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    Wolves emerge as shock front-runners to sign Barcelona star Semedo with Ronald Koeman’s side ‘ready to accept’

    WOLVES are reportedly closing in on the shock signing of Barcelona star Nelson Semedo to replace Matt Doherty.
    Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been keen to bring in a right-back having sold the Irish international to Tottenham.

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    Barcelona right-back Nelson Semedo is said to be close to joining WolvesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    And after selling Diogo Jota to Liverpool for £45million, the club have the funds to spend big.

    SunSport reported on Saturday how the Blaugrana are looking to bring in Ajax ace Sergino Dest with Semedo on his way out of the Nou Camp for around £40m.
    Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that it is Wolves that are in pole position to secure the 26-year-old’s services.

    He also revealed how Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal will be joining Semedo out the door in Catalonia.
    Romano tweeted: “Wolves are ‘one step away’ from signing Nelson Semedo.
    “New bid submitted yesterday and Barcelona are now ready to accept.
    “Work in progress also on personal terms to be agreed.

    “On next hours Barca are gonna sell Semedo to #Wolves and Vidal to #Inter. Here we go soon!”

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    Liverpool handed Wijnaldum boost as LaLiga BLOCK Barca making transfer bid

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    Semedo has spent the last three seasons at Barcelona having joined from Benfica in 2017.
    He has been a regular in the team having played 124 times in three years – winning the LaLiga title twice and Copa del Rey once.
    Wolves have also been alerted to the fact that Atletico Madrid are keen to offload winger Thomas Lemar.

    Swansea coach Alan Tate facing potential ban after ‘chokeslam’ on Birmingham midfielder Jon Toral More

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    Liverpool handed Georginio Wijnaldum boost as LaLiga chiefs BLOCK Barcelona making transfer bid for Dutch midfielder

    LIVERPOOL were handed a boost as they look to keep hold of Georginio Wijnaldum as LaLiga blocked Barcelona’s transfer plans, according to reports.
    New Barca boss Ronald Koeman has been tasked with revamping his squad after replacing Quique Setien following the 8-2 embarrassment against Bayern Munich.

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    LaLiga look set to block any attempts Barcelona make to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio WijnaldumCredit: Getty – Pool

    And he identified two of the players who starred under him for the Dutch national team, Memphis Depay and Wijnaldum, as primary targets.
    However, as reported by the Sunday Mirror, the Catalan giants will not be able to sign either player – meaning Liverpool could well keep their title-winning man.
    Due to the financial impact of coronavirus, the Spanish league officials have stepped in by introducing strict guidelines for clubs.

    Therefore Barcelona – who have a staggering £510million-a-year wage bill – must raise funds by selling players to complete any new purchases.
    The reports adds they must also pay the same amount as the transfer fee to the Spanish government following financial support handed to clubs during the global pandemic.
    LaLiga placed a budget limit for transfers and staff costs on all 20 top-flight clubs based on financial results from the past five years.
    Joris Evers, the league’s director of communications, said: “We have a financial system, which goes beyond Uefa’s Financial Fair Play.

    “At Uefa they look at figures when a season is finished, we set the standards before the season starts.

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    Ronald Koeman was desperate to be reunited with Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay after their success together with the Dutch national teamCredit: Getty – Contributor

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    “If Barcelona try to do a deal behind the scenes, our analysts will notice this immediately.
    “The clubs agreed on this system as a reaction on a period when they were struggling to pay the wages of the players, because they’d overspent time and time again. Nobody wants to go back to that situation.”
    Barcelona have lost a reported £300m in the last six months as a result of Covid-19 while players are handing back up to 70 per cent of wages.
    The potential sale of Lionel Messi to Manchester City would have brought in a big cash injection but his U-turn to see out his contract ensured those funds were not available.
    That looks set to scupper plans to reunite Koeman with Lyon ace Depay and the Reds’ Wijnaldum who are both in the final years of their contracts and keen on a move to the Nou Camp.
    Liverpool bolstered their midfield, and provided further competition for Wijnaldum, this week with the £25m coup to land Thiago Alcantara from Bayern.

    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in good spirits looking forward to Thiago Alcantara signing More

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    Real Madrid fire bitter parting shot at Gareth Bale despite new Tottenham signing’s FOUR Champions League titles

    REAL MADRID fired a bitter parting shot as Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham in a stunning loan move.
    Spurs announced the signing of Bale – seven years after he left to join Madrid – and defender Sergio Reguilon.

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    Gareth Bale was given a frosty 45-word send off by Real MadridCredit: Getty Images

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    Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham on loan from the Spanish sideCredit: Getty Images

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    Real Madrid’s brief farewell to four-time Champions League winner Bale

    As the Bernabeu pair both linked up in London, they were given very different goodbye messages from the LaLiga champions.

    On Bale’s transfer, Real’s 45-word statement said: “Real Madrid CF. and Tottenham Hotspur FC have agreed to the loan of Gareth Bale for next season, until 30 June, 2021.
    “Our club wishes the best of luck to a player who is part of one of the most successful periods of our history.”

    Whereas Madrid said following after Reguilon’s move: “Real Madrid CF and Tottenham Hotspur FC have agreed a deal for the transfer of Sergio Reguilon.
    “Our club would like to thank Sergio Reguilon for his commitment, his professionalism and his exemplary behaviour throughout his career at Real Madrid and wishes him the best of luck at his new club.”

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    Sergio Reguilon also joined Gareth Bale in moving from Madrid to north LondonCredit: Getty Images

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    Sergio Reguilon was thanked for his “commitment, professionalism and exemplary behaviour”

    Reguilon played just 22 matches for Los Blancos while Bale played more than 250 and won FOUR Champions Leagues.
    Bale has joined Spurs on a season-long loan, with his Madrid contract expiring next summer, meaning he can make the move permanent on a free.

    Reguilon on the other hand arrives in a £27million deal, with Manchester United also showing prior interest.
    Bale scored 105 goals and added 68 assists for Madrid in just 251 games.
    But he returns for his second spell in North London after being frozen out of Madrid’s squad.
    Quoting his tweet from 2013 when he left Spurs, Bale announced on social media: “To all the Spurs fans, after 7 years, I’m back!”.

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    The 31-year-old completed his medical in Spain after saying goodbye to his Madrid team-mates.
    Madrid have been keen to get the Welshman’s huge £650,000-per-week wages off the book.
    It is understood that Spurs will pay 50 per cent – with the LaLiga champions covering the other half.

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    Gareth Bale spent seven years with the LaLiga giants

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    He posted this message on his Twitter page after rejoining Tottenham More

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    Real Madrid fire bitter parting shot at Gareth Bale despite Tottenham legend’s FOUR European titles

    REAL MADRID fired a bitter parting shot as Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham in a stunning loan deal.
    Spurs announced the signing of Bale – seven years after he left to join Madrid – and Sergio Reguilon.

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    Tottenham has returned to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid

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    Real Madrid’s brief farewell to four-time Champions League winner Bale

    As the Bernabeu pair both linked up in London, they were given very different goodbye messages from the LaLiga champions.
    On Bale’s transfer, they said: “Real Madrid CF. nd Tottenham Hotspur FC have agreed to the loan of Gareth Bale for next season, until 30 June, 2021.
    “Our club wishes the best of luck to a player who is part of one of the most successful periods of our history.”
    Whereas Madrid said following after Reguilon’s move: “Real Madrid CF and Tottenham Hotspur FC have agreed a deal for the transfer of Sergio Reguilon.

    “Our club would like to thank Sergio Reguilon for his commitment, his professionalism and his exemplary behaviour throughout his career at Real Madrid and wishes him the best of luck at his new club.”
    Reguilon played just 22 matches for Los Blancos while Bale played more than 250 and won FOUR Champions Leagues.
    Bale has joined Spurs on a season long loan, with his Madrid contract expiring next summer, meaning he can make the move permanent on a free.
    Reguilon on the other hand arrives in a £27million deal, with Manchester United also showing prior interest.

    Bale scored 105 goals and added 68 assists for Madrid in just 251 games.

    But he returns for his second spell in North London after being frozen out of Madrid’s squad.
    The 31-year-old completed his medical in Spain after saying goodbye to his Madrid team-mates.
    Madrid have been keen to get the Welshman’s huge £650,000-per-week wages off the book.
    It is understood that Spurs will pay 50 per cent – with the LaLIga champions covering the other half.

    Gareth Bale arrives at Tottenham training centre for transfer talks More

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    Zinedine Zidane tells Gareth Bale ‘we wish you well’ ahead of Spurs transfer and says he’s been ‘spectacular’ for Real

    REAL MADRID boss Zinedine Zidane has labelled Gareth Bale as ‘spectacular’ as the winger closes in on a return to Tottenham.
    Spurs are set to announce the loan signing of the 31-year-old, which could extend until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

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    Zinedine Zidane has praised Gareth Bale with the winger set to depart after seven years at the BernabeuCredit: Reuters

    Although fans will have to wait another month to see him in action as the Wales international is currently nursing a knee injury.
    Much has been said about the strained relationship between Bale and Zidane, with the ex-Southampton ace starting just once for Los Blancos since March.
    But Zizou has stated that the pair remain on friendly terms, as the Frenchman wished Bale well back in the Premier League.
    In quotes obtained by the Metro, he said: “I haven’t spoken to Bale. I know what he has done in this team.

    “He has been spectacular for this team, nobody can say otherwise. There are negotiations. If he moves, we only wish him well.”
    Before adding: “I’ve not had any problems with Gareth. The situation is not firm, it’s not done, I cannot say more.”
    Asked what Real are losing with Bale departing, Zidane remarked: “It’s not about that. It’s life, everyone can have an opinion.
    “Gareth is our player for the moment and the issue is still to be closed.”

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    Bale will be joined by his Real team-mate Sergio Reguilon in North London, with the left-back poised to link up with Jose Mourinho’s side.
    Commenting on the 23-year-old, Zidane said: “We must congratulate Reguilon on the season he had.
    “We have two players per position and I already have two full-backs. I wish him all the best because he had a good season at Sevilla and he deserves to be at Tottenham.”

    Gareth Bale arrives at Tottenham training centre for transfer talks More

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    Barcelona aim to hijack Bayern Munich’s transfer for Sergino Dest, 19, after Bundesliga giants ‘had agreed a deal’

    BARCELONA are out to hijack Bayern Munich’s move for Sergino Dest after failing with two bids for Max Aarons.
    A new right-back is on the Blaugrana agenda as Ronald Koeman looks to revamp his aging squad.

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    Sergino Dest is one of Europe’s hottest defensive talentsCredit: Getty – Contributor

    United States international Dest was born in the Netherlands and raised through Ajax’s academy, playing 36 times for the club.

    And his performances have caught the eye of Europe’s biggest teams, including Bayern and Barcelona.
    According to Bild, the Bundesliga champions have agreed personal terms with Dest but are yet to persuade Ajax to sell up.

    That leaves room for Barcelona to make a bid, which Mundo Deportivo believe will focus on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
    On Saturday, SunSport revealed the Catalans’ desire to sign Dest having failed with two bids for Aarons.
    Norwich rebuffed an offer topping £20million for the 20-year-old despite suffering relegation from the Premier League.
    Reportedly set to leave Barcelona is Nelson Semedo with an unnamed club said to have bid around £40m for the Portuguese defender.

    Replacing Semedo with Dest, 19, would leave the struggling LaLiga giants with a healthy profit with Ajax wanting around £15m for Dest.

    Barcelona are attempting to push down their mega wage bill

    Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag has insisted he would like Dest to remain in Amsterdam, telling reporters on Friday: “He is an Ajax player, he has trained and we are going to prepare for RKC.
    “I can’t say anything about it, there is a lot of interest in all of our players. Dest has developed well so it’s not surprising there is interest.”
    He added: “Bayern Munich is a very nice club in Europe. I focus on Ajax and the development of Ajax.
    “I want [Dest] to stay. If there is a different outcome, we’ll have to change things around.”

    Luis Suarez arrives to take Italian exam which Barcelona star must pass or Juventus transfer deal will collapse More

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    Gareth Bale seals £12m Tottenham loan transfer which could extend to TWO seasons – with Real Madrid deal ending in 2022

    GARETH BALE sealed his Spurs homecoming for the rest of the season — but could end up staying for LONGER.
    Welsh superstar Bale was mobbed by fans when he arrived at Tottenham’s training ground on Friday to wrap up his season-long loan from Real Madrid.

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    Gareth Bale will return to Spurs seven years after he left for Real MadridCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

    The North London club have agreed to pay a percentage of his wages in a bargain deal which amounts to around £12million for the season — and they will officially confirm it today.
    SunSport understands if the move goes well, it could even be extended for a further year until the end of NEXT SEASON, when his Bernabeu contract is due to expire.
    Spurs have worked the numbers to keep within their wage structure and bring back Bale, 31, seven years after selling him to the Spanish giants for a then-world record £86m.

    The North Londoners also completed a £25m swoop for Real left-back Sergio Reguilon on a five-year deal.
    Spain ace Reguilon, 23, and Bale flew to London yesterday on a private jet chartered by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
    After landing at Luton airport, they were driven to the Enfield training HQ in separate luxury cars.
    When they arrived they were greeted by dozens of fans who had congregated outside the gates.

    Bale was all smiles as supporters with camera phones chanted: “Gareth Bale, Gareth Bale, he was born to play for Spurs.”

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    Jose Mourinho’s side are set to sign the Welshman on loan for the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Both new boys also met boss Jose Mourinho, who had spent the night with his players in the training ground’s luxury lodge after arriving back from Thursday’s 2-1 win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria early yesterday.
    Mourinho then put his stars through a light training session ahead of their Premier League clash at Southampton tomorrow lunchtime.
    After the victory in Plovdiv, Mourinho said: “I don’t like the number of players I have in my squad.
    “It’s very, very difficult to manage in every aspect. Too many players.”
    Mourinho’s comments hinted he is now looking to trim his squad.
    Genoa target Danny Rose, Ryan Sessegnon, Juan Foyth, Paulo Gazzaniga and Erik Lamela are those likely to move on before the deadline.

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    Spurs chief Daniel Levy has been thrashing out a deal for Gareth BaleCredit: Reuters

    Gareth Bale arrives at Tottenham training centre for transfer talks More