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      Eden Hazard breaks silence on summer transfer as Real Madrid contract expires… and fans are all saying same thing

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      EDEN HAZARD has broken his silence on a summer transfer.And fans all said the same thing in response.
      Eden Hazard appears to have made a decision on his futureCredit: Getty
      The Belgian winger, 32, sees his Real Madrid contract expire at the end of next season, five years on from joining the Spanish giants from Chelsea.
      But with no possibility of an extension following a torrid time with Los Blancos, he looks almost certain to leave the Bernabeu in 2024 with Fenerbahce reportedly keen.
      However, rather than leave at the end of this season to try and resurrect his career, Hazard has every intention of making the most of another 12 months on his club-record £400,000-per-week-plus deal.
      As reported by Fabrizio Romano, he said: “Honestly, I’m planning to stay at Real Madrid next season.
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      “I expect to stay as I want to celebrate the last year of the contract I have left.”
      But fans piled in on Hazard and accused him of being a money-grabber – especially after playing just 331 minutes of football across all competitions this season, including just 35 in LaLiga since September 11.
      That has yielded one goal and two assists – one of each coming against Celtic on September 6 – and he has been an unused sub in 24 of Real’s 33 league matches in 2022-23.
      One fan replied: “I want to stay for one more year to collect my big salary, whilst collecting silverware on the bench.”
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      Another said: “This one is so unserious. I don’t even pity him anymore. He prefer that sweet money.”
      A third added: “This guy, I’m disappointed tbh. Thought he was more serious a footballer than all of this. Such a shame and waste of talent.”
      And one user brutally commented: “He gets to keep eating, getting fat, winning trophies and still getting paid. Who would say no to such life?”
      Injury-plagued Hazard has managed just seven goals and 75 matches since arriving from Stamford Bridge for an initial £88million.
      However, despite his limited input, in that time the 126-cap ex-Belgium captain has collected six trophies – including two LaLigas and the Champions League. More

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      Pep Guardiola wanted me to be the new Pique, but now I don’t even say I played for Barcelona

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      DMYTRO CHYGRYNSKYI was once set to become Gerard Pique’s partner at the Nou Camp but now he doesn’t even admit he played at Barcelona.Chygrynskyi joined Barca in 2009 after a stunning season with Shakhtar Donetsk as he helped the Ukrainian outfit shock Europe by winning the UEFA Cup.
      Pep Guardiola wanted Dmytro Chygrynskyi to partner up with Gerard Pique at BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      Then Blaugrana manager Pep Guardiola was so impressed with the former Ukraine international that he wanted him to be Pique’s long-term partner at centre-back.
      Chygrynskyi told Relevo: “In winter there were rumors in the press, but there was nothing.
      “Days after winning UEFA, I received a call: ‘Now it’s serious, Dmytro. They love you’. Wow! It was the first time I felt real pressure in my career.
      “But even so, the moment in which I really saw that the thing was serious was when Guardiola called me while I was in pre-season in Switzerland. That’s when I was ‘scared’.
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      “Pep told me: ‘I want you to be a couple with Pique for many years. Trust me, I like your way out of the ball, your first pass… I was in shock.”
      However, Chygrynskyi never managed to shine at Barcelona and only lasted a year before returning to Shakhtar.
      The 36-year-old, who is still active and plays in Greece for Ionikos after a successful spell at AEK Athens, admits his brief stint in Catalonia was unsuccessful.
      So much so that when asked about his time in the Catalan capital he says he “was” at Barcelona instead of stating he “played” for the Spanish giants.
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      The defender blames it on his poor mentality at the time but insists current Manchester City boss Guardiola always had faith in him.
      But after a sudden change in the club’s hierarchy, which saw Sandro Rosell replacing Joan Laporta at the top, the Ukrainian was let go in 2010.
      Chygrynskyi added: “I never say that I played for Barca. I say: ‘I was at Barca’. And that’s different, because to say that you played there you need to have been an important part of the team.
      “It was something more symbolic, something that shows that you can achieve your greatest dreams. I wanted to learn as quickly as possible. It was different football, a different country…
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      Chyhrynskyi now won’t admit he played for Barcelona after his brief stintCredit: AFP
      “Now I know that the main problem I had was my psychology. I was in too much of a hurry. I pushed myself too much.
      “Pep told me: ‘Just do what I ask you, don’t think too much’. But I knew I wasn’t the best in training, so the sessions ended and I stayed working. I was obsessed with progressing quickly. With the language, doing double sessions in the gym…
      “I put constant pressure on me to turn the situation around. And Pep saw it, because in several conversations he asked me to calm down. It’s Barca. You’re not going to have two, three or four chances. If you’re not good enough, a year is a lot. It’s not like in England.
      “On a general level I don’t think it would fail, but if we talk about some specific games, yes , I failed. And that is the price you pay at Barca.
      “I say it without qualms: In the Cup match against Sevilla I failed. And against Cadiz in the League I also failed, despite the fact that we won. I had mistakes that at Barca are not acceptable, because the bar is very high.
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      “It also did not help me that the following year Joan Laporta left and Sandro Rosell came in, since I had not played much and nobody could guarantee me anything.
      “Despite everything, Guardiola told me: ‘Don’t read anything, get ready. You didn’t have a pre-season, but this year will be different’. But what happened, happened and that’s how my story at Barca ended.” More

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      Jose Mourinho ‘to sign ex-£40m Arsenal target on free transfer’ as Roma build for potential Champions League campaign

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      JOSE MOURINHO is closing in on signing Houssem Aouar on a free transfer.The Lyon playmaker, 24, was a long-term target for Arsenal and Liverpool.
      Houssem Aouar looks set to be joining Roma from Lyon for freeCredit: Getty
      Both Premier League clubs were heavily linked with a £40million-plus move, especially to the Emirates way back in 2018.
      However, he stayed put with his boyhood French club – racking up 231 appearances – although just 16 of those have come this season as he was frozen out amid speculation over his future.
      But according to Sky Italia, Aouar has reached an agreement to join Roma when his Lyon contract expires this summer.
      The deal is said to just need signatures before being completed.

      That will come as a blow to Real Betis and even Manchester United, with both clubs said to be interested and monitoring the situation.
      But Aouar looks set to join the Giallorossi and work under Mourinho at the Stadio Olimpico.
      Roma – who still have hopes of rising up from seventh to qualify for the Champions League – were first interested in the midfielder last summer.
      Aouar joined the Lyon academy aged 11 in 2009 and made his senior first-team debut in February 2017.
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      He was handed the No8 jersey as a teenager ahead of the 2017-18 season and was nominated for the Golden Boy award the following year.
      Aouar forced his way into the 2019-20 Champions League Team of the Season as Lyon knocked Juventus and Manchester City out on the way to the semi-finals.
      He earned one senior cap for France in a friendly in October 2020 – after twice pulling out of the squad with injury and Covid.
      However, in March 2023 he switched international allegiance to Algeria, the homeland of his parents – and admitted he “regretted” playing for France.
      Jose Mourinho is hoping to get the Italian side into the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal and Wales legend Aaron Ramsey wants new Nice deal after rebuilding career in France following Juventus hell

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      AARON RAMSEY wants to extend his stay in Nice by signing a new contract.The Wales captain, 32, joined the French club on a 12-month deal last summer following a nightmare spell with Juventus.
      Aaron Ramsey has enjoyed his first season with Nice in Ligue 1Credit: Getty
      But injury-plagued Ramsey has managed to stay fit for the majority of the Ligue 1 season to make 34 appearances across all competitions for Nice. 
      The former Arsenal star said: “Things have panned out quite nicely this season.
      “We have worked hard, the coaches, medical staff and myself to make sure that I am in my best shape to go out and play.
      “That communication has been key. Managing my load throughout the week has been important. It’s been a real team effort.
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      “I feel good and that’s backed up by the amount of minutes and games I have played this year.”
      Ramsey added: “I feel very comfortable at the moment. Playing games, having opportunities and the coaches have been great to me.
      “They have given me a few days off here and there to go back and see my family. That’s been a challenge, there’s no doubt about that.
      “Football-wise, it’s a great club and it’s going in the right direction and this year we have taken a step forward so there’s no problems with that point of view.
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      “Of course, I’d like to be a part of that. I’m sure we will be in discussions at the end of the season.”
      A key factor in those talks for Ramsey will be whether his family join him on a permanent basis in the south of France.
      His wife Colleen and their three children have remained in Wales since he moved to Rangers in January 2022.
      When asked if his family would move to the Cote d’Azur, Ramsey added: “Of course, there’s a lot of decisions to make at the end of the season and what is best for me and my family. 
      “It’s not an easy thing to get that balance right. But that’s definitely something we will look into and is definitely an option.
      “We will see. Let’s finish off the season and then we can go from there.”
      While Ramsey is happy at Nice, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is to leave the French top-flight and leaders Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season.
      Ramsey said: “He’s still a Paris player at the moment.
      “I can’t comment on speculation. That’s their problem and his. That’s nothing to do with me.”
      Nice, who beat Rennes 2-1 on Saturday, are eighth in the table but caretaker boss Dider Digard’s side, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
      The Wales captain is keen to extend his stay in the south of FranceCredit: Getty
      Ramsey struggled at Juventus after a raft of injuriesCredit: Getty
      Ramsey added: “In spells this season we have seen what this team and club are capable of doing.
      “Now it’s about getting consistency over the course of a season and taking the next step of competing and fighting for Champions League places or the league. That’s the next step for this club to take.
      “The coach has come in with his staff and done a fantastic job. It’s not easy to come in mid-season and to go on the run we went on to arrive at a quarter-finals.
      “He’s been a player, he understands and he knows what is important to do and how to get the best out of the team. He’s been brilliant and there would be no arguments to see him there next season.”
      Ramsey has only scored once for Nice – back in August against Toulouse and knows his stats should be better.
      He said: “The way I play and the attacking opportunities that I like to get into, I would have liked to have scored more goals this season.
      “There’s still a few games left to get a few but on the whole I’ve had some opportunities.
      “Going forward, scoring more goals and killing the game when we have that opportunity is something we can improve on as a team. 
      “I know I have the capability of scoring goals and I want to score more.”
      Ramsey’s Wales are in talks to play South Korea in a Cardiff friendly in September before they travel to Latvia in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
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      Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We’re really close to agreeing to playing in Cardiff in September against South Korea, which Jurgen Klinsmann manages.
      “We are hoping we can announce that quite soon. We’re close but it’s not done yet.”
      Ramsey stood out at Arsenal where he began his senior careerCredit: PA More

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      Man Utd transfer target Frenkie de Jong told to reduce salary AGAIN as Barcelona try to free up funds for Messi

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      MANCHESTER UNITED transfer target Frenkie de Jong is set for a meeting to discuss his Barcelona future, according to reports.De Jong was one of United’s main transfer priorities last summer and the club even had a £72million bid accepted by Barcelona.
      Barcelona want Frenkie de Jong to accept a wage reductionCredit: Getty
      Barcelona are keen on re-signing Lionel MessiCredit: PA
      But the midfielder refused to make the move and Erik ten Hag instead signed Casemiro from Real Madrid.
      However, the Red Devils boss is still said to be keen on De Jong, who is facing an uncertain future at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona want the 26-year-old to agree to a salary reduction amid their financial problems, according to Mundo Deportivo.
      De Jong could extend his contract, which expires in 2026, for another two or three years.
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      But Barca want to cut his wage – something De Jong may reject given he is owed £14.5m by the club after deferring his wages during the coronavirus pandemic.
      Barcelona also asked De Jong to accept a wage reduction last summer and they could be tempted to sell once again if he refuses.
      The LaLiga leaders are desperate to re-sign Lionel Messi, whose time at Paris Saint-Germain appears to be approaching an end.
      The 35-year-old was suspended by the club after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia which saw him miss training on Monday.
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      PSG are reportedly set to allow his contract to expire, with Barca chiefs ready to pounce.
      On Messi potentially returning, vice president Rafa Yuste said: “We’ve been in contact with Leo Messi’s camp.
      “Leo knows how much we appreciate him and I’d love for him to come back.
      “For sure Messi loves Barca and the city, so we hope to find the right conditions to continue his history here.” More

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      Lincoln mulling over free transfer for Morecambe striker Cole Stockton as League One forward’s contract expires

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      LINCOLN are taking a sizeable interest in Morecambe striker Cole Stockton as his contract runs out.Stockton, 29, has scored an impressive 10 goals this season.
      Morecambe star Cole Stockton’s contract is expiring soonCredit: Getty
      Lincoln are keeping tabs on Stockton and are weighing a free transferCredit: Rex
      But he is set to move on after the League One side suffered relegation.
      Morecambe offered the striker a new deal in the summer but only on £2,000-a-week.
      The 29-year-old has been the Shrimps’ main man for the last three seasons.
      The versatile forward helped fire the club to promotion into League One during the 2020-21 season.
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      Rotherham were interested in Stockton but were reluctant to make a big bid.
      That is despite his strong form last season which helped Morecambe narrowly avoid relegation.
      This all comes after Stockton was nominated for the SkyBet League One Player of the Month award for April.
      However, the prize was claimed by Ipswich Town’s Conor Chaplin after an impressive goalscoring run.
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      Also nominated was Derby ace David McGoldrick, who continues to stand out for the Rams.
      Cambridge United ace Sam Smith completed the list of nominees for the award.
      Stockton counts a total of 68 goals and 16 assists in 210 appearances across all competitions ever since his arrival at Morecambe in 2019. More

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      Arsenal ‘confident of Declan Rice transfer’ with Gunners ready to ‘QUADRUPLE’ West Ham star’s salary

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      ARSENAL believe they can seal a deal for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer, according to reports.The Gunners have held an interest in the 24-year-old since January.
      Arsenal are willing to make Rice one of the club’s highest earnersCredit: Getty
      And according to The Star, they are willing to pull out all the stops in order to secure his signature.
      Rice currently earns £60,000-a-week at West Ham, but Arsenal are expected to QUADRUPLE that after negotiating a transfer fee.
      The Hammers are understood to be demanding £100million for their star man.
      But because the midfielder has just one year remaining on his contract, and he is expected to decline any offers of extension, Arsenal could attempt to sign him for less.
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      While on England duty at the World Cup, Rice admitted that he would love to play in the Champions League.
      He said: “One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years, I’ve been saying that.

      “I’ve been playing consistently well for my club, and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.
      “You only get one career, and at the end, you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
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      West Ham have already lined up a potential replacement for Rice.
      Rob Newman, the club’s head of recruitment, is believed to have been monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow. More

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      Ex-Man Utd flop Nick Powell to quit Stoke with Potters to use his massive wages to go on summer transfer overhaul

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      NICK POWELL is leaving Stoke at the end of his lucrative contract.Talented attacker Powell wants a new challenge after his four-year spell at the club.
      Stoke ace Nick Powell is set to leave in the summer transfer windowCredit: Getty
      Powell played for Manchester United before joining StokeCredit: Getty
      And he will be one of the better free agents on the market.
      The former Manchester United prospect, 29, was on a big deal at Stoke.
      His exit will give Potters boss Alex Neil extra space in the budget to sign a couple of new faces.
      Neil has stated that Stoke will concentrate on “educated gambles” in the upcoming summer transfer window.
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      The Scottish tactician outlined his plans ahead of Monday’s Championship clash at Watford.
      Neil said: “There are going to have to be some educated gambles.
      “There might be a certain quality we can acquire we need to take an element of risk on.
      “If we were to take a hard line on that and say everyone is going to have to have played 90 per cent of games completed or we don’t sign them… I don’t think we’re at that stage yet.
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      “That might be in a couple of windows when we have the basis of a core squad and we’re adding the final touches. We’re not there at the moment.
      “We need to get to a point where the fundamentals are in place and know this is the group we’re going to go forward with in the next two or three seasons.
      “I think that is what the club needs. It hasn’t had that for a number of years.
      “Then we can push that on and start to add the bits around it.
      “Preferably we want players who don’t get injured and recruitment is a big part in that but there will be a few educated gambles, I imagine, in there.” More