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      Man Utd ‘willing to splash out £61m on Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer’ to find new Harry Maguire partner

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly prepared to bid for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde in their search for a new defensive star.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has failed to create a backline worthy of a serious title challenge, with the Red Devils conceding more goals than Brighton, Burnley and Arsenal this season.

      Jules Kounde has caught the eye since signing for Sevilla in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former defender Gary Neville recently described the partnership between Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as a big ‘problem’ – but the £80million club captain likely to partner any new addition.
      A potential move for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano was ended by him agreeing to sign for Bayern Munich.
      Therefore, a move for fellow French centre-back Kounde is thought to be on their radar.
      According to Spanish outlet La Razon, United are preparing a £61m bid for the 22-year-old.

      Paris Saint-Germain are also in the hunt for a new defender with Sergio Ramos a target.
      If the Ligue 1 side fail to land the Spanish veteran, they are reportedly ready to pay Kounde’s full £78m release clause.
      Real – currently in talks with Ramos over his future – are also monitoring Sevilla star Kounde.
      Raphael Varane is another centre-back who may be leaving the Spanish capital in the summer, with Manchester United one potential destination.

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      But Real are not thought to be able to match the transfer fees being discussed in the Red Devils’ and PSG’s plans.
      Sevilla paid over £20m for Kounde from Bordeaux in 2019.
      The France Under-21 international quickly established himself in the team, sat fourth in LaLiga.
      Kounde even played an unusual role in Sevilla’s ten-game winning run ahead of a Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund, scoring a spectacular goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Teden Mengi reveals Man Utd trio Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba are three leaders of team WhatsApp chat More

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      Inside Real Madrid’s stunning new Bernabeu during £500m revamp… which will actually REDUCE capacity by one

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      REAL MADRID are accelerating the refurbishment of their famous Bernabeu home with new footage showing the immense undertaking.
      A video released on the club’s YouTube channel shows the historic venue being worked on over the winter.

      Real Madrid are in the middle of a huge reconstruction of Estadio Bernabeu

      Club footage reveals the stadium’s current state

      The roof has been completely removed with the foundations of its retractable replacement being constructed.
      A vast wraparound of the Bernabeu is being created to fit in with the new roof, the first signs of which are now on display.
      Attached to the underside of the new roof will be a new vantage point overlooking Madrid for the public to enjoy year round, as well as hosting VIP guests on matchdays.
      Access towers around the ground to reach the top tiers were one of the first new features built in the revamp.

      A chunk of the East Stand is currently missing to accommodate for work also going on underneath the stadium.
      A vast system of tunnels feature in the designs, to allow supply trucks and vehicles to enter the stadium.
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      The first signs of the new roof are emerging alongside 80-metre-high cranes

      Seats have been removed in anticipation of a huge pitch cave being installed
      The pitch is also subject to a refurbishment, with a 30-metre cave to be built below ground next summer as part of an ambitious plan.

      Real want to be able to swap out the football surface for something more suited to non-sporting events, such as music concerts, via a vertical system.
      During the work, Zinedine Zidane’s side have retreated to their Valdebebas training ground for matches behind closed doors.
      The coronavirus pandemic has slightly sped up the construction phase with a completion target of summer 2022 being eyed.
      Madrid daily Marca outline how the LaLiga giants want to grow their matchday revenue by around £130million-a-year thanks to the revamp.
      However, Real will have to do without the income of one matchday ticket with the capacity reduced by a single seat when the work is completed.

      New access towers and pedestrian areas also feature in the refurb

      Real Madrid hope to complete the work by the summer of 2022

      Those inside the ground will be able to keep an eye on the clock via a new 360-degree scoreboard.
      In total, the refurbishment is expected to cost around £500m.
      Plans for a hotel were stamped out earlier in the design with pedestrian areas around the stadium also being redesigned.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      PSG star Kylian Mbappe claims he’d be ‘stupid’ to make transfer decision after one game following Barcelona demolition

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE claims it would be ‘stupid’ for him to make a decision over his future based on Paris Saint-Germain’s win over Barcelona.
      The French World Cup winner, 22, bagged a hat-trick as PSG thrashed the Spanish giants 4-1 during Tuesday night’s Champions League tie.

      Kylian Mbappe has emerged as a top target for Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Reports have suggested Mbappe is likely to leave PSG when his contract expires at the end of next season.
      Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City are among the long list of clubs that are keen to snap him up.
      PSG are desperate to extend his contract at Parc des Princes – but he has refused to rush his decision.
      Speaking after the incredible win over Barcelona, as cited by Marca, Mbappe said: “The PSG shirt is one that I cherish and carry in my heart.

      “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 upstaged Lionel Messi as PSG ran riot against the La Liga giants this week.

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      Kylian Mbappe scored three goals against Barcelona in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP or licensors

      His sensational performance left Marcus Rashford, Neymar and Jadon Sancho in awe.
      Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole claimed that PSG star Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world.
      Rio Ferdinand backed him up as he insisted Mbappe is on track to ‘take over the throne’.
      Mbappe was given a rare nine out of ten for his Nou Camp masterclass by L’Equipe last night.
      And Arsene Wenger has urged PSG to focus on Mbappe and Neymar rather than Messi.

      Wenger urges PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar over Messi transfer More

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      Lionel Messi looked ‘disinterested’ and Man City transfer would be GAMBLE after Barcelona thrashing, claims Joe Cole

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S summer move for Lionel Messi would be a ‘gamble’, claimed Joe Cole.
      The 33-year-old failed to impress during Barcelona’s shock 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

      Lionel Messi failed to inspire his team to glory against Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former West Ham star Cole claimed the six-time Ballon d’Or winner looked ‘disinterested’ throughout.
      And he insisted City would be taking a huge risk if they made a move for him this summer.
      The pundit told BT Sport: “You’d have to do your due diligence before you sign Messi. He looked disinterested tonight. 
      “The 34-year-old Messi, if he plays like that it will be a gamble.

      “To take him into a club where Pep relies on energy, enthusiasm, togetherness.
      “It’s a mess at Barca, I don’t know how they’re going to sort it out. I can’t see Messi staying there. 
      “It’s going to be tough for him to connect into one of these big teams because he’s going to have to roll back the clock and move like he did three or four years ago.”
      After the match, Cole claimed that PSG star Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world.

      Joe Cole claimed Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world
      Rio Ferdinand backed him up as he insisted Mbappe is on track to ‘take over the throne’.
      The World Cup winner scored a hat-trick as PSG ran riot during the Champions League clash on Tuesday.
      Cole claimed Messi was not ’emotionally engaged’ in the match as he slated Barcelona’s performance.
      He added: “Disinterested is the word. They had no power, no togetherness.
      “There was no connection between the back four and the front three and in between it looked bitty.
      “Messi looked disinterested. It’s really hard for any ex-player to criticise him because he’s a genius and the greatest player I’ve seen play football but tonight he didn’t look like he was emotionally engaged in the game. 
      “He’s a leader out there, so is [Gerard] Pique and so is [Sergio] Busquets. The spine of the team at Barcelona look weak and just fell to bits. 
      “It was 4-1 – but it could have been five or six. It’s worrying times for Barcelona.”

      Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show as PSG beat BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi tried to force his way out of Barcelona last summer when he handed in his transfer request.
      But he decided to stay for one final season to avoid a legal battle with the Spanish side.
      His contract expires in June amid interest from both Manchester City and PSG.
      But Arsene Wenger has urged PSG to focus on Mbappe and Neymar rather than Messi.

      PSG should keep Mbappe & Neymar as Messi ‘demands huge investment’, says Wenger More

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      Khabib demands Dana White make UFC fight at Barcelona’s Nou Camp with 100,000 fans after getting signed Mbappe shirt

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      KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV called on UFC president Dana White to make a fight at Barcelona’s 100,000 capacity Nou Camp stadium.
      UFC lightweight champion Khabib travelled to Spain to watch Barca’s Champions League clash with PSG.

      Khabib watched PSG’s 4-1 win at BarcelonaCredit: Twitter

      Kylian Mbappe signed his match shirt for KhabibCredit: Twitter@btsportufc

      Khabib posed for a picture with keeper Kaylor Navas

      The night belonged to 22-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick as the French champions ran riot, winning 4-1.
      Afterwards, Nurmagomedov got himself a signed match day shirt from the man of the moment Mbappe and posed for a picture with keeper Kaylor Navas.
      Dagestani hero Khabib, a Real Madrid fan, also told White on Instagram Live: “Hey Dana you here? Let’s make fight here 100,000 people, let’s go”
      The UFC has never in its 28-years history hosted an event in Spain.

      Nurmagomedov, 32, was unfortunate not to watch his beloved Madrid in action as they play in next week’s round of European games.
      Khabib, who retired from the UFC in October, is an avid football fan and joked he was going to make his debut on the pitch.
      He even received an ambitious offer from Russian third tier football side FC Kamaz, who were willing to take the MMA star on trial.
      Khabib hung up his gloves after the first fight since the loss of his influential father Abdulmanap, who passed away aged 57 in July.

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      But with Nurmagomedov one win away from achieving his dad’s dream of 30-0, White held a meeting to tempt the Russian back for one final fight.
      It was then revealed after Conor McGregor, 32, was beaten by Dustin Poirier, also 32 – two of Khabib’s ex-opponents – that he had no inspiration to return.
      But White is not giving up hope just yet with the pair now set for fresh showdown talks in Las Vegas.
      Nurmagomedov as a result has kept his lightweight belt, but he has hinted it will be vacated should he choose to remain on the sidelines for now.

      Dana White is set for fresh showdown talks in Las Vegas with KhabibCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription More

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      Wenger urges PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar over Messi transfer that will demand ‘huge investment’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN should focus on keeping Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rather than breaking the bank to sign Lionel Messi, according to Arsene Wenger.
      The Arsenal legend thinks the size of the investment necessary to land Barcelona star Messi would be better spent on keeping ‘their two best players’.

      PSG should spend their money on Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rather than trying to sign Lionel Messi, according to Arsene WengerCredit: AFP or licensors

      The French champions have been heavily linked with the ArgentineCredit: Reuters

      Wenger’s comments came as Mbappe bagged a hat-trick as PSG thrashed Barcelona 4-1 at the Nou Camp.
      Messi scored Barca’s opening goal from the penalty spot while Neymar missed the tie due to a groin injury.
      Argentine superstar Messi has been heavily linked with a free transfer to the Parc des Princes with his Barca deal expiring at the end of this season.
      But with Messi currently on a £123MILLION-A-YEAR contract at the Nou Camp, Wenger reckons such money would be better spent on persuading Mbappe and Neymar to stay in the French capital.

      Mbappe’s deal expires in summer 2022 and he said on BeIN: “Mbappe is free in 2022.
      “If he does not extend in 2021 PSG has to sell Mbappe or he will be completely free in 2022.
      “And they have to extend Neymar and Mbappe together. And it looks like that will be financially very very expensive.
      “And the question PSG has to answer, can they convince the two?

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      Wenger thinks PSG should double down on what they’ve gotCredit: Getty – Pool

      “And do they have the money to do it? Because they need to sign the two together.
      “Messi demands a huge investment and I would say PSG today is more focussed on keeping their two best players and investing all the money they have into their two best players.
      “Mbappe is 22 maybe the future best player in the world so when you have the next two best players in the world, keep them.”
      Messi tried to quit Barca last summer by attempting to trigger a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free.
      But after threatening legal action, he made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his deal.
      He is, though, expected to leave after 20 years this summer.
      Man City are also keen on signing the Argentine.
      Speaking in December, he admitted he still ‘doesn’t know’ what he will do at the end of the season.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Joe Cole says Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world More

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      Barcelona 1 PSG 4: Mbappe outshines Messi with stunning hat-trick in Champions League thrashing

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      THIS felt like a changing of the guard.
      Lionel Messi, for so long the planet’s greatest player not only of his day but of all time, was completely upstaged by Kylian Mbappe.

      Kylian Mbappe put in a world-class performance on Tuesday night, becoming the first player to score a European Nou Camp hat-trick since 1997Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Lionel Messi was left in the Frenchman’s shadow at the Camp NouCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The electric Frenchman produced a complete performance marked by a breathtaking hat-trick.
      And he now looks ready to claim Messi’s crown as the king of world football. 
      It certainly seemed like a changing of the guard at the top of world football.
      Mbappe’s French compatriot and Barca star Antoine Griezmann said: “Kylian Mbappe had a great night.

      “PSG has a great star for the future, who will be at the level of Leo Messi or Cristian Ronaldo.”
      Mbappe became the first player to score a Champions League hat-trick at the Nou Camp since Andriy Shevchenko did it for Dynamo Kiev in 1997.
      His first was a close-range blast after dancing round Clement Lenglet, his second a shot on the rebound and his third a sublime curling effort.
      But his all-round display was Messi-esque in the way he tormented Barca – with pundit Owen Hargreaves likening the World Cup winner to the Brazilian Ronaldo.

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      In his first game at Camp Nou, and his first time facing Barcelona…Kylian Mbappe completes a wonderful hat-trick with a SUBLIME finish 🤩We are witnessing greatness! pic.twitter.com/7uc84LQ2nE
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 16, 2021

      Mbappe hailed Mauricio Pochettino for his influence since taking the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, who look a good bet to win the competition after finishing runners-up under Thomas Tuchel last term.
      The superstar, 22, said: “The coach has done a great job since he joined. But he’s continued the work of Tuchel who started an extraordinary job, with the final. 
      “We’re starting to get better and better physically. We’re not yet in peak form, even if tonight was very good.
      “We wanted to come here and win. We did that in style. Tonight was magnificent, but we haven’t won anything yet.”
      Everton loanee Moise Kean also got in on the act in a display to send shockwaves around Europe.
      It was the perfect pitch from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of their summer bid to lure Messi, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
      The Argentine genius did score himself with an early penalty – but it will have been scant consolation as his side were hammered.
      It left Barca’s hopes of a 14th consecutive year progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals looking all but over.

      Messi had fired Barcelona into the lead in the last-16 first legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mbappe struck back with an amazing hat-trickCredit: Reuters
      While Mauricio Pochettino’s Ligue 1 giants look a good bet to repeat last season’s journey to the final – and perhaps go one better.
      This titanic battle saw Pochettino come up against a fellow former Southampton boss in Ronald Koeman, who succeeded the Argentine at St Mary’s in 2014.
      Messi was quiet in the first-half yet still produced a stunning pass that led to the penalty he converted.
      The 33-year-old lofted a beautiful ball over the top to Frenkie de Jong, who WAS clipped by Layvin Kurzawa even if at first the Dutchman looked to have tripped himself.
      Messi venomously dispatched the spot-kick for his 20th of the season and 10th goal in his last ten matches.
      But Pochettino’s side responded superbly and, after Ousmane Dembele had failed to finish Messi’s neat pass seconds after the opener, they hit back through Mbappe.
      The leveller was a thing of beauty.

      Former Arsenal target Kurzawa cut back a diagonal pass first time to Marco Verratti, who instantly lifted the ball through to Mbappe.
      The most exciting player in European football showed some nifty footwork to waltz round boyhood PSG fan Clement Lenglet before blasting into the roof of the net.
      Paris were unlucky not to go to the break ahead as Marc-Andre Ter Stegen saved brilliantly to deny efforts by Kurzawa and Kean, before Icardi headed Mbappe’s corner just wide.
      Some players are made for the big stage.
      Messi is the ultimate example of that but Mbappe appears to be cut from the same cloth.
      The French star was relishing the contest, dancing round challenges and brushing opponents off at will.
      He went close with a strike seconds into the second period with a curling 20-yard effort.
      And just after the hour he netted his and PSG’s second, turning home after Alessandro Florenzi’s cut-back had deflected off Gerard Pique.
      It was 3-1 shortly afterwards as Kean continued his amazing turnaround with Paris by heading home Leandro Paredes’ free-kick.

      Messi may be staring at his final Champions League game with Barcelona in next month’s second legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ronald Koeman may have to hope for a fresh ‘remontada’ to save his jobCredit: Reuters

      Kean’s strike was his 13th of the season for his loan club – compared to a paltry two in 33 appearances for the Toffees.
      Mbappe settled things once and for all with five minutes to go, ending a swift counter with a sublime finish into the top corner.
      It was his 40th goal involvement in 41 Champions League games as he well and truly picked up the baton from Messi.
      The master has been eclipsed by the apprentice.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More