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      Real Madrid want superstars to take huge pay cuts to fill £180m hole after lost revenue due to coronavirus

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      REAL MADRID are facing a financial black hole – and could be ready to demand more pay cuts.
      The coronavirus has hit LaLiga harder than many of the other top leagues – and even behemoths like Real have not been immune.

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      Real Madrid won their first title in three years Credit: Alamy Live News

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      The loss of fans at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu next season has forced Los Blancos chiefs to consider 10 per cent pay cuts for its superstarsCredit: Reuters
      They need to cover a £182MILLION shortfall – and that cannot simply be sorted by selling players.
      Los Blancos asked their stars to take a pay cut earlier this spring as the coronavirus pandemic took a grip on the world’s economy.
      And now Real president Florentino Perez and his bean counters are ready to ask them to take another pay cut.
      Tipping Madrid chiefs over the edge is the fact that there will be no punters in stadiums probably for the rest of THIS YEAR.

      That means no matchday revenue – and big clubs in Spain need to take a hit now to make sure they do not hit the wall.
      Top priority for Real will be getting Gareth Bale’s £650,000-a-week wages off their books and they could revisit a switch to a Chinese club again – or try and sort out a compromise with a Premier League club.
      Los Blancos are likely to start by extending the ten per pay cut for ALL players, say Madrid newspaper Marca.

      That means Bale would lose £65,000 per week.
      That is likely to run for the whole of the 2020/21 campaign.

      And if Real crash out of the Champions League to Manchester City next week, then that step will be looked at immediately.
      Zinedine Zidane’s men are already 2-1 down from the home first leg.
      A Last 16 exit will also hit plans to bring in new players and a move for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba could be the first casualty.

      Watch José Giménez score with thumping strike for Atlético Madrid vs Elche CF in La Liga More

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      Kepa willing to take a pay cut on £150,000-a-week to end his Chelsea torment with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla interested

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      KEPA is willing to take a pay cut if it helps end his Chelsea misery.
      The Spanish keeper came under fire again this week for his performance in the 5-3 defeat at Liverpool and is now resigned to leaving the club.

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      Kepa Arrizabalaga is willing to take a pay cut if it helps end his Chelsea misery
      The latest criticism comes on top of being dropped by boss Frank Lampard earlier in the season over a dip in form and continued speculation that Chelsea are looking at bringing in a replacement.
      Kepa, 25, who earns around £150,000 a week, is two years into a whopping six year contract and knows the terms of his deal at Stamford Bridge make him an expensive buy for a new team.
      He has been linked with moves back home to Seville and more recently as part of a swap deal involving Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid.
      Chelsea paid a world-record £71.6million for Kepa in the summer of 2018 but while the young keeper loves life in London, is struggling to convince Lampard that he is cut out for the Premier League.

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      Kepa’s shocking stats in 2019-20
      Chelsea are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League today with a top four finish but have conceded 54 goals the season – more than any team in the top 11.
      The five let in at Anfield on Wednesday has only fuelled rumour that Lampard is looking to buy a new keeper during the summer transfer window which opens tomorrow and runs until October 5.
      In addition to Oblak, Burnley’s Nick Pope and Manchester United’s promising young keeper Dean Henderson, on loan at Sheffield United, have been linked with Chelsea.
      Chelsea even sniffed around Borussia Dortmund keeper Roman Burki until he signed a new deal with the Bundesliga club.

      Kepa would prefer to maintain his existing personal terms with a move but is ready to swallow a reduction in pay if the ‘project’ at a new club excites him.
      Chelsea need a point this afternoon in their final match of the season against Wolves to secure Champions League football for next season.
      Wolves must win to ensure participation in next season’s Europa League but with only 51 goals has scored fewer than any of the top seven.

      Andy Jacobs is no fan of Chelsea’s goalkeeper Kepa who he thinks is the worst in English football More

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      Bale ‘mad’ at Real Madrid for blocking transfer and stand-off with Zidane ‘unsatisfying’, says Kroos

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      TONI KROOS says Gareth Bale is “still mad” at Real Madrid for blocking his exit.
      Los Blancos bigwigs were said to have stood in the way of the Welshman’s lucrative transfer to Chinese side Jiangsu Suning last summer.

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      Gareth Bale is ‘still mad’ at Real Madrid for blocking his exit to China
      Following the escalation of Bale’s public battle with coach Zinedine Zidane, Suning emerged as a top contender to take him away from La Liga.
      A massive £1million-a-week, three-year contract was reportedly agreed between player and club.
      And yet it was Madrid who pulled the plug.
      Real club president Florentino Perez decided that letting their former record signing leave on a free transfer was unacceptable.

      And Bernabeu midfield maestro Kroos reckons there is still an awkward atmosphere for everyone at the club.
      The German ace told Goal: “There’s no getting around that the situation is unsatisfying for everyone.
      “I believe that [Gareth Bale] wanted to leave last summer in principle and that they signalled a ‘yes’ at first and then not again.
      “I don’t know if he’s still a bit mad about that. It’s a difficult subject.”

      Bale did not play a single minute of the club’s final seven games as they won LaLiga for a record 34th time.
      Fans joked the Welshman was trying to injure team-mates by kicking their ankles after the win over Villarreal.

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      And Dimitar Berbatov slammed him for being “unprofessional” after he was pictured pretending to sleep in the stands and fooling around with makeshift binoculars.
      But Bale’s longtime agent Jonathan Barnett insists the superstar is “going nowhere”.
      Reports recently claimed the ex-Tottenham forward will be happy to run down his £600,000-a-week contract – which runs until 2022 – on the Bernabeu bench if needs be.

      Gareth Bale looks uncomfortable during Real Madrid title celebrations after Zinedine Zidane leaves him on the bench for title decider versus Villarreal More

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      Real Madrid will ‘aggressively push’ Bale and James out of club this summer as part of ‘Operation Exit’ to raise £164m

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      REAL MADRID hope to raise funds by finally selling Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez this summer, according to reports.
      Club president Florentino Perez has prioritised raising money from player sales this summer given the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with Los Blancos in the process of remodelling the Santiago Bernabeu.

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      Real Madrid are hoping to raise money through the sales of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez
      Reports from Spanish newspaper Marca claim Real will “aggressively push” Bale and James out of the exit door in a bid to raise £164million in the transfer window.
      Bale does not seem to have a future in the Spanish capital under current boss Zinedine Zidane.
      The Welsh international cut a frustrated figure in Real’s title run-in, featuring just twice after La Liga’s June restart.
      However, Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has stated the 31-year-old will be going nowhere this summer.

      Reports this week have claimed the ex-Tottenham forward will be happy to run down his £600,000-a-week contract – which runs until 2022 – on the Bernabeu bench if needs be.

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      James asked Real boss Zinedine Zidane if he could sit out Madrid’s title run-inCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      James meanwhile asked Zidane to be left out of Real’s squad in their last five games of the season, perhaps to avoid injury with a view to a move away from the club.
      The Colombian midfielder has a year to run on his current deal and Perez would prefer to sell the 29-year-old this summer, rather than lose him for nothing in 2021.
      James spent two years on loan at Bayern Munich before returning to Real last summer after the German giants rejected the chance to sign him permanently.

      The ex-Porto and Monaco star has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton in recent months.
      James and Bale’s future has seemed intertwined for some time now.
      The Welshman was all set to join Chinese side Jiangsu Suning on a free transfer last summer only for Real to pull the plug at the last minute.
      The deal fell through after Los Blancos were informed through an intermediary of another Chinese side’s willingness to pay a transfer fee for 2014 World Cup Golden Boot-winner James.
      However, this information turned out to be fake and both James and Bale remained at the Bernabeu.

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      Bale was a peripheral figure in Real Madrid’s title celebrationsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Gareth Bale looks uncomfortable during Real Madrid title celebrations after Zinedine Zidane leaves him on the bench for title decider versus Villarreal More

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      Inter Milan plot ‘2021 transfer assault’ to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona as star’s rift with club grows deeper

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      INTER MILAN are planning a sensational swoop for Lionel Messi next summer, according to reports.
      The Argentine is in the midst of a frosty rift with Barcelona chiefs and the Serie A side look set to try and take advantage of the feud with a “2021 assault”.

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      Inter Milan are planning to swoop for Lionel Messi next summer

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      Italian outlet Gazzaetta dello Sport says the Serie A side will try to capitalise on his rift with Barca
      Messi’s deal runs out next summer and the Italians hope to lure him away from the Nou Camp with a mega money deal, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

      The 33-year-old superstar has bagged 30 goals in all competitions this season.
      And Inter’s majority shareholders Suning Group Holdings reportedly believe they can stump up the dough to prise Messi away from the Nou Camp and to the San Siro next season.
      Portuguese outlet A Bola report Inter will offer a three-year deal worth £45.5million-a-year.

      It also emerged yesterday Messi’s dad and agent Jorge has splashed out some cash on a plush new pad in the Italian capital Milan.
      He is said to be pulling the strings of his son’s potential switch to the Nerazzuri next season.
      According to Italian outfit Radio Rai, Jorge purchased a home in Milan’s Porta Nova neighbourhood to prepare for his son’s Barca departure.
      It comes after Messi slammed Barcelona as “weak” and “erratic” following their 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna – a result that crowned Madrid champs.

      He said: “We didn’t want to end the season like this but it represents how the season has gone.

      “We were a very erratic, very weak, low-intensity team. We lost a lot of points and today’s game is a summary of the season.
      “We have to be self-critical. Starting with the players but doing a global self-criticism.
      “We are Barca and we have to win everything.

      “We can’t look at Madrid. Madrid have done their job, but we have helped them a lot.”
      Messi has been linked with a transfer to Inter in the past and tyre company Pirelli will reportedly back club president Steven Zhang in an audacious move for the 33-year-old.
      But their chief executive admitted the contribution can only be small following the financial fall out of the coronavirus pandemic.

      Premier League 2020-21 season to start on September 12 but fixtures will be released just three weeks before kick-off More

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      Luca Zidane set to leave Real Madrid after 16 years at club despite dad Zinedine being in charge

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      LUCA ZIDANE is set to leave Real Madrid after 16 years at the club – despite dad Zinedine being in the top job.
      The goalkeeper joined Los Blancos at the age of six and spent the last season on loan at Racing Santander.

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      Luca Zidane is nearing the Bernabeu exit door after 16 years at the club
      Zidane junior is out of contract and according to the Evening Standard, the 22-year-old will not be offered new terms.
      The French stopper made his first team debut in the final league game of the 2017-18 season.
      That was also Zinedine’s last game before his shock exit, having won the Champions League in each of his first three seasons as a manager.

      And the ruthless Los Blancos boss will reportedly not hand his son a life-line since returning to the top job at the Bernabeu.
      Lucas is said to be in talks with Ligue 1 side Montpellier as he plans his future.

      Madrid’s back-up goalkeeper for the last season was Alphonse Areola, but he will return to Paris Saint-Germain after his loan deal ended.
      The French shot-stopper, 27, has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer with the club desperate to offload club-record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga.

      Los Blancos look set to promote Andriy Lunin to take Areola’s place next term as Thibaut Courtois’ understudy.

      Gareth Bale looks uncomfortable during Real Madrid title celebrations after Zinedine Zidane leaves him on the bench for title decider versus Villarreal More

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      Lionel Messi’s dad set to move to Milan.. sparking yet more Inter transfer talk for Barcelona star

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      LIONEL MESSI’S dad has sparked mouth-watering rumours of his son’s transfer to Inter Milan after splashing on a pad in the Italian capital.
      Jorge Messi, who is also the Barca ace’s agent, is said to be pulling the strings of his son’s potential switch to the Nerazzuri next season.

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      Lionel Messi’s dad Jorge has sparked transfer talk of his son moving to Inter Milan after buying a house in the Italian capital
      According to Italian outfit Radio Rai, Jorge purchased a home in Milan’s Porta Nova neighbourhood to prepare for his son’s departure from the Nou Camp when his deal expires in 2021.
      It comes after Messi slammed Barcelona as “weak” and “erratic” following their 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna – a result that crowned Madrid champs.

      He said: “We didn’t want to end the season like this but it represents how the season has gone.
      “We were a very erratic, very weak, low-intensity team. We lost a lot of points and today’s game is a summary of the season.

      “We have to be self-critical. Starting with the players but doing a global self-criticism.
      “We are Barca and we have to win everything.
      “We can’t look at Madrid. Madrid have done their job, but we have helped them a lot.”
      Messi has been linked with a transfer to Inter in the past and tyre company Pirelli will reportedly back club president Steven Zhang in an audacious move for the 33-year-old.

      But their chief executive admitted the contribution can only be small following the financial fall out of the coronavirus pandemic
      Juventus and Manchester City have also been linked with a sensational move for the LaLiga icon.
      Messi and his father, Jorge, had begun talks over renewing the playmaker’s current deal, which was signed back in 2017.

      But they reportedly no longer wished to advance negotiations and ESPN report that the reasons behind the decision are down to a several off-field bust-ups.
      Messi was said to be angry with Barca’s board about leaked media reports that appeared to make him seem responsible for events at the club.
      This included the six-time Ballon d’Or winner being accused of playing a role in the January sacking of coach Ernesto Valverde.

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      The Nou camp maestro is also allegedly frustrated about the quality of Barcelona’s squad.
      But Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu is relaxed about the situation and believes their star man will end his career with the Catalan giants.
      Messi’s frustration at the club looked a million miles away as the six-time Ballon d’Or winner topped up his tan on a getaway with Luiz Suarez and his stunning wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

      Stats say that Lionel Messi would have won Ballon d’Or this season with Cristiano Ronaldo missing out on the top three More

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      Sergio Ramos ‘using China transfer interest to get new £315k-a-week contract at Real Madrid’ like he did with Man Utd

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      SERGIO RAMOS is using a lucrative offer from an unnamed Chinese club in order to force Real Madrid into handing him a handsome new deal, according to reports.
      The 170-cap Spanish defender has just one year remaining on his £210,000-a-week deal at the Bernabeu.

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      Sergio Ramos has had another imperious year at Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And according to Sport, the 34-year-old’s representatives have leaked details of a £385k-a-week offer from a Chinese Super League club, in order to force Real Madrid’s hand in the drawn out negotiations.
      Ramos is chasing a two-year extension, and wants a pay rise to make him the club’s top earner.
      Gareth Bale is currently Madrid’s highest-paid player on around £300k-a-week – but Ramos’ demands of a £315k weekly salary would see him top this figure.
      Fans will recall the Madrid star’s brother and agent Rene Ramos engineering a similar story with Manchester United back in 2015.

      It appeared that the Red Devils, managed by Louis van Gaal, were in a good position to sign the 29-year-old Ramos at the time – but for the defender to sign a new contract in Spain.
      Madrid’s No4 has been in sublime form this season, lifting his fifth league title and even scoring 11 goals from the back along the way.
      And such has been the imperious nature of his performances, that team-mate Luka Modric labelled him the “best defender in the world”.

      The Croatian told Sportske Novoski: “My brother Sergio is a phenomenon.

      “And I’m not just saying that because in eight years we’ve created a really special relationship, we hang out as families, go on holiday together, or because we’ve had fantastic footballing experiences and successes together.
      “Ramos is a 34-year-old rock, a top-level competitor, and when you watch him working on himself, it’s clear how dedicated he is and how hungry he is for success.
      “He’s a team leader and the best defender in the world.”
      UNCERTAIN FUTURES
      Their captain is not the only player at the Bernabeu whose contract is running into its final year.
      The likes of the aforementioned Modric – as well as Lucas Vazquez and Nacho – are also entering the last season of their respective deals.

      And club president Florentino Perez has warned against expecting big money dealings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
      He said: “The situation is bad.
      “We can’t ask for the players to take a pay cut and then make big money transfers.”

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      Luka Modric is also set to enter the final year of his contractCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Watch Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema’s disallowed cheeky penalty routine More