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      Man City ‘confident’ of beating Barcelona to Lautaro Martinez transfer as they eye long-term Aguero successor

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      MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly confident of beating Barcelona to the signing of Lautaro Martinez.
      Pep Guardiola looks set to splash the cash this summer after his side’s Champions League ban was overturned.

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      Etihad boss Pep Guardiola has set his sights on Lautaro MartinezCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sky Sports claim Inter Milan forward Martinez is one of the name’s on his wish-list.
      Guardiola has earmarked the Argentine star as a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero.
      City are hopeful of sealing a deal ahead of Barcelona due to the Spanish side’s financial situation.
      The coronavirus pandemic, coupled with their huge wage bill, has taken its toll on the club.

      Barcelona are reportedly prepared to sell nine of their players to fund a move for Martinez.
      And club president Josep Bartomeu confirmed his side are in talks with the Argentine.
      But City look the more likely of the two clubs to activate his £98.5million release clause.

      Martinez has proved his potential with 18 goals in 39 games for Inter this season.
      He joined the Italian giants from Racing Club in 2018 and is under contract with them until June 2023.

      How Man City could line-up next season with Pep splashing cash including Koulibaly and Havertz but Stones out More

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      Andrea Pirlo agrees to take over as Juventus U23 coach with view to becoming first-team manager

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      ANDREA PIRLO has reportedly agreed to take over as coach of Juventus Under-23s – with the first-team job potentially in his sights.
      The former midfielder was first linked with the youth team role a few weeks ago but is now set to make the move official.

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      Andrea Pirlo is set to take his first steps in management with the Serie C sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On Monday, the Bianconeri kids’ season came to an end as they failed to win promotion to Serie B.
      A 2-2 draw with Carrarese eliminated Juve from the play-offs due to their opponents’ higher league ranking and the defeat has cost coach Fabio Pecchia his job.
      Following the widespread rumours that Pirlo is ready to take his first step into management, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano now claims the deal is done.
      Football Italia quote him as saying that Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has a grand plan to eventually promote the ex-midfielder to the first-team role – much like Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane’s routes to taking charge at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

      Maurizio Sarri is set to complete his first season in charge by winning the Scudetto but the club appear to already be identifying his successor.
      Reportedly joining Pirlo in Turin as assistant will be ex-Italy international and Napoli youth boss Roberto Baronio.

      Pirlo, 41, won two Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues with AC Milan but is arguably more fondly known for his renaissance with Juve in the latter years of his career.
      Signing as a free agent in 2011, he lifted the league title in each of his four years at Allianz Stadium.

      The Italian hung up his boots after a spell with New York City FC before studying for his coaching badges.
      And he will be tasked with bringing Juve’s U23 side up to the second-tier in only their third year of playing senior football, after reserve teams were reintroduced to the Italian league system.

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      Pirlo conquered Serie A with four titles in four years at Juve as a playerCredit: AFP – Getty

      Andrea Pirlo bows out in style with star studded testimonial at the San Siro More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo lucky to escape straight red card for horror tackle in Juventus’ 3-3 thriller with Sassuolo

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      FRUSTRATED Cristiano Ronaldo was hoping for another red letter day of amazing stats – but instead was just lucky to escape a red card.
      The Juventus superstar went into tonight’s 3-3 thriller at Sassuolo with 20 goals from his past 18 games, needing one more strike to become the first player to net 50 times in the Italian, Spanish and English top flights.

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      Juventus frontman Cristiano Ronaldo was booked for a contentious challenge on Sassuoolo midfielder Francesco Magnanelli

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      Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score for the first time in his last six Serie A gamesCredit: Reuters

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      Sassuolo’s Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Bourabia gives Cristiano Ronaldo a helping hand, which some feel the ref did too by not showing him a red card
      But as well as failing to provide a goal or assist for the first time in 19 matches, he also caught Sassuolo’s record-appearance holder Francesco Magnanelli with a studs-up challenge.
      Referee Paolo Valeri merely booked Ronaldo, who was perhaps showing his frustration as Sassuolo had turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead.
      Alex Sandro soon headed Juve’s point-saver to keep the Serie A leaders seven points clear of second-placed Atalanta with five games left as they eye a ninth successive crown.
      But Ronaldo had to wait until late on for the main exception to his own quiet night, his twinkling footwork conjuring a fierce shot well saved by home keeper Andrea Consigli.

      It was the first time in six Serie A games that the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward has failed to score in Serie A, having amassed seven in six following the restart.
      But 32 goals so far this season, including 28 in the league, is still an incredible feat.
      And if Juve do retain the title Ronaldo will become the first player to win two domestic crowns apiece in Italy, Spain and England.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo might feel he was down on his luck but he was arguably lucky to escape with a booking

      Lewandowski 3/1 favourite to win 2020 Ballon d’Or amid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominance after record season More

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      Sassuolo 3 Juventus 3 LIVE REACTION: Serie A leaders throw away two-goal lead as title remains up for grabs

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      JUVENTUS were denied the chance to go nine points clear at the top of Serie A by a sensational Sassuolo comeback.
      Trailing 2-0 after 15 minutes thanks to goals from Danilo and Gonzalo Higuain, the home side stormed back in the second half and led 3-2 with just half an hour remaining.
      But they were denied a famous victory by Alex Sandro’s diving header, albeit keeping the title race alive for Atalanta.
      Final score: Sassuolo 3-3 Juventus
      Follow all the latest updates from this Serie A clash below…

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      Cristiano Ronaldo lucky to escape straight red card for horror tackle in Juventus’ 3-3 thriller at Sassuolo

      by

      FRUSTRATED Cristiano Ronaldo was hoping for another red letter day of amazing stats – but instead was just lucky to escape a red card.
      The Juventus superstar went into tonight’s 3-3 thriller at Sassuolo with 20 goals from his past 18 games, needing one more strike to become the first player to net 50 times in the Italian, Spanish and English top flights.

      4

      Juventus frontman Cristiano Ronaldo was booked for a contentious challenge on Sassuoolo midfielder Francesco Magnanelli

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      Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score for the first time in his last six Serie A gamesCredit: Reuters

      4

      Sassuolo’s Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Bourabia gives Cristiano Ronaldo a helping hand, which some feel the ref did too by not showing him a red card
      But as well as failing to provide a goal or assist for the first time in 19 matches, he also caught Sassuolo’s record-appearance holder Francesco Magnanelli with a studs-up challenge.
      Referee Paolo Valeri merely booked Ronaldo, who was perhaps showing his frustration as Sassuolo had turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead.
      Alex Sandro soon headed Juve’s point-saver to keep the Serie A leaders seven points clear of second-placed Atalanta with five games left as they eye a ninth successive crown.
      But Ronaldo had to wait until late on for the main exception to his own quiet night, his twinkling footwork conjuring a fierce shot well saved by home keeper Andrea Consigli.

      It was the first time in six Serie A games that the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward has failed to score in Serie A, having amassed seven in six following the restart.
      But 32 goals so far this season, including 28 in the league, is still an incredible feat.
      And if Juve do retain the title Ronaldo will become the first player to win two domestic crowns apiece in Italy, Spain and England.

      4

      Cristiano Ronaldo might feel he was down on his luck but he was arguably lucky to escape with a booking

      Lewandowski 3/1 favourite to win 2020 Ballon d’Or amid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominance after record season More

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      Christian Eriksen ‘one of ELEVEN Inter stars up for sale’ months after transfer from Tottenham as Conte eyes overhaul

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      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN is one of 11 players Inter Milan could sell – just six months after his £20million switch from Tottenham.
      That’s according to Sport Meidaset, with the Denmark playmaker rated at £55m despite his erratic season.

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      Christian Eriksen joined Inter in January after refusing a new Spurs contract but has struggled in ItalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Manchester United target and Slovak centre-back Milan Skriniar is also on the list of possible departures as Inter boss Antonio Conte ponders a huge summer overhaul after slipping out of the title race.
      But Eriksen’s plight is the most dramatic.
      United and Real Madrid were both strongly linked with the 27-year-old in the January transfer window as he refused Spurs’ pleas to extend his contract beyond this summer.
      Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was reportedly willing to pay £40m for him.

      Expectations are high in Italy. The bigger the name you are, the more people expect.
      Inter boss Antonio Conte

      But Solskjaer must be delighted he instead spent £68m on Porto’s Bruno Fernandes, who has become an instant Premier League sensation.
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid reportedly had a verbal agreement to sign Eriksen, before Zinedine Zidane pulled out of the deal.
      And Conte warned Eriksen he was under more pressure than in England after benching him for Monday’s 3-1 home win over Torino, which put Inter third, albeit still eight points off leaders Juventus.
      Conte said: “He has to hold down certain levels, but balance is needed.

      “He’s improving and he’s aware that he joined an ambitious club that is asking a lot of him.
      “Expectations are high in Italy. The bigger the name you are, the more people expect from you.
      “He’s committed and doing well, but I have to make decisions for the good of Inter.”
      And another bad omen for Eriksen is speculation Inter are ready to hand one-cap Spain midfielder Boria Valero a new contract at the age of 35.

      And there is even talk Conte is interested in Barcelona’s Chile ace Arturo Vidal, 33.
      In total, former Ajax stylist Eriksen has notched one goal and two assists from his five starts and six substitute appearances in Serie A.
      His cup record is better but against far more modest opposition.

      Romelu Lukaku reveals Man Utd boss Solskjaer wanted him to STAY but ‘I didn’t have the energy’ before Inter transfer More

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      Serie A giants Lazio add Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos to summer transfer window wishlist

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      LAZIO have added Rangers star Alfredo Morelos to their summer transfer wishlist.
      The Italian giants are keen to land a top hitman ahead of the new Serie A season.

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      Rangers star Alfredo Morelos has emerged as a transfer target for LazioCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun
      Ibrox star Morelos has emerged as a potential £20million target for boss Simone Inzaghi.
      Watford’s Luis Suarez and Crystal Palace’s Alexander Sorloth are also on Lazio’s radar.
      But Italian sources have confirmed that sporting director Igli Tare is impressed by Morelos.
      The Colombian is joint top scorer in the Europa League with six, having also netted eight in qualifiers.

      Lazio’s title bid has faded lately, with the Rome side now eight points behind leaders Juventus.
      Inzaghi has had to rely on talisman Ciro Immobile for goals.

      The Italy star has 32 for the season but no other Lazio player has hit double figures yet.
      Sporting director Tare, who last year spoke of his admiration for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard, is leading the hunt.

      Morelos’ fellow Colombian Suarez, 22, has also been scouted after a successful loan spell at Real Zaragoza this term.
      He has yet to kick a ball for parent club Watford and is likely to be sold.
      Norway striker Sorloth, on loan at Trabzonspor from Palace, is another attracting Lazio’s interest.
      But Morelos’ prolific form for Rangers hasn’t gone unnoticed by Lazio.

      The 24-year-old has 77 goals in 137 games for the Ibrox side since joining from HJK Helsinki in 2017.
      Morelos is under contract until 2023 and Rangers are in a position to demand a huge fee.
      Qataris Al Duhail made an approach last month but the striker will only consider a move to a top league.
      Lazio could offer Champions League football and Rangers’ valuation wouldn’t be a problem for the Rome club.
      Midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is expected to be sold for £70m this summer.
      So Inzaghi will be handed a huge transfer budget and would also be able to offer Morelos — due to play for Gers against Lyon on Thursday — a bumper wage. More

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      Man Utd transfer snub as target Paulo Dybala signs new five-year contract at Juventus until 2025 ‘to be face of club’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S pursuit of Paulo Dybala appears over with the Argentine reportedly set to sign a long-term deal at Juventus.
      The in-form forward will commit his future to the Old Lady by signing a three-year extension to his current deal, taking him to 2025.

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      Paulo Dybala is set to sign a new contract to stay at JuventusCredit: Reuters
      Juventus plan to make Dybala the “face of the club” once legendary team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo hangs up his boots.

      According to TuttoSport, the 26-year-old will receive a salary in the region of £9.1million annually to become the second-highest paid player at the club behind Ronaldo.
      Dybala was on the brink of joining the Red Devils last summer and even held talks with club chiefs, before a deal fell through in the final stages.
      Juventus were open to letting him leave having also agreed a deal with Tottenham but now he has become an integral figure under Maurizio Sarri.

      He has featured 29 times, scoring 11 and assisting five as he begins to form a prolific partnership with Ronaldo.
      Hinting that a contract is close to being signed, Juve’s Chief Football Officer Fabio Paratici said: “We are talking continuously with its managers.
      “He is an important player, we made an important investment when he came.

      “We have always believed in it, we have given it the number 10 shirt which has symbolic importance.

      “There has always been trust in Paulo. We are sure that it will be the future of Juve.”
      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in the market for a new attacking player this summer having sought out the likes of Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Southampton deserved their late draw More