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      PSG to ‘rival Man Utd for Vinicius Jr transfer to replace Mbappe and will offer star £275k-a-week to quit Real Madrid’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.The French giants are trying to tempt the Brazil superstar with a £14.4million-a year wage offer, according to Spanish media outlet ABC.
      Vinicius Jr is in the form of his life at Real MadridCredit: Rex
      PSG star Mbappe is thought to be a target for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      That works out at a staggering £275,000-a-week.
      Their report explains how Real still hope to convince the 21-year-old to extend his current contract from 2024 to 2027 with an improved deal.
      The Spanish giants are said to be offering Vini Jr an annual wage increase from £2.8m to £6.7m with a number of big performance-related bonuses.
      But PSG are trying to secure him as a possible replacement for Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe should he move to the Bernabeu, the report adds.
      The Red Devils hierarchy are likely to be keeping a close eye on developments as they are also reported to be preparing a ‘major offer’ for the star.
      The Brazilian has been in red-hot form for the LaLiga giants with ten goals and seven assists in 18 appearances already this season.

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      And it seems the interest from both European powerhouses is likely to improve Vini Jr’s negotiating power when it comes to thrashing out a new deal in Spain.
      Real signed Vini Jr from Brazilian side Flamengo in 2018 for about £40m.
      Club president Florentino Perez has made it a priority to tie him down to a longer deal, with plans to team him up with Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland in the future.
      And any player signings at Old Trafford are going to be of keen interest to Ralf Rangnick, who is reportedly ready to sign on as United’s interim boss for the remainder of the season.
      Owen tips Pochettino to become next Man Utd manager and claims he can do more with players than he can with PSG More

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      Newcastle leading transfer chase for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele amid contract expiring and negotiations stand-off

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      NEWCASTLE are preparing to splash some of their considerable cash on Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele, according to reports in Spain.The Saudi-owned Toon are gearing up to spend big in January and have put the France winger on their shopping list, says Mundo Deportivo.
      Dembele is yet to agree a new deal at the Nou CampCredit: Reuters
      The 24-year-old’s contact with the Spanish giants expires at the end of the season.
      Barca have apparently made him an attractive offer to stay but Dembele and his agent Moussa Sissoko are keeping their options open.
      That has opened the door for the Geordies, who have apparently made him ‘an astronomical proposal’.
      Mundo Deportivo report the Magpies are willing to offer Dembele £12.6million per season in wages and a chunky commission payment to Sissoko.
      It would be a blow to new Barca boss Xavi, who is keen to tie the star down, despite fining him for being late for training earlier this month.
      The signing of Dembele would be a big boost for the Prem-propping Magpies, who are keen to rebuild and become challengers for major honours following their £305m takeover.

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      Dembele’s time in LaLiga been blighted by injury following his £138m switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
      The highly-rated Frenchman has only netted 30 goals in 120 matches for the Catalans.
      He returned to action earlier this month following a five-month lay-off due to a knee injury, before picking up yet another hamstring knock.
      Sergio Aguero ‘set to retire following heart problems aged 33’, according to sensational reports in Spain More

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      Barcelona vs Espanyol LIVE: Stream, score, TV channel, team news and kick-off time as Xavi has first game

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      BARCELONA play host to Espanyol TONIGHT in another La Liga derby which will be Xavi’s first game as Barca boss.The home side currently sit ninth in the league table, with their opposition two places behind in 11th.

      Kick-off: 8pm
      Barcelona: 1 Ter Stegen; Mingueza, 3 Pique, 24 Garcia, 18 Alba; 5 Busquets, 21 F. De Jong, 28 Gonzalez, 30 Gavi, 37 Akhomach, 9 Memphis
      Espanyol: 13 Lopez; 22 Vidal, 24 Gomez, 4 Cabrera, 3 Pedrosa; 15 Lopez, 10 Darder, 25 Herrera; 23 Embara, 9 Puado, 9 De Tomas
      TV/live steam: Premier Sports 2

      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      FULL TIME!
      It’s all over and Barca win the derby – and Xavi’s first match at boss – thanks to Memphis Depay’s controversial goal.
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      90 MINS
      SIX mins of injury of time at the Nou Camp!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      89 YELLOW CARD
      Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen gets booked for time-wasting as we approach stoppage time
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      88 SUBSTITUTION
      Barcelona boss Xavi makes a late double change as Demir replaces Gonzalez, who appears to have hurt his ankle.
      Araujo also comes on for Mingueza
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      86 WHAT A CHANCE!
      Espanyol miss another opportunity, and guess who wasted it!
      And yes, it was De Tomas once more!
      Morlanes delivers a wonderful cross from the left and the striker, who is completely unmarked, picks up a scintillating header.
      But the ball rattles Ter Stegen’s right-hand post!
      Terrible defending by Barcelona once more, the hosts are challenging their luck!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      85 Espanyol have missed several chances to equalise but are not giving up.
      On the contrary the missed opportunities have raised their confidence!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      84 WHAT A CHANCE!
      How are Espanyol not level?!
      Lei delivers a wonderful cross from the left and finds Dimata completely unmarked but his header misses the target!
      Terrible defending from Barcelona!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      83 YELLOW CARD
      De Jong gets booked for a foul on Lei as his hand goes too high on his opponent’s face
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      81 CHANCE!
      Espanyol star De Tomas comes extremely close to an equaliser again!
      The striker delivers a free-kick, 25m away from goal, and the shot just misses Ter Stegen’s right-hand post
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      80 Barcelona continue to control possession and tempo as we enter the last 10 minutes of the derby.
      It;s been a while asince Espanyol have last threatened…
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      78 SUBSTITUTION
      Barcelona boss Xavi responds as he introduces Puig, who replaces Busquets
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      77 SUBSTITUTION
      Espanyol manager Moreno is shaking things up for the last few minutes of the match.
      Lei and Dimata come on as they replace Embarba and Herrera respectively
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      75 Barcelona are not getting complacent.
      Barca are pushing for that second goal to seal the win, Espanyol are not creating many chances
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      73 CHANCE!
      Barcelona youngster Abde does amazingly well as he dribbles past two Espanyol players down the right flank and breaks inside the area.
      But the forward’s shot just misses the crossbar.
      Abde is so entertaining in one-on-one situations, and the Nou Camp crowd is loving it!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      73 So far so good for Barcelona and Xavi.
      But Espanyol have proven to be very dangerous on the counter-attack.
      How did De Tomas miss that glorious chance?
      GETTY IMAGES
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      70 SUBSTITUTION
      Barcelona manager Xavi brings on Coutinho, who replaces Gavi
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      70 WHAT A CHANCE!
      Espanyol come inches away from an equaliser!
      Vidal delivers an incredible ball from his own half and releases De Tomas in front of Ter Stegen.
      But the striker sends the ball out for a goal-kick!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      68 CHANCE
      The free-kick leads to a raft of deflections and it all ends with a poor shot by Morlanes from the edge of the box
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      67 Espanyol get a free-kick from a promising position down the left on the edge of the box.
      Abde and Pedrosa are at it again, as the former fouls the latter
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      65 NO GOAL!
      Barcelona think they made it 2-0 when Gonzalez releases De Jong in front of Lopez and beats him with a wonderful flick.
      But the Dutchman was just offside!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      64 YELLOW CARD
      Minguez becoems the second Barcelona player to get booked after fouling Herrera on a counter-attack
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      63 We are seeing a much more entertaining second half with Barcelona pushing for a second goal.
      As mentioned earlier, the fact Barca already got their opener has relieved them of immense stress.
      That allows them to play their game with confidence
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      61 WHAT A CHANCE!
      Barcelona come extremely close to a second only for Pedrosa to save Espanyol!
      Busquets stretches the visitors’ defence open with a wonderful ball that releases Abde.
      The youngster shoots the ball over Lopez and Pedrosa kicks it out in the nick of time!
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      60 YELLOW CARD
      Barcelona’s Abde and Espanyol’s Pedrosa both get booked following that short melee
      BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
      59 Things are heating up in the derby following a clash between Abde and Pedrosa down the right flank.
      Players from both sides get into a melee, but nothing major
      Load more entries… More

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      Barcelona vs Espanyol: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for La Liga clash

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      BARCELONA play host to Espanyol this Saturday in another La Liga derby.The home side currently sit ninth in the league table, with their opposition two places behind in 11th.
      This weekend’s derby will be Xavi’s first game in charge of BarcelonaCredit: FC Barcelona
      Both sides are level on points, with Xavi’s new team having a game in hand.
      The last time the two sides met was back in July 2020, where Barcelona came out on top in a 1-0 victory which saw both teams go down to 10-men.
      When is Barcelona vs Espanyol?

      Barcelona vs Espanyol takes place this Saturday, November 20.
      Kick off is 8pm GMT.
      Camp Nou plays host.

      What TV channel and live stream is Barcelona vs Espanyol on?

      The game will be streamed live on Premier Sports 2.
      It will also be available to watch on LaLiga TV.

      What is the Barcelona vs Espanyol team news?

      Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Nico Gonzalez all returned to full training this week and could be available for selection on Saturday.
      Dani Alves, who returned to Barcelona this week, will also be available.
      Raul de Tomas is expected to start for Espanyol following a run of good form.
      Aleix Vidal is also expected to start against his former club. More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea target Jules Kounde posts cryptic tweet hinting he’s ready for Sevilla transfer exit in January

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      SEVILLA defender Jules Kounde has posted a cryptic tweet hinting he’s ready to leave as Manchester United and Chelsea circle.The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but the LaLiga outfit blocked his move after rejecting the £42.8million offer.
      Jules Kounde could be on the move in 2022 with Manchester United and Chelsea keen on the Sevilla aceCredit: Getty
      The Spanish side were only prepared to part ways with the French centre-back should a potential suitor cough up his £69million release clause.
      Manchester United are the latest club to enter the race to secure his services, with it claimed they are keen to pair him up with Raphael Varance.
      And Kounde has left fans begging for him to join their club after he tweeted out a song lyric from Warren G’s 2015 track Keep On Hustlin’.
      He said: “Can’t stop gotta claim what’s mine.”
      Commenting on his post, one user messaged: “He’s still a target for Chelsea. Still very possible it happens in January.”
      Another remarked: “You’re talking about the Chelsea shirt huh?”

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      A third added: “Claim that spot beside Varane in the Utd team?”
      Meanwhile this Blues supporter stated: “Yes you have, that’s a spot in our defence Jules lad.”
      And this United fan tweeted: “Join Man Utd pal we have your French mate and Champions League winner Varane.”
      Sevilla president Jose Castro Carmona recently confirmed the club will allow Kounde to depart if their asking price is met.
      He told Cope: “Jules Kounde deal? We’re not going to change our position.
      “If the proposal we receive is out of market, we will sell our players to sign new ones.”
      Chelsea legend Frank Lampard sees Leicester as preferred destination if Brendan Rodgers takes Man Utd job More

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      Neymar is ‘technically better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’ says Brazil legend Cafu

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      CAFU has joined the debate over who is the world’s best footballer and says it’s not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo… it’s Neymar.But the 29-year-old must finally became a ‘leader’ to realise his true potential, the Brazil legend told Marca.
      Cafu captained Brazil to their 2002 World Cup winCredit: Getty
      Fans have argued for years over who is better out of Messi and Ronaldo and should be regarded the GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time.
      So when Brazil’s record 142-cap appearance maker – whose sprawling list of honours includes a couple of World Cups, two Copa America titles and a Champions League success – offers his opinion, it is well worth noting.
      Retired Roma and AC Milan right-back Cafu, 51, said: “Neymar is technically better than Messi, better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but he must assume the responsibility of a leader.
      “One must dedicate themselves 100 percent to football.
      “I’m not better than Neymar, but I am better than other right-backs because I dedicated myself to that. He [Neymar] has to become a captain.”
      He seems to have a point. While the footballing ability of six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and five-time winner Ronaldo has never been in doubt, both have also established themselves as two of the game’s great leaders.

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      Paris Saint-Germain star Messi, 34, often appeared to single-handily drag Barcelona over the line on route to winning a club-record 35 trophies, and skippered Argentina to a Copa America win over Neymar’s Brazil in the summer.
      Manchester United legend Ronaldo, 36, has similarly spear-headed the Red Devils, Real Madrid and Juventus to 27 major club honours, and captained Portugal to their historic Euro 2016 win.
      PSG’s Neymar’s 18 club titles record is not too shabby either but he only has that Copa America runners-up medal at international level.
      And his eight-month spell as Brazil captain ended in 2019, so maybe Cafu has identified the dimension which could see him join the pantheon of greats. More

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      ‘He knows how everything works’ – Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta speaks out after old pal Xavi takes over at Nou Camp

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      ANDRES Iniesta says former team-mate Xavi has everything needed to handle the pressure of becoming Barcelona’s latest manager. The tiki-taka legends established themselves as one of the greatest midfield pairings of all time in heart of all-conquering Barca and Spain sides, and they remains close friends.
      Xavi and Iniesta were a sensational midfield pairing for Barcelona and SpainCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Iniesta, 37, still plays for Japanese side Vissel Kobe but Xavi, 41, hung up his boots in 2019 to start his managerial career and was appointed Barca boss last week.
      The Nou Camp’s top job has become something of a poisoned chalice in recent seasons with the LaLiga giants sacking four bosses in the last two years.
      But Iniesta has told Mati de Catalunya Radio his old pal has clear advantages over his recent predecessors at the club.
      He said: “Xavi has a conciliatory part but also a strong personality that knows how to handle [the pressure].
      “He has been captain of Barca, and of the national team.
      “He has lived through all kinds of situations and knows how everything works.
      “I don’t think he has any problem.”

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      Xavi left his successful role as Al-Sadd boss to return to Barca as the replacement for Ronald Koeman, who was sacked after 14 months in charge.
      He returns with his old side tackling financial difficulties off the pitch and poor performances on it which have left them ninth in the LaLiga table after 12 games.
      But the Catalans have been boosted by the return of Brazilian right-back Danny Alves, 38, who is former team-mate Xavi’s first signing as Barca boss.
      Alves, who was a free agent after leaving Sao Paulo in September, made his name alongside Xavi, Iniesta, and now Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi, in a famous Barca side which enjoyed incredible success under Pep Guardiola. More

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      Brazil icon Ronaldo ‘had buses full of ladies turn up to his parties’ during amazing Real Madrid career

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      RONALDO NAZARIO would have “buses of girls” arrive at his parties back in his Real Madrid heyday, former teammate Ivan Helguera revealed.As one of his era’s most famous players, for his antics on and off the pitch, the Brazilian was known for enjoying the lavish lifestyle that came with playing for Los Blancos.
      Ronaldo played with a number of fellow jetsetters including David BeckhamCredit: Rex Features
      This party snap with alleged drug trafficker Amon Lemos landed him in hot water in 2005Credit: EPA
      Many have debated whether Ronaldo ended up squandering some of his talent as fitness issues dogged the latter stages of his career, but he has previously insisted he does not regret how he handled the money and fame that came his way.
      Forming a duo with Roberto Carlos, Helguera has detailed how notorious Ronaldo was inside Real’s Galactico team.
      The Spaniard told an Instagram Live interview with Spanish journalist Mister Chip: “Beckham, Zidane and Figo were great professionals.
      “Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, on the other hand, liked to go out a little more. But they certainly didn’t do it every night.
      “It happened if we played on a Saturday and, if we won, we all went out to celebrate. But it is absolutely not true that we went out on Friday or Saturday before important games.
      “I remember a birthday party at Ronaldo’s house, which he later sold to Sergio Ramos, where buses full of girls began to arrive. I was with my wife and we decided to leave, as did Figo.”
      I was the president of the parties! I miss it so much!”Ronaldo Nazario
      Helguera added Ronaldo, had: “Another party when we won LaLiga. It was also massive. I stayed late for that one.
      “Ronaldo was like that.”
      Last year, the ex-striker joked that he now misses his partying days having settled down with his girlfriend.
      He told Off The Ball: “I was also the president of the parties! I organised most of the parties.
      “My girlfriend now is very happy that I have also retired from the parties – and I miss it so much!”
      Joining Madrid from Inter in 2002, the forward won just the one LaLiga title as the Galacticos squad failed to live up to their potential.
      And weight issues were a particular problem for Ronaldo after injuries dogged his playing opportunities.
      As mentioned by Helguera, fellow Brazilian star Roberto Carlos also became infamous for his partying habits.
      Ronaldo made plenty of headlines with his lifestyle in MadridCredit: Rex Features
      Ex-defender Helguera admits he sometimes stuck around for the “massive” eventsCredit: Reuters

      The former full-back said in 2019 that “training sessions on Monday and sometimes Tuesdays were at five in the afternoon” because “almost nobody would go at 11 in the morning”.
      When asked about the comments, Helguera said: “The Brazilians were different. One of the good things Del Bosque did was he knew how to manage the squad very well.
      “Some people liked to go out more than others, but to the point of changing our training sessions to the afternoon, I can assure you it wasn’t like that. We trained at 11am every day.”
      Watch ‘most expensive transfer of all time’ Ronaldo’s top 3 free kicks for Inter Milan More