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      Real Madrid’s plan for Jude Bellingham unveiled with England star set for position change to fit in Kylian Mbappe

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is set for a position change to accommodate Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid.The French superstar has reportedly agreed a five-year deal at the Bernabeu and will join on a free transfer once his PSG contract expires in the summer.
      Kylian Mbappe is set to join PSG in a blockbuster transfer this summerCredit: Reuters
      His arrival means Jude Bellingham will likely see his position tweakedCredit: Alamy
      Mbappe, 25, told PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi of his decision to leave last Tuesday.
      And although no paperwork has been formally signed just yet, Real Madrid are well underway with making preparations for Mbappe’s arrival.
      That includes working out how to fit the World Cup winner into Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded side.
      As reported by Guillem Balague for the BBC, Mbappe will expect to play in his favoured position, in the forward line ideally slightly on the left rather than as an out-and-out solo No9.
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      That role is currently occupied by Vinicius Junior, who could be pushed further out into more of a left-winger role.
      And that would also see Bellingham drop deeper.
      The Englishman, 20, has been playing in an advanced No10 position this season, even at times as a false No9 with Vinicius and Rodrygo either side of him.
      And he has been reaping the rewards with a stunning return of 20 goals and eight assists in 29 games for Los Blancos.
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      However, the ex-Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund ace will undoubtedly adapt to his more natural, midfield position with ease – and relish the chance to link up with Mbappe.
      Mbappe also heads to Madrid as a goalscorer determined to win the biggest trophies on offer.
      Jude Bellingham tips Phil Foden for stunning position change with England stars at centre of midfield selection dilemma
      He has racked up a staggering 244 goals in 291 PSG matches to become the club’s record scorer.
      But the glaring omission on his CV remains the Champions League and he will surely be confident of getting his hands on the famous trophy in the iconic all-white kit of Real.

      Another issue that needs resolving is what number Mbappe takes at the Bernabeu.
      He wears the No7 at PSG but Vinicius has that while his France No10 shirt is currently occupied by Luka Modric.
      However, the Croatian may leave this summer which would free it up – otherwise Mbappe would surely settle for the No9.
      The former Monaco sensation came close to joining Real Madrid in 2022 but ended up signing a two-year contract extension at the Parc des Princes.
      He rejected a world-record transfer to Saudi Arabia last summer but will not exercise the option to trigger an extra 12 months on his PSG deal.
      And that means he can sign for Real as a free agent.
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      Mbappe is expected to put pen to paper on an eye-watering contract worth around £250,000 per week plus a £128million signing-on bonus spread across the five years.
      Incredibly, that is a significant pay cut compared to his astronomical wages in Ligue 1. More

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      Barcelona CRISIS as they are forced into fire sale to slash wages by £57m while facing threat of European ban

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      BARCELONA’S crisis situation looks set to go from bad to worse after the club were told by LaLiga they will need to slash their salary bill by £57MILLION.The Spanish giants have underwhelmed in the league this season, sitting in third place behind Girona and eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
      Barcelona saw their salary permit reduced by LaLigaCredit: Getty
      It means they will need to sell players to steer clear of a penaltyCredit: Getty
      The likes of Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski could all be sold as a resultCredit: Getty
      But that gap may stretch over the next few years after Barcelona’s financial situation got even worse amid a feared exodus of players.
      LaLiga announced the Blaugrana would be having their permitted salary limit cut down from £231m to 174m for the 2024/25 season.
      With the club’s real squad cost – the total of salaries and transfer amortisations – for this season officially budgeted at £421m, they are some way over budget and will need to make significant cuts.
      Add to this the fact Uefa are not accepting Barcelona’s plea to accept future media sale revenues in their FFP calculations, which could yet land the club a Champions League ban, and you have a far-from-ideal scenario.
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      It means Barcelona will need to sell a host of their most valuable players to stay in line with the rules or face a transfer ban.
      And all this will happen while having to also convince a new manager to come in and take the reigns after club legend Xavi Hernandez announced he was stepping down at the end of the season.
      Big names who have been linked with the exit door include but are not limited to Frenkie de Jong – who remains on a colossal wage – Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Raphinha, Ronald Araujo and Pedri.
      De Jong was linked with a summer departure to Manchester United two seasons ago before the move fell flat due to the Dutchman’s lack of stomach for a move.
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      However, recent reports suggest the 26-year-old has changed his tune and is now open to an Old Trafford switch.
      With his contract up in 2026, Barca still have £65m to amortise when considering the transfer fee they paid to Ajax and the remaining value on his contract.
      Iconic stadium looks unrecognisable as new footage reveals crane on pitch and every single seat removed
      So if Man Utd come calling again they will smell a chance to make some money back, though De Jong is also said to be settled in Spain.
      Robert Lewandowski seems to have finally hit the other side of the mountain in his remarkable football career.

      He has been average this season despite four goals in his last three league games, and according to The Athletic “multiple sources” at the club would accept an offer for the 35-year-old forward.
      The Pole is reported to be earning a cool £22m a year, wages Barca would love to shift for a star on the decline particularly if Saudi Arabia were to reignite their interest in him.
      However, like De Jong Lewandowski is said to be happy in Catalonia.
      The likes of Pedri and Gavi are among the club’s most valuable assets.
      Selling even one of them would likely go a long way in easing the crippling situation Barcelona find themselves in.
      Who will be Barcelona’s next managerWHEN even a club legend like Xavi Hernandez feels he has to get out of the Nou Camp kitchen because he cannot take the heat any more, you do have to wonder if Barca are now a basket case.
      Whoever comes in will have to deal with a cash crisis that could yet see the Catalan giants banned from the Champions League next season – Uefa are still refusing to allow Barca to count the sale of future media revenues in their FFP calculations.
      Mikel Arteta emphatically denied suggestions that he was ready to leave Arsenal for his homeland. But, in the words of a famous ex-model: He would do, wouldn’t he?
      Win the Prem – or the Champions League – with the Gunners and Arteta might feel he has accomplished all that is possible in N5.
      However, Barca will also be looking at Alonso and De Zerbi, as well as former Bayern and Germany coach Hansi Flick.
      And there is at least one, potentially two, Champions League-winning managers who might fancy the challenge…

      Gavi, 19, has already been linked with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after Kylian Mbappe confirmed once and for all that he was leaving this summer.
      His £855m release clause likely won’t be triggered and Barcelona do see him as “unsellable”, but when the chips are down in football, money talks.
      Former Premier League star Raphinha seems to be a no-brainer sale option for the club given his dwindling importance after the emergence of Lamine Yamal and the form of Ferran Torres.
      The ex-Leeds star has already been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd, who could come knocking once again if they find out he is available in the summer.
      Araujo can consider himself unfortunate to be arguably the club’s most lucrative defensive asset.
      It is not that he is not wanted at the Camp Nou, far from it, but it is that there are far too many options already in the position.
      And with a host of clubs including Bayern Munich sniffing around at the 24-year-old’s availability, it may end up coming down to a financial call from the club’s point of view.
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      Premier League clubs will no doubt be keeping tabs on the situation in case any other stars become available.
      Add to all of this that Real Madrid will be able to spend almost £450m more in wages next year, and you have a recipe for domination likely does not feature Barcelona being the top dog. More

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      Man Utd set Mason Greenwood price tag as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid prepare for transfer battle

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will demand around £34million for Mason Greenwood this summer, according to reports.The winger, 22, has spent this season on loan at Getafe.
      Mason Greenwood looks on during Getafe’s 1-1 draw at VillarrealCredit: Getty
      Greenwood has played 21 times in LaLiga, scoring five goals and laying on a further five assists.
      The Red Devils academy graduate has attracted interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
      He remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2025 but will not play for Man Utd again.
      According to German outlet Fussball News, the Red Devils are hoping to receive around £34m for Greenwood when they sell him this summer.
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      The one-cap England international has not played for Man Utd since January 2022.
      He joined Getafe on loan last summer, seven months after charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control were dropped.
      His loan club recently complained to Spanish authorities over an alleged slur aimed at Greenwood by Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.
      They have accused Three Lions favourite Bellingham of calling their loan player a “rapist”.
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      LaLiga chiefs are said to have been “surprised” by Getafe’s unusual decision to take a matter that was not included in the referee’s notes further.
      Nonetheless, the matter was subsequently referred to the Spanish football federation, with a judge appointed to investigate the claim.
      Mason Greenwood reveals ‘best feeling so far’ in rare interview after Getafe aces ‘take Man Utd loanee under their wing’
      If found guilty, Bellingham, 20, could face a ban of between four and ten games.
      Greenwood last featured on Friday, playing the full 90 minutes as Getafe drew 1-1 at Villarreal.
      Greenwood and Jude Bellingham faced each other earlier this monthCredit: Getty More

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      England Lionesses star Lauren Hemp relaxes in bikini on hotel spa getaway before international break

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      ENGLAND star Lauren Hemp enjoyed some R&R ahead of the international break.Hemp, 23, visited Carden Park Hotel & Spa in Cheshire where she enjoyed a dip in the jacuzzi.
      Lauren Hemp enjoyed some down time in a spa ahead of the international breakCredit: Instagram
      Hemp will link up with England for the matches against Austria and Italy
      Hemp currently plays for Manchester City in the WSLCredit: Getty
      Hemp has been key for City and England since 2018Credit: Getty
      The Manchester City star donned a blue bikini and shared a snap on Instagram to her 368,000 followers.
      The Lionesses star posed with a big smile on her face despite the menacing, cloudy sky above her.
      Hemp laughed the weather off as she issued the following caption on Instagram: “Catching some sun before the international break.”
      The forward’s fans were left in awe as they stormed the comments’ section.
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      And some Barcelona as well as Real Madrid fans took the opportunity to offer her some real sun with a move to Spain.
      One follower posted: “Beautiful.”
      Another commented: “Come to Real Madrid.”
      A third wrote: “V tanned.”
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      This fan said: “BEAUTIFUL LAUREN PLEASE STAY IN ENGLAND.”
      And that one gushed: “Go to Barcelona Hempo.”
      Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and Millie Bright given gongs as sport & music stars celebrated in New Year’s Honours list
      Hemp is gearing up for two international friendlies with England’s women’s team.
      Sarina Wiegman’s ladies take on Austria on Friday and Italy on February 27.
      Hemp has been with City since 2018 when she joined from Bristol City. More

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      Real Madrid starlet ‘headbutted on way to team bus with former Liverpool star forced to step in’

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      REAL MADRID youngster Iker Bravo was reportedly assaulted at the end of an Under-19s match.Real Madrid’s Juvenil A side visited Rayo Majadahonda on Sunday.
      Iker Bravo was reportedly headbutted after an Under-19s matchCredit: Getty
      Manager Alvaro Arbeloa defused the situationCredit: Getty
      Bravo helped his side to a 4-2 win but was abused from the stands throughout the match.
      According to Spanish outlet Revelo, Bravo was branded a “clown” amongst other insults.
      Tensions were high during the match and it boiled over after the final whistle.
      And as Bravo made his way back to the team coach alongside his team-mates he was headbutted by an unnamed assailant.
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      Manager Alvaro Arbeloa and members of his staff were forced to intervene and were able to de-escalate the situation.
      It is understood the striker did not suffer any serious injuries.
      Bravo, 19, was part of Barcelona’s youth academy and he had a spell at Bayer Leverkusen prior to his move to Real Madrid.
      The young Catalan footballer became Leverkusen’s youngest-ever player when he debuted at 16 during the DFB Cup defeat against Karlsruher SC. He only played twice for the German team’s first squad.
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      After just one season, Bravo returned to Spain as Real Madrid secured the striker on loan with an option to make the move permanent for around £5million.
      He has made 31 appearances for Real Madrid’s various youth teams, scoring 11 goals. More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘SIGNS Real Madrid contract as he takes pay cut that will cost him millions’ with star leaving PSG

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.The 25-year-old will leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.
      Kylian Mbappe has ‘already signed’ a contract with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked with a summer swoop for him, but Marca claim Real Madrid won the transfer race two weeks ago.
      Mbappe allegedly put pen to paper on a contract earlier this month, making a “firm commitment” to Los Blancos.
      The Frenchman has signed a five-year deal, keeping him at the Santiago Bernabeu until June 2029.
      Real Madrid are set to hand him a £85.5million signing-on fee upon his arrival.
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      Mbappe will become the club’s highest earner, surpassing Jude Bellingham.
      That’s despite taking a pay-cut and accepting a lower wage.
      He reportedly demanded a minimum of £42.8m-a-season – around £827,000-a-week – during negotiations.
      However, Real Madrid officials wanted to bring that figure down.
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      Mbappe has been in amazing form for PSG this season
      Los Blancos have been pushing to sign the forward since his Monaco days.
      Mbappe came close to making the move in 2022, but announced a two-year extension with PSG instead.
      PSG take training to the next level with ROBOT WALL as fans joke ‘all this to convince Mbappe to stay’
      He caused a stir among the PSG camp last summer after refusing to sign a new contract.
      The Ligue 1 giants subsequently accepted a huge £259million offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for him, but Mbappe rejected the move.
      He was briefly axed from the squad and sent to train with PSG’s “undesirables” – a group of players not wanted by the club.
      However, he made a return at the start of the Ligue 1 campaign and has since scored 32 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions. More

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      Luis Suarez reveals Arsenal ‘had Karim Benzema transfer all done’, before his bite on Chiellini changed everything

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      LUIS SUAREZ has claimed his infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini caused Arsenal to lose out on signing Karim Benzema. The year was 2014 and Suarez was looking to leave Liverpool with both Real Madrid and Barcelona interested.
      Luis Suarez infamously bit Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Karim Benzema was close to joining ArsenalCredit: Rex
      And Madrid already had Benzema on the way out and Suarez lined up for a replacement during the World Cup.
      But after the Uruguayan was caught biting Chiellini, he claimed Madrid lost interest.
      He instead decided to join Barca, meaning Madrid kept Benzema and Arsenal were left empty handed.
      He told La Mesa: “Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to sign me and everything was on track.
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      “They were planning to sell Benzema to Arsenal, it was all done. “When the World Cup started, Barca joined the race, and obviously I preferred Barca.
      “With the bite situation, Madrid lowered their interest, and Barca became more interested.
      “In the end I had both options and I chose Barcelona because it was my dream.”
      Suarez was caught on camera biting into Chiellini’s arm during a group stage match between Uruguay and Italy.
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      It came just a year after he did the same to Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.
      Suarez was banned for nine international games by Fifa but his move to Barca still went through.
      Watch moment star gets booked for throwing Luis Suarez’s boot off the pitch as former Liverpool star rolls around
      He would go onto win four league titles and lift the Champions League during his time at the Nou Camp.
      And now Suarez is back with team-mates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami.
      But Suarez did reveal plans to retire, saying: “Yes, I cannot be more sincere and the family already knows. The date is not yet set, but this is the last step.
      “I am prepared for this last challenge but it is also exhausting and I have to think about having a quality of life afterwards.
      Suarez opened up on retirement after signing for Inter MiamiCredit: Reuters More

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      Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal sent off after moment of madness as defender gets two yellow cards within two minutes

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      DANI CARVAJAL was sent off for two yellow cards in just two minutes.The Real Madrid star saw red in the LaLiga clash against Rayo Vallecano.

      Dani Carvajal was sent off for Real Madrid
      Los Blancos raced into the lead in the match as former Newcastle and Stoke City flop Joselu netted the opener inside four minutes.
      However, the hosts fired themselves level as Raul de Tomas converted from the spot in the 27th minute.
      Carvajal, 32, was sent on as a substitute in the 76th minute to replace Lucas Vazquez as manager Carlo Ancelotti freshened up his team.
      The defender did not have the desired impact as he received his marching orders in the 95th minute.
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      The Spaniard was first booked in the 93rd minute before he then lashed out.
      While trying to win the ball back from Kike, the defender threw his elbow backwards catching his opponent.
      Referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz was left with no choice but to give Carvajal his marching orders.
      The game ended in a 1-1 draw as Madrid dropped two points in the title race.
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      Madrid are six points clear of 2nd placed Girona and eight clear of Barcelona.
      Girona can cut the gap to just three should they win their game in hand.
      How Girona pulling off the ultimate footballing fairytale could be a Champions League nightmare for Man City
      Carvajal will now miss Madrid’s clash against Sevilla along with Eduardo Camavinga who has also been suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
      After the game, Ancelotti claimed that his team got “nervous” after conceding the penalty in the first half.
      He said: “We’re not happy after this draw. We were good until the penalty, our game changed after it and we got nervous.
      “Playing here is always difficult. There were a lot of duels and fights. Rayo were good.
      “We got a point, we’re not satisfied. But maybe in the future this could be a good point.” More