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    Spanish newspaper jokes that Ronaldo has ‘offered himself to Barcelona and has contacted Xavi’

    A SPANISH NEWSPAPER has hilariously joked that Cristiano Ronaldo has offered himself to Barcelona as he is unhappy at Manchester United.The Portuguese superstar, they claimed, contacted Barca centre-back Gerard Pique and asked him to speak to Nou Camp boss Xavi about a move.
    Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly offered himself to Barcelona as he is unhappy at Man UtdCredit: Reuters
    But not is all as it seems.
    Spain celebrate their equivalent of April Fool’s Day on December 28 and Mundo Deportivo dreamed up the incredible story as a prank.
    The report suggested his agent Jorge Mendes was already negotiating terms with Barca president Joan Laporta.
    It said Ronnie was aware the cash-strapped Catalans are looking for a goalscorer.
    And so he contacted Xavi ‘a few days ago’ after an introduction by his former United team-mate Pique.
    Several high-profile Barca execs were said to have thought the transfer of the Real Madrid legend was a joke when they first heard.
    The story hilariously added that Pique even asked Lionel Messi if his arch-nemesis could rent his house from him if Ronaldo joined.
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    The joke was perfectly timed with Ronaldo cutting an unhappy figure at Manchester United.
    After his side only managed a 1-1 draw with Newcastle, he stormed straight down the tunnel without acknowledging the travelling fans.
    Red Devils legend Gary Neville was fuming with his old pal over the snub.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Ronaldo most recently played at the Nou Camp with Juventus last year.
    He scored two penalties taking his total number of career goals against Barcelona to a staggering 34.
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    Barcelona board and Xavi split on raiding Chelsea for Azpilicueta and Christensen despite duo ‘willing to join for free’

    BARCELONA are pondering a move for Chelsea pair Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, Spanish reports say. The Blues defensive duo are both out of contract at the end of the season, and yet to renew their deals.
    Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are both linked with BarcelonaCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
    Unless they sign a contract extension, in January they are allowed to start negotiating a free transfer abroad.
    According to Sport, both Azpilicueta, 30, and Christensen, 25, are keen on a move to Barca, with the LaLiga giants also interested.
    But it is claimed no official offers have been made to the pair.
    Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, 22, is said to be Barca boss Xavi’s preferred choice, but a far more expensive one at that.
    That means the club legend oculd soon be at odds with his cash-strapped bosses.
    Especially with fund now even lower after the club somehow funded the £55million deal for Man City’s Ferran Torres.
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    Chelsea also face losing Antonio Rudiger, 28, with the German also facing six months left on his deal.
    And there is growing concern from Stamford Bridge that the German will not renew, with Real Madrid a heavily linked alternative.
    Contrary to reports in Spain, club captain Azpilicueta on the other hand is willing to stay and fight for his place, The Athletic say.
    But Chelsea have long had a policy of only offering players over 30 one-year extensions.
    Christensen meanwhile could be closing in on a new deal, along with Thiago Silva, journalist  Gianluca Di Marzio reported.
    Silva, 37, signed on a free from PSG in 2019 and was handed one year with the option to extend.
    That was triggered, but the Brazilian is set to now sign another 12-month deal.
    Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger are both out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: Reuters More

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    Ronaldo ‘offers himself to Barcelona and has contacted Xavi and Pique over transfer exit as he is unhappy’ at Man Utd

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has offered himself to Barcelona as he is unhappy at Manchester United, according to reports.The Portuguese superstar is said to have contacted Barca centre-back Gerard Pique and asked him to speak to Nou Camp boss Xavi about a move.
    Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly offered himself to Barcelona as he is unhappy at Man UtdCredit: Reuters
    His agent Jorge Mendes is also already negotiating terms with Barca president Joan Laporta, according to Mundo Deportivo.
    Ronnie is aware the cash-strapped Catalans are looking for a goalscorer.
    He is said to have contacted Xavi ‘a few days ago’ thanks to an introduction by his former United team-mate Pique.
    Mendes has a good relationship with Laporta and the pair are already discussing the viability of the move.
    Several high-profile Barca execs were said to have thought the transfer of the Real Madrid legend was a joke when they first heard.
    Ronaldo is said to be unhappy at Old Trafford with the team still struggling despite his added goals.
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    The 36-year-old is also said to be unconvinced by Ralf Rangnick’s methods.
    Pique reportedly conveyed Ronnie’s thoughts to Xavi.
    And the Barca boss is said to have replied: “Goals and experience he can give us, it is unquestionable.”
    But the former midfield maestro asked the defender to go back and check where Ronaldo wants to play.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    And in what would be a dramatic twist, Pique also asked Lionel Messi if his arch-nemesis could rent his house from him if Ronaldo joined.
    Ronaldo most recently played at the Nou Camp with Juventus last year.
    He scored two penalties taking his total number of career goals against Barcelona to a staggering 34.
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    Man Utd ‘reject Sevilla loan bid for Anthony Martial’ as Red Devils want all of his wages covered and a loan fee on top

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly rejected a loan bid for Anthony Martial from Sevilla.The Spanish club are said to have made a straight loan proposal with no option or obligation to buy clauses.
    Man Utd have reportedly rejected a loan offer from Sevilla for Anthony MartialCredit: Alamy
    According to Sky Sports News, the Spanish club wanted the French forward until the end of the season.
    However, ESPN later reported that the deal had been batted away by United over wages.
    United are said to want ALL of Martial’s wages covered in the deal, with a loan fee on top.
    Sevilla are said to have only offered to pay half of Martial’s reported weekly wage of £250,000.
    United are said to be happy to keep Martial in January if their terms are not met – even though he has made it clear he wants to leave.
    Martial’s agent has already stated that his client wants to move next month, despite his contract not expiring until June 2024.
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    But last week, Rangnick told Martial ‘Forget about leaving in January because NOBODY wants you’.
    He confirmed the French international told him he wants out of Old Trafford.
    But Rangnick said the Red Devils will only sell the 26-year-old next month if it suits the club.
    United are still fighting in three competitions and seem certain to have a busy end to the season.
    Rangnick said: “Yes we spoke on Wednesday. We spoke at length.
    “He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
    “In a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
    “We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions.
    “I told him as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
    “So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley irritated Rangnick earlier this month by going public with his client’s desire to leave prior to discussing it with the United boss.
    The striker, who cost £36million from Monaco in 2015 in a deal that could rise to £58m, has started only three matches in all competitions this season with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo limiting his opportunities.
    Martial has made ten appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice.
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    Former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos set for £8.5m permanent transfer from Real Madrid to Real Betis

    FORMER Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos is reportedly set for an £8.5million January transfer from Real Madrid to Real Betis.The Spaniard has not played a minute for Los Blancos this season and his Bernabeu career looks to be over.
    Dani Ceballos is set to leave Real Madrid for Real Betis in an £8.5m January moveCredit: Getty
    Betis are willing to cough up £8.5m while Real want around £12.5m, according to Mundo Deportivo.
    Despite the difference in valuation, both sides are optimistic a deal can be done.
    Ceballos, 25, is said to have a ‘burning desire’ to return to his old club.
    Madrid signed him from Betis for around £13m in 2017.
    But he has been an outcast in the Spanish capital since picking up a horror ankle injury with Spain in the Tokyo Olympics.
    If the move goes through, Ceballos would link up with former Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.
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    Betis are currently third in LaLiga.
    Jose Mourinho’s Roma have also been keeping tabs on Ceballos.
    Mourinho made no secret of his desire to bring in a midfielder last summer and was said to be keen on Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka.
    And the Gunners are also said to be monitoring Ceballos’ situation – whose contract expires in June 2023.
    Ceballos scored two goals and added five assists in 77 games for the Gunners and was part of their FA Cup-winning team in 2019-20.
    ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
    But the Spaniard underwhelmed during his Emirates spell and was allowed to return to his parent club after two disappointing Premier League seasons in North London.
    Ceballos admitted shortly after leaving that he struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, saying: “I like the Spanish league more, it suits my game better.”
    The club opted to sign his Real team-mate Martin Odegaard instead in a £34m deal and the Norwegian has enjoyed a decent start to life since becoming a Gunner.
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    Man Utd transfer target Ousmane Dembele agrees new five-year Barcelona contract on REDUCED wages

    OUSMANE DEMBELE will NOT be joining Manchester United, with the Barcelona winger reportedly set to put pen-to-paper on a new contract. The Frenchman has previously been linked with a move to United, but has now agreed a new five-year deal at Barcelona on a LOWER weekly wage.
    Dembele is set to sign a new deal at Barcelona on a lower weekly wageCredit: Getty
    According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the 24-year-old will sign a new deal next month.
    By taking a lower fee home, the wide-man will help reduce Barca’s overall wage bill, therefore helping to fund new signings.
    It’s the opposite to most new contract announcements, with players often rewarded with bumper new deals, not reduced earnings.
    Cash-strapped Barca are in mounds of debt, but are still set to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City for around £55million.
    It’s claimed that Dembele went against the wishes of his agents by agreeing to a new deal.
    They had been keen on a move for their client in order to secure a hefty commission fee.
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    But Dembele was said to be ‘decisive’ in his will to stay and be part of Xavi’s rebuilding project at the Nou Camp.
    A number of clubs had been interested in signing the World Cup winner, with his current contract expiring at the end of the campaign.
    But now a new long-term deal at Barcelona is set to put an end to that interest.
    Newcastle reportedly made an approach for Dembele as the Magpies chase a marquee signing in January.
    Eddie Howe is desperate for reinforcements in order to help his side survive the drop.
    Tottenham too have been linked with Dembele in recent weeks, with Antonio Conte also looking to make some signings of his own.
    However, all interested parties are now set to miss out on signing Dembele.
    An official announcement of a new contract at Barca is expected next week, with only the ‘closing details’ left to be finalised between the player and the club.
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    Man Utd wanted Ronaldo to go to Barcelona instead of Real Madrid in 2009 – meaning he could’ve played with Lionel Messi

    MANCHESTER UNITED almost managed to get Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to link-up… for Barcelona.Portuguese superstar Ronaldo shattered football’s transfer record in 2009 when he left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid for £80million.

    Los Blancos had already splashed out on Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka in response to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering debut season as Nou Camp chief the year before.
    But they were almost denied the jewel in returning president’s Florentino Perez’s masterplan if Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way.
    The legendary Scot was desperate to avoid losing Ronaldo to Real once he’d accepted that the former Sporting Lisbon winger was set to leave.
    Fergie had even said back in 2008 that he wouldn’t sell Madrid a ‘virus’ let alone his best player.
    And according to Spanish newspaper AS, the United boss realised at the time that Barcelona were the only other club who could afford Ronaldo.

    The 79-year-old apparently contacted the Catalans to encourage a bid but the Portugal captain had already set his mind on a move to the Bernabeu.
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    Guardiola’s most notable signing that summer involved an infamous swap deal with Inter Milan involving Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
    But the acquisition of Ronaldo would have not only ushered in an era of pure dominance for Barcelona, but also have cancelled out his famed rivalry with Messi.
    Whether Manchester City chief Pep could have managed to get the two to play together is up for debate, as he boasted an embarrassment of attacking riches while in charge of Barca.
    While Arsenal legend Thierry Henry flourished for Barca on the left wing, Ronaldo could have occupied the opposite flank to leave Messi in the hole behind Ibra.
    Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets may have had to share a spot on the substitutes bench, with Spanish duo Xavi and Iniesta holding down the two spots in the middle.
    Messi was asked by Mundo Deportivo last year whether he would pass to Ronaldo if the two were on the same team.
    The Argentine joked: “I guess so, in the end, yes.”
    Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a then-world record transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    The Portuguese superstar was also offered to Barcelona which would have made him teammates with Lionel MessiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    Man Utd outcast Anthony Martial ‘wants Sevilla transfer’ with Barcelona and Juventus circling ahead of Rangnick talks

    ANTHONY MARTIAL wants to join Sevilla, according to reports.The Manchester United forward has dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the summer arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
    Anthony Martial could join Sevilla from Manchester United in January, initially on loanCredit: Getty
    And with his game time limited, he is actively weighing up his transfer options with January less than two weeks away.
    Earlier in December, Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley said: “Anthony wishes to leave the club in January.
    “He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.”
    Now, according to Sky Sports, the Spanish side are in pole position to land the Frenchman when the market reopens.
    Sevilla are currently second in LaLiga, six points off Real Madrid with a game in hand.
    Rafa Mir is their top scorer so far this term with seven goals, one more than Lucas Ocampos, while Ivan Rakitic and Erik Lamela have four each.
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    An initial loan deal is most likely rather than a permanent deal in the middle of the season.
    The report adds Barcelona and Juventus are also monitoring Martial’s situation and could make a swoop, while Atletico Madrid have been linked, too.
    SunSport revealed mega-rich Newcastle could also be in the race for the ex-Monaco star’s signature, who joined United for an initial £36million in 2015, then a record transfer fee for a teenager.
    Martial, 26, has featured for just 202 minutes across seven Premier League appearances this term.
    His only goal came in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
    A knee injury has ruled him out in recent weeks, meaning he is still yet to play under new boss Ralf Rangnick.
    But the Sky Sports report adds the pair are due to sit down to discuss the attacker’s future in the coming days.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More