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      Sergio Aguero confirms he was offered No10 shirt at Barcelona but turned it down ‘out of respect for Lionel Messi’

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      BARCELONA striker Sergio Aguero has revealed he rejected the iconic No10 shirt out of respect for Lionel Messi.The 33-year-old linked up with the LaLiga giants on a free transfer in the summer after running his contract down at Manchester City.
      Sergio Aguero has explained why he rejected the chance to wear the No10 shirt at Barcelona
      Aguero was offered the iconic jersey after Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Reuters
      He had initially joined in the hope of playing alongside his close friend, before Messi departed the Nou Camp to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      Following his Argentine compatriot’s shock exit, Aguero has declared that the Blaugrana offered him the chance to wear the No10 jersey.
      But the centre-forward, who is yet to feature for Barca due to injury, has stated that he passed up the opportunity.
      The five-time Premier League winner made the revelation when speaking to Spanish Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos.
      Quoted by Sport, Aguero explained: “Refusing to wear the No10 shirt at Barcelona?
      “It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but it was out of respect for Messi.”

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      Gerard Pique told Llanos in a previous Twitch session: “I told Kun to take it, but he doesn’t like the idea.”
      Instead, Aguero has taken the No19 jersey in Catalonia – the number Messi wore for Barca between 2006-2008.
      Barca starlet Ansu Fati has been entrusted with the No10 top, despite calls from Ronaldinho to retire the shirt.

      Prior to Fati being given the jersey, former Barca midfielder Ronald De Boer urged the club to give the number to a young player.
      He told talkSPORT: “We had it with Johan Cruyff No 14 [at Ajax], of course.

      “In another way, no, you have to always dream to be just as good as Messi. I think the No10 must stay alive, not to say okay we’ll put it some place and nobody’s going to touch it.
      “I mean, Messi’s Messi. […] If I think about Messi, it’s about his football skills, so not his shirt.
      “Try to give it to a youngster who wants to be just as good as Messi.”
      Barcelona hand Ansu Fati Lionel Messi’s iconic No10 shirt More

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      PSG ‘still hopeful Kylian Mbappe WILL sign new contract despite lure of Real Madrid free transfer move next summer’

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      PSG are still holding out hope that Kylian Mbappe will sign a new contract, it’s claimed.That’s despite the 22-year-old being widely expected to swap PSG for Real Madrid next summer when his contract with the French giants expires.
      Mbappe has withdrawn from the French squad after picking up a calf injury in the 1-1 draw against Bosnia and HerzegovinaCredit: AFP
      He was on international duty with Karim Benzema, who has revealed that Real Madrid want to sign MbappeCredit: AFP
      Mbappe has already rejected two proposals from the French club for a contract extension.
      The Athletic report that PSG are still willing to offer Mbappe both short-term and long-term contracts.
      A short-term deal would mean the Parc des Princes outfit would not lose one of the world’s hottest talents on a free transfer next summer, while a long-term deal would see him spend his best years at the club.
      PSG chiefs had previously believed that they had agreed a contract extension with Mbappe ‘on the eve of the Euros in June,’ but negotiations have since soured.
      Bosses at the club are still hopeful though that a season spent playing alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar will mean Mbappe commits his future to Les Parisiens.
      However Mbappe is still being tipped to swap Paris for Madrid come the end of the season.

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      It’s understood PSG rejected a £137m offer from Los Blancos in the summer but the Spanish giants are expected to open negotiations regarding a pre-contract agreement with Mbappe on January 1.
      And Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has confirmed the club want to sign his France team-mate.
      Speaking to Telefoot via Get French Football News, Benzema, 33, said: “It’s no secret anymore that Real want him.

      “I would have liked for him to come this year, but like I said recently, he’ll be there one day anyway.
      “We spoke [during the summer] but not about that specifically, we just kept in touch.”
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      Rumoured offers of £145million and £154million for Mbappe this summer are also said to have been rejected.
      One PSG chief told Real ‘the line is open’ on deadline day if they could cough up £189m, but no offer materialised.
      Instead Real Madrid will attempt to lure Mbappe to the club on a pre-contract agreement, meaning the race is on for PSG to convince Mbappe to sign an extension before he accepts Los Blancos’ offer.
      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      Gareth Bale says countries with racist fans should be kicked out by Uefa and ‘they’ll learn their lesson that way’

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      WALES winger Gareth Bale believes countries with racist fans should be booted out of competitions in a bid to kick out abuse.The Real Madrid forward, 32, was giving his views on what action governing bodies need to make to combat racism from supporters in stadiums.
      Gareth Bale has hit out at racist fans and claimed that countries should be kicked out of tournamentsCredit: Reuters
      England star Raheem Sterling had abuse hurled at him after scoring against HungaryCredit: PA
      Bale has been speaking on the matter after Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were subject to abuse during England’s 4-0 win against Hungary on Thursday.
      Fifa have subsequently launched an investigation after the Three Lions stars were targeted by vile yobs.
      Commenting on the situation prior to Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Sunday, Bale said: “It is frustrating.
      “I don’t know why they launch these investigations that take so long. It is clear to see.
      “It has been picked up on camera, by journalists, I really don’t get why there needs to be such a big investigation. It is clear that it happened.
      “It does not matter if it happened a little or a lot. The action needs to be taken to stop it.

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      “Whether you ban the fans from the stadium or if they keep repeatedly doing it, which seems to be what is happening, then you ban the country from the competition.
      “I think it kicks it out straight away. If that country keeps making these horrible gestures, then maybe the best thing to do is to get rid of them, give them a suspension and hopefully they will learn their lesson that way.”
      Bale also went on to say how he would be prepared to walk off the pitch should a team-mate be subject to racist abuse.
      He added: “If it happened to any of our players and they wanted to walk off the pitch I’d be fully for it.

      “At the end of the day, football qualifiers are important but these matters come way above football.
      “If it happened to any of us and we decided to leave the pitch because we feel we weren’t getting the protection or being treated the right way – if the only way to get a response was to walk off then yes I’d be fully for it.
      “At the end of the day it’s the right thing to do and it’s more important than football.”
      Southgate reacts to England’s win and the racism faced after their World Cup qualifier against Hungary More

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      Arsenal flop Shkodran Mustafi thrown career lifeline after Schalke nightmare as he completes Levante free transfer

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      ARSENAL flop Shkodran Mustafi has got his career back on track after joining Spanish outfit Levante.The Germany international had been without a club following the expiration of his short-term contract with Schalke at the end of the 2020/21 season.
      Shkodran Mustafi has signed an 18-month contract with LevanteCredit: LEVANTECF
      The Germany international has been a free agent since his Schalke contract expired in the summerCredit: AFP
      The centre-back had his contract with Arsenal terminated in FebruaryCredit: Getty
      The centre-back was in talks to join Italian outfit Torino last month, although the Serie A side opted not to take a punt on the 29-year-old.
      Levante promptly swooped and have subsequently handed the defender an 18-month contract at the Estadio Ciudad.
      An excerpt of a club statement read: “Levante UD has reached an agreement with Shkodran Mustafi (04/17/1992, Bad Hersfeld, Germany) for the incorporation of the footballer to the ranks of the Levantine team until June 2023, with the option of one more season.”
      An elated Mustafi said: “From the first moment I liked the idea of coming to Levante.”
      He later added: “We are going to give everything to take the club as high as possible.”
      Mustafi will be hoping his return to La Liga will provide some much-needed stability.

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      The former Everton man had his contract with Arsenal terminated in February after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
      The £35million signing from Valencia made a paltry nine appearances for the north Londoners before agreeing to terminate his deal.

      Two days after his departure from the Emirates, Mustafi wrote on social media: “Hi Gunners, after four years, 151 matches and two FA Cup trophies, I just wanted to say thank you to the Arsenal community, our great staff, the fans and of course my teammates.
      “Together we went through good and not so good times but we stood together.
      “Arsenal is a fantastic club with a great tradition and I always felt that it was a pleasure and honour to wear the AFC jersey.
      “My family and I will always remember the time we had in London and with Arsenal.

      “Gooners, I wish you all the best! Thank you!”
      Mustafi found playing time hard to come by at Schalke, making a mere 13 appearances during his return to Germany.
      Levante will be back in action a week on Saturday, welcoming Rayo Vallecano to the Estadio Ciudad.

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      Where are Neymar’s team-mates from Barcelona debut in 2013, including Alexis Sanchez, Song and an ex-Brighton full-back?

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      NEYMAR has been continually linked with a return ‘home’ to Barcelona since he left.The Brazilian, 29, seemed to have fallen out of love with Paris Saint-Germain on several occasions and appeared to be keen on a move back to the Nou Camp.
      How Barcelona lined-up for Neymar’s debut, with the Brazilian on the bench
      Barca are in the midst of a major overhaul, having lost Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann this summer. 
      The Catalans could end up playing with Newcastle and Middlesbrough rejects Luuk de Jong and Martin Braithwaite in their place this season.
      And after Neymar signed a new PSG deal in May, there is surely no chance he’ll want to go back now.
      But SunSport have taken a look back at the starting XI for his Barcelona debut in 2013.
      Neymar came off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Polish minnows Lechia Gdansk…

      GK – Jose Manuel Pinto
      Jose Manuel Pinto went on to become a musician, named Wahin
      IN the Victor Valdes era, Pinto was never any more than just the cup goalkeeper – at the club from 2008 until 2014, initially as cover for injured backup stopper Albert Jorquera.
      Pinto retired after six years at the club with only 31 LaLiga appearances to his name.
      Under the pseudonym Wahin, Pinto formed his own hip hop music label, Wahin Makinaciones, in 2000 and released his own album in 2006.
      In 2017 Pinto earned his first Billboard top ten hit, La Habana, featuring Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger.RB – Martin Montoya
      Martin Montoya played for Brighton after Barca and is now with Real Betis
      MONTOYA worked his way through the youth ranks, staying at Barca between 1999 and 2016.
      After stints at Inter Milan and Real Betis on loan, Montoya moved to Valencia, spending two years at the club before moving to Brighton.
      He is now back with Betis.CB – Sergi Gomez
      Sergi Gomez, right, played for Sevilla following his Barca days
      ANOTHER former Barcelona youth product, Gomez failed to play a single LaLiga game before heading to Celta Vigo in 2014.
      After four years shining in the first team, Gomez moved to Sevilla and is now at Espanyol.CB – Marc Bartra
      Marc Bartra is now at Real Betis via Borussia Dortmund
      YET another youth product in the starting XI for Neymar’s debut, Bartra fared slightly better, notching nearly 60 LaLiga games in six years in the first team.
      Two years at Borussia Dortmund followed his 2016 Nou Camp exit, before he joined Real Betis in 2018. He still plays there now.LB – Adriano
      Adriano was a regular at left-back for Barcelona
      A REGULAR in the Barcelona team between 2010 and 2016, Adriano racked up over 100 LaLiga appearances after joining from Sevilla.
      After his exit in 2016, Adriano spent three years at Besiktas before heading to Atletico Paranaense in Brazil.
      He’s now at Belgian side Eupen.CM – Jonathan Dos Santos
      Jonathan dos Santos moved to Villarreal and then LA Galaxy
      THE brother of ex-Tottenham flop Giovani, Jonathan spent 12 years working his way through the ranks at Barcelona.
      But he only mustered 14 LaLiga appearances across five years in the first team and was sold to Villarreal in 2014.
      Three years at the Spanish giants followed, before he joined his brother at Los Angeles Galaxy where he remains.CM – Alex Song
      Alex Song struggled to make the grade at Barcelona
      PERHAPS best-known for his blunder, believing Carlos Puyol was handing him the 2013 LaLiga trophy, when it fact it was meant for Eric Abidal, Song struggled at Barcelona.
      In four years at the Nou Camp, following time at Bastia, Arsenal and Charlton, Song was loaned to West Ham twice, before being sold to Rubin Kazan.
      After a spell in Switzerland, the Cameroonian is now playing for AS Arta in Djibouti.CM – Sergi Roberto
      Sergi Roberto has become a club icon in the past few years
      SCORED on Neymar’s debut, the then-central midfielder also plays right-back – but is comfortable playing almost anywhere for Barcelona.
      He’s played 307 times for the Catalans – and has two Champions League winner’s medals.
      Famously scored the last-gasp aggregate winner in the thrilling 6-1 comeback victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.RW – Lionel Messi
      Messi scored on Neymar’s debut against Lechia Gdansk
      SCORED the second equaliser as Barcelona twice battled back to draw on Neymar’s debut, Messi needs no introduction.
      Six Ballons d’Or, ten LaLiga titles, four Champions League and 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona.
      Left for PSG this summer after Barca made a pig’s ear of their finances and couldn’t register him.
      A true legend of the game.
      ST – Alexis Sanchez
      Alexis Sanchez started up front and was replaced by Neymar
      THE man who was taken off the pitch so Neymar could make his debut, Sanchez is well known on these shores.
      Sanchez joined Barcelona from Udinese in 2011.
      He enjoyed three decent years, mostly off the bench, before joining Arsenal, where – early on, at least – he enjoyed arguably his best stint as a footballer.
      Flopped miserably at Man Utd before being loaned to Inter Milan where he has found life almost as tough.
      Earned in excess of £500k-a-week at Old Trafford though so is probably OK for a few quid.LW – Cristian Tello
      Cristian Tello started Neymar’s debut on the left wing
      ANOTHER of the bench mob, Tello scared 11 goals in 59 La Liga games across six years at the club.
      Moved to Porto and Fiorentina on loan, before securing a permanent switch to Real Betis – where he still plays today.
      Barcelona sell Antoine Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid in £34m transfer… making a loss of £74MILLION in two years More

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      Man Utd ‘block Diogo Dalot’s transfer to Dortmund after Atletico Madrid reject their £18m Kieran Trippier bid’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly had an £18million offer rejected by Atletico Madrid for Kieran Trippier which blocked Diogo Dalot’s switch to Borussia Dortmund.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been keen to bring in a new right-back to compete with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a starting spot.
      Manchester United reportedly failed to bring Kieran Trippier to Old TraffordCredit: Rex
      Diogo Dalot was a target for Borussia Dortmund, but the Red Devils blocked his switchCredit: Getty
      Former Tottenham defender Trippier was understood to be the Red Devils’ first choice, with the player keen to make the switch to Old Trafford.
      Meanwhile Portuguese full-back Dalot was in talks with Bundesliga giants BVB over an initial loan switch.
      However United would have only allowed Dalot to depart if they managed to sign a replacement for him, with the club letting Brandon Williams join Norwich.
      And according to Sport1 reporter Patrick Berger, United failed in a late move to bring Trippier back to England after two years in Spain.
      He tweeted on deadline day: “Diogo Dalot will NOT join Borussia Dortmund as Manchester United can’t find a right-back replacement.
      “Understand Atletico Madrid turned down a €21m [£18m] bid from Man Utd for Kieran Trippier.

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      “The Englishman will now definitely stay in Spain. No move in this transfer window!”
      Trippier has featured in all of Atletico’s three LaLiga games this term – coming on as a substitute in the first two games before starting against Villarreal.
      Meanwhile Dalot has appeared just once for United in their opening three Premier League matches with Wan-Bissaka starting every fixture.

      He came on as a 93rd minute substitute in the 1-0 win against Wolves on Sunday – his first outing in the top-flight since February 2020.
      Dalot has been limited to substitute cameos in each of his last Premier League games, with his appearances totalling just seven minutes.
      Since his £19m switch from Porto in 2018, the ex-AC Milan loanee has been limited to just 36 matches, scoring once.
      Cristiano Ronaldo poses in new Man Utd kit for first time since stunning transfer but squad number still not revealed More

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      Atletico vs Villarreal tunnel brawl chaos as Emery’s assistant ‘had to be restrained and another coach punched in mouth’

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      A BRAWL allegedly broke out in the tunnel after Atletico Madrid secured a last-gasp point against Unai Emery’s Villarreal on Sunday.A 95th minute Aissa Mandi own goal after goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s slip meant the spoils were shared in the LaLiga clash – but wild scenes ensued after the full time whistle.
      Aissa Mandi has made five errors leading to goals since 2016/17 – more than any other LaLiga playerCredit: Getty
      Geronimo Rulli reacts after his slip saw Villarreal drop two pointsCredit: Getty
      Unai Emery kicks out in frustration after Atletico’s 95th minute equaliserCredit: Getty

      Match referee Soto Grado reported that the two teams clashed in the tunnel, with both players and coaches getting involved.
      According to AS, the referee’s report said Atletico coach Pedro Tomas Renones Crego ‘hit a member of the visiting coaching staff’ as the two teams confronted off the pitch.
      As well as that incident, Emery’s Villarreal assistant Imanol Idiakez confronted Atletico players and staff ‘aggressively and had to be held by members of his team.’
      There are also claims a coach was punched in the mouth.
      Emery, who formerly managed Arsenal, was reportedly not as aggressive, but the 49-year-old was left frustrated after dropping two points late on.
      According to AS Emery told Spanish press he spent half an hour ‘kicking the wall’ after Villarreal were denied a valuable away win by a last minute own goal.
      It means Emery is now winless in FIFTEEN meetings with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

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      And Sunday’s result means the Yellow Submarine have drawn all three of their LaLiga fixtures so far this season.
      Emery’s new signing Arnaut Danjuma announced his arrival at Villarreal with a goal on his debut.
      He scored just eleven minutes after coming on as a substitute to put Emery’s side 2-1 up with fifteen minutes left to play.
      Earlier in the game Manu Trigueros had fired the Yellow Submarine ahead before Luis Suarez netted Atletico Madrid’s equaliser.
      Danjuma then restored Villarreal’s lead before Mandi’s comical own goal meant Atletico Madrid snatched a point with just TEN SECONDS left on the clock.
      And tensions were high as the two clubs headed down the tunnel, with emotions seemingly boiling over.
      Lionel Messi has selfie with Reims goalkeeper’s child More

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      When is transfer deadline day? Date and time for Premier League and EFL window end

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      THE transfer deadline is nearly here.And we have already seen some stunning moves around the Premier League and the rest of Europe.
      Jack Grealish’s £100million transfer to Manchester City from Aston Villa has been the biggest of the summer window so far in EnglandCredit: Getty
      This summer has seen one of the biggest transfers in history, with Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      And Cristiano Ronaldo is controversially set to join Manchester City, 12 years after he departed Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
      But there is a limit to when teams can sign players and we’ve got all the info on this year’s transfer deadline day.
      When is the 2021 summer transfer deadline day?
      This year’s window shuts on Tuesday, August 31.
      Clubs have until 11pm in the UK to sign players and paperwork that has been submitted before the deadline but not completed will be accepted.
      The window opened on June 9, meaning clubs have had a massive 12 weeks to complete their signings.
      In the EFL, Championship, League One and League Two clubs all have the same deadline and timings.
      The Scottish leagues are also running to the same window.
      Do clubs in France, Germany, Italy and Spain have the same transfer window?
      Yes, the transfer window closes on August 31 around the other major European leagues.

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      The deadline times are different in each country though.
      For instance, the Bundesliga deadline time is 5pm local time.
      The windows in Germany, France, Spain and Italy all opened on June 1. More