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    David Beckham reveals wife Victoria ‘burst into tears’ when he told her he was making stunning transfer move

    DAVID BECKHAM revealed wife Victoria “burst into tears” when he told her about one of his transfers. The couple met when Beckham was playing for Manchester United and in 2003 they moved to Spain when he joined Real Madrid.
    David Beckham revealed wife Victoria ‘burst into tears’ over one of his transfersCredit: AFP
    Victoria Beckham at a PSG match in 2013Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Beckham’s career took his family to America with LA Galaxy and Italy with AC Milan after that.
    But in 2013, the England legend’s future was at a standstill, paving the way for them to move back home.
    That was until PSG came knocking.
    Beckham, 48, revealed at the launch of a friend’s charity: “It was the first time Victoria could choose where we moved to, because before that the family had to move with me. 
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    “So she decided to move back to London, where her business is. On the way back to London my phone rang and it was the PSG president.
    “When I had to explain to Victoria she burst into tears because she’d obviously felt that, after all of this time, she had me back.

    “But she knew I’d been offered an opportunity to win another trophy. She’s an incredible woman.
    “I don’t think I’ve met anyone that works as hard as her. She is committed to not just our family but her business as well, and she’s having so much success that has come through hard work over the years.”
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    The move paid off as Beckham went on to win the French league title in the capital, making 14 PSG appearances.
    He retired afterwards but has stayed in the game, buying MLS club Inter Miami in 2019.
    And this summer Beckham got his biggest breakthrough as club boss following the announcement Lionel Messi will sign for him.
    David Beckham signed for PSG in 2013Credit: EPA More

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    Roberto Firmino completes free transfer move to Al-Ahli after Liverpool contract expired as Saudi splurge continues

    LIVERPOOL legend Roberto Firmino has officially joined Saudi outfit Al-Ahli.Firmino left the Reds at the end of last season after it was confirmed his contract wouldn’t be renewed.

    Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino has joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli
    Firmino has signed a three-year deal that will see him bag €20million (£17m) per season
    Firmino joins a raft of star players that have opted for Saudi riches this summer
    And the striker has followed a number of other star players, who have opted for Saudi Arabia’s riches.
    The Brazil international has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with Al-Ahli.
    And the 31-year-old is expected to bag a whopping €20million (£17m) per season.
    The Middle Eastern club issued a video on social media showing him wearing the club jersey as they announced his arrival to Jeddah.
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    Firmino is heard saying: “I always played for big teams, now I am in Al-Ahli.”
    The Brazilian will be teaming up with former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy at his new club.
    The ex-Hoffenheim star joins the likes of N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves and Marcelo Brozovic who also moved to Saudi Arabia.
    This comes after the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which owns Newcastle, bought four leading teams in the country hoping to attract an audience to the league.
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    Firmino joined Liverpool in 2015 and quickly rose to stardom at the Kop.
    The centre-forward amassed a total of 111 goals and 79 assists in 362 appearances with the Reds.
    He formed a devastating attacking trio with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, which led to a Champions League triumph in 2019.
    Firmino and co also helped Jurgen Klopp’s side win their first Premier League title in 30 years back in 2020. More

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    Arsenal ‘already preparing transfer for £50m Premier League midfielder’ after landing Declan Rice

    ARSENAL could take their summer spending to upwards of £200million with a move for another Premier League midfielder.Last season’s Premier League runners-up are on the verge of signing West Ham skipper Declan Rice for a club-record fee of £105million.
    Arsenal are on the verge of signing Declan Rice from West HamCredit: REUTERS
    The Gunners recently completed the £65million signing of Kai Havertz from ChelseaCredit: GETTY
    Mikel Arteta is reportedly eyeing a swoop for Southampton ace Romeo LaviaCredit: GETTY
    Rice’s imminent Emirates arrival will take the Gunners’ summer spending to a staggering £170m, which was kicked off with the £65m signing of Kai Havertz.
    But they’re reportedly set to take their splurge well over the £200m mark with a move for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
    That’s according to The Times, who claim the North Londoners are weighing up a bid for the 19-year-old.
    But the Gunners will have to delve deep into their pockets to sign the Belgium international – who caught the eye of several clubs last season.
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    Southampton – despite being in desperate need of cash following their relegation to the Championship – are demanding a minimum of £50m for Lavia’s services.
    Arsenal will reportedly face competition from Prem rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, the latter of whom are said to be preparing to table a bid in the region of £40m.

    Gunners chief Arteta will be hoping the addition of Havertz and Rice will help Arsenal end their 20-year wait for Premier League glory.
    Arsenal surrendered the league to Manchester City by squandering a NINE POINT lead during a disastrous three-week period in April.
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    But Arteta is confident his troops can go one better next season, telling Marca: “That is our ambition.
    “We know the difficulty, it is the best league in the world and next season is going to be the most difficult league in history.
    “Why? Last year it already was. I’ve been here for 22 years and I’ve never seen a competitive level like that.
    “So much quality, so much organization, so many resources, such good coaches.
    “And now [Mauricio] Pochettino and [Andoni] Iraola have arrived.
    “The level is that and to win the Premier you must be the best. That is why we have to strengthen.” More

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    Chelsea ‘in shock talks to re-sign £38m-rated defender’ after selling him in £8m transfer two years ago

    CHELSEA are looking to re-sign an exciting academy product from Southampton, reports suggest.The Blues’ new manager Mauricio Pochettino is in the middle of a major squad clearout as he looks to turn things around following a shambolic season that saw the club finishing 12th.
    Chelsea have held talks for Southampton star Tino LivramentoCredit: AP
    Chelsea, though, would loan Livramento back to SouthamptonCredit: Alamy
    But Pochettino is also working closely with the West Londoners’ owner Todd Boehly to make the proper additions heading to the new campaign.
    And, according to The Mail, Chelsea have held talks with Southampton about adding Tino Livramento to Pochettino’s backline.
    The club, though, would have to splash £38million for Livramento, just two years after selling him to Saints for a mere £8m.
    A potential deal, however, would likely entail loaning the England Under-21 international back to St Mary’s.
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    Chelsea will deal with competition as Newcastle are in advanced talks with the versatile defender.
    But the Magpies have yet to meet Southampton’s asking price for the player.

    The right-back started out at the club’s academy in 2009 at the age of seven years old.
    The 20-year-old played across Chelsea’s youth squads but never featured for the senior team.
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    Livramento got a massive break at Southampton as he stood out on his debut season with 32 appearances.
    The defender, though, couldn’t replicate the same success last term as he suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out for 13 months.
    Chelsea already have Reece James and Malo Gusto available at right-back.
    However, James has been reportedly eyed by some of Europe’s top bidders, such as Real Madrid.
    And Pochettino would like to have an alternative ready to take over if the England international decided to leave. More

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    David Beckham breaks silence on ‘massive moment’ that allowed him to sign Lionel Messi for Inter Miami

    DAVID BECKHAM has broken his silence on the “massive moment” that allowed him to sign Lionel Messi for Inter Miami.The former England captain is the co-owner of the Florida-based MLS franchise.
    David Beckham has broken his silence on the signing of Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
    Lionel Messi has joined Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transferCredit: Getty
    Messi is set to officially become an Inter Miami player on Wednesday as he completes his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed last month that he had agreed to move to the MLS.
    He reportedly turned down offers from former club Barcelona and Saudi Arabia to leave Europe for the USA.
    Ahead of the deal becoming official, Beckham has now lifted the lid on how he learned he had completed the signing.
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    Speaking to The Athletic, he recalled: “A couple of weeks ago, I woke up to about a million messages on my phone.
    “I was thinking, ‘What’s gone off? I don’t usually get this many messages’.
    “All of a sudden, I hear Leo has come out and announced he’s coming to Miami. Obviously, it wasn’t a surprise to me.
    “I have always said, from the word go, that if I had the opportunity to bring the best players in the game to Miami, at whatever time of their careers, I would do that. I have always made that commitment to our fans.
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    “So when I hear that one of the best players — if not the best player — who has won everything in the game, who is still a great player, still young and still doing what he’s doing, wants to play for my team, it’s a massive moment for us.”
    Messi will reunite with former Barcelona and Argentina boss Gerardo Martino in Miami, after his compatriot replaced Phil Neville as manager.
    Ex-Barca team-mate Sergio Busquets has also signed for the MLS’ bottom side following his exit from the Nou Camp.
    Fans will have to wait to see Messi make his debut for his new club, though.
    The Leagues Cup clash with Cruz Azul on July 21 is the first chance the 36-year-old will have to play for Inter Miami.
    Meanwhile, his league debut will not come until at least August 20, with the MLS taking a mid-season break for the Leagues Cup.
    Inter Miami will be looking to climb off the foot of the Eastern Conference when they host Inter Miami on their return to league action.
    David Beckham is the co-owner of MLS franchise Inter MiamiCredit: AP More

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    Brighton COMPLETE transfer of Man Utd target Bart Verbruggen and fans go absolutely wild for Simpsons-themed reveal

    BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION have completed the signing of Manchester United target Bart Verbruggen.The Seagulls announced the transfer with a Simpsons-themed reveal which sent their fans wild on social media.
    Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Bart VerbruggenCredit: twitter / @OfficialBHAFC
    Bart Verbruggen’s arrival was announced with a Simpsons-themed revealCredit: twitter / @OfficialBHAFC
    Verbruggen has signed a five-year deal with Roberto De Zerbi’s side after arriving from Anderlecht for a fee in the region of £17million.
    The 20-year-old goalkeeper established himself as the Belgian side’s first-choice between the sticks last term.
    After making his league debut on Boxing Day, he ended the season with 37 appearances to his name as he helped his side reach the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
    He also played all three matches for the Netherlands at the Under-21 Euros and has been called up by the senior side in the past.
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    Verbruggen had been a target for both United and newly-promoted Burnley earlier this summer.
    Erik ten Hag had even identified the youngster as his preferred choice to replace David de Gea at Old Trafford.
    However, he has instead joined Brighton, who referenced his namesake from The Simpsons in their announcement video.
    In the clip, Verbruggen can be seen recreating Bart Simpson’s iconic chalkboard scene from the show’s opening credits.
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    As the video pans across a whiteboard, he writes out “I will sign for Brighton” multiple times before turning and saying it to the camera.
    Brighton supporters have lapped up the reveal on social media, with one tweeting: “Good announcement oh my days!”
    “Great announcement video that.”
    “W admin has returned. Quality announcement.”
    Bart Verbruggen has signed a five-year deal with Brighton & Hove AlbionCredit: twitter / @OfficialBHAFC
    “I never knew I could love Brighton any more than I already do and then they drop a Simpsons-based announcement video. What a club.”
    Verbruggen is Brighton’s fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Joao Pedro, James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud. More

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    Barcelona chief reveals club owe wages to Lionel Messi for another TWO YEARS even though club failed to re-recruit him

    BARCELONA chief Joan Laporta has revealed the club still owe Lionel Messi TWO YEARS worth of payments relating to his final seasons at the club.The revelation comes amid a developing war of words between Messi and Barcelona, with both sides offering different accounts as to why a reunion never came to fruition.
    Messi is still owed money from Barcelona owing to his last two years at the clubCredit: Getty
    Messi said after joining Inter Miami that the reason a move back to Barcelona never materialised was down to his previous experience with the club and its financial issues.
    When Messi left Barcelona in 2021, the club was in a dire financial situation with a number of high-profile players being forced into taking pay cuts.
    There was even a suggestion that the likes of Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi would play for free to help ease the club’s financial situation.
    Messi said that similar issues were still present this summer and were ultimately the reason he did not return to the Nou Camp.
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    He said: “I really wanted [to join Barcelona], I was very excited to be able to return, but after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again.
    “I heard that they had to sell players or lower players’ salaries and the truth is that I didn’t want to go through that, nor take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that.”
    In an interview with Catalan outlet La Vanguardia, Barca President Laporta confirmed that the financial issues that came between the club and Messi had not been completely ironed out – with Barcelona still owing Messi money.
    He said: “What is owed to him is the deferral of the salary bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces pending payments that end in 2025.”
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    Laporta however denied that Barcelona would have faced a similar situation had they signed Messi this summer.
    He said: “We had an agreement with LaLiga that we would dedicate part of the resources we have to Messi. Within the feasibility plan It was contemplated.
    He then appeared to take a swipe at the Barca legend when he suggested Messi no longer wants to play in the pressurised environment of a top European league.
    Laporta continued: “We communicated [the proposal] to Jorge Messi. He told me that Leo had had a very difficult year in Paris and that he wanted less pressure. 
    “With our option, he would have continued to have pressure and I understood his decision. Good luck to him and we start preparing his super tribute.”
    Lionel Messi’s first game for Inter Miami is expected to be against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21 as part of the Leagues Cup – which sees MLS sides face off with teams from Liga MX.
    The David Beckham-owned franchise will need all the help Messi can give, with the club currently rock-bottom of the MLS.
    As part of Laporta’s interview with La Vanguardia, the Barca President also revealed that he expects Clement Lenglet to join Tottenham on a permanent deal this summer.
    He said: “I think Tottenham will reach an agreement for Lenglet. This almost never goes fast. It depends on the other party. For us, they are all cases that would have been solved yesterday”. More

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    Man Utd ‘agree personal terms with Sofyan Amrabat as they look to pull off shock transfer for Fiorentina star’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have agreed personal terms with Sofyan Amrabat, reports in Italy say. Amrabat attracted attention from across Europe after shining for Morocco in the winter World Cup.
    Sofyan Amrabat is linked with a move away from Fiorentina
    Liverpool were among those interested in the midfielder, who made 49 appearances last season.
    But according to Violanews, United have an agreement in place with the player but must come to a transfer fee with Fiorentina.
    On the contrary, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano told The United Stand that NO agreement has been made between club and player.
    But he claimed United did look at Amrabat as an option in January.
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    His club future was in doubt in June when he left Morocco’s national squad.
    Amrabat played in last month’s goalless friendly draw with Cape Verde but he was absent for for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to South Africa.

    Morocco manager Walid Regragui later revealed why Amrabat was not involved and hinted the star could be about to leave Fiorentina.
    He said: “I decided to let him go.
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    “He’s played a lot of games this year, I wouldn’t want to risk that, especially as he’ll be signing for a new club soon.”
    Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Amrabat this summer.
    And his agent recently said Fiorentina are open to the idea of letting him go, but only if a suitable offer is received.
    Sofyan Amrabat played a major role in Morocco’s winter World Cup campaignCredit: Getty More