Champions League – OnlineGambling.com | OG News https://www.onlinegambling.com/news Inspiring every gambler in the world to beat the odds Wed, 03 Aug 2022 15:24:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.13 141637385 PSG Wants Messi to Stay Beyond 2023, Despite Comeback Offer from FC Barcelona https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/psg-wants-messi-to-stay-beyond-2023-despite-comeback-offer-from-fc-barcelona/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 15:21:07 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90599 Leo Messi won the ‘Man of the Match’ award after the French Supercup on Sunday, reminding fans of his best version. Paris Saint-Germain beat Nantes 4-0, with Messi in a starring role. The PSG board made it clear to the player’s entourage that they want to open talks over a […]

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Leo Messi won the ‘Man of the Match’ award after the French Supercup on Sunday, reminding fans of his best version. Paris Saint-Germain beat Nantes 4-0, with Messi in a starring role. The PSG board made it clear to the player’s entourage that they want to open talks over a contract extension. Once signed, the document would keep the seven-time ‘Ballon d’Or’ winner at Parc des Princes even after 2023, when his current deal runs out.

Leo Messi
Leo Messi bid farewell to Barcelona in 2021, after 21 years at the club. (Image: dailysabah.com)

PSG’s stance comes days after Joan Laporta announced Barcelona is planning to get Messi back, without offering much detail on how such a plan would work.

Despite being a winner of the biggest trophies in club and national team football, Messi is hungry for more. The 35-year-old surprised the PSG hierarchy with his pre-season form, but also with his performance from the French Super Cup. After convincing Kylian Mbappe to forget about his agreement with Real Madrid and stay in Paris, PSG plans to stop Messi from going through the exit door as well. Apart from FC Barcelona, various MLS clubs are also interested in having Messi on their ranks starting 2023.

It was previously reported that Messi is considering becoming part-owner at Inter Miami, but the player’s representatives denied such claims, assuring that Leo’s focus is 100 per cent on his playing career. Messi does own a luxury property in Miami and has been linked to Inter on more than one occasion, so the club certainly remains one of his potential destinations.

Messi is expected to make a decision after the World Cup in Qatar, which he dreams of winning with Argentina. It’s the only major trophy in football that he’s missing.

Laporta: ‘I love Messi and I will try my best to get him back’

During an interview with CBS Sports Golazo, Laporta said that in 2021 he did โ€œwhat had to be doneโ€, but promised to make every possible effort to get Messi back in the Blaugrana shirt before his retirement.

โ€œI did what had to be done, put the club above the best player in history,โ€ Laporta said. โ€œIโ€™ve known Messi since he was a child. I love Leo. Barรงa loves Leo. How do I feel? I think we owe it to Messi to bring him back,โ€ the Barcelona president added.

โ€œI will do everything in my power to ensure Messi has the best end to his career, in a Barcelona shirt. With the applause of the crowd,โ€ Laporta vowed.

Asked if he told Messi of his plans to bring him back, Laporta said: โ€œThis is just an idea that we have at the moment. I will do everything in my power to make it happen. This is what I can say now. It will not be easy, but I believe it is possible with the right plan and strategy.โ€

Laporta didnโ€™t want to disclose if he plans to have Messi back this summer or in 2023 when heโ€™s free to walk out from PSG.

โ€œIt is a wish that we have and we want to make it come true through a specific plan. We want him back to wear the Barcelona shirt because the club loves Leo and the fans love Leo. I love him too and I will try my best,โ€ Laporta stressed.

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Chelsea Start Talks With Barcelona to Sign Frenkie De Jong https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/chelsea-start-talks-with-barcelona-to-sign-frenkie-de-jong/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 14:48:40 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90594 Chelsea has entered negotiations with FC Barcelona for the signing of midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The 25-year-old is also a target for Manchester United. Chelsea is “optimistic” about agreeing a deal, with the player also preferring a move to Stamford Bridge instead of Manchester. United has previously agreed a fee […]

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Chelsea has entered negotiations with FC Barcelona for the signing of midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The 25-year-old is also a target for Manchester United.

Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona in July 2019 from Ajax. (Image: twitter/deadlinedaylive)

Chelsea is “optimistic” about agreeing a deal, with the player also preferring a move to Stamford Bridge instead of Manchester.

United has previously agreed a fee in the region of $85 million with Barcelona, but the transfer didn’t happen. De Jong hesitated and finally informed the club hierarchy that he planned to stay at Camp Nou beyond this summer. Barcelona then made a step forward, asking De Jong to lower his salary. The club’s proposal was turned down. Several unpaid wages in the Dutchman’s contract have also stalled progress on exit talks between his representatives and FC Barcelona.

Despite De Jong’s undoubted importance to the team, he is available for transfer because of his high wages and market value. Barca aims at cutting its wage bill, while also raising funds to help overcome the financial crisis the club is facing.

Chelsea signed Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Gabriel Slonina since the start of the transfer window. Marc Cucurella could also be on his way to west London soon, as Chelsea’s final $61 million bid to Brighton met the asking price. Aston Villa’s wonderkid Carney Chukwuemea is also close to joining Chelsea.

Laporta: ‘Everything is open’

Talking to CBS Sports Golazo during Barcelona’s American tour, Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke openly about De Jong’s situation. The official said ‘everything is open’ regarding Frenkie’s future and disclosed the club is talking to interested clubs.

“He has a lot of quality, he knows our system and he’s a player we think should continue at Barca. But it’s also true that he’s a highly coveted player and we have had proposals from others,โ€ Laporta said.

“Right now, everything is open. It will depend a lot on the issue of fair play,” he stressed.

“If our economic situation requires the sale of an important player, we are ready for that,” Laporta added.

When asked about the pay cut Barcelona asked De Jong to take, Laporta said the club applied the same strategy with the rest of the squad too.

“The signings coming in have adjusted their salary to the new structure. But Frenkie has a contract and we respect that. We can’t force him to take a pay cut. It’s his decision,” Laporta insisted.

“We are trying to manage the football club prudently and sustainably. So we have to have these talks and we do so in a calm and considerate way. We have explained the situation and are grateful to any players who can help us. It was the same with Dembele and I am very grateful to him. And after months of talks, he accepted a renegotiation of his salary and he can be proud of his decision,” the Barcelona president added.

“[If De Jong doesn’t take a pay cut] He will continue. He has a contract. We will respect that decision. For us, he’s a Barcelona player. We count on him,” Laporta concluded.

After recently selling parts in their future TV rights, Barcelona also let go of a 24.5 percent stake in Barca Studios for $100 million.

According to the bookmakers, Man. United is still better placed in the talks for De Jong’s signing. United sits at +120, ahead of Chelsea at +175.

De Jong joined Barcelona in July 2019, after the Catalan giants paid Ajax an initial fee of $85 million.

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Ten Hag Says Ronaldo’s Decision to Leave Rayo Match Early is ‘Unacceptable’ https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/ten-hag-says-ronaldos-decision-to-leave-rayo-match-early-is-unacceptable/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 13:20:12 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90580 On Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo played his first 45 minutes in Man. United’s pre-season friendlies. He started against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, only to be subbed off at half-time. The Portuguese left the stadium early, while the match was still in progress. A club spokesperson played down critics, saying Ronaldo […]

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On Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo played his first 45 minutes in Man. United’s pre-season friendlies. He started against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, only to be subbed off at half-time. The Portuguese left the stadium early, while the match was still in progress. A club spokesperson played down critics, saying Ronaldo had been granted permission to leave.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is actively looking for another club this summer. (Image: skysports.com)

But talking to viaplay.nl, Ten Hag said it wasn’t him who allowed Ronaldo’s early exit. Even more, Ten Hag found it “unacceptable” for Ronaldo to leave before the match ended. According to reports, several other first-team players who had watched the game from the stands also left before the final whistle, saying they wanted to beat traffic.

“I certainly don’t accept this. I think this is unacceptable. For everyone,” Ten Hag said.

“We are a team, and then you stay until the game is over,” the Dutchman added.

Ronaldo set to stay

Ronaldo and Ten Hag also exchanged a few words during the minutes the forward spent on the pitch, with his gestures being highly commented on by the media. Cristiano has been trying all summer to force a move away from United, but found no Champions League club ready to bid for him. He’s expected to either be on the bench or omitted from selection against Brighton, in United’s season opener on Sunday.

The bookies tend to believe Ronaldo is going to be a Man. United player even after the closure of the transfer window. Cristiano is now at -230 to stay at Old Trafford, with a move to Sporting at +300 and a transfer to Atletico Madrid at +750.

Manchester United is at +2500 to win the Premier League, behind Man. City at -200, Liverpool at +220, Chelsea at +1300 and Tottenham +1400.

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Man. City’s $80 Million Bid for Gvardiol Rejected by RB Leipzig https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/man-citys-80-million-bid-for-gvardiol-rejected-by-rb-leipzig/ Tue, 02 Aug 2022 22:23:20 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90542 RB Leipzig was not impressed with Manchester City’s offer for Josko Gvardiol. The English Premier League champions saw their $80 million offer for the Croatian defender rejected by Leipzig, according to Bild. The German club discouraged City from returning with an improved offer, saying Gvardiol is not available for transfer […]

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RB Leipzig was not impressed with Manchester City’s offer for Josko Gvardiol. The English Premier League champions saw their $80 million offer for the Croatian defender rejected by Leipzig, according to Bild.

Josko Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol impressed throughout the Bundesliga season in Leipzig’s shirt. (Image: hesgoal.io)

The German club discouraged City from returning with an improved offer, saying Gvardiol is not available for transfer during the summer transfer window. Leipzig informed all its stars that they are unavailable for moves at the moment, as the club pushes to reach the next stage of its development. RB attempts to stand a change in the Bundesliga title race this season.

Pep Guardiola regarded Gvardiol as the perfect fit for City’s defense, asking his bosses to do everything in their powers to sign him. Guardiola still has four years left in his contract in Leipzig, so the space to negotiate is really tight for City’s reps at the moment.

Leipzig wants to trouble Bayern

Christopher Nkunku, another one of Leipzig’s stars, was tied to a new deal this summer, even though there was interest in him from a host of Premier League clubs, as well as from Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions of the past 10 years. Gvardiol can operate at center back and at left back as well.

The defender was signed by Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb for $18 million in 2021. He enjoyed a great inaugural season in the Bundesliga, also contributing in the attack. The 20-year-old won the highest number of duels of all the Leipzig players over the past campaign. Chelsea is also a keen admirer of his. The west Londoners tried to include Timo Werner in a potential switch, but Leipzig turned down the offer. Instead, they are working themselves to bring Werner back from Chelsea just two years after selling him for $60 million.

Leipzig finished the previous season in fourth place. This season, the bookies have them as third favorites to win the league, behind Bayern and Dortmund. Bayern sits at -500, with Dortmund at +900 and Leipzig at +1100.

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Chelsea in Advanced Talks to Sign Brighton’s Cucurella https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/chelsea-in-advanced-talks-to-sign-brightons-cucurella/ Tue, 02 Aug 2022 17:57:19 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90514 Marc Cucurella was not given the green light by Brighton to join Manchester City, despite the player agreeing on personal terms with the Premier League champions. City found Brighton’s valuation of Cucurella exaggerated and dropped out from the negotiations. Chelsea moved fast and is set to reach a deal for […]

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Marc Cucurella was not given the green light by Brighton to join Manchester City, despite the player agreeing on personal terms with the Premier League champions.

Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella is ready to leave Brighton just a year after joining the club from Spanish side Getafe. (Image: transfermarkt.com)

City found Brighton’s valuation of Cucurella exaggerated and dropped out from the negotiations. Chelsea moved fast and is set to reach a deal for the Barcelona Academy graduate. Brighton asked to be paid $61 million to allow Cucurella to switch clubs just a year after signing him from Getafe for $20 million on a five-year contract.

The 24-year-old had an impressive first season in English football, being voted his club’s ‘Player of the Year’. Cucurella handed in a transfer request on Friday, hoping to facilitate talks with City. But his wish to leave didn’t affect Brighton’s stance, with his price staying the same. City’s final bid didn’t go higher than $50 million, still $10 million short of Brighton’s demands.

After being turned down by Joules Kounde, who opted to sign for FC Barcelona instead, Chelsea is continuing its search for defensive reinforcements. Wesley Fofana from Leicester City and Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milano are both on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist. Leicester values the center-back at around $100 million, with Chelsea hoping to include at least one of its current players in the deal to facilitate a move.

The west London club is also poised to lose Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, as both want to play for Barcelona and were promised they’ll be allowed to go. Missing out on Kounde and Raphinha just weeks after Andreas Christensen left on a free with the same destination didn’t help cement a relationship of trust between Chelsea’s new owners and Barca.

According to the bookies, Chelsea is third-favorite to win the Premier League title this season, behind Manchester City (at -175) and Liverpool (at +220). At +1300, the Blues sit ahead of Tottenham (+1400) and Manchester United (+2500) in the odds race.

A bet on Chelsea doing the Premier League & FA Cup double stands at +8000, while a historic treble with the Champions League trophy included sits at +50000.

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Ronaldo Left Old Trafford Before the End of Rayo Match After Being Subbed Off at Halftime https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/ronaldo-left-old-trafford-before-the-end-of-rayo-match-after-being-subbed-off-at-half-time/ Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:40:11 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90415 Cristiano Ronaldo upset Manchester United’s supporters after images taken outside the club’s Old Trafford stadium during the second half of the friendly against Rayo Vallecano (1-1) appeared to show him leaving long before the end of the match. Against Rayo, Ronaldo played his first minutes during the current preseason after […]

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Cristiano Ronaldo upset Manchester United’s supporters after images taken outside the club’s Old Trafford stadium during the second half of the friendly against Rayo Vallecano (1-1) appeared to show him leaving long before the end of the match. Against Rayo, Ronaldo played his first minutes during the current preseason after not taking part in training throughout the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford long before the friendly with Rayo Vallecano was over on Sunday. (Image: dailystar.co.uk)

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tried to find another club, but all the big names turned down the chance to sign him. New United manager Erik ten Hag insists Ronaldo is part of the plan for next season, while the club’s hierarchy has informed the player and his representatives that they don’t plan on selling him.

Ronaldo played the first 45 minutes in the game against Rayo before being subbed off at halftime to make way for the young Amad Diallo. The Ivory Coast attacker went on to score United’s only goal of the day just three minutes after coming on. Ronaldo chose not to watch the second half from the stands or the United bench, leaving the stadium early.

Who can make a deal for Ronaldo happen?

The 37-year-old returned to Manchester last week, holding talks with club officials. According to sources inside United, he couldn’t be convinced that staying is his best option. Ronaldo wants to play Champions League football and continue his chase of records at the highest level. At the moment, Sporting Lisbon is best placed to sign him if he’s to leave Manchester a year before the end of his contract. Atletico Madrid could also become an alternative if the club figures out the numbers behind such an impactful financial move.

Last season, Ronaldo netted 24 times for United across all competitions, topping the goal-scoring list at the club. In the Premier League alone, he scored 18 times, just behind the league’s Golden Boots Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min, who were tied at 23 goals each.

Odds drop on Ronaldo staying at United

Compared to Friday, the bookies have lowered the odds on bets predicting Ronaldo won’t leave United before the end of the transfer window. Ronaldo staying went from -200 to -180 despite his early exit from Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Ronaldo is at +300 to join Sporting Lisbon and at +750 to sign for Atletico Madrid. Chelsea, who at one point this summer considered a bid for Ronaldo, now stands at +1100.

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Messi, Neymar and Ramos on Target for Paris as PSG Lifts First Trophy of the Season https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/messi-neymar-and-ramos-on-target-for-paris-as-psg-lifts-first-trophy-of-the-season/ Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:48:05 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90402 Paris Saint-Germain won the French Supercup after beating Nantes 4-0 on Sunday night. The match was played at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv where PSG’s stars put on a show in front of a packed crowd. Lionel Messi reminded fans of his best version with his goal in the […]

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Paris Saint-Germain won the French Supercup after beating Nantes 4-0 on Sunday night.

Leo Messi
Leo Messi put up a man-of-the-match performance vs Nantes, as PSG came out 4-0 winners in the French Supercup. (Image: Twitter/psg_inside)

The match was played at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv where PSG’s stars put on a show in front of a packed crowd. Lionel Messi reminded fans of his best version with his goal in the 22nd minute before Neymar made it 2-0 right before the first half ended. Sergio Ramos’ superb backheel goal got fans off their seats just before the hour mark, with Neymar closing events with a wicked penalty in the 82nd minute to set the final score at 4-0.

The match against Nantes was the first official outing for PSG’s stars under new manager Christophe Galtier, who joined from Nice following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure. With Galtier in charge, PSG won its four summer friendlies leading to the Supercup. Paris kicks off its Ligue 1 campaign on Saturday when the champions play Clermont away from home.

Neymar: ‘If Mbappe, Leo and I are fine, PSG will be fine’

Neymar was close to his best version in the Nantes match, despite having a tough summer. After president Al-Khelaifi openly demanded more commitment from the Brazilian, he allegedly looked for exit options, unhappy that he was criticized in public. In the end, the air was cleared between the all-time transfer record holder and PSG, so Neymar will continue at Parc des Princes.

“I hope that this season the three of us stay and that it goes well for us. If Mbappe, Messi, and I are fine, PSG will be fine,” Neymar assured in his post-match comments to the media.

Mbappe wasn’t involved in the Supercup because of a suspension he picked up at the end of the previous season.

PSG spent around $90 million on transfers this summer, signing Vitinha from FC Porto and Nordi Mukiele from RB Leipzig, but also loaning Hugo Ekitike from Reims and confirming Nuno Mendes on a permanent move following a successful loan from Sporting Lisbon.

The most important loss is that of Angel Di Maria, who left on a free transfer to join Juventus.

PSG sits at -1000 to triumph in Ligue 1 this season, ahead of Lyon and Marseille at +1400. Monaco is further behind at +1700. Paris is the third favorite to win the Champions League in 2023. The French champions stand at +600, behind Manchester City at +275 and Liverpool at +500.

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Bayern Kicks Off Season With Fantastic Eight-Goal German Supercup Match in Leipzig https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/bayern-kicks-off-season-with-fantastic-eight-goal-german-supercup-match-in-leipzig/ Sun, 31 Jul 2022 14:48:27 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90339 Bayern Munich won the German Supercup after beating RB Leipzig 5-3 on Saturday evening. Bayern opted to replace Polish goal machine Robert Lewandowski with newly-arrived Sadio Mane up front, as German champions of the past 10 years showed their hunger for goals is intact even after Lewy’s departure to Barcelona. […]

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Bayern Munich won the German Supercup after beating RB Leipzig 5-3 on Saturday evening. Bayern opted to replace Polish goal machine Robert Lewandowski with newly-arrived Sadio Mane up front, as German champions of the past 10 years showed their hunger for goals is intact even after Lewy’s departure to Barcelona.

Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane was off to a good start in the Bayern Munich shirt, as he scored in his official debut for his new club. (Image: twitter/cbssportsgolazo)

Mane got his name on the scoresheet in the 31st minute, making it 2-0 to Bayern following a perfect assist from Gnabry.

The Bavarian giants were 3-0 up at half-time and had a 4-1 score in their favor in the 65th minute, but goals from Nkunku in the 77th minute and Dani Olmo one minute from time added spice to the game finale. As RB Leipzig was forcing for an equalizer, Leroy Sane made it 5-3 to Bayern on the counter in the eighth minute of added time to settle the affair.

For Bayern, this is the 10th Supercup trophy, a record for German football.

Three of the other new Bayern recruits this summer – Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Ryan Gravenberch were also involved in the second half of the Leipzig matchup.

Bayern is expected to have another dominant season

Despite losing Lewandowski, Bayern’s status hasn’t weakened, the bookies believe. Just like a month ago, when the ‘Ballon d’Or’ runner-up was still in its ranks, Bayern is at -500 to win the Bundesliga for an 11th consecutive year. Borussia Dortmund sits behind at +900, while RB Leipzig is third at +1100. Leverkusen is at +1700, with Hoffenheim, Gladbach and Eitracht Frankfurt at +6000.

Bayern is among the top favorites to land the Champions League as well, having last triumphed among the European elite in 2020. Right now, Bayern is fourth-favorite to celebrate at the end of the Champions League season. The Bavarians are at +650, behind City at +275, Liverpool at +500, and Paris Saint-Germain at +600, but ahead of last season’s champions Real Madrid, who sit at +1100 to hold on to the cup.

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Was Ronaldo Ready to Join Barcelona Had Laporta Accepted Agent’s Proposal? Barca President Avoids Direct Answer https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/was-ronaldo-ready-to-join-barcelona-had-laporta-accepted-agents-proposal-barca-president-avoids-direct-answer/ Sun, 31 Jul 2022 13:45:17 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90331 Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United training this week after missing almost a month in his team’s preseason preparation. Ronaldo forced a move away from Old Trafford, but none of the teams he’s been offered to by his agent Jorge Mendes came up with an offer. One after another, Chelsea, […]

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Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United training this week after missing almost a month in his team’s preseason preparation.

Cristiano Ronaldo in Barcelona's shirt
Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent offered his client’s services to FC Barcelona this summer. (Image: youtube/ohmygoal)

Ronaldo forced a move away from Old Trafford, but none of the teams he’s been offered to by his agent Jorge Mendes came up with an offer. One after another, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid opted not to bid mainly because of the financial implications such an affair would attract. Ronaldo’s high wages and his status were regarded as non-fitting any of his desired suitors, with the player now close to staying at Old Trafford for the remainder of his contract. Cristiano is tied to United until the summer of 2023.

Asked about his dealings with Ronaldo’s entourage this summer, Barcelona president Joan Laporta told CBS Sports Golazo that the club’s priority “has always been signing Lewandowski” to strengthen the attack.

Laporta refused to give a clear answer regarding any negotiations for Ronaldo, despite the reporter insisting three times.

“There always appears a lot of news. But in the end, the truth is we wanted Lewandowski. We have a very good relationship with Jorge Mendes. I have known him for a long time. He is one of the best player agents. He knows how to do his job and I respect him,” Laporta said.

“We decided to go for Lewandowski and knew he was crucial to our success. So we went to Bayern instead. This is the reality. The other [Ronaldo] topic is just part of the “little history” of football. It’s a very nice story, but you will always hear lots of contradictory news about it,” Laporta added.

Ronaldo, case closed at the Camp Nou

When asked if he ever even considered Ronaldo as an option for Barca, Laporta went back to Lewandowski: “We got Lewy. He was our main target and I prefer not to comment further.”

Laporta then distanced himself from the subject saying Ronaldo’s future “is the business of Manchester United and Cristiano”: “Ronaldo is a very good professional and he’s still so fit. He’s a player who is very ambitious and competitive and I am sure he has a lot of options. He’s still a player for Manchester United, an extraordinary club that I respect very much. His future is not my business. It’s the business of Manchester United and Cristiano.”

This summer, Barcelona has spent almost $130 million to sign Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Kounde. Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen came at cost zero, as they were free agents. Ousmane Dembele signed a new contract with Barcelona on a 40% pay cut after a new deal seemed impossible for over a year. Barca is not done with transfers yet, as Bernardo Silva could join from Manchester City, while Frenkie de Jong could head to the Premier League, where Chelsea and Manchester United are disputing him.

Barcelona needs to get the team’s wage bill to $400 million to comply with the financial fair play rules adopted last year by the Spanish League.

A four-year sponsorship deal with Spotify added to the selling of 25% of LaLiga TV rights to investment firm Sixth Street have improved Barcelona’s financial status and allowed Xavi to bolster his squad.

Having finished 13 points behind champions Real Madrid last season, Barcelona is regarded as a big threat to its arch-rival’s supremacy at the moment. The Blaugrana sit at +140 to win the Spanish title, just behind Real at +110.

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Haaland vs Nunez: The Norwegian Misses Two Huge Chances in City’s 3-1 Community Shield Loss to Liverpool, as Nunez Strikes https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/haaland-vs-nunez-the-norwegian-misses-two-huge-chances-in-citys-3-1-community-shield-loss-to-liverpool-as-nunez-strikes/ Sun, 31 Jul 2022 12:29:25 +0000 https://www.onlinegambling.com/news/?p=90320 Once more, Manchester City and Liverpool are expected to be the season’s main contenders in the Premier League. The two met in Leicester to decide the winner of the Community Shield, the trophy disputed each year between the league and Cup champions. Liverpool won the match 3-1 after an electric […]

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Once more, Manchester City and Liverpool are expected to be the season’s main contenders in the Premier League. The two met in Leicester to decide the winner of the Community Shield, the trophy disputed each year between the league and Cup champions.

Haaland vs Nunez
Haaland and Nunez are expected to star this season in the Premier League. (Image: twitter/visaomercado)

Liverpool won the match 3-1 after an electric outing. Fans were eager to watch summer arrivals Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez in action, with the latter winning the first battle of the campaign. Haaland missed two huge chances for City, while Nunez hit the net in extra time to set the final score of the encounter.

The other star-signing in City’s attack, Julian Alvarez, was also involved in the match, netting in the 70th minute to make it 1-1.

Guardiola congratulated his players for “giving everything” during the game, but accepted his team “needs to improve”. “We need games to get our tempo. We will do it,” Guardiola commented.

Guardiola: ‘Haaland is strong. He was always there’

Talking about Haaland, Guardiola said he wasn’t worried by his lack of efficiency in front of goal against Liverpool. The 22-year-old got to a flying start at City netting just 12 minutes into his club debut friendly against Bayern at Lambeau Field earlier this week.

“He’s strong, another time he will put it in the net,” Pep assured. “It’s football, he was there… He had another goal disallowed because the ball was out, so he has this talent and he will score. He had chances – two or three in the first half and one at the end. Haaland was always there,” Guardiola added.

“He fought a lot and made the movements. It is good for him to see the reality in a new country and a new league but he was there. He didn’t score. He has incredible quality and he will do it,” Guardiola said.

“I’m not concerned or worried. I’d have been happy to win and him to score goals but the reality is we have 11 months ahead of us that are so intense โ€“ with the World Cup we [will soon] play every three days โ€“ and he is going to help us,” Pep concluded.

Who’s going to score more goals this season: Haaland or Nunez?

Well, according to the bookies it’s Haaland. The in-form Norwegian is the main candidate to finish as the Premier League’s ‘Golden Boot’. At +260, Haaland sits ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah at +450 and Tottenham’s Harry Kane at +500. Gabriel Jesus follows at +1100, while Son-Heung Min and Darwin Nunez are tied at +1300. Cristiano Ronaldo is even further behind at +1700.

The post Haaland vs Nunez: The Norwegian Misses Two Huge Chances in City’s 3-1 Community Shield Loss to Liverpool, as Nunez Strikes appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

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