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      Atletico Madrid ‘REJECTED chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo’ in summer transfer window overs fears of epic fan backlash

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      ATLETICO MADRID reportedly rejected the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.Spanish radio station Cadena Ser claims super agent Jorge Mendes offered the then-Juventus star to Diego Simeone’s newly crowned Spanish champions.
      Atletico Madrid reportedly snubbed the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summerCredit: Reuters
      But Atletico rejected the opportunity over fears of a furious fan backlash, with Ronaldo a legend at rivals Real Madrid.
      The Portugal star, 36, instead found his way back to Manchester United on deadline day, despite being linked with Real and Man City.
      And Atleti instead ended up bolstering their attack by re-signing Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona.
      Ronaldo has been a smash hit since returning to England, scoring four goals in just three games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      The veteran was on target as United beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on Sunday.
      And Ronnie showed his delight at the result with an Instagram post.

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      It read: “Every game in the Premier League is always an amazing fight for the three points.
      “Today we got to see a glimpse of all the obstacles that we will find on our way, but we have to keep our mind set on our goals.
      “Together! Strong! Focused! Let’s go, Devils!”
      But despite Ronaldo’s second Old Trafford dance, boss Solskjaer is refusing to entertain talk of winning the title.
      He said: “You’re not going to get me on that one now.

      “It’s five games into the season. I was probably down and out and lost my job yesterday. That’s the way it is at Man United.
      “We deserved three points. It’s a hard place to come, here. Hopefully these points can make a difference.
      “Let’s see [about the title] when we get towards April and May.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Cristiano Ronaldo sends support to coma-stricken Danny Hodgson as Man Utd star invites him to game when better More

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      Barcelona ‘to make Raheem Sterling transfer move in January window after having bid turned down over summer’

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      BARCELONA are keen to reignite their interest in Raheem Sterling when the transfer window re-opens in January.The Catalan club tried to sign the 26-year-old in the last transfer window according to Sport, but a deal never materialised.
      Sterling has scored one goal so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      But has found game time hard to come byCredit: Getty
      And now Nou Camp chiefs are ready to test Manchester City’s resolve once again in the New Year.
      Sterling has started just two out of City’s six games so far this season, with Sport naming Barcelona as an ‘ideal destination’ for the 70-cap England international.
      The winger has even given the thumbs up for a move to go ahead, according to reports.
      But any potential move won’t come cheap.
      Sterling is valued in excess of £80million and earns around £300,000-a-week at the Etihad.
      Cash-strapped Barca have more funds to play with than they did in the summer but money is still tight at the Nou Camp.

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      Despite the club’s dire financial situation the Spanish giants sent Director of Football Mateu Alemany to Manchester in the summer to discuss a possible transfer for Sterling.
      Barca’s summer proposal reportedly included a swap deal including Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele or Sergi Roberto.
      A loan move was also discussed between the clubs.
      Sterling has played 298 times for Manchester City since his move from Liverpool in 2015, scoring 115 times so far for the Cityzens.
      But he appears to have fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola this season.

      Pep Guardiola offers to quit Man City if he is a ‘problem with fans’ and refuses to apologise for supporters plea More

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      Barcelona hope to land Man Utd ace Paul Pogba on free transfer in summer but face competition from three European giants

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      BARCELONA hope to sign Manchester United ace Paul Pogba for free next summer but will be rivalled by top clubs, reports say.The Catalan giants are eyeing a rebuild after losing mega star Lionel Messi.
      Pogba is enjoying his football this season, registering seven assists in the league in just four games playedCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      And Pogba – who has less than a year left on his contract – is someone who they feel would be a star at Barca.
      According to Fichajes.net, Pogba’s name came up in conversations between his agent Mino Raiola and Barca club president Joan Laporta.
      The super agent informed Laporta that Pogba is certain be subject to a bidding war.
      But should Barca put an offer forward, he will try and convince the Frenchman to decide on Barca’s offer before other proposals.
      Barca will have to see off challenges from rivals Real Madrid, super wealthy Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
      But Barca and Juve’s financial problems put them in a trickier position than the Parisians and even Real.

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      Barca could offer Pogba star man status, but PSG’s economic power allows them to put forward a bigger, more lucrative offer.
      Real appear to be in a better financial position than Barca too.
      Los Blancos are plotting two huge free transfers next summer: Pogba and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, whose contract also expires next summer.
      Despite both potentially being available for free, they will still cost Real a fortune in agent and signing on fees.

      Despite the reported tug of war that is set to commence should Pogba not sign a new contract at Man Utd, Mathias has stated his younger brother is fully focused and ‘feeling very good’ at the Red Devils.
      He told El Chiringuito TV: “Paul has not decided yet whether to stay or not next summer.
      “It’s his decision – he’s feeling very good at Man United now, this season… then let’s see. Let’s see when will be time to decide.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Mathias Pogba says Pogba’s brother says Man Utd star will decide on future at ‘right time’ amid Real Madrid and PSG transfer links More

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      Joao Felix clashes with ‘disrespectful’ Atletico Madrid fan after being told to INJURE Antoinne Griezmann in training

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      ATLETICO MADRID star Joao Felix has clashed with a fan after being told to INJURE team-mate Antoine Griezmann.A number of the club’s supporters remain unhappy with the 30-year-old’s arrival back at the Wanda Metropolitano on deadline day.
      Joao Felix clashed with an Atletico Madrid fan after he was told to injure team-mate Antoine GriezmannCredit: Directo GOL
      Felix told the support he should show more respect to Griezmann during the conversationCredit: Directo GOL
      Griezmann left Atletico in 2019 to join rivals Barcelona, but he has returned to his former stomping ground on an initial loan deal.
      The 2018 World Cup winner was jeered by supporters during their Champions League clash against Porto on Wednesday night.
      And now one of the team’s fans have urged Felix to inflict damage on Griezmann as he left their training ground on Thursday.
      Footage from El Golazo de Gol shows Felix speaking to one fan, with Felix then stating he should have more ‘respect’ for the ex-Real Sociedad star.
      According to journalist Javi Gomez, the supporter said: “Joao, step on Griezmann, you have to injure him, it can’t be that he starts before you.”
      To which Felix replied by saying: “You should have more respect for Griezmann.”

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      The individual then remarked: “Don’t forget to go for Griezmann’s shin, Joao.”
      Atletico boss Diego Simeone has defended Griezmann following his return after his controversial departure.
      He told Sport: “They (the media) are making a movie and a morbid situation that clearly gives us the importance of having recovered an extraordinary footballer like him and that we can enjoy.
      “We hope that he gets better and can respond to the people that criticise him.
      “He has a challenge to move forward and consequences for what happened in the past.”
      Meanwhile, the president of one of Atletico’s supporters’ groups believes Griezmann has a long way to go before he wins back the fans.
      Quoted by Tribal Footbal via L’Equipe, Eduardo Fernandez said: “A part of the public will whistle and insult him, that’s for sure.
      “When his name is announced and as soon as he touches the ball. There is a disenchantment. Before, he was our idol. Now he’s just a player like any other.

      “He doesn’t represent much anymore. His image has seriously deteriorated. We’re all still hurt by what he did. Time is going to see our pain heal. He will have to regain our trust and our love.
      “It is up to him to be forgiven and to redeem himself. When he sets important goals, little by little things will get back to normal.
      “Because he can once again become the great player he was, I am convinced.”
      Antoine Griezmann ditches ponytail for his old look as he returns to Atletico Madrid More

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      Arsenal flop Mustafi fires parting shot at Schalke after joining ‘a club where I’m loved’ in Levante

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      EX-ARSENAL star Shkodran Mustafi has hit back at former employers Schalke after claiming he’s joined a club where he’s ‘loved’.The defender, 29, was part of the Schalke side that suffered a shock relegation from the Bundesliga and has since moved to Levante.
      Shkodran Mustafi suffered relegation with Schalke last termCredit: Getty
      As quoted by Bild, Mustafi said: “The past six months at Schalke have been bad!
      “It hurts because you know it’s a big club in Germany. We relegated, but now I’m here to concentrate on my job.
      “It was important for me to go to a club where I am loved!”
      Mustafi joined Spanish side Levante at the beginning of September after a difficult few years for club and country.
      The German ace, then at Sampdoria, was one of the most sought after defenders in Europe after helping his nation win the World Cup in 2014.
      He went on to leave the Italian club for Valencia that summer and continued to impress, earning a move to Arsenal in August 2016.

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      Gunners fans hoped Mustafi would fix their defensive woes but he struggled to cope in the Premier League, joining Schalke on a free in February.
      And his troubles continued in his homeland, playing 13 Bundesliga games as the German giants suffered a surprise relegation.
      Mustafi has also not featured for his country since 2017 and faces a huge challenge if he wants to add to his 20 caps.
      Shortly after joining Levante, the player said: “From the first moment I liked the idea of coming to Levante.
      “We are going to give everything to take the club as high as possible.”
      Fuming Schalke fans attack players including Arsenal’s Mustafi and launch eggs and fireworks after Bundesliga relegation More

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      Barcelona’s poor FIFA 22 ratings show how far they’ve fallen while Eden Hazard is just 18th best rated in LaLiga

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      FIFA 22 have announced the Spanish ratings for this year’s game and it’s not good news for cash-strapped Barcelona.Unsurprisingly, Sergio Aguero does not rate as high as ex Lionel Messi in another blow to Barca – and it’s not good news for Eden Hazard, either.
      Just three Barcelona players are in FIFA 22’s LaLiga XI
      Eden Hazard’s rating has slipped from 91 to 85 in two years
      Messi, who left the fallen giants in the summer for Paris Saint-Germain, is rated 93 – but replacement Aguero is just 87 on this year’s game.
      Just SIX Barca stars have been included in the top 25 LaLiga players: Aguero, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Memphis Depay.
      In comparison, Real Madrid have eight players in that list and Atletico Madrid boast five – including LaLiga’s top-ranked man Jan Oblak (91).
      And on FIFA 21 – last year’s game – Barca had eight players in the top 25, a measure of just how much they’ve regressed in the last year or so.
      Barca have been forced to say goodbye to several stars due to their reported £1BILLION debt, including Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
      Replacements have not been as impressive, with Newcastle flop Luuk de Jong moving to the Nou Camp on deadline day.

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      Neither De Jong nor fellow Barca striker – ex-Middlesbrough ace Martin Braithwaite – have broke into FIFA 22’s top 25 for LaLiga.
      One glimmer of hope for Barca is fellow new signing Depay, who’s bagged a decent 85 rating after leaving French outfit Lyon.
      Hazard will also not be happy with the ratings as he’s dropped to 85 after a difficult couple of seasons at Real Madrid.
      The Premier League icon was rated 91 when he completed a £130m move from Stamford Bridge to the Bernabeu in June 2019.
      But just four goals in 34 LaLiga games has seen Hazard’s rating drop significantly and he may fall out of the top 25 if his form doesn’t improve.
      The FIFA 22 Ratings Collective return to decide the top player ratings More

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      Man Utd ‘tried to sign Koulibaly before Varane in summer transfer window but Napoli rejected £30m offer’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED failed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly before Raphael Varane this summer, Italian reports say. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a centre-back one of his top priorities in the window, along with Jadon Sancho.
      Man Utd reportedly failed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly before Raphael Varane this summerCredit: Rex
      Raphael Varane joined Man Utd from Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Soon after completing a £73million move for Sancho, 21, from Borussia Dortmund, Varane, 28, arrived after leaving Real Madrid.
      But according to Corriere Dello Sport, Napoli’s Koulibaly was preferred to the Frenchman, who later arrived for £42million.
      It is claimed United were ready to offer £30m for the Senegal captain, but were told it would not be enough.
      Napoli before have set a £100m price tag on Koulibaly, one of the highest-rated defenders in the world.
      But, after recent financial woes at the Serie A club, it is believed they would be willing to slash their asking price.
      Nevertheless, United settled for Varane, who left the Spanish capital with just one year left on his deal.

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      Amazingly, he was then joined by former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, who returned to United after initially leaving in 2009.
      Paul Pogba, who also plays with Varane for France, hailed the star signings when quizzed on recent international duty.

      Pogba, 28, told Telefoot: “It’s always a pleasure to play with the best.
      “It’s also a plus for the players to be able to train with a great player. He’s going to raise the level of the team.”
      Pogba sang Ronaldo’s praises shortly after the star forward completed his stunning comeback to Manchester.”
      The top transfers of the 2021 summer transfer window More

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      Chelsea interest in Jules Kounde transfer to depend on Antonio Rudiger’s future as contract talks continue with defender

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      CHELSEA’s interest in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde continues but is dependent on Antonio Rudiger’s future, reports say.The Blues saw a £42.8million bid rejected by Sevilla over the summer, who are holding out for his £68m release clause.
      Kounde was allegedly fuming Sevilla blocked a move to ChelseaCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Rudiger has left than a year on his current contract and is negotiating a new deal, but is attracting interest from Real MadridCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      According to La Colina de Nervion, Thomas Tuchel remains interested in French international Kounde.
      But the transfer depends on the future of Rudiger, who is locked in contract extension talks with just a year left on his current deal.
      Chelsea are planning for the worst case scenario, which could see Rudiger reject a new contract putting them at risk of losing him for free in the summer of 2022.
      The report states that should the Blues cash in on the Real Madrid-linked defender, it could ‘accelerate a new attack’ in the bid to sign Kounde.
      The Frenchman will be hoping the two clubs can strike a deal at some point in the future.
      Kounde was allegedly fuming Sevilla blocked his transfer move to Chelsea, according to the Spanish Football Podcast.

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      ‘Brave’ Rudiger is a player who Tuchel likes a lot and someone he would very much like to keep.
      The German boss said back in May: “If Toni [Rudiger] wants to stay at the club then he has our full support.
      “Nothing is better than what is doing for a new contract. He is speaking with his performances and has been amazing.

      “He is very brave and full of energy in his defending. He is leading by example and has a very positive aggressivity in him.
      “This is what we like.
      “When he can channel all this into top performances, we are all very happy to have him.”

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      Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s victory against Zenit St Petersburg More