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      Barcelona release Arsenal transfer target after 14 YEARS as he becomes first casualty following Xavi’s exit

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      SERGI ROBERTO is set to become the first “victim” of Xavi’s Barcelona exit, according to reports in Spain.The news comes amid rumours that Arsenal have been tracking the player.
      Sergi Roberto has been at Barcelona for 14 years but could leave this yearCredit: Getty
      Roberto’s Barca contract runs out on June 30 and he was set to see it extended under Xavi’s leadership.
      But with Xavi confirming he will leave at the end of the season, Barcelona’s hierarchy have decided the player is surplus to requirements, according to AS.
      Xavi was an advocate of Roberto, even making him captain at the start of this season, but announced he will be stepping down due to the pressures of being Barcelona coach.
      Announcing his decision, Xavi said: “I’ve thought about the club and above all the players.
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      “I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense.
      “I think the club needs a change of dynamics, the dynamic is very negative.”
      Last summer, the Barcelona youth product agreed to take a hefty pay cut in order to help the club with their financial issues.
      The salary decrease left him as one of the lowest-paid players in the squad despite being at Barcelona for 14 years.
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      Sergi Roberto has not featured much this seasonCredit: The Sun
      Injuries have led to Roberto playing a bit-part role for Barcelona this season, making just six appearances in LaLiga.
      The midfielder is currently missing with a muscular issue, and expected to be out until mid-February.
      Roberto’s favoured position is as a midfielder, but he can also operate at full-back.
      That versatility has seen Arsenal maintain an interest in a potential free transfer for Roberto, given they are looking for a cover in their defence.
      Arsenal have also been left consistently short in the midfield this season following a string of injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. More

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      Thomas Tuchel hints at next job after Bayern Munich as furious fans say ‘get him out of the club’

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has dropped a huge hint on where he wants to manage next – and it left Bayern Munich fans fuming.The 50-year-old German boss has found himself under-pressure this term.
      Thomas Tuchel has revealed his desire to manager in SpainCredit: Getty
      He guided the club to the Bundesliga title last season after taking charge in March but Bayern currently trail leaders Bayer Leverkusen by two points.
      Tuchel has been criticised by some of Bayern’s former legendary players over his transfer signings and only has just over a year remaining of his contract.
      Now he has sparked speculation about his future by revealing that he would love to manage in Spain.
      And those remarks come on the same weekend that Barcelona manager Xavi announced that he is stepping down this summer after Saturday’s 5-3 defeat to Villarreal left them 10 points adrift of LaLiga leaders Real Madrid.
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      Tuchel, who won the Champions League during his time in charge of Chelsea, said: “Moving abroad would appeal to me again.
      “Spain has an extraordinary league. From my perspective, and based on my experience working with Spaniards, they are characterised by a tremendous amount of self-confidence.
      “When you speak with Spanish players, I quickly get the sense that you are engaging with the person.”
      His remarks did not seem to go down well with Bayern supporters as they soon vented their fury over the comments on social media.
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      “Get him out the club man,” wrote one.
      Another declared: “He wants to coach Barcelona.”
      A third claimed: “He literally is campaigning for the Barca job.”
      Another wrote: “Well, there is an open spot in Barcelona, and we, as Bayern fans, will be more than delighted to see you leave our club.”
      While a fifth said: “No respect for the club paying his wages.”
      Meanwhile, Tuchel could emerge as a target for another club.
      The Express have also claimed that his name has been added to the list of possible replacements for Erik ten Hag should Manchester United sack the Dutchman. More

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      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‘on three-man shortlist for Barcelona job’ as search begins for Xavi’s successor

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      MIKEL ARTETA is among a three-man shortlist to succeed Xavi at Barcelona, reports in Spain say. Nou Camp legend Xavi announced he will be stepping down as Barca boss at the end of the season.
      Mikel Arteta is linked with the Barcelona jobCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish reporter Gerard Romero, Arsenal manager Arteta is among those the LaLiga giants will eye as a replacement.
      It is claimed Barca sporting director Deco started speaking to the agents of potential candidates over the last few weeks.
      Jurgen Klopp – set to leave Liverpool in the summer too – and Julian Nagelsmann, who is in charge of the German national team, are also linked with the role.
      Barca considered Arteta after sacking Ronald Koeman in October 2021 but Xavi was instead appointed.
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      But Arteta did sign a new contract in 2022, which keeps him tied to the Emirates until the summer of 2025.
      Spanish World Cup winner Xavi led his club to the league title last season – but will leave at the end of this campaign.
      He said: “I think the club needs a change of dynamic.
      “For the good of the players, I believe that they will free themselves. We play with a lot of tension.
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      “For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave. I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change.
      “This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing.”
      Xavi made the shock announcement following a 5-3 home loss to Villarreal, which leaves them ten points off leaders Real Madrid.
      Xavi is stepping down as Barcelona bossCredit: Getty

      A look at Barca’s managerial targets

      Mikel Arteta
      The Spaniard learnt his coaching craft under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before taking over at Arsenal in 2019.
      He turned the Gunners into title contenders, only narrowly missing out to City last season.
      And having come through Barca’s youth set up, Xavi’s exit could give Arteta the perfect return to the Nou Camp.
      Jurgen Klopp
      The German established himself as one of the finest coaches in the world after joining Liverpool from Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
      He led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years and also lifted the Champions League in 2019.
      His resignation caused shockwaves around the footballing world and there will be no manager in greater demand than Klopp next season.
      Julian Nagelsmann
      Nagelsmann announced himself at RB Leipzig and his success earned him a dream job at Bayern Munich.
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      With the German giants, he won the league title in 2022 but a year later he was suddenly dismissed.
      And despite links to Chelsea and Tottenham, he instead succeeded Hansi Flick as head coach of the German national team in September. More

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      Ex-Man Utd star HEADBUTTS Robert Lewandowski and then scores own goal as Barcelona suffer epic collapse

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      BARCELONA superstar Robert Lewandowski locked horns with a former Manchester United ace during an intense clash against Villarreal.Barca and the Yellow Submarine faced off in a crunch LaLiga clash at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium that saw Marcelino’s side picking up a stunning 5-3 win following an incredible comeback.
      Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski and Villarreal ace Eric Bailly headbutted each otherCredit: bein sports
      Lewandowski and ex-Manchester United ace Bailly locked horns after Pedri’s equaliserCredit: bein sports
      Bailly then scored an own goal as Barcelona temporarily turned the game aroundCredit: EPA

      Gerard Moreno opened the scoring for the visitors after 41 minutes and La Masia graduate Ilias Akhomach doubled the lead just nine minutes into the second half.
      However, Xavi’s side fought back and levelled things up within eight minutes.
      First with ex-Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan within the hour mark and then with Pedri.
      And it was after the midfielder’s goal that Lewandowski went nose to nose with Villarreal ace Eric Bailly.
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      The star striker and Bailly headbutted each other for a split second until the visitors’ goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen ran towards them to separate them.
      It became a much more eventful evening for the ex-United defender as he netted an own goal just three minutes later.
      Gundogan delivered a crisp free-kick from the left and found Ronald Araujo who got the slightest touch and that led to a deflection off the Ivory Coast international.
      However, Goncalo Guedes saved the centre-back’s blushes with an equaliser on 84 minutes.
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      And Alexander Sorloth turned the match on its head in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
      Jose Luis Morales capped off a fantastic evening for Villarreal just three minutes later at Barcelona.
      Barcelona are now third in the LaLiga table with 10 points separating them from leaders Real Madrid.
      Atletico Madrid are only three points behind the Blaugrana and have a game in hand. More

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      Brazilian wonderkid Endrick channels inner Jude Bellingham and holds up picture of girlfriend after scoring

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      ENDRICK celebrated a big goal for Brazil by channeling his inner Jude Bellingham and sharing a romantic picture of him and his girlfriend.The Brazilian wonderkid, who is set to team-up with England superstar Bellingham at Real Madrid in the summer, led the Selecao’s Under-23s to a 2-0 win over Colombia.
      Endrick lifted a pic of him and his girlfriend after scoring for Brazil against ColombiaCredit: Instagram / endrick
      The pic of Endrick and his girlfriend Gabriely Miranda was taken in MadridCredit: Instagram / endrick
      Endrick also emulated soon-to-be Real Madrid team-mate Jude BellinghamCredit: Instagram / endrick
      The 17-year-old, who is still playing for Palmeiras, scored the national team’s opener in South America’s pre-Olympic tournament, which will determine the continent’s representatives for Paris 2024.
      The striker then emulated his soon-to-be Real team-mate’s iconic celebration by outstretching his arms.
      Endrick also shared a snap of the celebration on social media and tagged the star midfielder with the following caption: “Judeee”.
      The centre-forward followed it up by lifting a photo of him and his girlfriend Gabriely Miranda, 20.
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      The couple were pictured all loved up in Madrid enjoying the Spanish sunset.
      Gabriely had previously shared the same snap back in December with the following caption, “First trip together”.
      Endrick had responded to her post with a romantic statement saying: “I am in love.”
      Gabriely has stood by the forward as his football career continues to grow.
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      Endrick has been supported by the model at events, including the Brazilian football awards in December where he won three prizes.
      The youngster has already amassed a total of 17 goals and two assists in 60 appearances for Palmeiras.
      Real beat Chelsea for his signature last year after a £60million deal with the Brazilian giants.
      The teenager signed a deal until 2027 with a further three-year option.
      However, Endrick can’t join Los Blancos until July 21 when he turns 18 due to rules in Brazil prohibiting underaged players from going abroad. More

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      West Ham ‘in negotiations with Spanish side to sell out-of-favour midfielder for £10.25m’ after Phillips’ arrival

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      WEST HAM star Pablo Fornals is allegedly on the verge of joining Real Betis.The 27-year-old Spanish international midfielder arrived at the Hammers from Villarreal back in 2019.
      Pablo Fornals looks set to leave West Ham this weekCredit: Rex
      Since then he has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League and helped them to Europa Conference League success last term.
      But the arrival of Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City has added more competition for match action in midfield.
      Fornals has only started four times in the top-flight already this term and has failed to score in all competitions.
      And, with just six months remaining on his contract, Fornals is free to talk to clubs from abroad regarding a potential free transfer in the summer.
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      TEAMtalk claimed yesterday that Fornals has agreed personal terms with Betis over a switch to LaLiga.
      They are managed by ex-West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, the man who brought him to the London Stadium five years ago.
      However, Fornals does not look like he will have to wait until the end of the season to seal the return to his homeland.
      Mundo Deportivo claims that both West Ham and Betis are now in talks over a January transfer.
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      The deadline closes this Thursday and they are looking to complete a £10.25m transfer before then.
      Fornals played 20 times under Pellegrini after signing for him at West Ham, scoring twice and producing three assists. More

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      I lived my dream playing alongside Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho – now I’m in a new job and my wife hates it

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      ANDREA ORLANDI lived the dream at Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho. Now he has a new job in football – but his wife hates it.
      Andrea Orlandi is now the agent for Antoine GriezmannCredit: Instagram
      Orlandi spent five years at Swansea where he helped them into the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Orlandi, 39, earned a surprise two-year loan move from Alaves to hometown club Barcelona from 2005 to 2007.
      And although he only played one LaLiga match for the Nou Camp giants, the shock transfer meant the winger trained with two of football’s GOATs. 
      After spells with Swansea, Brighton and Blackpool on British soil, he then went to play in Cyprus, India and Italy.
      But Orlandi was forced to retire suddenly in 2019 when doctors discovered a heart problem. 
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      However, he did not stay out of the game for long.
      As well as his punditry duties for LaLiga TV, Orlandi stepped into becoming an agent.
      And he started at the very top, with World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann his first client.
      Orlandi explained: “I had to really think about it. But I met Antoine Griezmann when he was a Barcelona player. I met his entourage. 
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      “His sister is his agent and she wanted to build an agency around Antoine. 
      “They were looking for a football person to run the agency for them. And I thought that it was a great opportunity to work with a world champion to start off with and to build what I would say is a very good agency. 
      “I connected with him straight away.
      “Starting with a player like Antoine is a huge responsibility but it’s a huge privilege as well.”
      Orlandi now looks after a host of players at By and For Sport Management.
      He added to LaLiga Talks: “It was something that came to me after retiring because I played in different countries, and I started to pick up a few contacts. 
      “A few agencies started ringing, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to do it. Obviously, it’s a 24/7 job and it’s difficult. People might think it’s easy – you do one call, and you do the deal, get the money and job done. It’s not like that at all. 
      “We look after players, we care for them because I just want the best for them. 
      “I can give them advice in situations where I made the wrong decisions in key moments of my career.
      “Now I’m a Fifa agent. I passed the exam. I’ve been working for more than three years now, and I’m gaining experience.”
      I was just living my dream. Ronaldinho was just a rock star. I was so impressed, it was just like going to Disney for me!Andrea Orlandi
      Orlandi has settled into the life of an agent seamlessly and is clearly enjoying it.
      But the same cannot be said for his wife – especially during January and over the summer.
      Orlandi revealed: “I’m loving it. 
      “The excitement of the transfer window is incredible. It is tiring and it is stressful. 
      “My wife is not happy though! She’s not happy with what I’m doing. I’m the happy boy.”
      Orlandi was also a happy boy when he had the chance to play with Ronaldinho at Barcelona.
      Remembering his first training session at Barca, Orlandi said: “Ronaldinho. Wow.
      “The first time I trained with the first team, he was the first played to turn up in the dressing room and he did his ‘surfer’ handshake. 
      “I couldn’t believe it, I said to myself, ‘This isn’t real, this isn’t happening.’
      “I’ve seen Messi as a young 18-year-old boy breaking through. But if you compare the magic of Ronaldinho to Messi, Messi being probably the best player ever, Ronaldinho was different. He was the best I’ve seen by far.
      “Even in terms of talent, he had something else. I just wanted to be close to him, to be in the same five-a-side team for training. 
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      “I was just living my dream. He was just a rock star. When you see Ronaldinho and Xavi, I just wanted to be them. I was so impressed, it was just like going to Disney for me!”

      Orlandi’s wife is less keen on his career changeCredit: Instagram
      The winger also starred for Brighton but retired with a heart problemCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      He trained with Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho at BarcelonaCredit: AFP – Getty More

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      Thibaut Courtois’ wife shows off insane beach body in barely-there bikini as Real Madrid ace gushes ‘I’m the luckiest’

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      THINGS  are shaping up well for Thibaut Courtois’ wife Mishel Herzig.The Israeli model posted an exotic photo dump from before her bump, having announced her pregnancy last week.
      Mishel Gerzig is proud of her life and her career as a model
      The model has enjoyed blissful breaks in recent months
      Mishel Gerzig making more of a splash then usual
      The Israeli shows off her blonde hair
      Her husband, Real Madrid’s ex-Chelsea keeper, responded to the beach ‘n bikini snaps by labelling himself “the luckiest”.
      And with so many Real and romantic reasons to choose from, it’s no wonder he didn’t single any of them out.
      Maybe it’s the couple’s revelation just days earlier that Mishel is expecting.
      Alongside a picture of Courtois kissing her tummy, she told her 782,000 Instagram followers: “Our love is growing. We can’t wait to meet you.”
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      That announcement follows several exhilarating months, including a honeymoon last July that was extra energetic – at least for Courtois.
      Mishel showed pics of the Belgian jogging on a sandy shore to stay in condition – while she watched on sunbathing and tucking into chips.
      They had married earlier the same month – after Courtois proposed to her on a yacht at sea surrounded by mountains in June 2022.
      Perhaps all these memories were the inspiration for the title of Mishel’s latest batch of photos on social media.
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      She called the dreamy images: “From before the bump to our #honeymoon #summer23.”
      And if she had a name for the snaps, her fans certainly had words for her, one describing Mishel as “the most beautiful in the world”.
      In fact, within two hours her sun-kissed concoction of luxuriant poses, glam locations and elegant swimwear had attracted 30,000 likes.
      No wonder, Mishel looks as happy as Courtois exclaims he is.
      Mishel and Thibaut went on honeymoon last JulyCredit: Instagram / @mishelgerzig
      Followers never object to the luxurious views that Mishel shares
      Mishel is glowing as she adjusts to married lifeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mishelgerzig/?hl=en
      Her 782k Instagram followers are used to seeing beach snapsCredit: Instagram / @mishelgerzig
      Ex-Chelsea keeper Courtois and Mishel Gerzig enjoyed an Ibiza honeymoonCredit: Instagram @mishelgerzig
      Mishel enjoying sharing yacht pics with her huge army of fansCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mishelgerzig/?hl=en More