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      Gareth Bale will NOT return to Tottenham, confirms Nuno.. and Welshman faces not being registered for Real Madrid season

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      GARETH BALE will NOT be returning to Tottenham this summer – and faces fight to be registered in Real Madrid’s squad next season thanks to Brexit. The Welshman won’t be returning to Spurs despite a fruitful return in front of goal during his loan spell last season.
      Gareth Bale scored a brace on the final day of last season to sink Leicester’s top four hopes and secure Spurs Europa Conference League footballCredit: PA
      Nuno is taking on his biggest job yet at Tottenham – but says Bale is NOT coming backCredit: PA
      Bale chipped in with 16 goals and three assists across all competitions for Spurs last season, helping them secure a 7th-placed finish.
      However, Bale’s goalscoring exploits won’t earn himself a move back to Tottenham.
      Nuno Espirito Santo has squashed any murmurs of a move for the winger.
      The new Spurs boss said: “Gareth Bale will not be part of our squad.”
      And according to Spanish outlet AS, Bale also faces a dilemma when he returns to Real Madrid.
      The Welshman counts as a non-EU player, and LaLiga clubs are only allowed three non-EU players in their squad – thanks to Brexit.
      Pressure has been put on both Real and Atletico Madrid, who have a host of South American talent.
      Real, in particular, will have a tough decision to make.
      One of Bale, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo or Militao will not be able to be registered as a result of the rule.
      Spanish newspaper AS have revealed one way in which Real could compensate for the returning Bale.
      Rodrygo could be sent to Real’s reserve team Castilla, who play in the Spanish third division.
      However, it would be incredibly harsh on the Brazilian winger who made 22 appearances for Real last season.
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      Nuno’s record as a manager

      Rodrygo could, however, play for Real in the Champions League despite playing in the third tier for Castilla.
      Kieran Trippier is also in the same boat as Bale, but at LaLiga champions Atletico.
      Should Atletico hold on to Trippier – despite strong interest from Manchester United – Colombian right-back Santiago Arias could be forced out to compensate for the Englishman in the clubs’ non-EU player quota.
      Watch Gareth Bale ‘do a Piers Morgan’ and STORM OFF mid-interview after Wales’ 4-0 Euro 2020 thrashing against Denmark More

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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

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      LIONEL MESSI was mobbed by fans leaving a restaurant as he enjoys a much-needed summer rest with his family.The Argentine hero played 50 matches last season, culminating with his country’s historic Copa America 1-0 final win against Brazil.
      Lionel Messi was greeted by dozens of fans after coming out of the restaurant in Miami
      He is enjoying some down time with his family after the Copa America
      And the 34-year-old put his feet up on a sun lounger at his Miami holiday hideaway as he awaited confirmation he is staying at Barcelona after reportedly agreeing to take a 50 per cent pay cut.
      Photos published by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo on her social media show the footballer’s first hours of rest and relaxation with his family following their arrival at their beachfront property.
      The mum-of-three also posted an adorable snap of her and Lionel in the water with their youngest son Ciro, who wore red armbands to keep him afloat.
      Messi’s well-deserved rest day came after he was mobbed by fans as he left a restaurant in Miami on Thursday night.
      He had to be helped to his car by security as supporters massed outside the eaterie and put their arms around him in desperate attempts to take selfies alongside their hero.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who became a free agent at the end of June after his Barca contract expired, picked exclusive Italian restaurant Cafe Ragazzi.
      Owner Ricardo Montaner, an Argentinian-Venezuelan singer-songwriter, wrote on his Twitter alongside a picture of Messi inside the posh diner during his first night out on American soil: “The world number one came to eat @RagazziCafe.
      “Thank you Leo for allowing us to honour you and thank you also for the happiness you gift us all the time.”
      Argentinian journalist Martin Rubenstein added: “This is madness.

      “Cafe Ragazzi in Miami. Copa America champion Messi leaving and Argentinian fans waiting for him outside.”
      It has not yet been revealed exactly where Messi and his family are staying in Florida.
      But the striker reportedly splashed out £5million on a luxury apartment in the area earlier this year.
      Real estate portal The Real Deal said the four-bed four-bathroom property with beautiful ocean views at Sunny Isles beach had its own private pool and 1,000-bottle wine cellar.
      The purchase was said at the time to be his second in Florida after he bought an apartment in the Porsche Design Tower just down the road.
      That pad was reported to have cost Messi at least £7.25m.
      The Porsche Design Tower, completed in 2017, boasts three car lifts that allow residents to park their vehicle on the same floor as their suite.
      Messi is expected to remain in Miami with his family for around a week before jetting back to Barcelona to put pen to paper on a new agreement.
      Local reports in the Catalan capital say he has agreed to take a 50 per cent pay cut but will be offered a five-year deal instead of the two years initially talked about.
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      A lower salary for Messi is key to keeping him at the Nou Camp because of the club’s financial disarray.
      Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay have all signed for the LaLiga giants on free transfers this summer.
      Antoine Griezmann could end up returning to old side Atletico Madrid as part of a swap deal with Saul Niguez to help with the operation to keep Messi at Barcelona.
      The unemployed forward is soaking up the sun in the Florida heat
      Messi opted to go for dinner at the exclusive Italian restaurant Cafe Ragazzi
      Plenty of supporters were waiting for him outside wanting selfies
      Lionel Messi works out with stunning wife Antonela in gym More

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      Heartwarming moment Lionel Messi stuns 100-year-old fan Don Hernan with classy message after he recorded ALL his goals

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      LIONEL MESSI has sent 100-year-old superfan Don Hernan a classy message after finding out the Spaniard has recorded all of his goals on paper. All of Messi’s incredible stats and achievements are just a touch of a button away on the internet.
      Messi finally got his hands on a major international trophy with ArgentinaCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      And the global superstar also gave fan Hernan four more goals to add to his bookCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      But Hernan prefers to log the Barcelona and Argentina captain’s stats the old fashioned way, by pen and paper.
      Hernan’s incredible logbook of every single Messi goal went viral on the social media platform TikTok, thanks to his tech-savvy grandson Julian Mastrangelo.
      The Spaniard has logged every one of the 34-year-old’s goals for club and country.
      And makes sure to ask his grandson whether Messi has scored if he misses a game.
      Following Argentina’s Copa America final triumph against rivals Brazil, captain Messi sent a message to his No1 fan after learning of Hernan’s incredible stat-keeping.
      Messi said: “Hello Hernan. Your story reached me.
      “It seems crazy to me that you have been recording my goals and in that way, and that is why I wanted to send you a big hug and thank you for what you do, for all your follow-up work.”
      After watching Messi’s response, a teary-eyed Hernan responded: “I always followed you and I will follow you.
      “Until the end, I will walk behind you.”
      Thankfully, Hernan has been able to add four more goals to his book.
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      Messi took the Copa America by storm this summer, scoring four goals and providing five assists.
      Playing a role in NINE of Argentina’s 12 goals at the tournament.
      And most importantly, Messi won his first major international trophy with his country as well as ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought.
      Messi ‘agrees to slash pay in HALF to finally sign Barcelona deal… but will still earn £1.2m-a-week’ More

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      Antoine Griezmann ‘wasn’t told Barcelona were negotiating transfer with Atletico Madrid’ making swap deal ‘complicated’

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      BARCELONA didn’t inform Antoine Griezmann that they were negotiating a potential swap deal for Saul Niguez, which would see the Frenchman return to Atletico Madrid. The Catalan giants need to trim their wage bill in order to register their new signings AND keep Lionel Messi.
      Griezmann was involved in 20 goals in 36 league appearances last seasonCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Saul helped Atletico win LaLiga last seasonCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      And Griezmann could be one of Barca’s stars sacrificed, knocking his reported £345,000-a-week wage off the books.
      Messi came close to leaving the Nou Camp this summer, but has recently agreed to take a whopping 50 per cent wage cut to stay at the club.
      As news broke of Messi’s new five-year deal, news surfaced of swap-deal negotiations which would see Saul move to Barca and Griezmann back to Atletico.
      And a deal looked likely to be wrapped up rather quickly.
      However, according to RMC journalist Loic Tanzi, Griezmann wasn’t informed of these negotiations – further complicating the deal.
      Tanzi said on Twitter: “The situation is now a little more complicated.
      “The negotiations between the two clubs took place without Griezmann knowing.
      “And the salary difference is significant. Negotiations are continuing but Barcelona must find a solution.”
      Saul isn’t best pleased with Atletico and feels as if he’s being pushed out of the club where he has spent all of his career.
      The fan favourite made his debut in 2012 and went on to make 337 appearances for the side winning the league title, Copa del Rey and Europa League twice.

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      Supporters are also desperate to see Saul stay at the club, chanting ‘Saul, stay’ as he stepped off the team bus during their pre-season preparations.
      As he went over to offer his signature to waiting fans, fans pleaded for him to stay with one man saying ‘this is your home, stay.’
      And according to El Desmarque, the player responded: “They’re kicking me out of here, man.”
      Messi ‘agrees to slash pay in HALF to finally sign Barcelona deal… but will still earn £1.2m-a-week’ More

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      Ex-Man City wonderkid Brahim Diaz leaving Real Madrid after just two-years as AC Milan seal £21.5m deal

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      BRAHIM DIAZ looks set to swap the Bernabeu for the San Siro in a £21.5million move to AC Milan from Real Madrid.The midfielder, who was a Manchester City starlet, will join the Serie A giants on a two-year loan, according to reports. 
      Brahim Diaz is set to join AC Milan from Real Madrid on a two-year loan dealCredit: Getty
      Football expert Fabrizio Romano claims the Italian side will have an option to buy the player for £18.7m (22m euros) as part of the temporary deal which runs until 2023.
      It is thought Madrid will have a buy-back clause worth £23.6m (27m euros) as part of the agreement. 
      Diaz, 21, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester City in January 2019, has struggled to cement a place in the LaLiga giants’ starting eleven.
      However, the versatile attacking midfielder has impressed on loan in Italy following a move to Milan in September 2020. 
      The player, who was a star for Spain in the Under-17 European Championships in 2016, racked up seven goals and four assists in 39 Milan appearances last term. 
      And the Malaga-born starlet helped Stefani Pioli’s side to finish second in Italy’s top-flight, twelve points behind champions Inter. 
      Diaz, who has returned to Spain to take part in Madrid’s pre-season, has a permanent contract with the Spanish outfit which runs until June 2025. 
      Goal claims the player will be given Milan’s famous number 10 shirt previously worn by former icons including Ruud Gullit and Clarence Seedorf.
      And it is reported the Rossoneri will cover the midfielder’s wages up to the end of 2022-23 season. 

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      Real Madrid’s wages for the 2020-21 season

      Diaz started his footballing career at Malaga before moving to Man City at 16 in 2015
      The player made his senior professional debut for the reigning Prem champs in an EFL Cup clash with Swansea City in September 2016.
      The Spain starlet went on to make 15 appearances for the Etihad giants before sealing a six-year £15.5million switch to Madrid in January 2019.
      Diaz is reportedly due to be given Milan’s number 10 shirtCredit: Getty
      Chelsea star Olivier Giroud in Milan to seal £2m AC Milan transfer after agreeing two-year deal More

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      Man Utd close in on Raphael Varane AND Kieran Trippier transfers in £68m double swoop to bolster defence

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are close to completing a double defensive swoop for Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier.Both deals are all but done with announcements expected towards the end of next week.
      Manchester United are closing in on a £50m deal for Raphael Varane from Real MadridCredit: Getty
      And Kieran Trippier is also set to move to Old Trafford from Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
      United look set to hand Real Madrid a £50million fee for Varane, 28, despite the French international centre-back having just one year left on his Bernabeu contract.
      England full-back Trippier, 30, wants the move to Old Trafford after two successful years at Atletico Madrid — and a transfer worth £18m is in the final stages.
      The two deals will take United’s spending to more than £140m this summer with the arrival of winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £73m.
      Spanish giants Real initially wanted £60m for Varane but have to sell now to get a fee having lost Sergio Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain on a free.
      Varane’s representatives are understood to have negotiated terms over a five-year deal.
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      Concerns over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s distribution going forward and his defending of crosses led to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pursuit of Trippier.
      He also believes he could move Wan-Bissaka inside as part of a three-man backline.
      Trippier can play right-back, left-back or wing-back and was monitored by United all last season as the ex-Tottenham player won LaLiga with Atletico.
      Man Utd release new 2021-22 home kit with old school design More

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      Raphael Varane ‘gives Man Utd green light to start transfer negotiations’ after more than a decade at Real Madrid

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      RAPHAEL VARANE has reportedly agreed to start talks with Manchester United but only if Real Madrid give him permission.The Frenchman has been heavily linked with the Red Devils for some time but does not want to leave the Bernabeu on bad terms having spent more than a decade there.
      Raphael Varane has given the green light to talks with Man Utd if Real Madrid are ok with itCredit: Getty
      Los Blancos’ wage bill is reportedly set to be slashed by more than a third which has thrown massive doubt over the Frenchman’s future at the club.
      The financial impact of Covid-19 has hit the Spanish giants hard.
      That and a huge stadium rebuild have left Real with mounting debt – and they have not paid a fee for a player for almost two years.
      And as a result their LaLiga wage cap will be reduced from £403million to £255m next season, according to the Athletic.
      That has seen Varane, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale all have their futures thrown up in the air.
      Some reports suggest United have already started talks with the France international.
      But Mercato say that is not the case and the 28-year-old will not start until Madrid say he can.
      Real are reluctant to sell their French stalwart, but refuse to lose him for nothing when his contract expires next year.
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      He is currently still on his summer break, having played for France at Euro 2020. His side were eliminated by Switzerland.
      United’s interest in Varane has been long standing – they were even contenders to sign him before he went to Madrid as a teenager in 2011.
      The Red Devils were also keen to sign him in 2018, but couldn’t get a deal done. Madrid were initially thought to want £80million this summer.
      But due to his contract situation, they are resigned to losing him for a lot less. United are believed to be working on a package worth around £50m.
      And they hope to get the deal concluded ‘in the next few weeks’.
      Varane could be United’s second addition of the summer, after they finally agreed a deal with Dortmund for Jadon Sancho.
      They have also been linked with the likes of Pau Torres, as well as Varane’s compatriots Jules Kounde and Eduardo Camavinga.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Man Utd release new 2021-22 home kit with old school design More

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      Lionel Messi works out with stunning wife Antonela in gym as he prepares to sign new five-year Barcelona contract

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      LIONEL MESSI might be a free agent, but he’s keeping in shape with a little help from his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.The Argentine superstar is on the verge of signing a new five-year deal with the Catalan giants despite rumours he would leave.
      Lionel Messi has been working out with his wife ahead of signing a new Barca contract
      Antonela Roccuzzo uploaded pictures of the pair in the gym on InstagramCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
      And he is not letting his personal standards slip as he worked out with his stunning missus.
      Antonela uploaded a video of her dancing in the gym surrounded by weights and equipment.
      And the next shot showed her snuggling up to her long-term beau as they posed for a selfie in the mirror.
      Messi has reached an agreement in principle to extend his Barcelona contract with a 50 per cent pay cut, according to reports.
      The LaLiga giants were unable to get Messi, 34, to sign on the dotted line before his deal expired at the end of last month.
      But reports across the Spanish media now indicate that a breakthrough has been reached.
      The deal will see the Argentine icon slash his pay by half, to around £1.2million-a-week after the details of his previous contract were leaked earlier this year.
      Barcelona will also hold a release clause of just over £300m on the player. The contract is said to last for five years, despite talk of Messi wanting to see out his career with a stint in MLS.

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      The happy couple on their wedding dayCredit: Alamy Live News

      Some outlets claim there is still a possibility for him to venture Stateside during the contract, which will see him operate as a Blaugrana ambassador.
      According to Sport, the striker is willing to accept a pay cut due to the Catalan club’s financial trouble.
      Barcelona have been told to severely reduce their wage bill to abide by LaLiga wage limit rules.
      An agreement was, however, reportedly delayed as both parties were at pains to ensure the contract’s tax situation was in order.
      MESSI’S MARRIAGE TO ANTONELA
      Messi married his childhood sweetheart Antonela in July 2017.
      She was born Argentina’s third largest city of Rosario, just like her hubby.
      Antonela has known the Barcelona star since she was five as her cousin, Lucas Scaglia, was a childhood friend of his.
      If Messi has a reputation of being shy, this was certainly not the case in his pursuit of Antonela, as he regularly visited her home from a young age, just to see her.
      It is not known how long the pair have been together behind closed doors, but they went public with their relationship in 2008.
      The bond between the couple was believed to have strengthened in 2007, when Messi flew back to Rosario to comfort Antonela after the death of her friend.
      Antonela initially trained to be a dentist at university. But she ultimately switched to social communication.
      In November 2016, she posted on Instagram stating that she had signed a modelling contract with Argentine fashion label Ricky Sarkany.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The pair are childhood sweetheartsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
      Liverpool legend Pepe Reina reveals himself to be Penguin from Spain’s version of Masked Singer More