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      Alphonse Areola ‘passes Fulham medical’ ahead of shock transfer from PSG in blow to Arsenal

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      ALPHONSE AREOLA has passed his medical at Fulham ahead of a transfer, reports say.
      The French keeper spent last season at Real Madrid providing back up for Thibaut Courtois, 28. 

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      Alphonse Areola passed his medical at Fulham ahead of a transfer
      But having returned to PSG, the Ligue 1 champions have no plans to keep him.
      It sparked a transfer pursuit with Arsenal said to be interested in the stopper, but appear to have been edged out by London rivals Fulham.
      According to RMC, Areola has completed a medical with the Premier League side, who beat Brentford in the play-off finals last season.
      The 27-year-old is believed to have agreed a loan move with Scott Parker’s side.

      Areola was keen to move on from PSG as he bids to keep his place as France’s third-choice stopper for the European Championships next summer. 
      It is understood he also favoured a move to the capital, having brought a house in London.
      Marcus Bettinelli, 28, started last season as Fulham’s No1, but was replaced by Marek Rodak, 23.

      Areola is now expected to compete as No1, despite Arsenal’s interest in bringing him in as back-up stopper.

      Emiliano Martinez, 28, is seeking a move away from the Emirates having not been guaranteed a starting spot for the upcoming campaign.
      But manager Mikel Arteta will not allow the Argentine to go unless he brings in a replacement.
      Brentford’s David Raya, 24, is another target to provide completion to German Bernd Leno, 28.

      Top ten stars who earned most sitting on bench last year with Man Utd’s Romero bagging £3.6m and Hart getting £2.3m More

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      Real Madrid ‘ready to accept cut-price £22m for Gareth Bale’ putting Man Utd and Tottenham on transfer alert

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      REAL MADRID are ready to let Gareth Bale leave for £22million, Spanish reports say.
      The 31-year-old has grown increasingly frustrated in the Spanish capital, managing only 14 starts last season.

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      Real Madrid are reportedly ready to let Gareth Bale leave for £22m
      But according to Mundo Deportivo, manager Zinedine Zidane and the Bernabeu board are willing to let the Welshman leave.
      And they will lower their asking price to £22m, having refused to pay off the remaining two years of his contract worth £30.2m.
      Manchester United and Tottenham have both been linked with the forward in the past.
      But Bale’s £600,000 a week wages have proved a stumbling block previously.

      It is now understood the former Spurs winger is open to taking a pay cut if it means ending his Madrid misery.
      United are in the market for a wideman, having so far failed to meet Borussia Dortmund’s £109m asking price for 20-year-old Jadon Sancho.
      Bale was close to sealing a move to China last summer, until Madrid blocked the transfer at the last minute.

      But they are now happy for the him to leave as they attempt to offset their wage bill and recoup transfer funds.

      It comes after James Rodriquez, 29, was sold to Everton for £20m.
      Zidane is said to be meeting Bale this week to discuss his future at the club.
      The unwanted player already revealed Madrid have made it hard for him to leave in the past.
      Bale told Sky Sports: “There have been other instances where we have tried to go but the club won’t allow it or they have done something.
      “What can I say? I want to play football. I am still motivated to play football so I guess it is on the club really.
      “I can’t do anything, they are in control of everything
      “I have a contract so all I can do is carry on what I am doing an hopefully something comes up.
      “It is in the club’s hands and they have made things very difficult to be honest.”

      Gareth Bale continues love of golf even in Covid-19 bubble by playing PGA Tour 2K21 ahead of return to Real Madrid More

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      Gareth Bale continues love of golf even in Covid-19 bubble by playing PGA Tour 2K21 ahead of return to Real Madrid

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      GARETH BALE may be keeping himself safe from coronavirus ahead of the new season… but that will not stop him playing his beloved golf.
      The Real Madrid forward, 31, took to his Instagram story on Tuesday night to show his 43.1million followers how he’s getting his golfing fix.

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      Gareth Bale took to Instagram to show his followers his game of PGA Tour 2K21Credit: Instagram
      Bale uploaded a video of his own custom player – complete with man bun, a sky blue polo and pale trousers – chipping in from the edge of the green on PGA Tour 2K21.
      His Welsh character was already -2 through three holes before the neat pitch from 20 yards secured another birdie.
      Bale famously spends plenty of time on the course honing his skills – even when his team-mates crashed out of the Champions League – and poses in training photos as if lining up an 8-iron.
      In his grand estate in Glamorgan, Wales he built a three-hole golf course that are replicas of the 12th at Augusta, Royal Troon’s Postage Stamp and the tricky par-three 17th at Sawgrass.

      The winger came under fire for celebrating a Wales win by holding up a ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In That Order’ banner.
      And the popular golf video game – available from the official 2K website for £49.99 – is clearly keeping Bale entertained as he limits social contact with the new campaign getting underway.
      Real Madrid begin their LaLiga title defence against Real Sociedad on September 20.
      However their pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano – scheduled for Wednesday – was scrapped as the Segunda Division side awaited a coronavirus test result for one of their players.

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      Bale has a three-hole course on his estate back home in Wales so he can hone his skills

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      The winger has often been criticised for seemingly prioritising golf over his football

      But Bale, who featured for just a combined 100 minutes following the season restart last term, is still unsure where his future lies.
      Despite being frozen out by Real boss Zinedine Zidane, he featured for Wales in the Nations League wins over Finland and Bulgaria.
      And the ex-Tottenham star says he feels more appreciated with Ryan Giggs’ men than the torment he is suffering at the Bernabeu – and would be open to a Premier League return.
      Bale said: “It’s one of those situations if those options arise it’s something I would look at, for sure. We’ll see what happens.

      The decision [over a transfer] is in Real Madrid’s hands. They make things very difficult to be honest.
      Gareth Bale

      “We have plenty of time in this transfer window and I guess a couple of others as well. Time will tell.
      “It’s not really in my hands, the decision is in Real Madrid’s hands. They make things very difficult to be honest.
      “Whatever goes on at Madrid doesn’t really affect me. Everyone knows how passionate I am to play for Wales and how much I love coming away with Wales.
      “When I come here I’m very happy, comfortable and feel welcomed. It’s nice to be back at a place where you are a little bit more appreciated and supported by your fans no matter what.
      “I come here excited to play football and motivated to do well and get back to playing football where I belong.”

      Inside Bale’s millionaire lifestyle in Madrid, with a £6.5m home, £230,000 Ferrari and golf on his doorstep More

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      Real Madrid pre-season friendly SCRAPPED amid fears player for opposition Rayo has coronavirus

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      REAL MADRID’S pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano has been scrapped amid fears an opposition player contracted coronavirus.
      The two Spanish sides were due to face off at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground on Wednesday.

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      Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will not get a chance to cast his eye over his players on Wednesday after their friendly with Rayo Vallecano was axedCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      However, according to Marca, one of the Rayo players is still awaiting the result of his Covid-19 test.
      And rather than risk playing the match just in case the virus is within the Vallecano camp, the two teams have agreed to be extra careful and cancel it.
      The result of the test was expected to be confirmed on the morning of the game.
      But even though Rayo are also based in Madrid, the decision was already made.

      Zinedine Zidane’s side would have hosted the behind-closed-doors game at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, where they concluded last season.
      Los Blancos ended a run of back-to-back Barcelona titles by pipping their Nou Camp enemies to top spot.
      Vallecano, meanwhile, were relegated to the Segunda Division in 2019 and finished seventh last term.
      They begin their league season against Real Mallorca on Sunday and Real Madrid kick-off their defence against Real Sociedad a week later.

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      The Los Blancos stars were due to take on their fellow Madrid side but one opposition player was awaiting results for a Covid-19 testCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      One player who will not be too disappointed over the axing of the friendly is Gareth Bale.
      The Welshman, who appeared for his country in the Nations League wins last week, was relaxing with a spot of PGA Tour 2K21 on Tuesday night.

      Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale joins Wales team training in Finland More

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      Memphis Depay confirms Barcelona transfer interest despite Lyon denying any talks with club over Man Utd flop

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      MEMPHIS DEPAY has confirmed Barcelona’s transfer interest in him.
      But his club Lyon denied there have been any talks with the Nou Camp giants.

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      Memphis Depay admitted Barcelona’s interest in the Dutch forward but Lyon deny any contact has taken placeCredit: AFP or licensors
      Depay, 26, has been in red-hot form for the Ligue 1 since his switch following a failed stint at Manchester United.
      He scored 15 goals in 22 appearances during an injury-hit season term as Rudi Garcia’s side beat Juventus and Manchester City on their way to the Champions League semi-finals.
      The forward smashed in a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Dijon to kick-start Lyon’s new Ligue 1 campaign.

      Depay linked up with the Dutch national team for their Nations League matches against Poland and Italy.
      And speaking about his club future, he told Dutch channel NOS: “We have to wait to see what happens.
      “I know about the interest from Barcelona, but I can’t say any more right now.
      “I’ll speak with Lyon soon and we’ll see.

      “I haven’t even spoken much about this with my agent.”

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      Depay would be reunited with Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Koeman from the Netherlands team if he moved to the Nou Camp

      Reports circulated of a £22million transfer offer from Barcelona being agreed with the French side.
      However, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas denied any contact has taken place between his club and Barcelona – even if there is interest from Spain as well as Italy.
      He said: “Depay’s future? Memphis is nearing the end of his contract. Koeman wants him at Barcelona, ​​but Roma is also on him.
      “Memphis could have left in August, but now he should stay with us in 2020/21.
      “Contrary to what I have read, there have been no exchanges with Barca, I do not think that it is in Lyon’s interest to allow their captain to leave after this truncated season by the LFP.
      New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman left his post as the Netherlands head coach to take on the role with the LaLiga side.
      And after getting the the Dutch national team back on the road to recovery after two failed tournament qualification campaigns, he is understandably keen to continue working with his compatriots.
      Koeman already has Frenkie de Jong at Barca but has also been linked with Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum this summer. More

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      Man City’s ‘Lionel Messi transfer bid LEAKED’ with Barcelona offered £181m over 12 months and extra £18m in bonuses

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      MANCHESTER CITY allegedly offered Barcelona £181million for Lionel Messi, according to a leaked document in Swiss magazine L’Illustre.
      City and Pep Guardiola were established as favourites for the Argentine’s signature when it looked as though he would be leaving the Nou Camp this summer.

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      A ‘leaked’ transfer bid suggests City offered Barcelona £181million for Messi
      According to the image shared by L’Illustre, City would have paid Barcelona an eye-watering £181million over 12 months, plus an extra £18million if Messi helped City win the Champions League.
      Sent on August 26 and signed by City director of football Txiki Begiristain, the alleged offer included £90.5million this summer and a further £90.5million in August 2021.
      The report also states City had lined up a three-year deal for Messi, 33, worth £40million per season.
      L’Illustre says the bid was “bluntly declined” by the Barca hierarchy.

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      Messi announced his desire to leave the Camp Nou following Barca’s 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
      The Argentine believed the clause in his contract allowing him to leave Barcelona for free, which expired on June 10, was valid until the end of the prolonged 2019-20 season.
      Barcelona and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu held firm, making it clear to the six-time Ballon D’Or winner he would not be leaving for anything less than his £624million buyout clause.
      Unwilling to take “the club of his life” to court over the matter, the Argentine announced last week he would stay at Barcelona for the final year of his contract.

      But the leaked document suggests City did make a cash offer to Barcelona for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner after accepting the clause was not valid.
      In his interview with Goal, Messi also explained how his sons had wept at the thought of him leaving Barcelona.

      He said: “When I communicated my wish to leave to my wife and children, it was a brutal drama.
      “The whole family began crying, my children did not want to leave Barcelona, nor did they want to change schools.”
      Messi trained yesterday for the first time since his stay was confirmed but is currently prohibited from joining his teammates and new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman as he has not yet taken a Covid-19 test.

      Inside Lionel Messi’s amazing Barcelona £5.5m mansion More

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      Lionel Messi arrives at Barcelona training for first time since handing in transfer request after announcing he’ll stay

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      LIONEL MESSI has arrived at Barcelona training for the first time since his epic summer transfer saga.
      The Argentine forward, 33, was seen arriving at Ciutat Esportiva on Monday after announcing he is reluctantly staying put despite handing in a transfer request last month.

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      Lionel Messi was back at Barcelona training on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      It was Messi’s first appearance since demanding a transfer and subsequently announcing he will be staying putCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi arrived 90 minutes early for the session with new boss Ronald Koeman.
      He underwent medical tests on Sunday to make sure he was OK to come back.
      And Messi was the first Barcelona player to arrive for Monday’s behind-closed-doors session.
      The forward’s return marks a sensational U-turn from his position just one week ago, when he missed all of Koeman’s first training sessions.

      Messi demanded to leave Barcelona in the wake of the 8-2 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, blasting the club’s hierarchy and pointing to mismanagement of teammates including close pal Luis Suarez.
      He believed he still had a clause valid in his contract until the end of the season allowing him to depart Catalonia on a free transfer.
      But Barcelona argued that the clause expired in July and were quickly given backing by LaLiga.
      It led to Messi confirming last week that he will be staying at the club for the final year of his contract, as the only way to press on with the potential free transfer was by taking Barcelona to court.

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      Messi said his family cried when he told them he wanted to leave BarcelonaCredit: Golders/@leomess

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      Messi will see out the final year of his contract at BarcelonaCredit: Alamy Live News

      The legendary footballer even revealed his family were in tears and hugely upset when he told them he wanted to move on, with Manchester City the favourites for his signature.
      Paris Saint-Germain have since confirmed they were also plotting a stunning move to reunite Messi with old pal Neymar.
      But with the veteran now back in training, Barcelona will be looking to move on from the ordeal and challenge rivals Real Madrid for their title.
      Speaking about Messi’s decision to stay, LaLiga president Javier Tebas beamed: “We were worried but not seriously.
      “We want Messi to be with us, he is the best player in the history of football and we want him to end his career in LaLiga.
      “We’re pleased he is staying with us and not going to another league.”

      Messi has confirmed that he will stay at Barcelona More