Barcelona has been in contact with 22 players

Madrid sports tabloid As that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has already sounded out or been offered twenty-two players this year.

The main reason why Barcelona still didn't sign any players would mainly be the lack of financial means.

The list of 22 players would consist of the following names:


Sergio Asenjo (Real Valladolid)
Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyon)
Bruno Alves (Porto)
Dmytro Chygrynskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Luis Filipe (Deportivo La Coruña)

Diego Forlán (Atlético Madrid)
Eden Hazard (Lille)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)
Keirrison (Palmeiras)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)

Juan Mata (Valencia)
Maxwell (Inter Milan)
Felipe Melo (Fiorentina)
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich)
Robinho (Manchester City)

David Silva (Valencia)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
David Villa (Valencia)
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow)

No talks with Benzema

Asked about the rumours linking Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21)with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent Karim Djaziri has said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC 1 that there hasn't been any contact with Barcelona lately:

"Nobody has called me, so all talk about Benzema possible joining Barcelona is just speculation. I think Barça will first talk with Samuel Eto'o before looking for another striker."

Read more:
1 Ibrahimovic - 2 Forlan - 3 Villa - 4 Benzema
Benzema is still an option for Barcelona

Barcelona planning six transfers

Catalan newspaper Avui claims that Barcelona wants to sign six players during the coming transfer wiondow.


Goal. Third goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (30), whose contract expires in 2010, is seriously considering to leave this summer. If this happens, it's not yet sure how he will be replaced: either a new goalkeeper will be signed or Guardiola will count more on one of the Barcelona goalkeeepers, Oier Olazábal (19) or Rubén Miño (20).

Defense. Bayer Leverkusen central defender Henrique (22) will return from loan while central defender Martín Cáceres (22) could leave on loan for one season. It's not clear when central defender Gabriel Milito will have fully recovered from his knee injury.

Barcelona is looking at the option of signing a back-up for right back defender Daniel Alves and will certainly sign a left back to replace Sylvinho, whose contract expires and won't be renewed. Barcelona Juvenil A central defender Marc Muniesa (17), who can also act as left back, will start the pre-season with the first team and could stay afterwards.

Midfield. Attackers Eidur Gudjohnsen (30), whose contract expires in 2010, and Alexander Hleb (28) could be sold or included in a transfer deal. If one or both of them leave, a new midfielder will be signed, while Barcelona attacking midfielder Thiago (18) also has a chance of being promoted.

Attack. Barcelona will certainly buy a player for the left wing, with Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribéry (26) being the main candidate. Valencia forward Juan Manuel Mata (21 - picture) would be another option. Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola wants to sign a centre forward. Three names would be on the list: Atlético Madrid forward Diego Forlán (29), Valencia forward David Villa (28) and Lyon forward Karim Benzema (21).

Read more:
Guardiola wants larger squad and new players
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market

1 Ibrahimovic - 2 Forlan - 3 Villa - 4 Benzema

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona will sign a top centre forward this summer.

The four names on the list managed by the club are (in order of preference: Inter Milan forward Ibrahimovich (27), Atlético Madrid forward Forlán (30), Valencia forward Villa (27) and Lyon forward Benzema (21).

This transfer will go through no matter what could happen with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o this summer. With the Africa cup and the World cup coming up, the technical staff thinks it's anyhow needed to sign another first class striker.

While Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola prefers Ibrahimovic, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would like the Forlán option more. Barcelona would already have a verbal agreement with Villa (read more here) and Benzema would have changed his mind about staying at Lyon for another season and would have been offered to Barcelona.

(image: tuttosport)

Read more:
Benzema is still an option for Barcelona
Barcelona willing to pay Forlan's buyout clause
Guardiola asks Barcelona to sign Ibrahimovic

Benzema is still an option for Barcelona

French sports paper L'Equipe claims that Barcelona is still interested in Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21).

If Samuel Eto'o would leave this summer, Benzema would be one of the three options to replace the Cameroonian striker, behind Inter Milan forward Ibrahimovic (27) and before Atlético Madrid forward Diego Forlán (30). Barcelona would consider to offer Eto'o and a fee in exchange for Benzema, whose contract expires in 2013.

Read more:
Benzema will stay at Lyon next season
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market
Barcelona in pole position for Benzema

Benzema will stay at Lyon next season

Asked about the rumours linking him with several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) has said at a press conference today that he will stay at least one more year with his club:

"I will stay at Lyon. I still have a lot of work to do, to make some steps forwards. I'm very good here at Lyon, the club takes part in the Champions League each season, I'm well-integrated. I will stay at Lyon next season.

I made my decision before the tie with Barcelona, although the games confirmed what I thought. I had said that I would made it after the 1/8 finals but I said that without thinking. I shouldn't have said that. Honestly, I've always wanted to stay with Lyon even when some bad results have made me doubt a little.

I still have to learn a lot, both on and off the pitch, before I join an absolute top team. I still have a long way to go. It's not that I don't feel ready. It's mainly mentally that I have to make progress. I'm only 21 years old, it's only my second season as starter at Lyon. I have plenty of years left to go to another club.

The results of Lyon this season won't have an influence. It's about me and the progress I still have to make to reach the highest level. The World Cup in 2010 didn't really influence my decision. I think president Aulas is relieved with my decision. But, together with my father, I already talked with him before. I have a career plan and my stay here hasn't ended."

Read more:
Abidal doesn't want to be part of Benzema deal
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market
Barcelona in pole position for Benzema

Txiki talks about the summer transfer market

Asked about the coming transfer period, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has said in an interview with Catalan radio station Catalunya Ràdio that the club doesn't plan to be very active in the summer:

"If everything goes well, the squad of next year will be similar to the one of this year. We might be the team that spends the least money."

Begiristain also commented on some specific names:

Ribéry
There's nothing going on with Ribéry, I can be as clear as that. We have a great relationship with clubs like Bayern Munich and AC Milan and the people from Bayern can be sure that if we want a player of their team, they will be the first to know. It's an excellent player but there are others who can adapt to the style of Barça.

Eto'o
He's a great player who very easily creates chances. I think it's not fair to ask him to finish 70 or 80 per cent of those. He scored in all competitions and he's still growing. We want him to stay for many more years. He has a contract until 2010 and we've decided to postpone the talks until the end of the season because we don't want any distractions. We only have to focus on the game now.

Benzema
I don't know if he's the star of the future. We already have that player. In Europe, no one can compete with the numbers of Eto'o. You have half a dozen of great strikers but Eto'o has the best numbers.

Henrique
There's a chance he will return but Bayer Leverkusen has asked us if he can stay another year. He is doing well there. We'll see what will happen when the season ends.

Milito
We'll see him out there on the pitch this season.

Henry
He'll stay next season.

Villa and Silva
Valencia had the same financial problems last year but they renewed the contract of both players.

Valdés
People aren't acting right towards him. Watch the dvd of the final in Paris and go mad again. He's a homegrown player, a great profesional and he trains like a best. We're not looking to sign a goalkeeper. The renewal talks have been stopped for a while because we couldn't find a deal.

Bruno Alves
We don't need another central defender.

Messi
It's a spectacular player, the best in the world. And he should be valued for that. If you look at the market, there are players who are worse than him but who earn more. He hasn't asked for a better contract but we're aware that we should be monitoring the issue.

Bojan monitored by half of Europe

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that several European clubs are interested in Barcelona forward and Spanish youth international Bojan Krkic (18) (read more here).

While most of the interested clubs, among which Ajax Amsterdam, would have asked Barcelona if Bojan could join them on loan, some would even be willing to pay the Catalan striker's buyout clause of 80 million euro° (read more here).

Olympique Lyon would be willing to include Bojan in a possible transfer deal on Benzema, while Atlético Madrid would consider the same thing in a possible deal on Agüero. Italian clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan would also be monitoring the player.

Read more:
Villarreal wants Bojan for next season
Bojan's first tattoo
Bojan sounded out by European top clubs

Barcelona in pole position for Benzema

French sports paper L'Equipe claims that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has talked with Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas about Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) during last week's official dinner previous to the Champions League game between the two clubs.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Laporta just wanted to hear more about how things currently stand. Aulas told him that nothing has changed and that Barcelona is still in pole position in case Benzema would leave in the summer.

Aulas nevertheless suggested that, more than Real Madrid, Manchester United is working on the transfer of Benzema and could become Barcelona's main rival to sign the player. Laporta asked his French counterpart to be kept informed about every bid coming in for Benzema.

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would meanwhile be in constant contact with Benzema's agent. Both the player and his agent would have denied that Benzema is a Real Madrid fan saying that the he had been misquoted by Madrid media. The player would like to move to the Spanish league but has no real preference as the team is concerned.

Read more:
Lyon president opens door for Benzema
Benzema postpones decision on future
Abidal doesn't want to be part of Benzema deal

Lyon president opens door for Benzema

Asked about the future of Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) who has been linked with several European top clubs, among which Barcelona (read more here), Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has suggested in an interview with French sports paper Le 10 Sport that the striker could leave in the summer:

"There are potential buyers and there are products for sale. Letting a player go is a strategic decision and we'll take it a the right time and place. We have been approached by an English club, one that recently joined the top players on the transfer market. The offer was phenomenal. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United are also interested. But at this moment, he's a Lyon player."

In an interview with Monaco radio station RMC, Aulas also commented on the future of Benzema: "He just signed a great contract until 2014 but nobody believes that he will stay until that date. We could receive offers but it's better to be envied than to be pitied. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United are interested. He's with us now, we'll see what happen later. He's a great guy and the best ambassador for Lyon in the world."

Read more:
Benzema postpones decision on future
Cash plus Abidal bid for Benzema on the table
Benzema not a transfer target anymore

Benzema postpones decision on future

Asked about his future and the rumours linking him with several European top clubs among which barcelona (read more here), Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) has said in an interview with Lyon regional newspaper Le Progrès that he didn't yet make a decision on where he will play next season:

"I feel good at Lyon. But I also like big foreign clubs like Barça, Real, Inter and Milan. The ideal thing would be to win the Champions League with Lyon. I'm not talking about leaving yet but if that would be the case, the main criterion will be the football project. And I didn't yet learn any foreign language...

I'm not thinking about it now. I'm playing at a big club and we will see what will happen after the tie with Barcelona. It's true that there's a world cup next year and when you start a new adventure just before, there are always some question marks. But I don't want to let all that have an influence on me when I would decide to leave in June."

Read more:
Benzema could stay one more year at Lyon
Benzema not a transfer target anymore
Cash plus Abidal bid for Benzema on the table

Benzema not a transfer target anymore

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is no longer interested in Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21).

Although Barcelona would have made last summer a bid of 45 million euro° for the French striker, the latest scouting reports on Benzema, the fact that he has said to be a Real Madrid fan and the transfer fee Lyon is asking have caused Benzema to drop from the target list.

Barcelona's first option is at this moment to continue with Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o (27). If the Cameroonian player would decide not to renew his contract, Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27) would be the number one candidate to replace him.

Read more:
Benzema could stay one more year at Lyon
Barcelona considers buying top striker
Verbal agreement with Villa

Benzema could stay one more year at Lyon

Asked about the rumours linking him with several European top clubs, among which Barcelona (read more here), Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) has said in an interview with French sports paper Aujourd'hui Sport that he could well stay another year with Lyon:

"I'll wait to see how we will do in the Champions League before I make a decision. I feel good at Lyon so I don't know if I will leave. I actually think I will stay one more year at Lyon. Although I will leave some day. One has to leave France to reach a higher level. And that's my goal. So one day I will play abroad.

Lyon is a big cub but there are others. I want to win a lot of titles, a World Cup, a European championship, and so on. I want to build a legacy. And I would like to win the Ballon d'Or. I will work very hard, I will go beyond my limits trying to hold that trophy one day.

Meanwhile, I really would like to win the Champions League with Lyon. And why not this year? At this moment, Barcelona is the best club in Europe. All those who play against them, lose with four goals. But they can have a bad moment, why not against us? We will have to attack. If you only defend against them, you take eight goals. The teams who play with everyone at the back, get three goals in five minutes. That's stupid."

Read more:
Cash plus Abidal bid for Benzema on the table
Lyon wants to resign Abidal next summer
Barcelona working on Benzema transfer

Abidal doesn't want to be part of Benzema deal

Asked about his future and the rumours linking him with a return to Lyon (read more here), Barcelona left back defender and French international Eric Abidal (29) has said in an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien that he wants to stay for the next two years with Barcelona:

"I could well finish my career when my contract with Barcelona expires in 2011. Every player is different. Nedved is still playing at the age of 36, while Sagnol has just stopped at the age of 31.

As far as I’m concerned, I feel that my body is not responding as it used to, despite the quality of Barcelona’s medical staff. So to stop in 2011 is an option, but at the same time and being a competitor, I know that I will have the desire to keep on playing. We will see when the time is there.

Returning to Lyon in a swap deal with Benzema? I’m not a piece of meat, nor small change. I understand that Barça is interested in 'Coco' (Benzema's nickname), and they are right to be, but I won’t be part of the deal. I don’t wish to leave Barcelona in the next two years.

I actually don't know if it would be such a good idea for Benzema to join Barcelona. He will be great next season but he needs to play. While, at Barça, it's probably harder to do that because of the competition. Where do you want to put him? On Eto'o's position? The same goes for Franck Ribéry. Barça wants him, but he won't play instead of Henry. And I don't see Henry leaving one year before the World Cup."

Read more:
Lyon wants to resign Abidal next summer
Barcelona will sign left back next summer
Cash plus Abidal bid for Benzema on the table

Cash plus Abidal bid for Benzema on the table

French sports paper L'Equipe claims that Barcelona is considering to make an offer for Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21).

Barcelona would be studying a bid that could include at least 40 million euro° as well as Barcelona left back defender and French international Eric Abidal (29) .

While possible Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Pérez would like to use Zidane to convince Benzema and Ribéry to join Madrid, Benzema would prefer moving to Barcelona.

Read more:
Lyon rejects offer for Benzema
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
Lyon wants to resign Abidal next summer

Hleb could already leave this summer

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is already busy planning for next season (read more here).

The priority of the club would be strenghtening the left wing. The interest in Bayern Munich players Philipp Lahm (25) and Franck Ribéry, who can both also play on the right, should be seen in that perspective (read more here).

Because the future of Barcelona forwards Samuel Eto'o (27) and Thierry Henry (31) is uncertain, Barcelona is also monitoring several other attacking players who could join the club in the summer.

Lyon player Karim Benzema (21) and Le Mans player Gervinho (21) are on the list, although Arsenal player Robin van Persie (24) and Valencia players David Villa (27) and David Silva (23) would be among the favourite options of both Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola if a key player would leave next summer.

Gabriel Milito (28), returning from injury, and Henrique (22), returing from loan, will be fully part of the squad next summer. Sylvinho's contract expires and won't be renewed, while Martín Cáceres (21) and Alexander Hleb (27) could both leave, on loan or permanently, at the end of the season.

Read more:
Bid for Cesc and Van Persie being planned
Ivorian Le Mans striker Gervinho being scouted
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer

Barcelona plans few changes in the summer

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona general director of football Raúl Sanllehí are regularly holding meetings regarding next season's squad.

As things stand now, the club thinks that only a few minor changes are needed. The example to follow would be the summer of 2005, when Barcelona, after winning the title, only added Van Bommel and Ezquerro to the squad and ended the 2005-2006 season with the double.

If Barcelona would win the Liga ànd the Champions League this season, this initial idea could change. In that case, to keep the hunger and motivation in the squad, there could be more incoming and outgoing transfers.

Defense
The contract of Sylvinho expires in June and won't be renewed. The club is looking for a substitute. The future of Cáceres and Milito is uncertain. Henrique will return from loan.

Midfield
The contract of Gudjohnsen expires in 2010 and he would be the only midfielder who could leave, unless another player receives an offer he cannot refuse.

Attack
Barcelona wants to renew the contract of Eto'o, that expires in 2010. If that's not possible, they would want to sell the player. Villa would be the first option to replace Eto'o, with Benzema and Adebayor next on the list. Henry could leave because of his age, because of the offers coming in and because the club still wanting to bring in Silva.

Read more:
Villa again linked with Barcelona move
A goalkeeper, a left back and a left winger
Barcelona monitoring Silva situation

Lyon president confirms Benzema interest

Asked about the future of Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21), Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michal Aulas has confirmed in an interview with French sports paper Le 10 Sport that Barcelona is among the interested clubs:

"We will do everything to keep him here next season. You all know the admiration we have for Karim and the good relationship we have with him. If it's possible, it's worth to make the effort. We will do everything so that he stays with us for just a little longer. If the results keep up with our ambitions, I'm sure that we'll have solid arguments to convince him to stay.

The prestigious clubs that are trying to sign Karim shouldn't be seen as disloyal competitors. It's on the contrary an honour to know that Manchester United, Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester City and Real Madrid are interested in him. It's better that people envy you than that they have pity for you. It's good for him, but it's also good for Olympique Lyon.

When we talked about an asking price of 100 million euro, that was a way of saying that he was not for sale. We still didn't change that point of view. The plan is not to sell Karim, but to give him the means so he can help bringing Olympique Lyon to the top. Karim and Lyon both want to reach the top of European football. As of this year, we will do everything to come closer to that goal."

Read more:
Benzema and Cesc on the president's wish list
Lyon rejects offer for Benzema
Benzema agent confirms Barcelona interest

Lyon rejects offer for Benzema

French sports paper Aujourd'hui Sport unconfirmedly claims that Barcelona has made a 65 million euro° bid for Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21).

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas would have rejected the offer and holds on to the asking price of 100 million euro°.

Read more:

Benzema agent confirms Barcelona interest

Last summer's search for a striker

Benzema and Cesc on the president's wish list

Barcelona considers buying top striker

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is considering the transfer of a first class striker during next summer's transfer window.

Barcelona wants to keep on rejuvenating the forward line and with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o going to take part in the Africa Cup in January and February of 2010, the club is looking at the options offered by the transfer market and is aware a serious investment will be needed if they want to finalize a deal.

Last summer transfer targets Valencia forward and Spanish intervational David Villa (27), Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (21) and Arsenal forward and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor (24) would at this moment still be in poll position.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona could at the end of the season get involved in the race with several other European top clubs to sign Benzema, whose contract with Lyon expires in the summer of 2013.

Read more:
Valencia rejects offer for Villa
Benzema and Cesc on the president's wish list
Adebayor one of the candidates to replace Eto'o