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      Watch Sevilla midfielder Oliver Torres score stunning volley in goal of the season contender vs Levante

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      SEVILLA star Oliver Torres smashed home a stunning volley reminiscent of an iconic goal by Dutch legend Marco Van Basten 33 years ago.The Spanish midfielder found the top corner with his eighth-minute strike in a LaLiga clash with Levante this afternoon.

      It was a goal-of-the-season contender when the 26-year-old playmaker hit a first-time volley into the top left corner.
      It came from a deep corner to the back post from Sweden full-back Ludwig Augustinsson and sparked wild celebrations at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
      The goal bore a striking resemblance to Van Basten’s heralded late winner against West Germany at Euro 1988.
      The Dutch went on to win their first and only European championship and Van Basten was the player of the tournament.
      Torres’ goal set the tone for a thrilling match which finished 5-2 to Sevilla.
      Only European giants Real Madrid with 22 have now scored more goals in the division than Julen Lopetegui’s side, who have 16.

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      Sevilla kicked-off in third-place in LaLiga and three points off surprise leaders Real Sociedad and the win left them top ahead of the evening games.
      Relegation-threatened Levante started and finished the match second-from-bottom in Spain’s top flight.
      Torres joined the Spanish club in 2019 from Porto after helping them win the Primeira Liga. More

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      Ronald Koeman is laying foundations for a new era at Barcelona like Frank Lampard did at Chelsea, says Albert Ferrer

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      RONALD KOEMAN can be Barcelona’s Frank Lampard, according to club legend Albert Ferrer. The former Barca, Chelsea and Spain full-back believes the Dutchman is laying the foundations for a new era at the club – like Lampard did during his 18 months as Blues boss.
      Ronald Koeman will lead a young Barcelona side into the first El Clasico since Lionel Messi left in the summerCredit: Getty
      Albert Ferrer played alongside Koeman at Barca before leaving for Chelsea in 1993Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Koeman, 58, will lead a young Barca side into their first El Clasico in the post-Lionel Messi era when Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou. 
      As the club continues to wrestle with debts amounting over £1.3billion and empty seats in a crumbling stadium in need of a lick of paint, the Catalans head into the crunch match as underdogs. 
      Barca were on the cusp of losing their identity as the club plunged into financial turmoil under former president Josep Bartomeu.
      They spent over £1bn on players between 2014-2019, turning away from their philosophy of bringing star names like Xavi, Iniestia and Messi from their famous La Masia academy. 
      But their financial constraints has seen Koeman bring the club back to their roots by relying on teenage stars Perdi and Ansu Fati – both of whom have recently signed new contracts with billion Euro release clauses – as well as 17-year-old sensation Gavi. 
      And just as Lampard used Chelsea’s transfer embargo to blood youngsters Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi in 2019, Ferrer sees similarities with this current Barca side and the European champions. 

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      The LaLigaTV pundit said: “The situation is not the best but one of the positives is that they cannot spend a big amount of money. 
      “So they now can bring through and rely on the academy
      “When these things happen, they need time. If they do not win any trophies this season, it is not that important because they are building something for the future. 
      “There are a lot of similarities with Chelsea because these players in two or three seasons will make the team much stronger. 
      “It is not good news because of the financial situation but it is also good news because you rely again on the academy.
      “Having players like Pedri, Gavi and Fati is an example that the academy is working properly. They know the philosophy of the club and it is a big advantage.”
      Koeman looked set for the sack after his side suffered defeats in the Champions League to Bayern Munich and Benfica before losing to Atletico Madrid in the league. 
      But Ferrer, 51, believes his legendary former Barca team-mate is the best man for the job because, like Lampard at Chelsea, he knows the club inside out. 
      El Clasico will be shown live on La Liga TV on Sunday with coverage starting from 1pm
      He added: “Koeman is a very calm guy.
      “He went through difficult times also but he is used to this kind of pressure. If you see his press conferences, you do not see a guy who is under pressure. 
      “All the decisions he is taking is because he believes in them and I do not think the pressure will make him change his way at all and that is a good thing for the young players and the club.”
      With Messi and Ronaldo dominating El Clasico in the past, this season’s derby is the start of a new era. 
      While the game may not be the title-deciding must-watch of the past, a new star now has the chance to write themselves into history. 
      Ferrer added: “We have seen so many Clasicos with Messi and Ronaldo that did not fulfil the expectations. By having the two top players in the world does not mean the game is going to be fantastic. 
      “For Barcelona there are a lot of new players to see. For Real Madrid they have young talents like Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema who is enjoying the best moments of his career.” 
      Without galactico players, La Liga are using this El Clasico to showcase their tech innovations which will see the channel use 32 cameras, on screen statistical graphics and holographic interviews. 
      Gary Lineker will be making his debut LaLiga TV debut as he will be hosting alongside Ferrer live at the Camp Nou
      It will also see Match of the Day host Gary Lineker make his debut for the channel alongside Ferrer and former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka.
      And Lineker, who played for Barcelona between 1986-89, said: “Scoring a hat-trick against Real Madrid never hurts your popularity, to be honest.
      “LaLiga is one of the best leagues in the world, you can see that by the teams’ performances in Europe over the past decade and longer, there’s real quality throughout the league. 
      The style of play, and technical ability is something that really draws me to LaLiga.
      “Some of the technology and innovation in the production of LaLiga and LaLigaTV is terrific. I’m a big believer in educating viewers and so the in-game graphics and added extras now available to fans watching Spanish football is fascinating.”
      Watch ElClásico on LaLigaTV this Sunday. Coverage begins from 1pm with Gary Lineker hosting LIVE from the Camp Nou alongside Aitor Karanka and Albert Ferrer. Sign up to LaLigaTV with Premier Sports on Sky 435 / Virgin 554 or via streaming with Premier Player and Amazon Prime Video Channels.
      Barcelona finally secure Ansu Fati future as wonderkid signs six-year deal More

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      Eden Hazard could make shock Chelsea transfer return as former boss warns he may QUIT Real Madrid

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      LILLE academy director Jean-Michel Vandamme has warned Real Madrid that Eden Hazard could quit the Bernabeu.And former club Chelsea are rumoured to be eyeing a £42million move to bring Hazard back to Stamford Bridge.
      Hazard has failed to recreate his form from Stamford Bridge in the Spanish capitalCredit: Getty
      Roman Abramovich is reportedly eager to bring Hazard back to South-West London, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ‘willing to negotiate’.
      According to El Nacional, Perez is holding out for more than £42m, but an ‘understanding is close’ between the two clubs for a move next summer.
      Vandamme was responsible for discovering Hazard in 2005, and has warned Los Blancos they must make him feel ‘important’ in the way they play if they want him to stay at the club.
      He told Diario AS: “He needs to feel a leader. Not a dressing room leader, but a technical leader.
      “He has to think he’s important in the style of play. You have to give Eden the keys to the play. He needs it.
      “If not he’ll end up leaving Madrid.”

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      The 30-year-old winger has struggled since his big money move from Chelsea in 2019.
      And in seven LaLiga appearances so far this campaign Hazard has started four of them from the bench.
      The Belgian forward signed for Los Blancos for £130million, but has played just 51 times for the club in over two years.
      He’s also yet to score this season and has netted just five times in two years with the Spanish giants.
      Former Chelsea man Hazard has been plagued by injuries in his time at the Bernabeu, and has missed all El Clasico fixtures since he’s been there due to injury.
      And he could once again miss Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona after sitting out of Real Madrid’s last three games with a muscular injury.
      The Belgian was linked with a move away from Real Madrid in the summer, and was reportedly put up for sale for just £43m.
      He was claimed to have his heart set on a return to Stamford Bridge, although a move failed to materialise.
      But now it seems a return to his former club could be back on the cards.

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      Eden Hazard’s car collection includes Audis, an Aston Martin and Mercedes cars worth over £500k More

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      Barcelona ready to compete with Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe as cash-strapped Catalans target free transfer

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      BARCELONA are ready to take on Real Madrid in the battle for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe. Despite being in dire straits financially, the Catalans believe they can make ‘one great signing’ before next season.
      Lionel Messi’s arrival at PSG has not convinced Mbappe to stay at the Parc Des PrincesCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish outlet AS, the club have emerged as a possible shock destination for the 22-year-old.
      Mbappe is out of contract at PSG next summer and is available on a free transfer, but any club wanting to sign him will have to pay a hefty signing on fee.
      But Barcelona are rumoured to be willing to pay up to £76million to secure a move despite their financial woes.
      And the Catalans believe Los Blancos will only offer £42million.
      As a result a much higher sum could sway Mbappe’s decision, after he was widely expected to seal a move to the Bernabeu.
      Madrid however are in a better position than their bitter rivals financially – meaning they are able to offer a higher weekly wage than the Catalans.

      And AS report that the side from the capital still have the ‘advantage’ when it comes to negotiations for the World Cup winner.
      Mbappe is allowed to start talks with clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
      He has publicly admitted that he wants to move to Real Madrid, but Barca still remain determined to ‘hinder the operation’ which was seemingly all but done.
      Los Blancos reportedly made two bids for the superstar in the summer, both of which were rebuffed by Les Parisiens.
      And according to president Florentino Perez they could even sign him in January, rather than wait until the summer and have to compete with rival clubs.
      Rumours linking Mbappe to Barcelona come after former president Josep Bartomeu revealed the club could have signed the Frenchman in 2017.
      But then manager Ernesto Valverde and his coaching staff instead recommended that the club sign Ousmanne Dembele.
      Bartomeu told on Esport3: “[Mbappe’s] signing was on the table, but the coaches preferred Dembele because they wanted a player to open the field.”
      Dembele was signed from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £138m, and has just 30 goals in 118 appearances in four years at Camp Nou.
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      Ten stars who have played for both Barcelona and PSG including Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Mikel Arteta

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      BARCELONA and Paris Saint-Germain have had their pick of some of the most talented footballers to have ever graced Europe’s top divisions.And a few have had the privilege of leaving their mark on both sides.
      Lionel Messi became the most high profile player to have swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
      Here is a look at ten players who have experienced life at the Parc des Prince and the Nou Camp.
      Lionel Messi
      The Argentina skipper, 34, is considered by many to be the greatest to have played the game alongside his late compatriot Diego Maradona and Pele.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner spent 21 years at Barcelona winning ten LaLiga titles, seven Spanish Cups and four Champions League crowns before sealing a sensational move to Paris this summer.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic
      The former Sweden international, 40, joined his Inter team-mate, Maxwell, at Barcelona in 2009 in a £59million deal.
      And he helped the Nou Camp giants win a Club World Cup in December that year.
      The Swede would later have an acrimonious fallout with ex-Barca coach Pep Guardiola following the club’s Champions League semis loss to Inter in 2010.
      The striker moved to PSG in 2012 after a year at AC Milan where he finished as Serie A’s top scorer in 2011-12.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the Fifa Club World Cup with BarcelonaCredit: AFP – Getty

      Mikel Arteta
      The Arsenal boss, 39, began his senior playing career in Barcelona’s B and C teams making 47 appearances between 1999 and 2002.
      But after failing to break into Barca’s first team the playmaker headed to PSG in December 2000 in search of more playing time.
      And he made his debut for the French giants, then managed by Luis Fernandez, in a Champions League group stage match in the 2000-01 season.
      PSG has hoped to retain Arteta at the end of his loan spell and did have an option to buy the midfielder.
      However, Glasgow Rangers came in with a higher offer which saw Arteta move to Scotland in 2002.
      Mikel Arteta swapped Barcelona for PSG in a bid to get more first team opportunities during his playing careerCredit: Rex
      Richard Dutruel
      The retired stopper, 48, who has one cap for France, spent seven seasons at the Parc des Prince between 1991 and 1996 where he won a Cup Winners Cup in 1996.
      However, with first-team opportunities limited he would spend two seasons on loan at Caen from 1993 to 1995 before spending four more at Spanish club Celta Vigo, making 128 appearances for them.
      This was then followed by a two-year spell at Barcelona from 2000-02.
      Former PSG stopper Richard Dutruel spent two years at the Nou CampCredit: Empics
      Frederic Dehu
      The former centre-back, 48, joined Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona side in the summer of 1999, playing 23 games across all competitions in the 1999-00 season.
      However, the player was let go by the Nou Camp giants after one term and returned to France.
      There he joined PSG and won the French Cup in the final season of his four-year career at the club.
      Juan Pablo Sorin
      The retired Argentina international, 45, embarked on loan spells at the Nou Camp and Parc des Prince.
      The midfielder made 15 appearances for Barcelona in 2003 whilst on loan from Brazilian club Cruzeiro and following an injury-ravaged one-year stint at Lazio.
      And the player would spend 2003-04 on loan at PSG with whom he won the French Cup during that term.
      Ronaldinho wowed fans in LaLiga after he left PSG for Barcelona in 2003Credit: Reuters
      Ronaldinho
      The mercurial Brazilian, 41, who moved to Spain from PSG in 2003, is considered one of the greatest players to have ever played in LaLiga.
      The winger wowed fans in the Nou Camp with his trickery and ability to bamboozle his markers.
      He helped his side win the Champions League in Paris in 2006 with the club’s famous 2-1 victory against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side.
      Ludovic Giuly
      Guily, 45, finished as Barcelona’s second-highest scorer with 11 goals in his first season at the club in 2004-05 despite disruption caused by injuries.
      In 2005-06, the former Lyon and Monaco ace won a LaLiga title and Champions League crown with the Catalan giants.
      After losing his spot to Lionel Messi the Frenchman moved to Roma for one season before returning to France and joining PSG in July 2008.
      Ludovic Guily helped Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2006 before joining PSG in 2008Credit: AFP
      Thiago Motta
      Motta, 39, joined Barcelona’s B team at 17, before breaking into the club’s first-team in 2001.
      And he helped the team reach the semis of the 2002 Champions League contest.
      The midfielder would spend the final six years of his 19-year playing career at PSG before retiring in May 2018.
      Thiago Motta helped Barca reach the 2002 Champions League semi-finalsCredit: Getty
      Maxwell
      The former left-back enjoyed a three-year spell at the Nou Camp from 2009 to 2012 following a move from Inter Milan.
      He covered for the injured Eric Abidal towards the second half of the 2009-10 season.
      The retired Brazil star helped the club win La Liga at the end of that term before moving to PSG on a three-year deal.

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      Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho reunited as Barcelona legends hug ahead of PSG vs Leipzig More

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      Ansu Fati close to signing bumper new Barcelona contract until 2026 after showdown talks with agent Jorge Mendes

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      BARCELONA are near to tying Ansu Fati down to a new deal following crunch talks with the starlet’s representatives. Nou Camp boss Ronald Koeman sees this as ‘big news’ for the LaLiga side with Fati regarded as the club’s next superstar. 
      Ansu Fati is reportedly close to agreeing a new deal with BarcelonaCredit: PA
      Mundo Deportivo claims the Catalan giants and the 18-year-old’s agents have arrived at ‘an agreement in principle’ over a new contract that runs until 2026. 
      And club coach Koeman confirmed the news at a press conference where he said: “I know they’re close to agreeing a new contract. 
      “It’s big news for Barca because we’re talking about someone that can mark the club’s future.” 
      The current deal for Fati, who was given the club’s number 10 shirt following Lionel Messi’s sensational departure, runs until June 2022. 
      And Barcelona, who face Dynamo Kyiv in a must-win Champions League group game this week have been battling to get the starlet to agree to new terms. 
      They have faced obstacles over concerns surrounding an enormous clause officials reportedly wish to include in his contract. 
      It is thought Barca’s wish to insert a whopping £840million release clause in his new deal was a stumbling block, according to Spanish outlet El Nacional. 

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      However, Mundo Deportivo claims an agreement is close to being struck.
      Barcelona’s football director Mateu Alemany is believed to be in Portugal to thrash out details with super-agent Jorge Mendes who represents the Spain starlet. 
      It has been suggested paperwork could be finalised and announced before Barca’s mammoth El Clasico duel with Real Madrid on Sunday. 
      Fatu, who has netted two goals in four Barca appearances this term, is regarded as one of the most promising talents in Spain’s top-flight. 
      He’s playing well and he has a very special talent. He is young and they have to let him grow.”Sergio Aguero
      The winger, who won a Spanish Cup with his club last season, netted five goals in 10 LaLiga and Champions League games last term. 
      It is thought a new contract for the youngster – who recently returned from an injury lay-off of almost a year – will come as a massive boost to the side who recently agreed to a deal with Pedri.
      Ronald Koeman sees Fati committing to Barcelona as ‘big news” for the clubCredit: EPA
      And the player who netted on his return to action in Barca’s 3-0 win against Levante on September 26 has been described as a ‘special talent’ by Sergio Aguero. 
      The former Man City goal machine who joined Barca this summer told reporters: “The 10 fits Ansu nicely. 
      “He’s playing well and he has a very special talent. He is young and they have to let him grow.”

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      Barcelona talent Ansu Fati celebrates with medical team after ten months out through injury More

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      Newcastle ‘plan shock swoop for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta’

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      NEWCASTLE’S new owners have looked into the possibility of bringing in Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone as their new first-team boss, according to reports.The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) also want to hire Atletico’s sporting director Andrea Berta alongside Simeone, according to AS.
      Diego Simeone works closely with Andrea Berta at LaLiga champions AtleticoCredit: AFP
      Atletico sporting director Berta is a key part of the successful model at the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Madrid-based news outlet reports that PIF are keen to ‘imitate’ the successful model at Atletico, who won LaLiga last season.
      The thinking is the Atletico management team can get the Toon to the level where they can compete with the Prem’s top clubs in the same way they have in Spain with Atleti against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      The AS report highlights the transfer model at the Spanish champions, which sees Berta working closely with CEO Miguel Angel Gil to come up with three transfer targets, out of which Simone can choose one.
      It says PIF started laying the track to bring in the Atletico duo at the start of 2020, around the time they were linked with the Toon takeover.
      The article acknowledges tempting Atletico legend Simone and Berta to take on ‘this new Premier League adventure’ is likely to be ‘very complicated’.
      But it adds Newcastle’s £320billon net-worth owners have the financial power to make them an offer that ‘few teams’ in the world can match.

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      Steve Bruce is still Newcastle manager despite speculation he is about to be sacked following an eight-game winless streak which has left them second-from-bottom in the Prem.
      Argentina hero Simeone, 51, is regarded as a legend at Atletico for his achievements there as a player and manager.
      Since his appointment as boss in 2011, Atleti have won LaLiga twice, the Europa League twice, and reached two Champions League finals.
      In the summer he signed a contract extension until 2024 and it was reported he would have to take a pay cut to his £28million-a-year salary due to financial pressures caused by Covid-19.
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      Man City ‘to demand £67.5m transfer fee for Raheem Sterling’ with Barcelona interested in snapping-up England winger

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      MANCHESTER CITY have slapped a £67.5million price-tag on Raheem Sterling with Barcelona ready to pounce for the star, according to reports. And the LaLiga giants could make their move for the England winger in the January transfer window, according to MARCA.
      City boss Guardiola has made it clear to Sterling he is not guaranteed game timeCredit: Getty
      The Spanish newspaper’s report says Sterling’s deal at the Etihad, which runs until June 2023, puts him in the ‘red-zone to leave on a free transfer’.
      But it adds he ‘hopes to depart before then’ and that City ‘are in no mood to offer any discounts on their players’.
      MARCA says Sterling ‘is currently in a difficult situation’ at City having lost a regular starting place and there are ‘rumours of a rift’ between him and boss Pep Guardiola.
      The report concludes City ‘are willing to sell Sterling if a good offer arrives’ as Pep has admitted ‘he only wants footballers at his club who are happy.’
      One stumbling block for the move might be the precarious financial situation at Barca, who revealed in August they were £1.15billion in debt.
      But despite a morale-boosting win over Valencia on Sunday and a hotly-anticipated debut for former City striker Sergio Aguero following an injury, Ronald Koeman’s side still need quality reinforcements in attack.

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      Sterling, 26, has started just three Prem games this season and has been given stiff competition for his place by £100m summer recruit Jack Grealish.
      And Sterling admitted last week he would be open to a move away from the Etihad for ‘more game time’.
      Guardiola responded by saying no City player is guaranteed minutes on the pitch, and urged Sterling to prove he should be a starter when he gets the chance to play.
      Pep Guardiola tells Sterling he’s not guaranteed games at Man City after star reveals he’s open to transfer More