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    De Jong set to snub Man Utd transfer due to UK weather as his dad reveals five ‘best clubs in Europe’ want Barcelona ace

    MANCHESTER UNITED may miss out on Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong because of ‘bad weather’ in the city. United, eyeing a midfield overhaul, have been linked with a move for De Jong after he was reportedly put up for sale by Barcelona.
    De Jong could decline a move to Man Utd because of the poor weather in the UK cityCredit: Getty
    De Jong’s dad, John, has confirmed that the five ‘top’ European clubs have enquired about the 24-year-old, including Bayern Munich.
    However, he hinted that the cold weather in both Manchester and Munich could put his son off from leaving sunny Spain.
    He told Dutch outlet AD: “It’s often bad weather there. Of course it’s about football, but it does matter. 
    “Of course I know that Barcelona needs money and a great offer for Frenkie could help, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon. 
    “Although, the five top European clubs have all called.”
    De Jong is yet to really hit top gear at Camp Nou since his £65million move from Ajax in 2019, and is thought to no longer be considered ‘untouchable’ by Barcelona.
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    United have previously been linked with a £47million move for De Jong with the Spanish giants desperate for cash.
    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano though claims negotiations are yet to get underway.
    Barcelona boss Xavi has also poured cold water over a potential move for De Jong.
    He told reporters: “Our goal is for Frenkie to be happy here.
    “We desperately need that type of player. He is definitely not in the shop window, rather the opposite. The idea is to make him stronger here.”
    But with the club desperately short on funds a big money offer would be hard to turn down.
    Especially with the club having to rely on loan moves and free transfers to currently sign players.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Barcelona star Sergio Aguero will retire aged 33 due to heart problems this WEEK, according to sensational reports

    MANCHESTER CITY Sergio Aguero will announce his retirement from football on Wednesday halfway through his first season with Barcelona because of his heart problems, a leading Catalan newspaper has reported. The struggling La Liga side was forced to deny reports last month the Argentinian 33-year-old had decided to quit after Barcelona journalist and streamer Gerard Romero claimed Aguero was set to call time on his career.
    Aguero has not played since coming off during a game on October 30 with a heart problemCredit: Reuters
    He whisked his girlfriend away on holiday and was in Abu Dhabi for the F1 Grand Prix on SundayCredit: Instagram / @kunaguero
    Respected daily newspaper El Periodico said on Monday morning that the striker’s club had prepared an official act this Wednesday at which Aguero would confirm he was leaving the game.
    It said he would be confirming his decision to retire because a “cardiac injury” prevented him from playing at the highest level.
    El Periodico said the preparations had been “finalised” and Aguero’s “farewell act” would take place the day after Barcelona play the Maradona Cup against Boca Juniors in Saudi Arabia.
    The friendly match will be played in honour of Aguero’s father-in-law Diego Maradona who died from heart failure aged 60 on November 25 last year.
    Newly-resigned Barcelona right-back Dani Alves is expected to make his debut in the game in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
    Aguero’s future has been the subject of speculation since he was taken to hospital after clutching his chest and complaining of breathing problems and dizziness during a game against Alaves at the end of October.
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    The former Man City striker, who became the club’s record goalscorer during his decade at the Citizens, was subsequently diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia.
    Ex-City star Samir Nasri told Canal Plus in France last month his former team-mate had sent him a message confirming he was retiring.
    The ex-France international added: “A lot of sadness, he’s a great guy and a great person. I am sad because it is not a choice, it is unfortunately forced.
    “I know the love he has for the sport, and to end like this will hurt a lot. He is someone I appreciate a lot.”
    Around the same time Gerard Romero claimed the striker was about to announce his retirement.
    Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste denied the reports, claiming Aguero would use the next three months to decide his next move.
    Yuste said: “I deny these reports. Aguero has three months to see how this anomaly evolves.”
    The footballer last week flew to Dubai for a sunshine break with girlfriend Sofia Calzetti.
    He took his partner out for a spin in a limited-edition £1.35million Ferrari Monza SP2, one of only 499 in the world, before switching to a Bugatti.
    The pair are thought to have flown back to Barcelona on Sunday.
    El Periodico claimed their trip to Dubai had rankled Barcelona executives.
    The side was dumped out of the Champions League with a 3-0 away defeat to Bayern Munich while the couple were treating fans to glimpses of their Middle Eastern break.
    A disappointing 2-2 draw away to Osasuna on Sunday left them 18 points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid. More

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    Man Utd boost as Barcelona put De Jong on transfer list with Ter Stegen as pair no longer ‘untouchable’ amid poor form

    BARCELONA duo Frenkie de Jong and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have been made available for transfer, according to reports. The news comes as a boost to Manchester United, who are long-time admirers of midfielder De Jong.
    De Jong has failed to live up to the billing since arriving from Ajax in 2019Credit: Getty
    Ter Stegen has been at Barcelona since 2014 but is nearing an exitCredit: Reuters
    It’s no secret that the Red Devils need an midfield revamp, with the once ‘untouchable’ De Jong now appearing to be a realistic target.
    In the summer of 2020 Barcelona named seven of their stars as ‘untouchable,’ with De Jong and Ter Stegen on the list.
    But now the club is willing to part ways with both players, according to Spanish outlet AS.
    De Jong has been criticised for an ‘absence of leadership’ in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich that saw Barcelona eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in 21 years.
    The Red Devils have been linked with a cut-price £47million deal for the 24-year-old as soon as January.
    And there are also calls for Ter Stegen’s head with the goalkeeper having a ‘lack of forcefulness’ in his performances.
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    Barcelona have been slammed for being devoid of leaders since club legend Carlos Puyol hung up his boots in 2014.
    The Red Devils could cash in and make a double swoop for the 29-year-old goalkeeper too, with David De Gea under fire for recent performances between the sticks.
    Ter Stegen has also attracted interest from Newcastle, with the mega-rich club eyeing a mammoth £47million bid for the goalkeeper.
    Selling both players for the same fee would bring in close to £100million as new boss Xavi begins his overhaul at Camp Nou.
    That would help fund moves for new signings with debts mounting at the cash-strapped club.
    Were both players to go that would mean FIVE out of Barcelona’s so called seven ‘untouchables’ from just over a year ago no longer play for the club.
    Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Nelson Semedo have all moved on to pastures new.
    And if De Jong and Ter Stegen depart that would just leave French duo Clement Lenglet and Ousmane Dembele left from the ‘untouchables.’
    Although Dembele himself is another linked with an exit.
    Manchester United themselves are reportedly ‘closing in’ on the winger, and could find themselves boasting THREE of Barcelona’s seven ‘untouchables’.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Barcelona set to launch ambitious transfer bid for Man Utd star Marcus Rashford according to shock reports in Spain

    SHOCK reports emerging from Spain suggest Barcelona are ready to test Manchester United’s resolve with an audacious bid for Marcus Rashford. Barcelona are desperate for a frontman to lead the line after Sergio Aguero’s health scare, and Luuk de Jong firmly out of favour among fans.
    Rashford is a reported target for Spanish giants BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    The only problem is Manchester United are set to demand upwards of £60million for the England star, according to El Nacional.
    And with the cash-strapped Catalans in mounds of debt there is uncertainty regarding whether they could afford to pay that much.
    It’s not the first time Barcelona have been linked with a move to Rashford.
    The 24-year-old reportedly agreed to join the club in 2018, but backed out over fears he would not fit in at the Nou Camp.
    Ralf Rangick is not short of options up front, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood all shining in recent weeks.
    And it’s claimed that Rashford could be moved on because of ‘insufficient’ game time so far this campaign.
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    A major shake-up at Old Trafford could be on the cards after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking last month.
    That’s not expected to be until June though, by which time Barcelona may have improved upon their dire financial situation, and be able to facilitate a move for Rashford.
    Elsewhere at the club Paul Pogba is out of contract at the end of the season, with question marks also over fellow midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay, as well as David De Gea.
    And despite by no means disappointing with his performances, Rashford is the latest Old Trafford star linked with an exit.
    He missed the first two months of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery following Euro 2020.
    Since returning to the fold he’s started five out of eight Premier League games, including the last three in a row.
    He has scored just twice in the Prem so far this campaign.
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    Liverpool ‘ready to trigger Barcelona wonderkid Gavi’s £43m buyout clause’ as they join Chelsea in transfer race

    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

    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’

    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’

    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