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      Eduardo Camavinga’s agent says Man Utd and Real Madrid transfer target will cost more than £43m

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      EDUARDO CAMAVINGA’S agent reckons the midfield prodigy will cost more than £43million.
      The Frenchman has emerged as one of the hottest properties in Europe since his debut for Rennes in 2018 aged just 16.

      Rennes midfielder Eduardo CamavingaCredit: AFP or licensors

      His contract runs out in the summer of 2022 and only ‘four or five clubs’ could convince him to leave Julien Stephan’s side.
      But his agent Jonathan Barnett warned it would come at a price.
      Asked by Goal if he vaulues the 18-year-old at more than €50m (£43m), Barnett said: “I would think so.”
      Camavinga has made 26 appearances this season with just the one goal but made his debut for France last year.

      Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been linked with the starlet.
      And a move to one of Spanish giants appears to be the preferred destinations if Camavinga was to be prized away from Rennes.
      Barrett said: “At the moment, he’s a Rennes player.
      “He likes Rennes and, at the moment, we haven’t really taken to other clubs. It isn’t our position.

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      “Let’s see what happens later on, but he’s doing well in Rennes and that’s fine.
      “Being the best midfielder in the world, that’s how I see his future, [with] a lot of medals and a lot of trophies.
      “[Madrid are] a great club, a great club to play for. Eduardo will have a choice of a lot of clubs if Rennes decides to release him. 
      “They will be one of the four of five clubs in the world he might go to.
      “Eduardo would love to play for a top club. Madrid are one of those top clubs in the world, so are Barcelona.”

      Man City slash Lionel Messi contract offer by £170m to £430m as they look to land Barcelona superstar on free transfer More

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      If Lionel Messi does leave Barcelona it won’t be on the cheap.. despite his ‘free’ transfer tag

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      TURNING 34 in June, Leo Messi is an antique in footballing terms. But the way things are going, I’d say a priceless one.
      Even now we would be talking a nine-figure fee for the Argentinian genius — but that’s not the case this year as he will be out of contract at Barcelona around the time of his birthday, so he’s on a “free”.

      Lionel Messi is available on a free transfer this summer but he still won’t be cheapCredit: AFP or licensors

      A giant chunk of the birthday cake will go to the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and his dependants, as the missing transfer fee is bound to find its way into an already-huge salary.
      Daddy Messi does the accounts, not always successfully, Mother Messi is his dearest supporter and the rest of the family stay as close as possible to the source. Or the sauce?
      Whether he remains at the Nou Camp or moves to one of the two clubs often linked with his future — Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain — the sums are dizzying.
      The comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus are inevitable.

      Ronaldo just turned 36 and is still free-scoring, if a little less explosive than a decade ago.
      The Italian champs paid £99million three years back and Ronaldo has scored 68 goals in 82 league games — a good return on their investment.
      For two players with such different attributes their records are remarkably similar. Ronaldo has five Ballon d’Ors. His clubs would say in capital letters that the Portuguese has given full value.
      This is undoubtedly true of Messi although Barcelona are in decline having paid him £492m on a four-year contract. This sum has been linked with fears of bankruptcy at the club.

      Obviously, Messi’s recent dissatisfaction at Barca can’t have anything to do with his pay.
      Rather it was a dislike of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the way the club legend claimed “things were going on off the field”.
      There are one or two signs of peace breaking out.

      Unlike Ronaldo, Messi enjoys being a one-club loyalist and 21 years man and boy will be ended only after much soul-searching and many negotiations. Plus, the president is leaving.
      Very few clubs could or would wish to contract a veteran player for, let’s guess, £1m a week.
      The gamble is he’d repay in numerous ways, on the pitch with fabulous skills and a few trophies, plus a big commercial uplift.
      Further, the two stand-outs are owned by families in Saudi Arabia and the Abu Dhabi, so money is not an issue.
      PSG’s attractions to Messi must be joining Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at a club with a desperate desire to win the Champions’ League for the first time.
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      With City, he would be playing for manager Pep Guardiola, with whom he and Barca ruled Europe.
      For any rival club, Messi money could be a diamond choker too tight — given Covid, lack of gate money, no corporate revenue and broadcast sums reducing. 
      Such a pay-day could be the last of its type — rather like the supermodels of the 90s — but instead of refusing to get out of bed for less than £10,000 a day, in Leo’s case it’s more like £100,000 a day!

      Man City slash Lionel Messi contract offer by £170m to £430m as they look to land Barcelona superstar on free transfer More

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      Zinedine Zidane promotes his 18-year-old son Theo to Real Madrid first-team training amid injury crisis

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE has promoted his 18-year-old son Theo to the Real Madrid first-team training squad as the club battles an injury crisis.
      Los Blancos had just 13 senior players to choose from against Getafe last week.

      Zinedine Zidane has called on the services of his third son to bail him out of an injury crisisCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      France youth star Theo Zidane is said to be the most similar to his dadCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      French boss Zidane, 48, was forced to pack his bench full of youngsters and name two goalkeepers for the 2-0 win.
      Chelsea legend Eden Hazard, skipper Sergio Ramos and Marcelo are just some of the big names heading up the lengthy injury list.
      After being restricted to naming just three fit senior outfield players on the bench for the 2-0 victory against Valencia on Sunday, Zidane has drafted in a batch of kids to plug the gap.
      His third-eldest son Theo – a midfielder like his dad – joins centre-back Marvel, full-back Lorenzo Aguado and midfielder Kenneth Soler in senior training.

      It is not Theo’s first time with the first team after he trained with the squad during the international break in October last year.
      He followed in the footsteps of older brothers Luca and Enzo by linking up with the Galacticos.
      Theo bears a resemblance to his famous father with Spanish outlet AS describing him as ‘possessing a tall frame, a fierce shout and a deft touch’.
      If he is picked for the game against Valladolid, Theo will become the fourth member of the Zidane clan to don the famous white shirt.

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      The exciting teenager has already represented France at Under-16 and Under-17 level.
      He has also played twice for the second-string Castilla side – the team Zidane managed before graduating to the top job.
      ESPN reports club insiders believe he is the most talented of all the four Zidane boys.
      Enzo Zidane, 25, is the eldest of Zidane’s four children and made his Real Madrid debut in the Copa del Rey in 2016, scoring in the 6-1 win over Cultural Leonesa.
      The midfielder has 1.3million Instagram followers but was released by Almeria in October following failed stints in Portugal and Switzerland and is now unattached.
      Luca Zidane, 22, is a keeper who fans will remember as Madrid’s third-choice shot-stopper in 2017-18.
      He made two league appearances and conceded four goals before being shipped out on loan to Racing Santander.
      The French Under-20 ace joined second-tier Rayo Vallecano on a free transfer in October and is the side’s No2.
      Youngest son Elyaz, 15, is on the books at Real and the left-back runs out for the Under-16 side.

      Zinedine Zidane vows to fight for Real Madrid until the last day More

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      Barcelona dressing room ‘broken’ after seeing Lionel Messi’s painful reaction to PSG’s Champions League thrashing

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      BARCELONA’S dressing room is reportedly ‘broken’ after seeing skipper Lionel Messi’s pain at the 4-1 Champions League drubbing by Paris Saint-Germain.
      Spanish outlet Sport reports Messi’s disappointment after the match is haunting his team-mates.

      Lionel Messi cut a forlorn figure after Barcelona were thrashed by PSGCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      Messi could barely look compatriot Mauro Icardi in the eyesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Argentine icon, 33, greeted compatriots Mauro Icardi, Leandro Paredes and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino but could barely look them in the eye.
      The report states even vocal Gerard Pique – who could be heard barking orders on the pitch – fell silent inside the solemn Barca changing room.
      Kylian Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick at the Nou Camp has virtually eliminated the Catalan giants before a ball has even been kicked in the second leg.
      Of course, Barca famously mounted ‘The Comeback’ in 2017 as a barely believable 6-1 win over the French giants overturned a four goal deficit from the last 16 first leg.

      But history looks very unlikely to repeat itself with Ronald Koeman’s side struggling in LaLiga and facing the prospect of their season being effectively over this month.
      Barca are third in the league – nine points behind leaders Atletico Madrid – and lost the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final 2-0 against Sevilla.
      And the feeling of European dejection is an all too familiar one for captain Messi after last season’s humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich.
      The Blaugrana were embarrassed as they suffered an 8-2 humiliation by eventual Champions League winners Bayern at the quarter-final stage.

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      A dejected Messi greeted fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino after the gameCredit: Reuters

      Messi looked heartbroken in a dressing room picture following the Bayern trouncing and the result intensified talk he would leave the club.
      After publicly declaring his desire to move on with a transfer request, Messi performed a dramatic U-turn in the summer after his kids cried at the news and he realised he wasn’t prepared to go to court to force an exit.
      But the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is set to become a free agent at the end of the season with his Barca contract expiring.
      And SunSport revealed Manchester City – who tried to sign the player last year – would now slash their bumper package to sign the star by £170million.
      City were prepared to put a £606m five-year playing deal plus commercial add-ons on the table last time out.
      But SunSport understands they would now come up with a new package which would be worth a reduced £433m if they could broker a free transfer.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Man City slash Lionel Messi contract offer by £170m to £430m as they look to land Barcelona superstar on free transfer More

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      Xavi reveals dream to manage Barcelona as pressure mounts on Ronald Koeman after PSG thrashing

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      BARCELONA legend Xavi has admitted his dream to manage Barcelona just as pressure begins to mount on current boss Ronald Koeman.
      The Catalans were humiliated this week in the Champions League as they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Paris Saint-Germain.

      Xavi has opened the door to a return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty

      Time could be running out for Barca boss Ronald KoemanCredit: Getty

      That was the latest blow to Barca in what has turned out to be an awful season by their standards.
      Koeman only took charge last summer but instantly caused upset by offloading Luis Suarez and several other favourites, which is one of the reasons Lionel Messi tried to force a move away.
      The club are also in a precarious situation financially amid the coronavirus pandemic as well as in the midst of a presidential election.
      And to top off all of the above, their LaLiga title hopes are in tatters as they sit nine points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

      The PSG embarrassment heaped even more scrutiny on Dutchman Koeman as he looks set to end the campaign without any silverware.
      And with the prospect of losing Messi to either Manchester City or PSG in June, Barca presidential candidate Victor Font has already made it clear he would axe Koeman and replace him with Xavi.
      The 41-year-old played 767 times for Barcelona between 1998 and 2015 and won 133 caps for the Spanish national team.
      Xavi lifted eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey crowns and four Champions League trophies during his time at the Nou Camp as a player.

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      Now the icon, who currently manages Qatari side Al Sadd, has thrown the door open to a Barca return.
      He said: “Right now, I’m at Al Sadd and I’m doing well here. I’m at a big club in Asia, in Qatar. It’s the best team in Qatar.
      “We’ll see what happens in the future. Everyone sees me as a Barcelona coach, and I really respect Barcelona and Koeman, the current head coach.
      “I don’t want to hide the truth – of course I would like to be Barcelona’s head coach. I’ve said it many times.
      “But I will always respect the presiding coach and the club. I wish them the best of course.
      “I’ve been a Barcelona fan as long as I can remember. There’s an upcoming presidential election, so let’s see which candidate wins…”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Furious fans chant ‘Xavi out!’ as Barcelona legend is turned on by Al Sadd supporters More

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      Atletico star Luis Suarez hits out at retirement claims and hints he has ‘years’ left and ‘no one will get rid of me’

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      LUIS SUAREZ says he has ‘years left’ and ‘no one will get rid of me’ amid suggestions he may soon retire.
      The Uruguayan, 34, has been a resounding success at Atletico Madrid since his tearful exit from Barcelona at the end of last season.

      Luis Suarez says he is not going anywhereCredit: Rex Features

      Suarez is LaLiga’s top scorer on 16 with his side sitting top and six points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid with a game in hand over Los Blancos.
      Plenty questioned whether the former Liverpool ace could still cut it at the highest level in his mid-30s.
      But the goal machine has no time for such sentiment and told ESPN he still feels good.
      Suarez said: “I still feel like I’m enjoying this moment that I’m in today, in football’s elite.

      “Being at Atletico, you’re in football’s elite. Some people didn’t believe that I could still be at this level. I’ve got the same enthusiasm.
      “I hope that this year, next year and for however many years it is, I keep competing and giving my best, until you realise that you’ve gone as far as you can.
      “But no one will get rid of me. I’ll decide when I go.”
      Suarez has split opinion among fans for much of his career with his win at all costs mentality.

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      He has also bitten a few too many players for some people’s liking but the Uruguayan confirmed what many already suspected – that he is not bothered by others’ criticism.
      Suarez added: “I’m one of those players who has always characterised himself as being stubborn.
      “When I try something two, three, four times and it doesn’t work out, I’m not one of those players who will let their head drop, who will disappear. I’ll keep trying, because I’ve been that way since I was a kid.
      “I used to get criticised when I was 18 and the coaches I had, like Martin Lasarte [Suarez’s coach at Nacional in 2005-06], used to say: ‘Don’t look at the goals that the 18-year-old kid is missing, if he misses seven or eight.
      “‘Focus on the fact that he’s still trying a third time, or a fourth time. That’s what will make him go far.’
      “Those words stayed with me and I will be like that, I am like that.”
      ‘THEY BELIEVE IN ME’
      Despite his huge levels of self belief, even Suarez admitted the season has exceeded his own expectations.
      He said: “I didn’t expect to be in this moment that I’m in with Atletico today, but I’m enjoying it a lot.
      “I’m grateful because the coaching staff and my team-mates believe in me, they trust me, and that is something that you try to repay with goals.”
      Suarez could reportedly leave Atletico on a FREE this summer but wants to stay.
      And he also collected his first goal bonus after reaching 15 for the Spanish table-toppers.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Koeman says PSG gave Barcelona ‘reality check’ after 4-1 loss More

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      PSG slap £175m price tag on Kylian Mbappe amid Real Madrid interest with French star ‘leaning towards’ transfer exit

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN will demand £175million for Kylian Mbappe this summer, according to reports.
      Real Madrid want the Frenchman but he will not come cheap even though the superstar is reportedly ‘leaning towards an exit’.

      PSG have slapped a £175m price tag on Kylian MbappeCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      Mbappe’s contract expires in the summer of 2022.
      But if he decides not to extend the deal, PSG may look to cash in at the end of this season.
      Even though the 22-year-old will only have a year left at that stage, the French champions still want £175m, according to Le Parisien.
      Mbappe enjoys playing for PSG but is said to be coming around to the idea of leaving.

      And after he left fans around the world in awe with his Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona on Tuesday, Mbappe said he’d be stupid to make a transfer decision after just one game.
      The World Cup winner scored three as PSG thrashed the Spanish giants 4-1 during the first-leg of the last-16 tie.
      Liverpool and Manchester City are among the list of other clubs keen to snap him up.
      But speaking after the win over Barca, Mbappe said: “The PSG shirt is one that I cherish and carry in my heart.

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      Mbappe scored three goals against Barcelona in the Champions League

      “My future? It would be stupid to decide my future based on just one game.
      “It’s something to reflect on for the long term.
      “I’ve always said that I’m happy here and games like that make you very happy.”
      Mbappe’s sensational performance at the Nou Camp left Marcus Rashford, Neymar and Jadon Sancho in awe.
      Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole also said he is the best player in the world.
      Rio Ferdinand backed him up and insisted Mbappe is on track to ‘take over the throne’.
      Mbappe was also given a rare nine out of ten for his masterclass by L’Equipe.
      And Arsene Wenger urged PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar rather than sign Lionel Messi.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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