La Liga

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Memphis Depay ‘reaches Barcelona transfer agreement to move in January from Lyon’ after failed summer switch

      by

      BARCELONA are ready to go back in for Memphis Depay this January after failing with a deadline day swoop.
      The Lyon forward, 26, was left upset having all-but signed for the LaLiga side – before they decided against completing the deal.

      3

      Memphis Depay is once again waiting on a transfer to BarcelonaCredit: EPA

      3

      Dutch coach Ronald Koeman is a big fan of his countrymanCredit: EPA

      Reports suggest Barcelona were only able to afford Depay if Ousmane Dembele left.
      But the winger could not complete a move to Manchester United, with the Catalans demanding a permanent transfer.
      Once again, a January move for Depay is based around Barcelona making room for the Dutchman.

      According to Spanish newspaper Sport, a deal is agreed with both the player and Lyon.
      However, either Dembele or Martin Braithwaite must leave first to ensure Barcelona keep on top of their massive wage bill.
      A £95million purchase in 2017, 23-year-old Dembele has struggled to maintain form and fitness.
      Blaugrana boss Ronald Koeman has reportedly sent the winger in for extra training as he enters the last chance saloon at the Camp Nou.

      Meanwhile, emergency February signing Braithwaite, 29, is said to want to stay with the club.

      3

      Sport’s front page on Friday with a deal said to be agreed

      But Barcelona will reportedly accept a decent return on the £16m they invested in the Danish striker, who has scored once since arriving.
      In contrast, Depay has been on fire for Lyon, reviving his career in France after a flop spell at Manchester United.
      The forward already has four goals to his name this season, including an opening day hat-trick against Dijon.
      And former Netherlands national team coach Koeman, 57, is said to have expressly asked for Depay’s signing.

      Olympique Lyonnais star Memphis Depay shows off his physique as he works out at his luxury villa More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid in ‘pole position’ over Kylian Mbappe transfer with PSG star wanting to link-up with ‘mentor’ Zidane

      by

      REAL MADRID remain the frontrunners to snap up Kylian Mbappe, according to reports in Spain.
      The Paris Saint-Germain star’s contract expires at the end of next season, making the next few months critical in any transfer bid.

      2

      Kylian Mbappe is a top target for Real Madrid next summerCredit: AFP or licensors

      2

      Zinedine Zidane is a childhood idol of the FrenchmanCredit: Reuters

      Spanish newspaper AS detail how Real are formulating a complex plan to persuade the Ligue 1 champions to sell up next summer.
      Real president Florentino Perez reportedly believes PSG’s paymasters in Qatar will be the key figures in thrashing out a deal.
      If Mbappe makes clear that he does not want a contract renewal, the hope is that Les Parisiens will accept a sale.

      A massive pay packet of around £600,000-a-week has been mooted for the French international, 21.
      But Madrid hope to persuade Mbappe by offering him the chance to play under Zinedine Zidane.
      The France legend, 48, is a big fan of the striker – a feeling that Real believe is reciprocated.
      Mbappe was welcomed to the club for a training day at the age of 14 by the coach, who is being discussed as a potential “mentor” for his career in Madrid.

      Furthermore, the LaLiga champions know that schmoozing the player’s entourage may also prove pivotal in their bid.
      Kylian’s father, Wilfried, is another key figure in his decision making, as well as newly-hired lawyer Delphine Verheyden, who will figure prominently in any negotiations.

      PSG are expected to put up a fight to hold onto their World Cup winning star.
      And Real are not the only club monitoring the situation, with Liverpool and Juventus rumoured to be keen.
      The Old Lady are said to be plotting a £360million raid for the PSG attacker.
      Barcelona could also arrive on the scene with presidential candidate Victor Font reportedly laying the groundwork for an offer if he is elected early next year.

      PSG target Cristiano Ronaldo in sensational transfer as replacement for Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe next summer More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Sancho, Greenwood, Saka and Foden make Golden Boy shortlist – but face competition from Haaland, Fati and Vinicius

      by

      ENGLAND quintet Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Bukayo Saka, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Phil Foden were named on the 20-man Golden Boy 2020 shortlist.
      The five young stars all excelled for their club sides in 2019-20 and are now senior Three Lions internationals.

      6

      Mason Greenwood is hoping to become the fourth Manchester United youngster to win the Golden Boy awardCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      6

      Arsenal and England sensation Bukayo Saka is also in contention after securing his spot in the final 20Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, they face strong competition in the 20-man list – including from Erling Haaland, Ansu Fati and Vinicius Junior.
      The award, run by Tuttosport, is open to players born on or after January 1, 2000 and playing in a European nation’s top tier – with 40 journalists voting on the top performer across the calendar year.
      After an initial longlist of 100 was revealed in June, four cuts of 20 players mean it is now down to the final 20.
      Sancho was pipped by Joao Felix a year ago but will be hoping his stunning form for Borussia Dortmund will see him go one better this time around.

      The winger managed 20 goals and 20 assists last season and has started the new campaign with a goal and two assists in his first three appearances.
      Greenwood is hoping to become the record-extending fourth Manchester United player to be crowned the Golden Boy.
      Wayne Rooney (2004), Anderson (2008) and Anthony Martial (2015) have all picked up the award in its 17-year history.
      And the academy graduate’s 19 goals in a stunning breakout season will surely make him a contender.

      6

      Borussia Dortmund team-mates Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland will be hoping to follow in Mario Gotze’s footsteps from 2011Credit: Rex Features

      6

      Phil Foden enjoyed a stunning end to the 2019-20 campaign and is hoping to kick on this termCredit: PA:Press Association

      Saka earned his break in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign with his versatility down the left a key attribute.
      Handed the No7 shirt at the Emirates over the summer, the teenager has continued to impress as Gareth Southgate handed him his debut against Wales during the international break.
      Hudson-Odoi made 33 appearances for Chelsea last season despite injury and has drawn attention from the likes of Bayern Munich.
      And Foden made the most of his run in the Manchester City team to force his way into the shortlist and Southgate’s plans.
      The Stockport Iniesta scored five goals after the season restarted in June and has already added another two this term.
      However, Haaland’s bonkers return of 44 goals in 40 games last season for Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund places him among the favourites.
      He also nabbed his first international hat-trick this week to take his tally to 11 in ten so far this season.
      Elsewhere, LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid each have two nominees.

      6

      Barcelona fans are getting very excited about teenager Ansu Fati who looks the real deal and is breaking records galoreCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Golden Boy 2020: Final 20-man shortlist

      Mason Greenwood (Man Utd)
      Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
      Phil Foden (Man City)
      Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
      Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
      Ferran Torres (Man City)
      Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)
      Fabio Silva (Wolves)
      Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
      Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
      Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
      Sergino Dest (Barcelona)
      Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus)
      Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)
      Mitchel Bakker (PSG)
      Jonathan David (Lille)
      Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
      Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)
      Dominik Szoboszlai (Red Bull Salzburg)
      Sandro Tonali (AC Milan)

      Fati, who does not turn 18 until the end of October, burst on to the scene with the Nou Camp club last term and is already outscoring Lionel Messi at the same age.
      The teenage sensation has already played and scored for Spain’s senior side while records continue to tumble in LaLiga and the Champions League.
      He is joined by new team-mate Sergino Dest – the American right-back who signed from Ajax this summer.
      Over at the Bernabeu, Brazilian duo Vincius and Rodrygo make the shortlist as they helped Los Blancos win the league title.
      Champions League winner Alphonso Davies is in – as is his Canadian pal Jonathan David after his stellar season at Gent, scoring 23 times last season and earning a transfer to Lille.
      Premier League newbies Ferran Torres and Fabio Silva, who joined Manchester City and Wolves respectively, ensure a quarter of the list ply their trade in England.
      Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga – linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United – Paris Saint-Germain’s Mitchel Bakker and Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax are on the list.
      And Juventus’ Dejan Kulusevski, Dominik Szoboszlai of Red Bull Salzburg and AC Milan star Sandro Tonali complete the shortlist with the result set to announced on December 14.

      6

      Anthony Martial won the prestigious award in 2015, the year he moved from Monaco to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Golden Boy award: Previous winners

      2003 – Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax)
      2004 – Wayne Rooney (Everton / Man Utd)
      2005 – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
      2006 – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
      2007 – Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
      2008 – Anderson (Man Utd)
      2009 – Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
      2010 – Mario Balotelli (Inter Milan / Man City)
      2011 – Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
      2012 – Isco (Malaga)
      2013 – Paul Pogba (Juventus)
      2014 – Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
      2015 – Anthony Martial (Monaco / Man Utd)
      2016 – Renato Sanches (Benfica / Bayern Munich)
      2017 – Kylian Mbappe (Monaco / PSG)
      2018 – Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
      2019 – Joao Felix (Benfica / Atletico Madrid)

      Man Utd target Jadon Sancho embarrasses team-mate so badly in Dortmund training he is walked off pitch in pity More

    • 263 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal preparing to hijack £35m transfer swoop for Pau Torres from under noses of Man Utd in January to bolster defence

      by

      ARSENAL are preparing to hijack Manchester United’s £35million transfer swoop for Pau Torres in January, according to reports.
      Both clubs are still thought to want to bring in another centre-back to bolster their defences when the window reopens.

      1

      Pau Torres could be at the centre of a transfer tussle between Arsenal and Manchester United in JanuaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to Spanish news outlet todofichajes.com, Mikel Arteta and Edu have a plan to land Torres.
      The Villarreal defender, 23, has attracted plenty of attention over the past couple of years – including from both Arsenal and United.
      Now the two Premier League clubs are reportedly ready to battle it out for his signature.

      Torres joined Villarreal way back in 2002 and progressed right through the academy, C team, B team and made his first-team debut in 2016 in a Copa del Rey clash.
      He spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Malaga before returning last year to seal his spot in the heart of Villarreal’s defence.
      His strong performances saw him win his first Spain cap in November 2019, coming on as a substitute for Sergio Ramos and scoring a minute later in the 7-0 thumping of Malta.
      Arsenal brought in Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer and made Pablo Mari’s move permanent while David Luiz was handed a contract extension.

      Gabriel, Luiz and Rob Holding have started the season but the Gunners also have Calum Chambers, William Saliba, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis.

      Konstantinos Mavropanos is on loan with Stuttgart for the season.
      But with Mustafi, Sokratis and Luiz expected to be moved on in the coming year, the addition of Torres would further strengthen Arsenal’s defence – if they can convince ex-boss Unai Emery to do business.
      For United, meanwhile, a centre-back is a major priority.
      Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire have all struggled for early-season form while Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo were frozen out.
      The Red Devils sold Chris Smalling to Roma in the summer but did not bring in a centre-half.
      The report adds Dayot Upamecano was the first-choice option for both Arsenal and United but Liverpool are in pole position to land the RB Leipzig and France star.

      Arsenal star Thomas Partey’s FIFA 21 stats have topped Harry Maguire’s More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Theo Zidane, 18, becomes Real Madrid boss’ third son to train with first-team after call-up in international break

      by

      THEO ZIDANE has become the Real Madrid manager’s third son to train with the first-team.
      The 18-year-old has followed in the footsteps of his brothers Luca and Enzo, all sons, of course, of Zinedine Zidane.

      2

      Theo Zidane was put through his paces by the Real Madrid first-teamCredit: Real Madrid

      Theo has been called up to first-team training during the international break, report Marca.
      But it is not the teenager’s first time working with Madrid’s senior squad.
      He also trained with them during an international break in 2019.
      Theo has a promising future ahead of him after impressing for the youth teams.

      He made his UEFA Youth League debut last season against Paris Saint-Germain.
      And the midfielder hit the headlines when he scored a screamer from 30-yards for the academy team.
      Zidane has four children – Enzo, Luca, Theo and Elyaz.
      Luca and Enzo previously trained with the Madrid first-team.

      2

      Theo Zidane with his father after the Champions League final win over LiverpoolCredit: AFP or licensors
      But Enzo has left his father’s team to continue his career with Rayo Vallecano.
      But midfielder Enzo is without a club.
      Defender Elyaz, 14, is part of the Los Blanco academy set-up.

      PSG target Cristiano Ronaldo in sensational transfer as replacement for Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe next summer More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi and wife Antonela Roccuzzo show off newest member of family.. a rare Toy Poodle dog named Abu

      by

      BARCELONA star Lionel Messi has welcomed a new addition to his family – a rare apricot toy poodle at the opposite end of the size scale to his other dog.
      Wife Antonela Roccuzzo showed Abu off on social media, sat on five-year-old son Mateo’s lap, as her footballer husband celebrated Argentina’s 2-1 Copa America win against Bolivia on the other side of the Atlantic.  

      2

      Lionel Messi has a new family member in a rare apricot toy poodle named AbuCredit: Instagram / @antonelarocuzzo

      2

      Messi’s new dog is on the opposite end of the size scale to his French mastiff HulkCredit: Instagram / @leomessi

      It was not immediately clear if Messi has already met the new pet in the family or will greet it for the first time when he gets back home.
      But what is clear is that whatever size Abu reaches, he’s never going to get anywhere near as big as the footballer’s French mastiff, Hulk, which was once an adorable puppy before it grew almost as big as his kids. 
      Antonela gifted the 33-year-old their first dog in 2016 and two years later it showed off its size and strength as Messi was filmed teasing him with his dribbling skills in a video which went viral.
      And the pretty brunette was the one to reveal their latest acquisition with the photo of Abu and Mateo.

      A message alongside read: “This is Abu, the new member of the family.”
      Toy poodles grow no more than 10 inches tall from the shoulder and weigh four to six pounds.
      They stop growing aged around six or seven months. 
      They are regarded as high-maintenance dogs which require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition. 

      By contrast Hulk, one of the oldest French dog breeds also known as a Dogue de Bordeaux, is around 25 inches high and is thought to weigh just over 100 pounds or seven stone.
      Abu reportedly cost Messi and his wife around £800.
      The apricot colour is rare and is believed to be the last poodle colour recorded.

      Lionel Messi trains with the Barcelona squad More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid torn between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as Zinedine Zidane looks to replace ageing Benzema in 2021

      by

      ZINEDINE ZIDANE is torn between signing Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe next year.
      The Real Madrid boss has identified the two stars as possible replacements for Karim Benzema.

      4

      Here’s how the two players compare while at clubs in Europe’s top five divisions

      Marca claim Zidane is weighing up his options before making his move in 2021.
      Mbappe was reportedly set to join Madrid before the coronavirus pandemic derailed the move.
      Former PSG star Jerome Rothen claimed the 21-year-old’s transfer was “almost done”.

      Madrid were expected to revive their interest in him next summer – but now there’s another name in the mix.
      Haaland has caught Zidane’s eye following his impressive spell with Borussia Dortmund.
      The LaLiga giants are believed to be keeping a close eye on his progress in Germany.
      He is believed to have a £63million release clause in his contract with the Bundesliga side.

      That makes him the cheaper option as Mbappe has a market value of £231m.

      4

      Kylian Mbappe is under contract with the French club until 2022Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mbappe is believed to earn £375,000-per-week in Paris after signing from Monaco in 2017.
      But he is reportedly prepared to pay cut seal his dream move to the Bernabeu.
      Paris Saint-Germain have already lined up Cristiano Ronaldo to replace him at Parc des Princes.
      Mbappe has scored 119 goals and made 61 assists during his career, averaging a goal every 111 minutes.
      Haaland has averaged a goal every 80 minutes, but he’s only played 23 games in the top five divisions.

      4

      Erling Haaland snubbed interest from Manchester United to join DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      4

      Zinedine Zidane is on a mission to sign a replacement for Karim BenzemaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      However, Madrid face fierce competition if they decide to pursue Haaland next year.
      Chelsea are also said to be plotting a move for the highly-rated Norwegian striker.
      And Paul Scholes has urged Manchester United to revive their interest in the 20-year-old.

      PSG target Cristiano Ronaldo in sensational transfer as replacement for Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe next summer More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi and wife Antonela Roccuzzo show off newest member of family.. a rare Toy Poodle named Abu

      by

      BARCELONA star Lionel Messi has welcomed a new addition to his family – a rare apricot toy poodle at the opposite end of the size scale to his other dog.
      Wife Antonela Roccuzzo showed Abu off on social media, sat on five-year-old son Mateo’s lap, as her footballer husband celebrated Argentina’s 2-1 Copa America win against Bolivia on the other side of the Atlantic.  

      2

      Lionel Messi has a new family member in a rare apricot toy poodle named AbuCredit: Instagram / @antonelarocuzzo

      2

      Messi’s new dog is on the opposite end of the size scale to his French mastiff HulkCredit: Instagram / @leomessi

      It was not immediately clear if Messi has already met the new pet in the family or will greet it for the first time when he gets back home.
      But what is clear is that whatever size Abu reaches, he’s never going to get anywhere near as big as the footballer’s French mastiff, Hulk, which was once an adorable puppy before it grew almost as big as his kids. 
      Antonela gifted the 33-year-old their first dog in 2016 and two years later it showed off its size and strength as Messi was filmed teasing him with his dribbling skills in a video which went viral.
      And the pretty brunette was the one to reveal their latest acquisition with the photo of Abu and Mateo.

      A message alongside read: “This is Abu, the new member of the family.”
      Toy poodles grow no more than 10 inches tall from the shoulder and weigh four to six pounds.
      They stop growing aged around six or seven months. 
      They are regarded as high-maintenance dogs which require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition. 

      By contrast Hulk, one of the oldest French dog breeds also known as a Dogue de Bordeaux, is around 25 inches high and is thought to weigh just over 100 pounds or seven stone.
      Abu reportedly cost Messi and his wife around £800.
      The apricot colour is rare and is believed to be the last poodle colour recorded.

      Lionel Messi trains with the Barcelona squad More