According to the Italian sports paper Il Corriere dello Sport, a transfer for Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (28) to AC Milan could only happen if they sell former Barcelona forward Ronaldinho (30). Flamengo’s President Patricia Amorim said yesterday that Ronaldinho would love to come back to play in Brazil: “Ronaldinho said it to me personally, as my own ears heard it from his mouth: he wants to join us.”
According to the Catalan sports paper Sport, Juventus is ready to bid on Barcelona central defender Rafael Marquez (31). The Mexican international defender had few appearances for Barcelona last season, and several times when he had his chance with the team, he failed to show the best side of himself. Barcelona have asked his agent to find Marquez a new club for next season.
Carlos Carmona or Tiago to replace Yaya Toure? Continuing AC Milan rumours about Ibra? Our ongoing series of reports following stories and outright rumours in the transfer market is back, in a Monday-sized brief edition this week. As always, please keep in mind that some of these reports are more grounded in reality than others. Tell us which of these rumors seems most [or least] likely to you in the comments.
According to the Spanish paper El Periodico, Johan Cruyff has been stripped of his title as honorary president of FC Barcelona. In the past, it has become fairly obvious that Sandro Rosell was not a big fan of Joan Laporta or Johan Cruyff, and it did not take long for Barca’s new president to strip Cruyff of his honorary title. Joan Laporta, former president of FC Barcelona, gave Cruyff the title in April 2010.
Cesc Fabregas spoke with the English newspaper Daily Mirror, saying that he might stay in London. It seems that Cesc has reconsidered his desire to come back to Barcelona, as he has become frustrated sitting on the bench with the Spanish national team, while Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets are on the pitch in every game.
According to the Italian sports paper Il Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan is set to arrange a 8 million Euro bid for Martin Caceres (23). Barcelona have demanded 11 million Euros for the Uruguayan international defender, but the possible interest from Milan may have reduced their initial asking price. Barcelona do not want to send Caceres out on loan for another season like he was last season for Juventus, and would therefore only be open for a sale.
According to the English newspaper The Daily Mail, Barcelona will make a bid for Mesut Özil (21), to avoid his signing for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. Guardiola would face difficulties to give Özil a place in the starting line-up, but senior figures in Barcelona have been quite impressed by his performance for Germany in the World Cup this summer.
As Yaya Toure is almost certain to leave Barcelona, it’s logical that the club will look to find a replacement in the same position, according to Catalan Sports paper El Mundo Deportivo. It is reported that FC Barcelona is following Wilson Palacios (25), who they were able to observe this past Monday, when Spain played Honduras in the World Cup in South Africa. Palacios came to his current team, Tottenham Hotspur, from Wigan Athletic for 14 million Euros.
Thierry Henry is close to signing with the New York Red Bulls for the next season, according to the Norwegian television channel TV2. Henry has been linked with the American club almost weekly since last summer, and Henry is ready to leave Barcelona after their recent purchase of David Villa from Valencia.
Rafael Marquez (31), who scored a goal for Mexico last weekend in the World Cup against hosts South Africa, has caught the interest of Juventus according to Catalan sports paper Sport. Their general director, Giuseppe Marotta, wants the defender, who has played for Barcelona since 2003, wearing the blaugrana shirt in 153 games.
Sandro Rosell had a meeting with Josep Guardiola yesterday, where the big issue was Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s role in the transfer market on their behalf. The meeting between Pep and Rosell was basically about Barca’s transfers during the summer market, according to Spanish sports paper Sport. Guardiola was said to be clear and concise in his presentation. Guardiola repeated his statement from the end of the season, that he would be happy if the Swede left the club. He also understood the difficulties the club would face in negotiations, and to get him to leave the club.
Barcelona’s newly elected president, Sandro Rosell, is determined to bring Liverpool’s striker, Fernando Torres (26) to Barcelona. Rosell is ready to use £70 million on Torres in competition with Chelsea and Manchester City. It is suggested that since Rosell is so eager to buy Torres, it may effect Barca’s attempt to sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal, according to the English newspaper The Mirror.
Barcelona will march out in Ullevaal stadium in Norway’s capital Oslo on July 29, facing Vålerenga at 19:00 in their only preseason game in Europe. The general director of FC Barcelona, Joan Oliver, announced the added fixture to fulfill their pre-season fixture: “The game against Vålerenga fulfills the pre-season programme which is complicated by the World Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.”
Manchester City is ready to cash out to lure Barcelona’s right back, Daniel Alves (27), to Manchester, according to the English newspaper Daily Mail. Manchester City is only looking for the best players in the world, and Alves suits them perfectly for either the right back or the right wing position. FC Barcelona is already in contact with Alves in the hope of extending his contract, which has yet to be finalized, and meanwhile City is watching the situation.
Sandro Rosell, winner of the presidential elections yesterday, assured the fans that he will continue with the negotiations to buy Cesc Fabregas (23), according to the English newspaper The Guardian. Rosell plans to have a meeting soon with Josep Guardiola to discuss how Pep wants to strengthen the squad. Rosell says that the meeting will take place within four days, as Guardiola will after that time be on vacation.
Yaya Toure’s (27) agent, Dimitri Seluk, recently held an interview with TV station Rac-1, in which he talked about Wenger and Arsenal’s interest in Toure, and how things have changed with Manchester City, claiming that they talk big, but in the end they appear to be bankrupt. This appears to be one of his reasons for why he believes Toure will join Arsenal instead of Manchester City this summer.
According to Spanish website futbolmercado.es, there has been interest shown by both Barcelona and Real Madrid for Mesut Özil (21). The young German international who currently plays for Werder Bremen, has impressed so far for both his club and national teams. Altogether he has scored 13 goals in 71 matches for Werder Bremen and his former club Schalke 04. His efforts this season were more than enough for Germany’s national team coach Joachim Low, with his spot in this summer’s World Cup assured.
According to English news paper Daily Mail, Barcelona is set to switch their tactics to get Arsenal into negotiations over Cesc Fabregas. As you probably have noticed, recently there have been a lot of stories connecting Fabregas to Barcelona. This happened mainly due to Barcelona’s first tactic, which was to use media outlets in much publicised attempts to get Cesc to Barcelona. However, Arsenal have constantly refused any discussions for a transfer, and Barcelona now believe that the intense media speculations have hampered the proceedings.
Guillem Balague recently sat down with Lionel Messi for an interview for Sky Sports. Messi talks among other things about the importance of the medical staff for preventing injuries, and that the Barcelona players felt that they deserved to reach the Champions League final. Messi also discusses his performance this season, his thoughts on Argentina in the World Cup, and his view on the Premier League.
Within FC Barcelona’s squad, there is only one player who doesn’t have a natural challenger for his position – Dani Alves. This is something that seems about to change, however, with four possible targets for a right back back-up being suggested by Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.
Two Norwegian professors in medicine, Jan Hoff and Jan Helgerud, have developed a method for athletes to be able to train for a shorter time, and still be able to run faster and longer than before. The two professors have become widely renowned the last couple of years in Europe, and are now working together with Real Madrid, but Barcelona has also been in touch with them. Their methods have successfully worked on patients with heart problems, breeding salmons, Arabia’s popular trotting horses, and some of the best known athletes in the world.
Liverpool are bracing themselves for a £70 million bid for their Spanish international forward Fernando Torres (26) from FC Barcelona, according to a report from English sports tabloid The Daily Mirror. Torres is said to be the number one target for Barcelona, who will have a new president in charge after the World Cup. Torres is said to be frustrated at the lack of progress in Liverpool the last few seasons, even more so since they won’t play in the Champions League next season.
Yaya Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, has decided to continue the saga of whether or not Toure should stay in Barcelona when he recently questioned the club’s use of the midfielder. Seluk points out that Toure has been on the bench more than he has played this season, speaking in an interview with radio station Ona FM.
Thierry Henry (32) seems poised to join David Beckham in MLS (Major League Soccer) beginning next season, according to the English newspaper/tabloid The Sun. Henry has supposedly signed a pre-contract agreement with the New York Red Bulls for next season, the American club which he has been linked with since last summer.
Yaya Toure (26) told the English broadcasting channel Sky Sports that he wants a decision about his future to be made before the World Cup begins this June in South Africa. His agent, Dimitri Seluk, revealed earlier this week that Toure could leave Barcelona this summer for another major club.
Joan Laporta will not leave the club before he has brought Cesc Fabregas home to bring the club continuity, according to Catalan sports paper Sport. Arsenal is aware that Barcelona’s interest for Cesc is now at its climax, and that Barcelona soon will begin their path toward acquiring Cesc, through one of two possible plans.
Bayern Munich winger and French international Franck Ribery (26) wants to play alongside Lionel Messi, according to his agent Alain Migliaccio, who told Catalan radio station RAC-1 on Wednesday. The agent also said that the French forward has not closed any doors for a transfer, and would welcome renewed interest from other clubs.
According to Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo, Ribery has insisted that his dream is to be a part of the offence in Barca and to play alongside Leo Messi. “To play together with Messi would be fantastic”, said the agent. A statement which confirms that he would like to join Barcelona, and which buries the rumours that he is close to sign for Real Madrid.
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CHAMPIONS! (Sports world Gala)
Andres Iniesta and Marta Dominguez, elected as best athletes for 2009
Schumacher and Messi, cracks as stars of the night
BARCA IS THE GREATEST CLUB IN HISTORY
The dressing room cheers Pep
FIRST TARGET – CESC
After Guardiola’s signature, the technical secretary focus is on the former youth player in Arsenal
Would be a great reinforcement in the squad that’s almost complete
The dressing room applauded Pep’s continuance
Valladolid is Messi’s challenge
WITH LIGHT / WITHOUT LIGHT
PEP GUARDIOLA WILL CONTINUE TO COACH BARCA TILL 2011
REAL MADRID STAYS IN THE DARK IN ALBANIA, AND WILL BE BACK 4 AM
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