La Liga

BARCELONA have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with David Alaba.
Mundo Deportivo claims the Bayern Munich contract rebel has decided to join Lionel Messi and Co on a free transfer this summer despite interest from top clubs including Chelsea.

Barcelona have struck a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich star David AlabaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

However, a deal is far from complete as Barcelona must first offload some players while they struggle with debt worth £1billion.
Alaba, 28, will end his 13-year stay at Bayern when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
The Austria international is reported to be a major target for Chelsea.
And there is additional Premier League interest with Manchester City linked too.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are also eager to sign Alaba, regarded by many as one of the best in world football.
But it’s now claimed the left-back, who is equally capable of playing at centre-back or in midfield, is heading to the Nou Camp.
Alaba has apparently struck a verbal agreement with Barca following Joan Laporta’s return as club president.
But there are still various unresolved items, including Alaba’s reported £400,000-a-week contract demands.

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Indeed, cash-strapped Barcelona’s debt is said to total over £1bn.
And they will first have to get rid of a number of high-earners in order for Alaba to put pen to paper.
Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann are two big names tipped to leave, with others including Ousmane Dembele at risk as well.
But reports last month also claimed fierce rivals Real Madrid had struck a verbal agreement with Alaba, who is represented by super-agent Pini Zahavi.
And with finances tight due to the coronavirus crunch, it remains to be seen who comes out on top in the battle for the global superstar.

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IKER CASILLAS and his wife Sara Carbonero have denied reports of a split.
On Wednesday, Spanish magazine Lecturas claimed the couple had been living apart for months.

Iker Casillas and Sara Carbonero have reportedly ended their 12-year relationshipCredit: Getty – Contributor

Spanish magazine Lecturas broke the news on Wednesday

It said former Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas, 39, had taken the decision to move to another house on La Finca, the same gated estate just outside of the Spanish capital where his family home is.
The report followed weeks of speculation about the state of the couple’s five-year marriage following Iker’s retirement from football after his heart attack and Sara’s cancer battle.
But the split claim was immediately rubbished by glossy magazine Hola!, which quoted sources close to the star couple.
In a rebuff of the Lecturas story, it said in an article posted just after 1pm local time: “Earlier it was reported Sara Carbonero and Iker Casillas had separated.

“This information, due to the popularity of the couple, quickly got the interest of the media but has been rebutted by sources close to the couple.
“The reality is that the couple, who in recent times have had to deal with health problems, remain united.”
Referring to a new health scare which led to Sara being admitted to hospital last month in what was initially thought to be a cancer relapse, it added: “When she was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago, Iker was constantly by her side.
“He would go to hospital to be with her because he was worried by what they have had to live through and continues to be so.

Casillas and Carbonero were one of Spain’s most high-profile couplesCredit: Reuters

“Now, four weeks on, normality has returned to their lives.
“Sara and Iker are making family plans with their son Martin and Lucas, with whom they try to spend as much time as possible so they can leave the bad moments behind them.”
Sara, who turned 37 last month, and Iker have yet to make any official comment on the split reports.
The radio presenter announced in May 2019 she had been operated on for ovarian cancer.
Doctors discovered the malignant tumour shortly after the heart attack which brought her husband’s playing career to a premature end.
She underwent surgery at Madrid’s prestigious Ruber International Clinic to remove the tumour before undergoing several months of chemotherapy.
Early last month it emerged she was back in hospital, with Spanish papers reporting she had suffered a cancer relapse although that was later denied.

The couple have helped each other through a number of health scaresCredit: AP:Associated Press
She is thought to have gone into hospital for an operation but has made no comment on what it was for.
Former Spanish international Casillas, dubbed Saint Iker for his ability to produce spectacular saves, officially announced his retirement from professional football last August following his May 2019 heart attack.
He married Sara, once voted the sexiest reporter in the world, in March 2016 three months before the birth of their second child Lucas.
They famously kissed on air during a post-match interview after Spain won the 2010 World Cup.
They married in secret on March 20 2016 but details of the union only emerged ten days later.
Sara declined to comment on the split reports on Wednesday morning as she took sons Martin, seven, and Lucas, four to school.
She told a Spanish TV reporter who asked her how she felt and whether she wanted to say anything: “I’m not going to say anything thank you.”
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REAL MADRID could boast yet another fearsome attack if they land Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez this summer.
But it may well be all change at the back with stalwarts Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane nearing the exit door.

Real Madrid could have a new-look starting line-up following the summer transfer window

Reports suggest Los Blancos are willing to put their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe on hold to go after Haaland.
The club are unable to afford both superstars this year and it is thought they are preparing a £150million bid for the Borussia Dortmund striker, who has 31 goals in 29 appearances this term.
Karim Benzema has served Real brilliantly for 12 years but the 33-year-old may be shifted aside to allow the Norwegian, 20, to lead the line.
And Haaland may be joined in attack by Riyad Mahrez, with Zinedine Zidane reportedly unconvinced by Vinicius Junior, Marco Asensio or Rodrygo.

The Manchester City winger, 30, is on course to win his third Premier League title this season but finds himself on the Bernabeu wishlist.
Landing the pair and lining them up with Eden Hazard on the left would strike fear into any defence.
Speaking of defence, Real Madrid fans may have to get used to a new-look back line next season.
Captain Ramos, 34, is out of contract this summer with negotiations over an extension stalling.

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And they are also at risk of losing his partner Varane, 27, as Manchester United look to capitalise on his temptation to play in the Premier League.
David Alaba looks set to come in on a free transfer from Bayern Munich with his £400,000-a-week wages.
Kalidou Koulibaly may also be targeted by Zidane while Pau Torres and Joules Kounde may be cheaper alternatives.
In goal, Thibaut Courtois is set to keep his spot with Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy as full-backs.
Finally, there could be more change in the midfield with the trio of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric finally broken up.
Modric is out of contract and expected to be released as Fede Valverde takes on his role while French teenage holding midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is a long-term Madrid target so could succeed Casemiro.

Erling Haaland is at the centre of a transfer battle with Los Blancos desperate to land the Norwegian superstarCredit: AP:Associated Press

Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos may all be replaced in the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Reuters

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