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DUNDEE could pull off a stunning transfer coup this week by landing Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes on loan.

The Brazilian legend’s kid has just joined Burnley after spending last year in the Barcelona academy.

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Mendes could swap England for Scotland in a shock move before the end of the windowCredit: Alamy
a man stands in front of a fcb shirt on a mannequin
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Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes signs for Barcelona FCCredit: FC Barcelona via Instagram

The Dark Blues have a successful link up with the Championship side after taking Dara Costelloe, Owen Dodgson and Michael Mellon on loan last season.

Now 19-year-old winger Mendes could be sent to Dens Park this week.

The Clarets have several fringe men who could head to their SPFL allies, but they are only allowed six international loans.

Scotland is regarded as an international move under the regulations so Burnley cannot commit until they see if other players are loaned to European teams.

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But Mendes, who started his career at Cruzeiro before joining Barca in 2023, is one of those under consideration for a Dee switch.

Brazil icon and Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho won the World Cup and countless domestic honours during a glittering career for club and country.

But Clarets gaffer Scott Parker has already moved to calm the hype around Mendes.

He said: “I get all of the excitement, but I feel it would be really unfair to heap pressure on a young boy.

“Joao’s coming here to develop, is how we see it.

“I get the excitement with the links to his father, but there is still a lot to do. So I would probably dampen that down a bit.”

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Meanwhile, Tony Docherty hailed Dundee’s never-say-die attitude after they grabbed a last-gasp point against Hibs.

The Dens Park boss reckons Simon Murray’s late leveller was the least they deserved.

Docherty was disappointed not to take three points, but was happy Dundee’s unbeaten run remained intact.

He said: “I cannot ignore the mentality and spirit of my players to go from 2-1 down at a tough venue and get back to 2-2 and keep our run going.

“Our never-say-die attitude was there for all to see. The support saw a team giving absolutely everything, and I thought we could have gone on and nicked it right at the end.

“I’m a bit disappointed with a point, but on reflection, if you win your home games and get a point away from home, you’ll not be far away.

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“The equaliser was why I brought Simon here. He’s such an inspirational, enthusiastic, never-say-die character.

“He probably didn’t have his best game in terms of ball retention, but there he is popping up at the end with the goal, which speaks volumes for him.

“We went 1-0 up and then could have had the second. But then we switched off a little bit and allowed them to get back into the game.

“I don’t want to be down and negative because I’m hugely proud they have got that mentality and spirit to come away with a point. It’s really important to keep that unbeaten run going.

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“The boys on the pitch are the ones that dig it out, and make sure we don’t go into the dressing room having lost the game 2-1.

“But there is disappointment in there, too, because they know they could have taken all three points.”

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