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      Xavi ‘wants Raheem Sterling and Jules Kounde as his first two Barcelona transfers after agreeing deal to become manager’

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      XAVI is already adding to his shopping list after reportedly agreeing to take over at Barcelona.The legendary former midfielder is said to want Raheem Sterling and Jules Kounde as reinforcements at the Nou Camp.
      Raheem Sterling has admitted he could leave Manchester CityCredit: EPA
      Jules Kounde has caught the eye in the Sevilla defenceCredit: AFP
      The 41-year-old is in line to take the Barca job after Ronald Koeman was given the chop on Wednesday night.
      And he is plotting ways to inject some pace and energy into the side that has flopped to ninth in the current LaLiga table.
      Manchester City star Sterling has admitted he would be open to leaving the Premier League champs if he is not playing regular football.
      The England ace also claimed an adventure abroad is still something that appeals to him, with Barca just one of a number of clubs rumoured to be interested.
      He said earlier in October: “If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time, I would be open to it.
      “Football is the most important thing to me — challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.

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      “As an English player, all I know is the Premier League.
      “I’ve always thought maybe one day I’d love to play abroad — see how I would come up against that challenge.
      “I actually should be learning a few different languages. I quite like the French accent and Spanish.”
      France international Kounde has caught the eye of several European giants thanks to his performances at the back for Sevilla.
      Xavi would face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid for the 22-year-old’s signature.
      Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman sacked with Xavi set for return More

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      Ronald Koeman SACKED by Barcelona after horror start to season and another embarrassing LaLiga defeat

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      RONALD KOEMAN has been sacked as Barcelona manager after a miserable start to the season.The Dutch boss was axed hours after another embarrassing defeat on Wednesday night at Rayo Vallecano.
      Ronald Koeman has been sacked by BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
      Koeman left Barcelona ninth in LaLiga and facing an early Champions League exit.
      He won a vote of confidence this summer to remain in charge after a poor season at the helm.
      But things have spiralled out of control for the crisis-hit Nou Camp side after losing talisman Lionel Messi over the summer and Koeman has paid the price.
      Poor results in El Clasico and against Rayo Vallecano have sealed his fate.
      Barcelona announced the sacking at just gone midnight local time in Catalunya after crisis talks.
      A short statement read: “FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first team coach.
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      “The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.
      “Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.
      “FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”
      Koeman quit his job as Netherlands manager in August 2020 to replace Quique Setien at the Nou Camp, even reportedly paying his own £6million release clause to join the cash-strapped Catalans.
      But the Dutchman has endured a miserable 14 months in charge of the club he helped to European Cup success in 1992.
      They finished third last season after winning just two of their last five La Liga games before the true impact of the club’s financial difficulties kicked in over the summer.
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      Anger from supporters boiled over at the weekend when a mob of supporters surrounded his car as he left the ground following the defeat to Madrid.
      Fellow Barca legend Xavi, currently managing in Qatar, is the early favourite to succeed him.
      Belgium’s Spanish head coach Roberto Martinez is another name that has been mentioned as a potential replacement.
      Huge mob of furious Barcelona fans surround Ronald Koeman’s car outside Nou Camp after El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid More

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      Mo Salah ‘wants £450,000-a-week to sign new Liverpool contract as Real Madrid circle over transfer for in-form striker’

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      MOHAMED SALAH is reportedly demanding a £450,000-a-week contract as Liverpool look to tie him down to a new deal.The Reds are believed to have entered negotiations with the Real Madrid target, 29, in August to make him the highest-paid player in their history.
      Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has banged in 15 goals in 12 games this seasonCredit: AFP
      Salah, who is tied down at Anfield until 2023, is understood to be currently earning around £200k-a-week.
      His agent Ramy Abbas Issa is claimed to have flown into England last week to hold talks with Liverpool about extending his stay.
      And according to journalist Ekrem Konur, Salah is looking to pocket £450k-per-week in order to remain a Liverpool player.
      He states that the Egypt international is very happy in Merseyside, but wants a pay rise to reflect his importance in the team.
      But Liverpool aren’t willing to offer him that much and are negotiating a lower wage salary.
      Konur also declared that Los Blancos are keeping close tabs on the forward as they eye up a possible swoop.
      The LaLiga giants will allegedly make an offer to sign Salah if the Chelsea flop and Liverpool cannot agree terms on a new contract.

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      Salah has been in stupendous form this season having banged in 15 goals in 12 games in all competitions.
      He is the fourth favourite to win the Ballon d’Or behind Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho following his hat-trick against Manchester United.
      Speaking prior to the 5-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday, Salah insisted that he would love to spend the entirety of his playing career for the Reds.
      He told Sky Sports: “If you ask me, I would love to stay until the last day of my football career, but I can’t say much about that – it’s not in my hands.
      “It depends on what the club want, not on me.
      Egypt international Salah banged in a superb hat-trick in the 5-0 win against Manchester United on SundayCredit: PA
      “At the moment I can’t see myself ever playing against Liverpool. That would make me sad.
      “It’s hard, I don’t want to talk about it, but it would make me really sad.
      “At the moment I don’t see myself playing against Liverpool but let’s see what will happen in the future.”
      Watch Jamie Carragher’s brilliant reaction to Mo Salah’s hat-trick goal against Man Utd in Sky Sports commentary box More

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      Watch Sevilla midfielder Oliver Torres score stunning volley in goal of the season contender vs Levante

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      SEVILLA star Oliver Torres smashed home a stunning volley reminiscent of an iconic goal by Dutch legend Marco Van Basten 33 years ago.The Spanish midfielder found the top corner with his eighth-minute strike in a LaLiga clash with Levante this afternoon.

      It was a goal-of-the-season contender when the 26-year-old playmaker hit a first-time volley into the top left corner.
      It came from a deep corner to the back post from Sweden full-back Ludwig Augustinsson and sparked wild celebrations at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
      The goal bore a striking resemblance to Van Basten’s heralded late winner against West Germany at Euro 1988.
      The Dutch went on to win their first and only European championship and Van Basten was the player of the tournament.
      Torres’ goal set the tone for a thrilling match which finished 5-2 to Sevilla.
      Only European giants Real Madrid with 22 have now scored more goals in the division than Julen Lopetegui’s side, who have 16.

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      Sevilla kicked-off in third-place in LaLiga and three points off surprise leaders Real Sociedad and the win left them top ahead of the evening games.
      Relegation-threatened Levante started and finished the match second-from-bottom in Spain’s top flight.
      Torres joined the Spanish club in 2019 from Porto after helping them win the Primeira Liga. More

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      Ronald Koeman is laying foundations for a new era at Barcelona like Frank Lampard did at Chelsea, says Albert Ferrer

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      RONALD KOEMAN can be Barcelona’s Frank Lampard, according to club legend Albert Ferrer. The former Barca, Chelsea and Spain full-back believes the Dutchman is laying the foundations for a new era at the club – like Lampard did during his 18 months as Blues boss.
      Ronald Koeman will lead a young Barcelona side into the first El Clasico since Lionel Messi left in the summerCredit: Getty
      Albert Ferrer played alongside Koeman at Barca before leaving for Chelsea in 1993Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Koeman, 58, will lead a young Barca side into their first El Clasico in the post-Lionel Messi era when Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou. 
      As the club continues to wrestle with debts amounting over £1.3billion and empty seats in a crumbling stadium in need of a lick of paint, the Catalans head into the crunch match as underdogs. 
      Barca were on the cusp of losing their identity as the club plunged into financial turmoil under former president Josep Bartomeu.
      They spent over £1bn on players between 2014-2019, turning away from their philosophy of bringing star names like Xavi, Iniestia and Messi from their famous La Masia academy. 
      But their financial constraints has seen Koeman bring the club back to their roots by relying on teenage stars Perdi and Ansu Fati – both of whom have recently signed new contracts with billion Euro release clauses – as well as 17-year-old sensation Gavi. 
      And just as Lampard used Chelsea’s transfer embargo to blood youngsters Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi in 2019, Ferrer sees similarities with this current Barca side and the European champions. 

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      The LaLigaTV pundit said: “The situation is not the best but one of the positives is that they cannot spend a big amount of money. 
      “So they now can bring through and rely on the academy
      “When these things happen, they need time. If they do not win any trophies this season, it is not that important because they are building something for the future. 
      “There are a lot of similarities with Chelsea because these players in two or three seasons will make the team much stronger. 
      “It is not good news because of the financial situation but it is also good news because you rely again on the academy.
      “Having players like Pedri, Gavi and Fati is an example that the academy is working properly. They know the philosophy of the club and it is a big advantage.”
      Koeman looked set for the sack after his side suffered defeats in the Champions League to Bayern Munich and Benfica before losing to Atletico Madrid in the league. 
      But Ferrer, 51, believes his legendary former Barca team-mate is the best man for the job because, like Lampard at Chelsea, he knows the club inside out. 
      El Clasico will be shown live on La Liga TV on Sunday with coverage starting from 1pm
      He added: “Koeman is a very calm guy.
      “He went through difficult times also but he is used to this kind of pressure. If you see his press conferences, you do not see a guy who is under pressure. 
      “All the decisions he is taking is because he believes in them and I do not think the pressure will make him change his way at all and that is a good thing for the young players and the club.”
      With Messi and Ronaldo dominating El Clasico in the past, this season’s derby is the start of a new era. 
      While the game may not be the title-deciding must-watch of the past, a new star now has the chance to write themselves into history. 
      Ferrer added: “We have seen so many Clasicos with Messi and Ronaldo that did not fulfil the expectations. By having the two top players in the world does not mean the game is going to be fantastic. 
      “For Barcelona there are a lot of new players to see. For Real Madrid they have young talents like Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema who is enjoying the best moments of his career.” 
      Without galactico players, La Liga are using this El Clasico to showcase their tech innovations which will see the channel use 32 cameras, on screen statistical graphics and holographic interviews. 
      Gary Lineker will be making his debut LaLiga TV debut as he will be hosting alongside Ferrer live at the Camp Nou
      It will also see Match of the Day host Gary Lineker make his debut for the channel alongside Ferrer and former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka.
      And Lineker, who played for Barcelona between 1986-89, said: “Scoring a hat-trick against Real Madrid never hurts your popularity, to be honest.
      “LaLiga is one of the best leagues in the world, you can see that by the teams’ performances in Europe over the past decade and longer, there’s real quality throughout the league. 
      The style of play, and technical ability is something that really draws me to LaLiga.
      “Some of the technology and innovation in the production of LaLiga and LaLigaTV is terrific. I’m a big believer in educating viewers and so the in-game graphics and added extras now available to fans watching Spanish football is fascinating.”
      Watch ElClásico on LaLigaTV this Sunday. Coverage begins from 1pm with Gary Lineker hosting LIVE from the Camp Nou alongside Aitor Karanka and Albert Ferrer. Sign up to LaLigaTV with Premier Sports on Sky 435 / Virgin 554 or via streaming with Premier Player and Amazon Prime Video Channels.
      Barcelona finally secure Ansu Fati future as wonderkid signs six-year deal More

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      Eden Hazard could make shock Chelsea transfer return as former boss warns he may QUIT Real Madrid

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      LILLE academy director Jean-Michel Vandamme has warned Real Madrid that Eden Hazard could quit the Bernabeu.And former club Chelsea are rumoured to be eyeing a £42million move to bring Hazard back to Stamford Bridge.
      Hazard has failed to recreate his form from Stamford Bridge in the Spanish capitalCredit: Getty
      Roman Abramovich is reportedly eager to bring Hazard back to South-West London, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ‘willing to negotiate’.
      According to El Nacional, Perez is holding out for more than £42m, but an ‘understanding is close’ between the two clubs for a move next summer.
      Vandamme was responsible for discovering Hazard in 2005, and has warned Los Blancos they must make him feel ‘important’ in the way they play if they want him to stay at the club.
      He told Diario AS: “He needs to feel a leader. Not a dressing room leader, but a technical leader.
      “He has to think he’s important in the style of play. You have to give Eden the keys to the play. He needs it.
      “If not he’ll end up leaving Madrid.”

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      The 30-year-old winger has struggled since his big money move from Chelsea in 2019.
      And in seven LaLiga appearances so far this campaign Hazard has started four of them from the bench.
      The Belgian forward signed for Los Blancos for £130million, but has played just 51 times for the club in over two years.
      He’s also yet to score this season and has netted just five times in two years with the Spanish giants.
      Former Chelsea man Hazard has been plagued by injuries in his time at the Bernabeu, and has missed all El Clasico fixtures since he’s been there due to injury.
      And he could once again miss Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona after sitting out of Real Madrid’s last three games with a muscular injury.
      The Belgian was linked with a move away from Real Madrid in the summer, and was reportedly put up for sale for just £43m.
      He was claimed to have his heart set on a return to Stamford Bridge, although a move failed to materialise.
      But now it seems a return to his former club could be back on the cards.

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      Eden Hazard’s car collection includes Audis, an Aston Martin and Mercedes cars worth over £500k More

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      Barcelona ready to compete with Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe as cash-strapped Catalans target free transfer

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      BARCELONA are ready to take on Real Madrid in the battle for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe. Despite being in dire straits financially, the Catalans believe they can make ‘one great signing’ before next season.
      Lionel Messi’s arrival at PSG has not convinced Mbappe to stay at the Parc Des PrincesCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish outlet AS, the club have emerged as a possible shock destination for the 22-year-old.
      Mbappe is out of contract at PSG next summer and is available on a free transfer, but any club wanting to sign him will have to pay a hefty signing on fee.
      But Barcelona are rumoured to be willing to pay up to £76million to secure a move despite their financial woes.
      And the Catalans believe Los Blancos will only offer £42million.
      As a result a much higher sum could sway Mbappe’s decision, after he was widely expected to seal a move to the Bernabeu.
      Madrid however are in a better position than their bitter rivals financially – meaning they are able to offer a higher weekly wage than the Catalans.

      And AS report that the side from the capital still have the ‘advantage’ when it comes to negotiations for the World Cup winner.
      Mbappe is allowed to start talks with clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
      He has publicly admitted that he wants to move to Real Madrid, but Barca still remain determined to ‘hinder the operation’ which was seemingly all but done.
      Los Blancos reportedly made two bids for the superstar in the summer, both of which were rebuffed by Les Parisiens.
      And according to president Florentino Perez they could even sign him in January, rather than wait until the summer and have to compete with rival clubs.
      Rumours linking Mbappe to Barcelona come after former president Josep Bartomeu revealed the club could have signed the Frenchman in 2017.
      But then manager Ernesto Valverde and his coaching staff instead recommended that the club sign Ousmanne Dembele.
      Bartomeu told on Esport3: “[Mbappe’s] signing was on the table, but the coaches preferred Dembele because they wanted a player to open the field.”
      Dembele was signed from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £138m, and has just 30 goals in 118 appearances in four years at Camp Nou.
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