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      Lionel Messi lands in Barcelona STILL a free agent before going on holiday again but will sign new contract next week

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      FREE AGENT Lionel Messi has returned to Barcelona with his family – but only to pack another holiday bag after his sunshine breaks in Miami and the Dominican Republic.However, the Argentine hero is set to sign a new contract at the Nou Camp next week.
      Lionel Messi landed back in Barcelona – before heading off on another holidayCredit: Twitter @tjcope
      His family got into the people carrier first before they were driven awayCredit: Twitter @tjcope

      The 34-year-old was driven to his home on the exclusive Bellamar residential estate in Castelldefels after touching down in a private plane at Barcelona’s El Prat airport.
      Waiting fans and journalists asked ‘are you staying at Barcelona?’ and ‘ready to sign your new contract?’ as he headed for a chauffeur-driven people carrier in a black T-shirt and denim shorts.
      His wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children Thiago, eight, Mateo, five, and Ciro, three, were the first into the vehicle, as filmed by Tiempo de Juego.
      Lionel stopped briefly to sign a shirt for a fan as police looked on before the Messis were driven away.
      The superstar, a free agent since the end of June, is expected to continue his holidays somewhere closer to home before penning a new contract at his boyhood club.
      Last year he hired a private yacht which cost £45,000 per week and was spotted off the coast of Ibiza.
      Messi has reportedly agreed in principle to take a 50 per cent pay cut at the Nou Camp but will be offered a five-year deal instead of the two years initially expected.
      A lower salary for Messi is key to keeping him at the LaLiga side because of its troubled financial situation.
      Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona in May on a free transfer, is due to report for training on Monday.
      But Messi is not expected to resume training until he has finalised a new deal and medical, with Sport reporting an official signing announcement due in the first week of August.
      That would mean he could face Cristiano Ronaldo when Juventus play Barcelona in a pre-season friendly on August 8.

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      Messi left Barcelona on May 25 to prepare for the Copa America.
      Angel Di Maria’s first-half goal in the final against Brazil helped Argentina to their first major title in 28 years.
      It was the first for Messi after a string of World Cup and Copa America final losses.
      Reports suggest the Argentine will put pen to paper on his new deal next week
      Messi enjoyed a fine summer on the other side of the Atlantic with Copa America victory and two holidaysCredit: Rex
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      Watch as Lionel Messi is mobbed by fans in Miami after leaving restaurant as he and wife Antonela relax on holiday More

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      Arsenal ‘refuse to give up on Martin Odegaard transfer and Real Madrid midfielder is keen to return to Emirates’

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      ARSENAL have NOT given up hope on signing Real Madrid ace Martin Odegaard, according to reports. The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Gunners, making 20 appearances in the process.
      Odegaard wants to fight for his place at Real, but is open to returning to ArsenalCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      But the Norwegian wonderkid only managed to play a part in four goals across all competitions.
      According to Football.london, Odegaard wants to fight for his place at Real, but hasn’t shut the door completely on a return to Arsenal.
      Real are interested on listening to offers for Odegaard, who has failed to stake a claim to a first team place since joining at the tender age of 16.
      Odegaard enjoyed his time in London and posted a heartfelt message to the club and its supporters once his loan had expired.
      He said: “Arsenal, Thank you so much for these 6 months.
      “My time with the Arsenal family will always hold a special place in my heart.
      “I wanna [sic] thank everyone in and around the club for the way you made me feel like a part of the family since the first day.
      “Special thanks to the fans, even without you guys at the stadium for the majority of the season, I felt you with me at all times.
      Martin, you are in Madrid. Wake up, macho.Tomas Roncero
      “A huge thank you to the boss and his staff for everything I’ve learned during my stay. Thank you also to all my teammates for such a great time on and off the pitch.
      “Will miss you all. Thank you, gunners family. Always in my heart.”
      Since returning to his parent club, Odegaard has been blasted for his performance in Real’s shock 2-1 pre-season loss to Scottish champions Rangers.
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      Spanish outlet AS’ Tomas Roncero has warned Odegaard to “wake up”.
      In his review of the loss, Roncero said: “Odegaard is the eternal promise. Surrounded by homegrown players, he should have said ‘here I am’.
      “What is there to do? Like at Arsenal, do they all play for him? Martin, you are in Madrid. Wake up, macho.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates

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      Raphael Varane ‘studies Man Utd and asks for clips of set-pieces to get head start ahead of transfer from Real Madrid’

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      RAPHAEL VARANE has studied clips of Manchester United defending set-pieces so he can hit the ground running when he joins, according to reports.The Real Madrid defender looks set to move to Old Trafford this summer, and he’s already looking into where they can improve.
      Varane, 28, wants a new challenge and has his sights set on a move to the Premier LeagueCredit: GETTY IMAGES

      According to the Manchester Evening News, Varane has been studying United’s defending from last season.
      And has specifically requested footage of their set-piece organisation.
      The four-time Champions League winner was told it would be a waste of time, as United were poor at defending set-piece situations last season, despite finishing second.
      Man Utd have already taken matters into their own hands by appointing Eric Ramsey as their set-piece coach.
      Varane, alongside club captain Harry Maguire, would form a formidable centre-back partnership.
      Both possess leadership qualities, are dominant in a tackle and in the air, which is just what United need.
      And as SunSport understands, Man Utd and Real are nearing an agreement over a fee believed to be in the region of £40million for the Frenchman.
      Personal terms with 28-year-old Varane are believed to be already agreed.
      We’ve signed a genuine world-class centre back. His list of honours is ridiculous, it’s as long as my arm.Rio Ferdinand
      United legend Rio Ferdinand – who formed a legendary partnership with Nemanja Vidic – is excited by the potential signing and the project that is at hand under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Speaking on his Youtube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, he said: “What a signing. There’s been talk in the transfer market since it opened up – it must have come from the player.
      “He must have wanted to leave, and be part of the new Man United way, the project that’s going ahead.
      “With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing a new deal, Sancho coming in – the talent they’ve got there, the ability to play alongside Maguire after he did so well at the Euros probably played a part. 
      “I just think he sees this as a better project than what he’s got at Real Madrid now.”
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      Ferdinand also praised United’s ‘assertive’ approach in the transfer market.
      He continued: “United have been criticised in the past, and rightly so, for dilly-dallying in the market.
      “This one they were assertive, they went for their man and they got him. No doubt in my mind, he would have said to Real Madrid ‘I need it, I want it, I have to go.'”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford

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      Barcelona hope to announce Lionel Messi contract renewal before friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus

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      BARCELONA reportedly want to announce Lionel Messi’s new contract in the first week of August.And that would allow the Argentine ace to clash once again with old foe Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Barcelona hope to confirm Lionel Messi’s new deal in the first week of AugustCredit: AFP
      Messi, 34, is officially a free agent after his Nou Camp contract expired at the start of July.
      However, the legendary forward is said to be eager to extend his stay with Barcelona.
      And talks are ongoing over a new long-term deal.
      However, the Catalans have been unable to meet Messi’s terms as they struggle to balance the books.
      It’s reckoned a number of players must leave before Messi’s deal can be finalised.
      But Catalan newspaper Sport claims Barca chiefs are now hoping to confirm the contract by the end of next week.
      Should Messi officially return as a Barcelona player, it would mean he could face Ronaldo when Juventus play the Spaniards in a pre-season friendly on August 8.
      The old rivals duelled for Ballons d’Or, LaLiga titles and Champions Leagues during Ronnie’s time at Real Madrid.
      And fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing them share the stage once again.
      Ronaldo, 36, has entered the final year of his Juventus contract.
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      And it’s reckoned he will not be offered an extension when it expires in 2022.
      Real have already been linked with a move for their former superstar after rehiring Carlo Ancelotti as boss.
      And that could set up a fresh battle between Ronaldo and Messi in El Clasico.
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      Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela stuns in micro bikini as the couple swim underwater together More

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      Best 25 football stadiums around world, from the Bernabeu to San Mames… but Tottenham’s £1bn ground down in 21

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      ATMOSPHERE, capacity and the quality of the toilets are all taken into consideration when fans argue about the best stadiums in the world.And a poll to determine which ground holds that honour has revealed some surprising results.
      Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera home in Buenos Aires is one of the most iconic stadiums in the worldCredit: Getty
      Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium is also one of the most well knownCredit: Getty
      Tottenham splashed out a staggering £1BILLION on their new North London home which currently ranks just 21st despite being the most expensive stadium ever built.
      But surprisingly, it’s a stadium in Egypt that sits in the No 1 spot.
      Here SunSport reveals the results of a poll conducted by Spanish outlet Marca.
      1 CAIRO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
      Home team: Al Ahly
      Capacity: 75,000
      Location: Cairo, Egypt
      Cairo International StadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2 SANTIAGO BERNABEU
      Home team: Real Madrid
      Capacity: 81,044
      Location: Madrid, Spain
      Santiago Bernabeu stadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      3 NOU CAMP
      Home team: Barcelona
      Capacity: 99,354
      Location: Barcelona, Spain
      Nou CampCredit: Getty
      4 MOUNUMENTAL DE CHILE
      Home team: Colo Colo
      Capacity: 47,347
      Location: Santiago, Chile
      Monumental de ChileCredit: Getty
      5 SAN MAMES
      Home team: Athletic Bilbao
      Capacity: 53,289
      Location: Bilbao, Spain
      San Mames stadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      6 WANDA METROPOLITANO
      Home team: Atletico Madrid
      Capacity: 68,456
      Location: Madrid, Spain
      Wanda MetropolitanoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      7 ANFIELD
      Home team: Liverpool
      Capacity: 54,074
      Location: Liverpool, England
      AnfieldCredit: Getty
      8 LA BOMBONERA
      Home team: Boca Juniors
      Capacity: 49,000
      Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
      Boca Juniors’ La BomoneraCredit: Getty
      9 SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
      Home team: Borussia Dortmund
      Capacity: 81,360
      Location: Dortmund, Germany
      WestfalenstadionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      10 MOHAMED V
      Home team: Raja and Wydad Casablanca
      Capacity: 52,000
      Location: Casablanca, Morocco
      Mohamed V Stadium – CasablancaCredit: Africa Cup of Nations

      11 STADE OLYMPIQUE DE RADES
      Home team: Tunisian national team
      Capacity: 60,000
      Location: Rades, Tunisia
      Stade Olympique de RadesCredit: Getty
      12 WEMBLEY
      Home team: England national team
      Capacity: 90,000
      Location: London, England
      Wembley StadiumCredit: Alamy
      13 OLD TRAFFORD
      Home team: Manchester United
      Capacity: 76,000
      Location: Manchester, England
      Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
      14 MARACANA
      Home team: Brazil national team, Flamengo, Fluminense
      Capacity: 78,838
      Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
      Maracana stadiumCredit: Getty
      15 SAN SIRO
      Home team: AC Milan, Inter Milan
      Capacity: 80,018
      Location: Milan, Italy
      San SiroCredit: Getty
      16 ALLIANZ ARENA
      Home team: Bayern Munich
      Capacity: 75,024
      Location: Munich, Germany
      Allianz ArenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      17 STADE VELODROME
      Home team: Marseille
      Capacity: 67,394
      Location: Marseille, France
      Stade VelodromeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      18 ESTADIO DA LUZ
      Home team: Benfica
      Capacity: 65,647
      Location: Lisbon, Portugal
      Estadio da Luz, LisbonCredit: Getty
      19 JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA
      Home team: Ajax
      Capacity: 54,990
      Location: Amsterdam, Holland
      Johan Cruyff arenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      20 MOUNUMENTAL
      Home team: River Plate
      Capacity: 70,074
      Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
      Monumental, Buenos AiresCredit: AFP
      21 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM
      Home team: Tottenham Hotspur
      Capacity: 62,303
      Location: London, England
      Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: Getty
      22 ESTADIO AZTECA
      Home team: Mexico national team, Club America and Cruz Azul
      Capacity: 87,523
      Location: Mexico City, Mexico
      Estadio AztecaCredit: Getty
      23 SOCCER CITY STADIUM
      Home team: South Africa national team, Kaizer Chiefs
      Capacity: 94,736
      Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
      Soccer City StadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      24 CELTIC PARK
      Home team: Celtic
      Capacity: 60,411
      Location: Glasgow, Scotland
      Celtic ParkCredit: PA:Press Association

      25 AZADI STADIUM
      Home team: Iran national team
      Capacity: 78,116
      Location: Tehran, Iran
      Azadi StadiumCredit: Getty
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      Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Juventus and not seek transfer away, says club legend and vice president Pavel Nedved

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has been tipped to stay at Juventus by vice president Pavel Nedved, ending any transfer speculation.Ronaldo has just one year left on his contract with the Italians and having not extended it, question marks over his future were raised.
      Cristiano Ronaldo has just one year left on his contractCredit: Rex
      Pavel Nedved said Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at JuventusCredit: Getty
      PSG and former clubs Manchester United and Real Madrid have both been linked with the superstar forward.
      But Juve legend and now club chief Nedved have told them to forget about it, as Ronaldo is staying put.
      He told Sky Sport: “Ronaldo has been called up for July 26, he’ll be back on Monday and will stay with us.”
      Ronaldo, 36, is currently on holiday in Mallorca, having led Portugal to the last 16 of the European Championships in the summer.
      According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, he is expected to arrive in Turin very shortly to discuss his future with Juve.
      He signed for the Serie A giant in 2018 for £99million from Real Madrid and won the league in his first two seasons.
      But under Andrea Pirlo, 42, last term it was a disaster for the club, who only just finished fourth and missed out on the title for the first time in ten years.
      Pirlo has since been replaced by Massimiliano Allegri – who left the club in 2019 – but it has not yet convinced Ronaldo to commit his future.
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      PSG is seen as realistic destination, although it is believed they will NOT make a move unless Kylian Mbappe leaves.
      Frenchman Mbappe, 22, has been a long-time transfer target of Real Madrid.
      But as was the case with Nedved, 48, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi promised the forward will not be going anywhere.
      He told L’Equipe: “I will be clear. Mbappe is going to stay in Paris.
      “We will never sell him and he will never leave on a free. Mbappe has everything he needs in Paris.”
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      Gareth Bale back in Real Madrid training as Man Utd transfer target Raphael Varane takes part on first day of pre-season

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      RAPHAEL VARANE returned to Real Madrid’s training ground today with his move to Manchester United still in the balance.The 28-year-old is keen to move to England.
      Raphael Varane has returned to pre-season with Real Madrid but could be off to Manchester United soonCredit: Getty
      But with nothing yet signed off he had to report to Valdebebas for tests at the end of his summer break.
      The Red Devils have been in talks with the French defender’s representatives over personal terms in recent weeks.
      United are believed to be reluctant to match the huge financial package he currently has at the Bernabeu.
      Varane, 28, benefits from preferential tax rates as a non-Spanish resident.
      It means he is believed to earn around £400,000 a week.
      And that has held up the deal – meaning the former Lens defender remains in limbo.
      Old Trafford sources say talks are ongoing and they have yet to open discussions with Madrid over the transfer fee.
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      As he has just one year left on his contract, United will hope to land him for around £40million and remain hopeful a deal can be done.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Varane as the new centre-back he wants.
      He previously looked at Seville’s Jules Kounde and Pau Torres of Villareal.
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      Gareth Bale spent last season at Tottenham but is back in Madrid this termCredit: Getty
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      Barcelona CONFIRM they are open to Antoine Griezmann transfer exit as Laporta admits ‘there’s a market’ for him

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      BARCELONA are reportedly considering offers for Antoine Griezmann with the club ramping up efforts to clear its enormous wage bill. And Nou Camp president Joan Laporta has claimed there is interest from the Blaugrana’s rivals in the France playmaker, according to Goal.  
      Barcelona are reportedly open to transfer bids for GriezmannCredit: AFP
      Barca, who finished third in LaLiga last term, are facing a budget headache as they bid to ease their financial crisis. 
      In January Mundo Deportivo claimed the Catalan giants were in debt to the tune of £1billion (1.173 bn euros). 
      The club is thought to be keen on selling several players this summer with officials reportedly open to bids for Griezmann. 
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      The forward, 30, who sealed a £102million 2019 move from Atletico Madrid, currently costs Barca a reported £30m a year in wages. 
      And French sports paper L’Equipe claims the 2018 World Cup winner has been offered to four sides including Juventus, Tottenham and his former employers Atletico Madrid. 
      At a press conference Laporta told reporters: “Griezmann is a Barca player, he has a contract with the club until 2024 and, unless circumstances change, we are counting on him.
      “There have been some movements on the market and we can’t deny that there’s been interest in him. That’s a sign of his quality.
      “It’s a special market and you have to use your imagination, perhaps thinking in swap deals, but we value Antoine a lot.
      “The club made a big investment in him and we are happy with him.
      “It’s not easy for a club to come in with an offer for a player at his level. But the transfer window is just getting started and there’s a market for Griezmann.
      “If things start moving, we’re open to all proposals because we’re in a delicate moment financially and we have to balance the books to comply with the league’s financial fair play rules.”
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      Griezmann was part of the Les Bleus side who fell to a shock round 16 loss to Switzerland at the 2020 Euros. 
      And the player had some early-season struggles on the pitch at Barcelona last term failing to net in his first six games under boss Ronald Koeman. 
      However, the player went on to score 20 goals in 51 games across all competitions for the club. 

      Reports claim a move back to Atletico two years on from his big bucks departure from the club could be in the pipeline. 
      Sky Sports reported a swap deal involving Atletico’s Saul Niguez as being among the suggestions being mooted. 
      And it is also thought PSG are rumoured to have an interest in the France star with Kylian Mbappe’s Parc des Prince future thought to be uncertain.
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