Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona might be interested in Ajax right back and Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel (22). The young defender is reportedly one of Barcelona’s prime targets for this summer, as the club are considering him as a back-up for Brazilian defender Daniel Alves (27). However, several other European top clubs are also interested in the young Dutchman’s services, including Premier League teams Arsenal and Manchester City.

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According to Catalan sports paper Sport and Portuguese sports paper Record, Barcelona would be ready to make a surprise move for Benfica winger and Argentinian international Angel Di Maria (22) and stop Real Madrid from signing him. Barcelona’s chiefs have reportedly made a series of enquiries into Di Maria’s price during Madrid’s critical moments of bidding for the young star.

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Spanish newspaper AS reports that English Premiere League team Manchester City would be prepared to make a bid for Barcelona right back and Brazilian international Daniel Alves (27). Roberto Mancini’s sides offer for Inter Milan’s full-back Maicon were rejected during this week, so they have now moved for his international teammate Alves.

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According to Catalunya Radio, several top European teams are preparing bids for Barcelona defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (23). The young centre-back is reportedly ready to be transferred since his adaptation to La Liga hasn’t gone as planned. Barcelona club president Joan Laporta is claimed to have offered Chygrynskiy to Arsenal as a makeweight in the deal to sign Cesc Fabregas.

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According to Catalan sports paper Sport, Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano (29) thinks that his time in Sevilla is over. Sevilla is reportedly ready to sell Fabiano this summer, since his contract is expiring in 2011. However, the Brazilian international is very clear about where he would want to continue his footballing career. “If I could get to choose, I would say Barcelona. Their way of playing fascinates me.”

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African football site Kickoff.com reports that Barcelona has offered trials to Mamelodi Sundowns defender and South African youth international Siyanda Xulu (18). The young central defender will have a trial with Barcelona next week. In an interview with Kickoff.com, Xulu’s agent Paul Mitchell said: “We are leaving on Sunday and he will be on trial at Barcelona for the whole of next week. We will see how it goes after his return.”

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Italian sports paper Tuttosport reports that Inter Milan forward and Italian youth international Mario Balotelli (19) would leave his current team and join Barcelona at the end of the season. The young striker has had some problems both on and off the pitch, including fighting with his teammates and arguing with Inter coach Jose Mourinho. His recent spat with Roma forward Francesco Totti in the Italian cup seems to be the final factor to push Balotelli out of Inter.

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Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Turkish football club Fenerbahce would be interested in Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (32). Henry, who will play his last World Cup with the French national team in South Africa, is reportedly one of the most desired signings in the summer transfer market.

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Catalan sports paper Sport reports that former Barcelona player and current Dutch international Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (35) will retire as a player after this year’s World Cup.

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Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona midfielder and Spanish international Andres Iniesta (25) will feature along Real Madrid’s Kaka and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney for EA Sports’ upcoming FIFA 2011 video game. The three football stars will feature on the game’s front cover as well as in several promotional campaigns for the number one selling football game.

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Several Spanish sources report that La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid would be interested in Aston Villa forward and English international Ashley Young (24). Young has been considered as a reasonable alternative for the Spanish giants’ primary target, Bayern Munich forward and French international Franck Ribery (27). However, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill would reportedly be reluctant to sell one of his star players, despite Young himself having shown his desire to move to Spain and test his skills in La Liga.

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Spanish radio station Cadena SER reports that English Premier League team Arsenal FC would be interested in Barcelona loan-out and Juventus defender Martin Caceres (23).

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Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Ajax attacking midfielder and Danish youth international Christian Eriksen (18) has denied any transfer rumours, despite the interest from several European top clubs, including Barcelona.

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Bayern Munich forward and Dutch international Arjen Robben (26) recently shared his thoughts with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo. The Dutch winger is reportedly still bitter about leaving Real Madrid last summer. Robben, who has been one of the key players for his current club during this season, stresses the fact that Madrid is not the best place to succeed if you are a footballer.

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Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Sporting de Gijon is very happy with the performances of Barcelona loan-out and Spanish youth international Alberto Botia (21). The intention of the Asturian club is that the young centre back would continue on loan or move permanently from Barcelona. Botia, who has made 17 appearances so far with his current club, is awaiting the response of Barcelona.

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola has called up all of the first-team players that are available for the match against Almeria. Centre back Gerard Pique is unavailable due to suspension, while Seydou Keita and Eric Abidal are still recovering from their injuries. Mexican centre back Rafael Marquez has returned to training after playing for his national team in California against New Zealand. Forwards Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry practiced with the team despite their midweek national friendlies. Midfielder Seydou Keita is unavailable for the match against Almeria but the Malian international was able to run and test his fitness for the first time after his hamstring injury against Atletico de Madrid last month.

Here is the 18-man squad for the match against Almeria: Valdes, Pinto, Marquez, Puyol, Milito, Chygrynskiy, Alves, Maxwell, Xavi, Iniesta, Toure, Busquets, Henry, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Bojan, Messi, Jeffren.

This is a featured post. Please scroll down for all the latest news.

It’s back… This is your chance to prove not only your knowledge about the game of football but also your psychological insight by cracking the code of Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola’s master brain:

Predict Barcelona’s Starting Lineup
You can give your starting line-up until 3 hours before the start of the game against Tenerife.

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Several Spanish sources, including Sport and Marca, are reporting that Inter Milan midfielder and French international, Patrick Vieira (33), is rumoured to be a target of several European top clubs, including Barcelona. Manchester City and Lyon are also strong candidates to sign Vieira during winter transfer market.

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Spanish newspaper, AS, claims that former FC Barcelona player and Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida (19) has agreed a five-year pre-contract deal with Atletico Madrid and would be returning to Spain at the end of the season. The Spanish youth international rejected a five-year contract offer from Arsenal in September and is now set to see out the remaining six months with the Gunners, before joining Atletico on a free transfer. Merida has declared on a number of occasions that his dream is to play in the Vicente Calderon with Atletico Madrid, and has also expressed his enormous admiration for ex-Atletico striker Fernando Torres, who Merida has declared as his idol.

According to Catalan sports paper Sport, Valencia midfielder and Spanish international David Silva (23) insists he’s not unsettled by renewed interest from European top clubs. This season is expected to be Silva’s last at the Mestalla with the Spanish star high on the shopping lists of both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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Catalan sports paper, Sport, reports that Barcelona midfielder and Ivorian international Yaya Toure (26) has been voted as the best football player in Ivory Coast. The award was given to Toure for playing an important part in the golden season of FC Barcelona. Ivorian newspaper, Supersport, published the results of the voting, which you can see after the break.

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Catalan sports paper, Sport, reports that former FC Barcelona player and Gremio forward Maxi Lopez (25) is the target of several clubs during the winter transfer market. Maxi Lopez is on loan at Gremio from FC Moscow, and now the Russian team has asked Gremio to release Lopez because he wants to be transferred to Lazio or West Ham, but the Brazilians are reluctant to release him. At least four teams are reportedly interested in the Argentinian striker’s services.

British newspaper, The Mirror, claims that English Premiere League team Stoke City are preparing a loan deal for Barcelona Atletic midfielder and Spanish youth international Oriol Romeu (18). FC Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola handed the youngster his first-team debut in last month’s friendly match against Kuwaiti team Kazma Sporting Club, just prior to Barcelona’s entry into the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. Romeu has starred in Barca Atletic and is a part of Spain’s U-21 national team, but British sources claim that he would be sent on loan to gain some match experience elsewhere. Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is reportedly eager to sign the Spanish youngster to strenghten his squad.

Catalan sports paper Sport reports that former Barcelona player and Monaco forward Eidur Gudjohnsen (31) is having difficulties in his current club and would be returning to English Premiere League during January’s transfer window. Blackburn Rovers are reportedly interested in the Icelandic international’s services.

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola still hasn’t renewed his contract with Barcelona. The coach, who won it all with the Catalan club, has doubts over extending his expiring contract. Valenti Guardiola, Josep’s father, believes there is a possibility that his son will take a break from football after this season.

“I don’t know if he will stay at Barcelona (beyond the end of the season) or if he will take a break from football and relax,” Guardiola senior told Catalan sports paper Sport. “The dad is always the last to know about these things. And if I ask him directly, he would deny all. All I know is that the decision will be for his own sake and for Barça.”

Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto (34) believes he is ready to face Sevilla despite his lack of first team action this season, and insists that he will continue to fight hard to displace Victor Valdes as first choice for Barcelona. FC Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola, has used the veteran keeper sparingly since his switch to Barcelona in 2008, playing him almost exclusively in the Copa del Rey competition. Although he has spent the majority of the time warming the bench, he has stated he is ready to face Sevilla in midweek.

Speaking at a press conference, Pinto said: “I came here to work hard every day and take my chance when it comes. Every game is different, and Sevilla can be dangerous, but I am sure that it will be a very even contest.” In addition, Pinto brushed off claims that the side are not performing to the best of their ability following the 1-1 draw with Villarreal on Saturday evening. He stated: “There is no concern. That word does not come into my head. We played well in the match but we faced a Villarreal team who played well, too. They are one of the best footballing teams in the league and they gave us a good match.”

Spanish newspaper Marca reports that English Premier League team, Arsenal, would be asking at least 45 million euros for their star midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fabregas (22). Fabregas has reportedly told Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, that he wants to leave the club at the end of the season. This would have attracted the interest of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who is reportedly confident of trumping Barcelona for Fabregas. With Barcelona facing presidential elections this year, Perez is convinced that Arsenal is not interested in negotiating with Barcelona’s presidential candidates and would prefer to deal directly with Real Madrid.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barcelona centre-forward will miss the team’s next La Liga match, away to Tenerife on Sunday the 10^th, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last night.

The Swede, who was frustrated by the Villarreal’s tight marking, and dubious refereeing – whose calls seemed to be against him all night, could not contain it further in the 88^th minute when he two-footed stomp one of his marker, Villarreal’s centre-back Diego Godin. He was lucky to get off only with the lesser caution as it could easily have been a sending-off offence.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola advised Ibrahimovic to control his temper and accept the decisions made by match officials or he risks letting down the team.

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British newspaper The Sun published a lineup which includes the best football players of the decade. Up to five players who play or have played in Barcelona, are included in this lineup of football stars.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon

Defense: Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Carles Puyol, Paolo Maldini

Midfield: Ronaldinho, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane

Attack: Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo

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Villarreal midfielder Cani (28) shared his thoughts with Catalan sports paper Sport. He hopes to find the back of the net as the “Yellow Submarine” look to sink Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Saturday night. After a horrendous start to the season, Villarreal are back in the top half of the table and are currently riding a three match winning streak in La Liga. Cani wants that winning trend to continue in the new year as he hopes to pick up a vital result against Barcelona. Continue reading »