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      Luis Suarez and his wife join Lionel Messi at his sprawling villa for talks over their Barcelona futures

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      LIONEL MESSI and Luis Suarez held talks over their Barcelona futures at the Argentine’s house on Thursday night.
      TV cameras picked up the former Liverpool star driving into Messi’s Castelldefels pad with his wife.

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      Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, pictured with wives Antonella Roccuzzo and Sofia Balbi, are best of friends
      It is thought to have been the first time the strike duo, and good pals, have met since their time at the Camp Nou was thrown into huge doubt.
      According to TV3 via Sport, Suarez drove up to his friend’s house on Thursday evening.
      The presence of Suarez’s wife Sofia Balbi is little surprise given the families’ close relationship, with Messi and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo often joining them on holiday.

      Messi’s situation appears to be far more complicated with the 33-year-old potentially set for a legal battle with his club.

      Having enacted a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free, he has been told the option expired in June.
      That has compelled Barcelona to demand a fee as high as £630million should he leave, with Manchester City thought to be best placed to swoop.
      Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said he will offer his resignation if Messi publically commits to the Blaugrana.
      Fans have made their anger known amid continuing protests outside the Camp Nou.

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      Reports in Spain suggest the star is preparing to make a public statement in the coming days.
      Meanwhile, Suarez broke his silence on Thursday afternoon, condemning the situation he has found himself in.
      He wrote: “There are people talking about me or in my name when for years I’ve had no relationship with them, when I have to talk I talk for myself.”
      Ajax, Juventus and Inter Miami have been linked with moves for the 33-year-old after he was told by Ronald Koeman that he was surplus to requirements.

      Lionel Messi already in contact with Pep Guardiola as Man City lead transfer race for wantaway Barcelona superstar More

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      Newell’s Old Boys fans organise huge convoy urging Messi to return to boyhood club, setting off flares and waving flags

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      NEWELL’S OLD BOYS fans took to the streets to try and convince Lionel Messi to return home.
      The Barcelona forward has told his current club he wants to leave after the LaLiga giants’ dismal end to the season.

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      Newell’s Old Boys fans made their presence known on Thursday

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      The Argentine club are an outside bet to swoop for Lionel Messi
      And the Rosario-born forward could be compelled to move back to Argentina and the team he left at just 13 years old.
      On Thursday night, thousands of Newell’s fans made their case to their former prodigal son.
      A huge convoy of cars, red and black scarves dangling out the windows, drove through Rosario to show their love for Messi.

      Fans lit flares, chanted and waved flags as they congregated in the city.

      Old Boys finished tenth in the curtailed 2019/20 Primera Division campaign.
      Messi, 33, has previously spoken of his desire to return to Argentina but was not thought to be planning such a move until later in his career.
      He said in 2017: “The desire is always playing for Newell’s, it is what I dreamed as a kid.
      “When I went to the club I imagined playing in the Primera Division, but I do not know what’s going to happen in a few years.

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      Messi has said he would one day like to return to Rosario

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      Newell’s fans chanted “your dream, our desire” to lure back their hero

      “I cannot say I’m going back because I do not know where I’m going to be.”
      As things stand, Manchester City appear to be the most likely club to swoop for the striker.
      Pep Guardiola has already reportedly discussed the move with Messi, amid interest from Inter Milan.

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      Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have pulled out of any potential deal, which could become mired in the courts.
      Barcelona are demanding a fee for their talisman, who has attempted to enact a clause that allows him to leave for free.
      Nevertheless, the Catalans believe that clause to have expired in June and could press for the full £630million buyout fee stipulated in his contract.

      Lionel Messi already in contact with Pep Guardiola as Man City lead transfer race for wantaway Barcelona superstar More

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      Man City ‘willing to offer £89.5m PLUS Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus AND Eric Garcia to seal Lionel Messi transfer’

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      MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly eyeing up a sensational player-plus cash swoop for Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
      The 33-year-old shocked the football world when he told the Blaugrana he wants to leave the club this summer.

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      Man City are plotting an incredible player plus cash deal for Lionel MessiCredit: Manu Fernandez

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      The Citizens will reportedly offer Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Eric Garcia to Barca in exchange for MessiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And the Citizens have emerged as a possible destination with Pep Guardiola linked with a reunion with the Argentinian international.

      According to Sport, City are willing to fork out £89.5million for Messi, while they are also prepared to offer them Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Eric Garcia.
      They claim that City are optimistic a deal can be reached, as they state that the potential signing is a real possibility.
      Barcelona have been linked with a move for striker Jesus this week as a possible replacement for Luis Suarez.

      Contact has allegedly already been made with officials at the Etihad over a deal to bring to Jesus to the Nou Camp.
      And centre-back Garcia is known to be a target for Barcelona, but they are unwilling to pay City’s £20.5m asking price for him.

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      Barcelona are known to be interested in City centre-back Eric GarciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus could replace Luis Suarez in CataloniaCredit: EPA
      Guardiola confirmed earlier this month the defender has rejected the chance to extend his stay at the Etihad.
      With his contract to expire next summer, City know they must get rid of Garcia this transfer window.

      And with Barca interested in both Jesus and Garcia, City are hopeful their offer to the LaLiga side would tempt them into accepting.

      Inside Lionel Messi’s amazing Barcelona lifestyle with a modern £5.5m mansion, £26m hotel and stunning car collection More

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      Barcelona eye Moussa Dembele as Luis Suarez replacement after Henrik Larsson ‘makes contact’ with ex-Celtic striker

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      FORMER Celtic star Moussa Dembele is being lined up for a stunning switch to Barcelona – by Henrik Larsson.
      Lyon are ready to sell the French striker, two years after his £20million switch from Parkhead.

      Ex-Celtic star Moussa Dembele could join BarcelonaCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Celtic legend and Barcelona No2 Henrik Larsson has reportedly been in contact with the striker
      Dembele has been a huge success in France, netting 44 goals – including a double in the Champions League quarter-final win over Manchester City.
      But after Lyon failed to qualify for Europe after finishing seventh in Ligue 1, they are willing to cash in on Dembele.
      And Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims Parkhead icon and new Barca No2 Larsson has already been in contact with the 24-year-old over a move to the Camp Nou.
      Larsson – who was appointed Ronald Koeman’s assistant last week – sees Dembele as an ideal replacement for Luis Suarez, who is set to leave this summer.

      Dembele is also wanted by Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea and could command upwards of £50m.
      Celtic cannily negotiated a sell-on clause which is estimated to earn them 10-15 per cent of any fee above the £20m fee they received when he left Glasgow in 2018 – meaning they could land as much as £5m from any deal.
      And Lyon’s director of football Juninho admitted the former Celt is likely to move on.

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      Luis Suarez is set to leave Barcelona this summer

      Speaking after the semi-final defeat to Champions League winners Bayern Munich, he said: “If we continue the way we have, we will be back in the Champions League very soon.

      “Players will be leaving, like Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele, but I’m not worried.
      “We want to secure Champions League football next season.”

      Luis Suarez ‘in transfer talks with Premier League clubs’ as Barcelona outcast snubs Ajax return More

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      Barcelona hope for Eric Garcia discount if Lionel Messi joins Man City in blockbuster transfer

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      BARCELONA reportedly hope to land Eric Garcia in a cut-price deal if Lionel Messi joins Manchester City.
      Pep Guardiola’s side have been heavily linked to the 33-year-old since he handed in his transfer request.

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      Eric Garcia has turned down the chance to extend his stay at the EtihadCredit: Rex Features
      According to Sport, Barcelona think Garcia could be “a lot cheaper” if Messi moves to the Etihad.
      The Spanish side are keen on the 19-year-old – but believe his £20.5million valuation is excessive.
      City could lower their asking price to avoid losing Garcia on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.
      Guardiola confirmed the centre-back rejected the chance to extend his stay at the Etihad.

      When asked about the player’s future, the boss said: “He announced to us that he doesn’t want to extend his contract with Manchester City.
      “He has one more year and after that, yeah.
      “We want it but he doesn’t want to extend – so I imagine he wants to play in another place.”
      The defender made 13 Premier League appearances this season as City finished second.

      Garcia came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before he made the move to England in 2017.
      New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is said to be a huge admirer of the talented youngster.
      But his the price of his move away from the Nou Camp will heavily rely on Messi’s situation.

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      Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona this summer Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 33-year-old handed in a transfer request to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
      But the club believe the clause has expired in his contract – meaning he is under contract with them until 2021.
      City are among the long list of teams that have already indicated their interest in the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

      Wayne Rooney says Messi can win Ballon d’Or at Man Utd or Man City if he joins the Premier League More

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      Messi refuses to meet Barcelona president Bartomeu amid calls for him to resign after star slaps in transfer request

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      LIONEL MESSI does not want to meet Josep Maria Bartomeu to discuss his future at Barcelona, according to reports.
      Furious fans have called for the club president to resign after the 33-year-old handed in a transfer request.

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      Lionel Messi looks set to leave the Spanish side this summerCredit: EPA
      According to Marca, the club planned for Bartomeu to meet with Messi to try and convince him to stay.
      But Messi has no intention of talking with the president as he looks to force his way out of the club.
      The club’s top scorer has made his decision and plans to stand firm.
      But he will return to training with his team-mates on Monday to avoid any legal backlash.

      And he was spotted in Barcelona on Wednesday after dining at a restaurant with Luis Suarez.
      Messi plans to leave the club on a free transfer this summer after faxing in his request.
      The 33-year-old demanded the club exercise a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for nothing.
      But the Spanish side are convinced the clause has expired – and believe he will only leave for more than £199m – a world record fee.

      Early reports claimed Messi would be tempted to stay at Barcelona if Bartomeu resigns from his post.

      And fans broke through the Nou Camp gates while chanting: “Bartomeu, dimissio,” meaning, “Batomeu, dismissed.”
      Unsurpisingly, there’s no shortage of transfer interest in the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
      Manchester City are willing to go all out for Messi – who’s scored 634 goals for Barcelona – if he makes it clear he wants to join them.

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      Lionel Messi does not want to meet with the Barcelona club president Credit: Reuters

      Wayne Rooney says Messi can win Ballon d’Or at Man Utd or Man City if he joins the Premier League More

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      Luis Suarez breaks silence on Barcelona axing and claims ‘when I have to talk, I talk for myself’ amid transfer links

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      LUIS SUAREZ says “when I have to talk, I talk for myself” after breaking his silence on his Barcelona future.
      The Uruguayan striker has been told he is no longer wanted at the Nou Camp by new boss Ronald Koeman.

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      Luis Suarez has broken his silence since it emerged Barcelona wanted rid of himCredit: Getty Images
      Ex-Liverpool star Suarez has teams from across Europe keen on securing his services.
      Clubs from the Premier League and Serie A have both allegedly been in contact.
      Paris Saint-Germain are also closely monitoring his situation while former club Ajax want to bring him back to Holland.

      Suarez has also been linked with a move to America to join David Beckham’s MLS outfit Inter Miami.

      Throughout what has been a manic week for Barcelona after Lionel Messi’s transfer request, the forward has remained silent.
      Now he has taken to his Instagram account to post the first words since news broke he was told he had no future with the Catalans.  
      He wrote: “There are people talking about me or in my name when for years I’ve had no relationship with them, when I have to talk I talk for myself.”
      Despite the media frenzy over both Suarez and Messi’s future, the pair were spotted together last night.

      The close friends were captured on camera leaving a restaurant, with footage released by El Chiringuito TV showing Messi departing in a black vehicle with Suarez then following separately.  
      South American Suarez will not decide his next move until his lawyers have agreed an exit deal with Barca.

      Ajax chief Marc Overmars was reportedly working on bringing him back to the Dutch side.
      He spent four years with them before heading to Anfield in 2014.
      The Eredivisie giants reportedly offered Barcelona £13.5million for him.
      But it is reported that Suarez has no interest in returning to Ajax.
      Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal are among the long-list of English clubs believed to be hoping to sign a new striker this summer. More

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      Leeds closing in on £39m double transfer swoop for Rodrigo and Sam Greenwood

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      LEEDS are reportedly on the verge of a double striker acquisition in Rodrigo Moreno and Sam Greenwood.
      Fans of the newly-promoted club will be eager to see the Spanish international in action when he completes his tantalising £36million move.

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      Rodrigo has four career goals in the Champions League, including a September strike past ChelseaCredit: Reuters

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      Sam Greenwood is set to enter Leeds’ youth teams having largely played at U18s level for ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But he is not the only new arrival expected at Elland Road, with Arsenal youngster Greenwood also on the way.
      According to the Telegraph, the pair will cost a combined £39m and could even be announced today.
      Greenwood, 18, is said to command an initial fee of £1.5m with a further £1.5m in add-ons.

      While being watched by the likes of AC Milan and Manchester United, the forward has impressed in the Gunners’ youth setup.

      Having broken out with Sunderland’s academy before a 2018 switch to Arsenal, he has scored 19 times in 47 appearances in the Under-18s Premier League.
      The signing will fit the theme of Leeds’ other summer acquisitions, including Joel Gelhardt, Charlie Allen and Cody Drameh, as young talent remains high on the club’s agenda.
      But it is Rodrigo who will be expected to have a major, instant impact on the first-team’s top-flight return.
      The Brazil-born forward came through Real Madrid’s academy and even has Premier League experience from a loan stint with Bolton almost a decade ago.

      Since then, he has turned himself into one of Europe’s best finishers.
      A slight drop-off last campaign coincided with Valencia’s huge off-field problems but previous years saw him hit 19 and 15 goals, respectively.
      And, as the first genuinely new face to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s senior squad since gaining promotion, the 29-year-old can be expected to make a strong case for starting Leeds’ opening day trip to Liverpool in just over two weeks’ time.

      England manager Gareth Southgate names Leeds star Kalvin Phillips named for first time More