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      Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez makes stunning offer to help club pull off sensational swoop for PSG ace Lionel Messi

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      ASTON VILLA keeper Emi Martinez has made a remarkable offer to bring Lionel Messi to the club.Martinez, 30, and Messi, 35, won the World Cup together with Argentina in Qatar at the end of last year.
      Emi Martinez has made a startling offer to bring Lionel Messi to Aston VillaCredit: Reuters
      Messi and Martinez won the World Cup together in QatarCredit: The Times
      Messi was joint top scorer in Qatar as he led his country to the trophy for a third time.
      And Martinez played a key role in the triumph as he was the hero in two penalty shoot-outs and received the Golden Glove for best keeper.
      Now Messi is weighing up his options as he prepares to make what could be the final move of his club career.
      He is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season after two years, having been booed by his own fans last month.
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      The Barcelona legend has been linked with a move back to the Catalan giants, although it is unclear whether they will be able to afford his wages.
      Messi has also reportedly received a lucrative £350million-a-year offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
      But Martinez has come out and offered to reduce his wages in order to bring his fellow countryman to the Midlands.
      He told ESPN: “If they are whistling Messi, I would bring him here… at Villa. 
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      “Hey, man, we’ll drink mate, we eat asados [roasted meat] every week. I will cut my salary, we’ll do our best.”
      Villa are in line for a Europa Conference League place next season as they sit seventh in the Premier League table.
      But a move for Messi remains a somewhat fanciful dream as the Argentine approaches the final stages of his career.
      After PSG handed him a two-week suspension for missing training due to a trip to Saudi Arabia, the Ligue 1 champions’ fans booed him upon his return to the side.
      And the fractured relationship between Messi and the club has brought an end to any discussions about him extending his stay in the French capital. More

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      Neville and Carragher make their 2023/24 Premier League predictions but can’t agree on who will challenge Man City

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      GARY NEVILLE and Jamie Carragher have made their predictions for next season’s title race.But neither fully agree on who will challenge Manchester City for their crown.
      Gary Neville reckons only one team can challenge Man City next seasonCredit: Sky Sports
      Jamie Carragher believes two sides are capable of stopping City winning four in a rowCredit: Sky Sports
      Pep Guardiola’s men wrapped up their third straight title at the weekend.
      And they can become the first team in Premier League history to win four on the bounce unless someone stops them next year.
      Arsenal were City’s closest competitors this term, leading for the majority of the season before stumbling at the final hurdle.
      The likes of Chelsea have also shown they can bounce back from a dismal season in style.
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      And Newcastle will be eager to push on after ending a 20-year absence from the Champions League.
      However, Neville and Carragher reckon Liverpool will be City’s biggest threat next term.
      The Reds have given their rivals a real headache over the past several seasons, even denying Guardiola the title in 2020.
      Jurgen Klopp’s men have been well off the pace this term, despite making a late top four push.
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      But Neville and Carragher are both confident they will bounce back after a summer rebuild in midfield.
      Even so, the pundits still couldn’t fully agree on their predictions.
      That’s because Carragher reckons Manchester United will also be challenging next season, while Neville believes there’ll be too much takeover chaos for his old side to compete.
      Neville said: “The only team that’s proven that can run them close, and that I’d trust, is Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
      “They lived with City for three seasons, they’re the only team that have proven they can do it.
      “Arsenal did it for 30 games this season and were exceptional.
      “I don’t buy into this doom and gloom that no one else has a chance. The other teams are spending enough money to be able to get it right.”
      Carragher added: “I’m going Liverpool and Manchester United. I think Liverpool will come back.
      “If United get a couple of attackers, score more goals… Liverpool will invest in midfield. I’d say Liverpool and United.”
      Neville then jumped in: “Why I haven’t said United is there’s going to be a lot of turbulence in the next four-to-six weeks.
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      “The new owners will need to come in and get their feet under the table. To then think they’re going to challenge in the first season…
      “It could happen but I think there’s going to be too much turbulence with the recruitment and seeing what’s happening.” More

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      Newcastle face Champions League group of death but fans won’t care after 20 YEARS out of competition

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      NEWCASTLE could be handed a NIGHTMARE Champions League group as they prepare to return to Europe’s elite competition.Toon fans will be relishing the opportunity to face the continent’s elite after securing their place on Monday night.
      Eddie Howe has clinched a Champions League spot for NewcastleCredit: Reuters
      Newcastle drew with Leicester to guarantee a top four place on MondayCredit: Getty
      Eddie Howe’s men played out a goalless draw with Leicester to clinch the point they needed to guarantee Champions League football next season.
      The Magpies will be placed into pot four as they prepare for their first appearance in the competition since the 2002/03 campaign.
      That season they made it through to the second group stage before being eliminated.
      But they could be up against it from the off this time around.
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      The nightmare Champions League group Newcastle could be handed
      As they will be placed into pot four, it means they are set to come up against three more experienced European sides.
      And they could feasibly be drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and AC Milan in a group of death.
      Real Madrid, 14-time European champions, will be placed in pot two as they failed to win LaLiga this season.
      And seven-time winners AC Milan are set to drop down into pot three – just 12 months after their Serie A title triumph earned them a place in pot one.
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      However, Newcastle could also be handed a more favourable draw despite being in the lowest pot.
      Dutch champions Feyenoord are a less intimidating pot one side that Howe’s side could come up against.
      Then in pot two they may well receive the likes of Porto or RB Leipzig.
      And in pot three Newcastle could end up alongside Dinamo Zagreb, Rangers or Red Star Belgrade. More

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      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher pick their Premier League teams of the season but can only agree on just six players

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      GARY NEVILLE and Jamie Carragher could only agree on six players when naming their Premier League teams of the season.The pair love to disagree but there could be no argument over including the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher agreed on six players
      Carragher picked two Liverpool players despite their disappointing campaign
      Those two, along with team-mates Ruben Dias and Rodri, fired Manchester City to yet another league title and all four have been picked by Neville and Carragher.
      The pundits also agreed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard deserved a spot after producing 15 goals and eight assists in the Prem this season.
      But Neville and Carragher were split on which of his Gunners team-mates also deserved a place in the side, with the latter opting for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
      Neville left out the Ukrainian in favour of Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan, but he did go for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as his wide options in attack.
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      Carragher instead picked 28-goal Harry Kane up-front alongside Mo Salah, while Alisson was his other pick from Liverpool.
      Neville ignored the Reds altogether by selecting Nick Pope in goal and William Saliba at centre-back.
      The duo agreed Kieran Trippier deserved to be the right-back of the season while Carragher named his defensive pal Sven Botman in central defence following his impressive debut season in the Prem.
      Many fans felt Neville picked the better team while some were shocked at the failure to include a single Manchester United player.
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      One supporter said: “United are top 4 atm. To not include ONE player from the team is a joke.”
      Another added: “Even in a season when they finished about 9th, Carra managed to find a way to sneak two Liverpool players in.”
      A third said: “Gary’s team walks over Carra’s any day because I can’t imagine either Haaland or Kane on wings.”
      And another commented: “How’s Luke Shaw not in there baffles me.” More

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      Man Utd ‘learn Marcel Sabitzer transfer price from Bayern’ as fans say ‘keep him there’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will have to pay £22million to sign Marcel Sabitzer permanently.But fans aren’t too eager for a deal to be struck this summer.
      Bayern Munich want £22million from Man Utd for loanee Marcel SabitzerCredit: Getty
      The Austrian midfielder has made a good impact since his January loan move from Bayern Munich.
      Sabitzer, 29, has three goals in 18 appearances under Erik ten Hag.
      But injury means his season is already over – and potentially his Red Devils career.
      United are keen on making several big signings this summer.
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      And money is tight amid an ongoing takeover saga.
      However, should Ten Hag wish to keep Sabitzer past his loan, Sky Sports says it will cost him £22m.
      Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel does not have the ex-RB Leipzig star in his plans for next season.
      And the Germans are more than open to doing business as they prepare a mini-rebuild.
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      But Red Devils fans do not appear to be keen on keeping Sabitzer permanently as they reacted to the news.
      One said: “Good player but always injured, then useless. Bayern knows this and wants to sell.”
      Another declared: “No thanks, he’s done a job but has hardly justified a permanent move.”
      One noted: “Bayern bought him for £12m, barely played him and now want nearly double. Joke.”
      Another added: “Good stop-gap while Eriksen was injured but can’t see the need for him.” More

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      Man Utd bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe savaged by his OWN captain as he’s told to ‘work in silence’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was slammed by Nice captain Dante over his running of the club.It comes as Nice ultras protested during their match against Toulouse on Sunday with their team languishing in mid-table.
      Nice owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been distracted by the Manchester United bidding protest in recent monthsCredit: PA
      Captain Dante criticised the way the club is being runCredit: Getty
      Ratcliffe had targeted a title push this season and made that aim public, only to sack manager Lucien Favre in January to replace him with the inexperienced Didier Digard.
      The former Burnley star initially did well after going 14 games unbeaten at the beginning of his reign but, since February, Nice have won just two Ligue 1 matches.
      That led two ultra groups to announce a strike at the weekend, saying: “If you don’t want to play, why support you.”
      Defender Dante also condemned the running of the club, criticising Ratcliffe for being vocal about his aim to challenge Paris Saint-Germain and the weight of expectation that brings.
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      He told L’Equipe: “I think at some point you have to be clear in what you’re saying. To maintain a project, maybe you need to speak less about objectives and work in silence to create an environment of competitors.
      “Because the expectation is even bigger and then, after, people are frustrated.
      “The best thing to do is to prepare as quickly as possible for next season in order to start it well. Do you remember how many players came in at the end of the transfer window last summer? Six left, six arrived. It’s difficult in these conditions. Simply, we mustn’t make the same errors.”
      Dante, 39, also highlighted a lack of organisation at the top, with owner Ratcliffe focusing his efforts on trying to buy United in recent months.
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      He added: “If someone wants my opinion, the earlier we organise ourselves, the better it will be. If we want to aim higher, we have to anticipate things and put the values of the organisation in place.
      “When the coach (Lucien Favre) arrived, we said in two years that we would always be in the Champions League. It doesn’t work like that.
      “Ligue Un is very difficult. We lost 10 players, 10 arrived. The teams in the semi-finals of big competitions play together for three, four years. We changed everything last summer. There is a lack of coherence somewhere. I am sorry to say that.” More

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      Arsenal handed huge and unlikely Champions League boost after Juventus given 10-point deduction

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      JUVENTUS have been hit by a 10-point deduction – boosting Arsenal’s Champions League hopes.The Italian giants dropped out of the Serie A top four as a result of the penalty.
      Mikel Arteta has received a Champions League boost as Arsenal prepare to return to the competitionCredit: Getty
      Juventus are set to miss out on the Champions League after their points deductionCredit: Getty
      And it means that failing to beat AC Milan on Sunday will end their hope of Champions League qualification for next season – and ensure the Gunners will be in the second seeding pot for the group stage draw in August.
      The final verdict by Italian FA Court of Appeal is the latest development in a long-running saga.
      In January, Juve were found guilty of a transfer scam over three seasons, which was orchestrated by then-sporting director Fabio Paratici, who joined Spurs in 2021.
      Juventus were judged to have inflated transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
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      That allowed the club to spend more in the market than would have been allowed under Financial Fair Play regulations.
      The Turin outfit was initially handed a 15-point deduction, when senior club figures including ex-President Andrea Agnelli and Paratici were handed lengthy bans.
      Although the points punishment was suspended last month, pending yesterday’s hearing, Paratici resigned from his role at Tottenham after his ban was confirmed.
      Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine, on behalf of the Italian FA, demanded an 11-point penalty at the start of a three-hour virtual hearing on Monday.
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      How the Champions League pots are projected to look
      Juventus argued that the punishment should not be so severe because the breaches took place under Agnelli’s leadership of the club and that there had subsequently been a major overhaul of the board.
      But the tribunal imposed the major punishment in a verdict which the club suggested it might still appeal.
      Juventus said: “This judgment arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters.”
      UEFA have already opened proceedings which could result in a European ban for the Italian club.
      But if Juve are not in next season’s Champions League, Arsenal will be assured of a place in the second group of seeds and avoid a potential nightmare draw in the group phase. More

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      Laura Woods left baffled by ‘most unpopular football fan ever’ as season labelled ‘boring’

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      BAFFLED Laura Woods joined fans in blasting an “ungrateful” Manchester City supporter who was bored by their title glory.TalkSPORT presenter Woods was aghast the under-fire fan called Mark wanted a more exciting finale.
      Man City players didn’t seem too upset by wrapping up Prem glory earlyCredit: AFP
      Arsenal fan Laura Woods was perplexed by a Man City supporter who reckons the end of the season was an ‘anti-climax’Credit: Getty
      Treble-seeking City landed their third Premier League crown in a row with three games to spare.
      That’s because Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday confirmed a fifth title in six campaigns for Pep Guardiola’s men.
      It meant a joyous Etihad party before, during and after Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Chelsea.
      But Mark amazed fellow City supporters by calling talkSPORT to lament the “anti-climax”.

      Speaking to Monday’s Breakfast Show, he tried but failed to hide his underwhelmed feeling.
      Mark said: “They dubbed me the miserable Manchester City fan on Sports Bar and I am not at all!
      “But with that said, I do think it was a bit of an anti-climax. Going to the game yesterday and knowing you’ve already won it.
      “It just didn’t feel the same. Last season, when we went 2-0 down to Villa and ended up winning it and 2012 and the season before.
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      “It just didn’t feel the same to win it at all. I am not miserable by the way.”
      Presenter, Woods, who also fronts TV coverage for Amazon Prime, responded by calling Mark something even worse than unhappy.
      The Arsenal fan told him: “I have got it. You’re not miserable, Mark, you’re ungrateful.”
      Her co-host Ally McCoist chimed in: “Are you sucking lemons there? What is going on down there in Manchester, what’s happened?”
      The ex-Scotland striker added: “Every football supporter, and I mean every, not some, of every other club up and down the country are throwing the radios out of their windows right now, mate.
      “I am not sure you are going to get a lot of sympathy!”
      And talkSPORT listeners seemed even more annoyed with Mark than the presenters were.
      One texter claimed: “Mark the City fan is the type of guy who’s having an affair and hoping her husband comes home – to make it more exciting!”
      Another message read: “Mark the City fan. What a joker. I nearly crashed my van in frustration listening to him.” More