In an interview with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain explained the situation of centre forward Eto'o.
Will Samuel Eto'o leave?
That exclusively depends on him. We agreed that he has to present us a concrete offer and till this moment that has not happened.
Some club has made an offer directly to Barcelona?
No. There were some agents and intermediaries who claimed to speak on behalf of certain clubs but no club has asked to negotiate directly with Barcelona.
Why?
I suppose because they have understood that the demands of the player are very high. I don't know, you should ask that to Eto'o.
And now what?
The situation remains the same like stated before by Guardiola. The player trains with the group and is one of the guys. And we have to admit he's working very well, like he always does. He takes it very seriously and he is playing at a high level. He is showing a model behaviour. And we plan to continue like that.
Will you put him on the list for the Champions League qualifying round?
The idea is to do that, but we'll wait until the last moment to see if he will play or not. If he doesn't play and he leaves, the UEFA rules state that we will be able to replace him by another player. We have to think carefully cause for him it would also be better not to play since if he does, he won't be able to play in the Champions League for another club this season. If it's not absolutely necessary, I think he will not play. I hope his situation will be sorted out as soon as possible, whatever the outcome is. It won't be a drama if Samu stays with us, on the contrary, but it seems that he wishes to leave. We'll see what happens.
Will there be a transfer if he leaves?
Yes, most definitely yes. And if Samuel stays, there won't be one. Guardiola doesn't want to have four centre forwards. With Henry and Bojan plus Eto'o or someone else, that's enough.
Will it be a star striker or a player like Cruz or Crespo?
The market is very limited, there are no interesting centre forwards available. We like several players but their clubs don't want to sell them whatever the price. We're all waiting for some domino-effect regarding the transfers but nobody is making the first move and every day that goes by there's less time to transfer.
Benzema is still the impossible dream?
Yes. It's not a secret that we have made several attempts but this season it's just not an option.
Why?
Because the player himself has decided to continue in Lyon. It's a personal decision and it's not true that Lyon president Aulas or the team have forbidden him to go. They have made a decision together and we can only hope it will be different in the future.
You expect him one day to be part of Barcelona?
Yes, because the player will decide in the end and we have a very good relationship with him and with his club. We will monitor his situation very closely and make sure that nothing changes his wish to play for Barcelona one day.
How about Henry?
I have personally talked with him. It's just like we have transferred him again. He seems very motivated with the new project, the new manager, the new transfers.
Are you serious here?
Of course I am. Physically he's very good and that's very important for him after a season he wasn't lucky with injuries. He gave me a good impression in Scotland and I hope he continues like that in the United States. Henry will be a very important figure this year and he knows that. I think he likes that responsibility and that it gives him an extra motivation.
Will you have enough players who can score?
We've already seen that in the scheme of Guardiola the midfielders are more important in attack. Xavi plays somewhat higher up the pitch. I'm sure this season the midfielders and even the defenders will score more goals. In the set pieces, on which the team trains a lot, the central defenders will be much more present. The role of Márquez and Puyol is crucial in the whole defensive structure, in the pressure, in the building up and in the attacking.
But won't the team miss a real goalscorer if Eto'o leaves?
Yes and no. I already said we will replace Samuel if he leaves for another club, but I believe in Henry and in Bojan, who will have a bigger role and a lot of minutes with Guardiola. Bojan will be an important player and I repeat that Henry will meet the expectations.
Read more:
Barcelona proposes Eto'o-Benzema swap
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Txiki on Eto'o, Benzema, Henry and other strikers
Nani was on top of the transfer list
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Manchester United winger and Portuguese international Nani (21) was at the beginning of this year one of the three names (together with Daniel Alves and Franck Ribéry) on top of the Barcelona transfer list for the 2008-2009 season.
Barça B: Cadiz wants Ruben on loan
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Spanish third division club Cádiz has asked Barcelona to start negotiations on a loan deal regarding Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Rubén Martínez (24).
Inter thinking about Marquez
Italian news site Virgilio claims that Barcelona central defender and Mexican international Rafael Márquez (29) is on a list managed by Inter Milan to strenghten their defence and midfield after the team has been hit by a large number of injuries during pre-season (read more here).
Chelsea repeats that Drogba will stay
Asked about the rumours linking Chelsea forward and Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba (30) with a summer exit (read more here), Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has insisted in an interview with the club's offical website that the Ivorian striker will not be leaving the club this summer:
"There is no question that any deal will be done with regards to Didier. The player is currently in England recovering from a knee problem. Didier is in rehab and will continue to be a Chelsea player. I think we can squash that one."
Read more:
Silva is again the top target
Both main Catalan sport papers claim today that Barcelona is still working hard on the transfer Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22).
Who has the money to buy Eto'o?
Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that the transfer of Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27) would cost his new club 115 million euro°.
Barcelona is asking a transfer fee of 40 million euro° and with a new vote on his future coming up in a few weeks time, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is not willing to drop that initial asking price a lot.
Eto'o, who is currently earning 10 million euro gross and whose contract expires in 2010, would ask interested clubs a year salary of 15 million euro gross for the next five seasons.
The club and the player would have talked this week about his situation but both parties have asked for more time before a final decision is taken. This means that nothing has changed and that Eto'o is at this moment still on the market, like Barcelona has confirmed to several interested clubs over the last days.
Read more:
Eto'o is an option for Valencia
Barcelona president reopens door for Eto'o
Offer from Roma for Eto'o
Youth: English clubs interested in Iago
Catalan sport paper Sport claims that Barcelona Juvenil A attacking midfielder Iago Falqué (18), who was told by Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique earlier this week that he's not part of his plans for next season (read more here), could be on his way to England.
Barça B: Urbano has to leave
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona Atlètic forward Sergio Urbano (21) has been told by Atlètic coach Luis Enrique that he's not part of his plans for next season.
The Catalan striker, who is still training with the squad of Barcelona's second team, will have to leave the club this summer.
Transfer summer 2008: Overview
IN
Seydou Keita
former club: sevilla
age: 28
country: mali
official announcement: monday 26 may
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 14 million euro
note: barcelona pays the buyout fee
Gerard Piqué
former club: manchester united
age: 21
country: catalunya, spain
official announcement: tuesday 27 may
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 5 million euro
José Manuel Pinto
former club: celta vigo
age: 32
country: spain
official announcement: friday 30 may
contract duration: 2 years
transfer fee: 0 euro
note: the contract can be cancelled by both parties after one year, pinto played for barcelona on loan since january, when barcelona paid celta 500 000 euro
Martín Cáceres
former club: villareal (on loan to recreativo huelva)
age: 21
country: uruguay
official announcement: wednesday 4 june
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 16,5 million euro
Daniel Alves
former club: sevilla
age: 25
country: brazil
official announcement: wednesday 2 july
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 29 million euro (+ 6 million euro variables depending on the ranking of the team and the trophies won in the coming years)
Alexander Hleb
former club: arsenal
age: 27
country: belarus
official announcement: wednesday 16 july
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 15 million euro (+ 3 million euro variables depending on the results and the qualification for the champions league in the coming years)
Henrique Adriano Buss
former club: palmeiras
age: 21
country: brazil
official announcement: tuesday 22 july
contract duration: 5 years
transfer fee: 8 million euro (+ 2 million euro variables depending on the qualification for the champions league in the four years after his return from loan)
OUT
José Edmílson
new club: villareal
age: 31
country: brazil
barcelona player since: 2004
barcelona contract until: 2008
official announcement: friday 23 may
contract duration: 2 years
transfer fee: -
note: the contract of the player expired
Giovani dos Santos
new club: tottenham
age: 19
country: mexico
barcelona player since: 2002
barcelona contract until: 2009 (?)
official announcement: friday 6 june
contract duration: 5 years
transfer fee: 6 million euro (+ 5 million euro depending on the player’s appearances during his five years of contract)
note: when the player is transferred barcelona receives 20% of the fee during the first two years or 10% after that
Gianluca Zambrotta
new club: ac milan
age: 31
country: italy
barcelona player since: 2006
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: friday 13 june
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 9 million euro (+ 2 million euro depending on the qualification of ac milan for the champions league during the next four years)
Deco
new club: chelsea
age: 30
country: portugal (brazil)
barcelona player since: 2004
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: monday 30 june
contract duration: 3 years
transfer fee: 10 million euro
Ronaldinho
new club: ac milan
age: 28
country: brazil
barcelona player since: 2003
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: tuesday 15 july
contract duration: 3 years
transfer fee: 21 million euro (+ 4 million euro depending on the qualification of ac milan for the champions league during the next years)
Oleguer
new club: ajax amsterdam
age: 28
country: catalunya, spain
barcelona player since: january 2004 (cantera since 2001)
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: tuesday 22 july
contract duration: 3 years (with an option for an extra year)
transfer fee: 3 million euro (+ 2,25 million euro depending on the qualification of ajax for the champions league during the next three years)
Santiago Ezquerro
new club: osasuna
age: 31
country: spain
barcelona player since: 2005
barcelona contract until: 2008
official announcement: tuesday 29 july
contract duration: 2 years (with an option for an extra year)
transfer fee: -
note: the contract of the player expired
Lilian Thuram
new club: - (retired)
age: 36
country: france
barcelona player since: 2006
barcelona contract until: 2008
official announcement: friday 1 august
contract duration: -
transfer fee: -
note: the contract of the player expired
IN: 87,5 + 11 (= 98,5)
OUT: 49 + 13,25 (= 62,25)
fixed investment: 38,5
fixed + variable investment: 36,25
worst case: 49,5
best case: 25,25
Friday, 1 August 2008
OFFICIAL: Thuram retires
Former Barcelona player Lilian Thuram (36), whose contract with Barcelona expired at the end of June, has today announced at a press conference that he retires as football player although his heart condition isn't as bad as initially thought:
"My heart is somewhat big and muscled but I don't have the genetical disease that could cause a heart failure at any moment. I will have to undergo addititonal tests to have more certainty. I am very happy to know that I'm not sick. It makes things easier. I will be able to play with my children and to play a game of football with my friends.
I nevertheless understood from talks with my mother that it was time to stop as a professional player. I would have liked to sign for Paris Saint-Germain and become the Maldini of the club, but I also have to take into account other things like my family. They want me to stop playing and it wouldn't be wise to make the ones I love suffer somehow.
I have some kind of sadness over me and things have been complicated over the last days. Some days, I said to myself that I had to quit. Other days, that I had to continue. But this is a final decision and I won't come back on it, otherwise I wouldn't be here talking to you today. It's very hard, I didn't expect to end my career like this, I try to take it as good as I can."
pep's opinion:
his time at Barcelona was not good (although it wasn't really his fault, the technical people should have known that his way of playing was totally unsuited for the attacking style of barcelona) but what a great personality is leaving the football fields. he truly was more than a football player and it seems probable that he will start somewhere a new career that could surpass his football career. thanks and all the best to him.
Read the complete Lilian Thuram retirement story from the first rumours linking him with other clubs to the official confirmation of his retirement
Roma denies offer for Eto'o
Italian club AS Roma has denied in an official statement that the club has made an offer for Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27) like had been reported this morning (read more here):
"Regarding the news that was spread today about a presumed offer made to FC Barcelona concerning the transfer of the player Samuel Eto'o, AS Roma wants to make clear that it never made such an offer. Therefore this report, including the financial data, does not have to be considered accurate and is unfounded."
Asked about the rumours, Roma manager Luciano Spaletti had said earlier today at a press conference that Roma simply couldn't afford this transfer: "I mentioned the name before and I have requested for him and Zambrotta. They are both great players but it's just not possible since their salaries are out of our reach. The Eto'o story is not true."
Read more:
Offer from Roma for Eto'o
Barcelona president reopens door for Eto'o
Where could Eto'o play next season?
Adebayor one of the candidates to replace Eto'o
Asked about the rumours linking Arsenal forward and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor (24) with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has confirmed in an interview with British television channel Sky Sports that the player is a candidate in case Eto'o would leave this summer:
"He is one of the biggest strikers in football. There are four or five strikers that could be at our club, and Adebayor is one of those. For us, first we have to sell a player, then we can get another one. Then we will try to get the best player that we can. We are waiting for Eto'o. If we receive a big offer for him then we can study that option."
Begiristain said that Barcelona didn't yet receive formal offers for Eto'o but that several clubs are interested in signing him: "Of course big clubs are interested. But this is not important. First he needs to have an agreement with a club. Samuel has to have an agreement, after this we will start negotiations. But first he has to be happy. If he moves, it'll be to a big club, of course. There are four or five clubs interested."
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is meanwhile quoted by British tabloid The Daily Express as saying that he has no doubts on the continuation of Adebayor: "Emmanuel is 100 per cent commited. He is looking sharp in training. Of course he will stay. I am not worried, not at all. In other positions, we are maybe one player short, but up front we don't need anybody else."
And later today Adebayor himself said to his club's official media that he intends to sign a new deal: "I can tell everyone that I will sign a contract. I have three years left on my contract and we're adding two or three years more, so I'm very happy being part of this family.
When I was holidaying there was a lot of speculation, a lot of people were talking on my behalf which is not me. I have never said I will leave the club. Now I can tell everyone that I will sign a contract. I’m feeling very good here and at the moment my heart is with Arsenal."
Read more:
Ronaldinho's transfer fee reinvested in Adebayor
Drogba, Adebayor or Berbatov
Ronaldinho's transfer fee reinvested in Adebayor
Barça B: Longas waiting for permission to sign
Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) still didn't receive the authorization of his club to leave for Barcelona Atlètic (read more here).
Ezquerro presented at Osasuna
On Wednesday, former Barcelona player Santiago Ezquerro was officially presented by his new club Osasuna.
At a press conference Ezquerro said that he was happy about his decision to join the club: "I first would like to thank the president and the sports director, who insisted on my arrival. I will do all I can to not let them down. They started talking with my brother, who's also my agent, on Monday and here I am already.
I had other options, some of which were financially more attractive, but Osasuna was the best choice for me. There were no leaks to the press and I appreciated that discretion a lot. The economic side wasn't the most important thing for me and the club knew that. At this moment the best place for me to be is here, so that's why I took the decision to come.
It's true that I haven't played a lot of matches lately, but when I did I felt comfortable on the pitch. But a player needs to play regularly and I have missed that over the last two years. I hope to pick up the rhythm here. I'm very motivated to train and to get in shape as soon as possible. I hope I will be able to add my share to a good season.
It's very special to return to the club where you grew up and that gave me the chance to be a professional player, to have the career I had and to live the moments I've lived. For me it's an incredible honour and motivation to come back and to give everything for this club. I have wonderful memories from the times I played here and when I came back over the years I was always treated very well. I was only nineteen when I left, a lot has happened since then but I hope to return the love of the people by my play and my goals.
I can say that I still have the same motivation as when I was nineteen and I will prove that on the pitch and during the daily training sessions. But whatever I'm saying here and now, I prefer to talk with my feet on the pitch while doing what I love best, which is playing football."
Read the complete Santiago Ezquerro transfer story from the first rumours to the official confirmation
Gudjohnsen will probably stay
Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer exit (read more here), Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (29) had said to journalists that he is ready to start a new season at Barcelona after talking with new manager Josep Guardiola:
"It's not easy when there's all that speculation and you don't know what's going to happen but I have a strong character and I'm not influenced a lot by football things. I can focus on obtaining the best form possible. A few weeks ago I talked with the manager about my future at the club and he said that he believes in me. Now I'm ready to continue at Barcelona. If nothing happens before the end of the transfer window, I will stay here."
Read more:
Gudjohnsen leaves all options open
Gudjohnsen could stay
Paris Saint-Germain not interested in Gudjohnsen
Champions League: Beitar or Wisla
The UEFA Champions League last qualifying round draw took place today. Barcelona will play against the winner of the tie between Israeli champions Beitar Jerusalem and Polish champions Wisła Kraków. On Wednesday Beitar won the first leg with 2-1. The second leg will be played next week.
Barcelona will play the first leg at home on the 12th or the 13th of August and will travel to Poland or Israel two weeks later.
The clash of this round looks to be Schalke versus Atlético Madrid.
Barça B: Pre-agreement with Sevilla on Valiente
Sevilla regional sports paper Estadio Deportivo claims that Barcelona and Sevilla have reached on Wednesday a pre-agreement on the transfer of Barcelona Atlètic central defender Marc Valiente (21). The player will join Sevilla Atlético, the second team of Sevilla that plays in the Spanish second division.
Valiente, who already had agreed personal terms with Sevilla last month, will sign a three-year contract. Barcelona will have an option to buy the Catalan defender back.
With the contracts now only having to be drawn up and signed, Valiente is preparing to travel to Sevilla as soon as possible and hopes to join the Sevilla B squad at the latest on Monday.
Read more:
Barça B: Valiente again close to Sevilla B
Barça B - Official: Joni
Barcelona has yesterday officially announced the transfer of Sporting Gijón central defender Jonathan López "Joni" (21), who will play for Barcelona Atlètic next season. Primera división club Sporting had already officially confirmed the news on Wednesday.
Joni, who played with Sporting in the Spanish second division last season, has signed a one-year loan deal. The Spanish defender is (after Rayo, Solano, Nolito and Verdes) the fifth signing of Barcelona Atlètic this summer (read more here).
The official website of the club describes Joni as a very technical defender, not very physical but good at building up from behind. The player says he thinks to be able to adapt quickly: "The way of playing of Barcelona suits me very well, because I like to advbance up the piutch with the ball. I don't consider the move from the first to the third division as a step back because coming to Barcelona can make me progress a lot as a player."
Joni says he didn't yet talk with Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enique, who comes from the same region and also started his career with Sporting, but that he sees him as a very serious and demanding coach.
Read the official announcements of the other transfers of Barcelona Atlètic:
Rayo - Solano - Nolito - Verdes
Read more:
Barça B: Joni Lopez (Sporting Gijon)
Five B players stay with first team
Barça B - Friendly 2: Atlètic-Swansea 3-3
Offer from Roma for Eto'o
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has received a formal 25 million euro° bid by Italian club AS Roma for Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27).
Oleguer's goodbye letter to Barcelona
I arrived without much fuss, with a desire to learn and give my very best in order for the dream to continue. Aware of my faults and virtues, but above all bearing in mind that what allowed me to play in this team was the desire to do well and the feeling that makes you give your all on the pitch. We all know that there are days when things go well and others not so well but the will to improve and the effort have been inseparable companions along the way. A few years in which I have enjoyed unforgettable experiences, like the title-winning celebrations on the streets of Barcelona and the Camp Nou, or winning the Champion’s League in Paris. But these moments would mean nothing without the little details that go along with them: the signs of joy, the support, and the warmth of the people, the complicity with my team-mates, the jokes, the hugs and above all knowing that each title has been the culmination of a years work, the team and the fans together.
Thank-you to all those who shared these experiences with me, without them it would not have been possible.
I’ve tried to show myself as I am. I’ve tried to act professionally coherent with my ideas. I’ve never enjoyed being the centre of attention for the press but this is not why I refuse to express my feelings. We all have our own and it is good to be able to express them and talk about them freely and respectfully in order to understand others and put ourselves in their skin. I think it is the best way to move towards a tolerant society.
My declarations have often been used to create problems, they have tried to read between the lines with things I haven’t said and misinterpreted others out of context. Throughout these years I have merely expressed my will to improve the society in which we live, still full of injustices, inequality and problems to be solved.
Thank you to all those who made an effort to understand and respect me, whether they agreed with me or not.
I say goodbye therefore with a letter, without making a noise, just as I arrived. I am going to Amsterdam to live a new experience and I hope to enjoy the minutes I haven’t had recently and help my new team to success. I think now is the time to do so and a good opportunity to experience other cultures, other languages, a new club, new team-mates…Definitively, a good way to continue growing in every way.
Therefore, it only remains to say that I will be among the millions of anonymous heads who celebrate my dream teams’ victories together. Thank you for everything.
Oleguer
# #
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Barcelona president denies Trezeguet interest
Asked about the rumours linking Juventus forward David Trezeguet (30) with a summer move to his club (read more here), Barcelona president Joan Laporta has yesterday denied the interest in the French player at a press conference before the game against Fiorentina:
"Barcelona is not interested in this player. It's a great player, but we already have our team almost in place."
Asked for a reaction on that statement, Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said to Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport that his club didn't plan to let the Frenchman go anyway: "I'm happy that Barcelona doesn't want Trezeguet because we didn't have any intention to sell him."
Read more:
Vice president confirms Trezeguet off the list
Van der Vaart to make decision soon
Meeting with Juventus on Trezeguet tomorrow
Eto'o is an option for Valencia
Asked about rumours linking Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27) with a summer move to his club, new Valencia sports vice president Fernando Gómez Colomer has said today in an interview with Valencia regional radio station La 97.7 Radio that the player could be an option if one of the Valencia key players would leave:
Giovani officially presented in Tottenham
On Tuesday, former Barcelona player Giovani dos Santos was officially presented to the fans and the media by his new club Tottenahm, together with Luka Modrić and Heurelho Gomes, two other transfers of the English Premier League club.
At the press conference, Giovani revealed that Barcelona forward Henry advised him to accept the Tottenham offer: "When I knew Tottenham was an option for me I asked Thierry Henry ‘what about Tottenham?’ and he told me it would be good for me to come here. To replace Robbie Keane is difficult because he’s a player of the highest level. But I have a lot of ambition and I hope to adapt quickly. I am not going crazy comparing myself to Robbie Keane or saying that I will do what he did. But I will work very hard to write my own history here."
Read the complete Giovani dos Santos transfer story from the first rumours until the official confirmation
Barça B: Goran Maric (Celta Vigo B)
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Celta Vigo B forward Goran Maric (24) is the first choice to replace Barcelona Atlètic forward Guerra, who left the club earlier this week (read more here). Maric, who is a former Barcelona youth player, was last season the top goal scorer of the Spanish third division.
While it was believed that Maric is on his way to second divison team Deportivo Alavés, Celta Vigo sports director Ramón Martínez would now have proposed Barcelona a swap deal including Maric and Barcelona Atlètic central defender Marc Valiente (21), who can leave Barcelona this summer (read more here).
Galicia regional newspaper El Faro de Vigo claims that Alavés is still the main option for Maric, who would already have agreed personal terms with the club but Celta doesn't want to let the Serbian striker go for for free.
Maric, who is doing the pre-season with the first team of Celta but who has to leave this summer, has said in a reaction to Galicia regional newspaper La Voz de Galicia that he prefers to play in the Spanish second division: "I want to play in the second division and the club knows about my wishes."
Read more:
Victor Sanchez and Pedro could join first team
Barça B - Official: Contract of Guerra cancelled
Barça B: Valiente to Panathinaikos
Youth: Iago won't be promoted
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Juvenil A attacking midfielder and Spanish youth international Iago Falqué (18), who started the pre-season with Barcelona Atlètic (previously known as Barcelona B), has been told yesterday morning by coach Luis Enrique that he's not part of next season's plans (read more here).
Barça B: Joni Lopez (Sporting Gijon)
Gijon local newspaper El Comercio claims that Barcelona is negotiating the transfer of Sporting Gijón central defender Joni López (21), who would join Barcelona Atlètic on a one-year loan deal.
Pre-agreement on Palacio transfer put on hold
Argentinian newspaper La Nación claims that all parties involved signed a pre-agreement on the transfer of Boca Juniors forward and Argentinian international Rodrigo Palacio (26) to Barcelona on the 31st of January of this year.
With the contacts already having started in December 2006 and after negotiations with a lot of ups and downs, Barcelona representative Joan Patsy, Palacio's agent Roberto Depietri, Palacio's father José Ramón Palacio and Boca president Pedro Pompilio signed the official pre-agreement at the end of January, with Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain following the final negotiations by phone.
Palacio would sign a three-year contract with an option for an extra year. Barcelona will pay Boca Juniors a transfer fee of 11 million euro° with another possible 4 million euro° variables, three of which were depending on the participation of Boca in the Trofeo Joan Gamper pre-season match in August.
The deal furter explained the incentives Palacio would receive for his performances. It was also stated that Barcelona wouldn't allow the striker to join the Argentinian national team at other dates than the official FIFA dates and that he would be one of the Nike stars during the first three years of his contract.
Because of the institutional crisis Barcelona is going through and the need to bring in a more high profiled striker, the deal would nevertheless have been put on hold. The pre-agreement would be the reason why a 16 million euro offer for Palacio by Italian club Lazio Roma was rejected last month.
Read more:
Deal on Argentinian international Palacio close
Barcelona and Celtic negotiating Crosas deal
Scottish tabloid Daily Record claims that Celtic Glasgow has entered talks with Barcelona about signing Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) on a permanent deal.
Barça B: Valiente again close to Sevilla B
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona Atlètic central defender Marc Valiente (21 - picture on the right) is again close to joining Sevilla Atlético, the B team of Sevilla that plays in the Spanish second division.
Barça B: Plancheria testing at Blackburn Rovers
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Dani Planchería (21) started on Tuesday a one week trial with English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Friendly 3: Fiorentina-Barcelona 1-3
Valdes
Alves (77 Víctor Sánchez)
Piqué
Puyol (45 Cáceres)
Abidal (45 Sylvinho)
Xavi (45 Busquets)
Touré (62 Víctor Vázquez)
Keita (62 Gudjohnsen)
Pedro (45 Bojan)
Messi (67 Hleb)
Iniesta (36 Jeffren) (77 Crosas)
28 Puyol 0-1
47 Jeffren 0-2
68 Pazzini 1-2
72 Bojan 1-3
Friendly 1: Hibernian-Barcelona 0-6
Friendly 2: Dundee United-Barcelona 1-5
Pre-season goal scorers
4 Messi
2 Bojan
2 Gudjohnsen
1 Eto'o
1 Henry
1 Jeffren
1 Pedro
1 Puyol
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Barcelona will have to move for Arshavin
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Dennis Lachter, the agent of Zenit Saint-Petersburg forward and Russian international Andrei Arshavin (27), has yesterday confirmed to journalists that the player has put an offer by Tottenham on hold while he waits for a new move of Barcelona.
Arshavin would have admitted off the record that he's uncomfortable with the whole situation and doesn't understand very well that Barcelona is not entering real negotiations, despite following him for months and despite Zenit being ready to sit around the table.
Zenit would have accepted the fact that Arshavin will leave this summer and will take into account the wish of the player to join Barcelona. The Russian champions nevertheless expect Barcelona to at least match the 20 million euro° bid made by Tottenham.
Read more:
Arshavin first choice for left wing
Looking for a left winger and a centre forward
Arshavin repeats exit wish
Transfer summer 2008: Overview
IN
Seydou Keita
former club: sevilla
age: 28
country: mali
official announcement: monday 26 may
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 14 million euro
note: barcelona pays the buyout fee
Gerard Piqué
former club: manchester united
age: 21
country: catalunya, spain
official announcement: tuesday 27 may
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 5 million euro
José Manuel Pinto
former club: celta vigo
age: 32
country: spain
official announcement: friday 30 may
contract duration: 2 years
transfer fee: 0 euro
note: the contract can be cancelled by both parties after one year, pinto played for barcelona on loan since january, when barcelona paid celta 500 000 euro
Martín Cáceres
former club: villareal (on loan to recreativo huelva)
age: 21
country: uruguay
official announcement: wednesday 4 june
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 16,5 million euro
Daniel Alves
former club: sevilla
age: 25
country: brazil
official announcement: wednesday 2 july
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 29 million euro (+ 6 million euro variables depending on the ranking of the team and the trophies won in the coming years)
Alexander Hleb
former club: arsenal
age: 27
country: belarus
official announcement: wednesday 16 july
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 15 million euro (+ 3 million euro variables depending on the results and the qualification for the champions league in the coming years)
Henrique Adriano Buss
former club: palmeiras
age: 21
country: brazil
official announcement: tuesday 22 july
contract duration: 5 years
transfer fee: 8 million euro (+ 2 million euro variables depending on the qualification for the champions league in the four years after his return from loan)
OUT
José Edmílson
new club: villareal
age: 31
country: brazil
barcelona player since: 2004
barcelona contract until: 2008
official announcement: friday 23 may
contract duration: 2 years
transfer fee: -
note: the contract of the player expired
Giovani dos Santos
new club: tottenham
age: 19
country: mexico
barcelona player since: 2002
barcelona contract until: 2009 (?)
official announcement: friday 6 june
contract duration: 5 years
transfer fee: 6 million euro (+ 5 million euro depending on the player’s appearances during his five years of contract)
note: when the player is transferred barcelona receives 20% of the fee during the first two years or 10% after that
Gianluca Zambrotta
new club: ac milan
age: 31
country: italy
barcelona player since: 2006
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: friday 13 june
contract duration: 4 years
transfer fee: 9 million euro (+ 2 million euro depending on the qualification of ac milan for the champions league during the next four years)
Deco
new club: chelsea
age: 30
country: portugal (brazil)
barcelona player since: 2004
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: monday 30 june
contract duration: 3 years
transfer fee: 10 million euro
Ronaldinho
new club: ac milan
age: 28
country: brazil
barcelona player since: 2003
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: tuesday 15 july
contract duration: 3 years
transfer fee: 21 million euro (+ 4 million euro depending on the qualification of ac milan for the champions league during the next years)
Oleguer
new club: ajax amsterdam
age: 28
country: catalunya, spain
barcelona player since: january 2004 (cantera since 2001)
barcelona contract until: 2010
official announcement: tuesday 22 july
contract duration: 3 years (with an option for an extra year)
transfer fee: 3 million euro (+ 2,25 million euro depending on the qualification of ajax for the champions league during the next three years)
Santiago Ezquerro
new club: osasuna
age: 31
country: spain
barcelona player since: 2005
barcelona contract until: 2008
official announcement: tuesday 29 july
contract duration: 2 years (with an option for an extra year)
transfer fee: -
note: the contract of the player expired
IN: 87,5 + 11 (= 98,5)
OUT: 49 + 13,25 (= 62,25)
fixed investment: 38,5
fixed + variable investment: 36,25
worst case: 49,5
best case: 25,25
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