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Though the 21-year-old will not officially join up with his new team-mates until 2019, a deal between the two clubs has now been agreed. Barca will pay €30m up front for the star of Gremio’s Copa Libertadores triumph of 2017, with another €10m potentially due in add-ons. Arthur was photographed wearing the Catalan club’s jersey in a meeting with Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez back in December, with the player long linked with a move to Camp Nou....

Barca’s agreement with PR company I3 ventures came under scrutiny in February following claims the firm was hired to clean up club president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s image on social media and disparage current and former players critical of his regime. Both Barca and I3 Ventures denied the allegations and a report following an audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found that the club did not conduct “any defamatory campaigns” against any individual....

Aged 16 years and 223 days, attacking midfielder Unuvar was introduced for the final 15 minutes in Amsterdam and rounded out a 7-0 rout after he was brought down in the box. Unuvar’s record-setting goal might be of interest to Barcelona, who reportedly monitored the Netherlands youth international during last year’s U-17 World Cup. “I immediately asked Klaas-Jan Huntelaar if I could take the penalty, because he would normally take it,” Unuvar told Fox Sports Netherlands after the match....

The Frenchman said finishing fifth under the floodlights at the Sakhir circuit was an early birthday present – he turns 30 at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on 17 April – and further proof of the wisdom of his move from Lotus. “Some people said it was career suicide. I think they were wrong. Sorry guys,” he grinned as reporters crowded around in the team’s paddock hospitality and mechanics packed up....

Bairstow (97 not out) rescued the tourists, who trail the two-match series 1-0, as they reached 290-8 at stumps on Friday. England had slumped to 94-5 before Bairstow, and later Mark Wood (52), led the response at Hagley Oval. Tim Southee (5-60) and Trent Boult (3-79) again starred with the ball for the Black Caps, who decided to put England in to bat. That decision quickly paid off for captain Kane Williamson as Boult got a delivery to seam away slightly and clean bowl the out-of-form Alastair Cook (2)....

The sidelined Real Madrid star was forced to watch on in anguish from the stands in Cardiff on Monday as James McClean’s goal gave the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 that sealed a play-off spot at Wales’ expense. It means Coleman, Bale and company will not have the chance to try and emulate their heroic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 on a bigger stage in Russia next year....

The Real Madrid superstar is known for his classy interactions with supporters as well as his dazzling wing play, and he solidified the reputation of the former on Tuesday. Heading out for training with Wales ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Austria, the former most expensive player in the world – he was recently usurped by Neymar, who joined PSG from Barcelona for €222 million – was greeted by a throng of adoring fans....

The Wales international damaged tendons in his ankle during his team’s 2-1 Champions League victory at Sporting Lisbon on Nov. 22. “Our player Gareth Bale has undergone today successful surgery to repair damaged tendons in his right ankle,” Real said in a statement. “The operation took place at King Edward VII Hospital in London by doctor James Calder and Real Madrid Sanitas doctor Mikel Aramberri, under the supervision of doctor Jesus Olmo, head of Real Madrid’s medical services....

Players looking to secure a move in the summer will be keen to finish the season off on a positive note, while others still competing for trophies will be eager to help their side lift some silverware at the end of a gruelling campaign. Performances now, more than ever, will go a long way in deciding the winner of the 2019 Ballon d’Or. Last month’s ranking featured the likes of Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba and other surprising entrants....

An official Phantom 3 battery costs £124 (US$149), but Banggood’s compatible battery is less than £50. Ok, so only 4p less than £50: you can buy it from Banggood’s site for £49.96 plus shipping from its China warehouse. It’s not currently available from the EU warehouse, which would avoid any import duty and handling fees. Still, it’s a big saving compared to buying an official battery from DJI or one of its partners....

“If I had a chance to go back, I would still do it,” Blitzchung explains in an interview with People Make Games. Blitzchung continues to play Hearthstone and has even joined a new esports team in Tempo Storm, which he livestreams for. His ban from professional tournaments remains in-place for another several months, though Blitzchung does seem intent to return. RELATED: Overwatch 2 Director Comments on Blitzchung Ban In the interview, Blitzchung explains his thought process going into the interview that set off the controversy....

Berkeley economics professor Christina Romer, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, said stimulus checks “certainly do something,” but the “bang-for-the-buck” was not particularly high compared to other forms of aid. The former Obama administration adviser, who served in the wake of the financial crash of the late noughties, also said stimulus checks were “unappealing” because they were “poorly targeted” at those most in need of direct relief....

“I wasn’t real happy about that,” Obama said, but added that the United States – now the second-worst climate polluter in the world – can repair the damages made from leaving the Paris Accords. “The U.S. is back and is moving more boldly. The U.S. is not alone… There are times where I feel discouraged. There are times where the future seems somewhat bleak. There are times where I am doubtful that humanity can get its act together before it’s too late....

A star for both teams during his playing days, the Asturian coach will leave Barca at the end of the campaign, having guided the Catalans to two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey wins and one Champions League crown, with this season’s championship still up for grabs. Messi’s Argentina ban rescinded Madrid have not finished on top of La Liga since 2012, but they have won two of the last three Champions Leagues, beating local rivals Atletico Madrid in the final in 2014 and 2016, either side of Barca’s 2015 triumph....

Possessing a carbon copy-like game-play that gives great emphasis to passing the ball around, both La Blaugrana and The Yellow Submarines were expected to pull off an exciting match on Sunday. With some fine talents on both sides, spectators were glad enough to have seen the surmise proved right, thanks to some flamboyance from players like Ousmane Dembele and Santi Cazorla. Nevertheless, the party was not in the final third, but rather in the heart of the midfield....

The Catalans are eager to strengthen their defense this summer and will look to negotiate a cut-price deal with Ajax for the Argentine defender. According to Marca, Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman wants the club to sign a defender this summer as he continues his search for Gerard Pique’s long-term replacement. Barcelona were heavily linked with a move for David Alaba in recent months, with reports suggesting that the Austrian’s agent had opened negotiations with newly-elected club president Joan Laporta....

Messi’s agreement with the club is set to expire at the end of the 2020-21 season but Barcelona are keen to extend his stay at Camp Nou. According to TV3, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has already begun plans to put forward a long-term deal to keep the Argentine at the Nou Camp for more than just one season. Sources have reported that Laporta met Lionel Messi’s father Jorge at lunch last week to discuss the contract and the future of the Barcelona captain....

Lecce climbed to 12th position in the 2022-23 Serie A standings with a statement victory against Maurizio Sarri’s side at the Stadio Via del Mare. After Ciro Immobile opened the scoring in the first half, Gabriel Strefezza and Lorenzo Colombo netted a goal apiece following the break to help their side register a comeback win. However, the contest was marred by a section of Lazio’s traveling support racially abusing Lecce pair Umtiti and Lameck Banda....

Mumbai’s Ameya Bafna, recovering from a relapse of malaria, drove a brilliant final race and emerged winner in the Senior Max category and jumped to the top of the championship points table after the third round of the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Rotax Max Karting Championship on Sunday. Beginning third on the grid, Rayo Racing’s Bafna went into the lead and never relinquished the top spot throughout the 20-lap race when pole-sitter Chittesh Mandody of Mohite’s Racing packed up with a mechanical problem....