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      Arsenal set to sign Martin Odegaard in £34m deal from Real Madrid after midfielder impressed on loan last season

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      ARSENAL are set to sign Martin Odegaard for £34million from Real Madrid, according to reports.The Gunners have been pursuing the Norwegian all summer after he impressed on loan last season.
      Arsenal have agreed to sign Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid for £34mCredit: PA
      And they have finally agreed a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano.
      The midfielder has reportedly agreed a five-year contract and is already in London for a medical.
      Romano tweeted: “Martin Odegaard to Arsenal, here we go and deal confirmed!
      “Permanent move – bit less than €40m to Real Madrid. Personal terms already agreed on five years contract.
      “Edu and Arteta wanted Odegaard as only priority since June, strategy was correct… and now, done deal.”
      Odegaard spent last season on loan at the Emirates and put in some impressive performances.

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      But it appeared he hadn’t done enough for Arsenal to push for a permanent deal, and he returned to Real Madrid.
      Odegaard did not train with his Real team-mates on Tuesday as he looked to thrash out his future.
      The midfielder scored two goals in 20 appearances under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta last season.
      But Arsenal were dealt a blow when it looked like Madrid were set to keep hold of him as cover for the injured Toni Kroos.
      The Gunners were able to fund the deal after they sold Joe Willock to Newcastle for £25m.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      Odegaard’s agent landed in London on Tuesday to finalise the move.
      He had two years left on his Real contract but it gradually became apparent he did not have a future under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
      The final nail in the coffin was when he was left without a squad number as his No 21 shirt was handed to Rodrygo.

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      Lucas Torreira performs amazing trick shot in Uruguay training More

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      How Chelsea could make £88m to fund Jules Kounde transfer by flogging six outcasts including Barkley and Drinkwater

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      CHELSEA remain locked in talks with Sevilla to bring centre-back Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge.The 22-year-old is understood to be a serious target for Thomas Tuchel as he looks to bolster his backline.
      Chelsea could sell six fringe players in order to fund a move to sign top target Jules Kounde
      But having forked out £97.5million to bring Romelu Lukaku back to West London, the Blues may need to offload players in order to sign the French defender.
      According to transfermarkt, the Champions League holders could rake in as much as £88million by offloading six fringe players who are not in Tuchel’s plans.
      But that is only if Chelsea sell them at their current transfer value.
      Here SunSport takes a look at the six players that could be sold in order to fund a move to sign Kounde.
      Kurt Zouma – £29m
      Valued at £29m, the French centre-back, 26, chipped in with five goals in 36 games for Chelsea last season.
      But he has been deemed as surplus to requirements by Tuchel, with the club now looking to offload him seven years after he was signed.
      West Ham were understood to be keen to secure his services, but have been put off by his £120,000-a-week wage demands.
      French defender Kurt Zouma has been linked with a move away this monthCredit: Getty

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      Ross Barkley – £18m
      The former Everton playmaker has reportedly been told to find a new club by Chelsea after being stripped of his squad number.
      Barkley, 27, spent last campaign on loan at Aston Villa where he scored three goals in 24 games.
      He appeared in Chelsea’s 13-0 friendly win against National League side Weymouth on Sunday where he grabbed himself a hat-trick.
      Ross Barkley has been deemed as surplus to requirements by German gaffer Thomas TuchelCredit: Getty
      Tiemoue Bakayoko – £18m
      The French defensive midfielder hasn’t featured in an official game for Chelsea since the 2017-18 season.
      He has spent the last three years on loan at AC Milan, Monaco and Napoli.
      And following his impressive performances in Naples last season, Lyon are claimed to be ready to bring the player back to Ligue 1.
      Tiemoue Bakayoko featured in pre-season for Chelsea, but is still understood to not be in Tuchel’s plansCredit: AFP
      Emerson Palmieri – £13m
      The Italy international is behind Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso in the pecking order at Chelsea.
      And the left-back has hinted he could soon be on his way out after declaring he wishes to play regular football.
      He told ESPN Brasil: “I know it’s not easy, but I’m hungry to play. I want to play, I know I can be out on the pitch, I’ve proved that.”
      Before adding: “I will really choose the best option. If it’s to stay at Chelsea, if it happens to Napoli or another team.”
      Emerson Palmieri is behind Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso in the pecking orderCredit: Getty
      Davide Zappacosta – £7m
      The Italian right-back has spent the last two seasons on loan at Roma and Genoa respectively.
      And it has been claimed that he is nearing another exit away from Chelsea with Serie A clubs keen to sign him.
      He impressed at Genoa last term, where he chipped in with four goals and two assists from his 25 outings.
      Davide Zappacosta has spent the last two seasons on loan in his native ItalyCredit: Getty

      Danny Drinkwater – £3m
      The 31-year-old was signed for a whopping £35million from Leicester in 2017, but he has been limited to just 23 games in all competitions.
      His last appearance came in the 2018 Community Shield defeat against Manchester City.
      And after failed loan spells as Burnley, Villa and Turkish outfit Kasimpasa, it remains to be seen if he will finally depart Chelsea on a permanent deal.

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      Chelsea flops Drinkwater, Barkley and Bakayoko ‘told to organise transfer exits’ after being stripped of squad numbers More

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      Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois goes public with stunning model girlfriend Mishel Gerzig

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      FORMER Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has taken to Instagram to pose publicly with his new girlfriend for the first time. He was spotted with Israeli model Mishel Gerzig earlier this summer, sparking rumours that the pair were together – and now both have revealed that they are officially a couple.  

      The 29-year-old took to Instagram to reveal his news, posting a picture of him next to the 23-year-old model.
      Courtois captioned the post in Hebrew that translates to “The love of my life” to which Gerzig replied, “my love”.
      The pair were seen aboard a yacht together in Ibiza after Belgium’s exit from Euro 2020, but the shot stopper didn’t give much away at the time.
      But now the pair have gone public, with both of them posting pictures together on Instagram in recent days.
      Gerzig has over 180,000 followers on Instagram and represents ITM models.
      She took to Instagram this week, posting a picture of her holding hands with Courtois as they shared a laugh, captioning the photo “mi amor” or “my love”.

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      Earlier this year, Courtois was linked to Spanish model Mayka Rivera – but she denied the rumours.
      He has two children with Marta Dominguez – but the pair split up while he was at Chelsea.
      The Belgium international also allegedly fathered a secret love child with his TV host and married neighbour Alba Carrillo in 2019.
      And the Real Madrid keeper celebrated the news of announcing his relationship with Mishel Gerzig by helping Los Blancos to a 4-1 win against Alaves in their La Liga opener on Saturday.
      Karim Benzema scored twice, with Nacho and Vinicius Jr adding the other two goals to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side top of the La Liga table on goal difference after one game.
      Ancelotti and Co will be desperate to bring the La Liga title back to their half of Madrid this campaign after Atletico scooped the prize last season.
      And they will feel like they are in pole position to do so after Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona and the financial mess the Catalan club find themselves in.
      Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta ‘not willing to mortgage club for 50 years’ for any player including Messi More

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      Tottenham plotting £55m transfer swoop for Villarreal’s ex-Man Utd target Pau Torres to partner Cristian Romero

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      TOTTENHAM are plotting a £55million transfer swoop for Villarreal’s Pau Torres, according to reports.The North Londoners want to bring in another centre-back before the summer window closes on August 31.
      Pau Torres could be on his way to Tottenham in a £55m transferCredit: Reuters
      They lost Toby Alderweireld to Qatari side Al-Duhail but did splash out £47million on Cristian Romero.
      But director of football Fabio Paratici still sees the defence as a priority position to bolster.
      And according to The Times, Torres has been identified as a target.
      His release clause rose from £47m to £55m last season when he hit a threshold for international caps.
      But Spurs may see if the Spanish side will accept a fee slightly below that.
      Torres, 24, played a key role in Villarreal’s run to winning the Europa League last season, beating Manchester United on penalties.

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      His fine form earned him a spot in Spain’s Euro 2020 squad.
      He featured in all six games as Luis Enrique’s side reached the semi-finals – and then played every minute of Spain’s run to the Olympics final.
      Torres was previously linked with United and Real Madrid.
      But the Red Devils opted for Raphael Varane instead, unveiling the £34m signing at Old Trafford before Saturday’s win over Leeds.
      And Los Blancos’ financial struggles mean they used the wages freed up by Sergio Ramos’ exit to fund David Alaba.
      Quizzed about his future earlier in the summer, Torres refused to be drawn on speculation.

      He said: “I have a contract at Villarreal.
      “I just won the first title for the club, we have qualified for the Champions League and it is something that excites me a lot.
      “Now I’m focused on the Euros. Then the Super Cup and nice things will come, so I’m totally calm.”

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      Real Madrid ‘open to selling’ Odegaard for £34m with Arsenal poised for transfer swoop after Willock’s exit to Newcastle

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      REAL MADRID are ‘eager’ to sell Martin Odegaard and will let him go for £34million, according to reports.And Arsenal are reportedly poised to swoop after they sold Joe Willock to Newcastle for £25m.
      Real Madrid are willing to sell Martin Odegaard for £34m and Arsenal are preparing a moveCredit: Getty
      Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave the 22-year-old out Real’s squad for their LaLiga opener against Alaves on Saturday.
      His No 21 shirt was also given to Brazilian sensation Rodrygo.
      And the club will now welcome any formal bid and will accept any of £34m and above, according to Goal.
      Arsenal initially signed the Norwegian on loan from Real Madrid in January.
      He subsequently impressed boss Mikel Arteta, making 20 appearances and scoring key goals against Olympiacos and Tottenham.
      Odegaard scored two goals and provided two assists during his time at the Emirates.

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      Following the 22-year-old’s Los Blancos return, Arteta was eager to bring him back for this season.
      But the North London side were dealt a huge blow when it looked like Madrid were going to keep hold of him as cover for the injured Toni Kroos.
      However their stance appears to have shifted despite the German’s groin injury.
      Odegaard has two years left on his Real deal which explains the hefty fee for someone who barely plays for the first team.
      But Arsenal have more cash available after Willock, 21, was sold to Newcastle for £25m.
      The midfielder agreed a six-year deal after enjoying an excellent spell on loan last at St James’ Park in the second-half of last season – scoring eight goals in 14 Premier League appearances.
      Speaking to Newcastle’s website, Willock said: “I’m buzzing to be here.
      “I loved my time here last season and I’m really happy to be back and to be a Newcastle United player.

      “Leaving Arsenal is obviously a big step – and I’d like to thank everyone involved with the club for all their support over the years.
      “But this is the right move to the right club at the right time for me.
      “I only got one chance to play in front of a smaller number of Newcastle fans as a home player last season, so I can’t wait to step out in front of a packed St James’ Park and experience that atmosphere.
      “Come on, you Maggies!”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      Barcelona star Ilaix Moriba’s dad reveals he ‘cancelled flight to Manchester’ to seal Man City transfer before debut

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      THE father of Ilaix Moriba has revealed he cancelled his son’s flight to Manchester City so the teen could remain at Barcelona.Moriba, 18, burst into Ronald Koeman’s team last season and is tipped for a bright future with the Catalans.
      Ilaix Moriba, 18, was set to agree a deal with Man City two years ago before staying at BarcelonaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      He’s clocked up 18 appearances in all competitions and scored his first-ever goal in a 2-0 win against Osasuna.
      However, his future is up in the air after Barça president Joan Laporta revealed he can leave after a row over his contract.
      Amazingly, Moriba came close to joining Pep Guardiola at City two years ago when doubts emerged over a Barca deal back in 2019.
      The Spain youth international, who has reportedly chosen to represent his country of birth – Guinea – at senior level, had even booked a plane ticket to the Etihad as he searched for his first professional contract.
      However, Moriba’s dad Mamady Kourouma cancelled the ticket on the morning of the flight after a breakthrough in contract talks with Barca.
      He told Sport: “With Barcelona, the negotiations did not advance. We met with Txiki Begiristain [City’s sporting director] and he explained his entire project to us.
      “We liked it because they bet a lot on him. A few weeks later we had the tickets to travel to Manchester and sign the contract.
      “I cancelled it the morning that we had to go there. I wanted Ilaix to be an example and a reference for the next generations of Barcelona.
      “His friends were gone. If he stayed, it was proof Barca was betting on the youth players. We managed to reach an agreement where we all came out winning.”

      Barcelona indeed proved their determination to keep Moriba, making him the best-paid player in the history of their academy while handing him an £90million release clause.
      But that contract expires in 2022, and Barcelona fear they may lose him for nothing.
      Manchester United are thought to be eager as they hunt for Paul Pogba’s long-term replacement.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea are also said to be keeping tabs with N’Golo Kante not getting any younger.
      Moriba would like to stay at Barca but is reluctant to have his new release clause raised higher than £130m.
      And that could cause conflict with the Catalans, who would prefer it to be nearer the £343m in fellow youngster Ansu Fati’s deal.
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      Barcelona FINALLY register Depay and Garcia after Pique agrees to take ‘significant’ pay cut to help cash crisis

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      BARCELONA have FINALLY registered new signings Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia after Gerard Pique agreed to a ‘significant’ pay cut.The pair arrived on free transfers from Lyon and Manchester City respectively this summer.
      Gerard Pique has agreed to a huge pay cut to help Barcelona register new signingsCredit: GettyDREAM TEAM 2021/22 – IT’S NOT TOO LATE!PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

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      But in order to be eligible to play, they needed to make huge further reductions to the wage bill to operate within LaLiga regulations.
      It was those rules – along with Spanish employment laws – that saw Lionel Messi forced out of the club.
      But Pique, a product of the famous La Masia academy, has repaid his club with a selfless gesture to help Barca.
      Boss Ronald Koeman paid tribute to the defender – and hopes other Barca legends will follow his lead to enable more signings to arrive at the Nou Camp, especially a forward.
      Koeman said: “We all know the situation that the club finds itself in and it needs help in any way possible.
      “Gerard, Sergio Roberto, [Jordi] Alba and Sergio Busquets have all been here for many years and they want to help and they have shown that.

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      “This is their club and that shows in this gesture.
      “It hurts all Barcelona supporters what Messi has done but we cannot live in the past.
      “The squad is short of forward players and we have spoken about signing a striker.
      “It would help us but let’s see if it can be possible.”
      Ex-Barcelona forward Gary Lineker tweeted: “The great @3gerardpique is to take a substantial pay cut to ease @FCBarcelona’s registration issues.
      “El Presidente del futuro. [The president of the future].”
      However, more sacrifices to the budget need to be made before injured Sergio Aguero – or any other arrivals – can be added.
      LaLiga set Barcelona an annual salary budget of £295million.
      But they are currently operating at £340m so still need to cut around £45m, even with Messi and his mammoth wages gone.

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      The Argentine icon joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this week on an eye-watering £1m per week.
      To make matters worse for Barcelona, who are already in £1billion of debt, the Nou Camp club still owe Messi £44.2m in deferred wages from last season.
      Barca begin their new LaLiga campaign at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

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      Memphis Depay arrived from Lyon to join up with compatriot Ronald KoemanCredit: Getty
      Eric Garcia left Manchester City when his contract expired at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      Workers remove picture of Lionel Messi from mural outside of Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium More