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      James Rodriguez hints at Premier League transfer amid Arsenal interest and hits out at Real Madrid for freezing him out

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      JAMES RODRIGUEZ has opened the door to a Premier League move having grown “frustrated” under exile from Real Madrid.
      Joining Gareth Bale in being pushed towards the Bernabeu exit door, Rodriguez appeared only once in LaLiga in 2020 having previously been sent on loan to Bayern Munich.

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      James Rodriguez is set for a move away from Real Madrid this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arsenal, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, are linked with the Colombian and he is ready to contemplate a switch to England.
      James told Daniel Habif’s podcast: “Now there are many things, everything is over now, the virus stopped everything.
      “There are many clubs that do not have so much, in a few days I know where I am going.
      “I still don’t know; Italy, Spain, England. It’s a question that I have and I don’t know, but I do want to go where I can play, where I can be happy and where I feel that I am loved by everyone.

      “I’ve already played in France, I’ve been in several good leagues. Only Italy and the Premier League are missing.
      “I have to see where I want to go or where they want me to go…

      For a Colombian to go to Bayern, Real, France and then the Premier League would be big.
      James Rodriguez

      “[England] would be a good thing, it would be a ‘top’ league.
      “And for a Colombian going to Bayern, Real, France and then the Premier League would be big.

      “I have to see, I place everything in the hands of God so that he can show me the way and give me a lot of wisdom to choose well.”
      Having earned his move to Real Madrid in 2014, the attacking midfielder quickly slipped down the pecking order and was sent on a two-year loan spell with Bayern.
      And a fresh shot at Zinedine Zidane’s team this campaign has not gone well, with just a single goal in 14 matches.
      Rodriguez described his situation as “frustrating”, explaining: “Because I know that I have the conditions for me to be able to play – not a little, to always play.
      “But for other people I cannot do it. And for me it is frustrating because I know that I can be there.
      “I say, ‘If I were bad, I couldn’t play’, then I would stay calm. But no, as I said before, I am a person who always wants to win, always be, for me it is super frustrating.”
      SNOW BOTHER
      That could open the way for a relatively cheap move but James, 29, admits that he has struggled to adapt to other cultures – with Germany’s cold weather a particular issue for the South American.
      He continued: “Although I was treated spectacularly, [Bayern] is a club that loved me a lot, living was not easy, it is cold in -20ºC.
      “There were days when that I would go to work at 9am, I would start the car and when the temperature was at -28ºC. And I would say, ‘What am I doing here? What am I doing here in -28ºC?’.

      “Munich is a city with a high quality of life. But I couldn’t be comfortable… They only think about work, work and work. They are machines. They are incredible.
      “They arrive, ‘Hello, good morning, good morning’, they change, they train and, ‘Goodbye, bye’. Each one with their own life, they train and are ‘little machines’. It’s incredible.
      “When they drink these 5-litre beers, rather, they gulp it all in 25 minutes, it’s incredible…”

      James Rodriguez set for sensational Atletico Madrid transfer from Real Madrid for £13.5m with no future under Zidane More

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      Barcelona hoping to seal Neymar transfer by offering Griezmann and £54m with PSG star seen as only player to save club

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      BARCELONA are set to make a fresh approach to sign Neymar in an attempt to start the rebuild, according to reports.
      The Catalan giants are in disarray with the team humiliated by Bayern Munich, the manager about to be sacked and their best player at loggerheads with the board.

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      Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona will make a fresh approach to sign Neymar again
      And according to Sport in Spain, they are lining up a transfer offer to try and lure Neymar back to the Nou Camp.
      The report states Barca will bid £54million and offer Antoine Griezmann as part of a deal.
      They see their former forward, who left in 2017 to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record £198m, as the best option to help fix the dire problems as quickly as possible.
      The 28-year-old scored 105 goals in 186 appearances for the LaLiga club and formed a deadly attack with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

      But the Brazilian superstar also offers plenty of value off the field due to his strong marketing brand.
      It is thought Griezmann could be used as a bargaining chip.
      The Frenchman’s move from Atletico Madrid has not worked out quite as planned with 15 goals in 48 appearances.
      Neymar showed glimpses of his very best in the comeback win over Atalanta last week, except for a horror one-on-one miss.

      And based on performances like that, it is little wonder Barcelona are desperate to get him back to the Nou Camp.
      Quique Setien is set to be axed following the 8-2 Champions League thumping.
      Messi and the board’s relationship continues to deteriorate to the point where reports suggest he wants to leave the club.
      However, they face a tough task landing Neymar because PSG are determined not to let him go – regardless of the offer they receive.

      Club chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted he will never sell Neymar nor team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
      He told RMC Sport: “Ney, with Kylian, is one of the best players in the world. He’s in the top three. Neymar was the man of the match, he was great.
      “He and Kylian will never leave. They’ll stay with PSG.”

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      Antoine Griezmann could be used as part of a swap deal, seeing the Frenchman join Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Reuters

      Neymar jumps on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting during PSG post match interview More

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      Ronald Koeman spotted at Barcelona airport and set to replace Quique Setien as manager after ‘advanced talks’ with club

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      HOLLAND boss Ronald Koeman has been snapped at Barcelona Airport as he edges closer to taking charge at the Nou Camp.
      The 57-year-old has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Quique Setien with the Spaniard’s sacking set to be confirmed imminently.

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      Ronald Koeman, 57, is the favourite to take charge at the Nou Camp
      His fate was sealed after the club crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-final stage after being thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich.
      Barca legend Xavi had been the bookies favourite to succeed Setien, with Maurico Pochettino and Thiery Henry also in the running.
      But Koeman appears to be at the head of the queue, with Marca obtaining footage of him at the City’s airport on Sunday.
      They claim that Koeman will now have a meeting with club directors on Monday as both parties look to thrash out a deal.

      Meanwhile Mundo Deportivo state that Koeman has agreed a two-year deal to take charge in Catalonia.
      It has been reported how Barca are in talks with his agent Rob Jansen at how Koeman can be released from his contract with the Dutch Federation.
      The former Everton gaffer earned legendary status during his six-year spell at Barcelona between 1989-1995.

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      Koeman spent six successful seasons playing at Barcelona between 1989-1995Credit: Getty – Contributor

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      A host of names have been linked with the Barcelona job

      In 264 games, he chipped in with 88 goals – including the winner in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria.

      Barcelona have been rocked by the news that Lionel Messi wants to leave the club this summer.
      The Argentinian ace is said to have voiced his anger over the humiliating Bayern defeat, and does not intend to stay for the remaining year on his contract.

      Bayern Munich DESTROY Barcelona in masterful Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon More

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      Lionel Messi tells Barcelona he wants transfer ‘immediately’ following Bayern loss, says journo who broke Neymar to PSG

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      LIONEL MESSI wants to leave Barcelona THIS SUMMER, according to reports.
      And the Argentine superstar is said to have informed the club already.

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      Lionel Messi ‘wants to leave Barcelona this summer’
      Messi was furious after Barca were humiliatingly dumped out of the Champions League on Friday with an 8-2 thumping by Bayern Munich.
      He reportedly threatened to quit if there was not a major restructure at the Nou Camp.
      But he is not willing to wait for the change and wants to leave “immediately”, according to Esporte Interativo.

      An inside source close to Messi is quoted as saying: “He has never seen Leo so determined to leave as now.”

      The Brazilian outlet correctly revealed Neymar was leaving Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
      Barcelona have refuted the claims, according to Catalan outlet Sport.
      And one senior figure has reportedly warned any pursuers:: “He has a contract until June 2021, with a clause of £633million.”
      Messi, 33, has grown disillusioned with life at his boyhood club following numerous mounting problems behind the scenes.

      His contract expires next summer when he can leave for free but he appears determined to leave right now.
      And Graeme Souness believes Premier League duo Man City and neighbours United should waste no time in making their move.
      Writing in the Times, he said: “Lionel Messi looked like a man who has had enough of carrying that team; without him they wouldn’t even be good enough to qualify for the Champions League.
      “This would be the perfect week to put a bid in for the 33-year-old Argentinian and I could easily see him playing in Manchester — at either United or City.”
      Messi cut a distraught figure following the darkest night in the club’s history against Bayern.
      With the legendary forward not getting any younger, Messi is not prepared to spend the twilight of his career at a club going backwards.

      A new manager is inevitable with the club targetting former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
      But the real issues lie at the hands of president Josep Bartomeu who has been embroiled in a string of controversial antics.
      One of those include paying a PR firm to attack stars such as Messi and Gerard Pique online.

      Another change is likely to see the axeing of Sporting Director Eric Abidal – of whom had a pubic falling out with Messi.
      Messi scored 31 goals and provided 26 assists from 44 appearances in all competitions this season.
      Barca are facing a stream of departures with ex-Liverpool star Luis Suarez said to be on the transfer list.

      Gerard Piqué says he is ‘first to offer to go’ if Barcelona need ‘new blood’ following 8-2 battering by Bayern Munich in Champions League quarter-final More

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      Barcelona rejected chance to sign Bayern Munich wonderkid Alphonso Davies ‘because he’s Canadian’

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      BARCELONA reportedly rejected the chance to sign Alphonso Davies “because he is Canadian”.
      Bayern Munich’s whizkid is one of the world’s best left-backs and was outstanding in their recent 8-2 Champions League thrashing of Barcelona.

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      Barcelona reportedly rejected the chance to sign Alphonso Davies – because ‘he’s Canadian’
      But he could have been turning out for the Catalans as they were offered him before he signed for Bayern, according to Chilean journalist Luis Omar Tapia.
      Davies bagged a stunning assist after a solo run during Friday’s rout.
      And after his scintillating performance, Tapia tweeted: “Here is a did you know?

      “[Hristo] Stoitchkov spoke to [Barca chief Josep Maria] Bartomeu about Davies months before Bayern came on board. His response was, he is Canadian no thanks.”

      The 19-year-old has joint Canadian and Liberian citizenship.
      But he has 17 international caps for Canada and has bagged five goals from those games.
      He started his career with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps before he was snapped up by Bayern in January 2019.

      “He’s just turned Nelson Semedo inside out! An experienced right-back… Whoops!”Wow, Alphonso Davies is just so difficult to stop 🔥A magnificent assist from Bayern’s rising star at left-back 🙌#Club2020 pic.twitter.com/NCbOrOyaJS
      — Football on BT Sport #Club2020 (@btsportfootball) August 14, 2020

      And having registered four goals and nine assists from 47 appearances since, he is now one of the first names on the team sheet at the Allianz Arena.

      After the Barcelona drubbing, Real Madrid left-back Marcelo wrote on Instagram: “You bring joy to my eyes when I see you play kid.”
      Barca’s humiliation has led to reports of a mass exodus this summer and iconic striker Luis Suarez is said to be on the transfer list.

      Here is a did you know? Stoitchkov spoke to Bartomeu about Davies months before Bayern came on board. His response was, he is Canadian no thanks. https://t.co/xOwFDy6OdM
      — Luis Omar Tapia (@LuisOmarTapia) August 15, 2020

      Chelsea and Everton chasing shock move for Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster, 37, after Hornets relegated More

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      Luis Suarez placed on Barcelona transfer list after club’s humiliating exit from the Champions League

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      LUIS SUAREZ has been placed on Barcelona’s transfer list, according to reports.
      The Catalans are planning a major overhaul after their humiliating Champions League exit and the Uruguayan is one of the stars they would be happy to let go.

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      Luis Suarez has been put on Barcelona’s transfer list
      Barca were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich on Friday night as they crashed out the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
      And a mass exodus is now planned after the rout highlighted deep rooted issues at the Nou Camp.
      Suarez is one of the players highlighted for a potential exit, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

      The 33-year-old has one season left on his contract but has a clause which automatically triggers a year extension if he plays 60 per cent of Barca’s games next campaign.

      It is said the Barca hierarchy consider Inter star Lautaro Martinez as a suitable replacement – and he would also be cheaper than Suarez.
      Only five players are said to be safe from the planned cull this summer.
      Just keeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi from the senior crop are protected.
      While future talents Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig are also said to be off limits to other clubs.

      Barca chiefs have reportedly already decided to sack Quique Setien after the Champions League shambles and his inability to win LaLiga ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid.
      And Messi is said to have threatened to quit if there is not an urgent restructure.

      Maurico Pochettino is said to be favourite to take over from Setien.
      But senior players are said to be “dead against” the potential appointment.
      And even club legend Gerard Pique has offered to leave for the good of the club.

      Watch Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards scream in disbelief as Raheem Sterling misses open goal vs Lyon in Champions League quarter-final More

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      Man City willing to pay ‘whatever it takes’ to clinch Messi transfer and think they are favourites if he quits Barcelona

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      MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly prepared to pay “whatever it takes” to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
      The 33-year-old has been tipped to leave the Nou Camp after his side’s disastrous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.

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      Lionel Messi could leave his beloved Barcelona this summerCredit: EPA
      According to The Mirror, City are willing to go all out to snap up Messi this summer.
      Pep Guardiola’s side believe they are in pole position to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner should he decide to quit Barcelona.
      He has a huge £635million buy-out clause as part of his current contract.
      Italian giants Inter Milan have also been linked with a move for Messi.

      The Argentine ace has been with Barcelona since he joined the youth ranks in 2000, aged 13.
      He has since made 731 appearances for the club, scoring 634 goals and making 276 assists.
      Messi has guided the club to 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, six Copa del Rey titles and three Club World Cup wins.
      But reports claim he is set to quit his beloved Barcelona if big changes are not made this summer.

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      Fans are convinced he is set to hand in his transfer request after the defeat to Bayern in the Champions League.
      Messi looked heartbroken as he sat in the dressing room after the final whistle.
      And he did not crack a smile as he boarded the team bus on Saturday morning after the 8-2 defeat.

      Bayern Munich DESTROY Barcelona in masterful Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon More

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      Watch Muller crack awful Robert LewanGOALski joke as he says Bayern win more dominant than Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil

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      THOMAS MULLER was in jovial mood after Bayern Munich’s thumping win over Barcelona.
      But his attempt at a joke left the assembled media unamused.

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      Bayern Munich thrashed the LaLiga giants on Friday night
      Speaking after his side’s triumph, he said: “We at Bayern have Robert LewanGOALski.”
      Seemingly confused that journalists weren’t rolling in the aisles at his brilliant play on words, he repeated: “You know, Robert LewanGOALski.”
      But as much as Muller thought it was a side splitter of a pun, he didn’t quite get the reaction he wanted with the room remaining deathly silent.
      BETTER THAN BRAZIL
      He also claimed Bayern Munich’s 8-2 win over Barcelona trumped Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil in 2014.

      The 30-year-old scored the opener during his side’s historic 8-2 win over the Spanish giants.
      Muller also broke the deadlock for Germany as they thrashed Brazil at the World Cup six years ago.
      But he claimed after Friday’s match that Bayern’s victory was the more dominant of the two.
      He said: “In 2014 against Brazil we never had the same control of the game.

      “It was something that happened but let’s not talk about it, let’s talk about today.
      “It was a special night, the result and the way we played was special.

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      Thomas Muller compared the win to Germany’s famous victory over Brazil
      “The best thing was to see that the players who come from substitutes have the same attitude and same joy.
      “The important thing is to do what we want on the pitch and for everyone to go to the limit.”
      Before he added: “This is good, you can imagine how it feels, it was very special for us after this match.
      “But we have to recover.
      “It’s a big statement but the next game, it starts 0-0. It doesn’t matter.”
      The defeat has left Barcelona fans thinking Lionel Messi is set to hand in his transfer request.

      Barcelona have allegedly already decided to sack struggling manager Quique Setien.
      Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been tipped to take charge at the Nou Camp.
      But Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has emerged as a shock contender for the role.

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      Thomas Muller scored the opener in the 8-2 win over BarcelonaCredit: Reuters More