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      Leeds eye shock Riqui Puig transfer with 21-year-old Barcelona prodigy exiled by Ronald Koeman

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      BARCELONA starlet Riqui Puig could reportedly swap the Nou Camp for Elland Road in January as Leeds look to sign him on loan.
      The 21-year-old midfielder has been a peripheral figure under Ronald Koeman so far this season, appearing in just one LaLiga game.

      Leeds have been linked with a shock move for Barcelona midfielder Riqui PuigCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Big things were expected of the Spanish youth international – who boasts a whopping £88million release clause – after he featured 12 times for the first team last term.
      However he has been limited to just three minutes of top-flight football this campaign, leading to speculation he will be on his way out of Catalonia in the New Year.
      According to Diario Sport via the Daily Mail, Puig’s agent has been in contact with Leeds ahead of a potential loan switch.
      It has been claimed that the Whites are seen as an attractive option for the youngster due to Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play.

      However the newly-promoted Premier League aren’t the only club that are vying to secure his signature.
      Puig – dubbed ‘the new Andres Iniesta’ – is understood to be attracting interest from both RB Leipzig and Monaco.
      Meanwhile Real Betis could look to keep Puig in Spain with the club in the market for a midfielder following the injury to Sergio Canales.
      Speaking in October, Puig stated he wanted to stay despite his lack of game time as he believed he would force his way into contention.

      He told Marca: “It is true that if I do not have minutes with the club, it will be very difficult to go to the Euros (with Spain). 
      “I think that at Barca I will end up having minutes and some opportunities and will be able to go to the Euros.
      “Yes, I am optimistic (of minutes), otherwise I would not have stayed at Barca.
      “At Barca I want to succeed, claim a position and I don’t see any other way. I’m very happy in Barcelona, ​​I have my family, I think I’ll end up playing.”

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      Chelsea ‘in equation’ for shock Lionel Messi transfer swoop if he quits Barcelona amid Man City interest

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      CHELSEA are ‘in the equation’ for a shock Lionel Messi transfer, according to stunning reports.
      The Barcelona captain, 33, is expected to leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season when his current deal expires.

      Lionel Messi could be a transfer target for Chelsea if he decides to quit BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Messi tried to quit Barca last summer before a dramatic U-turn to honour the final year of his deal.
      But with the Argentine seemingly not settled again this season and the club needing to slash the wage bill, his future looks to lie elsewhere.
      And according to Spanish football expect Guillem Balague, Chelsea could be among the clubs to chase Messi’s signature.
      Speaking on his YouTube channel, Balague said: “Chelsea are definitely in the equation if Messi becomes available. That is true.

      “Chelsea will insist they want to hear everything that is going on.
      “If they have the money they will want to be involved too. Remember, there is no transfer fee.”
      Chelsea have tended to opt for younger signings as part of their long-term approach under Frank Lampard.
      The Blues spent almost £230million over the last transfer window to sign Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Edouard Mendy.

      Chelsea spent big money to bring in the likes of Ben Chilwell, left, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, rightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Messi could be reunited with Pep Guardiola at Manchester CityCredit: AFP – Getty

      So bringing in Messi – who turns 34 in June – on his mammoth £500,000-per-week wages may seem unlikely.
      As revealed by SunSport, Manchester City are plotting to go back in for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in January.
      And the fact that his old boss, Pep Guardiola, has signed a new deal at the Etihad could help convince Messi to move to Manchester.
      There will also no doubt be interest from some of the world’s other biggest and richest clubs.
      Balague added: “Messi rang Guardiola in the summer, they spoke for four hours about what it would mean for Messi to join City.
      “In those conversations I’m sure they talked about how he would play in the team.
      “Will City try again? Yes they will. They will pay the £25million net minimum requirement.
      “PSG were in contact with Messi’s dad, you’ve got Inter Milan, Juventus want to put Messi and Ronaldo together.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Joleon Lescott comes out of retirement aged 38 to play for Spanish third division side Racing Murcia

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      FORMER England international Joleon Lescott has come out of retirement to join a Spanish THIRD DIVISION club.
      Ambitious Tercera Division outfit Racing Murcia have convinced the centre-back to pull on his boots once more.

      Racing Murcia have announced the signing of Joleon Lescott

      Lescott is a two-time Premier League winnerCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      And they confirmed the arrival of the 38-year-old on Twitter this morning.
      Lescott will make his debut for them in their Copa del Rey clash with Primera Liga side Levante on December 16.
      The defender won two Premier League titles during his time at Manchester City.
      He has also played for Wolves, Everton, West Brom, Aston Villa and Sunderland before retiring.

      Lescott has been working behind the scenes for City and as a TV pundit since leaving the Black Cats in 2017.
      Murcia, backed by UAE and Mexican investors, failed in a bold bid to bring ex-Chelsea, Everton and Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o out of retirement last week.
      But they are ecstatic at securing the services of another veteran.
      A Murcia statement said: “Our president Morris Pagniello, and Racing Murcia, are delighted to announce the signing of the English star Joleon Lescott.

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      “He will play in our Copa del Rey game against UD Levante.”
      Birmingham-born Lescott won 26 caps for England.
      And in addition to his two title medals, he also lifted both the FA Cup and League Cup with City.
      Murcia signed Paul Pogba’s older brother, Guinea international Mathias, in August.
      The defender, 30, previously played for Wrexham, Crewe, Crawley Town and Patrick Thistle.

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      Man Utd ‘refuse to give up on Ousmane Dembele transfer and will try to land Barcelona star on loan in January’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly refusing to give up on signing Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele and will try and loan him in January.
      The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the French winger for months.

      Man Utd are still hoping to sign Barcelona ace Ousmane Dembele on loan in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      And having failed to sign him in the summer, United will attempt to bring him in on an initial loan deal when the next transfer window opens, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
      The Reds were very close to sealing a permanent deal after the 2019-20 season finished.
      But the 23-year-old had a last minute change of heart and stayed at the Nou Camp under new boss Ronald Koeman.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      And the decision appears to have paid off so far having bagged three goals and an assist from nine appearances in all competitions this season.
      Dembele’s contract expires in 2022.
      And the Catalans’ asking price remains around £67million.
      As a result, United are said to be planning a loan move in the first instance before considering a permanent transfer if the France international performs well.

      However, Spanish reports suggest such a move is unlikely given his importance to Koeman’s team.

      Barca recently had to shell out another £4.4m to Borussia Dortmund after Dembele played 50 games.
      It also emerged Barca chose to sign Dembele instead of Paris Saint Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
      And the Catalans also included Dembele in a recent £98m plus players bid for Neymar.

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      Barcelona could name Nou Camp after Lionel Messi AND re-sign Neymar in shock transfer, says presidential candidate

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      BARCELONA’S Nou Camp stadium could be renamed in honour of club legend Lionel Messi.
      That is according to Emili Rousaud, who is one of the candidates in the running to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu.

      Lionel Messi has scored 640 goals for BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Nou Camp has been Barcelona’s iconic home ground since it officially opened in 1954.
      But Rousaud has revealed his plans to hold a referendum over changing the name of the stadium.
      According to Marca, the 54-year-old said: “We will hold a referendum to change the name of the stadium to Camp Nou – Leo Messi.”
      Napoli are set to rename their stadium in memory of Diego Maradona after he died on Wednesday, aged 60.

      Rousaud has also insisted he plans to sign two top players – including club legend Neymar.
      Neymar left the Nou Camp to join Paris Saint-Germain for £198 million in August 2017.
      And the Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move away from the French giants.
      Rousaud confidently said: “We’re going to sign two top players, one of them is Neymar.

      Neymar has been linked with a move back to Barcelona Credit: AFP or licensors

      “We are working to bring him back to Barcelona… if he withdraws the lawsuit he has against the club.
      “We hope to be able to announce soon the name of the other-big name player we want to bring.
      “It will not leave anyone indifferent. We have a direct line to the player.”
      But fellow presidential candidate Toni Freixa does not share the same view about Neymar.
      He boldly claimed the PSG striker is not good enough to come back to Barca.

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      Real Madrid stars who quit the club and showed they were world class elsewhere, including Rodriguez, Robben and Makelele

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      JAMES RODRIGUEZ, Claude Makelele and Arjen Robben are just three players that have seen their careers improve after departing Real Madrid.
      Playing for the 13-time European champions is usually seen as the pinnacle of a footballer’s career, however the trio have shown that leaving the Bernabeu is sometimes for the better.

      James Rodriguez has starred at Everton after leaving Real Madrid in the summerCredit: PA:Press Association

      Here SunSport looks at five players that have thrived since leaving Real.
      JAMES RODRIGUEZ
      The Colombian playmaker linked up with Everton in the summer on an initial two-year deal, with Toffees bringing him in on a free transfer.
      Everton look like a team transformed with the ex-Monaco ace in their starting XI, with James chipping in with three goals and four assists in his first six outings.
      His stunning form has led Madrid chiefs to become angry with Zinedine Zidane over his treatment at the player.

      It may be early in his Everton career, but he has arguably been the Premier League’s top performer so far this term.

      Rodriguez has scored three goals in six games for the Toffees this termCredit: Reuters
      CLAUDE MAKELELE
      Another player that swapped La Liga for the English top-flight, the defensive midfielder left for Chelsea in 2003.
      During his three season stay at Real, he won the league twice, while also winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
      He was then instrumental in Chelsea’s title-winning campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

      Makelele left Stamford Bridge in 2008 to join Paris Saint-Germain after five trophy-laden campaigns, where he had his position named after him in honour of his dazzling displays.

      Claude Makelele (right) joined Real Madrid in 2000 from Celta VigoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      ARJEN ROBBEN
      Signed from Chelsea in 2007, the Dutch forwad helped Madrid win LaLiga in his opening season, before notching in eight goals the following campaign.
      In the summer of 2009 he was forced out after the club brought in Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, with Bayern Munich signing him for £21million.
      And it was in Bavaria that he became one of the most feared wingers in Europe as he banged in 144 goals in 309 games.
      He called time on his career in Germany in 2019 after winning the Bundesliga title eight times, the Champions League once and the German Cup five times.
      Robben sits eighth on the list of Bayern’s all-time top goalscorers.

      Arjen Robben spent two years at the Bernabeu before moving to Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
      CLARENCE SEEDORF
      Like Robben, Seedorf was forced out of the club in 1999 with the club in dire need of funds.
      Seedorf won the LaLiga title as well as the Champions League at the Bernabeu, but there was no room for sentiment as they offloaded him to Italy.
      Speaking of his move to Inter Milan, he said: “The club needed money, and I was the highest ticket.”
      He then joined AC Milan in a swap deal with Francesco Coco leaving to join Inter, and it was with the Rossoneri that the midfielder created history.
      After winning the Champions League in 2003 with Milan, he became the first person to win the European Cup with three different teams – the first being at Ajax in 1995.
      In 2007 he won the trophy again after Milan beat Liverpool 2-1, and in doing so, he was named as Uefa’s best midfielder.
      He left Milan in 2012 having scored 63 times in 431 games, where he also helped the club win the Serie A title twice.

      Clarence Seedorf was sold to Inter Milan in 1999 with the club struggling for fundsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      WESLEY SNEIJDER
      Another Dutchman that was shown the door by Real, the ex-Ajax maestro was deemed as surplus to requirements in 2009 following the arrivals of Kaka and Xabi Alonso.
      He subsequently joined Inter, where he won a historic treble in his first season.
      No other player assisted more times in the Champions League during the 2009-10 campaign, with Sneijder also named as Uefa’s Midfielder of the Year.
      That summer he helped Holland reach the World Cup final where they lost to Spain.
      As a result of his performances, he was awarded the Silver Ball after scoring five goals during the tournament in South Africa.

      Wesley Sneijder played for Los Blancos between 2007-2009Credit: AP:Associated Press

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      Diego Costa suffers deep vein thrombosis and blood clot in leg as Atletico Madrid rule striker out for month

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      DIEGO COSTA’S injury misery continues after being ruled out for a month with deep vein thrombosis.
      The striker, 32, had only just returned from a muscle problem that saw him miss four games for Atletico Madrid.

      Diego Costa is out for a month after suffering a blood clot in his right legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But after feeling pain in his right leg, scans showed Costa had suffered a blood clot.
      He took no part in yesterday’s 0-0 Champions League draw against Lokomotiv Moscow.
      And Costa is now set to be absent for at least four weeks after also testing positive for coronavirus in September.
      A club statement read: “Diego Costa underwent tests this morning (Wednesday) that confirmed he has suffered a spontaneous deep vein thrombosis in the right leg. It is not related to trauma or previous injury.”

      It means the ex-Chelsea star has featured in just four games this season under Diego Simeone.
      And question marks remain over Costa’s long-term future, with his Wanda Metropolitano contract up at the end of the campaign.
      Indeed, the Spain international was strongly linked with a move away from Atletico over the summer.
      Simeone moved to snap up Luis Suarez from Barcelona, but Costa stayed put after Juventus agreed to re-sign fellow ex-Blue Alvaro Morata.

      What is deep vein thrombosis?

      THE NHS describes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a blood clot in the vein, usually the leg.

      DVT can be dangerous so get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have it.
      Symptoms in the leg, arm or stomach include:
      Throbbing or camping pain
      Warm skin around the painful area
      Red or darkened skin around the painful area
      Swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them
      You should call 999 or go to A&E if you have pain and swelling plus
      Breathlessness
      Chest Pain
      Blood clots in your veins can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and get stuck in your lungs – known as a pulmonary emoblism.
      They can be life threatening and need treatment straight away.

      Costa was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain as a replacement for now-Manchester United man Edinson Cavani.
      Costa was also thought to be a target for his old Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.
      But the Special One eventually secured a loan for Benfica’s Carlos Vinicius instead.
      Costa has scored just 18 goals in 78 games during his second spell for Atletico.
      His first stint saw him fire home 64 goals in 135 appearances, resulting in the 2014 LaLiga title and a place in that year’s Champions League final.
      Costa joined Chelsea that summer for £32million and scored 59 times in 120 games, winning two Premier League titles before returning to Atleti in 2017.
      He won the Europa League a year later but his stock has since dropped due to injury problems and a lack of goals.

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      Watch as ‘lonely’ Lionel Messi walks alone in Barcelona training after Luis Suarez departure leaving fans heartbroken

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      LIONEL MESSI fans have been left devastated after seeing their hero look distant and subdued during Barcelona training. The Argentine saw his best friend Luis Suarez forced out of the club in the summer, in the aftermath of a disastrous 2019-20 campaign. When Messi, 33, himself tried to follow, however, Barca refused – making it […] More