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      Inside Messi’s ‘£7.25m Miami apartment with lift for his car he’s bought ahead of transfer to David Beckham’s MLS side’

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      LIONEL MESSI could be preparing for a stint at Inter Miami following reports of a luxury apartment purchased on the Florida coast.
      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been chasing the Barcelona striker since his contract dispute with the LaLiga club.

      Lionel Messi has reportedly bought an apartment at the Porsche Design Tower – which boasts stunning views of the Miami coastlineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lionel Messi may decide to head across the Atlantic to see out his playing daysCredit: AFP or licensors

      But 33-year-old Messi appears to have his heart set on a move to MLS.
      He recently told Spanish TV station La Sexta: “My plan is to give all I can for the club at the moment.
      “I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity.
      “I’m not thinking too far ahead in the short-term and just want to see how the season finishes.”

      According to Madrid-based radio station Cadena Ser, Messi has already made his first move towards Miami with the purchase of a luxury apartment in the city.
      A pad worth at least £7.25million was reportedly purchased by the Argentine last year.

      The tower contains a lift for residents’ carsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A showhome from Porsche Design Tower’s grand opening reveals the luxury withinCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The swanky Porsche Design Tower, completed in 2017, sits on the Sunny Isles beachfront in Miami.
      Branded by the German supercar manufacturer of the same name, the building boasts three car lifts allowing residents to park their vehicle on the same floor as their suite.

      Reports in Spain suggest Messi would prefer to stay with Barcelona until 2023, before a move across the Atlantic.
      Much could depend on Barcelona’s fate this season with his contract expiring in June.
      With their talisman on an extended holiday break in Argentine, Ronald Koeman’s side were held to a 1-1 draw against Eibar on Tuesday night.
      The forward is said to prefer to school his three kids Stateside while seeing out his playing days.

      Flats inside the tower feature grandiose living areasCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Messi could decide to mix with the great and the good of Miami inside the luxury buildingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Such an opportunity would heighten talk of a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      In the side’s debut campaign, they finished tenth in the MLS Eastern Conference while being linked to a wealth of star names.
      Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain joined Inter during the 2020 campaign and Olivier Giroud was reportedly offered an apartment in Porsche Design Tower to tempt him into a move.

      The showhome’s dining room shows off the typical decor of the apartment blockCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Messi is reportedly considering a move to MLS in 2023Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Porsche Design Tower was opened in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation More

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      Philippe Coutinho set for surgery on second serious injury of season as Barcelona nightmare goes from bad to worse

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      PHILIPPE COUTINHO is set to undergo surgery on a knee injury as his Nou Camp nightmare goes from bad to worse.
      The 28-year-old playmaker limped out of Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Eibar after being introduced as a second-half substitute.

      Philippe Coutinho was forced off in Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with EibarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He will be in the treatment room for the second time this season after initial tests flagged up damage to the lateral meniscus in his left knee.
      The arthroscopic surgery will inform Barcelona how long Coutinho, who missed four games with a hamstring injury in the autumn, will be sidelined for.
      It has been a challenging campaign for Coutinho following his return from a year-long loan at Bayern Munich.
      A fresh start under the management of Ronald Koeman had raised hopes the Brazilian could recapture the form that prompted Barcelona to pay Liverpool an initial £105million for his services in January 2018.

      The best players of 2020, according to quantitative analysis from Carteret
      But the Catalan giants are sixth in LaLiga after managing just seven wins from 15 games, with Coutinho contributing just two goals and two assists.
      It is a far cry from his days as Liverpool’s attacking midfield magician.
      Coutinho got off to a promising start at the Nou Camp back in 2018 as he helped Barcelona to the league and cup double, but fans and the local press turned as he struggled to produce the goods in his first full campaign.
      The season-long spell in Germany followed, with the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal being added to his collection of titles, but Bayern bosses opted against a permanent deal due to his mixed form and fitness problems.

      Coutinho’s injury is a fresh headache for under-pressure Koeman, who has admitted winning LaLiga will be “very complicated” following the Eibar draw.
      Barcelona are seven points behind leaders Atletico Madrid despite playing two games more.
      Koeman said: “Nothing is impossible, but you have to recognise the distance. Atletico seem to me to be very good, very strong. They don’t concede many goals.”

      Coutinho looks buff as he trains at home More

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      Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos among world-class XI of stars out of contract in 2021 who are available on free transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI and Sergio Ramos head the list of world-class names who are now into the final six months of their current contracts.
      And that means we could see some incredible free transfers at the end of the season.

      These players are all out of contract come the end of the season so will be available for free

      Lionel Messi made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his Barcelona contractCredit: AFP or licensors

      Messi threatened to quit Barcelona this summer but decided to honour his deal while Ramos is holding out for more than a one-year extension at Real Madrid.
      But with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero also running down their deals, plenty of clubs will be eyeing up some smart business.
      From January, players whose contracts are expiring will be able to start negotiating with new clubs over free summer moves.
      And could there even be a surprise return to the Premier League in store for Diego Costa after his release from Atletico Madrid?

      SunSport picks out some of the best players available for nothing next summer.
      GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma
      The AC Milan stopper burst on to the scene as a teenager and is still backed to be Italy’s No1 for many years.
      But with just months to go on his current deal, could he be holding out for one of the European superpowers to come calling?
      RB – Eric Garcia
      OK, yes, his favoured position is at centre-back but for this team he is going to have to move across.

      The Manchester City star revealed he will not be signing a contract extension at the Etihad and is expected to rejoin Barcelona after a summer move fell through.
      CB – Sergio Ramos
      Ramos takes the first centre-back spot as one of the greatest in that position over the last decade.
      Captain now Iker Casillas has gone, penalty taker now Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, the Real Madrid icon may no longer be at his peak aged 34 but is still a fine defender.
      Zinedine Zidane insists he will stay but Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Inter Miami or even a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Spurs may all be tempting destinations.
      CB – Jerome Boateng
      On paper, Boateng has enjoyed a stellar career with an FA Cup, eight Bundesligas, two Champions Leagues and the World Cup.
      But even then the German still leaves some unconvinced he is in the top bracket – however, you could do worse for a free agent and that is why Chelsea and Arsenal are linked.

      Sergio Ramos continues to lead by example for Real Madrid with the armband and spot-kick responsibilitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The percentage of answers have been round up or down from their decimal points
      LB – David Alaba
      Alaba, meanwhile, has proven his quality time and time again – and in many different positions.
      The Bayern Munich star excelled at left-back for years but has since moved into midfield and centre-back, making it look easy – no wonder the giants are battling it out for his signature.
      CM – Luka Modric
      A serial winner for Real Madrid, ended the Ballon d’Or duopoly and took Croatia to the World Cup final.
      But it looks as though Modric’s nine years at the Bernabeu will come to an end following the emergence of Fede Valverde and others.
      CM – Georginio Wijnaldum
      A critical part of the Liverpool engine room which delivered European and then league success.
      Ronald Koeman taking over at Barcelona and Thiago’s arrival at Anfield led to speculation of a departure this summer – give it to the end of the season and he could well be lining up at the Nou Camp with no new contract signed.
      CM – Mesut Ozil
      Arsenal will be counting down the days until they can stop paying Ozil £350,000 per week, or £50,000 a day, or £2,083 an hour, or £34.72 per minute.
      The German signed his lucrative new deal in January 2018 and has done very little for the club since – and absolutely nothing after the lockdown restart, except offer to pay for Gunnersaurus’ wages.
      Turkey or the MLS both seem like possible destinations.

      Luka Modric became the first player other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007Credit: AP:Associated Press

      RW – Lionel Messi
      We almost witnessed one of the most spectacular of all transfers this summer when Messi was ready to walk out on Barcelona after nearly 20 years.
      His loyalty to the Catalan giants saw him perform a U-turn so he didn’t take them to court and instead would honour the final year.
      But it would take a remarkable shake-up for the Argentine to sign a new deal as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain plot mammoth offers.
      Messi recently said: “I know there are a lot of people at Barca who still love me, but I’m going to do what is best for the club and for myself.
      “I don’t know if I’m going to leave, but if I do, I would like to leave in the best way possible and be able to return to the club in the future.”

      ST – Sergio Aguero
      Aguero is the greatest foreign goalscorer the Premier League has seen, breaking records galore and bagging more than 250 times for City since his arrival in 2011.
      But this season may well be his last if there is no agreement made for the 32-year-old to stay on beyond the summer – and he would not be short of options.
      LW – Memphis Depay
      Remembered by many for his failed spell at Manchester United, Depay reset with Lyon and has proven he is still a top-class talent.
      Like compatriot Wijnaldum, he was close to joining Barcelona in the last window but a deal could not get over the line in time – another impressive campaign in Ligue 1 will ensure the biggest clubs keep an eye out.
      Alternative XI
      Unsurprisingly, there are still a fair few names not getting into that star-studded XI.
      So here is the Alternative XI – and it is pretty strong with experienced internationals, Premier League kings and a World Cup winner.

      Another whole team of out-of-contract talented players could make up a second-string XI
      GK – Marko Dmitrovic
      The Eibar stopper is one of a number from LaLiga out of contract at the end of the current campaign – alongside Rui Silva from Granada and Sevilla’s Tomas Vaclik – with Atletico Madrid potentially eyeing Dmitrovic.
      CB – Romain Saiss
      The versatile Morocco captain has played more than 150 times – across the defence and midfield – for Wolves since his 2016 arrival and has the option of an extra 12 months at Molineux.
      CB – Jonny Evans
      At £3m, Leicester bagged a great deal when they landed the former Manchester United defender, who played in every league game for the Foxes in 2019-20 – don’t rule out a new deal getting signed.
      CB – Shkodran Mustafi
      Mustafi’s Arsenal career looked all over before Mikel Arteta’s arrival and a strong end to the season.
      But will he be needed next season with William Saliba, Gabriel, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers AND Konstantinos Mavropanos?
      Talks did take place with Barcelona over a ludicrous signing but surely even that would be a step too far on the list of bonkers Nou Camp transfers.

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance
      RM – Florian Thauvin
      The French wide man did not enjoy his best football during a spell at Newcastle but, back at Marseille he was enjoying his football until a cruel ligament injury which ruled him out for almost the entire 2019-20 season.
      CM – Riqui Puig
      Another graduate of the famous La Masia academy at Barcelona, Puig looked destined to follow the footsteps of Andres Iniesta and Xavi – but it has not quite worked out for him just yet, especially under Koeman, and he could be let go with Arsenal or Leeds keen.
      CM – Julian Draxler
      The German midfielder’s Paris Saint-Germain career never really took off as many expected following his 2017 arrival from Wolfsburg but aged 27 he will be confident of further success.
      LM – Danny Rose
      England’s No1 left-back for many years saw his career spiral downwards when Jose Mourinho arrived at Spurs and he needs to find a new club while he can still do a job.
      The 30-year-old walks into a fair number of Premier League sides – rather than just the Spurs U23s he has turned out for this term.

      Jonny Evans and Andros Townsend will both be hoping to sign new deals before the season endsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Danny Rose needs to leave Tottenham to get his career back on trackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      CAM – Angel Di Maria
      Not many players can boast a CV of clubs like Di Maria.
      But now well into his 30s, he will do well to earn another contract at Paris Saint-Germain and will need to be playing to get back into the Argentina fold ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
      ST – Arkadiusz Milik
      He may have already racked up more than 50 Poland appearances but it appears Spurs-target Milik is unwanted at Napoli. Turning 27 in February, he still has plenty to offer.
      ST – Diego Costa
      And last but by no means least is Costa. The fiery front man banged in 59 goals in 120 Chelsea appearances before returning to Atletico Madrid in 2017 – before ripping up his contract to leave for nothing.
      Goal-shy Arsenal and Wolves, who are without Raul Jimenez, are among the early favourites to land the Spaniard.

      The arrival of Luis Suarez saw Diego Costa leave Atletico Madrid – could a return to the Premier League be on the cards?Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd star Paul Pogba confirms he’d like Real Madrid transfer ‘one day’ but insists he’s happy at Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd flop Memphis Depay at centre of transfer battle between Barcelona and Juventus as Serie A giants join race

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      JUVENTUS have joined Barcelona in the race for former Manchester United winger Memphis Depay, according to reports.
      The Lyon ace was heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp at the end of last season.

      Juventus will go head-to-head with Barcelona for Lyon ace Memphis DepayCredit: Reuters

      But the Catalans will face stiff competition for the Dutchman in January with the Serie A giants also keen, according to Turin newspaper La Stampa.
      Juve are also said to be considering including forward Federico Bernardeschi, 26, as part of a swap deal.
      The Italians are said to be on the lookout for cheaper deals as they try to manage the financial impact of Covid-19 during the January window.
      Depay is in the final year of his contract and could be available for just £4.5million when the transfer window opens next month.

      He was a top target for Barcelona gaffer Ronald Koeman last summer but the cash-strapped club could not meet Lyon’s demands.
      The Dutchman’s electric form – eight goals in 17 appearances this season – and new bargain price tag has alerted Juventus.
      Andrea Pirlo fancies a fourth attacking option to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata, according to Sport Diario,
      Danger man Depay recently dismissed talk of a mid-season switch to Barcelona.

      Juve could also include Federico Bernardeschi as part of a swap dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Earlier this month, he said: “We have a great team, a great collective spirit and, while I don’t know what will happen later, I’m 100 per cent focused on Lyon right now.
      “I’m a player, a captain and the most important thing is working hard and winning matches. If I think about my own future, then I could lose focus.
      “I can’t say anything about that [Barcelona interest], there are many clubs that are interested but right now I’m here.”
      Depay has rebuilt his reputation at Lyon after a disappointing 18-month spell at Old Trafford in which he could only manage two goals in 33 Premier League appearances.
      He is one of eight transfers Barca are looking to sort in Janaury.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Solskjaer says Man Utd had a fantastic attitude and earned that goal with their mentality and desire More

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      Ronald Koeman all-but rules Barcelona out of La Liga title running after 1-1 draw with Eibar leaves them sixth in table

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      RONALD KOEMAN all-but ruled Barcelona out of the LaLiga title race after their latest slip-up.
      The Dutchman saw his side falter once again on Tuesday night with a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Eibar.

      Ronald Koeman admitted his Barcelona side are practically out of the LaLiga title raceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Barca have now dropped nine points at home already in the league this seasonCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      It left the Catalan giants sixth in the table on 25 points from 15 matches – seven adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid who have two games in hand.
      And Koeman admitted it would take something spectacular for Barca to win the league this season.
      He said: “If I’m realistic, the title is very complicated.
      “Nothing is impossible, but you have to recognise the distance.

      “Atletico seem to me to be very good, very strong. They don’t concede many goals.”
      Barcelona were again without Lionel Messi who is continuing his recovery from an ankle injury and watched on in disbelief from the stands at the Nou Camp.
      He saw Martin Braithwaite miss a penalty after eight minutes and then have another goal ruled out for a marginal offside as Barca failed to take their chances.
      And they were made to pay when Ronald Araujo’s mistake was punished by Kike Garcia who raced clear to slot in just before the hour mark.

      Marca went with the headline ‘This is life without Messi’

      Sport opted for ‘Another Disaster’ to describe the 1-1 draw with Eibar

      Uruguayan centre-back Araujo said: “The truth is the goal we conceded was s***. We can’t concede like that. It’s a shame.”
      The two Ronalds had their blushes partly spared ten minutes later when half-time substitute Ousmane Dembele fired home a low drive to equalise.
      And with Atleti back in action on Wednesday night against Getafe, Barca could find themselves ten points off top spot having now dropped nine at home in the league already.
      Marca went with the headline ‘This is life without Messi’ as the Argentine’s future becomes increasingly likely to be away from the Nou Camp with his contract up in the summer.
      Sport opted for ‘Another Disaster’ to describe the poor performance and poor result.

      Lionel Messi watched on from the stands as he continues to recover from an ankle injuryCredit: Reuters

      Kike Garcia put Eibar in front after capitalising on Ronald Araujo’s errorCredit: EPA
      Koeman added: “We deserved to win. We did what we had to do. They only shot on goal once.
      “We created chances, but we didn’t score the penalty and then made a mistake in defence.
      “In general we played a good game, but individual mistakes have cost us points.
      “I don’t want to say we lacked experience. We play with young players – today we had five or six – but we also had experience.
      “We lacked Leo, who makes a difference. But the feeling is still, how did we not win?
      “It cannot be said that Barca play better without Messi. He is on another level.”

      The best players of 2020, according to quantitative analysis from Carteret

      Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo wins player of century at Dubai Globe Soccer awards as Georgina Rodriguez stuns in a red dress

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was named Player of the Century at a glamorous awards ceremony in Dubai.
      The Juventus star walked the red carpet with fiancee Georgina Rodriguez before he was awarded the top gong at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.

      The power-couple were on fine form at the red-carpet bash

      The winner gets a kiss from a sensational-looking Georgina RodriguezCredit: Instagram @cristiano

      Ronaldo won yet another trophy to add to his collectionCredit: EPA

      The ceremony was held at the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
      Ronaldo wore a dapper grey suit with a red tie, matching his partner’s sparkly red dress.
      The Juventus forward was joined by fellow football stars of the past and present.

      Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez arrived at Dubai Globe Soccer AwardsCredit: Reuters

      Ronaldo won the Player of the Century award Credit: Reuters

      Georgina watched on proud of her manCredit: Reuters
      Liverpool legend Ian Rush, 59, was pictured with his Irish singer and model fiancee Carol Anthony, 43.

      Gerard Pique, 33, and Robert Lewandowski, 32, were all smiles as they arrived at the ceremony.
      Even former boxing world champion Amir Khan, 34, was a guest alongside his wife Faryal Makhdoom, 29.
      Bayern Munich forward Lewandowski won the Player of the Year award, ahead of Ronaldo.

      Ian Rush pictured with his Irish singer and model fiancee Carol AnthonyCredit: Reuters

      Amir Khan alongside his wife Faryal MakhdoomCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A statement read: “Robert Lewandowski was named Player of the Year 2020 at last night’s Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, thanks to a combination of votes from fans all over the world and votes from the Dubai Globe Soccer Jury.
      “Lewandowski has had an exceptional season, being a top scorer of the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup and stacking up victories for his club, Bayern Munich.”
      But Ronaldo did pip long-time rival Lionel Messi, 33, and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho as the Player of the Century.
      After winning the award, he said: “For 20 consecutive years I have played and scored as a professional, I didn’t know there was another record to beat.
      “It’s a pleasure to hear about the records, I have achieved all this but without my team-mates, without a great team, I would not have achieved these records.”

      Ronaldo, who wants to play at the highest level until he is 40, revealed he has no plans of slowing down.
      He said: “It is an exceptional achievement. It gives me the motivation to move forward.
      “To be named the best is a great honour, I hope that this situation is over next year and that we can have more fun, thank you very much.
      “I hope to still be able to play for more years. ”

      Barcelona defender Gerard Pique at the award Credit: Reuters

      Robert Lewandowski won the Player of the Year award Credit: Reuters

      Georgina Rodriguez sets pulses racing with cheeky twerking video as Cristiano Ronaldo misses Juventus’ draw at Benevento More

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      Lionel Messi watches from stands and shakes his head in disgust as Barcelona are held by lowly Eibar

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      LIONEL MESSI shook his head in the stands with frustration as Barcelona slipped six points off the LaLiga pace with a 1-1 home draw against lowly Eibar.
      Barca’s injured superstar, just back from a break in Argentina, was sorely missed as Ronald Koeman’s under-achievers relied on inspirational sub Ousmane Dembele for a point-saver.

      Lionel Messi, recovering from an ankle injury, looks on in disappointment as Barca struggle to a 1-1 home drawCredit: Reuters

      Ousmane Dembele hails his point-saver for sixth-placed Barca against EibarCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      Messi’s reaction hardly dampened speculation he will be off in the summer when his contract ends, having eventually accepted he had to stay for this campaign.
      Manchester City and PSG are rated the 33-year-old’s main suitors.
      But even if Messi does depart to challenge for top European honours, even he must be surprised at how Barca are struggling domestically.
      They remain sixth, well adrift of pace-setting Madrid clubs Atletico and Real, mainly thanks to their disappointing first half in which Martin Braithwaite missed an early penalty.

      Masked Messi turned sharply and shook his head repeatedly as he quickly exited the stands at the final whistle.
      And it wasn’t a performance his squad-mates will want to dwell on either.
      Braithwaite fired a fifth-minute spot-kick wide of the left post after Pedro Bigas fouled Araujo.
      And that let-off sparked Eibar ‘s best spell.

      Pedri was also crestfallen, after seeing Kike Garcia grab a shock opener for Eibar in a 1-1 drawCredit: EPA

      Lionel Messi and Co stay socially distanced, rather like the gap developing between Barcelona and the top of the tableCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      Takashi Inui, Kike Garcia and Edu had decent chances, as well as the visitors earning several corners.
      Barca only revived midway through the first period, Marko Dmitrovic saving well from Araujo’s header and Braithwaite having a goal ruled offside.
      And in fact it was only Dembele’s half-time introduction that truly revved Barcelona up.
      The Frenchamn regularly conjured opportunities, notably for Miralem Pjanic and Antoine Griezmann, plus two for himself.
      But on 57 minutes Garcia stole the ball off Araujo on halfway and surged away to drill past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

      On came Philippe Coutinho and Trincao.
      And Barca levelled in the 67th minute, flowing play down the left peaking with Junior Firpo crossing low for Dembele to angle home a drive
      The hosts pressed for victory, but Clement Lenglet headed high and Braithwaite shot wide.

      Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation More

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      Wolves line up shock Diego Costa transfer move after ex-Chelsea striker terminated Atletico Madrid deal early

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      WOLVES are weighing up whether to make a shock move for Diego Costa.
      The Spain striker is a free agent after Atletico Madrid terminated his contract with immediate effect – six months ahead of schedule.

      Wolves are weighing up whether to make a shock move for Diego CostaCredit: Rex Features

      That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Wolves who are currently without star striker Raul Jimenez who suffered a fractured skull against Arsenal which could sideline him for months.
      Nuno Espirito Santo has been forced to rely on 18-year-old Fabio Silva to lead his attack, well ahead of schedule and would welcome an inexperienced frontman to take some of the weight from 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 the 32-year-old for the past two seasons and Nuno Esperito Santo has so far resisted the temptation to move for the combative striker, despite their links with super-agent Jorge Mendes who represents Costa.
      Portuguese head coach Nuno is a stickler for discipline and his Wolves squad take pride in their togetherness and total lack of egos in their ranks.
      Signing hothead Costa could risk that harmony and is seen as a major reason why Wolves have yet to be tempted by Costa, regardless of the quality and experience he would undoubtedly bring.
      The striker would also have to slash his current £270,000 a week wages, which are well above Wolves’ best paid players. 

      However Costa may want to enjoy one final fling in the Premier League to prove he can still hack it at the top level after failing to impress since his latest return to Atleti. 
      The Spain international has plenty of interest from South America, the Middle and Far East.
      But he has endured an injury-hit season and fallen behind Luis Suarez and Joao Felix in Simeone’s pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano, where he has made just seven appearances across all competitions, including two starts, and two goals.
      However Wolves must weigh up whether a short-term deal could suit both parties until the end of the season, allowing Jimenez the time he requires to make a full recovery from his horror injury.

      Atletico Madrid terminate Diego Costa’s contract after striker demands to be let go More