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      Barcelona chief CONFIRMS Antoine Griezmann has completed £17.5m Atletico Madrid transfer after season-long stand-off

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      BARCELONA sporting director Mateu Alemany has confirmed Antoine Griezmann’s move to Atletico Madrid has FINALLY been made permanent.The forward has been with Diego Simeone’s side since the start of last season after securing a two-year loan.
      Antoine Griezmann’s loan deal to Atletico Madrid has been made permanentCredit: Getty
      A bizarre clause meant Atletico would have to buy Griezmann permanently for £35million if he played 30 minutes or more in over half their matches.
      To get around it, Atletico have often sent the 31-year-old on as a sub after the hour mark.
      Then reports emerged last week that Barcelona had accepted a fee of £17.5m – half the agreed figure – to put an end to the stand-off.
      And today Barca chief Alemany confirmed at a shareholders’ meeting that Griezmann is now an Atletico player for good.
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      Although Barcelona have had to compromise in order for that to happen.
      Alemany claimed Barca will receive somewhere between £17.5m and £26m for Griezmann, dependent on bonuses, which is significantly less than the original £35m agreement.
      He said on Griezmann: “We have renegotiated the conditions with Atletico Madrid this week and we will receive between 20 and 30 million euros, depending on the bonuses.”
      He added: “It’s a massive, extraordinary deal for us because of Griezmann salary — and same for Coutinho.”
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      It’s understood Griezmann was on around £300,000-a-week at Barcelona.
      The Frenchman has started just three out of 11 games in all competitions this season.
      But that number now looks likely to increase after his move was made permanent.
      Griezmann originally signed for Barcelona from Atletico in 2019 for a whopping £107m.
      He scored 35 goals in 102 games for the Catalan giants before being sent back to his former side after failing to live up to expectations. More

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      Kasper Schmeichel edging towards Nice exit in January due to ‘poor attitude’ six months after transfer from Leicester

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      KASPER SCHMEICHEL could be on his way out of Nice after just six months due to his “poor attitude”, according to reports.The Danish goalkeeper, 35, only joined the Ligue 1 side this summer in a £900,000 switch from Leicester.
      Kasper Schmeichel could be sold by Nice after a torrid start this seasonCredit: Getty
      But according to L’Equipe, he has failed to impress in France so far.
      And now the club could try and ship him out when the transfer market reopens in January.
      Despite signing a three-year deal at the Allianz Riviera, he was dumped to the bench for Thursday’s Europa Conference League win over Slovacko.
      It appears Schmeichel has some way to winning over Lucien Favre and his new supporters.
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      The Premier League winner, who was beaten by a superb Lionel Messi free-kick last weekend, has had question marks over his physique and mentality since he arrived at Nice.
      Reports suggested he turned up to pre-season overweight with a very high body fat percentage.
      He has also reportedly wound up his team-mates by breaking club rules including turning up to meetings late and not sticking to mandated rest days.
      To make matters worse, he angered some by allegedly going over Favre’s head to speak to owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe about being in the team.
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      Schmeichel was brought in to be a leader in the dressing room but has so far not taken on that role.
      And his unsettled start could even get Leicester fans excited about an unlikely return.
      The legendary stopper and captain left the club after 11 years.
      But his influence on and off the pitch has been felt strongly by Brendan Rodgers’ side, with replacement Danny Ward conceding 24 goals in nine matches already. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo lined up by David Beckham’s Inter Miami as they prepare sensational January transfer swoop

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      DAVID BECKHAM’S Inter Miami are lining up a sensational January window swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo.America’s MLS side are planning a return bid to try and sign the Manchester United superstar, after failing last summer.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is a transfer target for Inter MiamiCredit: AFP
      David Beckham wants to bring CR7 to the MLSCredit: Reuters
      But Old Trafford legend and former team-mate Wayne Rooney claims the five-time Ballon D’Or winner – now 37 – is past his best.
      Rooney – now boss at MLS side DC United – insisted: “Cristiano and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest players to ever play the game.
      “But, ultimately, time catches up with us all. It’s a tough one for Cristiano. He is obviously not the player he was when he was 22 or 23.”
      Old Trafford insiders claim Ronaldo would seriously consider a move to America, after spending much of the season on the bench under new boss Erik ten Hag.
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      And Rooney added: “Knowing him, it’ll be very difficult for him to sit on the bench.”
      Inter, the club ex-United star Beckham helped found in 2018, have sounded out the possibility, and prepared to offer a £30million package for the Portuguese legend.
      United knocked back an attempt to sign him on a free in the last transfer window, insisting they wanted a fee.
      Inter, who reached the MLS play-offs last week, believe Ronaldo could now be available for nothing, after Ten Hag made it obvious he does not have a major role in his plans.
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      Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain is their current marquee player, but he is retiring at the end of the season – and signing one of football’s all-time greats would be viewed as a massive coup.
      Ronaldo, who took Beckham’s No.7 shirt when he joined United first time round, still harbours a dream of playing in Europe – and the Champions League – and PSG would consider a move if Messi returned to Barcelona in the summer.
      But waiting for a move to France which might never happen would be a huge gamble for the Portuguese striker… and Inter want to seal a deal before then.
      It could see him remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the English season, although United are more likely to let him go in January – if the terms are acceptable.
      Training ground sources believe Ronaldo might now use the Qatar World Cup as his top-flight swansong.
      Ronaldo has made only one league start under ten Hag – the 4-0 hiding at Brentford – and five more off the bench.
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      He has played in all three Europa League games, and his solitary goal this season came in September’s win over Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol.
      Insiders insist his training levels and attitude are still impressive, but also say he is downcast at his situation.
      Ronaldo is one away from 700 club goalsCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea had £50MILLION bid rejected for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia just weeks after starlet’s £14m transfer from Man City

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      MANCHESTER CITY were told they may have a decision to make over their £40million buy-back option on Romeo Lavia – just weeks after selling him for £14 million.The champions allowed the Belgian midfield ace to join today’s opponents Southampton in early July, once their swoop for Kalvin Phillips was agreed.
      Chelsea failed with a bid for Romeo Lavia just weeks after he joined SouthamptonCredit: Getty
      However he was very highly-regarded by Pep Guardiola and staff at the Etihad.
      Therefore they secured an option to buy him back if any bids were accepted from elsewhere.
      Lavia made an outstanding start at St Mary’s, attracting the attention of Chelsea.
      And the Blues made a staggering £50million offer – £40million up front plus £10million in add ons – before August’s transfer deadline.

      City were put on alert that they may have to exercise their option or risk losing him.
      But Southampton turned the offer down as they were desperate to count on the starlet this season.
      Lavia is now injured and misses the return to his former club today but Guardiola said: “Romeo started amazingly at Southampton but unfortunately had the injury.
      “It was an option to keep him here but a good offer from Southampton arrived for him and his development.
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      “However we have an option in the future just in case.
      “It’s a huge opportunity to play already at this age in the PL. It’s massive.”
      Lavia was one of four City starlets to join Saints this summer – with Gavin Bazunu, Sam Edozie and Juan Larios also making the move. More

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      Real Madrid move in on Jude Bellingham and are confident of beating Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea to £87m transfer

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      REAL MADRID are poised to pip the Prem big guns to land Jude Bellingham for £87million next summer.The Spanish giants have made their opening moves in the race to sign the Borussia Dortmund star, despite the Prem sides having monitored him since his Birmingham days.
      Real Madrid are confident of sealing a deal for Jude Bellingham ahead of his Prem suitorsCredit: Getty
      Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and champions Manchester City are all eyeing the 19-year-old.
      But Madrid believe they are in pole position to persuade Dortmund to agree a deal ahead of a move at the end of the season.
      The Bernabeu hierarchy see Bellingham’s arrival completing the overhaul of their midfield engine room.
      Real, who sold Brazilian Casemiro to Manchester United in August, know that time is running out for Luka Modric, 37, and 32-year-old Toni Kroos.
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      But having already recruited French duo Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, Madrid think England ace Bellingham would be the perfect third piece in that central jigsaw.
      Madrid have leaked their determination and interest to the big Spanish sports newspapers, with Marca splashing a picture of Bellingham on their front page yesterday.
      It was the clearest sign that Real are pushing hard and the club is briefing that conversations between the two clubs have now started.
      But that will be a body-blow for the Prem sides who have been equally keen to bring Bellingham back to England after seeing the box-to-box livewire live up to all his billing in the Bundesliga.
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      Bellingham, who quit Brum for Dortmund in 2020, is expected to be in England’s starting XI at next month’s World Cup, where his profile could go even higher.
      His latest man-of-the-match masterclass, with a superb run and finish in Dortmund’s 4-1 Champions League win at Sevilla on Wednesday, was further evidence of why he is so highly prized.
      While Dortmund kept him last summer by putting a £115m valuation on his back, it is anticipated that they will be more likely to accept a lower offer next year.
      But Real’s early move means the Prem sides will have to blow any Real bid out of the water to have a chance of persuading Bellingham that his future lies in England and not LaLiga.
      Bellingham will be the centre of an almighty transfer tussle next summerCredit: Getty More

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      Aubameyang ‘already in talks to join PSG in shock transfer just four weeks after joining Chelsea’

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is reportedly in talks to join Paris Saint-Germain… just weeks after signing for Chelsea.The 33-year-old striker swapped Barcelona for the Blues in a deal worth £10million last month.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could reportedly leave Chelsea next summerCredit: Getty
      But Chelsea have already held discussions with PSG about potentially moving him on in the summer, according to Foot Mercato.
      The Blues aren’t claimed to be eager on keeping Aubameyang past this season, despite the striker netting twice in his last two games.
      New owner Todd Boehly targeted younger players over the summer window, with Aubameyang brought in at the last minute by ex-boss Thomas Tuchel.
      And despite Auba signing a two-year deal, with the option for a third, the Blues could let him leave at the end of the campaign.
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      The ex-Arsenal skipper only joined Barcelona in the winter, before being shipped off to Chelsea just six months later.
      But the Blues could now be similarly as ruthless as Boehly targets younger talents.
      For Aubameyang, a reunion with PSG boss Christophe Galtier is on the cards.
      Galtier managed Aubameyang during his two-year spell at French club Saint-Etienne.
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      Aubameyang established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers at Saint-Etienne, which earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund in 2013.
      The striker has netted twice in four games since joining Chelsea.
      After firing a blank in his opening two games, Aubameyang has shown signs that he is settling by finding the back of the net in his last two outings. More

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      Chelsea and Man City ‘favourites’ to land Jude Bellingham despite Real Madrid holding ‘advanced talks’ over Dortmund ace

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      MANCHESTER CITY and Chelsea are the “favourites” to sign Jude Bellingham next summer, according to reports. But that is despite Real Madrid already “negotiating a contract” over a mega £88million transfer for the teenager.
      Jude Bellingham could make a £88m transfer next summer – with Chelsea and Manchester City in pole positionCredit: Getty
      Marca report talks are already taking place between Bellingham and Real MadridCredit: Marca
      The Borussia Dortmund and England sensation, 19, has dazzled for club and country since moving to Germany in 2020.
      Bellingham became the youngest Bundesliga captain ever this week and followed that up by breaking two Champions League records with his double against Sevilla.
      And with the midfielder set to start for the Three Lions at the World Cup, clubs are keen to get a deal done before he stars on the global stage.
      According to Bild in Germany, Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola are in pole position to add Bellingham to their squads – ahead of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
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      And that would make Erling Haaland ever happier because the goal-machine striker wants to be reunited with Bellingham at the Etihad after their time together in Germany.
      But according to Marca, the initial conversations between Real and Bellingham’s representatives are underway to discuss the specific numbers of Bellingham’s contract – a year after the first talks between the two camps.
      The report adds Real Madrid chiefs are “increasingly convinced” they will secure a deal.
      The Spanish champions and their English rivals are understood to have the financial ability to pay Dortmund up to £88m for Bellingham.
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      Real Madrid have snapped up two of Europe’s best young central midfielders in the last two summers in Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
      But they are desperate to complete a stunning hat-trick by adding Bellingham to their ranks in a complete overhaul from the Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro era at the Bernabeu.
      Los Blancos chiefs are hopeful the trio of youngsters could form a successful partnership for the next decade.
      But Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City are still confident of securing Bellingham, leaving Manchester United and Liverpool way back in the race.
      The English rivals have all been circling for the former Birmingham City academy talent.
      But SunSport columnist Troy Deeney urged the rising star to snub the Premier League and become a Real Madrid legend instead. More

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      N’Golo Kante ‘offered to Arsenal and Tottenham in shock transfer after he is refused new Chelsea contract’

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      N’GOLO KANTE has reportedly been offered a shock switch to Arsenal or Tottenham.The injury plagued midfielder has played just twice for Chelsea this season.
      N’Golo Kante has reportedly been offered to Arsenal and TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Kante is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
      And the Blues have “absolutely no intention” of handing him a new deal, according to Foot Mercato.
      The 31-year-old’s injury record means Chelsea are reluctant to pin him down to an extension, with Kante earning a reported £170k-a-week on his current deal.
      But the French World Cup winner is intent on staying in London.
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      As a result, his agents are claimed to have offered him to both Arsenal AND Tottenham.
      He is available for nothing at the end of the campaign, and free to begin talks with overseas clubs from January regarding a pre-contract agreement.
      But a move to one of Chelsea’s two biggest rivals is reported to be the only realistic option for Kante.
      A controversial transfer to Spurs would see him reunite with former Chelsea gaffer Antonio Conte.
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      Paris Saint-Germain have tried to sign Kante multiple times during his seven-year spell with the Blues, and remain keen on a swoop for him.
      Kante though is not believed to be interested in a switch to the French champions.
      He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and has not played since August 14.
      The midfielder is now back in full training and nearing a return, but his injury woes mean the Blues are happy to move him on when his contract expires.
      Kante has played 262 times for Chelsea since signing from Leicester in 2015, winning the Champions League and Premier League in his seven years at Stamford Bridge. More