April 2020 – Page 4 – Football Flame    
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Month: April 2020

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Report: Barcelona eye Liverpool target Diego Carlos

Diego Carlos of Sevilla FC controls the ball during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Wanda Metropolitano on March 7, 2020 in Madrid, Spain.Barcelona have reportedly turned their attentions to Sevilla defender Diego Carlos as they continue to search for a new centre-back.According to Sport, Barca have been planning a move for Carlos for a little while now after he enjoyed a strong La Liga campaign in 2019-20 before the competition was suspended.The 27-year-old has a buyout clause of €75 million which is too high for Barca, given the attacking signings they are planning, but they are confident they can negotiate.One factor that might help swing a deal is Ivan Rakitic. The midfielder is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou but would be happy to return to Sevilla...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham players agree to defer wages as Moyes and Brady accept 30 per cent pay cuts

West Ham United manager David Moyes (left) hugs Mark Noble at the end of the Premier League match at London Stadium.Players at English Premier League side West Ham on Friday agreed to defer part of their wages during the coronavirus suspension while manager David Moyes will take a 30 per cent pay cut. The move comes just a day after top-flight rivals Southampton struck a similar deal with their players as clubs wrestle with the financial fallout of the virus which has shut down the sport for a month. "The savings created by the measures will support the entire infrastructure of the club and enable us to retain jobs and continue to pay 100 per cent of staff salaries," said a West Ham statement.Joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold as well as fellow shareholders also agreed ...
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LALIGA

Lionel Messi denies Inter transfer and Ronaldinho bail rumours

Brazilian retired football player Ronaldinho arrives at a hotel in Asuncion where he and his brother will serve house arrest after a judge ordered their release from jail on April 7, 2020. - A judge in Paraguay ordered the release of Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto Assis into house arrest after the siblings spent almost exactly a month in jail awaiting trial on charges of using false passports to enter Paraguay. Lawyers for the men posted bail of $1.6 million.FC Barcelona superstar footballer Lionel Messi has denied reports of him moving to Italian giants Inter Milan. The Argentine had recently been linked with a move to Inter Milan as well as his childhood club Newell’s Old Boys, while Manchester City was touted as a possible destination for the Argentine earlier in the season aft...
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Real Madrid join race to sign Arsenal target Dayot Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano of Red Bull Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Red Bull Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Red Bull Arena on March 10, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany.Zinedine Zidane has told Real Madrid chiefs to target RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano according to AS.Arsenal target Upamecano has recently been warned by an RB Leipzig chief to take his time with his next transfer decision.Leipzig’s sporting director, Markus Krosche, has told the Frenchman that he needs to think carefully before taking another leap forward in his career. Krosche told Kicker when quizzed on Upamecano and what his next move should be: “This is a far-reaching decision for a player. He should take his time with that.“He has to be clear about exactly what he is go...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bruno Labbadia named new Hertha Berlin coach

Bruno Labbadia New Hertha Berlin Head Coach.Hertha Berlin have named former Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburg and Wolfsburg coach Bruno Labbadia as the club's new head coach.The 54-year-old German tactician is the fourth head coach to take charge at the Olympiastadion this season - Ante Covic began the campaign, before Jurgen Klinsmann and Alexander Nouri took over leading up to the Bundesliga's suspension due to the coronavirus.With the capital club sitting in 13th place - six points ahead of the relegation play-off spot with 28 points from 25 games played - the Old Lady felt the need for further change, having originally planned to keep Nouri in charge until the end of the 2019/20 season."With Bruno, we're getting someone who has known the Bundesliga in detail for many years as a player and coac...
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SERIE A

Jose Fonte : Cristiano Ronaldo has always left door open to return to Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale played behind closed doors at Allianz Stadium after the Italian Government has issued a list of new guidelines to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 on March 8, 2020 in Turin, Italy.Cristiano Ronaldo has left the door open for a surprise return to Real Madrid, according to his Portugal teammate Jose Fonte. Ronaldo joined Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 and spent nine record-breaking years at the Santiago Bernabeu before he left for Juventus in 2018. During his time at Madrid, the 35-year-old scored 450 goals in 438 games and helped the club win the Champions League four times and La Liga twice. Reports in Italy have claimed that Juventus could be forced to o...
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NEWS

Rio Ferdinand reveals he was close to Barcelona move in 2008

Rio Ferdinand pitchside for BT Sport television during the FA Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on January 04, 2020 in Wolverhampton, England.Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he was close to signing for Barcelona in 2008.The 41-year-old enjoyed a magnificent stint at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League with the Red Devils between 2002 and 2014.The defender's solitary European crown in the 2007-08 season saw United defeat Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and Ferdinand has lifted the lid on discussions with then-manager Frank Rijkaard.Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand said: "It came close, there were discussions with my agent. ...
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LALIGA

Covid-19 : Real Madrid players accept up to 20 percent pay cut

(L-R) Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, Marcelo of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 8, 2020 in Sevilla Spain.Real Madrid players have agreed to cut their salaries by as much as a fifth, the La Liga club announced on Wednesday, as Spanish football remains on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.In a statement, Real said players and coaches from the side's football and basketball teams, as well as key directors, had voluntarily agreed to the reduction, of either 10 or 20 per cent, "depending on the circumstances that may affect the closing of the current 2019/20 sports season".Real didn't say what circumstances would affect the rate of salary cut, but Spanish media report...
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BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund captain Marco Reus urge Jadon Sancho to Reject Man United move

Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (R) celebrate scoring the 4-1 goal with his teammates Dortmund's German forward Marco Reus (L) and Dortmund's English midfielder Jadon Sancho (C) during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund v FC Cologne in Dortmund, on January 24, 2020.Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus believes Jadon Sancho should reject the chance to move to Manchester United and stay with the Bundesliga outfit. The England international has been heavily linked with a return to his homeland with his good form attracting interest from a host of Premier League sides, with United believed to be leading the race for the 20-year-old. However, Sancho should stay in Germany for at least one of more season, or at least that's the opini...
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LALIGA

Luis Suarez: Neymar and Martinez will always be welcome at Barcelona

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez reacts during the Spanish Super Cup semi final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on January 9, 2020, at the King Abdullah Sport City in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.Luis Suarez insists Neymar would be welcomed back at Barcelona with open arms should he return this summer.And the Uruguayan also lauded the ability of Lautaro Martinez, another Nou Camp target, and said any player who has the drive to win trophies is welcome in the changing room.Neymar has long been linked back with a move to Spain ever since moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.The Brazilian played alongside Suarez for three years for the Catalan giants, winning the Champions League together, and the former Liverpool forward would love to play alongside him yet again.“Ne...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich and Thiago Alcantara Reportedly nearing contract extension

Thiago of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich is reportedly ready to secure the long term future of Thiago Alcantara.Bayern Munich seems to have started preparing for next season. The German club decided to clear the talk surrounding the next manager, so they made an early announcement about Hansi Flick’s appointment last week. Flick signed a new two-year contract as first-team manager after enjoying success as interim manager.Bayern Munich is looking to tie down star players that have contracts expiring at the end of next season. On Tuesday, they announced first renewal as Thomas Muller committed his future to the club by signing a two-year extension.After Muller,...
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BUNDESLIGA

Erling Haaland names Liverpool star as the best current African player

Sadio Mane of Liverpool.Borussia Dortmund starlet, Erling Braut Haland, believes that Liverpool winger Sadio Mane is currently the best African football player in the world.Haland faced Liverpool twice in the Champions League group stage this season with Red Bull Salzburg, scoring once in his former side’s 4-3 loss.During a live video on Instagram, the 19-year-old was asked who he thought was the best African player, to which he responded with: “There’s been a lot of good African players these past years but right now I think it’s Mane.”It’s no surprise that there is strong competition for the title of the best African footballer between Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.Both players have been on the podium for the African Player of the Year award for the past three years, with th...
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PSG to take up option to buy Inter loanee Mauro Icardi after impressive 20-goal season

Mauro Icardi reacts during a training session at Ooredoo Center on March 10, 2020 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain will face Borussia Dortmund in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match on March 11, 2020.French broadcaster RMC Sport have reported that Paris Saint Germain are wanting to take up the option they have to sign on loan striker Mauro Icardi on a permanent basis at the end of the current season.Icardi joined them on a season long loan this past Summer from Inter and the reigning French champions can sign him up on a permanent basis for €70 million.PSG sporting director Leonardo has in fact already held talks with Icardi’s wife and agent Wanda Nara over the permanent switch.The report goes on to conclude that Inter’s arch rivals Juventus are continuing to keep...
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LALIGA

La Liga eyeing May return, says league President Tebas

La Liga president Javier Tebas speaks during a media event for the foreign press members ahead of the 180th La Liga El Clasico (Real Madrid vs Barcelona) in Madrid, Spain on February 28, 2020.La Liga president Javier Tebas is optimistic football could return at the end of next month following the coronavirus shutdown.Tebas also warned Spanish clubs could lose as much as €1 billion (Dh3.97bn) if the season is not completed, urging the league to use the summer months to ensure a finish to the 2019/20 campaign to mitigate financial losses."The different scenarios we have been looking at with Uefa to go back to competing are most probably starting on the May 29 June 6-7 or June 28," Tebas said.Most football in Europe shut down as countries struggled to contain the coronavirus outbreak, meaning...
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Uncategorized

Former Inter Milan President Says A Move For Lionel Messi Is No Longer A 'Forbidden Dream'

Lionel Messi #10 of Barcelona during team warm up before the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi joining Inter is not a "forbidden dream at all", according to former president Massimo Moratti.Messi is contracted to Barca until 2021 but the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's future is far from certain at Camp Nou, where he has clashed with board members this season.The Barca captain has been linked to Serie A outfit Inter previously and Moratti believes that luring Messi to Milan is not an impossible goal."I don't think it's a forbidden dream at all. Maybe it wasn't even before this misfortune," Moratti told Radio Rai."Messi is at the end of his contract and it would certainly be attemp...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Dutchman Van Dijk wants to become 'Liverpool legend'

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool.Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk wants to become a "Liverpool legend" and says there is nothing stopping the Premier League club achieving "incredible things".The 28-year-old, who joined Liverpool in January 2018, has helped the club win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.They were also just two wins away from their first English league title in 30 years when the season was suspended indefinitely due to the Covid-19 outbreak.Asked how he would like to be remembered for his spell at Anfield, Van Dijk told Spanish newspaper Sport: "As a Liverpool legend. I want to achieve incredible things here."I would like to be one of those players that return to Anfield after retiring. I see club legends at games and I feel part of a really big family," add...
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NEWS

Ex-Atletico Madrid, Barcelona & Real Madrid Coach Radomir Antic Passes Away Aged 71

Serbian national football team coach Radomir Antic is seen during friendly football match between Serbia and Greece in Belgrade on August 11, 2010. Serbian coach Radomir Antic, the only person to manage Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona, died on Monday at the age of 71 following a long illness. "The Atletico de Madrid family is mourning the passing of Radomir Antic, one of our legendary coaches. You will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace," the club tweeted. Spanish sports daily Marca said Antic had been suffering from a serious illness for a long time. Antic, who first moved to Spain as a player with Real Zaragoza in 1978, managed Atletico Madrid across three different spells between 1995 and 2000 and led the club to a league and cup double in his first seas...
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NEWS

Ligue 1: Bordeaux sponsor suspends deal amid coronavirus crisis

Bordeaux's French forward Jimmy Briand celebrates after scoring during the French L1 football match between FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Dijon Football Cote-D'Or at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France on February 15, 2020.Bordeaux's main sponsor Bistro Regent has legally suspended its contract with the Ligue 1 club as French football continues to suffer financially from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.COVID-19 has decimated sport, with major events worldwide being suspended indefinitely as well as domestic and continental football seasons hanging in the balance.Bistro Regent, which is a national chain of restaurants, and Bordeaux signed a contract last summer that would run until 2023 and worth around €1.5 million per year. But owner Marc Vanhove told L'Eq...
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Manchester United Interested in Bournemouth Midfielder David Brooks

David Brooks of Bournemouth in the home dressing room before the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United at Vitality Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom.Manchester United are keeping a close eye on David Brooks’ evolving situation at Bournemouth ahead of a potential summer move, according to a report in England.The Sun, as quoted by the Daily Mirror, is reporting that Manchester United have been put on red alert by the suggestion that Bournemouth could be willing to sell the 22-year-old this summer.The same article states that the Red Devils have been watching Brooks for some time, with a view to a potential bid for the Bournemouth attacking midfielder.According to the same story, the Wales international has been on Manchester United’s rada...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham want to sign Man United Loanee Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between FC Internazionale and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Milan, Italy.West Ham United have reportedly made contact with the agent of Manchester United attacker Alexis Sanchez.The 31-year-old, who has spent this season on loan at Italian outfit Inter Milan, has struggled to make a lasting impression at Old Trafford since his arrival from Arsenal.Indeed, Sanchez has chalked up a mere five goals from 45 appearances for the Red Devils, but will supposedly return to Manchester this summer as Inter are not willing to sign him on a permanent basis.According to Sport Witness, West Ham United have contacted agent Fernando Felicevich to ask for 'info...
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