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      Man Utd star Jesse Lingard transfer target for Barcelona and AC Milan with England star’s contract expiring next summer

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      BARCELONA and AC Milan are targeting a free transfer swoop for Manchester United star Jesse Lingard, according to reports.The playmaker rejected a new Red Devils contract last month and will be able to leave for nothing at the end of the season if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
      Barcelona and AC Milan are keen to sign Jesse Lingard on a freeCredit: Getty
      Lingard, 28, is attracting some of Europe’s biggest clubs and Barca and AC Milan are the latest to emerge, according to the Mail.
      He can sign pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs in January.
      And SunSport exclusively revealed this week United will consider selling him for £15m in January if he continues to reject his boyhood club’s offers.
      Having revived his career on loan at West Ham last season, Lingard has struggled to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI since his return this summer.
      He has come off the bench to score a winner at the Hammers and set up Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Villarreal.
      The England international has been in talks over an extension to his contract, but he wants to keep his options open with the view of making Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

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      SunSport understands he has been offered terms around £135,000-a-week at Old Trafford, a decent increase on his current deal.
      The academy graduate is interested in staying, but wants assurances he will get regular first-team action.
      Lingard holds United close to his heart after a two-decade association.
      The Red Devils do not want to lose him on a free at the end of the campaign, if he decides he wants to go.
      So Old Trafford chiefs will discuss letting him leave in January if they can find a buyer.
      Lingard is expected to get playing time in Champions League, cup competitions and off the bench in the Premier League.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      United valued him at around £25m over the summer, but rebuffed interest from suitors.
      West Ham, along with Leicester and other Premier League sides, have shown interest in the Warrington-born ace.
      But he now has offers from LaLiga and Serie A giants who showed strong interest in signing him as a free agent.

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      Ansu Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes arrives in Barcelona for contract talks amid transfer speculation with Man Utd and City

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      BARCELONA are reportedly desperate to tie Ansu Fati down to a new deal, with agent Jorge Mendes arriving in Catalonia for talks.The 18-year-old winger is in the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp leading to speculation he could be on his way out in 2022.
      Ansu Fati has just one year left on his Barcelona contract as clubs keep track on his situationCredit: Getty
      Manchester City are claimed to have made a late enquiry to sign the Spain international in August after failing to nab Cristiano Ronaldo.
      And their neighbours United are said to have asked about his availability to Mendes during negotiations to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
      Big things are expected of Fati, with the forward handed the club’s iconic No10 jersey after Lionel Messi departed in the summer.
      According to Marca, Barcelona are confident that a deal can be reached to extend Fati’s stay.
      They state that his representative Mendes is in the city to speak with Barca to discuss a contract worthy of his importance in the team.
      Fati is understood to be keen to agree fresh terms having returned to first-team action.

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      After ten months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Fati made his comeback in the 3-0 win against Levante on September 26.
      And he got on the score sheet in the victory, with the player celebrating with Barca’s team doctors.
      Following the match, Fati declared that he feels no pressure wearing Messi’s No10 shirt as he spoke of his pride at being trusted to follow in his footsteps.
      He said: “It is not a pressure. I am proud to wear the No10 after Leo.
      “I am happy with the club and captains for the opportunity.”
      Spanish winger Fati scored on his return to action for Barcelona last monthCredit: Reuters
      Fati isn’t the only player close to agreeing a new Barcelona deal, with midfielder Pedri set to sign a five-year contract.
      The 18-year-old’s contract will include a whopping €1BILLION (£846.7m) release clause.
      It will be the joint-highest buyout clause in world football along with Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
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      Eden Hazard’s car collection: Belgium and Real Madrid star rides Audis, an Aston Martin, Mercedes cars worth over £500k

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      HE’S just as sleek off the pitch as he is on it.Eden Hazard, 30, may be struggling for form now at Real Madrid but he never fails to hit top gear off it.
      Eden Hazard always hits top gear off the pitch with his £500k car collection despite his struggles on itCredit: Rex
      A true ‘Petrol Header’, Eden Hazard owns a couple of AudisCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Belgian playmaker left Chelsea for the Bernabeu in 2019 and banks around £416,000-a-week with the Spanish giants.
      And that certainly goes a long way in helping him acquiring more flashy motors for his collection.
      As you can imagine from one of the best players on the planet over the last decade, Hazard’s garage is full of incredible cars.
      He has been spotted in various rides over the years, including a Mercedes Benz AMG GTR, Audi R8 V10, BMW X6, Audi RS4 Avant, Range Rover, Aston Martin Vanquish and Mercedes C Class.
      But how much are they all worth?
      Join SunSport in totalling up the numbers, that’ll leave you green with envy:

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      The Audi R8 V10 that’s part of Hazard’s collection is worth £110kCredit: Handout
      Audi R8 V10
      Able to hit a top speed of 205mph, Hazard should never be late to Madrid training ground driving this car.
      Brazil star Neymar also owns an R8, so Hazard’s in good company.
      Price: Around £110k
      BMW X6
      A stylish and reliable SUV, the classic number ten often took his X6 for a spin on match day.
      As a family man, this roomy ‘Beamer’ is also perfect to drive around his missus, Natacha Van Honacker and their four kids for a day out.
      Price: From £60k
      The BMW X6 is the perfect family car for Hazard, a dad of fourCredit: Handout
      Audi RS4 Avant
      A regular standard among footballers, including Real Madrid and Barcelona’s elite – who have deals with the car giants – Hazard loves the Audi brand.
      Price: From £60,290
      Range Rover Sport
      A Range Rover… every footballer should own one and most of them do.
      Hazard’s preference is the sport model because it’s comfortable and the ideal ride for when he finishes training and can stretch his legs.
      Should be more than enough room for his 5’8″ frame.
      Price: From £60,760
      Hazard may have scored himself another Audi after joining Real Madrid
      The Range Rover Sport is Hazard’s preference when leaving training
      The most expensive car in Hazard’s collection is the classy Aston Martin Vanquish worth £199,950Credit: Paul Tonge – The Sun
      Is classy Hazard pondering what motor to get next?Credit: Reuters
      Aston Martin Vanquish
      A classy gents’ car, the Vanquish is the most expensive motor in Hazard’s collection.
      James Bond star Daniel Craig once owned a limited edition version, which was sold at an auction for £344,000.
      Price: From £199,950
      Mercedes C-Class
      The luxury C-Class has been part of the German brand’s make-up since 1993.
      It was also one of the first cars Hazard rocked up in when he signed for Chelsea from Lille back in 2012. Needless to say, he’s moved on since.
      Price: From £32,260
      Cool Hazard is a motor car enthusiast
      The cheapest car in Hazard’s collection is a £32k C-ClassCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Hazard’s AMG GTR reaches a top speed of 197.6 mphCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Felipe Massa strikes a pose with car aficionado, Hazard
      And finally, Mercedes Benz AMG GTR
      Perhaps the best-looking in his collection, Hazard has a AMG GTR which has a horse power of 430 kW and top speed of 197.6 mph.
      Former Aston Villa and Man City ace Gareth Barry once had one once upon a time too.
      Price: From £99,245
      That gives us a grand total of £622,505 – over a half million pounds worth of cars! Now, that’s nothing to be sniffed at.
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      Eden Hazard turns up to pre-season training in great shape as Real Madrid hope ex-Chelsea star will finally find form More

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      Newcastle line up January transfer swoop for Clement Lenglet after starting just one game for Barcelona this season

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      NEWCASTLE are reportedly eyeing up a January swoop to sign Barcelona’s out-of-favour defender Clement Lenglet.The Magpies have cash to spend having recently been the subject of a high-profile £300million takeover from a Saudi-led consortium.
      Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet is a reported January target for NewcastleCredit: Getty
      And despite boss Steve Bruce poised to be axed, club chiefs are putting together a shortlist of potential recruits for upcoming transfer windows.
      According to Sport, the Toon are keen to bring France international Lenglet, 26, to St James’ Park in the New Year.
      Lenglet has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp this term having started just once out of Barca’s opening eight LaLiga games.
      Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo have been preferred ahead of the ex-Sevilla ace to partner Gerard Pique at the back.
      The Spanish news outlet states that Newcastle have already asked about his availability as they look to sign a left-footed central defender.
      And Lenglet is seen as an attractive option as he would raise the level of defence at Newcastle, while he could be sold on the cheap due to Barcelona’s financial difficulties.

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      It has also been said that Newcastle are only prepared to invest little in January before going all out next summer.
      Everton and West Ham were linked with a loan move for Lenglet in July, but it is Newcastle that are now understood to be in pole position.
      And Lenglet isn’t the only member of Barcelona’s squad that Newcastle are believed to be targeting.
      Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is claimed to be of interest in the winter transfer window.
      Meanwhile Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged Newcastle to sign the likes of Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Declan Rice.
      Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “I’d be going to try and make like a mad couple of signings, like huge, that I think would be gettable.
      Newcastle boast the wealthiest owners in world football following their takeover
      “I’d be looking at people like Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling’s not playing regularly, I’d go ask him the question. I’d go and ask Declan Rice, ‘What’s going on’.
      “Them two would be the first two on my list, and I’d go all out to go and get them. And then I’d be trying to get people like Jesse Lingard, who’s in and around the Man United squad.’ 
      “It’s unrealistic until you ask the question. I’d be going out there to get answers from these types of players and then you work your way down your list.”
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      ‘Best thing is to play’ – Man Utd teen loanee Facu Pellistri hints Jadon Sancho transfer pushed him into Alaves switch

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      MANCHESTER United winger Facundo Pellistri has suggested that Jadon Sancho’s arrival at Old Trafford made him decide to head out on loan. Sancho signed from Dortmund for £73million in July, with Pellistri heading to Spanish side Alaves in August.
      Pellistri in action for United in pre-seasonCredit: Getty
      Sancho has played nine times in all competitions for the Red Devils this seasonCredit: EPA
      The 19-year-old had originally confessed that he wanted to stay at United back in July.
      But seeing Sancho arrive seemingly changed his mind, with the Uruguayan conscious that first-team appearances would be limited.
      He did feature for Ole Gunnar Solskajer in pre-season, but left on loan before the Premier League campaign began in a bid to play regular football.
      Speaking to The Athletic about his pre-season with United, Pellestri said: “I felt stronger in the first team, I scored in a game at Derby for the first team.
      “It was a very hard pre-season, the hardest I’ve ever had. Physically, you are really pushed, the training is such a high level.
      “New players came in, including in my position [Sancho] so I thought it was a good idea to go on loan again.

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      “The best thing for a player is to play, and for a young player, to get experience.”
      Pellistri also revealed the club treated him to a new house after signing from Penarol.
      He said: “The club gave me a house filled with enough food for two months.
      “The difference between United and a club in Uruguay was incredible. There were so many people to help look after us. If we had any problem, I just had to call.
      “If I wanted a new phone — no problem. They would get one for me.”
      And the club could now be pressed into recalling Pellistri from his loan spell in Spain.
      He has started just one of Alaves’ seven games this season, making six appearances off the bench.
      According to Goal, United are ‘frustrated’ with the situation – particularly given that they received other offers for Pellistri in the summer.
      Should Pellistri fail to log 1,000 minutes of action by the start of December, the Red Devils will have the option to recall him in January.
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      Kylian Mbappe threatens to retire from international football at 22 after France star ‘was made to feel like problem’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed he felt unwanted by France after their Euro 2020 exit and is considering retirement.Mbappe’s spot-kick miss sent Les Bleus out of the tournament in a 5-4 shoot-out defeat by Switzerland in the last 16.
      Mbappe has been strongly linked with a move away from PSG to join Real MadridCredit: Getty
      And the striker, who has given the clearest signal yet he wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain after this season, has stirred it up at international level by admitting he will walk if he is no longer wanted by France.
      Mbappe, 22, said: “I have always put the France team above everything and I will always put it above everything.
      “Above all, I never wanted to be a problem but I felt that I was supposedly starting to become a problem and people saw me as a problem.
      “The most important thing is the France team, and if the France team is happier without me, that’s how it is.
      “The message I received was my ego was making us lose, that I wanted to take up too much space, and without me, therefore, we might have won.
      “It’s over now. I have so much love for the France team that I can ignore it all.”

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      Mbappe also said he felt he lacked support from French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet after he was racially abused at Euro 2020.
      But his international team-mate Lucas Hernandez said Mbappe remained “100 per cent integrated” in the France squad during the summer tournament.
      The Bayern Munich defender added: “He wanted to play and win the Euros.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      “Elimination was a huge blow to all of us but everyone loves Kylian.
      “Kylian is a huge player. We are all with him and we need him.”
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was forced to backtrack after appearing to suggest Mbappe could be heading to the Bernabeu in the January window.
      He said: “What I have said is that we have to wait until next year to have news and that, I always respect PSG, with whom we have a good relationship.”
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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: The GOAT debate ended once and for all by the stars who played with BOTH legends

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO or Lionel Messi?For close to TWO DECADES, fans have bickered in pubs, parks and playgrounds about which superstar is better.
      Who is truly the greatest of all-time: Messi or Ronaldo?
      Now more than ever supporters seem to be arguing the case for their favourite on social media.
      Both have enjoyed glittering careers, winning loads of trophies, scoring hundreds of goals and earning mountains of personal accolades.
      In truth there is no way us mere mortals can truly know whether Ronaldo or Messi is the best of all-time.
      So we’ve gone to those who know them best to find out who they think is No1.
      Below are 12 stars who played alongside both during their careers – and who THEY believe to be the best ever…
      PAULO DYBALA
      Dybala is a current team-mate of Messi and Ronaldo – and couldn’t separate the two
      The Argentina ace diplomatically claimed: “It is impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best.
      “They are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years.”
      RESULT: Draw

      DECO
      Deco couldn’t split Ronaldo and Messi
      THE midfield maestro played alongside Messi during the Argentine’s early days at the Nou Camp – while starring alongside Ronaldo for Portugal.
      But when asked to end the ‘who’s better’ debate, Deco refused – and picked Barcelona pal Ronaldinho instead.
      Deco revealed: “From the outset, it is clear that Leo and Cristiano are the greatest.
      “Especially because no one thought they could take so many years to this level, but the one that impressed me most despite not being so decisive was Ronaldinho.
      “For me, he will always be the best.
      “We met in Barcelona and immediately connected with him, the moments I lived with him are difficult to compare to anything. It was magical.”
      RESULT: Draw
      ANGEL DI MARIA
      Di Maria considers it an honour to play alongside Messi
      THE Paris Saint-Germain winger teamed up with Ronaldo at Real Madrid – where they won the 2014 Champions League – and has played many times with Messi for his country.
      But on who was better, Di Maria claimed Messi was the one, saying: “It was a dream to have the possibility to play with [Wayne] Rooney, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Leo [Messi]…
      “Leo is the best of the four.
      “With all the great players I have played with, it’s hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be Leo.
      “Messi is the best in the world – there is no question about that.
      “When I am an old man I will tell my grandchildren bedtime stories about when I won the Champions League, hopefully when I won the World Cup…
      “But most of all I will tell them their grandfather used to play with Lionel Messi.”
      RESULT: Messi
      GABRIEL HEINZE
      Heinze was the only star to play alongside both who opted for Ronaldo
      THE Argentine left-back played with Ronaldo at Manchester United and Messi for his country – but their paths would have crossed at Newell’s Old Boys too, when Messi was a lad.
      Over the years, Heinze has had his say on both.
      In 2008, he claimed: “If I had to pay for one player I would choose [Ronaldo].
      “I don’t think Cristiano will get any better as a footballer, he is already next to God in his ability.”
      But in 2016, he added: “Leo is inexplicable. He does not come from this planet. And as a person, he leads such a quiet life that is admirable.”
      Despite his glowing praise, technically he did not overturn his decision to name Ronaldo in 2008…
      RESULT: Ronaldo
      GONZALO HIGUAIN
      Higuain currently plays alongside both Messi and Ronaldo
      A FORMER team-mate of Ronaldo’s at Juve – following a spell together at Real Madrid – and Messi for Argentina, Higuain knows all about both.
      And he revealed: “[Ronaldo and I] had already played together with Real. Many years have passed, and I have found another player, a more mature person, with a family.
      “I enjoyed playing alongside him before and I am glad that we are back together.
      “I’m a forward and I have the chance to play with Messi. It’s a privilege to play alongside him.
      “Every time he gets the ball you need to be on your toes because you know that at any moment he can give you a great ball or pull your marker away from you.
      “He does things that a striker can anticipate but a defender can’t.”
      RESULT: Draw
      FERNANDO GAGO
      Fernando Gago opted for Messi over Ronaldo having played with both
      ANOTHER former Real team-mate of Ronaldo who played alongside Messi for Argentina, Gago was in no doubts as to is the better player.
      Gago claimed: “For me he [Ronaldo] is not No1. For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches.
      “Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.
      “We know that he has the ability to win a match in half a second and that gives you peace of mind.
      “In every game I have the feeling that he can make us win at any time. Messi’s way of leading is with the ball, sometimes a glance is enough.
      “He has an incredible personality, he understands the game perfectly, he has fought for 14 years to be the best without letting himself down, and that shows how he is.
      “He is the best I have seen in my life, without a doubt.”
      RESULT: Messi
      EZEQUIEL GARAY
      Garay opted for his fellow Argentine Messi over Ronaldo
      YET another former Los Blancos team-mate of Ronaldo who starred on the international scene with Messi, Garay also ranks Leo as the No1.
      Garay revealed: “When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo.
      “From the first time I saw him with Argentina Under-15s to this day he continues to amaze me. He has no limit.”
      RESULT: Messi
      ANDRE GOMES
      Gomes spent time with Messi at Barcelona and still plays with Ronaldo for Portugal now
      THE Everton midfielder spent two years playing alongside Messi at Barcelona, and is captained by Ronaldo for the Portuguese national team.
      And he claimed: “[Ronaldo] is a very important player, who is always present and ready to play.
      “He is very serious about the responsibility of leading our country, we have great spirit, and he’s a great example for all of us.
      “Everyone knows that Messi is very, very good. He does things in games that you cannot explain; he just knows different things and can do it.
      “In training it is a show, because every day he can invent something new.
      “You think you’re used to it, but there is always one day you go to the dressing room surprised by something he has done.”
      RESULT: Draw
      HENRIK LARSSON
      Larsson opted for Messi over Ronaldo thanks to their time at Barca
      THE Swedish legend won the Champions League with Messi, early in the now-PSG star’s career – at Barcelona – and played 13 times alongside Ronaldo during his loan spell at Old Trafford.
      But Larsson knows who he’d choose, saying: “Cristiano is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Messi.
      “Ronaldo is a very good player, but Messi is even better.
      “He is out of this world. He’s so good that it’s almost incredible.
      “When you see him with the ball at his feet it’s hard to believe that anybody else could do the same. He’s a fantastic player to see.”
      RESULT: Messi
      GERARD PIQUE
      Gerard Pique chose long-standing Barca pal Messi over Ronaldo
      THE Spaniard played with Ronaldo early in his own Man Utd career and until this summer was a long-serving team-mate of Messi at the Nou Camp.
      He has his favourite though, saying: “Cristiano is a perfect machine, a hard worker who always wants to improve.
      “I always said that Messi has some talent that no one has.
      “For me it’s like Messi is not human but [Ronaldo] is the best of the humans.”
      RESULT: Messi
      NELSON SEMEDO
      Semedo is a former team-mate of Messi, while he plays with Ronaldo for Portugal
      HAVING won back-to-back LaLiga crowns at Barcelona before moving to Wolves, along with the Uefa Nations League with Portugal, Semedo has enjoyed success with both Messi and Ronaldo.
      And he claimed: “Real Madrid have noticed [Ronaldo’s] absence a lot.
      “I cannot say that it was bad for [Barcelona] that Cristiano left. With him it would have been a more difficult league for us, more competitive.
      “He is a player that requires a lot of attention and care.
      “Messi is spectacular. It’s a privilege to play with him, he always surprises, he’s from another planet.”
      While the quotes suggest he favours Messi, there is no concrete evidence to prove it, so this goes down as a draw.
      RESULT: Draw
      CARLOS TEVEZ
      Carlos Tevez has partnered both forwards up front during his career
      A FORMER Man Utd team-mate of Ronaldo during some trophy-laden years and a long-serving Argentina colleague of Messi, Tevez knows both stars very well.
      On the debate, he said: “Cristiano always stopped in the gym after training: for him it is an obsession and, being the best in everything.
      “Messi plays another sport. For Messi to score three goals [in any given game] is normal.”
      Much like Semedo, while it feels Tevez would sway towards Messi, he’s not come out and said it just yet…
      RESULT: Draw
      SO WHO IS THE WINNER?
      Lionel Messi takes the win over old frenemy Cristiano Ronaldo, according to those who’ve played with bothCredit: Reuters
      WITH six draws from the 12 players, many were either unsure of who is truly better or unwilling to rock the boat.
      But of the six who did commit to giving an answer, FIVE chose Messi, with just one player picking Ronaldo.
      So that settles it then? Probably not…
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