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      Nuno Espirito Santo already faces missing out on first Tottenham transfer as Sevilla demand £69m for Jules Kounde

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      REAL MADRID could be about to throw a spanner in the works of Tottenham’s hopes of signing Jules Kounde, according to reports. The LaLiga giants are thought to be willing to offer a player-plus-cash deal for the Sevilla star, who is wanted by new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo. 
      Real Madrid are rivalling Tottenham for the signature of Sevilla star Jules KoundeCredit: Getty
      Kounde – who was also a Chelsea transfer target – has a £69million release clause in his contractCredit: Rex
      The former Wolves chief was officially confirmed as Tottenham’s new manager yesterday.
      And it is thought Santo wants to make the France international his first Spurs signing, according to Calciomercato via Sport Witness.  
      However, reports claim it is unclear whether the North London outfit would be willing to meet the release clause for the former Bordeaux centre-back. 
      It is believed the price tag for this is £69million.

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      As well as the high fee, there is also the complication of real Madrid’s interest.
      Los Blancos, who were beaten to last term’s LaLiga crown by Atletico Madrid, are thought to be open to offering Isco, 29, as part of a bid for Kounde.  
      Earlier this year Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui was reported to be a big admirer of the Real Madrid outcast according to Spanish sports newspaper AS. 
      And Spanish outlet Sport claims Madrid hope an offer of Isco in addition to a cash payment could potentially bring the asking price for Kounde down to between £34.4m and £43m. 
      Kounde, who made a five-year £21million switch to Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019, made 29 league appearances last term for the club who finished fourth in Spain’s top tier.
      And the former Ligue One ace helped the Spanish outfit win the 2020 Europa League trophy. 
      Champions League winners Chelsea were rumoured to be interested in a player-plus-cash deal for Kounde according to reports earlier this year. 
      It is thought Thomas Tuchel’s side were willing to offer Hakim Ziyech as part of a potential deal. 
      Nuno Espirito Santo reportedly wants to make Kounde his first signing at TottenhamCredit: EPA

      However the 2021 Champions League winners were thought to have balked at the France starlet’s £69million release clause. 
      Kounde was part of the Les Bleus squad knocked out in the last-16 of this year’s Euros.
      The player started for France in their 2-2 group stage draw against Portugal in the tournament.
      The 5ft 10in star made his senior international debut for Didier Deschamps’ side in a friendly match against Wales in June.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Tottenham appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as their new boss after long search finally ends More

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      Watch Zinedine Zidane, 49, roll back the years in 5-a-side game with his sons after quitting Real Madrid

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE rolled back the years by showing off his brilliant skills in a game of 5-a-side with his sons.The Frenchman is enjoying time off after quitting Real Madrid for a second time at the end of the season.
      Zidane showed off his amazing skill
      The Frenchman still has immaculate close control
      And in a game of fives with his sons Elyaz, Driss, Theo and Luca, Zizou showed off his velvet close control.
      In a series of videos posted to his Instagram story, the elder Zidane dazzled in his tiny shorts with mesmerising close control as he oozed class on the field.
      The posts come 15 years to the day since a 34-year-old Zizou produced a masterclass as he inspired France to victory over Brazil at the 2006 World Cup final.
      Les Bleus didn’t fair so well in this summer’s Euro 2020, however, being shocked by superb Switzerland earlier this week.
      The early exit has led to mounting pressure on World Cup winning boss Didier Deschamps – with Zidane waiting in the wings.
      Deschamps, however, has credit in the bank – as well as a fantastic relationship with the French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet.
      Speaking on the manager’s position to Le Figaro, Le Graet said: “He needs to think through, me too, we will see each somewhere outside the FFF to spend the day together, get a sense of his motivation and desires.
      “We are not going to call everything into question, after everything that he did.
      Zinedine Zidane left Real Madrid in MayCredit: AFP

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      “We are speaking of a man who has won it all and who took us to the 2018 World Cup.
      “I am waiting to see him and for us to speak to reflect on this competition and speak about football.
      “I want to see how he is feeling, if his motivation is in tact, and mine too.”
      On Zidane, he added: “He is a man who I like, we are not going to go over his success as a player and a manager.
      “Zidane will one day lead France. When? I don’t know. I do not have a scoop for you today.”
      Noel Le Graet will hold talks with Didier Deschamps over his futureCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Zidane blasts journalist for ‘shameful’ question about Real Madrid exit before taking him away from camera for chat More

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      Willian Jose reveals transfer offer from Man Utd and slams Real Sociedad for blocking move before Wolves loan spell

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      WILLIAN JOSE has revealed that he had an offer from Manchester United in January 2020.And the Brazilian, 29, has slammed Real Sociedad for not letting him make the £19.7million switch.
      Willian Jose has hit out at Real SociedadCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jose, who is still contracted to Sociedad for another three years, spent the second half of the season on loan at Wolves.
      But while chatting to Spanish paper Noticias de Gipuzkoa, he has put the boot into his employers.
      He said: “I think they have not treated me well.
      “I expected a little more. When I renewed my contract, I had spoken with Roberto Olabe about there being some interested teams, from the Premier League and also from LaLiga.
      “I spoke with Roberto, and he told me that if a big team which played in the Champions League came in for me, they would let me go. I stayed calm.
      “Then came Barcelona and an offer from Manchester United. I saw that it was an opportunity that I could not miss out on because life is like that.
      “You have to take advantage of opportunities, and I saw that it was the opportunity.
      “In the end, things did not go well, and this year they let me go to Wolves.

      Willian Jose failed to make an impact at WolvesCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
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      “I don’t understand why a few months ago they didn’t want to let me go for €23 million and now they have let me go. Football is sometimes difficult to understand.”
      The Red Devils had been scrambling around for a solution upfront, having missed Romelu Lukaku following his departure to Inter Milan.
      They ended up settling on a shock Deadline Day loan move for Odion Ighalo, before signing Edinson Cavani in the summer.
      Barcelona, meanwhile, controversially signed Martin Braithwaite from Celta Vigo.
      Jose scored three goals in 13 outings during the first half of last season, before making his January loan switch to Wolves.
      He managed just one goal in 17 Premier League appearances, however, failing to replace the injured Raul Jimenez’s impact at Molineux.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract expires TODAY after 7,478 days at Nou Camp with ‘several issues’ over new deal

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      LIONEL MESSI’S Barcelona contract expires today after 7,478 days.And there are still ‘several issues’ that need to be sorted before he puts pen to paper on a new deal.
      Lionel Messi will not be contracted to Barcelona for the first time in more than 20 years tomorrowCredit: Getty
      Spanish newspaper Marca’s headline reflected the fact Messi is a free agent tonight
      Messi officially became a Barca player on January 8, 2001 – a month after the famous initial agreement on a napkin in a restaurant – then signed his first professional terms in June 2005.
      But at midnight tonight, for the first time in more than 20 years, Messi will not be under contract at the Nou Camp with the latest paperwork sealed in November 2017 running out.
      Spanish newspaper Marca went with the headline ‘Messi: Tonight is free’ while Sport chose ‘Messi Day’.
      That means he could negotiate a free transfer to any club he chooses because he has no written, legal obligation to Barcelona.
      However, all parties are confident an agreement for an extension will be finalised imminently.
      There was talk the fresh terms would be confirmed on either Messi’s 34th birthday on June 24 or Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s 59th five days later.
      Final complications need to be ironed out before that, though.
      As reported by Sport, captain Messi will sign a two-year deal – just a year after handing in a transfer request to try and force through an exit.

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      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were poised to battle it out for his signature, with the prospect of linking up with Pep Guardiola again at the Etihad.
      But after a dramatic U-turn, Messi honoured his contract to the club he joined aged 13 – although both clubs would surely look to pounce if there were further stumbling blocks in the contract negotiations.
      In 2023, Mundo Deportivo reckon he is likely to head to the MLS and serve as a Barcelona ambassador in the United States.
      Unless the new contract is signed in the next couple of days, though, Messi is likely to play for Argentina as an unattached footballer.
      His country face Ecuador in the Copa America quarter-finals on Saturday night.
      And playing with no club contract could potentially put Messi at risk should he suffer a major injury.
      Sport labelled today as ‘Messi Day’ with the captain yet to finalise and sign a contract extension

      Lionel Messi superfan gets Barcelona star to sign his back next to huge tattoo of hero’s iconic shirt celebration More

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      Watch Karim Benzema’s OUTRAGEOUS touch and finish as France peg back Switzerland in Euro 2020 clash

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      KARIM BENZEMA capped off two minutes of brilliance as he helped France come back from behind against Switzerland. The world champions were trailing after just 15 minutes of their last 16 clash with Haris Seferovic opening the lead.
      Karim Benzema scored two in as many minutesCredit: Reuters

      And things could have got worse ten minutes after the break as Switzerland were awarded a penalty.
      But Ricardo Rodriguez saw his spot-kick saved by captain Hugo Lloris – sparking a fightback from France.
      Just two minutes later Kylian Mbappe played through Benzema, who remarkably flicked the ball with his back foot to set up his finish.
      But the Real Madrid striker was not done there, as the turnaround was completed just over a minute later.
      Antoine Griezmann linked up with Mbappe and their quick one-two allowed the Barcelona forward to chip a ball over to Benzema, who headed home.
      It was his fifth goal of the delayed European championships, with only Cristiano Ronaldo ahead with six.
      And while Benzema’s flick was sure to steal the headlines, team-mate Paul Pogba did everything to contest it.
      The Manchester United midfielder beautifully curled one from outside the box to put the tournament favourite’s 3-1 up.

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      But Switzerland turned the tables theirselves as Seferovic nodded home to make it 3-2, giving France a nervy last ten minutes.
      And just as the game hit the 90th minute, Mario Gavranovic proved super-sub as he equalised with the SIXTH goal of the game to take it into extra time.
      It set up Switzerland with the shock of the tournament as they dumped out France on penalties.
      Mbappe – one of the most highly-rated players in the world – saw the deciding strike saved by keeper Yann Sommer, who emerged as hero.
      Man Utd’s Paul Pogba shows off dance moves after scoring screamer for France against Switzerland at Euro 2020 More

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      Chelsea interested in Barcelona outcast Miralem Pjanic but face three-club transfer battle with Juventus and PSG

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      MIRALEM PJANIC is reportedly attracting interest from Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a Barcelona fire sale.The LaLiga giants are facing mounting debt and have been told to drastically cut their wage bill.
      Miralem Pjanic reportedly favours a move to JuventusCredit: Getty
      Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite are just some of the players linked with moves this summer.
      According to ESPN, midfielder Pjanic is among them.
      The 31-year-old signed only 12 months ago from Juventus in a contrived swap deal for Brazilian playmaker Arthur Melo.
      Yet he has failed to light up the Camp Nou and did not score a goal during their failed LaLiga title bid.
      Therefore Barcelona are said to be ready to accept a reasonable bid for Pjanic.
      Massimiliano Allegri signed the Bosnian for Juventus in 2016 and helped turn him into one of the world’s top central midfielders.

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      The Italian is now back in Turin for the new season and is reportedly interested in securing Pjanic’s return.
      But the Old Lady are thought to not be too keen on a permanent transfer with a significant fee.
      Whether a loan deal is of interest to Barcelona remains to be seen.
      Earlier in the summer, the player was said to want a move back to Italy.

      Chelsea and PSG have also been named by Le10Sport as considering a loan bid.
      Thomas Tuchel is preparing to spend big to turn his Blues team into Premier League title challengers.
      On the German’s wishlist is a new centre-back with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde strongly linked alongside Real Madrid star Raphael Varane.
      Former striker Romelu Lukaku has also been lined up but is not thought to be ready to leave Inter Milan.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Barcelona ‘want to offer Chelsea Miralem Pjanic in swap transfer for Jorginho’ after career revival under Thomas Tuchel More

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      Real Madrid ‘tell new boss Ancelotti there will be no transfers this summer unless Mbappe or Haaland become available’

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      REAL MADRID have reportedly told new boss Carlo Ancelotti only Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland will be joining them this summer.The 62-year-old Italian left Everton to return to the Bernabeu this summer after they failed to win either LaLiga or the Champions League.
      Carlo Ancelotti has been told he will not be able to splash out this summer with the exception of two talentsCredit: AP
      The Galacticos will make an exception if Kylian Mbappe becomes availableCredit: AFP
      But the Galacticos are still struggling financially due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and are looking to slash their wage bill.
      Austrian star David Alaba, 29, has arrived already on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. 
      But Marca are now claiming that club president Florentino Perez has already informed Ancelotti that there will be no money available for new arrivals.
      That is unless either the Paris-Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund strikers become available.
      Los Blancos know they can raise cash in player sales in preparation to sign Mbappe or Haaland.
      Luka Jovic, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz are believed to be up for grabs to make way for the rapid forward.
      Real Madrid made their interest in Mbappe well known in 2017 when he left Monaco but the club already boasted Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in attack.
      The situation is now different at the Bernabeu with Mbappe told he will become the club’s main man.
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      The player has made no secret of his desire to play in the famous white in the past, calling it a ‘dream.’
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was recently quizzed on Mbappe’s future and hinted he is eager to bring him to Spain.
      He responded to AS: “I am not talking about players who are not in Madrid.
      “I know what the partners want. They want the best to be there.
      “The teams have to be renewed and we are in that renewal stage. I don’t want to talk about players who are not in Madrid because it is a lack of respect.
      “People trust me. The best will come. Mbappe is one of the best, but he is not in Madrid.”
      Erling Haaland is another exception Real Madrid would makeCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Carlo Ancelotti says he has no doubts to return as Real Madrid coach More

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      Real Madrid will move for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana if Man Utd stump up for Raphael Varane transfer

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      LEICESTER centre-back Wesley Fofana has emerged as a target for Real Madrid to replace Raphael Varane should Manchester United sign the Frenchman.The 20-year-old starred in his debut season in England after joining the Foxes in a £36.5million deal from Saint-Etienne last year.
      Leicester ace Wesley Fofana is reportedly on Real Madrid’s radar should they sell Raphael VaraneCredit: PA
      Los Blancos centre-back Varane has been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Fofana featured 38 times under Brendan Rodgers as he helped Leicester finish fifth in the Premier League while also proving instrumental in their FA Cup-winning run.
      And according to Fichajes, he could be on his way out of the King Power Stadium with Carlo Ancelotti said to be eyeing a swoop for the youngster.
      However they state the potential move depends on whether Los Blancos sell Varane, with the World Cup winner heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
      It has been claimed that the four-time Champions League winner, 28, is keen on linking up with the Red Devils.
      Varane has just one year left on his contract in Spain and it remains to be seen whether he will follow Sergio Ramos out the door this summer.
      The Spanish legend, 35, decided to quit Real after 16 years of service after refusing to sign a one-year deal.
      Should Real press ahead with a move for Fofana, Leicester will likely command a huge fee considering the player is contracted until 2025.
      But Leicester would be open to selling the defender should Fofana express an interest to leave.

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      Speaking last year about wantaway players, Rodgers said: “If a player doesn’t want to be here, with all due respect, we don’t want them here.
      “It’s as simple as that, any club is the same.
      “If you have a player that doesn’t actually want to be at the club, then you won’t want them at your club.”
      England’s Euro 2020 stars have a water balloon fight as they relax ahead of Germany game More