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      Ten stars who have played for both Barcelona and PSG including Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Mikel Arteta

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      BARCELONA and Paris Saint-Germain have had their pick of some of the most talented footballers to have ever graced Europe’s top divisions.And a few have had the privilege of leaving their mark on both sides.
      Lionel Messi became the most high profile player to have swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
      Here is a look at ten players who have experienced life at the Parc des Prince and the Nou Camp.
      Lionel Messi
      The Argentina skipper, 34, is considered by many to be the greatest to have played the game alongside his late compatriot Diego Maradona and Pele.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner spent 21 years at Barcelona winning ten LaLiga titles, seven Spanish Cups and four Champions League crowns before sealing a sensational move to Paris this summer.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic
      The former Sweden international, 40, joined his Inter team-mate, Maxwell, at Barcelona in 2009 in a £59million deal.
      And he helped the Nou Camp giants win a Club World Cup in December that year.
      The Swede would later have an acrimonious fallout with ex-Barca coach Pep Guardiola following the club’s Champions League semis loss to Inter in 2010.
      The striker moved to PSG in 2012 after a year at AC Milan where he finished as Serie A’s top scorer in 2011-12.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the Fifa Club World Cup with BarcelonaCredit: AFP – Getty

      Mikel Arteta
      The Arsenal boss, 39, began his senior playing career in Barcelona’s B and C teams making 47 appearances between 1999 and 2002.
      But after failing to break into Barca’s first team the playmaker headed to PSG in December 2000 in search of more playing time.
      And he made his debut for the French giants, then managed by Luis Fernandez, in a Champions League group stage match in the 2000-01 season.
      PSG has hoped to retain Arteta at the end of his loan spell and did have an option to buy the midfielder.
      However, Glasgow Rangers came in with a higher offer which saw Arteta move to Scotland in 2002.
      Mikel Arteta swapped Barcelona for PSG in a bid to get more first team opportunities during his playing careerCredit: Rex
      Richard Dutruel
      The retired stopper, 48, who has one cap for France, spent seven seasons at the Parc des Prince between 1991 and 1996 where he won a Cup Winners Cup in 1996.
      However, with first-team opportunities limited he would spend two seasons on loan at Caen from 1993 to 1995 before spending four more at Spanish club Celta Vigo, making 128 appearances for them.
      This was then followed by a two-year spell at Barcelona from 2000-02.
      Former PSG stopper Richard Dutruel spent two years at the Nou CampCredit: Empics
      Frederic Dehu
      The former centre-back, 48, joined Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona side in the summer of 1999, playing 23 games across all competitions in the 1999-00 season.
      However, the player was let go by the Nou Camp giants after one term and returned to France.
      There he joined PSG and won the French Cup in the final season of his four-year career at the club.
      Juan Pablo Sorin
      The retired Argentina international, 45, embarked on loan spells at the Nou Camp and Parc des Prince.
      The midfielder made 15 appearances for Barcelona in 2003 whilst on loan from Brazilian club Cruzeiro and following an injury-ravaged one-year stint at Lazio.
      And the player would spend 2003-04 on loan at PSG with whom he won the French Cup during that term.
      Ronaldinho wowed fans in LaLiga after he left PSG for Barcelona in 2003Credit: Reuters
      Ronaldinho
      The mercurial Brazilian, 41, who moved to Spain from PSG in 2003, is considered one of the greatest players to have ever played in LaLiga.
      The winger wowed fans in the Nou Camp with his trickery and ability to bamboozle his markers.
      He helped his side win the Champions League in Paris in 2006 with the club’s famous 2-1 victory against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side.
      Ludovic Giuly
      Guily, 45, finished as Barcelona’s second-highest scorer with 11 goals in his first season at the club in 2004-05 despite disruption caused by injuries.
      In 2005-06, the former Lyon and Monaco ace won a LaLiga title and Champions League crown with the Catalan giants.
      After losing his spot to Lionel Messi the Frenchman moved to Roma for one season before returning to France and joining PSG in July 2008.
      Ludovic Guily helped Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2006 before joining PSG in 2008Credit: AFP
      Thiago Motta
      Motta, 39, joined Barcelona’s B team at 17, before breaking into the club’s first-team in 2001.
      And he helped the team reach the semis of the 2002 Champions League contest.
      The midfielder would spend the final six years of his 19-year playing career at PSG before retiring in May 2018.
      Thiago Motta helped Barca reach the 2002 Champions League semi-finalsCredit: Getty
      Maxwell
      The former left-back enjoyed a three-year spell at the Nou Camp from 2009 to 2012 following a move from Inter Milan.
      He covered for the injured Eric Abidal towards the second half of the 2009-10 season.
      The retired Brazil star helped the club win La Liga at the end of that term before moving to PSG on a three-year deal.

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      Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho reunited as Barcelona legends hug ahead of PSG vs Leipzig More

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      Ansu Fati close to signing bumper new Barcelona contract until 2026 after showdown talks with agent Jorge Mendes

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      BARCELONA are near to tying Ansu Fati down to a new deal following crunch talks with the starlet’s representatives. Nou Camp boss Ronald Koeman sees this as ‘big news’ for the LaLiga side with Fati regarded as the club’s next superstar. 
      Ansu Fati is reportedly close to agreeing a new deal with BarcelonaCredit: PA
      Mundo Deportivo claims the Catalan giants and the 18-year-old’s agents have arrived at ‘an agreement in principle’ over a new contract that runs until 2026. 
      And club coach Koeman confirmed the news at a press conference where he said: “I know they’re close to agreeing a new contract. 
      “It’s big news for Barca because we’re talking about someone that can mark the club’s future.” 
      The current deal for Fati, who was given the club’s number 10 shirt following Lionel Messi’s sensational departure, runs until June 2022. 
      And Barcelona, who face Dynamo Kyiv in a must-win Champions League group game this week have been battling to get the starlet to agree to new terms. 
      They have faced obstacles over concerns surrounding an enormous clause officials reportedly wish to include in his contract. 
      It is thought Barca’s wish to insert a whopping £840million release clause in his new deal was a stumbling block, according to Spanish outlet El Nacional. 

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      However, Mundo Deportivo claims an agreement is close to being struck.
      Barcelona’s football director Mateu Alemany is believed to be in Portugal to thrash out details with super-agent Jorge Mendes who represents the Spain starlet. 
      It has been suggested paperwork could be finalised and announced before Barca’s mammoth El Clasico duel with Real Madrid on Sunday. 
      Fatu, who has netted two goals in four Barca appearances this term, is regarded as one of the most promising talents in Spain’s top-flight. 
      He’s playing well and he has a very special talent. He is young and they have to let him grow.”Sergio Aguero
      The winger, who won a Spanish Cup with his club last season, netted five goals in 10 LaLiga and Champions League games last term. 
      It is thought a new contract for the youngster – who recently returned from an injury lay-off of almost a year – will come as a massive boost to the side who recently agreed to a deal with Pedri.
      Ronald Koeman sees Fati committing to Barcelona as ‘big news” for the clubCredit: EPA
      And the player who netted on his return to action in Barca’s 3-0 win against Levante on September 26 has been described as a ‘special talent’ by Sergio Aguero. 
      The former Man City goal machine who joined Barca this summer told reporters: “The 10 fits Ansu nicely. 
      “He’s playing well and he has a very special talent. He is young and they have to let him grow.”

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      Barcelona talent Ansu Fati celebrates with medical team after ten months out through injury More

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      Newcastle ‘plan shock swoop for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta’

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      NEWCASTLE’S new owners have looked into the possibility of bringing in Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone as their new first-team boss, according to reports.The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) also want to hire Atletico’s sporting director Andrea Berta alongside Simeone, according to AS.
      Diego Simeone works closely with Andrea Berta at LaLiga champions AtleticoCredit: AFP
      Atletico sporting director Berta is a key part of the successful model at the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Madrid-based news outlet reports that PIF are keen to ‘imitate’ the successful model at Atletico, who won LaLiga last season.
      The thinking is the Atletico management team can get the Toon to the level where they can compete with the Prem’s top clubs in the same way they have in Spain with Atleti against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      The AS report highlights the transfer model at the Spanish champions, which sees Berta working closely with CEO Miguel Angel Gil to come up with three transfer targets, out of which Simone can choose one.
      It says PIF started laying the track to bring in the Atletico duo at the start of 2020, around the time they were linked with the Toon takeover.
      The article acknowledges tempting Atletico legend Simone and Berta to take on ‘this new Premier League adventure’ is likely to be ‘very complicated’.
      But it adds Newcastle’s £320billon net-worth owners have the financial power to make them an offer that ‘few teams’ in the world can match.

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      Steve Bruce is still Newcastle manager despite speculation he is about to be sacked following an eight-game winless streak which has left them second-from-bottom in the Prem.
      Argentina hero Simeone, 51, is regarded as a legend at Atletico for his achievements there as a player and manager.
      Since his appointment as boss in 2011, Atleti have won LaLiga twice, the Europa League twice, and reached two Champions League finals.
      In the summer he signed a contract extension until 2024 and it was reported he would have to take a pay cut to his £28million-a-year salary due to financial pressures caused by Covid-19.
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      Man City ‘to demand £67.5m transfer fee for Raheem Sterling’ with Barcelona interested in snapping-up England winger

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      MANCHESTER CITY have slapped a £67.5million price-tag on Raheem Sterling with Barcelona ready to pounce for the star, according to reports. And the LaLiga giants could make their move for the England winger in the January transfer window, according to MARCA.
      City boss Guardiola has made it clear to Sterling he is not guaranteed game timeCredit: Getty
      The Spanish newspaper’s report says Sterling’s deal at the Etihad, which runs until June 2023, puts him in the ‘red-zone to leave on a free transfer’.
      But it adds he ‘hopes to depart before then’ and that City ‘are in no mood to offer any discounts on their players’.
      MARCA says Sterling ‘is currently in a difficult situation’ at City having lost a regular starting place and there are ‘rumours of a rift’ between him and boss Pep Guardiola.
      The report concludes City ‘are willing to sell Sterling if a good offer arrives’ as Pep has admitted ‘he only wants footballers at his club who are happy.’
      One stumbling block for the move might be the precarious financial situation at Barca, who revealed in August they were £1.15billion in debt.
      But despite a morale-boosting win over Valencia on Sunday and a hotly-anticipated debut for former City striker Sergio Aguero following an injury, Ronald Koeman’s side still need quality reinforcements in attack.

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      Sterling, 26, has started just three Prem games this season and has been given stiff competition for his place by £100m summer recruit Jack Grealish.
      And Sterling admitted last week he would be open to a move away from the Etihad for ‘more game time’.
      Guardiola responded by saying no City player is guaranteed minutes on the pitch, and urged Sterling to prove he should be a starter when he gets the chance to play.
      Pep Guardiola tells Sterling he’s not guaranteed games at Man City after star reveals he’s open to transfer More

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      Barcelona fail to sell out half stadium after losing Messi as they fully open Nou Camp for first time in 19 months

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      BARCELONA suffered a new low this weekend as their fans stayed away from the Nou Camp.The struggling Catalans failed to sell out even half of their stadium for the LaLiga clash with Valencia.
      Barcelona’s clash with Valencia was played in front of just 47,317 fans on SundayCredit: Getty
      Sunday’s game at the Nou Camp marked the first time since the pandemic began that Barcelona were allowed a full 99,354-capacity crowd.
      The stadium had a limited capacity ever since March 2020 under Catalonia government restrictions.
      But the official attendance for Sunday’s LaLiga contest was just 47,317 – meaning the Nou Camp was just 47 per cent full.
      The Catalans host Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday night in the Champions League before Sunday’s El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid.
      Barcelona at least won the match 3-1 on Sunday – even if hardly anyone was there to see it.
      Jose Gaya gave Valencia an early lead before Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho hit back.

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      But Ronald Koeman’s men are off the pace in LaLiga and in need of a win against rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
      Barcelona are seventh in the Spanish top-flight and five points off leaders Real Sociedad with a game in hand.
      But their Champions League campaign has started with thrashings by both Bayern Munich and Benfica and they need need a win on Wednesday.
      Sergio Aguero and Ousmane Dembele join Barcelona first-team training More

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      Liverpool ‘weighing-up Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer with Lazio midfielder also wanted by Real Madrid’

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      LIVERPOOL are one of a number of European giants eyeing a move for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports.Serie A champions Inter Milan and Italian rivals Juventus, along with LaLiga heavyweights Real Madrid, are also interested in the 26-cap Serbia star, according to Calciomercato.
      Milinkovic-Savic joined Lazio from Genk in 2015Credit: Getty
      We reported in the summer how Manchester United have also reignited their interest in Milinkovic-Savic, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to team him up with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
      Chelsea, Tottenham, Juventus and Paris-Saint Germain have also been linked with the 26-year-old Serb.
      Milinkovic-Savic has been in sparkling form at the start of this season with three goals and two assists in eight games.
      He is contracted to Lazio until June 2024 and Calciomercato say the club value him at about £59m.
      It is thought Liverpool view Milinkovic-Savic as an ideal replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who left as a free agent to join Paris Saint-Germain in June.
      The Serbian has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe since joining Lazio from Genk in 2015.

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      He has scored 50 goals and chipped in with 40 assists in 257 appearances for Maurizio Sarri’s side.
      Calciomercato say Milinkovic-Savic ‘combines great physicality with an enviable technical quality’ and has been ‘one of Serie A’s best midfielders for several seasons now’.
      And he underlined his battling qualities in a match against Fiorentina in May when he played the entire second half with a broken nose.
      Despite knowing it was probably a fracture caused by a clash of heads, the Serbian insisted on playing on with two large plugs up his nose to stem the bleeding. He later needed an operation to repair the damage.
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      Kylian Mbappe WILL quit PSG next summer ‘regardless of new contract offer amount’ amid Real Madrid transfer interest

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE will leave PSG next summer regardless of any new contract offers, Spanish reports claim. It comes after the French forward looked to leave Paris to join Real Madrid, who were believed to have made two bids for the superstar.
      Kylian Mbappe will leave PSG next summer, Spanish reports claimCredit: Alamy
      But PSG rejected both, the most said to be worth £145million, despite Mbappe’s contract expiring at the end of the season.
      He is free to negotiate a free transfer to Real or any club in January but PSG remain hopeful they can convince him to stay.
      And despite that, Mbappe has had no change of heart and will pursue an exit from the French capital when his deal expires, AS report.
      The 22-year-old opened up about the summer transfer saga and admitted he DID ask to leave and join Real so PSG could receive a fee for him.
      Mbappe told French radio station RMC. “I asked to leave, because from the moment where I did not want to extend, I wanted for the club to receive a transfer fee so that they could bring in a quality replacement.
      “This club has given me a lot, I have always been happy [during] the four years I have had here, and I still am.

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      “I said it early enough so that the club could react.
      “I wanted everyone to come out of this stronger, that we leave hand in hand, to make a good deal and I respected that.
      “I said, ‘If you don’t want me to go I will stay’.”
      Mbappe’s international team-mate Karim Benzema wants him to one day join him at Real.
      Benzema said: “I enjoy playing with him in the national team and in the future, why not? He’s a great player, but you have to respect PSG.
      “I’ve always said it and I’ll say it again; I hope we play together some day.”
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