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      Man City plot Lionel Messi transfer pursuit when window opens in January after failed summer swoop

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      MANCHESTER CITY are ready to go back in for Lionel Messi this January.
      City missed out on the Barcelona superstar in the summer when he was forced into staying after a bitter legal row.

      Barcelona legend Lionel Messi is in the final year of his contract in Catalonia

      Manchester City remain keen on bringing Argentina international Messi to the Etihad

      But with the Argentine’s relationship with Barca still frosty and the Spanish club desperate for money, City are considering making a move in the upcoming transfer window.
      It would be a sure sign of their commitment to boss Pep Guardiola, who is yet to agree a deal to stay at the Etihad beyond next summer.
      Messi, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and his club bosses are resigned to the fact their legendary striker may quit on a free.  
      But they need to cut costs drastically, with debts of £437million.

      The chance to bring in any fee, possibly less than £50m, for the six-time World Player of the Year is one Barca may find too good to turn down.
      Messi, who has scored 640 goals in 741 games for Barca, has struggled to produce his sparkling best this season under new boss Ronald Koeman.
      His dip in form followed an amazing public outburst at the club who he claimed were going back on their word to let him leave over the summer, with City waiting in the wings to snap him up.
      Messi ultimately lost the power struggle when Barca made it clear they would take legal action to stop him leaving — and since then the relationship between club and player has been cool at best.

      City have retained their interest, believing they can lure him to the North West as soon as he is available.
      And there is a belief the current situation could see them tempt Barca with an offer in the New Year to finally get his signature.
      Crucially, Uefa rules now allow players to swap  for a club in the Champions League in the second half of the season, even if he has taken part in the competition for another team in the group stages.
      So capturing Messi would be a huge boost to City as Guardiola looks  to finally deliver the European title the club and manager himself crave.
      The City board are aware there is no concrete commitment Guardiola, 49, will stay on — but they hope landing his former Nou Camp maestro proves they will continue to back him transfer wise.

      Watch Messi and his kids play football with HUGE pet dog Hulk as wife Antonela drinks Barcelona star’s special beer More

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      Barcelona’s Neymar transfer bid revealed with club offering PSG £98m and THREE players including Dembele

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      BARCELONA offered £98million plus Ousmane Dembele and two other stars for Neymar, it has been revealed.
      A sensational swoop for the Paris Saint-Germain star appeared to be near completion just over a year ago.

      Neymar came close to a return to Barcelona in 2019, it has been claimedCredit: Getty – Pool

      Neymar was reportedly unhappy two years after leaving the Camp Nou in a world record deal, and the prospect of reuniting with Lionel Messi was seen as too good to turn down.
      Yet, the deal failed to get over the line and former Barcelona director Javier Bordas has detailed why.
      Jean-Clair Todibo and Ivan Rakitic were also involved in the mega deal, which fell through due to the transfer fee.
      He told Cadena Cope: “We offered PSG £98m plus Todibo, Rakitic and the loan of Dembele.

      “PSG wanted £116.5m plus Todibo, Rakitic and Dembele on loan.
      “Neymar was £18.5m away from coming back.
      “Neymar’s father said that he would make up the difference but in the end that didn’t happen.”
      A number of reports at the time discussed Todibo, Rakitic and Dembele as part of the deal, with varying cash offers said to be tagged onto the deal.

      Ivan Rakitic featured in the deal offered to Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Reuters

      Ousmane Dembele also appeared in the player-plus-cash exchange, but only on loanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It was even reported that French winger Dembele had rejected PSG in his bid to finally make the grade at Barcelona.
      Ultimately, Neymar stayed put and enjoyed a hugely successful 2019-20 campaign, reaching the Champions League final and winning Ligue 1.
      Rumours continue to circulate over a return to this day but the 28-year-old is said to be content at PSG while his former club struggle financially.
      Former Blaugrana chief Bordas joined the club in 2010 and served under Josep Maria Bartomeu before resigning alongside the club president.
      And he recalled how certain Barcelona stars agreed to delay their own salary in order to seal Neymar’s return.
      He added: “I personally went there and we were very keen for him to come – we tried in every way possible
      “We got PSG to tell us how much they wanted when they never accepted anything for Verratti or Marquinhos or Thiago Silva. They are not a selling club.

      Some players proposed postponing part of their salary so that Neymar could return.
      Javier Bordas

      “Some players proposed postponing part of their salary so that Neymar could return.
      “But they all had to be cut back quite a bit to make it fit in with Financial Fair Play and LaLiga.
      “However, the two times that Neymar could have returned, he would have given up a lot of money.”

      Watch Neymar humiliate Angers rival who shoved him with amazing ‘sombrero’ as Brazilian runs riot in PSG’s 6-1 win More

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      Barcelona transfer plans in tatters as wage limit is slashed almost in half after Covid impact

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      BARCELONA’S transfer plans have been left in tatters after their wage limit was slashed by almost half due to Covid-19.
      The Nou Camp giants were already facing major financial difficulty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

      Barcelona may struggle to bring new signings into the club as their new wage limit was revealedCredit: AP:Associated Press

      It meant transfer targets such as Lautaro Martinez, Georginio Wijnaldum and even Neymar did not join in the summer window.
      Instead they sold the likes of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal to cut costs.
      But their grim situation has only worsened with the knock-on effect of the virus meaning their new salary cap imposed by the league has dropped by a whopping £258.5million, report ESPN.
      Last season, Barcelona were allowed to pay £601.5m on wages but for the 2020-21 campaign they are restricted to £343m, a drop of 43 per cent.

      By comparison, the overall LaLiga budget fell £547m to £2.09billion while Real Madrid’s allowance was cut from £575m to £436 and Atletico Madrid’s from £345m to £227m.
      The lowest salary cap across the top two tiers in Spain is for Malaga – Champions League quarter-finalists in 2013 but now in the Segunda Division – at just £3.3m.
      The Spanish league introduced the salary cap in 2013 to help ensure its clubs remain financially sustainable and is based on each side’s budget.
      It covers all salaries including players, coaches, reserves, youth systems and affiliated clubs and academies.

      But the significant reduction in available spending money next season means Barca will struggle to bring in many – if any – high-profile signings.
      It is thought Barcelona pay their players around £573m – around 61 per cent of their pre-Covid revenue.
      But that has risen to around 80 per cent due to the dramatic fall in income.
      The club continues to work hard to try and save £170m but admitted last week they failed to reach an agreement over wage cuts.
      Ahead of talks, just FOUR players agreed to have their pay reduced – Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique.
      But it seems the rest of the squad failed to follow suit as Barcelona released a statement revealing they had failed to find a resolution.
      As things stand, though, the club will save around £50m from next season if Lionel Messi decides against renewing his contract which expires in the summer.

      Lionel Messi could save the club £50m per year by not renewing his mammoth contract beyond the summerCredit: Reuters

      Watch Messi and his kids play football with HUGE pet dog Hulk as wife Antonela drinks Barcelona star’s special beer More

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      Inter Milan enter Georginio Wijnaldum transfer race and will fight Barcelona for Liverpool star

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      INTER MILAN have entered the transfer race for Georginio Wijnaldum, according to reports.
      Barcelona appeared to be in pole position to land the Liverpool star but could not agree a deal over the summer.

      Inter Milan and Barcelona are both chasing Georginio Wijnaldum who is out contract next summerCredit: Getty – Pool

      And according to Calciomercarto, the San Siro outfit are hoping to swoop.
      The report suggests Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has placed Wijnaldum on his wish list.
      As things stand, he has only made a request for information but an official approach to Liverpool could come within weeks.
      Wijnaldum turned 30 last week and is out of contract at the end of the season so needs to make a decision on his future – after again refusing to commit to Liverpool.

      Jurgen Klopp is understandably keen to keep the Dutch midfielder, who has 19 goals in 199 Reds appearances.
      It is thought he has been offered a 40 per cent pay rise from £75,000 to £105,000 to stay at Anfield.
      But after winning the Premier League and Champions League with the Kop club and now in his sixth season in England, he may be ready for change.
      Inter, though, would need to clear out some of their unwanted players to make room for Wijnaldum with midfielders Christian Eriksen, Matias Vecino and Radja Nainggolan all on the chopping block.

      They would still face a battle for his signature from Barcelona, though.
      After missing out on him in the summer, the Nou Camp side will no doubt resurrect their interest in January – whether that be for an immediate transfer or to arrange a pre-contract deal for the summer.
      New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has not had things all his own way since arriving at the LaLiga giants.
      But reuniting with Wijnaldum – who played some of his best football under Koeman for the Netherlands national team – could help him get on track.
      The report adds Koeman has made the request to sign the ex-Newcastle midfielder to Barcelona chiefs.
      Despite his age, the board are thought to be keen but their dire financial position could make any deal impossible.

      Liverpool player Gini Wijnaldum catches fan tweeting about him on Easy Jet flight More

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      Luis Suarez OUT of Uruguay vs Brazil after testing positive for coronavirus along with team-mate Rodrigo Munoz

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      LUIS SUAREZ has tested positive for coronavirus.
      It puts him out of Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier match against Brazil and also means the former Liverpool striker will miss this Saturday’s match between current side Atletico Madrid against his former team Barcelona. 

      Suarez will most games for club and country because of the positive testCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Uruguayan FA confirmed Suarez was one of two players who had tested positive ahead of the Brazil match. The other is Rodrigo Munoz. 
      It said in a statement the pair were “in a good state of health.”
      It was not immediately clear where Suarez will self-isolate.
      The 33-year-old is the latest footballer to be struck with the virus during the international break.

      Matias Faral, the Uruguayan FA’s head of press, has also tested positive for Covid along with Suarez and goalie Munoz, currently playing for Cerro Porteno in Paraguay.
      The statement released by the Uruguayan FA said: “Swabs showed Luis Suarez, Rodrigo Muniz and Matias Faral had all tested positive for Covid-19.“The rest of the players and backroom staff tested negative.
      “The three people mentioned are in a good state of health and the necessary measures have been implemented.”
      Matias Vina, a left-back who plays for Palmeiras in Brazil, is already self-isolating after testing positive earlier.

      Suarez was due to play against his old club Barcelona for the first time this Saturday since signing for Atletico de Madrid. The 33-year-old has yet to make any comment on his social media.
      Mo Salah has caught Covid-19 after he attended his brother’s wedding in Egypt.
      Ireland stars Matt Doherty and James McClean have also tested positive for the virus. More

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      Claudio Bravo’s wife Carla apologises for sensational rant which ruined ex-Man City ace’s relationship with Arturo Vidal

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      FORMER Man City goalie Claudio Bravo’s wife has apologised for a sensational rant which led to teammate Arturo Vidal refusing to speak to him.
      Carla Pardo claimed after Chile failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup that some of the team had not been able to train properly because they were still drunk.

      Glamorous Carlo Pardo admitted mistakes over her actions after Chile failed to make it to the 2018 World Cup

      The pair are set to move back to Chile once Bravo is finishes at Real Betis

      She never named names, but her attack led to Inter Milan midfielder Vidal declaring his relationship with Bravo was over. 
      The former Barcelona star insisted in October last year after the pair were named in the same national team squad for the first time in two years: “We’re not friends, nor will we ever be, but the national team is the most important thing.”
      Carla admitted she had gaffed in an Instagram Live two years after her social media faux pas.
      She said: “I’ll never write anything like that again.

      “You learn from your mistakes so rest easy. I don’t know if it was a lie or not but it wasn’t my place to have spoken about it.
      “I shouldn’t have said anything and as I say, I’ve learnt my lesson. It’s something I’ve definitely put behind me.
      “When you’re angry and upset and personal things are going on, you sometimes open your mouth without thinking and I should have thought a little more first.
      “I shouldn’t have written anything if it was going to harm Claudio. It happened but now it’s about turning the page because it happened a long time ago.”

      Bravo and Vidal were named in the same national team squad for the first time in two years earlier this monthCredit: Reuters
      The mum-of-four reacted to Chile’s failure to make it to Russia in 2018 after a defeat by Brazil by taking to social media to rage: “I know the majority worked their ar**s off, while others went out partying and didn’t even train because of how drunk they were.”
      Vidal, banned from driving for two years in July 2015 after crashing his Ferrari while under the influence of alcohol in the Chilean capital Santiago during the Copa America, insisted in October last year: “I have said things to Bravo and I don’t have any reason to say them in the press.
      “I am man enough to say things face to face.
      “I don’t know if he understood what I said, but we haven’t spoken again since then.”
      He congratulated Bravo, now with Spanish side Real Betis after a great save in Chile’s recent World Cup qualifying victory over Peru, and prompted reports of a conciliation which neither player has spoken about yet.
      The goalie’s wife has also revealed his spell in Spain is likely to be his last in Europe before they return to Chile. 

      Bravo spent four seasons at Man City before signing for Real Betis in August.
      Carla said: “I want to be with my family, with my friends and enjoy time with my parents. The coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on all of us.”
      “I’ve already told Claudio. He said to me, ‘Maybe I can renew another year,’ but I said, ‘No, please, don’t even think about it, I want to go back to Chile.”

      Barcelona’s Arturo Vidal looks close to vomiting as Bayern Munich celebrate one of their eight goals More

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      Lionel Messi ‘more concerned with family than football’ reveals Luis Suarez amid Barcelona contract saga

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      LIONEL MESSI is more focused on his family than his football, pal Luis Suarez has explained.
      Barcelona’s tough start to the season improved with a brace from the Argentine in last weekend’s win over Real Betis.

      Lionel Messi is not overly worried by his Barcelona situation, says Luis SuarezCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The pals, pictured here with wives Antonella Roccuzzo and Sofia Balbi, prefer to discuss family mattersCredit: Instagram / @antonelaroccuzzo

      The striker’s future at the club remains in huge doubt following his transfer saga over the summer, with the threat of a legal battle keeping him in Catalonia.
      Having left for Atletico Madrid, Suarez believes Messi is not worried by his situation at Barcelona as the pair prefer to discuss family life.
      The 33-year-old told Marca: “We speak a lot but honestly when we speak it’s about our lives.
      “We’ve both had children’s birthdays recently, we talk about life, the virus and everything else but very little about football.

      “We’re more concerned with how our families are than what happens in football.”
      Messi’s and Suarez’s families are well acquainted and often join the former strike partners on holiday or out for dinner.

      A six-year spell in the same team saw the pair become great friends although they will face off in a crunch LaLiga clash later this month.
      Saturday’s showdown in Madrid will give Suarez the chance to get one over his former employers.

      Barcelona told the Uruguayan he had no future at the Camp Nou before a drawn-out move to Atleti was finally given the green light.
      He continued: “I was sad and hurt by the way I left, which I have already said.
      “I feel proud. When I wasn’t wanted, I found somewhere I was. I’ve found happiness and I’m enjoying this period.”
      Barcelona sit eighth going into the clash and, at times, have found goals hard to come by in LaLiga.

      Messi’s family spent their summer holiday on a yacht in Ibiza with the Suarez clanCredit: Splash News

      The 33-year-old has three sons, with the oldest Thiago and Mateo pictured hereCredit: Splash News

      Youngest son Ciro was born in 2018Credit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      Alaves held Ronald Koeman’s side to a draw last month in a four-game winless run that included defeats to Real Madrid and Getafe.
      Former Italy striker Antonio Cassano recently joined the calls criticising the club for selling Suarez.
      He told an Instagram Live video: “For me it was crazy to let him leave Barcelona.
      “He scored 350 goals in six years, I don’t know why they kicked him out. And now they have to play [Antoine] Griezmann at centre-forward!”

      Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu defends role in Lionel Messi transfer saga More