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      Barcelona fears as 18-year-old wonderkid Fati could require THIRD surgery on meniscus injury which won’t heal

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      BARCELONA fear wonderkid Ansu Fati could need a third operation as his knee injury is failing to heal.The Spain attacker, 18, suffered a ruptured internal meniscus after notching five goals and three assists in the first ten games.
      Ansu Fati face more frustration, having been out injured since NovemberCredit: Getty
      And Catalan radio station Alacarta say the problem has not repaired well, meaning a decision might be made within days over further surgery.
      Initial reports suggested Fati’s left-knee injury, picked up in Barcelona’s 5-2 defeat of Real Betis on November 7, could keep him out for five months.
      And Barca even hoped the former Manchester United target would be back BEFORE April.
      Now, though, they just want the problem cleared up for good in its own time.
      That approach seems to vindicate Nou Camp boss Ronald Koeman’s pleas for patience last month.
      Koeman said then: “You have to have respect for him and I am not in favour of rushing things. 
      “When there is an update, we will communicate it from the club.
      “The most important thing is that he recovers calmly. 
      “He has a lot of future ahead of him and you have to do things right.”
      Fati became Barca’s second-youngest debutant ever last season, aged 16 years and 298 days.
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      And he has outscored Barcelona’s club legend Lionel Messi at the same age.
      United were reportedly interested in meeting Fati’s £154million release clause last summer.
      But now that fee to trigger his departure is thought to be £367m.
      Sergio Aguero willing to take pay cut to make Barcelona transfer go through with Man City contract set to expire More

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      Arsenal join Liverpool in Nabil Fekir transfer race with Real Betis forward seen as possible Lacazette replacement

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      ARSENAL are eyeing a renewed bid for France international winger Nabil Fekir, according to reports.The 27-year-old is enjoying an impressive season in Spain with Real Betis.
      Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a renewed bid for France international winger Nabil FekirCredit: Getty
      The Gunners hoped to sign Fekir from Lyon in 2018, and also showed interest in him a year ago.
      Boss Mikel Arteta is now understood to favour a summer move for the Lyon-born ace if Arsenal are unable to make Martin Odegaard’s loan move from Real Madrid permanent.
      World Cup winner Fekir has amassed 25 caps, but has recently been left out of France’s senior squad.
      He is tempted to raise his profile with a move away from Seville-based Betis to the Premier League.
      Fekir has just signed for a new agency, Promoesport, which also handles the interests of Manchester United’s Eric Bailly and Wolves ace Adama Traore.
      The winger has an eye-watering £79million release clause in his contract.
      However Betis would accept a far lower sum, having paid Lyon just £19m for the forward in 2019.

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      Seville sports daily Estadio Deportivo claims both Arsenal and Barcelona are eager to sign Fekir.
      However they believe the Catalan giants’ poor financial health would see them struggle to put together a deal for him.
      That would leave the way clear for Arsenal to land the wideman, who has previously been a target for Liverpool among other clubs.
      It comes as Emirates striker Alexandre Lacazatte, 29, faces the final year of his contract.
      Arsenal set to launch Philippe Coutinho transfer pursuit if Arteta fails to lure Martin Odegaard back in summer More

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      Xabi Alonso makes Real Sociedad B U-turn and signs new one-year deal after almost quitting to be Monchengladbach boss

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      XABI ALONSO has completed a rapid U-turn and signed a new deal as Real Sociedad B boss.The former Spain midfielder, 39, was expected to quit the club and take over at Borussia Monchengladbach.
      Xabi Alonso has signed a new deal to continue as Real Sociedad B boss for another yearCredit: Getty
      Talks were held with the Bundesliga outfit to become the new first-team head coach as Marco Rose prepares to join Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
      But the Spanish side confirmed the ex-Liverpool man penned a contract extension for another 12 months until 2022.
      Sociedad took to Twitter to confirm the announcement.
      Alonso said: “I want to continue growing with this project.”
      He added he has ‘more goals and ambitions this season’ and wants his top-of-the-table team to challenge themselves.
      Alonso started his professional playing career with Real Sociedad before an illustrious career with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, retiring in 2017.
      He made 701 club appearances – winning 14 trophies including the FA Cup, two Champions Leagues, LaLiga and three Bundesligas.
      Alonso earned 114 international caps between 2003 and 2014 and was a key member of the Spanish side that won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
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      The Basque-born star then helped Real Madrid Under-14s to the league title after taking over in 2018 and completing his coaching badges.
      Then in 2019, he headed back to Sociedad as B team boss.
      Last season his side finished fifth, just outside of the play-offs, but are top of their Segunda Division B this term with the best goal difference.
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      Alonso won 114 caps for Spain, winning two European Championships either side of the 2010 World CupCredit: AFP – Getty
      Xabi Alonso ‘begged everyone’ for Arsenal transfer in 2009 but Gunners messed up deal leaving pal Fabregas annoyed More

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      Liverpool reignite Nabil Fekir transfer interest after Real Betis star failed Anfield medical due to knee issue in past

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      LIVERPOOL have reignited their transfer interest in Nabil Fekir, according to reports. The Reds came incredibly close to signing the then-Lyon man in 2018.
      Liverpool may go back in for French playmaker Nabil Fekir, who is now with Real BetisCredit: Rex
      But after a £53million deal was agreed, the Frenchman failed a medical.
      According to Estadio Deportivo, the Anfield club are thinking about making another move.
      Fekir, 27, is now at Real Betis in LaLiga, making the move in 2019 but has contributed just ten goals in 63 appearances.
      Although his most recent, the winner in last week’s win over Levante, was a stunning solo effort.
      The 25-cap international still has more than two years on his current deal.
      Real Betis hope to qualify for the Europa League next season but could be forced into shipping their top earner to help save cash.
      Fekir is reportedly on a contract worth £12.5m per year – which equates to a whopping £240,000 per week.
      The report adds Inter Milan and Rennes are also keeping an eye on the playmaker – although a move to the latter appears unlikely.
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      What a goal from Nabil Fekir! 😱A brilliant solo effort as he picked it up at the halfway line, dribbled through the Levante defence, and came up with a good finish through the keeper’s legs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ECHlvYNKwQ— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) March 19, 2021

      A big-money move to Russia, the Middle East or China was also suggested but it is thought Fekir wants to continue playing among Europe’s elite.
      Liverpool pulled out of the transfer in 2018 after discovering an issue with his knee, possibly related to his cruciate ligament tear in 2015-16.
      And with no recurring issues in the three years since the collapsed transfer, the Reds may be confident of going back in for the attacking talent.
      But Fekir told L’Equipe in 2019 there is absolutely nothing wrong with his knee – and it was simply used as an excuse for Liverpool to back out.
      He said: “Lots of lies were told and they affected me. Especially when you know that’s what is being told is false.
      My knee is perfectly fine… there are no issues at all with my kneeNabil Fekir in 2019
      “What was said is not the truth. My knee is good – I had a quick medical check at Clairefontaine – my knee wasn’t even mentioned.
      “If my knee had been in such a bad state, would [Lyon chairman Jean-Michel] Aulas have made [an offer to keep me]?
      “You want the truth? Even I don’t know – I promise you! I did my medical and then [Liverpool] decided not to sign me.
      “At some point they wanted to have me believe it was because of my knee – but an excuse needed to be found.
      “My knee is perfectly fine and I feel fine. There are no issues at all with my knee.”
      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

      Lyon star Nabil Fekir scores outrageous free-kick in Ligue 1 clash against PSG More

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      Man Utd joined in Andre Silva transfer race by Barcelona as striker continues to impress at Eintracht Frankfurt

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      BARCELONA have joined Manchester United in the transfer race for Andre Silva.The Eintracht Frankfurt striker, 25, is in red-hot form this season and attracting plenty of interest.
      Barcelona are eyeing up a transfer swoop for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Andre SilvaCredit: Getty
      And according to Bild via Marca, Barcelona are plotting a summer swoop.
      Silva came through at Porto before joining AC Milan, but was shipped out on loan at Sevilla and then Eintracht.
      Then he made the switch to the Bundesliga side permanent in 2020.
      The 38-cap Portugal international is enjoying a fine season this term with 22 goals and seven assists in 26 appearances.
      He also picked up the player of the month for January.
      Reports earlier in March suggested United and Atletico Madrid are very keen on the 6ft 1in frontman – especially with Edinson Cavani’s Old Trafford future in doubt – with the two clubs leading Arsenal in the race for his signature.
      Silva is on Barcelona’s shortlist of strikers as the Nou Camp giants desperately look to sign an out-and-out striker.
      Barca allowed Luis Suarez to leave last year.
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      Although they brought in Martin Braithwaite, a new No9 is a top priority.
      Ronald Koeman has also been linked with Premier League pair Sergio Aguero and Alexandre Lacazette in recent weeks.
      Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum may also be in line for a reunion with their former Netherlands national team boss. More

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      Arsenal transfer target Guido Rodriguez aware of £68m interest from Mikel Arteta as Real Betis star opens up over move

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      ARSENAL target Guido Rodriguez has opened up about reported interest in his services from North London.The Real Betis star, whose contract possesses a £68million release clause, is believed to be on the Gunners’ radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
      Guido Rodriguez has made 25 LaLiga appearances this termCredit: Rex

      Mundo Deportivo claim that Arsenal have been scouting Rodriguez for months on end.
      But, while aware of speculation, the Argentine is none the wiser as to the status of any Gunners pursuit.
      On a potential transfer approach Rodriguez, 26, told Estadio Deportivo: “I saw it because friends from Argentina asked me, but I told them that I knew the same as them.
      “I am the protagonist because I am in the news but today, I do not know more or less than you who saw it.
      “I am very happy [at Betis], I arrived and there was one or two months with a strange situation for everyone with the issue of confinement but the truth is that I am very happy in Seville, with the city, the weather, at the club… I’m very happy.
      “It feels a bit [pandemic] when we walk down the street, I would have liked to experience all this with the fans in the stadium. I could only play a few games with the packed stadium.”
      Rodriguez joined Betis from Club America in January 2020, going on to become a rock at the heart of Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield.
      He has made 25 appearances this season, with his side sitting sixth in the LaLiga table.
      Mikel Arteta wants to sign a new midfielder this summerCredit: Getty
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      Betis, however, are no stranger to losing a star Argentine midfielder to North London.
      Giovani Lo Celso, 24, was a key man for Betis before joining Spurs, initially on loan, in August 2019.
      Like Lo Celso, Rodriguez is an Argentina international, having earned ten caps for his country since making his debut in a 1-0 win over Brazil in 2017.
      He has been likened more, however, to Ghanaian star Thomas Partey – who he could line up alongside at Emirates Stadium next term.
      Giovani Lo Celso played for Betis in the 2018-19 seasonCredit: EPA
      Martin Odegaard sits top on the list of Arsenal’s top chance creators in all competitions this season
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      West Ham vs Arsenal as it happened More

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      Harry Kane to Real Madrid ‘difficult’ as Los Blancos struggling for cash to fund transfers, claims former chief Calderon

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      EX-REAL MADRID president Ramon Calderon claims Harry Kane would be “difficult” to sign this summer as the Spanish giants focus their spending on a huge Bernabeu revamp.Reports in Spain suggest Tottenham’s England striker Kane is being eyed by the LaLiga giants as they think he would come cheaper than PSG’s Kylian Mbappe or Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland.
      Tottenham main man Harry Kane might be too costly for Real Madrid this summerCredit: Getty
      Harry Kane begun on the bench for England’s goal spree against San MarinoCredit: AP
      Speculation over Kane’s future has grown after Spurs’ Europa League. humiliation against Dinamo Zagreb.
      With Tottenham sixth in the Premier League, that shock exit means Jose Mourinho’s men face missing out on the Champions League next season.
      So at 27 Kane – who is also rated as a dream buy by Manchester United – might consider moving to an elite club for what could be his prime years.
      But former Los Blancos chief Calderon doubts he will be moving to the Spanish capital any time soon.
      He told talkSPORT: “There are always rumours at this time of the season.
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      “They are talking about Mbappe, Haaland… too many players.
      “We are not in the best form economically-speaking because we are refurbishing our stadium spending a lot of money.
      “It will be difficult to spend money in the summer. We always try to sign good players, we’ve been doing that for years.”
      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘available for £21.5million’ with Juventus ready to sell and star, 36, keen on Real Madrid reunion More

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      Juventus ‘considering Zinedine Zidane approach to become their new boss from Real Madrid with Pirlo nearing sack’

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      JUVENTUS are reportedly eyeing up a move to bring Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane back to Turin should they sack Andrea Pirlo.The Italian gaffer is under huge pressure with the Old Lady ten points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan, while they have also been knocked out of the Champions League.
      Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is reportedly being eyed up by JuventusCredit: Rex
      Silverware could still be won this season with Juve in the Coppa Italia final, but it has been claimed that Pirlo may not even last the season.
      It has been speculated that the 2006 World Cup winner has just one game to save his job, as failure to beat rivals Torino next week could see him be axed.
      And according to AS, Juventus have made Zidane their No1 target to replace Pirlo with the Frenchman’s own future in Spain in doubt.
      Zidane enjoyed five successful years with the Italian giants between 1996-2001 where he helped the club win the Serie A title twice.
      There has even been reports that Juventus have already contacted Zidane about taking charge.
      Spanish news outlet AS added that Zizou is also being monitored by France as a possible successor for Didier Deschamps.
      Zidane, 48, has one year left on his deal at the Bernabeu, and he failed to rule out leaving in a recent press conference.
      Discussing his future at Real, he said: “I don’t look any further than the day to day. I don’t plan anything.”
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      Juventus gaffer Andrea Piro is reportedly hanging onto his job in TurinCredit: Reuters

      Despite rumours Pirlo could be on his way out of Juventus, club vice-president Pavel Nedved declared the manager is going nowhere any time soon.
      He told DAZN: “Pirlo is and will be the coach of Juventus, that’s 100 per cent certain.
      “We committed to a project with Andrea, knowing that there would be difficulties. We wanted to do better than this and haven’t managed to, but difficulties were predicted.
      “We are very calm. We’re on the path that we wanted, which we will stay on. He has everything to become a great coach.”
      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘available for £21.5million’ with Juventus ready to sell and star, 36, keen on Real Madrid reunion More