FC Barcelona Blog: Barça Transfer Zone: 05/04/08

Saturday, 10 May 2008

How things stand: Defensive midfielder

(at the end of the season, Barça Transfer Zone looks forward to the coming transfer summer making an analysis for each position, in part 5 we look at the defensive midfielder)

2007-2008

He was the least known of the four transfers last summer, but Ivorian defensive midfielder Yaya Touré (24) established himself from the start as a key player in the team. If he was not fit or during the Africa Cup he was replaced by Rafael Márquez (29), Andrés Iniesta (23) or José Edmílson (31), who was injured during the first part of the season.

Out

The contract of Brazilian defensive midfielder Edmílson, who arrived in 2004 from Olympique Lyon, expires in June and will not be renewed. In the last months the player has been linked with clubs like Betis, Besiktas and Villareal. Mexican central defender and defensive midfielder Márquez could also leave (read more here).

Barcelona had planned to bring in a solid back-up for Touré. But it is now to be seen what the effect of the appointment of Josep Guardiola as the new Barcelona manager will be on how this position will be filled in. If Guardiola wants to bring back the 'pivote', the playmaker before the defence that he has been during his career, it could well be that Xavi or Iniesta, who were formed at this position, could be pulled back.

Olympique Lyon midfielder and Barcelona loan out Marc Crosas (20), who was nicknamed "the new Guardiola" (both for the position he played as for the physical resemblance), has now probably more chance to come back, despite having said he would prefer to stay at least one more year at Lyon.

This could also cause Barcelona to look for another type of player. Barcelona has been linked with players like Christian Poulsen (Sevilla - 28), Seydou Keita (Sevilla - 28), Daniele De Rossi (Roma - 24), Stéphane Mbia (Rennes - 21) and David Albelda (Valencia - 30), but Guardiola could well prefer a player like Xabi Alonso (Liverpool - 26).

Read all How things stand contributions here in the coming weeks or read the contribution about:

Goal keeper - Right back defender - Central defenders - Left back defender - Defensive midfielder - Attacking midfielders - Wing attackers - Centre forward

Record renewal offer for Messi

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona will offer Barcelona right wing attacker and Argentinian international Lionel Messi (20), whose contract expires in 2014, a contract renewal that will make the player earn 100 million euro° in the next six seasons (read more here).

Messi receives at this moment a year salary of 5 million euro° but the player will become the new key figure of the team and Barcelona wants to translate that in an important salary rise, knowing that other European top clubs clubs are keeping an eye on the Argentinian.

Before the renewal talks with Messi, Barcelona will first try to finish all the other transfer activity. At the end of June or the beginning of July the renewal proposal will be handed to the player. It is expected that a deal will be found soon.

Contract renewal coming up for Messi

100 million euro Chelsea offer for Messi

Messi repeats he will stay

Bayern holding on to Lahm

Asked about the position of Bayern Munich full back defender and German international Philipp Lahm (24) who did not renew his contract that expires in 2009 (read more here), Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has told in an interview with German sports site Sport1 that in his opinion the player will not leave in the summer and that the club will give the renewal another try:

"Philipp has a contract until 2009 and I assume that he will play for us next season. Regarding to the contract renewal the last word has not yet been said. Together with future manager Klinsmann, we will try to convince Philipp that Bayern is a good club for him."

Read more:
Barcelona didn't yet contact Bayern on Lahm
How things stand: Right back defender
New Bayern manager Klinsmann wants Deco

Who will assist Guardiola?

Together with Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (45), his assistants Johan Neeskens (56) and Eusebio Sacristán (44) will have to leave at the end of the season. The situation of Barcelona goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué (41) is unclear: it is not yet decided if he will stay or if Barcelona B goalkeeping coach Carles Busquets (40) will take over.

Rijkaard's successor Guardiola is expected to take a part of the Barcelona B technical staff with him to the first team. His currect assistant Tito Vilanova (picture, at the left) will most probably continue to act as Guardiola's right hand next season.

Former Barcelona captain Luis Enrique (38) was mentioned as a possible candidate to return to Barcelona as assistant coach, both in case that Guardiola or Mourinho would become the next Barcelona manager, and felt ready for the job (read more here).

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo nevertheless claims that Luis Enrique has received some offers in the meantime and would be close to accept an offer from the Spanish football association to work with several youth teams. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Guardiola has urged Barcelona to sign his former team-mate as Barcelona B manager.

Juan Manuel Lillo (42) is being put forward as another possible assistant. Lillo was Guardiola's coach when the latter ended his career playing for the Mexican club Dorados and has in the past been coaching Salamanca, Oviedo, Tenerife and Zaragoza when they played in the Spanish Liga.

Since a few months he is the coach of second division team Real Sociedad, who he still can lead to the Primera División. Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona, Lillo, whose contract with Sociedad expires in June, said at a press conference that he's now totally focusing on his club and will not pronounce on his future before the season ends mid-June.

Official: Rijkaard out, Guardiola in

Luis Enrique ready for assistant job

Guardiola takes Mourinho's pole

Barcelona plans bid for Athletic's Amorebieta

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona will soon move for Athletic Bilbao central defender Fernando Amorebieta (23). Barcelona has been following the left-footed player over the last four years and thinks he's now ready for a transfer to the top.

Catalan radio station Radio Barcelona claims that the matter is already between the hands of the Barcelona board and that Barcelona plans to open negotiations soon. The club has been informed about the player's contract situation.

Amorebieta, who was born in Venezuela but played for the Spanish youth selections, has a buyout clause of 30 million euro°. Alerted by the many - mainly English - clubs that are following their central defender, Athletic wants to offer Amorebieta a renewal offer, including a rise of that clause.

How things stand: central defenders

Giovani wants to have more minutes

Asked about his future and the rumours linking with a summer move to Manchester City (read more here), Barcelona right wing attacker and Mexican international Giovani dos Santos (18) has said in an interview with Mexican sports paper Récord that he wants a change in his situation: "Until the 18th of May, I am a Barcelona player. That day the season ends and then my agent will find an agreement with the board."

Giovani wants to have more playing time because he is already looking forward to the World Cup in 2010: "Everything depends on the plans that Barcelona has with me. We are two years before the World Cup in South Africa and I want to perform there at my best. I'll keep that in mind when deciding about my future."

The paper claims that Giovani will ask Barcelona that they let him go play with another club next season, on loan or permanently. The appointment of Josep Guardiola, who doesn't think that Barcelona should hold on to Giovani at any price, would open the door for the Barcelona youth product.

Giovani close to Manchester City loan deal

Inter willing to pay Giovani buyout clause

Father Giovani confirms Manchester City

Mancini is on the winger's list

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that AS Roma winger Mancini (27) is on the Barcelona summer transfer list. In talks between Barcelona and Roma officials the name of the Brazilian player would already have been put on the table.

Mancini would consider to leave Roma cause of his difficult relationship with the fans of the Italian club and with Roma star forward Francesco Totti. Mancini has a contract with Roma until 2009 and negotiations between the club and the player haven't yet lead to a renewal.

The search of Txiki: Attack

Meeting with Silva agent

Aquilani is touchable

Friday, 9 May 2008

Villareal's Diego Lopez to rival Valdes

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona has decided to put first-choice goal keeper Víctor Váldes (26) on the market. Váldes is not considered to be a vital piece in the rebuilding of the team and Barcelona will listen to offers coming in during the summer transfer window.

If Barcelona does not receive a good bid, the Catalan goal keeper will be able to stay but he won't be the unassailable number one anymore. Barcelona will look to bring in a new top class keeper who could act as regular. The Catalan club could move for Villareal goal keeper Diego López (26) in the coming weeks.

How things stand: Goal keeper

Pinto will stay

Two years renewal for Jorquera

Which players are on Guardiola's list?

Catalan sports paper Sport, who today claims that future Barcelona manager Guardiola is already planning next season's squad for over one month, made on Wednesday an overview of the players Guardiola wants to stay or leave. Before we throw that one in the trash can, here it goes:

should stay: Valdés, Zambrotta, Milito, Márquez, Puyol, Sylvinho, Abidal, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Messi, Bojan and Eto’o

can leave: Jorquera, Pinto, Thuram, Oleguer, Edmílson, Touré, Gudjohnsen, Ronaldinho, Henry, Giovani, Ezquerro

The same paper says today that Barcelona wants to listen to offers coming in for every player of the current squad, except for nine: Valdés, Milito, Puyol, Abidal, Touré, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Bojan.

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Guardiola has explicitly asked for Bayern Munich full back defender Philipp Lahm (24).

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Guardiola thinks that Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor (24) could be a key player in his new project. Barcelona did not yet make any move for the Togolese player but, despite his comment that he wants to stay with Arsenal (read more here), Barcelona will do everything that is possible to bring Adebayor to Barcelona. Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o (27), who has a close relationship with Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, could be included in the deal (read more here).

And British tabloid The Sun claims that the manager change in Barcelona could lead to Barcelona trying to bring in Liverpool central midfielder Xabi Alonso (26), for whom Juventus is planning a 20 million euro° bid.

During the Barcelona presidential elections back in 2003, Guardiola was the candidate to become the new Barcelona sports director if Lluís Bassat would win the elections. Bassat ended second (behind Laporta) but El Mundo Deportivo digged up the list of players that Guardiola planned to transfer at that time (having chosen Ronald Koeman, then Ajax manager, as the new coach), which could be an indication of the kind of players he would like to bring in now:

Inter Milan central defender Iván Córdoba, Zaragoza central defender Roberto Ayala (then Valencia), Inter central and left back defender Cristian Chivu (then Ajax), Milan defensive midfielder Emerson (then Roma), Liverpool winger Harry Kewell (then Leeds United) and Atlético Madrid winger José Antonio Reyes (then Sevilla).

Read more:
Adebayor new name on centre forward list
Deal with Lahm
Ribery says 'non, merci'

Henry offered to Arsenal and Chelsea

British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that English Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, have been offered the chance to sign Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (30). Both clubs would have turned down the opportunity.

Arsenal are no longer in a position to pay the salary that Henry was earning before he left the club last summer. Chelsea, who bid 60 million euro° for Henry when Roman Abramovich arrived in English football, considered taking him back from Barcelona but have decided against it.

Henry contacts Chelsea

Could Henry return to Arsenal?

Henry will stay

François Sterchele (1982-2008)

Sign the mourning register here

Looking for a central defender

With Barcelona central defender Lilian Thuram (36) on his way out this summer, Barcelona planned from the start to bring in a new central defender. The serious injury of Gabriel Milito has now made Barcelona speed up the search.

Both main Catalan sports papers think that at this moment the main options are, and in that order of rank, Deportivo La Coruña central defender and Argentinian international Fabricio Coloccini (26) and Manchester United central defender Gerard Piqué (21), like had been analized by this blog last week (read more here).

Piqué left the Barcelona youth academy in 2005 for Manchester United. Due to a lack of playing time, the player has been rejecting until now to renew his contract that expires in 2009 (read more here). British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that Manchester United wants to sell players like Piqué and Saha to raise more funds they then want to spend in the summer. It is said that Piqué wants to return to Spain.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Manchester United wants to renew the contract before letting him go on loan to Barcelona. Barcelona would prefer a permanent deal. With only one year left on his contract, the transfer fee is said to be around 5 million euro°.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that the Barcelona scouts have also been following two other players: AS Roma central defender and Brazilian international Juan (29) and Stuttgart central defender Matthieu Delpierre (27).

pep's opinion:
if you look at what we have now, there's mainly one thing lacking at the centre back: speed. don't know if coloccini or piqué really have that. and puyol, milito ànd coloccini: that's just too much hair!

Read more:
How things stand: Central defenders
Deal with Coloccini
Piqué tempted by Barcelona return

New Bayern manager Klinsmann wants Deco

German tabloid Bild claims that future Bayern Munich manager Jürgen Klinsmann has contacted Barcelona midfielder and Portuguese international Deco (30) to sound the player out on a possible summer move to Germany (read more here).

Klinsmann thinks that the team really need a type of player like Deco and his net salary of 5 million euro° would therefore not be a problem for the German champions. Bayern would be ready to offer Barcelona a transfer fee of 15 million euro°.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that teams like AC Milan (read more here) and Atlético Madrid (read more here) are also interested in Deco. Barcelona would want to start negotiations putting an asking aprice of 18 million euro° on the table for the Portuguese midfielder, whose contract expires in 2010.

Deco could be new Bayern star transfer

Milan also wants Deco

Newcastle held first talks on Deco

Barcelona joins Hleb race

Although Inter Milan is still clearly in pole position, British tabloid The Daily Star claims that Barcelona has entered the race to sign Arsenal midfielder and Belarusian international Aleksandr Hleb (27). Barcelona officials have told advisers of Hleb that they are interested in signing the player (read more here) and that they will make him an offer.

At this moment Barcelona does not seem ready to pay a transfer fee of 25 million euro° Arsenal would probably ask for Hleb, if the player tells the club he wants to leave. It is nevertheles suggested that the Belarusian midfielder could also threaten to buy himself out of his contract, if necessary under new FIFA regulations.

Formal offer for Hleb

Hleb agent confirms Barcelona interest

Hleb to strengthen Barcelona midfield

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Contract renewal coming up for Messi

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona will offer Barcelona right wing attacker and Argentinian international Lionel Messi (20) a contract renewal in the coming weeks.

Alerted by the reports about several European top clubs keeping an eye on the player (read more here and here), Barcelona will offer Messi a contract to reward him for his performances over the past year and making him in all aspects the key figure of the squad.

It is not expected that the duration of his current contract, that expires in 2014, will be changed. But the numbers will. Messi signed his last renewal at the end of the year 2005, including a buyout clause of 150 million euro°.

100 million euro Chelsea offer for Messi

Inter president wants Messi at any price

Messi wants to be captain

OFFICIAL: Rijkaard out, Guardiola in

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has announced at a press conference that current Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard will leave the club at the end of the season and that he will be replaced by Barcelona B manager Josep Guardiola (37). The decision was unanimously taken by the Barcelona board during a five-hour meeting.

pep's opinion:
my choice was mourinho. this is a huge risk, both for the club and for Guardiola. if he succeeds, it will be better than another manager succeeding. but if he fails, it will be worse than another manager failing. this could be too much too soon but i believe very much in Guardiola, in his qualities as a human being (in the first place) and consequently as a manager. gràcies frank, visca'l pep, visca'l barça! (and let me now look for a new nick, suggestions are welcome...)

Full name: Josep Guardiola Sala
Date of birth: 17 January 1971
Age: 37
Place of birth: Santpedor (Catalunya, Spain)

Position as player: central midfielder ('pivote')
Clubs as player: Barcelona (1990-2001), Brescia (2001-2002, 2003), AS Roma (2002-2003), Al Ahly (2003-2005), Dorados (2006)
Clubs as coach: Barcelona B (2007-2008)

Honours as player: 6 Spanish leagues (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999 ), 2 Spanish cups (1997 and 1998), 4 Spanish super cups (1992, 1993, 1995 and 1997), 1 Champions League (1992), 1 European cup winner's cup (1997), 2 European super cups (1992 and 1997)

Read more:
Guardiola to be the new manager
The Guardiola report
Guardiola backed by board but not by fans

Read everything on the Guardiola story here

The bench candidates who did not make it

At this moment everybody seems to agree that it will be Barcelona B manager josep Guardiola (37), but in the days before the still unconfirmed (and unofficial) decision on Monday (read more here) there was a lot of speculation on who would replace current Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (45), whose dismissal was a sure fact after the Champions League elimination last week.

Mourinho

Last weekend former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45) was still the man who supposedly divided the Barcelona board. Madrid sports tabloid As even linked names to the opposed groups. Barcelona president Joan Laporta, supported by vice presidents Jaume Ferrer and Alfons Godall and board members Rafael Yuste and Evarist Murtra, was in in favour of Guardiola. Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano, supported by almost all the other board members, preferred Mourinho.

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claimed on Saturday that Mourinho had rejected Barcelona's proposal to become the next Barcelona manager and to be assisted by Guardiola.

Asked about the rumours saying that Mourinho had already found an agreement with Inter Milan, his agent Jorge Mendes denied any agreement to British televsion channel Sky Sports: "Mourinho has not signed any deal with a club and is still free. It is certain that many clubs are interested but he still has not decided his destination."

Pellegrini

Madrid sports tabloid As claimed on Friday that Villareal manager Manuel Pellegrini (54) had received phone calls from Barcelona officials to ask the Chilean coach how he would feel about a possible future proposal from Barcelona.

Catalan sports paper Sport reported that Chilean media claimed that there had been an informal contact between Pellegrini, his agent Jesús Martínez and Barcelona representatives.

Ancelotti

Catalan radio station Catalunya Ràdio claimed last Thursday that a Barcelona board member had contacted the agent of AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti (48) asking if the Italian would be willing to coach Barcelona next season. This was said to be an individual initiative by the board member, who was opposed to the Guardiola option.

Laudrup

Madrid sports tabloid As claimed on Saturday that Getafe manager Michel Laudrup (43) had received the approval of Barcelona unofficial external adviser Johan Cruijff. After some first contacts, Barcelona president Joan laporta, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Bayram Tutumlu, the agent of Laudrup, would meet this week to start the negotiations.

Getafe president Angel Torres had fed the speculation by stating that Laudrup would leave his club and by telling in an interview with Spanish radio station Radio Marca that now that his club had prepared managers for Valencia, Real Madrid and Barcelona (read more here), they would now make one for Atlético Madrid.

Blanc

During the Monday meeting, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain evaluated the candidacies of Mourinho, Pellegrini, Laudrup and Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc (42) but concluded that Guardiola was the best option (read more here). The Monday decision is expected to be approved during the board meeting this afternoon.

Adebayor will not join Barcelona

Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Arsenal forward and Togolese international Emmanuel Adebayor (24) has made clear to journalists that he does not have any intention to leave his club in the summer:

"As a footballer you want to make history and leave your name at a club. I hope I can do that at this club because I love the club. I am at the right team at the right moment playing some good football and scoring goals so of course I am happy. The most important thing is playing for the fans, and having the opportunity to play with so many great players."

Read more:
Adebayor new name on centre forward list

Formal offer for Hleb

Huntelaar agent invites Barcelona

Dos Santos heading for Manchester City

British tabloid The Daily Mirror claims that Manchester City are set to sign Barcelona right wing attacker and Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos (18).

The report doesn't make clear if he would leave on a loan deal or on a permanent deal but since it is stated that Barcelona wants Giovani to gain first-team experience, it can be thought that it concerns a loan deal (read more here). Barcelona would value the Mexican forward at 25 million euro ° and the player is under contract at Barcelona until 2010.

Giovani close to Manchester City loan deal

Inter willing to pay Giovani buyout clause

Youth: Jonathan Dos Santos

Meeting with Silva agent

It is reported that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain gave an overview of the latest transfer developments during the meeting of a club committee on Monday (read more here).

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Begiristain is very interested in Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22) (read more here) and that he has recently met a first time in Barcelona with the agent of the player.

To avoid as much as possible bid races, the Barcelona sports director always contacts the players' entourage first to know more about the wishes of the players. If they are motivated to come and play for Barcelona, Begiristain then contacts with the respective clubs.

Looking for a left winger

First talks on Valencia striker Villa

Capel only thinking about Sevilla

Portsmouth and Newcastle in race for Gudjohnsen

British tabloid The Sun claims that English premier League clubs Portsmouth and Newcastle are interested to sign Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (29).

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has made Gudjohnsen, together with Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, his top transfer target for the coming transfer window, something that is also claimed by British tabloid The Daily Mirror. But Newcastle head coach Kevin Keegan has apparently done the same (read more here).

Barcelona is said to be willing to accept an offer of 6 million euro° for Gudjohnsen, who arrived in Barcelona from Chelsea in the summer of 2006 and whose contract expires in 2010.

Gudjohnsen could be the first to leave

Newcastle interested in Gudjohnsen

Newcastle held first talks on Deco

Crosas goes French / 24

Olympique Lyon qualified for the final of the French Cup last night by beating second division team Sedan at home with 1-0. Barcelona loan out Marc Crosas (20) was 'the 19th man' and did not make the bench.

Read everything on the performances of Marc Crosas in Lyon here

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Madrid, 8th of June 1991

Barcelona didn't yet contact Bayern on Lahm

Despite the declarations of Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge last week that the German champions are ready to listen to offers coming in for Bayern full back defender Philipp Lahm (24) and that there had been a first contact with Barcelona, Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has said in an interview with German sports magazine Kicker that only Manchester United is interested: "At this moment it's only about Manchester United. But as things stand now, Lahm will stay."

Roman Grill, the agent of Lahm, meanwhile did not deny in an interview with Catalan sports paper Sport that there is already some kind of an agreement between Lahm, whose contract expires in 2009 and hasn't been renewed so far (read more here). The agent did confirm that the player wishes to make another step in his career. Lahm is being seen for months now as one of the main candidates to replace current Barcelona right back defender Gianluca Zambrotta as of next season.

Deal with Lahm

How things stand: Right back defender

No Bayern renewal for Lahm

Chelsea closing in on Xavi

With current manager Frank Rijkaard said to be on his way to Chelsea and Chelsea president and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich preparing a record bid for Barcelona right wing attacker and Argentinian international Lionel Messi (read more here), British tabloid The Daily Star claims that Chelsea is also closing in on a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder and Spanish international Xavi (28) this summer (read more here).

Asked about the squad reshuffle coming up, Xavi has said at a press conference that he thinks and hopes this will not affect him: "I have two years left on my contract and I wish to complete them."

pep's opinion:
would be a great signing for them, but of course it will not happen

Read more:
Xavi is on the Chelsea list
100 million euro Chelsea bid for Messi
Xavi dreams about retirement

Youth: Thiago Alcántara

Catalan sports papers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport claim that Barcelona B attacking midfielder Thiago Alcántara (17) will be part of the first team squad as of next season. The good performances of Bojan and Giovani would have convinced the Barcelona technical staff to not needless lengthen the stay of talented youth academy players with Barcelona B (read more here).

The youngster, who is known for his dribbling and passing skills, joined Barcelona in 2005 arriving from Gallician club Ureca. Before he played for Flamengo in Brazil. Despite an offer from Chelsea, Thiago signed a three-year contract (with an option for two more years) with Barcelona when he turned sixteen last year.

Thiago started the current season with the Juvenil A team but soon made his debut for Barcelona B. Due to injuries the Spanish youth international did not play much this season. Last september he made his senior debut with the first team in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya.

Thiago Alcántara was born in Italy and grew up in Spain and Brazil. He has the double Spanish-Brazilian nationality and although he's currently playing for the Spanish youth selections, he could well choose to represent Brazil in the future. Thiago is the son of former Valencia and Celta Vigo midfielder Mazinho, who became world champion with Brazil in 1994. His younger bother Rafael (15) is also playing for Barcelona.

Read more:
Youth: Gai Assulin
Youth: Felipe Coutinho (Vasco da Gama)
Youth: Jonathan Dos Santos

Next week negotiations with Tottenham on Eto'o

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona has agreed to meet with Tottenham representatives next week in order to start negotiations on the transfer of Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27). Tottenham had first contacted the entourage of Eto'o, who referred the English club to Barcelona.

Willing to hold a first meeting, Barcelona would have set a minimum transfer price of 35 million euro°. Tottenham could be ready to pay the fee since manager Juande Ramos has been promised that enough money is available to make a squad that will be able to compete with the English "big four" (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool) next season. Ramos wants Eto'o to become the leader of the new and ambitious project.

Read more:
Berbatov in exchange for Eto'o
Eto'o for sale
First talks between Eto'o and Tottenham

Adebayor new name on centre forward list

With first choice Karim Benzema probably not going to leave Olympique Lyon in the summer (read more here), Barcelona is looking for an alternative to strengthen the front line. Since Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has an age disadvantage (read more here), Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona would now have turned its attention to Arsenal forward and Togolese international Emmanuel Adebayor (24).

It is nevertheless expected that Arsenal doesn't have any intentions to let go Adebayor, whose contract expires in 2010, even more now since the club has already lost a key player like Flamini to Milan and Hleb, another important figure, could be on his way to Inter. To convince the English club and to lower the cash spending, Barcelona would consider to offer players in return. Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27) is mentioned in that perspective.

Drogba could bring more strength up front

Barcelona could throw in players for Cesc

Benzema agent excludes exit

New talks with Milan on Zambrotta

With the arrival of Milan adviser Ernesto Bronzetti in Madrid today, it is expected that new talks between Milan and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain will be held in the coming hours on the transfer of Barcelona right back defender and Italian international Gianluca Zambrotta (31). Although Zambrotta has a contract until 2010, it looks like the player will return to his home country in the summer.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona wants to insert Zambrotta in a package deal with Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho. While Barcelona is asking 50 million euro° for the two players, Milan would only be willing to pay 25 million euro°. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Milan is now focusing all its attention on Zambrotta alone and has made an offer of 7 million euro°.

Bronzetti has said yesterday in an interview with Italian radio station Radio Kiss Kiss that he thinks a deal can be found and that the only remaining problem is the transfer fee. Italian football website Tutto Mercato Web meanwhile claims that Milan has offered right back Massimo Oddo (31) in exchange to lower the price.

Zambrotta in Milan package deal

How things stand: Right back defender

Zambrotta hasn't packed yet

Capel only thinking about Sevilla

Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move to European top clus, amongst which Barcelona (read more here), Sevilla left winger and Spanish youth international Diego Capel (20) has said in an interview with Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón that he does not have any plans to leave this summer:

"It's an honour that such big clubs are thinking about you. But my thoughts are only in Sevilla. This club gave me a chance and I want to give something back to the fans by my play and by winning trophies. And if one day I will have to leave, I want to do that in a good relationship with the club."

Capel buyout clause on the rise

Looking for a left winger

Capel is on the list

Tuesday, 6 May 2008

Deco exit won't go easy

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has contacted an intermediary who should help find a club for Barcelona midfielder and Portuguese international Deco (30). Although Deco is represented by player's agent Jorge Mendes, Barcelona wants to have more options by bringing in an external intermediary. The same go-between is currently also looking for clubs who could be interested in the transfer of Barcelona attacker Eidur Gudjohnsen (read more here).

Deco meanwhile repeated to Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo that he doesn't have any other plan than playing for Barcelona next season. If the club nevertheless would ask Deco to leave, it will be the player who will set his conditions and choose the destination. Despite several offers coming from the Premier League, Deco would prefer to leave for AC Milan or Inter Milan (read more here).

Deco plays it hard

Which Milan for Deco?

Newcastle held first talks on Deco

Van der Vaart flattered by Barcelona interest

Asked about the new rumours linking him with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Hamburg attacker and Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart (25) has said in a reaction to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that such a report feels good but that he waits now if something will come out:

"Everybody knows that Barcelona is one of my dream clubs, so it flatters me that I'm linked with the club. On the other hand I know very well that I should not let every newspaper article go to my head. I just wait and see if the interest becomes more concrete or not."

Read more:
Van der Vaart to lift up midfield scoring
Van der Vaart to replace Ronaldinho
Barcelona sightseeing for Van der Vaart

Guardiola to be the new manager

It was probably Catalan television station TV3 who brought the news first but all sources are now saying the same: Barcelona B manager Josep Guardiola (37) has yesterday been chosen to be the new Barcelona manager as of next season.

During a five-hour meeting of the so-called Comisión Delegada (a club committee consisting of the most important board members and the highest ranked management representatives), Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain put forward the name of Guardiola as the most suited candidate to replace current manager Frank Rijkaard (45).

After discussion, the proposal of the sports director was approved by the committee. If the Barcelona board gives its consent on Thursday, former Barcelona captain Guardiola will probably be presented as the new Barcelona manager on Sunday the 19th of May, at the end of the current season. Barça Transfer Zone will develop the story in the coming days.

Read more:
Board member leaked Guardiola preference
The Guardiola report
Guardiola backed by board but not by fans

Milito injury leads to Marquez stay

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that the knee injury of Barcelona central defender and Argentinian international Gabriel Milito (27), which will leave the player out for six months, has changed Barcelona's initial transfer plans as the central defence is concerned (read more here).

The club will still bring in a new central defender to cover the exit of French central defender Lilian Thuram (36), whose contact expires at the end of the season. But Mexican central defender and defensive midfielder Rafael Márquez (29) will now certainly not leave the club in the summer (read more here).

Barcelona does not want to take the risk of starting the next season and playing the preliminary round of the Champions League in August with a new central defender linked to captain Carles Puyol. The experienced duo Márquez-Puyol should lead the Barcelona defence through the first months of the new season.

First talks on Valencia striker Villa

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser claims that Barcelona is monitoring the situation of Valencia forward and Spanish interntional David Villa (26). Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has met twice last week with José Luis Tamargo, the agent of Villa, who also assisted the Barcelona-Valencia game on Sunday.

The agent denied during the talks that Real Madrid has a first option on Villa. Tamargo made clear that the Valencia striker has no kind of agreement with another club and that he is ready to listen if Barcelona would want to make an offer.

pep's opinion:
we don't really need that type of striker, let the guy go to the Premier League, he will be great there

Read more:
Looking for a left winger
Barcelona can talk with Amauri
Albelda wants Barça door open

Henry will stay

Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move back to the English Premier League, Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (30) has repeated (read more here) in an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien that he has no plans to leave Barcelona in the summer: "The Spanish press spreads rumours every day. Regarding my future: no, I don't want to leave. I have three years left on my contract and I will be here next season."

Catalan sports paper Sport meanwhile claims that Italian champion Inter Milan is interested in Henry. Angelo Mario Moratti, the son of Inter president Massimo Moratti, was in Barcelona two weeks ago for presumed negotiations over Ronaldinho (read more here) but the meeting could have turned into talks over Henry (read more here). Although Henry keeps repeating that he wants to stay, Inter thinks that the Frenchman could well change his mind in the coming weeks.

Read more:
Inter wants Henry on loan
Henry contacts Chelsea
Henry wants to return to England

Huntelaar agent invites Barcelona

Vincenzo Morabito, the agent of Ajax Amsterdam forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (24), has said in an interview with Italian radio station Teleradiostereo that Real Madrid is interested in the Dutch international but that he expects Barcelona could also make a move: "The entourage of Huntelaar prefers a call from Spain. Real Madrid has made a first official step cause they think he could be the successor of Van Nistelrooij. But we must also take into account Barcelona, who are planning to carry out a revolution in the summer, with a lot of changes building a team around Messi."