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      Liverpool ‘ready to trigger Barcelona wonderkid Gavi’s £43m buyout clause’ as they join Chelsea in transfer race

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      LIVERPOOL are ready to trigger Barcelona wonderkid Gavi’s £43million buyout clause, reports say. The teen starlet has broken into the first-team set-up at the Nou Camp this season and has made a big impression in 13 LaLiga appearances.
      Liverpool are linked with Barcelona wonderkid GaviCredit: Getty
      His contract expires in 2023 but according to Elnacional, the midfielder is stalling on extending his deal.
      It comes with the club seventh in the league and still struggling even with Barca legend Xavi in charge.
      Gavi is said to have a £43m clause in his contract, which many teams are believed to be interested in paying.
      Liverpool are among them with manager Jurgen Klopp keen to add a central midfielder into his side.
      But Chelsea and Bayern Munich are two others linked with the 17-year-old.
      Barca are also said to be considering increasing Gavi’s clause to a huge sum of £840m – just as they did with Ansu Fati and Pedri.
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      The Catalans are determined to hold on to their prized assets, with Gerard Pique likening Gavi and Pedri to Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
      Pedri is reportedly keen to put pen to paper on a new deal which would extend his stay until 2026.
      But Barca face a fight to convince their current and rising stars to stay put after being dumped out of the Champions League.
      A 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich in Germany saw them fail to progress into the knockout stages for the first time in 21 years, adding further misery to their already disastrous season.
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      Bayern Munich dumped Barcelona out of the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters More

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      Man Utd want Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong in cut-price £47m transfer as Ralf Rangnick looks to overhaul squad

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      MANCHESTER UNITED want Frenkie de Jong in a cut-price £47million transfer, according to reports. With Ralf Rangnick appointed interim manager until the end of the season, the German will be looking to make his mark on the squad when the window opens next month.
      Frenkie de Jong is wanted by Manchester United in a bargain January transferCredit: Getty
      And after reportedly turning down the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho from the Catalan giants, United are now being linked with his team-mate De Jong.
      According to El Nacional, the Red Devils are very keen on the 24-year-old Dutch midfielder.
      They know of Barca’s financial woes and therefore would not be willing to offer more than £47m – £18m less than the Catalan giants paid Ajax for De Jong in 2019.
      However, the report adds Barcelona would not even consider accepting an offer lower than £60m.
      De Jong is under contract until 2026 so if Rangnick really wants him at Old Trafford, the United board will need to back him with a bigger transfer fee.
      But Barcelona president Joan Laporta may have no choice but to accept the offer if his club remains in such significant debt.

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      New manager Xavi, who replaced De Jong’s compatriot Ronald Koeman, views the technician as one of his key players and wants to build the team around him.
      He started on the bench in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis to ensure he is sharper to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
      Xavi insisted there are no plans to sell De Jong – but admitted new arrivals in January must be preceded by sales.
      The ex-midfielder said: “Frenkie de Jong will not leave the club.
      “He’s not for sale – we consider Frenkie as a key player for Barca.
      “The club is working to strengthen the team in the winter transfer window.
      “If a new signing arrives, someone has to leave.”
      Since Rangnick’s appointment, SunSport also revealed United’s plans to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara by activating his £32m release clause.
      And they have also renewed their interest in Aston Villa ace John McGinn as they hope to bolster the midfield options.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd ‘closing in on Ousmane Dembele transfer with agent advising winger NOT to sign new Barcelona contract’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly positioning themselves to snap up long-time transfer target Ousmane Dembele for FREE.The Frenchman’s contract at the Catalan giants is set to expire next June, potentially spelling an end to his injury-hit career at the club.
      Dembele’s agent is reportedly advising him to snub a new contract at BarcaCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      According to Mundo Deportivo, Dembele’s agent has advised against signing a new deal with Barca.
      Dembele is being fed the impression he could pick up more money elsewhere, with Premier League duo Man Utd and newly mega-rich Newcastle circling.
      United are believed to have the edge in the race to sign the unpredictable winger, already positioning themselves to make a move.
      But it is unclear whether an offer will be submitted in the winter transfer window.
      Barca boss Xavi says it is one of the club’s ‘priorities’ to tie Dembele down to a new deal, with the Spaniard believing the winger has the potential to be one of the best in the world.
      Xavi said: “Extending Ousmane Dembele’s contract is one of our priorities, yes. He could be the best player in the world in his position.

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      “Ousmane has to work a lot, he has the potential to make the difference at Barca as a world top player. But he needs to be consistent.”
      Dembele was, however, the first casualty of Xavi’s strict, non nonsense approach.
      The 24-year-old was the first player to be fine for being late to training.
      And it appears his time-keeping hasn’t got any better, with Dembele showing up to a Barca team meal an hour after team-mate Pedri’s arrival.

      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd striker Edinson Cavani ‘wants to join Barcelona on free transfer this summer and achieve his dream’

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      EDINSON CAVANI reportedly ‘wants’ a move to Barcelona at the end of the season. His current Manchester United deal expires in the summer, and he has ambitions of playing in La Liga before calling time on his career.
      Cavani has started just twice in the league this seasonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The Uruguay international believes he still has two years left at the top level, and wants to link up with Xavi at Barcelona according to The Times.
      Cavani joined the Red Devils in 2020 and signed a one-year extension in the summer.
      But he seems unlikely to put pen-to-paper on another extension at Old Trafford with a move to Barcelona on the cards.
      And with cash-strapped Barca targeting low-cost transfers, the free signing of Cavani is an attractive prospect.
      The club are long-term admirers of the forward but with mounting debts cannot afford to pay a transfer fee for Cavani.
      The striker has already been linked with the club this season after falling well down the pecking order at Man Utd.

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      Cavani has started just two Premier League games this campaign and has been struggling with a tendon issue, meaning he won’t play in United’s game against Arsenal.
      With incoming interim boss Ralf Rangnick renowned for playing young talents capable of his exhausting demands, Cavani’s opportunities may be further limited.
      However nobody can question Cavani’s commitment in the 47 times times he has ran out for the club so far.
      A move to Barcelona though would offer the chance for more game time given Sergio Aguero’s health concerns.
      Xavi’s apparent ill-feeling towards Luke de Jong leaves Cavani as a realistic option to lead the line.
      Cavani himself and Jesse Lingard are reportedly two names drawn up by Barcelona on a transfer shortlist.
      Both players are out of favour at Old Trafford, and could find themselves on their way out of the club either in January or at the end of the season.

      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      Five defenders Chelsea could sign to replace Rudiger including Kounde and Szalai as Real Madrid close in on centre-back

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      CHELSEA are still sweating over the future of Antonio Rudiger. The German, 28, is yet to sign a new deal and has attracted attention from Europe’s elite, most notably Real Madrid.
      Chelsea are still sweating over the future of Antonio RudigerCredit: Rex
      Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, Thiago Silva, 37, and Andreas Christensen, 25, are also defenders Chelsea face losing for nothing unless contract extensions are agreed.
      The Blues are said to be prepared to offer all four new deals, but it will not stop them from scouting out alternatives.
      Here, SunSport runs down five centre-back options for Chelsea.
      Jules Kounde
      Frenchman Kounde, 23, looked all set for a move from Sevilla to Stamford Bridge in the summer and is believed to have agreed personal terms.
      But, after Chelsea sold Kurt Zouma, 27, to accommodate the move, Sevilla raised the price tag to £60million at the last minute, opposed to the original £43m.
      That is said to have caused Chelsea to pull out of the deal, which in turn paved the way for 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah’s emergence in the squad.
      Jules Kounde looked all set for a move to Stamford Bridge in the summerCredit: Getty

      Attila Szalai
      Fenerbahce’s Szalai, 23, has emerged as a cut-price alternative option at the back for the Blues.
      And speculation from Turkey has even claimed Chelsea have agreed a deal of £20m to sign the defender in the winter window.
      Szalai has won 21 caps since making his senior international debut for Hungary in 2019.
      Attila Szalai has won 21 caps since making his senior international debut for Hungary in 2019Credit: PA
      Marquinhos
      Chelsea were last summer linked to the Brazilian, 27, who is the current PSG captain.
      And despite reportedly being prepared to pay up to £86m for Marquinhos, neither the player or PSG appeared interested in the deal.
      But that is not to say Chelsea would not try their luck again, especially as Marquinhos could be deemed the perfect successor to former team-mate Silva.
      Marquinhos is the current PSG captainCredit: Getty
      Niklas Sule
      Earlier in the year, German Sule, 26, was rumoured to be a target Chelsea were considering signing in the summer.
      Since then, he is yet to sign a new Bayern Munich deal, which is set to expire at the end of this season.
      It means Chelsea could be cleared to negotiate a free transfer with Sule as soon as next month, with Newcastle also linked with the defender.

      Niklas Sule is yet to sign a new Bayern Munich dealCredit: Reuters
      Pau Torres
      Villarreal’s Torres, 24, was close to a move to London in the summer, but with Chelsea’s rivals Tottenham.
      And already the defender could be a favourite amongst Blues fans after turning down Spurs.
      He is said to have been a name shortlisted on Chelsea’s defensive targets in the past and is believed to have a £56m release clause in his contract.
      Vllarreal centre-half Pau Torres rejected a move to SpursCredit: Getty More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo publicly agrees with damning attack on ‘thief’ Lionel Messi after Man Utd ace’s Ballon d’Or heartbreak

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has branded claims made by a fan page that Lionel Messi stole the Ballon d’Or from himself and Robert Lewandowski as ‘facts’.The Paris Saint-Germain star pipped Lewandowski to the award by just 33 points.
      Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or to move two clear of RonaldoCredit: AFP
      A fan page says Ronaldo’s achievements were better than Messi’s, describing the Argentine’s win as ‘theft’
      Ronaldo replied ‘facts’…. having dinner together might be off the table
      But also conceded the Bayern Munich striker deserved a Golden Ball of his own after his incredible achievements in 2020.
      Ronaldo – who finished sixth – wasn’t in attendance to watch his rival collect his seventh Ballon d’Or.
      He stayed in England, but couldn’t resist having a pop on Instagram.
      A Ronaldo fan page slammed Messi’s achievements from last season, comparing them to CR7’s on Instagram, before saying: “Steal. Dirt. Shame. It’s just unfortunate.
      “Who saw it, saw it. Those who are intelligent enough know who deserve the truth.
      “Receiving awards without deserving it, is false happiness, without pride.

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      “Regardless of those awards, the CR7 will always be the best in history!”
      Ronaldo replied: “Facts.”
      The comment caught traction, receiving over 30,000 likes and 10k-plus comments.
      Ronaldo is evidently upset finishing outside the top three for the award for the first time in 11 YEARS.
      And the 36-year-old even hit out at the awards chief, who he says made false claims about wanting to finish his career with more Ballon d’Ors than Messi.
      The United star wrote: “Today’s outcome explains why Pascal Ferre’s statements last week, when he said that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Ballons d’Or than Lionel Messi.
      “Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for.
      “It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or.
      “And he lied again today, justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.”
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Watch Messi’s angry reaction as organiser asks Antonela to get out of Ballon d’Or photo More

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      Barcelona got £225m Inter offer for Lionel Messi in 2006 – more than QUADRUPLE the world-record transfer fee at time

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      BARCELONA turned down a £225million Inter Milan bid for Lionel Messi in 2006, according to their former club president Joan Laporta.The Catalan politician served as the club’s chief between 2003 and 2010 before returning earlier this year.
      Messi was already hot property back in 2006Credit: AFP – Getty
      Joan Laporta revealed the bid back in AprilCredit: EPA
      And Laporta, 59, was asked about the future of unhappy talisman Lionel Messi – leading to a stunning admission.
      He told Radio Onda Cero in April: “Nobody who loves Barcelona can have doubts about Messi.
      “We rejected a £225m offer coming from Inter in 2006. [Massimo] Moratti wanted to bring him to his club.”
      The offer dwarfed what was the transfer world-record at the time, which was then the £46.6m that Real Madrid paid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
      At the time, inspired by the likes of Javier Zanetti, Adriano and Luis Figo, Inter had just won Serie A – while Messi had picked up his first Champions League medal with Barca.
      The Argentine, now 34, has gone on to pick up three more – but not since 2015.
      Ultimately, Barcelona lost their talisman for nothing when he departed for Paris Saint-Germain once his contract expired.
      And former club figure Jaume Llopis has hammered Laporta for his handling of the Messi and CVC investment saga.
      The transfer record was previously held by Zinedine Zidane at £46.6mCredit: AFP

      The former Espai Barca member told Cadena SER: “The first contract was not accepted because, according to Laporta, it meant mortgaging the TV rights of Barcelona for the next 50 years.
      “But CVC were willing to negotiate. And they did not negotiate either.
      “Laporta was convinced by Ferran Reverter, the new CEO, that it was not possible to sign with CVC, and by Florentino Perez with the European Super League project.
      “It also happens that Ferran Reverter has a long-standing friendship with Florentino Perez and between them they convinced him and Laporta to radically change his mind and refuse to continue negotiating.”
      Lionel Messi greets PSG fans as they light flares and scream his name at historic unveiling More

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      Cesar Azpilicueta recalls nightmare of facing Cristiano Ronaldo 11 years ago when he played for Spanish side Osasuna

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      IT is more than 11 years since Cesar Azpilicueta played against Cristiano Ronaldo.And the Chelsea captain will be keen to avoid a repeat of what happened when they met in LaLiga back in May 2010.
      Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid against Cesar Azpilicueta of Osasuna in 2010Credit: AFP
      Azpilicueta said: “I played against him when I was at Osasuna and he was at Real Madrid.
      “I don’t remember the score. Maybe in the Bernabeu we lost!”
      Indeed they did. Osasuna took an early lead but Ronaldo  equalised after twisting an equally fresh-faced Azpilicueta this way and that, then firing in a low shot.
      The score was 2-2 by  half-time and remained that way until Ronaldo headed an 89th-minute winner.
      More recently, in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, Azpilicueta was watching from the Spain bench when Ronaldo completed a hat-trick with a late free-kick equaliser for Portugal in a 3-3 draw.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has kept up that happy habit of grabbing crucial late goals since rejoining United.

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      Azpilicueta added: “He’s a player that can be dangerous at any time, so we have to be very careful.
      “He has a great ability to find spaces, he can shoot right and left and he’s a very good header of the ball.
      “We are lucky to be in the best league in the world, playing against very tough opponents. Every day you face different challenges.
      “To be part of the era where we have faced Cristiano and Messi is great but you always have to be on your toes because they are very dangerous.”

      Chelsea captain Cesar AzpilicuetaCredit: Signathon
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