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    Cristiano Ronaldo ‘offered to Inter AND AC Milan’ but wantaway Man Utd star snubbed in fresh transfer blow

    CRISTIANO RONALDO was reportedly offered to both Inter Milan and AC Milan.But both clubs are said to have snubbed the chance to sign the wantaway Manchester United star in a fresh blow.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is not wanted by either Inter or AC MilanCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Inter Milan are happy with their strike force including Romelu LukakuCredit: Reuters
    Ronaldo, 37, continues to be linked with a transfer away from Old Trafford this summer.
    He sat down for showdown talks with new boss Erik ten Hag and agent Jorge Mendes when he returned to Carrington last month.
    Ronaldo wants to play Champions League football and compete for the top honours in the game – something not currently on offer with the shambles at United.
    According to reporter Tancredi Palmeri, the forward’s name was put to the two San Siro clubs.
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    However, he adds neither side were willing to explore the possibility of landing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
    Inter boast Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko as strikers while Serie A champs AC have Ante Rebic, Olivier Giroud, Divock Origi and, when he returns from surgery, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
    Moves to Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Sporting Lisbon and Corinthians have all been reported but not come to fruition for Ronaldo this summer.
    And so after being brought back in to start in the humiliation at Brentford on Saturday – with less than three weeks of the window remaining – it looks like he may be staying put after all.
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    The Portugal captain was visibly furious with goalkeeper David de Gea after his pair of calamitous howlers to gift Brentford an early 2-0 lead.
    And his mood was no better come full-time as he stormed down the tunnel, ignoring the away fans and Ten Hag.
    The manager this week claimed Ronaldo has not actually told the club he wants to quit – but the hammering in West London will not have helped the situation at all. More

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    Xavi ‘asks for Barcelona to re-sign Messi in shock transfer return from PSG’ after struggles against Rayo Vallecano

    BARCELONA boss Xavi has asked the club to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.Messi, 35, joined PSG in a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, but he failed to reach the same heights that he did while in Spain.
    Xavi wants Messi to return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    In 37 appearances for the Parisians he’s scored 14 goals and assisted 16, but many fans have been unimpressed with his performances.
    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was BOOED off the pitch following PSG’s 3-0 win against Bordeaux earlier this year.
    And some fans even urged him to quit the club in a graffiti message plastered across the Camp des Loges training ground.
    Meanwhile, Barcelona are pushing to climb back to the top of La Liga after finishing 13 points behind league champions Real Madrid last season.
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    Despite already spending big this summer, the Catalan giants only managed to claim a point from their opening league game of the 2022-23 campaign.
    They were held to a 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano on Saturday with new forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both failing to get on the scoresheet.
    As a result, Xavi is now eager to bring in at least two more attacking players.
    And according to Spanish football reporter Guillem Balague, he wants Messi to return to the Nou Camp.
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    Xavi is already known to be interested in signing Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who has not denied rumours of a proposed £80million move to Spain, but now Messi has emerged as a top target.
    Balague tweeted: “Clearly the midfield of Barcelona, with the exception of Pedri, has not got the subtle touch/thinking necessary to play as Xavi wants, to find the right tempo, to feed forwards (and Busquets has played his best football).
    “Hence Xavi wanting Bernardo Silva (and asking for Messi).”
    The Argentina legend’s father and agent Jorge Messi was claimed to be on the phone to Barca chiefs repeatedly at the start of the year in a bid to negotiate a return for his son.
    Messi’s PSG contract expires next summer, so it will likely cost his former club to bring him back.
    But, Barcelona are currently in a financial crisis so some current players will have to be offloaded before another deal can be pushed through.
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    Officials are currently attempting to force Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay out of the club in a bid to free up space on the wage bill.
    And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also depart just eight months after signing – he is being targeted by Chelsea. More

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    Man Utd transfer target Frenkie de Jong ‘best player’ on pitch in Barcelona draw but Spanish press still slam him

    FRENKIE DE JONG was hailed as Barcelona’s best player after their 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano – but the Spanish media still slated the midfielder.De Jong’s been at the centre of a transfer battle between Manchester United and Chelsea this summer.
    De Jong was hailed as Barcelona’s best player during their 0-0 draw with Rayo VallecanoCredit: Getty
    But the Spanish media wanted to know why it’s taken the midfielder three years to start performing with Chelsea and Man United chasing himCredit: Reuters
    Both Prem sides have been keen on recruiting the Dutch ace who hasn’t shared their enthusiasm over a move.
    Despite the Prem pair’s resistance, De Jong’s made it clear he wants to stay with Barca and fight for his place.
    Although he’s embroiled in a wages row with the Catalan giants who are demanding De Jong takes a 50 per cent pay cut if he wants to stay at the Nou camp – which he is allegedly refusing to do.
    But the 25-year-old pushed all his personal issues to the back of his mind when he came on the pitch for Barca on the hour mark on Saturday night.
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    Despite being unable to break the deadlock against Vallecano, former Barca star Luis Garcia reckons De Jong was the club’s best player.
    Garica waxed lyrical after the game: “The best one (on the pitch).
    “I think he showed today, he wanted to show , “listen, I’m here, I wanted to do something, look what I can bring [to] the table.
    “He definitely was one of the best players in the second half.”
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    But the Spanish press weren’t impressed and questioned why De Jong’s hasn’t played at the same level in the past three years.
    Mundo Deportivo wrote: “If Frenkie de Jong ends up leaving for Manchester United or Chelsea in these two remaining weeks of August, one will have to wonder why he did not compete in his first three seasons with the determination he is displaying now.
    “It seems that feeling cornered by the club for financial reasons has freed the best Frenkie de Jong , the one who only saw the light on a few occasions. It’s all or nothing for him, he no longer has anything to lose.”
    However, Barca fans still seem to revere De Jong and gave him a resounding applause when he came on the pitch.
    And Marca suggest the warm gesture shows supporters still want him at the club.
    It’s a far cry from when Barca’s fickle fans were hurling abuse at De Jong just days ago amid his wage dispute. More

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    Newcastle set to hand Elliott Anderson bumper new deal after 19-year-old breaks into Eddie Howe’s first-team plans

    NEWCASTLE are going to give midfield starlet Elliot Anderson a lucrative new contract after his first-team squad breakthrough.The 19-year-old has impressed Eddie Howe since his return from a loan spell with Bristol Rovers in League Two.
    Newcastle are set to hand youngster Elliot Anderson a bumper new contractCredit: Rex
    His Toon deal has two seasons to run and the club will try to keep him with a four or five-year arrangement.
    A snag is that Anderson is about to change agents but that should not stop the process.
    Milwall were hot on his heels and were considering a loan swoop for the youngster who’s represented England and Scotland at youth level.
    But any chance of another loan has been ruled out after the Toon lost Jonjo Shelvey to injury.
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    Shelvey dealt Newcastle a huge blow when it was revealed a hamstring injury will keep him out until Christmas.
    The 30-year-old had to undergo surgery when he picked up the injury in July against Benfica.
    The Magpies can still rely on Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff in the middle of the park.
    But Howe wants Anderson to stick around as cover for the first team.
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    Anderson was on the bench for the Magpies’ Premier League clash against Brighton on Sunday.
    He didn’t manage to get on as the Toon scraped a 0-0 draw on the South Coast. More

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    Juventus closing in on Memphis Depay transfer with striker ‘set to have Barcelona contract terminated’

    JUVENTUS are reportedly on the verge of signing Memphis Depay on a free transfer from Barcelona.Depay, 28, has been told by Barca chiefs that he is surplus to requirements.
    Depay is set to join Juventus after having his Barcelona contract terminatedCredit: Getty
    The La Liga giants have already stripped the striker of his No.9 shirt following the arrival of Robert Lewandowsi, who joined the club in a £42.5million transfer from Bayern Munich last month.
    And now they are attempting to force him out in order to reduce the wage bill.
    Depay’s representatives are currently attempting to negotiate a deal with club officials which would see his contract terminated.
    He would then have the chance to move elsewhere on a free transfer.
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    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Dutchman could be on his way to Juventus.
    The Italian giants are currently in talks with Depay and his agent regarding a potential move.
    And the two parties are claimed to be close to reaching a verbal agreement.
    Tottenham were also interested in signing the forward, but Juventus are now clear frontrunners in the transfer race.
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    Depay joined Barcelona last summer and signed a two-year deal upon his arrival.
    He has since scored 13 goals and assisted two in 36 appearances for Xavi’s side.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also be on his way out just eight months after joining the club.
    The former Arsenal striker is being targeted by Chelsea. More

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    Man City wonderkid Kayky joins Portuguese minnows Pacos de Ferreira on season-long loan transfer

    MANCHESTER CITY have shipped out wonderkid Kayky on loan to Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira for the season.SunSport reported that the 19-year-old was on the brink of joining Pacos on Friday.
    Man City have loaned out starlet Kayky to Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira for the season to gain experienceCredit: Getty
    The switch was dependent on the forward undergoing a successful medical.
    And Manchester Evening News have revealed that Kayky’s move to Portugal has now gone through.
    He joined City last summer from Brazilian outfit Fluminense for an initial fee of £9million.
    Kayky’s the latest Brazilian attacker that’s joined City over the years after Robinho and Gabriel Jesus.
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    Jesus left the club to join Arsenal this summer in a bid for more first-team football.
    And Kayky will have the chance to become the club’s newest Brazilian hero when he returns.
    Pep Guardiola handed the youngster his debut in January, and predicts he’ll be a star in the future.
    But City feel it’s best for Kayky to go out on hone his skills until it’s time for his big break.
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    For now, Kayky will have to wait for his chance to shine at the Etihad with Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez spearheading the club’s attack.
    Both strikers completed moves to City this summer, although Alvarez initially signed for the club in January.
    And the City boss has already rejected a multitude of loan offers for Alvarez who he believes can fire the club to glory once again this season. More

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    Man Utd transfer boost as giant Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic ‘wants Old Trafford move’

    STUTTGART striker Sasa Kalajdzic reportedly wants to join Manchester United this summer.The Red Devils are currently on the hunt for a new attacker following the departure of Edinson Cavani.
    Kalajdzic wants to join Man Utd this summerCredit: Getty
    After missing out on signing Darwin Nunez, who joined Liverpool from Benfica when the transfer window opened, new boss Erik ten Hag identified Kalajdzic as the perfect alternative.
    United chiefs have been keeping tabs on the 25-year-old since holding initial talks with his representatives last month.
    He has less than one year remaining on his current contract, so he could be sold for as little as £17million this summer.
    And according to Sky Sports, Kalajdzic is very keen to make the move to Old Trafford.
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    The Austria international scored six goals for Stuttgart last season after suffering a severe shoulder injury which kept him out of action for five months.
    At 6ft 7in tall he could prove to be the perfect target man for Ten Hag’s squad.
    However, former Man Utd interim boss Ralf Rangnick has urged him to stay at Stuttgart.
    He said: “It is important that Sasa remains injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level.
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    “If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not be detrimental to his development.”
    Man Utd have signed three players since the transfer window opened in June.
    Tyrell Malacia became the first arrival when he joined the club in a £13m move from Feyenoord.
    Christian Eriksen followed suit in a free transfer after leaving Brentford.
    And Lisandro Martinez became the most recent addition following a £54m transfer from Ajax.
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    However, The Red Devils are struggling to tempt any of their top targets to Old Trafford having already lost out on signing the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Erling Haaland and Christopher Nkunku.
    Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong remains reluctant to make the switch from Barcelona. More

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    Steven Gerrard praises old rival Roy Keane and admits he’s ‘always been a massive fan’ of Man Utd legend

    LIVERPOOL legend Steven Gerrard has admitted he’s always revered Manchester United rival Roy Keane although he despises the Irishman’s former team.Proud Scouser Gerrard’s never been one to hide his disdain for United over the years.
    Gerrard has revealed he’s a fan of Man United legend Roy KeaneCredit: Reuters
    The Liverpool icon also admitted he would’ve enjoyed playing with the Irish legendCredit: Getty
    The Aston Villa boss further fanned the flames with United’s fans last season by staring down the club’s boo boys when his side visited Old Trafford.
    Keane also added fuel to the fire by refusing to congratulate Rangers for their Scottish title win when Gerrard was in charge.
    But the England icon has revealed that he’s always held Keane in high regard although he played for the Red Devils.
    Gerrard said ahead of Villa’s win over Everton: “I’ve always been a massive fan of Roy Keane, not Man United.”
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    The ex-Rangers boss also declared that he would’ve loved to have played alongside Keane who could protect him whilst he got stuck into the action.
    He added: “I think for all our generation watching Roy Keane’s consistency levels, how he went about it, I like to get into the box and having someone who would have been able to protect me in there and do some of my dirty work.
    “I think he was the best at it so I would probably go with Roy Keane.”
    Gerrard’s wish would’ve been a reality if he fell victim to ex-United star Gary Neville’s attempts to bring him to Old Trafford.
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    Neville admitted he tried to convince Gerrard to join United whilst the pair were on England duty during Euro 2004 – under Sir Alex Ferguson’s orders.
    But Gerrard remained resilient and told Neville he – or his family – would never be able to return to their beloved city again if he committed the cardinal sin.
    Although Gerrard’s missed the opportunity to play alongside Keane, there’s a possibilty the duo could still build a relationship off the pitch like ex-Reds ace Carragher and Keane have done as Sky Sports pundits. More