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      Ronald Koeman begs Barcelona to buy him new striker in January transfer market with Depay and Wijnaldum top targets

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      RONALD KOEMAN has begged Barcelona for a striker in the January transfer window.
      Lyon forward Memphis Depay is a target who could contribute up top and the Catalans are also said to be keen on Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

      Ronald Koeman has urged Barcelona to buy a striker in JanuaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Barca are already struggling in LaLiga this season.
      The Catalans sit fifth after 16 games played and are already ten points behind leaders Atletico who have played a game less.
      Koeman’s side narrowly beat bottom place Huesca 1-0 on Sunday, and after the game the Dutchman sent a strong message to Barca’s board about his January transfer desires.
      Asked about the club’s transfer plans this month, the former Everton manager – who forced Luis Suarez out upon his arrival – said: “It is not necessary to repeat.

      “We have said several times that we are missing someone up front to score more goals.”
      Lyon ace Depay was heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp at the end of last season and is said to be their top target again this month.
      Depay is in the final year of his contract and could be available for just £4.5million.
      He was a top target for Koeman in the summer but the cash-strapped club could not meet Lyon’s demands.

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      Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum is also a Barca targetCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lyon’s Memphis Depay remains top of their list after last summer’s pursuitCredit: Rex Features

      But the Dutchman’s electric form – eight goals in 17 appearances this season – and new bargain price tag has also alerted Juventus.
      Wijnaldum is Barca’s No 2 target after Depay, according to Sky Sports News.
      And Manchester City’s Eric Garcia has reportedly agreed personal terms on a five-year deal which could go through this month.
      However, none of these deals are likely to go through until Barca’s presidential elections have been concluded on January 24.

      Lucas Torreira says that it is a privilege to be a part of Atletico Madrid More

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      Sergio Ramos ‘ready to listen to transfer offers’ as PSG ‘tell him they will make great team with him and Lionel Messi’

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      REAL MADRID skipper Sergio Ramos has reportedly been told by Paris Saint-Germain that they want to sign him AND Lionel Messi this summer.
      Both the Spanish centre-back and the Barcelona legend are in the final year of their contract and are free to speak to other clubs about a switch at the end of the season.

      Paris Saint-Germain could make a number of signings in the summer

      Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane has spoken of his confidence that Ramos, 34, will pen a new deal at the Bernabeu.
      But reports from Spain have claimed that the World Cup winner is seriously considering his future having been courted by Les Parisiens.
      According to El Chiringuito TV reporter Josep Pedrerol, the ex-Sevilla defender has spoken to Real president Florentino Perez about PSG’s proposal.
      He stated that ahead of Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Elche, Ramos told Perez: “I am not accepting the proposal you have made to me and from now on I will listen to offers.”

      Before adding: “Someone from PSG has told me that they are going to create a great team with me and Messi.”
      To which Perez allegedly said: “If you have a good offer we will understand.”
      Should the duo make the move to France, then Mauricio Pochettino would boast a side truly capable of winning the Champions League.
      And he is already looking to convince star duo Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to pen new deals at Parc des Princes.

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      Les Parisiens are reportedly keen on bringing Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi to FranceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      It could be a busy summer for PSG, with SunSport exclusively revealing that Pochettino is eyeing up a reunion with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
      Lloris has one year left on his contract in North London, and Spurs could cash in on the shot-stopper should he decide to move on.
      Should he join the Ligue 1 outfit, Colin Dagba could retain his spot at right-back having impressed this season.
      Meanwhile Dutch youngster Mitchel Bakker has starred at left-back having featured in 22 games already this term.
      A centre-back partnership could consist of Ramos and Marquinhos, with Poch to also rely on the likes of Presnel Kimpembe and Thilo Kehrer.

      Marco Verratti and Idrissi Gueye could start in the middle of the pitch behind Dele Alli.
      It is understood that PSG remian keen on signing the England international with Pochettino a huge fan of his former attacking midfielder.
      PSG could then boast the deadliest trio in world football with Neymar and Messi playing either side of French marksman Kylian Mbappe.

      Leandro Paredes shows his goal scoring talent at PSG training More

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      Pele writes ‘Leading Goal Scorer of All Time’ in Instagram bio amid Cristiano Ronaldo goals row

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      PELE has written ‘Leading Goal Scorer of All Time (1,283)’ into his Instagram bio amid a row over his tally.
      The Brazilian is desperately trying to cling onto top spot in the ‘highest goalscorer of all time’ list after Cristiano Ronaldo overtook him on the official count on Sunday.

      Pele has changed his Instagram bio after Cristiano Ronaldo overtook him on official goals

      Ronnie bagged his 757th and 758th goals in a 4-1 home win against Udinese.
      The brace puts him one above all-time legend Pele whose total sits at 757 strikes.
      However, the 80-year-old has always claimed he scored far more than that and has doubled down on his claim after global news outlets reported he had been surpassed by CR7.
      The former striker has edited his Instagram bio to include: “Leading Goal Scorer of All Time (1,283).”

      It is widely accepted hundreds of those goals came during tour or friendly matches but Pele will not let it go.
      His official goals came during his stellar career between 1956 and 1977 for Santos, New York Cosmos and Brazil.
      But Ronaldo, 35, is now ahead of him and doesn’t look like stopping soon.
      His first against Udinese came when he collected the ball on the left, drove into the box and unleashed a drive into the far corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

      Cristiano Ronaldo has overtaken Pele in the ‘highest goalscorer of all time’ listCredit: Reuters

      Lionel Messi is on track to pip Pele tooCredit: Rex Features

      He added his second – and Juve’s third – with a left-footed finish when through one on one.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also got the assist for Federico Chiesa with a sublime pass to make it 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium before Paulo Dybala wrapped up the scoring.
      Lionel Messi is also on track to beat Pele with his 715 goals.
      He has 71 goals for Argentina and 644 for Barcelona and is only 33 with plenty of time left in his career.
      Last month, he topped Pele’s record of 643 goals for a single club with a strike against Real Valladolid.

      Benfica star caught naked in dressing room on live TV after Santa Clara clash ABANDONED in sixth minute due to storm More

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      Diego Costa ‘would love to return to the Premier League and is waiting for a call’ as Wolves eye free transfer

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      DIEGO COSTA would reportedly ‘love’ to return to the Premier League with Wolves eyeing a free transfer.
      The Spain striker is a free agent after Atletico Madrid terminated his contract with immediate effect – six months ahead of schedule.

      Diego Costa would ‘love’ to comeback to the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex Features

      SunSport exclusively revealed the Midlands club are planning a shock move for the 32-year-old this month.
      Wolves’ main striker Raul Jimenez is out long-term after he fractured his skull against Arsenal.
      And Nuno Espirito’s side fancy the former Chelsea ace as a replacement.
      Wolves will be boosted by the news the Spain international would ‘love’ to comeback to England, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

      He told Sky Sports News: “Costa would love to return to the Premier League.
      “He had some bids from Brazilian and Turkish clubs since he ended his contract with Atletico Madrid but he decided to wait a bit.
      “He hopes to receive some bids from the Premier League. There are a lot of rumours but nothing advanced.
      “But for sure, Diego is waiting for a call from the Premier League. He would love to come back, he loves the atmosphere. Let’s see.

      “It will be interesting to have this kind of striker available as a free agent right now.”
      Nuno has been forced to rely on 18-year-old Fabio Silva to lead his attack, well ahead of schedule and would welcome an experienced frontman to take some of the weight off his young shoulders.
      Costa certainly has all the credentials after earning legendary status at Chelsea where he won two Premier League titles.
      Bookmakers swiftly installed the Molineux club as 6/4 favourites to land the Brazilian born hitman, with Arsenal just behind them at 3/1.
      However Wolves have been linked with Costa for the past two seasons and Nuno has so far resisted the temptation to move for the combative striker, despite their links with super-agent Jorge Mendes who represents Costa.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      TV star Mayka Rivera denies relationship with Thibaut Courtois More

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      Man City join Utd in race for Sergio Ramos as they plot shock free transfer for Real Madrid legend amid contract row

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      MANCHESTER CITY are weighing up a contract offer for Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, according to reports.
      The defender, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season and can talk to other teams to agree a summer switch now.

      Sergio Ramos is still expected to agree a fresh contract at Real MadridCredit: EPA

      According to ESPN, Premier League club City are monitoring the situation in case Ramos looks like leaving Real.
      The Spanish giants have long maintained that Ramos wants to stay, and that a new agreement will be found.
      The centre-back’s demand for a two-year deal is reportedly one Madrid are happy to comply with.
      Instead, it is his hefty wage demands causing the delay while Real find their way through the coronavirus pandemic’s financial crisis.

      Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane recently quelled talk of Ramos’ exit, and said: “When a player wants to stay that means a lot.
      “With Sergio Ramos, I see him staying for many years.

      Ramos was the only LaLiga star named in L’Equipe’s Team of the Year
      “He’s looking after himself well and I’m not surprised about what he’s achieving.”
      City join Manchester United in being linked to the 178-capped Spain international.

      Ramos is reportedly seen as a player who would add much-needed experience to Pep Guardiola’s defence, with the coach a long-term fan of his.
      And the star’s wage demands would be easily met at the Etihad, given his arrival would be as a free agent.

      Nonetheless, Madrid are expected to tie down the club captain amid growing discontent over their handling of the affair.
      Rene Ramos, Sergio’s brother and agent, showed his ire at Los Blancos by retweeting a journalist’s post criticising the club.
      The tweet, by Alfredo Duro, read: “Someone will have to explain how and why we’ve reached this point, allowing your captain, one of Madrid’s legends, to appear in absurd line-ups of players who today can freely sign for any club!”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Sergio Ramos makes it look easy as he shows off his fantastically fast feet in training More

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      Aitor Gandiaga dead at 23: Ex-Athletic Bilbao starlet killed in head-on crash while driving in heavy rain

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      FORMER Athletic Bilbao starlet Aitor Gandiaga has died aged 23.
      Gandiaga, who played for Spanish third division side Gernika Club, died on Sunday evening after his car collided with a bus.

      Aitor Gandiaga passed away on Sunday after his car collided with a busCredit: Gernika Club

      The winger, who had been driving through heavy rain in Spain’s northern Basque country, passed away at the scene of the accident.
      A female passenger in Gandiaga’s car and the bus driver were taken to hospital for treatment.
      Gandiaga came through Bilbao’s Lezama academy and played for their partner club Basconia.
      The club said: “Huge sorrow for a young lad who left his mark at Lezama. Big hugs to his family, friends and teammates.”

      Gandiaga’s former team-mate and current Bilbao star Ibai Gomez also sent his condolences to the youngster’s family.

      He tweeted: “I couldn’t believe what has happened. My deepest condolences to family, friends, Athletic and Gernika.”
      A Gernika spokesman said: “We will never forget you, Gandi.  Rest in peace.
      “We join your entire family in our feelings of grief.”

      Gernika Club’s home town, Guernica, was notoriously destroyed by German bombers in 1937.
      The outrage inspired Pablo Picasso’s famous painting Guernica, which shows the effects of the attack. More

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      Lionel Messi reveals wife Antonela begged him to see a psychologist but Barcelona star ‘keeps everything to himself’

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      LIONEL MESSI has revealed his wife Antonela was begging him to see a sports psychologist but he refused.
      The Barcelona superstar rocked the club last summer when he handed in a transfer request during the most turbulent period of his career.

      Lionel Messi says his wife Antonela begged him to see a sports psychologistCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/

      The Argentine legend suffered a turbulent summer as he tried to leave BarcelonaCredit: AFP

      And he admitted he should have sought help from a sports psychologist.
      Messi said: “I should have gone to the psychologist, but I never went.
      “Why? I don’t know. It’s hard for me to take that step, even though I know I need it.
      “Antonela [his wife] has insisted a lot of times that I should go, but I’m someone who keeps everything to myself.

      “I don’t share things. I know it would do me good, but I haven’t gone.”
      Messi’s mood darkened when he tried to invoke a clause in his contract that would have allowed him to walk away from the Nou Camp for free.
      With Manchester City lurking and ready to reunite the forward, 33, with Pep Guardiola, a legal row ensued before LaLiga ruled the clause was not valid and he was forced to stay.
      Messi’s unhappiness was further triggered when new Barca manager Ronald Koeman sold his close friend Luis Suarez as part of his attempted squad overhaul.

      The 2020 Fifpro world XI includes four Liverpool stars, as well as Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski

      Marca have now discovered that the woman he could have seen to discuss his feelings was Imma Puig, Barcelona’s psychologist for the last 15 seasons. 
      She worked closely with Andres Iniesta throughout his difficulties.
      Puig said: “Everyone believes that to suffer from depression you have to have a lot of problems.
      “But it’s not true, people can feel bad despite having everything that others want.
      “Footballers have exactly the same problems as anyone else, but the difference is they work in a shop window.
      “Everyone can criticise them, knows what they earn, can comment on their private lives.

      Lionel Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in 2017Credit: Rex Features

      The couple have three sonsCredit: Refer to Caption
      “Sometimes I wonder what would happen if the lives of politicians or businessmen were as exposed as those of footballers. It’s not easy. They have to live with the envy of the world.”
      Messi returned to the Barcelona side to set up the winning goal in 1-0 win over LaLiga’s bottom side Huesca.
      Messi, making his 750th appearance for Barcelona and his 500th in LaLiga, lifted the ball to Frenkie de Jong for the Dutchman to coolly finish past the goalkeeper.
      That lifted Barcelona up to fifth place but they remain 10 points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who also have a game in hand.

      Barcelona legend Lionel Messi collects record 7th Pichichi Award More

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      Ivan Rakitic asked stunning wife out ’20 or 30 times before she said yes’ as Sevilla ace reveals all over relationship

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      IVAN RAKITIC had to ask his wife out ’20 or 30 times’ before she eventually said yes.
      The Sevilla star, 32, has lifted the lid on how his relationship with Raquel Mauri began.

      Ivan Rakitic first set eyes on Raquel Mauri when she worked in a coffee shop

      Rakitic first laid eyes on Mauri after he signed for Sevilla from Schalke 04 in 2011.
      She worked as a barista in a coffee shop – which is where it all started for the couple.
      The Croatian star found himself popping into the shop regularly just to see her.
      But it was far from straightforward as the Sevilla star did not speak any Spanish.

      Rakitic said: “I don’t know how to explain it. Sometimes, you meet someone and you just have a different feeling.
      “Whenever I saw her, it was like a bomb went off inside me.
      “Week after week, I slowly started to learn some Spanish words, and if I was struggling, I would use my hands a lot to try to explain what I was trying to say to her.
      “She thought that was funny. She was like, ‘Me …  Jane. You … Tarzan.’

      “I was drinking so much coffee it was ridiculous. I probably asked her out 20 or 30 times.”
      Before he continued: “You know, I’m not the biggest guy in the world, so I thought, ‘S***, maybe she sees me and she doesn’t think I’m going to be very good and Seville will sell me in the summer.’
      “Part of my motivation when I went to training was to establish myself in the squad so that I would be around for a while and this girl would finally have dinner with me. It literally took me seven months.”
      He finally managed to secure a lunch date with her – and the rest was history.
      The loved-up couple are now proud parents of two children, Althea and Adara.

      Ivan Rakitic claimed he asked her out ’20 to 30 times’
      Rakitic shared a cute snap of himself with Mauri on Boxing Day to his Instagram page.
      And she shared a picture of them together to her page to celebrate the New Year.
      Rakitic joined Barcelona in 2014 but returned to Sevilla earlier this year on a four-year deal.

      Lionel Messi’s stunning wife Antonela works out on exercise bike leaving fans stunned by Barcelona Wag’s amazing shape More