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      Antoine Griezmann ditches ponytail for his old look as he returns to Atletico Madrid after flop Barcelona spell

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      ANTONE GRIEZMANN left Atletico Madrid as a thoroughbred – and now he’s back he’s proved he won’t be a show pony (tail).The France forward has ditched his famous tied long hair and reinstalled a shorter, student-like style after his deadline-day switch from Barcelona.

      Antoine Griezmann was down on his luck but long on his locks with Barcelona but has had a dramasic hairstyle change for AtleticoCredit: AFP
      It wasn’t a snide parting – as Barca praised the World Cup winner’s professionalism and attitude.
      But it’s impossible to comb over the frustration with Griezmann’s disappointing two years at the Nou Camp.
      And having cost Barcelona £108million, he’s rejoining LaLiga champs Atletico for a season on loan.
      If he plays half their matches he is available for, Atletico will buy him for a snip in the summer – just £34m.
      Otherwise, manager Diego Simeone has the option to extend Griezmann’s temporary stay for a second term.
      With his new haircut, dark shirt and black suit, Griezmann looked more like a fresh-faced office intern than a 30-year-old capped 98 times as he posed for pictures at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium

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      But his mature performances for Atletico from 2014-19 made him their star man.
      And as he is far from an out-and-out striker, even his Barca stats are not so dreadful, albeit on wages of £300,000 a week.
      He notched 35 goals and 17 assists in 102 games.
      NO HARD FEELINGS
      And Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggested Griezmann might simply have been ill-suited to their playing style.
      He said: “I think that everyone was expecting more from him, because he gave everything and didn’t have a questionable attitude.
      “We know what kind of player he was and is, he’s a great player. 
      “I think he didn’t fit in our system, but I think he showed a very good attitude. I sent him a message wishing him well, because he’s always had the correct attitude.  
      “In footballing terms he wasn’t the player we needed. 
      “He scored goals – I think the one he scored in last year’s Copa del Rey that we won was very important – but it’s true that he could have given more. But he was under difficult circumstances.”

      Barcelona sell Antoine Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid in £34m transfer… making a loss of £74MILLION in two years More

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      Chelsea ‘monitoring Jules Kounde’ ahead of January transfer swoop after missing out on Sevilla defender in summer

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      CHELSEA are prepared to bid again for Jules Kounde in the hope of finally signing the defender in January, according to reports.Sevilla rejected an approach from the Blues late in the summer transfer window, despite the Premier League side being confident of sealing a deal.
      Jules Kounde remains a Chelsea target following his failed summer switchCredit: Getty
      Having signed a striker in Romelu Lukaku and bolstered his midfield with Saul Niguez’s deadline day move, Thomas Tuchel is said to want a new centre-back as a top priority.
      The sale of Kurt Zouma to West Ham and the end of 36-year-old Thiago Silva’s contract next summer has heightened the need for a new recruit.
      As reported by Evening Standard, Kounde remains a top target and will be tracked by Chelsea over the coming months.
      The France international, 22, has a £68million release clause and is under contract to 2024.
      But he was reportedly furious after he was denied a move to Stamford Bridge by Sevilla.
      The LaLiga side were said to be willing to do a deal for below his release clause but rejected Chelsea’s £42.8m offer.

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      Director of football Monchi has claimed that the Prem title challengers were given a deadline to launch their bid, which they missed.
      He said: “It was an important offer, considering the current world where there are so many hardships, but it did not meet our demands, conditions, or quantities.
      “I spoke to the player’s agent some time ago because the more time that passed, the more difficult it would be for him to leave. We put as a deadline the [August] 20th, and we extended that to the 25th.

      “We responded with a counter-offer with a deadline of last Friday night (August 27) and they have not responded.”
      Chelsea also hope to secure the long-term futures of defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
      Discussions over new contracts are underway with the German’s deal expiring in June.

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      Jules Kounde joins Sevilla in training More

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      How Tuchel convinced Saul Niguez to make Chelsea transfer ahead of Man Utd with swift phone call to on-loan Atletico ace

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      CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly convinced Saul Niguez to join the club ahead of Manchester United after speaking with him on the phone.The Spanish midfielder joined the Blues on loan on deadline day from Atletico Madrid, with the club having the option to permanently sign him for £40million.
      Saul Niguez could make his Chelsea debut against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Blues boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly convinced Saul to join in a phone callCredit: Getty
      With the Champions League holders loaning out Billy Gilmour, Tuchel was keen to bring in a fourth midfielder to compete with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
      And according to Goal, the German gaffer managed to persuade Saul to make the move to West London instead of Manchester.
      They state that Chelsea and the Red Devils were the frontrunners to secure his services after Manchester City rejected the chance to sign him.
      It has been said that Tuchel outlined his plans for the player in a phone call between the two.
      Chelsea see Saul purely as a central midfielder, rather than deploying him in a number of midfield roles like Diego Simeone had done at the Wanda Metropolitano.
      Saul, who has declared that Kepa Arrizabalaga was influential in his Chelsea transfer, has confirmed that Tuchel has promised him he would play in his preferred position.

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      He told the Mirror: “Chelsea has promised me to train in my position, to play, we will see.
      “That is the most important reason for my decision. The three midfielders who are playing are at a high level, it will not be easy to play.
      “But if I put my mind to it and fight it, I can get it. I’ll give it a try and see what happens.

      “Give it my all and help Chelsea so that he [Tuchel] can see the Saul I want to show.
      “Not just a versatile player. They promised me that I would play in my position. It was very important.”
      And after impressing Tuchel in training, Saul is now in contention to make his debut against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
      Watch Arsenal new-boy Takehiro Tomiyasu get destroyed by Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku in embarrassing Serie A clash More

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      Sergio Aguero confirms he was offered No10 shirt at Barcelona but turned it down ‘out of respect for Lionel Messi’

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      BARCELONA striker Sergio Aguero has revealed he rejected the iconic No10 shirt out of respect for Lionel Messi.The 33-year-old linked up with the LaLiga giants on a free transfer in the summer after running his contract down at Manchester City.
      Sergio Aguero has explained why he rejected the chance to wear the No10 shirt at Barcelona
      Aguero was offered the iconic jersey after Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Reuters
      He had initially joined in the hope of playing alongside his close friend, before Messi departed the Nou Camp to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      Following his Argentine compatriot’s shock exit, Aguero has declared that the Blaugrana offered him the chance to wear the No10 jersey.
      But the centre-forward, who is yet to feature for Barca due to injury, has stated that he passed up the opportunity.
      The five-time Premier League winner made the revelation when speaking to Spanish Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos.
      Quoted by Sport, Aguero explained: “Refusing to wear the No10 shirt at Barcelona?
      “It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but it was out of respect for Messi.”

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      Gerard Pique told Llanos in a previous Twitch session: “I told Kun to take it, but he doesn’t like the idea.”
      Instead, Aguero has taken the No19 jersey in Catalonia – the number Messi wore for Barca between 2006-2008.
      Barca starlet Ansu Fati has been entrusted with the No10 top, despite calls from Ronaldinho to retire the shirt.

      Prior to Fati being given the jersey, former Barca midfielder Ronald De Boer urged the club to give the number to a young player.
      He told talkSPORT: “We had it with Johan Cruyff No 14 [at Ajax], of course.

      “In another way, no, you have to always dream to be just as good as Messi. I think the No10 must stay alive, not to say okay we’ll put it some place and nobody’s going to touch it.
      “I mean, Messi’s Messi. […] If I think about Messi, it’s about his football skills, so not his shirt.
      “Try to give it to a youngster who wants to be just as good as Messi.”
      Barcelona hand Ansu Fati Lionel Messi’s iconic No10 shirt More

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      PSG ‘still hopeful Kylian Mbappe WILL sign new contract despite lure of Real Madrid free transfer move next summer’

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      PSG are still holding out hope that Kylian Mbappe will sign a new contract, it’s claimed.That’s despite the 22-year-old being widely expected to swap PSG for Real Madrid next summer when his contract with the French giants expires.
      Mbappe has withdrawn from the French squad after picking up a calf injury in the 1-1 draw against Bosnia and HerzegovinaCredit: AFP
      He was on international duty with Karim Benzema, who has revealed that Real Madrid want to sign MbappeCredit: AFP
      Mbappe has already rejected two proposals from the French club for a contract extension.
      The Athletic report that PSG are still willing to offer Mbappe both short-term and long-term contracts.
      A short-term deal would mean the Parc des Princes outfit would not lose one of the world’s hottest talents on a free transfer next summer, while a long-term deal would see him spend his best years at the club.
      PSG chiefs had previously believed that they had agreed a contract extension with Mbappe ‘on the eve of the Euros in June,’ but negotiations have since soured.
      Bosses at the club are still hopeful though that a season spent playing alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar will mean Mbappe commits his future to Les Parisiens.
      However Mbappe is still being tipped to swap Paris for Madrid come the end of the season.

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      It’s understood PSG rejected a £137m offer from Los Blancos in the summer but the Spanish giants are expected to open negotiations regarding a pre-contract agreement with Mbappe on January 1.
      And Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has confirmed the club want to sign his France team-mate.
      Speaking to Telefoot via Get French Football News, Benzema, 33, said: “It’s no secret anymore that Real want him.

      “I would have liked for him to come this year, but like I said recently, he’ll be there one day anyway.
      “We spoke [during the summer] but not about that specifically, we just kept in touch.”
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      Rumoured offers of £145million and £154million for Mbappe this summer are also said to have been rejected.
      One PSG chief told Real ‘the line is open’ on deadline day if they could cough up £189m, but no offer materialised.
      Instead Real Madrid will attempt to lure Mbappe to the club on a pre-contract agreement, meaning the race is on for PSG to convince Mbappe to sign an extension before he accepts Los Blancos’ offer.
      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      Gareth Bale says countries with racist fans should be kicked out by Uefa and ‘they’ll learn their lesson that way’

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      WALES winger Gareth Bale believes countries with racist fans should be booted out of competitions in a bid to kick out abuse.The Real Madrid forward, 32, was giving his views on what action governing bodies need to make to combat racism from supporters in stadiums.
      Gareth Bale has hit out at racist fans and claimed that countries should be kicked out of tournamentsCredit: Reuters
      England star Raheem Sterling had abuse hurled at him after scoring against HungaryCredit: PA
      Bale has been speaking on the matter after Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were subject to abuse during England’s 4-0 win against Hungary on Thursday.
      Fifa have subsequently launched an investigation after the Three Lions stars were targeted by vile yobs.
      Commenting on the situation prior to Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Sunday, Bale said: “It is frustrating.
      “I don’t know why they launch these investigations that take so long. It is clear to see.
      “It has been picked up on camera, by journalists, I really don’t get why there needs to be such a big investigation. It is clear that it happened.
      “It does not matter if it happened a little or a lot. The action needs to be taken to stop it.

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      “Whether you ban the fans from the stadium or if they keep repeatedly doing it, which seems to be what is happening, then you ban the country from the competition.
      “I think it kicks it out straight away. If that country keeps making these horrible gestures, then maybe the best thing to do is to get rid of them, give them a suspension and hopefully they will learn their lesson that way.”
      Bale also went on to say how he would be prepared to walk off the pitch should a team-mate be subject to racist abuse.
      He added: “If it happened to any of our players and they wanted to walk off the pitch I’d be fully for it.

      “At the end of the day, football qualifiers are important but these matters come way above football.
      “If it happened to any of us and we decided to leave the pitch because we feel we weren’t getting the protection or being treated the right way – if the only way to get a response was to walk off then yes I’d be fully for it.
      “At the end of the day it’s the right thing to do and it’s more important than football.”
      Southgate reacts to England’s win and the racism faced after their World Cup qualifier against Hungary More

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      Arsenal flop Shkodran Mustafi thrown career lifeline after Schalke nightmare as he completes Levante free transfer

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      ARSENAL flop Shkodran Mustafi has got his career back on track after joining Spanish outfit Levante.The Germany international had been without a club following the expiration of his short-term contract with Schalke at the end of the 2020/21 season.
      Shkodran Mustafi has signed an 18-month contract with LevanteCredit: LEVANTECF
      The Germany international has been a free agent since his Schalke contract expired in the summerCredit: AFP
      The centre-back had his contract with Arsenal terminated in FebruaryCredit: Getty
      The centre-back was in talks to join Italian outfit Torino last month, although the Serie A side opted not to take a punt on the 29-year-old.
      Levante promptly swooped and have subsequently handed the defender an 18-month contract at the Estadio Ciudad.
      An excerpt of a club statement read: “Levante UD has reached an agreement with Shkodran Mustafi (04/17/1992, Bad Hersfeld, Germany) for the incorporation of the footballer to the ranks of the Levantine team until June 2023, with the option of one more season.”
      An elated Mustafi said: “From the first moment I liked the idea of coming to Levante.”
      He later added: “We are going to give everything to take the club as high as possible.”
      Mustafi will be hoping his return to La Liga will provide some much-needed stability.

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      The former Everton man had his contract with Arsenal terminated in February after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
      The £35million signing from Valencia made a paltry nine appearances for the north Londoners before agreeing to terminate his deal.

      Two days after his departure from the Emirates, Mustafi wrote on social media: “Hi Gunners, after four years, 151 matches and two FA Cup trophies, I just wanted to say thank you to the Arsenal community, our great staff, the fans and of course my teammates.
      “Together we went through good and not so good times but we stood together.
      “Arsenal is a fantastic club with a great tradition and I always felt that it was a pleasure and honour to wear the AFC jersey.
      “My family and I will always remember the time we had in London and with Arsenal.

      “Gooners, I wish you all the best! Thank you!”
      Mustafi found playing time hard to come by at Schalke, making a mere 13 appearances during his return to Germany.
      Levante will be back in action a week on Saturday, welcoming Rayo Vallecano to the Estadio Ciudad.

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