When asked about a possible return to Spain, Liverpool forward and Spanish international Fernando Torres (25) has acknowledged in an interview with Madrid sports tabloid As that, although he has a “good relationship” with Barcelona’s presidential candidate Sandro Rosell, he has no plans to leave the English Premier League atleast for the near future.
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo report that FC Barcelona is following Benfica left winger and Argentine international Angel di Maria (22) as a less expensive yet reasonable alternative to Bayern Munich’s 26-year-old French-born winger, Franck Ribery. With the 32-year-old Thierry Henry sure to leave the Catalan club next season, FC Barcelona is in need of a left-winger to fill in its three-prong attacking line-up.
Catalan sports paper ‘Sport’ report that the Blaugrana technical staff are aware of another position that needs to be strengthened in the squad - the right side of the defense.
Catalan sports paper ‘Sport’ today claim that FC Barcelona have already decided their plans for the future, so as to work in the coming months to strengthen the squad for the season 2010-11. The technical secretary of the Blaugrana club, Txiki Begiristain, after assessing the needs of the team with coach Josep Guardiola, has set his priority objectives in the market for next summer with Arsenal midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fabregas (22) and Valencia striker and Spanish international David Villa (28) being on top of the priority list. Their additions would serve to strengthen the depth in the midfield and the forward line due to their versatility and quality.
It seems the coaching staff at Barca are curently debating whether or not to offer a renewed contract to reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, 34, or whether to look elsewhere for an understudy to Victor Valdes.
Bayern Munich midfielder and French international Franck Ribery (26) is one of Barcelona’s major targets in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Unconfirmed reports are claiming that Tottenham Hotspur loan-out and Queens Park Rangers star Adel Taarabt (20) was being watched by Barcelona scouts on Tuesday night.
Werder Bremen attacking midfielder and German international Mesut Ozil (21) revealed his dream of playing for FC Barcelona. The Bremen star has been targeted by several European top clubs, but Ozil claims he still has a contract with Bremen.
Former Bayern Munich left back and France legend Bixente Lizarazu stated in an interview with Ona FM that Bayern Munich winger and France international Frank Ribery (26), would fit in well at Barcelona. “Ribery would fit very well in the Barca game system. Messi could play from the right and Ribery from the left. They are both very similar although each of them has his own style. Tactically it’s more likely for Ribery to choose Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid, although it is complicated to go to a club that has won everything. Instead, the game system of Madrid does not seem so clear.”
Lizarazu also said that he can see Ribery leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season. “Last year, it was impossible for him to leave Bayern, but I think it’s very clear that will be this summer. I have spoken with management and understand that the player wants a change of scenery and to try to win the Champions League with another team”
Catalan sports paper Sport today report that Liverpool striker and Spanish international Fernando Torres (25) is keen on a move to FC Barcelona, if he is forced to leave Anfield.
Sport suggest that Liverpool may have to sell their prized assets, including Torres, in order to help repay the club’s large financial debt. Although both Chelsea and Manchester City have been linked with the 25 year-old, Torres reportedly would prefer a move to Barcelona.
Sport discounts the possibility of a transfer to Real Madrid, given Torres’ loyalty to his former club Atletico Madrid. But the Liverpool striker apparently feels “a great sympathy” for Barcelona and “wouldn’t hesitate a single moment” to move to the Nou Camp.
Italian sports tabloid Tuttosport report that Inter Milan are preparing a bid for Barcelona defender and Argentine international Gabriel Milito (29).
The tabloid suggests that Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is looking to reinforce his defence and has singled out Milito, who has been at the Nou Camp since 2007. Milito, who has been restricted to just five appearances so far this season, would apparently welcome a move to guarantee more first team football. According to Tuttosport, president Massimo Moratti has authorized a bid estimated to be between 7-10 million Euros.
A move to the San Siro would allow Milito to link up with his older brother, Argentinian international striker Diego Milito (30). Diego has scored 15 goals in 27 appearances for Inter this season, having moved from Genoa last summer. The Milito brothers previously played together in Spain at Real Zaragoza.
According to British newspaper The Daily Mirror, both Aston Villa and Manchester City are interested in signing FC Barcelona winger and Belarus international Alexander Hleb (28) in the summer. The paper reports that the two English clubs are willing to meet the supposed asking price of 10 million euros for the midfielder, who although currently on loan at Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart sees his future elsewhere. “The chances for me to stay at Stuttgart next season are zero. Barcelona will decide my future and I am open to any option. But I have shown at Arsenal that I can play in England and enjoy the Premier League,” he said.
Barcelona have apparently confirmed solid interest in the player from a number of English teams, with Aston Villa already officially registering their interest with the Catalan club for the polyvalent midfielder, although if Hleb was to join Manchester City it would see him reunited with former Arsenal team-mates Emmanuel Adebayor, Sylvinho and Kolo Toure.
Catalan sports paper ‘Sport’ report that Sevilla FC winger and Spanish international Jesus Navas (24) is in the radar of European Champions FC Barcelona. Navas, who has become a top level footballer for all purposes, is reportedly attracting interest from some of the best clubs in Europe.
Jesus Navas, who has an existing contract with Sevilla until 30 June 2012, is a youth product of Sevilla’s academy and has been with the club since he was 15.
Navas has apparently impressed the Barca staff with his undeniable class, privileged physique, generosity in the effort, his ability to provide assists and his eye for goal, all of which have recently earned him a place in the Spanish national team.
Catalan radio station Ona FM reports that FC Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain and director of football Raul Sanllehi used the team’s recent visit to Stuttgart to meet up with the player’s agent Uli Ferber to discuss the future of Barcelona’s loan-out midfielder and Belarusian international Alexsander Hleb (28).
The club wants to know first hand Hleb’s intentions for next year. The midfielder’s loan deal with Stuttgart ends in June, and he has a contract with Barca until 2012.
Both parties have decided to hold a new meeting within two weeks, when Barca and Stuttgart will be facing each other in the return leg of the first knockout round of Champions League at the Camp Nou.
Spain national team manager Vicente del Bosque has told Arsenal captain and Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas (22) to forget any rumours linking him with a return to Spain and former club Barcelona, and concentrate on firing Arsenal to the Premier League title.
Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas has been linked with a move back to Barcelona consistently for the last two years, with a number of Barcelona staff members and players revealing that the Gunner’s skipper will join the Catalan club at some point in the future.
A plethora of pundits are suggesting that this summer after the World Cup Fabregas could leave the Emirates, however his international coach has asked Fabregas to concentrate on Arsenal and forget rumours linking him with a move back home.
FC Barcelona have been linked with the signature of Internacional attacking midfielder and Brazilian youth international Giuliano de Paula (19).
According to reports emerging from the Spanish press, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has earmarked the Brazilian starlet as a future great, Premier League managers Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger are reportedly ready to duel with the Spaniard for the 19-year-old’s signature. Arsenal and Manchester United already have a presence in Brazil, with a team of permanent scouts hoping to lure the starlet who is widely regarded as currently the best talent from Brazil, to Old Trafford and the Emirates respectively.
Barcelona are reportedly the front-runners for the youngsters signature, with the Catalan club showing a keen interest since the FIFA U-20 World Cup. But the Gunners and Red Devils are confirmed contenders for the player’s signature. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had his two full time Brazilian scouts, who have also unearthed Fabio, Rafael Da Silva (19) and Rodrigo Possebon (20), watch the player, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger asked one of the Gunner’s South American scouts believed to be Everton Gushiken monitor the player.
FC Barcelona right back and Brazilian international Dani Alves (26) says he is honoured to be linked to Chelsea but insists he is happy at Barcelona and wants to continue.
“It (Chelsea) is a great club and to be on their agenda is a privilege. But right now I’m happy at Barcelona and I intend to fulfill my contract here,” Alves told Brazilian website Globoesporte.
“My situation is that I have a contract at Barcelona, and despite everything that has been said, there is nothing yet to sign.”
Chelsea FC leftback and England international Ashley Cole (29) is reportedly having a pretty hard time on and off the pitch these days. Just like his fellow countryman and Chelsea teammate John Terry (29), Cole is fighting to save his marriage after a revealed cheating scandal.
Chelsea’s international defender found himself in the spotlight after he smuggled girls into team hotels, which made the club owner Roman Abramovich extremely furious.
“Ashley is having a rough time at the moment,” said a source reportedly close to the defender and continued, “If he and Cheryl get divorced, why would he want to stay in this country?”.
According to Portuguese paper Abola, FC Barcelona are keen on Benfica winger and Argentine international Angel Di Maria (22). It is highly expected the winger will leave Benfica this summer and it seems the player has suitors to spare, with the paper reporting that besides barcelona Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea are all tracking the winger. It is thought that if a move was to take place the transfer fee would be around 40 million Euros.
Santos forward and Brazilian international Robinho (26) has claimed he rejected the chance to move to European Champions Barcelona in order to return to Santos. The Brazilian has been in impressive form since rejoining O Peixe on a six-month loan deal from Manchester City in January.
Robinho, who spent the first three seasons of his career at Santos, scored a brace on his home debut in midweek to take his tally to three goals in as many games.
However, the former Real Madrid forward has revealed he could have moved back to Spain instead.
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