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      Barcelona ‘line up shock Antoine Griezmann and Paulo Dybala swap transfer with Juventus to free-up Messi wage funds’

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      BARCELONA are reportedly exploring a shock transfer swap between Antoine Griezmann and Juventus ace Paulo Dybala.The Blaugrana are desperate to part ways with the French forward, who is believed to be earning £300,000-a-week at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann is facing an uncertain future in CataloniaCredit: Rex
      Argentina international Paulo Dybala could be on his way out of Juventus this summerCredit: Getty
      Ronald Koeman’s side are keen to get the 2018 World Cup winner, 30, off their wage bill in order to afford Lionel Messi’s new contract.
      Barca have already asked Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, and Sergio Busquets to lower their salary to help free up cash to give the Argentine maestro.
      Griezmann had been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid just two years after departing the Wanda Metropolitano with Saul Niguez heading the opposite way.
      However that deal appears to have stalled, with the LaLiga giants now claimed to be targeting Messi’s compatriot.
      According to L’Equipe, Barcelona have contacted the Old Lady about whether they would be interested in a swap deal involving Griezmann and Dybala.
      Dybala has found himself out of favour in Turin having started just 14 times in Serie A during the 2020-21 campaign.
      He registered just five goals in all competitions from his 26 outings – his lowest tally since the 2013-14 season during his time in Serie B with Palermo.
      And with the 27-year-old having just a year left on his deal at the Allianz Stadium, Massimiliano Allegri could be prepared to let him depart.

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      Dybala has also been linked with a potential switch to Manchester United this summer.
      It has been reported that he could be used in a swap deal for Paul Pogba, who is tied down at Old Trafford until 2022.
      The Red Devils are keen to extend the Frenchman’s stay at the Theatre of Dreams, but are wary of losing him for nothing should he decide to run his contract down.

      Watch as Lionel Messi is mobbed by fans in Miami after leaving restaurant as he and wife Antonela relax on holiday More

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      Lionel Messi breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram world record with 20 MILLION liking Copa America trophy snap

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      LIONEL MESSI broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram world record by racking up 20 MILLION likes on his Copa America trophy post.His rival Ronaldo previously held the record for the most-liked sports photo in the social media app’s history.
      Lionel Messi poses with the Copa America trophyCredit: Instagram
      Cristiano Ronaldo’s post with Diego Maradona held the recordCredit: Instagram
      The Juventus forward, 36, has more than 19.8 million likes for his post paying homage to the late Diego Maradona in November 2020.
      But after Messi, 34, helped Argentina win the Copa America by beating Brazil 1-0 in the final, his post-match snap broke the record.
      He captioned the post: “What a beautiful madness! This is unbelievable! Thank you, God! We are the champions.”
      Messi, who won his first international trophy, is currently holidaying in Miami with his wife as he looks to finally sign a new Barcelona contract.
      It comes only a year after he handed in a shock transfer request in a bid to leave the club.
      But now under new president Joan Laporta, the iconic Argentine is close to committing his future to the Nou Camp.
      Local reports in the Catalan capital say he has agreed to take a 50 per cent pay cut but will be offered a five-year deal instead of the two years initially talked about.
      A lower salary for Messi is key to keeping him at the Nou Camp because of the club’s financial disarray.

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      Sergio Aguero, 33, Eric Garcia, 20, and Memphis Depay, 27, have all signed for the LaLiga giants on free transfers this summer.
      Antoine Griezmann, 30, could end up returning to old side Atletico Madrid as part of a swap deal with Saul Niguez, 26, to help with the operation to keep Messi at Barcelona.
      Samuel Umtiti, 27, Miralem Pjanic, 31, Ousmane Dembele, 24, and Philippe Coutinho, 29, are also all believed to be available for transfer.
      Watch as Lionel Messi is mobbed by fans in Miami after leaving restaurant as he and wife Antonela relax on holiday More

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      Italy star Gianluigi Donnarumma gets amazing Euro 2020 trophy tattoo on arm after winning tournament

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      ITALY’s Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma has got a tattoo on his arm to commemorate the Azzurri’s historic win.The 22-year-old played a key role in Italy’s Euros triumph saving crucial penalty kicks in both the semis and final against Spain and England respectively.
      Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, was a man mountain in both penalty shootouts against Spain and EnglandCredit: INSTAGRAM: GIGIODONNA99

      Donnarumma shows off his new tat commemorating Italy’s Euro 2020 winCredit: INSTAGRAM: GIGIODONNA99
      Donnarumma’s penalty kick heroics saw him named Player of the Tournament – the first goalkeeper to receive the award.
      Fellow Italians Jorginho and Federico Chiesa wouldn’t have been too far behind in the running for the individual accolade.
      The former AC Milan keeper – who made his professional debut at 16 – wanted some new ink to celebrate his first and most likely not his last international trophy.
      The tat of the trophy is located on the shot stoppers left arm.
      And Donnarumma showcased his new ink on his Instagram story to the 3.2million who follow him.
      Donnarumma will now embark on a new journey at club level.
      He will now play his trade in the French Capital, Paris, for Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain – joining on a free transfer.
      On the move, he said: “I am delighted to be part of this huge club. I feel ready to take on this new challenge and continue to grow here.
      “With Paris, I want to win as much as possible and to bring joy to the supporters.”
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      And after the move was announced, Donnarumma took to Instagram to post a heartfelt message to his former club and it’s supporters.
      In the post, he said: “All the Rossoneri I met, from the first to the last day, will always be in my heart as a fundamental part of that journey through life that made me what I am today.”
      He added: “I wish Milan all possible success and I do that with my heart, for the affection that ties me to these colours, a sentiment that distance and time cannot cancel.”
      Gianluigi Donnarumma didn’t celebrate after saving Bukayo Saka’s penalty as he didn’t know he had just won Euro 2020 More

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      Torino unveil new kit in honour of ‘eternal’ River Plate friendship after Superga tragedy in 1949

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      TORINO’S new kit honours their ‘eternal friendship’ with River Plate after the 1949 Superga tragedy.The Serie A side unveiled their away strip for the 2021-22 season on Friday.
      Torino’s new away shirt features a red sash across the front
      The words ‘eterna amistad’ (‘eternal friendship’) are embossed on the burgundy strip
      And it features a white shirt complete with a red sash from the left shoulder to the right hip – just like the iconic River Plate design.
      However, rather than the bright, scarlet red of the Argentine giants, Torino’s jersey uses the Granata burgundy shade of their traditional home colours.
      The sash features the words ‘eterna amistad’ which translates from Spanish as ‘eternal friendship’ as fans hope to see captain Andrea Belotti line up in the jersey next season.
      On the inside of the collar, the Italian version ‘eterna amicizia’ is followed by ‘Torino 26 maggio (May) 1949’.
      Three weeks earlier on May 4, the aeroplane carrying the Grande Torino – the greatest side in the club’s history – crashed into the retaining wall of the Basilica of Superga.
      The tragedy claimed the lives of the entire first team and reserves, legendary coach Egri Erbstein, another coach, two club officials, three journalists and the four crew members.
      More than 500,000 people turned out on the streets of Turin for the funeral two days later.
      ‘ETERNAL FRIENDSHIP’
      On May 29, River Plate flew to Italy to play a friendly match against a team of Serie A players representing Torino and raised money for the grieving families.
      And therefore the date references the iconic match 72 years ago which featured legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
      Torino tweeted the images of their new Joma kit and wrote: “A celebration of friendship that will forever bind us with @RiverPlate.”
      River Plate shared the post and added: “The new t-shirt of the @TorinoFC_1906, the tribute to an eternal friendship.

      “Our colours united forever.”
      River Plate’s away shirt will also feature the Il Toro maroon as well as the phrase ‘eterna amistad’.
      It is not the first time the clubs have featured each others’ colours in their away shirts as their strong bond remains tight.
      The date of the friendly match played in the aftermath of the Superga tragedy is included inside the collar
      River Plate’s famous home shirt is white with the red sash from the left shoulder to right hipCredit: Getty
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      Bonucci trolls England AGAIN in cheeky Instagram pic as he and Chiellini chow down on pasta after Italy’s Euro 2020 win

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      ITALY defender Leonardo Bonucci has trolled England again, this time taking to Instagram to pose with a bowl of pasta alongside his pal and centre-back partner Giorgio Chiellini.The 34-year-old Juventus star played a key role for Italy in the Euro 2020 final win against England at Wembley, scoring the equaliser in the 67th minute to cancel out Luke Shaw’s early opener.
      Bonucci and Chiellini tuck into a bowl of pasta whilst away on holidayCredit: INSTAGRAM: BONUCCILEO19
      And the stellar centre-back stepped up in the nail-biting penalty shootout and picked out the top-left corner.
      Bukayo Saka stepped up last for England and saw his penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma – crowning Italy European champions.
      Bonucci – in the manic celebrations in the aftermath of the penalty shootout – grabbed the camera and declared ‘it’s coming to Rome’, digging at at England’s adopted anthem Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home).
      And in his post-match press conference, Bonucci guzzled down a bottle of beer and Coca Cola and fired another shot back at English fans for mocking Italian cuisine.
      Bonucci said: “You all still have to eat a lot of pasta!”
      And now, Bonucci has posed alongside Chiellini with a bowl of pasta as the pair enjoy the sun after their historic victory.
      Bonucci captioned the Instagram post: “We keep eating pasta … and you?”
      Jetting away with his pal Chiellini and eating pasta isn’t the only thing on Bonucci’s agenda for the rest of the summer.
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      Bonucci will also attempt to convince his Juventus and Italy captain not to hang up the boots at international level and lead Italy into the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
      Speaking after the win at Wembley, Bonucci said: “I’ll convince him we are going on holiday together, so I will convince him no worries.”
      Chiellini is set to sign a new one-year deal at Juventus which would only keep him at the club until the summer of 2022, and it is unclear whether he will shelve any retirement plans to lead the Azzurri into Qatar.
      Italy hero Leonardo Bonucci screams ‘it’s coming to Rome’ into camera as England beaten in Euro 2020 final shootout More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Chris Smalling says trophy-hungry Jose Mourinho is ‘perfect’ manager for Roma

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      CHRIS SMALLING believes Jose Mourinho is ‘the perfect man’ for Roma – despite the pair’s fallout at Manchester United.Ex-Red Devils boss Mourinho took charge of the Serie A club – who haven’t won a trophy for 13 years – this summer.
      Chris Smalling believes Jose Mourinho is the ‘perfect man’ for RomaCredit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho has taken over as manager of the Serie A clubCredit: Getty
      Smalling, 31, has been in the Italian capital for two seasons after a decade at Old Trafford.
      During his time there he fell out of favour with manager Mourinho – who questioned Smalling’s professionalism and desire and even made a joke about his feet, saying, “We’re for sure not playing out from the back”.
      The defender told the BBC: “Coming to Rome and us not winning anything for a number of years now, I know how big a deal that would be to bring a trophy of some sort to the club.
      “I think the club has chosen the perfect man to be able to produce that because of his history.
      “I knew there would be some element building up over the summer where the media would potentially build up something of our relationship in the past.
      “But I think it’s a good thing because I’ve played under him. We’ve won trophies together. He made me captain in one of those finals as well.
      “Having the chance to play for someone you know is good, and also someone who is so successful and who is so determined to win trophies at all costs.”
      Mourinho’s spell in charge of Roma began with a 10-0 demolition of Serie D minnows Montecatini.
      The Portuguese was announced as the Italian side’s new manager in May, succeeding his compatriot Paulo Fonseca.
      Having worked as a SunSport columnist this summer, Mourinho arrived in Rome last week for his official unveiling.
      And he has got down to work on the training pitch as well.
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      Mourinho, 59, took his side to nearby Trigoria as they stepped up their pre-season work with a match against lowly Montecatini.
      The exercise was a fruitful one, with Roma coming away with an easy win and 90 minutes in the legs.
      Defender Smalling posted on Twitter: “On to the next!”
      Roma will step things up with a friendly against Serie B Ternana on Sunday.
      Jose Mourinho trains with AS Roma for the first time More

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      Davide Zappacosta could end up stuck at Chelsea as Inter Milan turn transfer attention to Arsenal star Hector Bellerin

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      DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA could end up marooned at Chelsea – as Inter Milan are making eyes at Hector Bellerin. Zappacosta, 29, spent last season on loan at Italian outfit Genoa, where he played 25 games and scored four goals from right-back.
      Zappacosta failed to nail down a first-team spot at Chelsea and has spent the last few seasons on loan at Roma and Genoa respectivelyCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Arsenal right-back Bellerin has ambitions of playing in the Champions LeagueCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      He is a good short-term option to replace Achraf Hakimi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain for a whopping £51.3million.
      According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Zappacosta is waiting for Inter’s call to return to Italy on a permanent basis.
      However, Arsenal defender Bellerin – who is three years younger than the Italian – is believed to be keen on a move to Inter too.
      The Spaniard handed in a transfer request at the Gunners, putting Inter on high alert.
      But Arsenal are unwilling to accept a loan with an option to buy, which is the only option the Serie A champions will consider at the moment.
      Bellerin has ambitions of playing in the Champions League, something Inter can offer next season.
      Back in 2017, he said: “You never know what can happen.
      “The truth is that all the top level players want to play the Champions League, especially when I’ve spent two years in.

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      “As a team we have not achieved qualification, and it is something that we all want to fix, but as a player I repeat that it is an important competition.”
      Bellerin appears to be Inter’s priority target at right-back.
      But should a deal fail to be struck, Zappacosta – alongside Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez – are back-up options.
      Antonio Conte sensationally quits Inter Milan days after lifting Serie A title after row with club’s Chinese owners More

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      Ex-Man City wonderkid Brahim Diaz leaving Real Madrid after just two-years as AC Milan seal £21.5m deal

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      BRAHIM DIAZ looks set to swap the Bernabeu for the San Siro in a £21.5million move to AC Milan from Real Madrid.The midfielder, who was a Manchester City starlet, will join the Serie A giants on a two-year loan, according to reports. 
      Brahim Diaz is set to join AC Milan from Real Madrid on a two-year loan dealCredit: Getty
      Football expert Fabrizio Romano claims the Italian side will have an option to buy the player for £18.7m (22m euros) as part of the temporary deal which runs until 2023.
      It is thought Madrid will have a buy-back clause worth £23.6m (27m euros) as part of the agreement. 
      Diaz, 21, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester City in January 2019, has struggled to cement a place in the LaLiga giants’ starting eleven.
      However, the versatile attacking midfielder has impressed on loan in Italy following a move to Milan in September 2020. 
      The player, who was a star for Spain in the Under-17 European Championships in 2016, racked up seven goals and four assists in 39 Milan appearances last term. 
      And the Malaga-born starlet helped Stefani Pioli’s side to finish second in Italy’s top-flight, twelve points behind champions Inter. 
      Diaz, who has returned to Spain to take part in Madrid’s pre-season, has a permanent contract with the Spanish outfit which runs until June 2025. 
      Goal claims the player will be given Milan’s famous number 10 shirt previously worn by former icons including Ruud Gullit and Clarence Seedorf.
      And it is reported the Rossoneri will cover the midfielder’s wages up to the end of 2022-23 season. 

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      Real Madrid’s wages for the 2020-21 season

      Diaz started his footballing career at Malaga before moving to Man City at 16 in 2015
      The player made his senior professional debut for the reigning Prem champs in an EFL Cup clash with Swansea City in September 2016.
      The Spain starlet went on to make 15 appearances for the Etihad giants before sealing a six-year £15.5million switch to Madrid in January 2019.
      Diaz is reportedly due to be given Milan’s number 10 shirtCredit: Getty
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