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    Nottingham Forest outcast Lewis O’Brien wanted by host of MLS clubs in shock transfer after being exiled

    LEWIS O’BRIEN is  waiting to speak to one of THREE MLS clubs in America.New York City, Columbus Crew and Atlanta United all want the Nottingham Forest outcast.
    Lewis O’Brien has fallen out of favour at Nottingham Forest this seasonCredit: Getty
    Nottingham Forest ace Lewis O’Brien is being targeted by MLS clubsCredit: Getty
    The midfielder, 24, could end up in New York if they sort out a loan fee.
    SunSport recently reported that O’Brien is hoping to quit Forest and join a club in the US.
    The former Huddersfield star has been left out of Nottingham’s Prem squad after seeing a January loan move to Blackburn Rovers ruled out by the EFL despite an appeal.
    Rovers were ruled to have failed to submit the relevant paperwork before the UK’s 11pm transfer deadline.
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    The EFL subsequently rejected their mitigating factors as to why the paperwork was handed in late.
    Steve Cooper’s side could heavily fund a temporary switch for O’Brien with the American market still open.
    But that includes hurdles as many clubs have their allocation of foreign players.
    The versatile midfielder only joined Forest from Huddersfield last summer.
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    O’Brien started his new side’s first five Prem matches this season, before gradually finding action harder to come by.
    His only start since came during the 4-0 defeat to Leicester on October 3, when he was hooked at half-time.
    O’Brien has registered a total of one goal in 17 appearances across all competitions with Forest. More

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    Inside David Beckham’s amazing transfer swoop to bring Lionel Messi to Inter Miami that’s taken FIVE years

    DAVID Beckham may finally have landed his man.Reports in France claim PSG talisman Lionel Messi, 35, is seriously mulling over his future – with Inter Miami in pole position for his signature.
    Lionel Messi could be Miami-bound in the summer
    Inter Miami owner David Beckham has made it his mission to bring Messi to the MLS
    The World Cup winner has yet to sign a new deal – with his current contract expiring in the summer.
    England legend Becks, 47, has wanted to bring Messi to the MLS ever since he founded the club FIVE years ago.
    Messi’s arrival in the US would be the biggest deal since Beckham moved from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy in 2012.
    And it would be a massive boon to the Latin American community in the Magic City, who would have ‘one of their own’ to revere.
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    The pledge
    A year before Inter Miami made their MLS debut in 2020, Beckham refused to rule out the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
    “Everyone has their wish list, everyone does, but if you look at the way Leo and Cristiano are still playing, even at what you might think is the later stage of their careers, I don’t see it ending for them,” Beckham said.
    “They’re playing at such a high level that it’s hard to see them leaving the clubs they are at, but we will see. You never know what can happen in football.”
    Beckham cleverly planted the seed. Who wouldn’t want South Beach on their doorstep?
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    There was talk Messi would quit Barcelona and head straight to the States.
    However, the Argentine superstar opted for Paris instead – with a view of a World Cup on the horizon and one last attempt at capturing his holy grail.
    Beckham was left waiting.

    In the meantime…
    Messi had begun to build a property empire in Miami – with belief around him that he wanted to finish his career in the MLS.
    A year before Inter Miami’s debut campaign, he splashed around £5.5million on a stunning apartment on Sunny Isles Beach.
    It boasted access to six swimming pools, a luxury spa, fully-equipped gym, and a yoga studio.
    Two years later he added to his incredible property portfolio by snapping up the entire 9th floor of the Regalia building – a structure designed by renowned architect Charles Allem.
    Called the “mansion in the sky in the most unique building in South Florida,” the six bedroom abode cost him around £9million.
    Reports claimed he sold the Sunny Isles penthouse for a whopping profit of around £17million.
    Lionel Messi built a property empire in MiamiCredit: Regalia Miami Condos
    In 2021, he splashed around £5.5m on an entire floor in the Regalia buildingCredit: Regalia Miami Condos
    The property boasted amazing coastline viewsCredit: Regalia Miami Condos
    Most recently, Messi bought another apartment in the Porsche Design TowerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Messi paid around £9m for the posh padCredit: Getty
    Could this be the abode Messi lives in next season?Credit: Getty
    While another suggested he had listed his second Miami property, although it was never confirmed if it was sold.
    However, in November last year, Messi bought an apartment at the Porsche Design Tower for £9million- which boasts stunning views of the Miami coastline, as well a lift for one of his supercars.
    Inter Miami ‘confident’ in signing Messi
    With Messi achieving his career odyssey of winning the World Cup with his country – coupled with current disgruntlement at his French employers PSG – Inter Miami are reportedly confident of convincing Messi to join their revolution.
    A move could happen as soon as the current European football season comes to a close.
    In the past, the forward has revealed the prospect of strutting his stuff in the MLS would be a “dream”.
    It would, no doubt, making the highest paid player in the league’s history.
    While it would also ring true on Beckham’s promise to deliver a star to Inter Miami fans.
    South Florida boasts a huge Latin American population – many mad football fans.
    The move would certainly appease the locals, who will flock to the DRV PNK Stadium in their droves to catch a glimpse of the football superstar – just like Angelinos made the pilgrimage to Carson to see Beckham in action for the LA Galaxy 15 years ago.
    Inter Miami’s largely Latin American fan base would welcome Messi with open armsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Messi and Beckham are close pals and would relish the opportunity to work together at Inter MiamiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    What signing Messi would mean to the MLS
    Cristiano Ronaldo’s big-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr has been viewed by football purists as the Portuguese legend looking for his retirement home.
    Would Messi’s move to the MLS be seen as the same?
    The USA’s ever-improving performances at the World Cup have shown that ‘soccer’ is well and truly a sport the country loves.
    Also, with parents growingly concerned about the impact head injuries might have on their kids playing American football, many are choosing for their sons and daughters to play the beautiful game.
    Before, it was cast-offs from the Premier League that went to the US for one final pay day.
    Now, the likes of Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic and Brendan Aaronsen are looking the part in our competitive league.
    For the moment, the big push for the MLS is the importance of bringing in youth players, a model Inter Miami boss Phil Neville is keen to follow.
    “MLS is a young person’s league. Some of the best young players are coming through the academies. We’re a club that wants to produce our own players,” Neville told the Guardian in 2021.
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    Phil Nevile and David Beckham pledged to give youth a chance at Inter MiamiCredit: Getty
    The temptation of bringing Lionel Messi, pictured with wife Antonela Roccuzzo, would be too great to turn downCredit: Getty
    Still, the lure of bringing the world’s greatest player, even when he turns 36 in the summer, would be too much to turn down.
    And just think how inspirational he could be to those young footballers desperate to make their name in the game. More

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    How Inter Miami could line up with Lionel Messi as World Cup winner plots PSG escape to David Beckham’s MLS side

    INTER MIAMI may have to start planning to see how Lionel Messi would fit into the team after receiving a major boost in their attempts to sign him.The Argentine World Cup winner is increasingly unsure about extending his time with PSG, according to the French publication L’Equipe.
    Lionel Messi could join Inter Miami in the summerCredit: Getty
    How Inter Miami could line up with Messi in the squad
    This could lead to a shock move to the MLS outfit, who have been heavily linked with the former Barcelona ace over the past year.
    L’Equipe have suggested that Messi’s family would be open to living in the United States, with the 35-year-old owning a home in Miami where he holidays regularly.
    If Messi was to join David Beckham’s American outfit, he would join several famous stars.
    The Barcelona legend could be set for a reunion with Spanish central midfielder Sergio Busquets as he is thought to be interested in a move to the MLS outfit.
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    Former Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs, 33, is already at the club after moving to the US last year.
    Messi could also line up behind MLS star Josef Martinez, who joined the club in January after a successful spell with Atlanta.
    And alongside of him could come Beckham’s son Romeo – who could return to Miami after his loan spell at Brentford B runs out.
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    The Englishman netted his first goal for the Bees this week and could be prepared for a more senior role at Miami.
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    United States international and former Newcastle defender DeAndre Yedlin could take up the starting berth at right back.
    The team is currently coached by former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville. More

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    Lionel Messi ‘primed for shock Inter Miami transfer with David Beckham’s club in pole position to sign wantaway PSG ace’

    INTER MIAMI have received a major boost in their ambitious plan to sign Lionel Messi from French champions PSG according to reports in France. The Argentine’s current contract with the Parisians expires at the end of the season and there have been talks about extending the World Cup winner’s stay in the French capital.
    Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for PSG in Ligue 1.Credit: Reuters
    David Beckham, owner and president of soccer operations for Inter Miami.Credit: AP
    But French publication L’Equipe have reported that Messi is becoming increasingly unsure about extending his time with the Paris outfit.
    The reports states MLS side Inter Miami are in the driving seat to sign the former Barcelona star.
    Inter Miami are owned by by former PSG man David Beckham and are coached by Phil Neville.
    L’Equipe say that the Argentine superstar’s family would be open to living in the United States with Messi owning a home in Miami where he regularly holidays.
    Inter Miami coach Neville refused to rule out the possibility of signing the Argentine great when speaking last month.
    He said: “We want to bring the best players in the world to this club and he is probably the best player, so for us the landscape has not changed at all.
    ‘With any deal for any Designated Player of that level, it’s complicated. It takes time.”
    The seven time Ballon d’Or winner is represented by his father Jorge who met with PSG representatives on Wednesday.
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    Messi has 10 goals in Ligue 1
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    The PSG No10 is enjoying a much better second season and has so far and has 10 goals and 10 assists in 18 Ligue 1 matches.
    He has scored five goals in seven Champions League games but was powerless to stop the French giants losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
    A Champions league exit to the Germans would only increase the noise surrounding Messi’s future. More

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    Nottingham Forest star looking for MLS move after paperwork nightmare sees him blocked from playing in England

    OUTCAST Lewis O’Brien is hoping to quit Nottingham Forest and join a club in America’s MLS.Midfielder O’Brien has been left out of Forest’s Prem squad after seeing a January loan move to Blackburn ruled out by the EFL despite an appeal.
    Lewis O’Brien has been frozen out at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
    Steve Cooper’s side could heavily fund a temporary switch for O’Brien, 24, with the American market still open.
    But that faces hurdles as many clubs have their allocation of foreign players.
    Rovers were ruled to have failed to submit the relevant paperwork before the 11pm transfer deadline.
    The EFL subsequently rejected their mitigating factors as to why the paperwork was submitted late.
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    This has left O’Brien in a difficult position.
    The central midfielder only joined Forest from Huddersfield last summer.
    He started his new side’s first five Prem matches this season, before gradually finding action harder to come by.
    His only start since came in the 4-0 defeat to Leicester on October 3, when he was hooked at half-time.
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    O’Brien has been limited to six substitute appearances in Forest’s 14 Prem matches since.
    He did start their embarrassing 4-1 FA Cup defeat to Blackpool last month.
    In total he has played 17 times in all competitions for Forest, scoring once. More

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    Chelsea ‘agree Aubameyang loan transfer with LAFC’ allowing £160,000-a-week flop to leave this season

    CHELSEA have reportedly agreed a loan deal for LAFC for £160,000-a-week flop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.But the striker is yet to green-light an exit despite being frozen out by Graham Potter.
    Chelsea have accepted a loan bid from LAFC for Pierre-Emerick AubameyangCredit: Getty
    Aubameyang, 33, was lured to Chelsea by Thomas Tuchel last summer despite enjoying a fine spell at Barcelona.
    The pair knew each other well from their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
    And it was hoped that ex-Arsenal captain Aubameyang could be the man to fire Tuchel’s side to silverware.
    But the veteran managed just one game before his pal was axed by Todd Boehly.
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    And Aubameyang has fared little better since, netting just three times in 17 games with Potter at the helm.
    After falling down the Stamford Bridge pecking order, the striker’s latest blow came when he was axed from Chelsea’s 25-man Champions League squad.
    But there is still hope for Aubameyang’s career after American outfit LAFC made an approach.
    Le10Sport claims the Americans have offered to take Aubameyang on loan.
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    And they are even willing to meet his £160k-a-week wages, helping Chelsea battle FFP rules after an eight-player January splurge.
    However, there is no indication that Aubameyang has agreed to the move yet.
    The Gabon star had been hoping to rejoin Barcelona in January.
    There were no other options at the time as Aubameyang was not able to pay for a third club in the same season.
    But the MLS window has just opened ahead of a new campaign, allowing the forward to make a fresh start.
    Yet it’s unclear whether he wants to effectively end his European career by jetting off to the States.
    However, Aubameyang would be in good company should he go to Los Angeles.

    The side is captained by ex-Gooner Carlos Vela, currently the MLS’ star player.
    And there’s another familiar face in Giorgio Chiellini, who won nine titles with Juventus and Euro 2020 with Italy. More

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    Chelsea ‘in talks with LAFC over Aubameyang transfer’ after striker is axed from Champions League squad

    PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG may be set to leave Chelsea for Los Angeles FC, reports suggest.Aubameyang has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and was even axed from the Blues’ Champions League squad.
    Chelsea ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be on his way to Los Angeles FCCredit: Getty
    According to Relevo, the West Londoners have entered talks with LAFC regarding a potential deal for the striker.
    The transfer window has just opened in the MLS as it runs from January 31 until April 24.
    The Gabon international returned to the Premier League only last summer and reunited with former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
    However, new owner Todd Boehly axed Tuchel soon after and the 33-year-old soon fell out of favour under his successor Graham Potter.
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    Aubameyang fell even further down the pecking order during Chelsea’s January transfer spree and has since been linked with a move away.
    According to Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are looking to re-sign the Gabonese star in the summer.

    The same report suggested that Milan are the “best positioned club” for his signature.
    Aubameyang fuelled rumours of a move to San Siro by jetting off to Milan with his family soon after he was cut from the Champions League squad.
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    Aubameyang has only managed a mere three goals and one assist in 18 matches across all competitions this season.
    Potter has shaken things up after a busy transfer window, which saw a whopping eight new players coming in.
    The arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix has created even more competition for a place in Chelsea’s attack. More

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    Barcelona 18 SECONDS late to submit paperwork for LA Galaxy star and face nervous wait to see if they can sign him

    BARCELONA reportedly face missing out on a transfer for a Major League Soccer prodigy after submitting the paperwork for the transfer 18 SECONDS late.LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo, 21, was set to join Barcelona Atletic – the club’s B team – on deadline day in a £3.2million ($4m) transfer.
    Julian Araujo is awaiting a verdict on whether he can join BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona football director Mateu Alemany revealed the 18 second paperwork discrepancy cost see the deal collapseCredit: Getty
    However, a computer error meant the necessary paperwork to complete the deal was not submitted until 18 seconds after the deadline had passed.
    Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany explained the situation ahead of the team’s clash with Real Betis.
    He said: “It is true that it could not be done due to a system error. It was for 18 seconds, we will see what FIFA says.”
    Mexican journalist Kery Ruiz added context to the situation on Twitter: “Right now, Julian Araujo is a player for the LA Galaxy. They took a long time yesterday to start the paperwork.
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    “They wanted to sell Bellerín first. They entered documents and allege that the system did not let them upload files.
    “That’s why he’s a few seconds late. This is explained to Fifa today.”
    He later added that while the club are hopeful of a deal going through, the club’s board expect to be left disappointed due to exceptions rarely being made.
    Araujo is an American-born Mexican international who plays at right-back for Galaxy.
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    He made 33 MLS appearances last season, registering five assists as their season ended in the quarter-final play-offs against eventual winners LAFC.
    Gareth Bale, who recently retired, scored in the play-off final and the shootout to help the club win the trophy, though he did not feature in the clash against Galaxy due to a leg injury. More