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      Where are Neymar’s team-mates from Barcelona debut in 2013, including Alexis Sanchez, Song and an ex-Brighton full-back?

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      NEYMAR has been continually linked with a return ‘home’ to Barcelona since he left.The Brazilian, 29, seemed to have fallen out of love with Paris Saint-Germain on several occasions and appeared to be keen on a move back to the Nou Camp.
      How Barcelona lined-up for Neymar’s debut, with the Brazilian on the bench
      Barca are in the midst of a major overhaul, having lost Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann this summer. 
      The Catalans could end up playing with Newcastle and Middlesbrough rejects Luuk de Jong and Martin Braithwaite in their place this season.
      And after Neymar signed a new PSG deal in May, there is surely no chance he’ll want to go back now.
      But SunSport have taken a look back at the starting XI for his Barcelona debut in 2013.
      Neymar came off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Polish minnows Lechia Gdansk…

      GK – Jose Manuel Pinto
      Jose Manuel Pinto went on to become a musician, named Wahin
      IN the Victor Valdes era, Pinto was never any more than just the cup goalkeeper – at the club from 2008 until 2014, initially as cover for injured backup stopper Albert Jorquera.
      Pinto retired after six years at the club with only 31 LaLiga appearances to his name.
      Under the pseudonym Wahin, Pinto formed his own hip hop music label, Wahin Makinaciones, in 2000 and released his own album in 2006.
      In 2017 Pinto earned his first Billboard top ten hit, La Habana, featuring Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger.RB – Martin Montoya
      Martin Montoya played for Brighton after Barca and is now with Real Betis
      MONTOYA worked his way through the youth ranks, staying at Barca between 1999 and 2016.
      After stints at Inter Milan and Real Betis on loan, Montoya moved to Valencia, spending two years at the club before moving to Brighton.
      He is now back with Betis.CB – Sergi Gomez
      Sergi Gomez, right, played for Sevilla following his Barca days
      ANOTHER former Barcelona youth product, Gomez failed to play a single LaLiga game before heading to Celta Vigo in 2014.
      After four years shining in the first team, Gomez moved to Sevilla and is now at Espanyol.CB – Marc Bartra
      Marc Bartra is now at Real Betis via Borussia Dortmund
      YET another youth product in the starting XI for Neymar’s debut, Bartra fared slightly better, notching nearly 60 LaLiga games in six years in the first team.
      Two years at Borussia Dortmund followed his 2016 Nou Camp exit, before he joined Real Betis in 2018. He still plays there now.LB – Adriano
      Adriano was a regular at left-back for Barcelona
      A REGULAR in the Barcelona team between 2010 and 2016, Adriano racked up over 100 LaLiga appearances after joining from Sevilla.
      After his exit in 2016, Adriano spent three years at Besiktas before heading to Atletico Paranaense in Brazil.
      He’s now at Belgian side Eupen.CM – Jonathan Dos Santos
      Jonathan dos Santos moved to Villarreal and then LA Galaxy
      THE brother of ex-Tottenham flop Giovani, Jonathan spent 12 years working his way through the ranks at Barcelona.
      But he only mustered 14 LaLiga appearances across five years in the first team and was sold to Villarreal in 2014.
      Three years at the Spanish giants followed, before he joined his brother at Los Angeles Galaxy where he remains.CM – Alex Song
      Alex Song struggled to make the grade at Barcelona
      PERHAPS best-known for his blunder, believing Carlos Puyol was handing him the 2013 LaLiga trophy, when it fact it was meant for Eric Abidal, Song struggled at Barcelona.
      In four years at the Nou Camp, following time at Bastia, Arsenal and Charlton, Song was loaned to West Ham twice, before being sold to Rubin Kazan.
      After a spell in Switzerland, the Cameroonian is now playing for AS Arta in Djibouti.CM – Sergi Roberto
      Sergi Roberto has become a club icon in the past few years
      SCORED on Neymar’s debut, the then-central midfielder also plays right-back – but is comfortable playing almost anywhere for Barcelona.
      He’s played 307 times for the Catalans – and has two Champions League winner’s medals.
      Famously scored the last-gasp aggregate winner in the thrilling 6-1 comeback victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.RW – Lionel Messi
      Messi scored on Neymar’s debut against Lechia Gdansk
      SCORED the second equaliser as Barcelona twice battled back to draw on Neymar’s debut, Messi needs no introduction.
      Six Ballons d’Or, ten LaLiga titles, four Champions League and 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona.
      Left for PSG this summer after Barca made a pig’s ear of their finances and couldn’t register him.
      A true legend of the game.
      ST – Alexis Sanchez
      Alexis Sanchez started up front and was replaced by Neymar
      THE man who was taken off the pitch so Neymar could make his debut, Sanchez is well known on these shores.
      Sanchez joined Barcelona from Udinese in 2011.
      He enjoyed three decent years, mostly off the bench, before joining Arsenal, where – early on, at least – he enjoyed arguably his best stint as a footballer.
      Flopped miserably at Man Utd before being loaned to Inter Milan where he has found life almost as tough.
      Earned in excess of £500k-a-week at Old Trafford though so is probably OK for a few quid.LW – Cristian Tello
      Cristian Tello started Neymar’s debut on the left wing
      ANOTHER of the bench mob, Tello scared 11 goals in 59 La Liga games across six years at the club.
      Moved to Porto and Fiorentina on loan, before securing a permanent switch to Real Betis – where he still plays today.
      Barcelona sell Antoine Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid in £34m transfer… making a loss of £74MILLION in two years More

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      Man Utd ‘block Diogo Dalot’s transfer to Dortmund after Atletico Madrid reject their £18m Kieran Trippier bid’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly had an £18million offer rejected by Atletico Madrid for Kieran Trippier which blocked Diogo Dalot’s switch to Borussia Dortmund.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been keen to bring in a new right-back to compete with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a starting spot.
      Manchester United reportedly failed to bring Kieran Trippier to Old TraffordCredit: Rex
      Diogo Dalot was a target for Borussia Dortmund, but the Red Devils blocked his switchCredit: Getty
      Former Tottenham defender Trippier was understood to be the Red Devils’ first choice, with the player keen to make the switch to Old Trafford.
      Meanwhile Portuguese full-back Dalot was in talks with Bundesliga giants BVB over an initial loan switch.
      However United would have only allowed Dalot to depart if they managed to sign a replacement for him, with the club letting Brandon Williams join Norwich.
      And according to Sport1 reporter Patrick Berger, United failed in a late move to bring Trippier back to England after two years in Spain.
      He tweeted on deadline day: “Diogo Dalot will NOT join Borussia Dortmund as Manchester United can’t find a right-back replacement.
      “Understand Atletico Madrid turned down a €21m [£18m] bid from Man Utd for Kieran Trippier.

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      “The Englishman will now definitely stay in Spain. No move in this transfer window!”
      Trippier has featured in all of Atletico’s three LaLiga games this term – coming on as a substitute in the first two games before starting against Villarreal.
      Meanwhile Dalot has appeared just once for United in their opening three Premier League matches with Wan-Bissaka starting every fixture.

      He came on as a 93rd minute substitute in the 1-0 win against Wolves on Sunday – his first outing in the top-flight since February 2020.
      Dalot has been limited to substitute cameos in each of his last Premier League games, with his appearances totalling just seven minutes.
      Since his £19m switch from Porto in 2018, the ex-AC Milan loanee has been limited to just 36 matches, scoring once.
      Cristiano Ronaldo poses in new Man Utd kit for first time since stunning transfer but squad number still not revealed More

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      Atletico vs Villarreal tunnel brawl chaos as Emery’s assistant ‘had to be restrained and another coach punched in mouth’

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      A BRAWL allegedly broke out in the tunnel after Atletico Madrid secured a last-gasp point against Unai Emery’s Villarreal on Sunday.A 95th minute Aissa Mandi own goal after goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s slip meant the spoils were shared in the LaLiga clash – but wild scenes ensued after the full time whistle.
      Aissa Mandi has made five errors leading to goals since 2016/17 – more than any other LaLiga playerCredit: Getty
      Geronimo Rulli reacts after his slip saw Villarreal drop two pointsCredit: Getty
      Unai Emery kicks out in frustration after Atletico’s 95th minute equaliserCredit: Getty

      Match referee Soto Grado reported that the two teams clashed in the tunnel, with both players and coaches getting involved.
      According to AS, the referee’s report said Atletico coach Pedro Tomas Renones Crego ‘hit a member of the visiting coaching staff’ as the two teams confronted off the pitch.
      As well as that incident, Emery’s Villarreal assistant Imanol Idiakez confronted Atletico players and staff ‘aggressively and had to be held by members of his team.’
      There are also claims a coach was punched in the mouth.
      Emery, who formerly managed Arsenal, was reportedly not as aggressive, but the 49-year-old was left frustrated after dropping two points late on.
      According to AS Emery told Spanish press he spent half an hour ‘kicking the wall’ after Villarreal were denied a valuable away win by a last minute own goal.
      It means Emery is now winless in FIFTEEN meetings with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

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      And Sunday’s result means the Yellow Submarine have drawn all three of their LaLiga fixtures so far this season.
      Emery’s new signing Arnaut Danjuma announced his arrival at Villarreal with a goal on his debut.
      He scored just eleven minutes after coming on as a substitute to put Emery’s side 2-1 up with fifteen minutes left to play.
      Earlier in the game Manu Trigueros had fired the Yellow Submarine ahead before Luis Suarez netted Atletico Madrid’s equaliser.
      Danjuma then restored Villarreal’s lead before Mandi’s comical own goal meant Atletico Madrid snatched a point with just TEN SECONDS left on the clock.
      And tensions were high as the two clubs headed down the tunnel, with emotions seemingly boiling over.
      Lionel Messi has selfie with Reims goalkeeper’s child More

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      When is transfer deadline day? Date and time for Premier League and EFL window end

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      THE transfer deadline is nearly here.And we have already seen some stunning moves around the Premier League and the rest of Europe.
      Jack Grealish’s £100million transfer to Manchester City from Aston Villa has been the biggest of the summer window so far in EnglandCredit: Getty
      This summer has seen one of the biggest transfers in history, with Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      And Cristiano Ronaldo is controversially set to join Manchester City, 12 years after he departed Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
      But there is a limit to when teams can sign players and we’ve got all the info on this year’s transfer deadline day.
      When is the 2021 summer transfer deadline day?
      This year’s window shuts on Tuesday, August 31.
      Clubs have until 11pm in the UK to sign players and paperwork that has been submitted before the deadline but not completed will be accepted.
      The window opened on June 9, meaning clubs have had a massive 12 weeks to complete their signings.
      In the EFL, Championship, League One and League Two clubs all have the same deadline and timings.
      The Scottish leagues are also running to the same window.
      Do clubs in France, Germany, Italy and Spain have the same transfer window?
      Yes, the transfer window closes on August 31 around the other major European leagues.

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      The deadline times are different in each country though.
      For instance, the Bundesliga deadline time is 5pm local time.
      The windows in Germany, France, Spain and Italy all opened on June 1. More

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      Real Madrid accused of ‘illegal’ and ‘completely incorrect’ Kylian Mbappe transfer approach by PSG chief Leonardo

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN chief Leonardo has slammed Real Madrid over their ‘illegal and unacceptable’ £137million bid to land Kylian Mbappe.But the French giants say they will not stand in the way of the former Monaco striker if the right offer comes in from the Bernabeu.
      Real Madrid have had an offer rejected by Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian MbappeCredit: Rex
      PSG chief Leonardo has hit out at Los Blancos over their bid for MbappeCredit: Rex
      The money put on the table for the 22-year-old is LESS than what his current club paid for him four years ago.
      And Leonardo believes it is a deliberate strategy from Madrid to land him on a free when he is out of contract in summer 2022.
      He said: “Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will not hold him back. We said no to Madrid’s first offer but if our conditions are met, we’ll see.
      “We’ll allow it but on our conditions. Kylian always promised us he will not leave for free.
      “It seems like a strategy from Madrid to try to get a ‘no’ from us, to show that they have tried everything and to wait for a year to get him for free.”
      Leonardo added: “For the last two years the behaviour of Madrid has been incorrect, illegal, getting in contact with his representatives, unacceptable, completely incorrect towards us.

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      “And the proof of this strategy is to present an offer seven days before the market shuts and a year before the end of his contract. It seems like a strategy that suggests they have tried everything.
      “I’m not going to get into figures but the €160m [£137m] is less than we paid for him. But this goes further than this. It’s the way things have been done.
      “It’s disrespectful. We have done everything for Kylian to be with us and one week [from close of market] we are not going to change plans.
      “If a player wants to go, he goes, but under our conditions.”
      Real Madrid supremo Florentino Perez was asked about the bid and said: “They have already answered – and rudely.”
      If PSG do land a sizeable windfall in the next few days, it could lead them to renew their interest in Manchester United ace Paul Pogba.
      The Red Devils have a dilemma looming with the French international – who has less than 12 months on his existing deal – refusing to sign a new deal at Old Trafford.
      A possible move to the Parc des Princes ground to a halt after they swooped for Lionel Messi earlier this month.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      And Pogba has made an encouraging start to the season for United – turning in top stats in training despite his later return to Carrington.
      The arrival of his France international team-mate Raphael Varane from Real Madrid has also given the midfielder a lift.
      So Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be praying there is no more contact from PSG and that the 28-year-old can be persuaded to commit his future to United.

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      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      PSG confirm Kylian Mbappe wants to LEAVE and club rejected Real Madrid’s £137m transfer bid and demand £180m

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have confirmed Kylian Mbappe wants to leave the Parc des Princes.The World Cup winner’s future in the French capital has been up in the air ever since Lionel Messi’s sensational arrival earlier this month.
      France international Kylian Mbappe wants to leave Paris Saint-GermainCredit: AFP
      The World Cup winner’s future at the Parc des Princes has been up in the air since Lionel Messi’s arrivalCredit: Reuters
      Mbappe, 22, was the subject of a £137million bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid earlier this week and subsequently told the PSG brass he wants to move on to pastures new.
      The club’s sporting director Leonardo told RMC: “Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will NOT hold him back. ”
      PSG have, however, rejected Real’s opening offer for the former Monaco man.
      Leonardo said: “We said NO to Madrid’s first offer, but if our conditions are met, we’ll see.”
      Mbappe’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions is set to expire next summer.
      The Frenchman recently rejected PSG’s offer of a new bumper deal.

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      Leonardo said of the contract snub: “We made two important offers to Mbappe: one for the top players in the squad two months ago and one above these players very recently.
      “We want to prove to him that he is an important player, at the center of the project, but not above the project.”
      PSG are willing to cash in on their goal machine, but only if their £180m valuation of the player is met.
      Leonardo said of Real’s opening bid: “It seems like a strategy to try to get a NO from us, to show that they have tried everything and to wait for a year to get Mbappe for free.
      “Kylian always promised he wouldn’t leave for free.
      “Real Madrid official offer is very far from what we want for Kyilian. Yes, it’s around €160m (£137m).
      Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will NOT hold him backLeonardoPSG sporting director
      “It’s less than what we paid for him in 2017
      “We have no plans to talk to Real again for Mbappe. The deadline is August 31 at midnight.
      “This is how the transfer window is: we keep him and we extend.
      “But we’re not going to let him go for less than what we paid when we still owe Monaco money.”
      Real are long-term admirers of Mbappe, who former Los Blancos chief Zinedine Zidane was eager to bring to the Bernabeu.
      And according to Leonardo, the Spaniards have been trying to secure his services for the last TWO years.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      He said: “We have NO plan to talk with Real Madrid again. Will Madrid raise the offer? I don’t know.
      “I only know what I said in relation to Madrid’s attitude. They have been working on Mbappe for two years, talking to everyone, the family.”
      Mbappe and his PSG team-mates will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to the Stade Auguste Delaune to take on Reims.

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      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      Real Madrid ‘to sign Paul Pogba on free transfer next summer after selling Odegaard to raise funds for Man Utd star’

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      REAL MADRID sold Martin Odegaard to Arsenal to lay the track to land long-term target Paul Pogba on a free next summer.Pogba’s deal with Manchester United is due to end in 11 months and Spanish newspaper ABC are reporting that will be the best time for the France star to finally realise his “dream” of playing for Los Blancos.
      Paul Pogba is wanted by Real Madrid in a potentially blockbuster transferCredit: Getty
      Martin Odegaard left Real Madrid to join ArsenalCredit: Getty
      The report says the wheels for Pogba’s trip to Madrid have also been oiled by the Gunners completing the £30million signing of Odegaard, 22, this summer.
      The Norway midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan from Real Madrid but has now signed on a permanent basis.
      In addition to easing pressure on Real’s wage bill, ABC say the Odegaard switch has helped clear the way for Pogba, 28, to become the natural successor to Croatia captain Luka Modric, 35, in Madrid’s midfield.
      ABC say Real have not been prepared to pay the sky-high transfer fee United would have slapped on Pogba in the middle of his contract.
      But if he becomes a free agent next summer that will be the “definitive opportunity” to finally land their man.
      The report adds the Spanish giants will adopt a similar approach to swoop for Pogba’s fellow French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, 22, who is in the final year of his deal at PSG and has just seen the Ligue 1 champions bring in Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

      Any move for Pogba will also give new Real boss Carlo Ancelotti the chance to finally bring to the Bernabeu a player who was always on the radar of his predecessor Zinedine Zidane.
      Pogba started the season brilliantly with four assists in a man-of-the-match display in an opening day win over Leeds, and the Red Devils have entered into negotiations to get him to extend his deal at Old Trafford.
      Moneybags PSG also remain keen to bring the Frenchman back to his homeland.
      But the former Juventus star’s preference is Real and his agent Mino Raiola believes all the pieces are now in place to finally seal his client a move to the Spanish club next summer.
      The arrival of Pogba and Mbappe would be part of an overhaul at the La Liga giants next year with Wales star Gareth Bale, Spain midfielder Isco and Real skipper Marcelo all expected to move on as Ancelotti looks to refresh his ageing squad.

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      Chelsea ‘agree personal terms with Jules Kounde on five-year contract’ with Kurt Zouma transfer exit key to negotiations

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      CHELSEA have reportedly agreed personal terms with Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde on a deal until 2026.It was claimed on Sunday how the Blues were preparing a bid for the 22-year-old who boasts a £68million release clause in his contract.
      Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde has reportedly agreed personal terms with ChelseaCredit: Getty
      German gaffer Thomas Tuchel has made bringing in a defender a priority this summer, but knows he must offload a centre-half in order to sign one.
      And it is understood that Kurt Zouma could be heading out of Stamford Bridge to join West Ham after they met his £26million asking price.
      Commenting on the potential deals, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea just need to now agree a fee with Sevilla over Kounde.
      He tweeted: “Jules Kounde has an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea until June 2026 since weeks.
      “He’s ready to join if the two clubs reach an agreement but he’ll be respectful with Sevilla, not forcing his move.
      “Zouma to West Ham, key to proceed. Talks ongoing on personal terms.”

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      Before adding: “The agreement between West Ham and Chelsea for Kurt Zouma is not a problem.
      “Chelsea are prepared to sell as they want to sign Kounde as priority. Spurs are not in the race.”
      The Champions League holders have only made one major signing this summer in Romelu Lukaku for £97.5m.

      But they have recouped a whopping £93m in player sales, with the club offloading the likes of Tammy Abraham [£34m], Fikayo Tomoro [£25m] and Marc Guehi [£18m].
      And they stand to earn more should they sell Zouma, along with youngster Ike Ugbo, who has been linked with a move to Genk for £4m.
      Meanwhile full-back Davide Zappacosta is set to join Serie A side Atalanta on a permanent deal after two loan spells away.
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      Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the London Derby More