons in North London.
      Ceballos admitted shortly after leaving that he struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, saying: “I like the Spanish league more, it suits my game better.”
      The club opted to sign his Real team-mate Martin Odegaard instead in a £34m deal and the Norwegian has enjoyed a decent start to life since becoming a Gunner.
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      in Soccer

      Man Utd transfer target Ousmane Dembele agrees new five-year Barcelona contract on REDUCED wages

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      OUSMANE DEMBELE will NOT be joining Manchester United, with the Barcelona winger reportedly set to put pen-to-paper on a new contract. The Frenchman has previously been linked with a move to United, but has now agreed a new five-year deal at Barcelona on a LOWER weekly wage.
      Dembele is set to sign a new deal at Barcelona on a lower weekly wageCredit: Getty
      According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the 24-year-old will sign a new deal next month.
      By taking a lower fee home, the wide-man will help reduce Barca’s overall wage bill, therefore helping to fund new signings.
      It’s the opposite to most new contract announcements, with players often rewarded with bumper new deals, not reduced earnings.
      Cash-strapped Barca are in mounds of debt, but are still set to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City for around £55million.
      It’s claimed that Dembele went against the wishes of his agents by agreeing to a new deal.
      They had been keen on a move for their client in order to secure a hefty commission fee.
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      But Dembele was said to be ‘decisive’ in his will to stay and be part of Xavi’s rebuilding project at the Nou Camp.
      A number of clubs had been interested in signing the World Cup winner, with his current contract expiring at the end of the campaign.
      But now a new long-term deal at Barcelona is set to put an end to that interest.
      Newcastle reportedly made an approach for Dembele as the Magpies chase a marquee signing in January.
      Eddie Howe is desperate for reinforcements in order to help his side survive the drop.
      Tottenham too have been linked with Dembele in recent weeks, with Antonio Conte also looking to make some signings of his own.
      However, all interested parties are now set to miss out on signing Dembele.
      An official announcement of a new contract at Barca is expected next week, with only the ‘closing details’ left to be finalised between the player and the club.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd wanted Ronaldo to go to Barcelona instead of Real Madrid in 2009 – meaning he could’ve played with Lionel Messi

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      MANCHESTER UNITED almost managed to get Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to link-up… for Barcelona.Portuguese superstar Ronaldo shattered football’s transfer record in 2009 when he left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid for £80million.

      Los Blancos had already splashed out on Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka in response to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering debut season as Nou Camp chief the year before.
      But they were almost denied the jewel in returning president’s Florentino Perez’s masterplan if Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way.
      The legendary Scot was desperate to avoid losing Ronaldo to Real once he’d accepted that the former Sporting Lisbon winger was set to leave.
      Fergie had even said back in 2008 that he wouldn’t sell Madrid a ‘virus’ let alone his best player.
      And according to Spanish newspaper AS, the United boss realised at the time that Barcelona were the only other club who could afford Ronaldo.

      The 79-year-old apparently contacted the Catalans to encourage a bid but the Portugal captain had already set his mind on a move to the Bernabeu.
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      Guardiola’s most notable signing that summer involved an infamous swap deal with Inter Milan involving Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
      But the acquisition of Ronaldo would have not only ushered in an era of pure dominance for Barcelona, but also have cancelled out his famed rivalry with Messi.
      Whether Manchester City chief Pep could have managed to get the two to play together is up for debate, as he boasted an embarrassment of attacking riches while in charge of Barca.
      While Arsenal legend Thierry Henry flourished for Barca on the left wing, Ronaldo could have occupied the opposite flank to leave Messi in the hole behind Ibra.
      Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets may have had to share a spot on the substitutes bench, with Spanish duo Xavi and Iniesta holding down the two spots in the middle.
      Messi was asked by Mundo Deportivo last year whether he would pass to Ronaldo if the two were on the same team.
      The Argentine joked: “I guess so, in the end, yes.”
      Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a then-world record transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Portuguese superstar was also offered to Barcelona which would have made him teammates with Lionel MessiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Man Utd outcast Anthony Martial ‘wants Sevilla transfer’ with Barcelona and Juventus circling ahead of Rangnick talks

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL wants to join Sevilla, according to reports.The Manchester United forward has dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the summer arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
      Anthony Martial could join Sevilla from Manchester United in January, initially on loanCredit: Getty
      And with his game time limited, he is actively weighing up his transfer options with January less than two weeks away.
      Earlier in December, Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley said: “Anthony wishes to leave the club in January.
      “He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.”
      Now, according to Sky Sports, the Spanish side are in pole position to land the Frenchman when the market reopens.
      Sevilla are currently second in LaLiga, six points off Real Madrid with a game in hand.
      Rafa Mir is their top scorer so far this term with seven goals, one more than Lucas Ocampos, while Ivan Rakitic and Erik Lamela have four each.
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      An initial loan deal is most likely rather than a permanent deal in the middle of the season.
      The report adds Barcelona and Juventus are also monitoring Martial’s situation and could make a swoop, while Atletico Madrid have been linked, too.
      SunSport revealed mega-rich Newcastle could also be in the race for the ex-Monaco star’s signature, who joined United for an initial £36million in 2015, then a record transfer fee for a teenager.
      Martial, 26, has featured for just 202 minutes across seven Premier League appearances this term.
      His only goal came in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
      A knee injury has ruled him out in recent weeks, meaning he is still yet to play under new boss Ralf Rangnick.
      But the Sky Sports report adds the pair are due to sit down to discuss the attacker’s future in the coming days.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      Real Madrid transfer interest in Erling Haaland confirmed by Dortmund chief after striker seemed to wave goodbye to fans

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND boss Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed Real Madrid’s transfer interest in Erling Haaland. The Norwegian, who has 76 goals in 75 Dortmund appearances, has long been linked with the Spanish giants.
      Real Madrid’s transfer interest in Erling Haaland has been confirmedCredit: Getty
      Haaland, 21, is still contracted until 2024 but his release clause, believed to be £68million, is not active until next year.
      And in an interview with BILD TV, Dortmund CEO Watzke opened up on Madrid’s pursuit of the striker.
      He said: “No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland. 
      “All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him. I could name 25 others now. 
      “But I know for sure, it can be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays. 
      “A few days ago I had a very good conversation with Mino Raiola. When we are in a target corridor, the conversations are always quite friendly. 
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      “And that phone call was quite friendly. We will certainly have another meeting in the next few weeks. 
      “The overall development of Haaland is in the foreground. Just like with Lewandowski, I would like to be proud of Erling at some point if he wins the Champions League. 
      “Personally, I think it’s good for him if he stays in the Bundesliga a little longer.”
      Super-agent Raiola was also recently forced to deny claims Haaland had an agreement in place with Barcelona or Madrid.
      Raiola said: “Can Haaland wait for Barcelona? Haaland can wait for everyone.
      “We don’t have a pre-agreement with any club. We will look for the best option and we don’t rule out another year in Dortmund, either, theoretically it’s still possible.”
      With Haaland set to be available for a cut-price deal next year, it is likely the forward could be prized away.
      And the hitman raised questions about his Dortmund future after he waved to supporters following their 3-0 win over Furth last Wednesday – their last home match of the year.
      Erling Haaland has long been linked with Real MadridCredit: Rex More

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      Barcelona ‘interest in re-signing Marc Bartra in shock transfer as Xavi hopes to link up with Real Betis defender again’

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      MARC BARTRA is rumoured to be attracting interest from his old club Barcelona with the Nou Camp giants looking to boost their defence. But they could face a tug-of-war for the Real Betis star’s services with AC Milan also thought to be keen.
      Marc Bartra is reportedly attracting transfer interest from Barcelona and AC MilanCredit: Getty
      Reports in Spain claim the Catalan side have been in contact with their LaLiga rivals over a possible swoop for the centre-back.
      Bartra, 30, made 103 Barca appearances before a 2016 switch to Borussia Dortmund during Thomas Tuchel’s tenure. 
      And the Spain international sealed a January 2018 move to Betis after making 53 appearances for the Bundesliga side.
      The centre-back, whose Betis team face Athletic next, is said to have impressed with his defensive skills during his side’s 1-0 away defeat of Barca on December 4.
      And Nou Camp chief Xavi is thought to have admired the efforts of the player who managed to keep Memphis Depay and Barcelona’s frontline quiet.
      Betis are currently third in Spain’s top-flight – nine points behind leaders Real Madrid – after winning 10 and drawing three of the 17 games played this term.
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      And the side, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, are also five places above Barca who have endured a disappointing start to their LaLiga campaign.
      The Catalan outfit, who play Elche next, have lost six of their 16 top tier games played this term.
      Bartra, who has 14 senior Spain international caps, is thought to be a key figure in Pellegrini’s squad.
      However, he has seen his start to the season hampered by a muscle injury that kept him out of action for three LaLiga and Europa League games.
      Spanish outlet Sport says the player could be tempted by a move that would see him managed by his former team-mate Xavi.
      The Nou Camp chief, who is into his second month in charge of Barcelona, took over the reins on a three-year contract following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
      And the former midfield maestro has been given the challenge of overhauling the squad on a budget with the club currently keeping a close eye on their spending.  
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      Bartra helped to nullify Memphis Depay during Betis 1-0 away win against BarcelonaCredit: Rex More

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      in Soccer

      Edinson Cavani ‘rejects Boca Juniors transfer because Man Utd striker has already agreed to join Barcelona’

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED striker Edinson Cavani has reportedly turned down a move to Argentine side Boca Juniors in favour of a switch to Barcelona. Cavani has been linked with Barcelona in the past, and the Spaniards remain the 34-year-old’s first choice destination in January.
      Cavani could be on his way out of Old Trafford in JanuaryCredit: AFP
      The Manchester United man has been in contact with Boca Juniors chiefs and informed them of his decision to join Barcelona, according to Argentine outlet TyC Sports.
      Barca are in need of another striker after Sergio Aguero was forced to emotionally retire due to heart problems.
      And Cavani is the man lined up to replace Aguero at the Nou Camp.
      The Uruguayan, capped 126 times by his country, has stated his desire to continue testing himself at the top level.
      Cavani’s contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer after he signed a one-year extension at the end of last season.
      But he could well be on his way as early as January.
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      Cavani has struggled with injury this season, starting just twice in the Premier League this campaign.
      His lack of action has led to rumours linking him with an exit.
      Italian giants Juventus, as well as Corinthians, have been credited with an interest in the striker.
      New interim boss Ralf Rangnick is thought to prefer Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford as his frontmen.
      That could be the signal for Cavani to make way, and he will not wait around for his contract to expire in the summer.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More