Manchester City monitoring Eto'o and Henry

Greater Manchester regional newspaper Manchester Evening News claims that Manchester City is still closely monitoring the situation of Barcelona forwards Samuel Eto'o (28) and Thierry henry (31) and could act if the players become officially available during the summer transfer window.

The English Premier League has neverthless not yet made an official bid for the Cameroonian striker, for whom Barcelona could possibly ask a transfer price of close to 40 million euro° (read more here).

British sports site BBC Sport meanwhile nevertheless also claims that Manchester City and Barcelona officials met on Monday to discuss the possible transfer of Eto'o despite the meeting being described by Manchester City manager Mark Hughes as a contact-building exercise (read more here). Eto'o is said to be rated 45 million euro°.

Mark Hughes insisted at a press conference yesterday that Manchester City and Barcelona haven't been talking about a transfer of Eto'o but confirmed that there has been a meeting between Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook:

"I thought that was clarified. It was basically a meeting between Garry Cook and Laporta of Barcelona basically to try and build relationships with clubs at all levels business-wise and football-wise. I think the explanation of the meeting was well documented in the papers. It wasn't talking about individuals, it was about talking about relationships with both clubs.

People will always mis-interpret the message that we are trying to put out there and make their own interpretation of what the meeting was about, but it wasn't to discuss players, it was to discuss things in the future that could complement both clubs. We still have ambitious transfer targets, but that isn't the reason why Garry Cook and Laporta spoke on Monday."

Read more:
Barcelona offers Eto'o to English clubs
Manchester City and Barcelona holding talks

News of the day - Saturday

(This post will be updated throughout the day. Probably due to the Gamper tournament, there's very little transfer news today.)



With Pedro and Gai coming through, Barcelona isn't ready to pay an exaggerated fee for Arshavin, who is the first option to strengthen the left wing (Sport)
read more

Txiki will hold talk with Boca officials today on the transfer of Palacio, although with the transfer window already closed in Argentina a deal seems difficult (Marca)
read more

Boca Juniors vice president José Beraldi says his club is willing to talk if Barcelona would make a formal offer for Palacio, the initial asking price would be 20 million euro (RAC 1)
read more

Milan manager Ancelotti has said that his club is interested in Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez, altough he thinks it's unlikely Barcelona will let the player go (press conference)

Pedro is on the verge of joining Primera División team Malaga on a one-year loan deal (Diario Sur)
read more

Barça B: Celtic wants Jeffren on loan

British tabloid News of the World claims that Celtic Glasgow is interested in signing Barcelona Atlètic winger Jeffren (20) on a one-year loan deal.

The Scottish champions are also holding talks on Barcelona midfielder Crosas (read more here) and they hope that a deal to take both to Scotland might be more appealing to Barcelona and the players.

British sport website BBC Sport claims that Celtic sources have dismissed their reported interest in taking Jeffren, who is taking part of the first team's pre-season, on loan.

Read more:

Barça B: Promotion or exit for Jeffren

Five B players stay with first team

Barça B: Pedro thinks promotion is difficult

Crosas agent confirms deal with Celtic close

Asked about the rumours about a 2,5 million euro° deal between Barcelona and Celtic Glasgow on the transfer of Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) (read more here), Crosas' agent Angel Castell has confirmed to British sports site BBC Sport that a deal is close although not finalized:

"As of close of business on Friday, a deal was not done and I have had no confirmation since from Barcelona. There are only a few small details still to be agreed between the clubs. Barcelona were thinking of a loan, but the player is keen on a transfer and is waiting to fly to Glasgow."

Crosas' agent nevertheless stressed that the player had yet to discuss personal terms with Celtic, from whom the player would be hoping for a deal lasting at least three years.

Angel Castell repeated to British sports site Sky Sports that a deal is near: "I know the two clubs are still in communication about a deal. We are waiting to conclude everything and we are waiting on Barcelona. Celtic are very keen on signing Crosas, but there is also interest from clubs in Spain and clubs in Italy.

I think it could be a permanent transfer as Marc does not want to go on loan again. Celtic are a very good possibility for him as they are always challenging for trophies and they also play in the Champions League. We hope to resolve his future soon."

British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that Crosas is expected to sign for Celtic early this week after an agreement on a permanent deal could be found soon and is now awaiting the green light to fly to Glasgow.

Barcelona sources meanwhile confirmed the Celtic interest for Crosas to Catalan sport paper El Mundo Deportivo although it wouldn't be very likely that a deal will be found soon. Scottish tabloid Daily Record claims that Barcelona is almost certain to insist on a buy-back clause in Crosas' contract, with a deal to be possibly sealed before the end of the week.

Read more:
Deal with Celtic on Crosas
Contract renewal for Crosas
Barcelona and Celtic negotiating Crosas deal

Hleb looks to be next

With the transfer of Dani Alves almost finalized, all Spanish and Catalan media agree that Arsenal midfielder and Belarus international Alexander Hleb (27) is the next transfer target of Barcelona.

Over the last couple of weeks Barcelona gave priority to negotiations on the transfers of Cáceres and Alves. From today on, the Barcelona officials will focus all their attention on the talks with Arsenal. Catalan sports papers Sport and El Mundo Deportivo both claim the transfer fee is expected to be around 15 million euro°.

Barcelona already reached an agreement with the player (read more here). Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Hleb, whose contract with Arsenal expires next year, will sign a four-year contract earning 3 million euro a year.

Although Hleb seemed to be close to Inter Milan, the appointment of José Mourinho as new Inter manager seems to have cancelled the transfer. Earlier this week Hleb's agent Uli Ferber confirmed to British sports website BBC Sport that Hleb had met with Barcelona representatives to talk about a transfer (read more here): "We have had talks with Barcelona but nothing has been signed."

The agent added that the decision on the future of the Belarussian midfielder will probably be made when Hleb returns from his honeymoon vacation this week.

Read more:
Deal with Hleb
Deal with Arsenal on Hleb close
Wenger wants Toure to replace Vieira

Newcastle and West Ham have Gudjohnsen on list

British tabloid The Sun claims that English Premier League clubs Newcastle and West Ham are interested in Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (29). The player can leave Barcelona this summer and would like to return to England.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley already tried to sign Gudjohnsen last year. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan would want the Icelander to replace striker Obafemi Martins. The tabloid claims that Gudjohnsen would cost around 5 million euro°.

Asked about the rumours linking the player with a return to the Premier League, Arnor Gudjohnsen, the father and agent of the player, confirmed the English interest to British sports website BBC Sport and said that Gudjohnsen is considering his future: "One Premier League club has shown a lot of interest in Eidur. He would certainly be interested in a move back to England, but he is not going to rush into making a decision. Eidur and his family are settled in Barcelona and he has two years left on his contract, but his chances were limited last season."

Read more:
Portsmouth and Newcastle in race for Gudjohnsen
Gudjohnsen's price tag
Gudjohnsen top target for Bundesliga newcomer