Matthijs de Ligt Narrows Down Summer Options to Barcelona & PSG as Ajax Exit Looms

?Matthijs De Ligt has narrowed his choice of clubs to join this summer down to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as the Dutchman edges nearer his exit from Ajax, according to reports in the French press.

Displaying outstanding form for the majority of the campaign, the central defender has emerged as one of world football’s finest talents and has attracted the interest major European sides throughout the season.

The 19-year-old’s departure is expected to transpire in the weeks following the Netherlands’ Nations League campaign, and while numerous clubs have expressed their desire to seal his signature, RMC Sport (via ?Sport English) claim that De Ligt has narrowed his options down to just two. 

?Barça have long been touted as the favourites to seal the youngster’s signature, having tracked his progress throughout the campaign, however, it is stated that financially PSG have the upper hand, making them the only other viable option.

With a substantial amount of money set to be spent no matter where the centre back ends up, RMC Sport’s claim that PSG are in the De Ligt’s thinking simply due to their ability to offer more cash is questionable. The player has been linked with Barcelona a number of months now, and are the only club whose interest has sustained throughout the protracted transfer saga.

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From the outside, it appears as though the player has his heart set on a move to Barcelona but the other links are being given oxygen by his agent – the notorious Mino Raiola – who previous reports claim is ?still looking for other more financially beneficial options, such as PSG or even Liverpool.

De Ligt was also linked with Manchester United in recent weeks, with those rumours again arousing suspicion of a ploy to leverage an increased offer from Barcelona. Meanwhile, De Ligt’s former teammate and close friend Frenkie de Jong has already linked up with Barça after signing an agreement earlier in the year.

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Andre Gomes Rejects West Ham Move With Everton Frontrunners for His Signature

?Andre Gomes has opened the door for Everton to sign him permanently after rejecting the opportunity to join fellow top-flight side West Ham.

The Portuguese midfielder moved to Merseyside last summer on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, with the Catalan outfit keen to offload the former Valencia man.


?West Ham had registered an interest in Gomes, going as far as offering £20m for the 25-year-old, however, the player has indicated his desire to remain at ?Everton after turning down the Hammers’ approach, state the ?Daily Mail. 

In order for the Toffees to secure the player, they will have to cough up in the region of £30m, while Tottenham’s interest in Gomes is likely to result in a bid of some sort.

Since recovering from injury to feature for the first team, Gomes enjoyed an encouraging first season at Goodison Park, making 27 appearances in the ?Premier League.

Should Marco Silva’s side move for the Portuguese international, he could become their first signing of the summer, with only departures taking place for Everton so far. 

Club captain Phil Jagielka has been released while many more are expected to follow, as director of football Marcel Brands looks to axe up to 20 players from the squad.


The club are facing something of a crisis in up front at present, with Cenk Tosun damaging his knee ligaments playing for Turkey and unlikely to be ready for the beginning of the campaign.

Furthermore, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also miss the start of pre-season, after heading off with the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships. Therefore, it leaves Oumar Niasse as the sole fit central striker for pre-season, with Everton keen to offload Senegalese striker for the right price.

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Barcelona Looking to Strengthen in Three Key Positions as Griezmann Deal Moves Closer

?Barcelona are looking to bring in two new defenders and another forward, after they secure the signature of long-term target Antoine Griezmann. 

The Atletico Madrid forward announced he would be leaving the Wanda Metroplitano Stadium this summer, ending a five-year stay in the Spanish capital. He is expected to join Barça this transfer window, fronting a host of expensive new arrivals to help the side bounce back from their Champions League collapse at Anfield last season.

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Several players in La Liga champions’ squad are being pushed towards the exit door, with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and full-back Nelson Semedo considered surplus to requirements. ?La Blaugrana are also open to selling attacking duo Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, though their astronomical price-tags could prove troublesome in agreeing on a fee.

?Mundo Deportivo (MD) report that Luis Enrique wants to bring in a left-back who would put pressure on current incumbent Jordi Alba, as well as providing cover for the 30-year-old when a rest is required.

The club hierarchy have also identified centre-back as a position in which they wish to strengthen, Barça now lining up Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt to join the quartet of Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Enrique’s men announced the €86m purchase of his Amsterdam teammate Frenkie de Jong earlier in the campaign, whilst Griezmann’s proposed transfer continues to progress.


The ?Champions League semi-finalists are searching for a pair of forwards to reinvigorate their front-line and expect the Frenchman’s signing to be confirmed by July. 

He will, if MD are to be believed, be joined in Catalonia by a ‘pure number nine’, who can act as competition for Luis Suarez, as the team rebuild following the spectacular 4-3 aggregate loss to the ?Reds in their last four clash of Europe’s top competition.

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Lionel Messi Admits to Being ‘Frustrated’ by Barcelona’s Disastrous End to the 2018/19 Season

?Lionel Messi has said he finished the season ‘frustrated’ after Barcelona squandered the chance of claiming an historic treble with two damaging defeats in the final few weeks of the season.

It was another memorable individual campaign for the 31-year-old, having netted 51 goals across all competitions, making him the highest goalscorer in both La Liga and the Champions League this term.


However, having led ?Liverpool 3-0 in the Champions League semi finals, Ernesto Valverde’s side slumped to a 4-0 second leg defeat to crash out of the competition, before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Valencia in the Copa del Rey final 18 days later. Barcelona still managed to claim another La Liga crown this season, although ?Messi confessed the disappointing end to the season left the Argentine feeling drained at the club’s failed trophy attempts.

“I finished the season more tired and frustrated mentally than physically after what happened in the last 15 days, especially the Champions League exit,” he told La Pulga, as relayed by ?Marca.

“Physically I had to rest, I played less than I did in other years.”

Lionel Messi

?Barcelona’s talisman has the opportunity to put his club worries to one side this summer, after linking up with Argentina as they prepare for this summer’s Copa America. Messi is yet to lift a trophy with his nation, having lost two Copa America finals and one World Cup final.

He said of the upcoming tournament: “We’re going into it with the same excitement and hunger as always, but the reality is that Argentina are going through a period of transition.

“We are contenders, like before. We’re not contenders from the start, unlike before, but we’re going to try and win the Copa America.”

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Samuel Umtiti ‘Refusing to Listen’ to Offers as Nelson Semedo Pushes for Barcelona Exit

?Samuel Umtiti is refusing to listen to offers from other clubs over a potential exit from Barcelona, forcing the Blaugrana to look elsewhere in their quest to raise transfer funds.

The Frenchman was restricted to just 15 appearances last season after suffering a nasty knee injury, and this, coupled with Barcelona’s pursuit of Ajax wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt, has prompted rumours of an imminent exit from the club for Umtiti.


However, according to ?Marca, Umtiti is not prepared to leave the club this summer, and he has even told ?Barcelona that he will not listen to any offers from clubs who may wish to sign him.

?Arsenal, ?Manchester City and ?Manchester United have all been linked with a move for the Frenchman, although Umtiti is not interested in a move to any of them as he only wants to reclaim his place in Barcelona’s defence.

Umtiti was a regular part of the team, alongside ?Gerard Pique, but his injury forced him into a lengthy spell on the sidelines. As a result, fellow Frenchman Clement Lenglet was drafted in, and he has impressed considerably, with many fans calling for him to retain his place next season.

Clement Lenglet

The club are eager to sell some players to raise transfer funds, with the likes of De Ligt and Valencia’s Rodrigo both linked with expensive moves to Camp Nou. Selling Umtiti may have earned Barcelona a sizeable fee, but they must now look to sell the likes of Jasper Cillessen, Philippe Coutinho and ?Nelson Semedo.

?Marca state that Semedo is particularly eager to leave the club this summer, as he does not want to spend another season as backup to ?Sergi Roberto. ?Atletico Madrid have identified him as a replacement for Juanfran, whilst clubs from the ?Premier League and ?Serie A are also thought to be keen, but Barcelona are not interested in selling.

Nelson Semedo

Whilst he would raise some vital funds, Barcelona do not want to part ways with Semedo, who they see him as an important part of the squad. As of yet, they have refused to enter into negotiations with any interested side, despite Semedo expressing his desire to leave.

As a result, sales will likely come from elsewhere, although it remains to be seen whether they will be able to keep Semedo against his wishes.

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90min’s Definitive European Power Rankings: End of Season Review

By Jack Gallagher and Wilf Dutton.

Following a season in which: 

– Fabio Quagliarella was the best player in the world.

– Lionel Messi wasn’t. 

– Manchester United put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the ‘wheel’ of their metaphorical car.

– He crashed it. 

– Tottenham Hotspur nearly went out of the Champions League a million times. 

– They didn’t (they nearly won it).

– Matthijs de Ligt was crowned the best defender of all time. 

– He’s 12.

We (?Jack Gallagher and ?Wilf Dutton), using the very best quotes from the very best films from the very best filmographies from the very best directors in cinematic history (and breathe), DEFINITIVELY rank the best teams in Europe for the final time this season.


15) Rennes

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“In this age, optimism like that is a revolutionary act.” (Jerry Maguire)

The farms of French football have been a sparse, arid place of late, with little cause for optimism away from the grand factories of Paris or the fancy organic produce of Monaco. But that didn’t stop plucky Rennes from dreaming a dream, and then realising these dreams.

Paris Saint-Germain had won the previous four French Cups with an aggregate score of 8-2, but Rennes went in with a level of belief unseen in any of those finals, and their penalty shootout victory was vindication for that. It also provided the perfect platform for Hatem Ben Arfa to throw the ultimate revenge shade at his former employers.

?Wilf Dutton


14) Paris Saint-Germain

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“You will find a fortune, but it will not be the one you seek.” (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)

Oh, Paris Saint-Germain, What Art Thou? What do you do, and what’s the point? You found your fortune, and what a f*&^ing big fortune it was, but what you have done with it? Nowt.

You delved into this fortune to buy Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and what have you got to show for it? A truckload of domestic cups and leagues and whatnot. That’s not what you seek, is it? 

What you seek is the Champions League, yet under their stewardship, you have yet to get past the last 16 and haven’t got past the quarters this century.

And now it appears both those stars are seeking pastures new, so what to seek now? And how?

?Wilf Dutton


13) Benfica

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“My problem? I don’t know. I don’t have a problem, uh, Dale. In fact, I have the opposite of a problem. I made over 550K last year. How much did you make?…I am the VP of the biggest executive-helicopter-leasing company on the Western Seaboard. Okay? I haven’t had a carb since 2004.” (Step Brothers)

It would be fair to say that, with a record-extending 37th Primeira Liga title – their sixth this decade – and a decent semi-final run in the Europa League, Benfica have very few problems right now.

Joao Felix is a carb-neglecting god, but even if he is a carb-neglecting god destined to depart, he is a carb-neglecting god who will make the club around €120m. How much did you make?

?Wilf Dutton


12) Lazio

Atalanta BC v SS Lazio - TIM Cup Final

“I know how everyone’s always saying seize the moment? I don’t know, I’m kind of thinking it’s the other way around, you know, like the moment seizes us.”

(Before Sunrise)

An odd season at Juventus created a very rare opportunity for someone else to win something in Italy. 

And it was opportunity that seized Lazio.

In the 2018/19 season, Le Aquile became the first team other than Juve since the dawn of time (or 2014/15) to win a domestic trophy on the peninsula. Nice one.

?Jack Gallagher


11) Juventus

Andrea Barzagli,Leonardo Bonucci,Giorgio Chiellini

“I lost something on the way to wherever I am today.” (Last Days)

As mentioned above, Juventus had an odd season. 

Sure, they won their eighth consecutive Serie A title, but (?as I’ve written before) Juve lost a lot in search of European and domestic glory. 

– The stripes. 

– The badge. 

– Massimiliano Allegri. 

– Claudio Marchisio, Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Alessandro Del Piero & Stephan Lichsteiner.

– Lo Stile Juve.

– Fans, due to the ever increasing ticket prices.

ALL GONE.

Now what Juve are left with is a ‘marketable’ football club; but not a very likeable one.

?Jack Gallagher


10) Atalanta

Alejandro Gomez

“I will speak for you, Father. I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint.” (Amadeus)

Atalanta are the 10th best team in Europe.

Yes, Atalanta. 

Yes, Atalanta are better than Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter. 

Atalanta were so good in 2018/19 in fact, that they made what was generally a depressing Serie A, watchable; and thanks to the incredible form of Papu Gomez, Duvan Zapata et. al, the Bergamo club finished third in Serie A – their highest placing ever – to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever. 

So, Atalanta: you are champions. The patron saints of mediocrities in the world. Proof that in an ever-more cynical footballing landscape there is still room for cinderella stories. 

?Jack Gallagher


9) Borussia Dortmund

Jadon Sancho

“Choose Life.” (Trainspotting)

Choose Life. Choose football. Choose Borussia Dortmund. Choose a favourite footballer. Choose a f*cking big stadium, choose the yellow wall, pyro, flags and f*ckin’ banners. Choose good football, low transfer fees and bargain buys. Choose a fighting fit absolute f*ckin’ football God like Marco Reus. Choose a brilliant youth academy. Choose your two-time hero Mario Gotze. Choose yellow and black jerseys and matching socks and shorts. Choose an English prospect so good that it f*ckin’ pains the f*ckin’ idiots at Man City that let him leave. Choose BuLi and wondering how the f*ck you’re going to beat Bayern Munich. Choose sitting on that couch praying that next season will not be as spirit crushing as the last, and that new signings and renewed hope will give you a chance to finally f*ckin’ win the title. 

Choose Borussia Dortmund. 

Choose life.

?Jack Gallagher


 

8) Valencia

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“You never say ‘I’m gonna fight you’, you just smile and act natural, and then you sucker punch them.” (The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou)

At their lowest nadir of the season, Valencia never explicitly told their supporters that they would ultimately qualify for the Champions League and win the Copa del Rey, but they never ruled it out, either.

In fact, as manager Marcelino Garcia Toral explained in the aftermath of these successes, he didn’t change a thing before the winning run commenced – the only palpable difference was, when they got a chance, the confidence was there to put it away. And thus, with this mindset, when the time came – May 25th, Benito Villamarin Stadium – their Catalonian sucker punch was ready and waiting.

?Wilf Dutton


7) Barcelona

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“I hate losing more than I love winning.” (Moneyball)

Saying that there’s a downside to supporting a football powerhouse like Barcelona is ridiculous. 

It is. 

BUT. 

There is a downside. 

Because, as Barça fans will likely attest, winning isn’t really that fun anymore. 

Rather than bringing genuine euphoria, winning week in, week out merely evokes a sigh of relief; as let’s face it, Barcelona – with their Lionel Messi and their Luis Suarez – should win week in, week out.

Losing, on the other hand, evokes genuine horror. 

Losing is a disaster. 

And that is why a season in which Barcelona romped to the La Liga title with consummate ease will be remembered for two defeats: the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool, and the Copa del Rey final defeat to Valencia.  

?Jack Gallagher


6) Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane

“When life reaches out at a moment like this it’s a sin if you don’t reach back, I’m telling you it’s a sin if you don’t reach back! It’ll haunt you the rest of your days like a curse. You’re facing a big challenge in your life right now at this very moment, right here.” (Silver Linings Playbook)

Dear Mr. Levy,

                       I hope this letter finds you in good stead. I am taking the time out of my day to write this letter as I have something vitally important that I must request from you. Following Tottenham Hotspur’s miraculous run to the UEFA Champions League final, and yet another top four finish, I believe that you must act to ensure that the club challenges in a similar vein on the continent this season. This is an opportunity. An opportunity for the club to become one of the biggest and best in Europe. Tottenham Hotspur have been gifted with a number of incredible young players in recent years (Dele Alli, Harry Kane etc.), but they need more help. It is essential that this is the summer they get that help. After spending £0 last summer, and making it all the way to the Champions League final, there is simply no excuse for not investing in the team. 

Mr. Levy, life has reached out to you. Reach back

If you don’t, it’ll haunt you for the rest of your days. Mauricio Pochettino will leave and Spurs will go back to being just another Europa League club. 

Mr. Levy, please, I urge you to reach back

Yours truly,

                          Jack Gallagher. 

?Jack Gallagher


 5) Bayern Munich

Kingsley Coman

“I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!” (There Will Be Blood)

If the 2018/19 season taught us anything, it taught us that Bayern do not condone any other German team winning anything ever. 

Borussia Dortmund tried to win the Bundesliga: Bayern beat them 5-0 and won the title. 

RB Leipzig reached their first DfB-Pokal final: Bayern crushed their hopes and dreams at the Olympic Stadium with a 3-0 win. 

In Germany, Bayern Munich will win every trophy and drink every milkshake. DRINK. IT. UP. 

?Jack Gallagher


4) Ajax

Matthijs de Ligt,Dusan Tadic,Frenkie de Jong,Donny van de Beek

“Obviously we made certain sacrifices as a result of having children.” (The Royal Tenenbaums)

What an incredible, incredible season for Ajax. Incredible.

Now, obviously, certain heights weren’t ultimately reached, and it’s hard to deny the fact that the playful youthful naivety that had served them so well through that iconic Champions League run let them down in the second half of that Spurs clash.

But still, an Eredivisie-KNVB Cup double should not be sniffed at and, even if their team is dismantled beyond repair this summer, the memories they created will last a lifetime.

Wilf Dutton


3) Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri

“He was who he was, he didn’t care.” (American Hustle)

Yes, Chelsea are third. Yes, it may seem high, but who do you want ahead of them? That barely-reaching-par-for-the-course Bayern team? That significantly below-par Barça side? The conquerers of the vaunted Dutch league? No. The Europa League champions it is. And they have two men to thank, both of whom are probably leaving.

Yes, one of them is Eden Hazard, but enough ink has been spilled on the Belgian’s wondrous talents, so let’s spare a thought for Maurizio Sarri, who can be inexplicably(?) removed from these kinds of acknowledgements by, err, certain parts of the media.

Sarri was unbending in his desire to implement his style and his philosophy at the club, and no amount of pressure from fans or journalists changed this fact. He was who he was and he didn’t care, and he got the first winners medal of his career because of it.

?Wilf Dutton


2) Manchester City 

Josep Guardiola

“Boy, I got vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals.” (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid) 

It’s been written in every one of the million – no exaggeration, a MILLION – incredibly mundane books about Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team, but it’s the truth. 

Pep Guardiola is a football genius. 

By winning the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup (and Community Shield…but who cares about that…it’s just a big plate), he proved it. He proved that he’s got vision and the rest of the Premier League managers wear bifocals. 

Man City, with Guardiola at the helm, look pretty much unstoppable. Next season, the goal will be to finally bring that unrelenting form to the continental stage.

?Jack Gallagher


1) Liverpool

Jordan Henderson

“You know, I may have never liked you. Point of fact, I despise you. But that shouldn’t suggest I don’t respect you.” (Kill Bill, Volume 1) 

“WELL IT’S ABOUT TIME!” 

“FINALLY! SOME RECOGNITION FROM THIS COMPLETE IDIOT!” 

“WE GOT THE RESPECK THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD DESERVE!”

This is the four trillionth pat on the back Liverpool football club have been given this week, but it’s the first one that 90min’s Definitive European Power Rankings team have ever given them.

After 35 editions of 90min’s Definitive European Power Rankings, after watching Ajax, Manchester City, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund hog the top spot, Liverpool have FINALLY reached the summit. 

Liverpool are FINALLY atop of 90min’s Definitive European Rankings. 

So, you know, well done. Enjoy your medals. Enjoy your big massive trophy. Enjoy your Gerry & the Pacemakers. Enjoy it all. 

You actually deserve it. 

?Jack Gallagher


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Lionel Messi’s Free-Kick Against Liverpool Voted Champions League Goal of the Tournament

?Lionel Messi’s stunning free-kick against Liverpool has been voted the Champions League Goal of the Tournament for 2018/19.

The Argentine maestro curled the ball into the top corner from around 25-metres out, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson unable to do anything about the wonder strike. It was a fitting way for the supremely skilled forward to score his 600th goal for Barça, and was also his 42nd free-kick goal for the Catalans.

Messi’s strike has now been named Goal of the Tournament, with the announcement being made on the official UEFA Champions League social media channels following a fan vote in association with Nissan.

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The goal came in Barcelona’s semi-final first leg tie against Liverpool at Camp Nou. It was Messi’s second strike of the game and put Barça 3-0 up, which meant Liverpool had a monumental task on their hands to progress. 

However, Messi’s efforts all turned out to be in vain, as Jurgen Klopp’s side shocked the football world by decimating ?Barça 4-0 in the return leg at Anfield. ?Liverpool went on to win the competition, defeating Tottenham in the final to claim their sixth European Cup.

?Messi had plenty of competition for the award, with fans given the chance to vote for Arjen Robben’s trademark left-footed strike against Benfica and Ivan Rakitic’s stunning half-volley against Tottenham. 

His biggest competition, however, was from old rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar scored a brilliant first-time volley against his former club Manchester United in the group stage following a lofted through-ball from Leonardo Bonucci.

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However, it’s Messi strike that’s been voted the best, and it’s hard to argue with the voters’ choice. Messi also finished as the 2018/19 ?Champions League top scorer with 12 goals in just ten games.

The Argentine will hope his side fare better in Europe next year, Barça having also thrown away a three-goal lead against Roma in 2017/18.

The Spanish champions have been linked with a number of high profile transfer targets following this season’s European disappointment, including Antoine Griezmann and Matthjis de Ligt.

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West Ham Turn to Newcastle Duo as Andre Gomes ‘Prefers’ Everton Switch

?West Ham United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona star Andre Gomes, with the midfielder apparently preferring a move to Everton where he spent last season on loan.

Gomes impressed in the Premier League with the Toffees in 2018/19, sparking interest from a number of suitors as well as Marco Silva’s side this summer.

West Ham saw a bid of £18m rejected and ?have since returned with an offer of £20m, yet it appears the player himself favours staying on Merseyside, according to the Evening Standard.

Richarlison,Andre Gomes

The report does not specify Barcelona’s response to West Ham’s second bid, or comment on whether Everton have made an offer of their own for Gomes.

However, with Gomes now looking unlikely, Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini is already considering midfield alternatives to the Portugal international.

The ?report claims that West Ham are eyeing Newcastle United stars Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden, who would both be open to a move away from the Magpies.

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Shelvey has fallen out of favour with ?Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez, whereas former ?Arsenal player Hayden is keen to relocate his family back down south.

Both of these players are also English which would assist West Ham in terms of their homegrown players quota, and would likely be significantly cheaper than Gomes with the Standard suggesting a £15m fee for both. 

Meanwhile, West Ham have already accumulated a fair share of the fee they’d have to spend on both of these players through the sales of Edenilson Fernandes and Lucas Perez. Fernandes departed for Mainz earning the ?Hammers £8m and Perez joined Alaves for £2m after neither player was able to fully establish themselves in the starting lineup since arriving at the London Stadium.

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Liverpool Linked With Ajax Defender Matthijs De Ligt Again as Barcelona Move Continues to Drag

Could Liverpool male Ajax captain Matthijs De Ligt their next ‘trophy’? That’s the question posed by German newspaper Bild, as the saga around the young defender’s future rumbles on.

The Reds are still celebrating following their 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday night, their sixth European Cup triumph in total, while Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment team are expected to make few signings this summer.

However, newspaper Bild has stirred the pot by hinting that the wonderkid centre back from the Eredivisie champions could be a target for Liverpool.

De Ligt is still only 19-years-old, but is one of the most talked about players in world football following an extraordinary season with de Godenzonen, in which he won the league title and the Dutch Cup.

He was also a key part of the side that reached the Champions League semi-final, after an extraordinary run in which they knocked out European heavyweights Real Madrid and Juventus, before eventually losing in dramatic circumstances against Tottenham.

De Ligt has been a colossus at the back all season, and has scored seven goals in his 55 appearances across all competitions this season, showing maturity and ability far beyond his years.

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has already admitted that it will be impossible for the club to keep hold of De Ligt this summer, with reported interest also coming from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

While Liverpool fans might be hopeful that their new status as European champions and the relationships that Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum have with De Ligt on international duty might convince the youngster to come to Anfield, his next destination is still widely expected to be Barcelona.

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Barcelona 2019/20 Home Kit: La Blaugrana Unveil Controversial New Strip for Next Season

?Barcelona have revealed their new home kit for the 2019/20 campaign, and it sees a significant departure from their traditional vertical stripes. 

Revealing the kit on Twitter, the new shirt features an outlandish chequered design, the first time since 2016 they have departed from their traditional pattern, and it has certainly divided fans. 

While the reveal was polarising to an extent, however, club captain Gerard Pique stands by it, insisting it is ‘100% Barca’ via manufacturer’s ?Nike’s reveal of the kit. 

“The kit is something new and exciting,”he said. 

“It might be different but it is 100-percent Barca and it is even better that the design represents the bond the club has with the supporters and the people who are driving the city forward.”

The new design is inspired by the gridded streetscape of Barcelona’s Eixample district, and Nike’s Nike Football Apparel Senior Design Director Pete Hoppins believes it embodies the creative spirit of the city. 

“Barcelona is a club with a bold and adventurous philosophy and that resonates throughout the city,” he said. 

The new kit will be worn by Barca as they herald in a new generation of talent, with the arriving Frenkie de Jong just one of many new arrivals expected at what should be a new-look Barca side next season. 

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