Caceres could sign Zaragoza loan deal this week

Aragon regional sports paper Equipo claims that Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22) will sign this week a loan deal with newly promoted first division club Zaragoza.

Barcelona and Zaragoza would almost have reached a total agreement, with only some economic details left. Zaragoza and Cáceres are also said to be very close to a deal.

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that the two clubs already reached a verbal agreement when sports directors Txiki Begiristain and Antonio Prieto met on 13 June. The deal is now expected to be finalized this week and could be officially announced on Friday.

Barcelona and Zaragoza would have agreed that Cáceres would join on a free loan, with Zaragoza only having to pay the salary of the Uruguayan and without an option to buy the player at the end of the season. Between Cáceres and his possible new club there are still some issues left, especially regarding the incentives the centre-back will lose by leaving Barcelona, but Prieto and the player's agent Daniel Fonseca would want to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Read more:
Caceres is a priority for Zaragoza
Joint offer for Villa and Mata upcoming
Agent Caceres confirms Zaragoza interest

Zaragoza still hoping for Caceres loan

With Barcelona supposedly wanting to include Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22) in the transfer deal on Valencia forward David Villa (read more here), it's uncertain if the player still could move to Zaragoza.

Aragon regional newspaper Heraldo de Aragón claims that Zaragoza officials told that a deal has become more complicated, although the club didn't yet give up on the Uruguayan defender and is closely following the events. Cáceres would prefer a loan to Valencia over a loan to newly promoted first division club Zaragoza.

Aragon regional sports paper Equipo meanwhile claims that Valencia is not intererested in Cáceres and that Zaragoza is in pole-position to sign the player on loan. Zaragoza officials would already have talked with members of Barcelona's coaching staff, who think that a loan to Zaragoza would be good for the player to make progress and to gain experience.

Read more:
Caceres is a priority for Zaragoza
Guardiola agrees with Caceres loan to Zaragoza

Caceres is a priority for Zaragoza

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22) is on his way to Zaragoza, for whom the player is a priority signing.

Barcelona wouldn't yet have given the final permission because the club is still trying to include the Uruguayan defender in the deal on Valencia striker Villa.

But Valencia would have rejected this option, which means it's at this moment most likely that Cáceres will join Zaragoza on a one-year loan, without the option of buying the player next summer.

Aragon regional sports paper Equipo claims that Barcelona would be willing to let the central defender leave on loan to Zaragoza but that the Cáceres isn't very keen on moving and prefers to stay at Barcelona.

Read more:
Agent Caceres confirms Zaragoza interest
Barcelona prepares final offer for Villa
Guardiola agrees with Caceres loan to Zaragoza

Corinthians and Zaragoza options for Sylvinho

Aragon regional newspaper Equipo claims that newly promoted Spanish first division club Zaragoza is interested in Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (35).

The Brazilian defender, whose contract with Barcelona expires this summer and won't be renewed (read more here), would also have offers from France and Germany, but he and his family would prefer to stay in Spain. The player's agent Hans Lamberz confirmed to the paper that Zaragoza could be an option: "The player would be happy to continue in Spain and Zaragoza is an attractive club."

Asked about his future, Sylvinho told journalists in Brazil that returning to his home-country is also an option for him: "I'm on holidays in São Paulo after a very hard season, with a lot of games, a lot of effort, so I want to rest now. Returning to Corinthians would be something very nice because I grew up there and I still have friends at the club. If we would find a deal, I would be very happy. Joining Corinthians is always an option so if they open the door, I won't think twice."

Read more:
Fluminense interested in Sylvinho
Messi devastated by Sylvinho's exit
Espanyol interested in Sylvinho

Barcelona interested in Zaragoza midfielder Ander

Aragon regional sport paper Equipo claims that Barcelona is interested in Zaragoza midfielder and Spanish youth international Ander Herrera (19).

Because of his promotion to and good performances with Zaragoza's first team this season, Ander has been intensely watched by Barcelona coaches over the last month, with Barcelona scout Juli assisting Saturday's game against Celta Vigo. The individual reports about the player are all positive and a global report for Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola is being drawn up at this moment.

The next step could then be contacting the player's agent Arturo Canales and sounding out Zaragoza to know more about the situation of the player, who would have a buyout clause of 4 million euro°. Athletic Bilbao, that made a 3,5 million euro bid for Ander during the January transfer window, would also still be interested.

The paper claims that the Basque midfielder has at this moment a fixed contract that is offered to all the club's promising players, including a year salary of 20 000 euro. Zaragoza is nevertheless planning to offer Ander a contract renewal and has already agreed with the player's agent that the talks will start at the end of the season.

A Zaragoza source is quoted by the sports paper as saying that a transfer is not being considered by the club right now: "We cannot avoid that people come and watch his games and see his quality but Ander won't leave. He's a key player and he's not for sale." Ander's father Pedro Herrera is the sporting director of Zaragoza.

Read more here:
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Diego Milito was again sounded out this summer
Youth: Suso has doubts on Barcelona offer


Watch a video of Ander:

Barcelona gets money from Sergio Garcia transfer

Since Barcelona was entitled to 20 per cent of the transfer fee if Zaragoza sold former Barcelona player Sergio García (25) (read more here), Barcelona will receive 1,6 million euro°, which could rise to 2 million euro°, as a consequence of the transfer of the player from Zaragoza to Betis Sevilla last week (read more here).

Beits and Zaragoza agreed a transfer price of 8 million euro° plus an additional 2 million euro°.

Aragón regional sports paper Equipo claims that the variables are depending on the striker playing at least 125 games for Betis in the next five seasons and the striker scoring at least 60 goals during that same period.

Zaragoza also keeps 25 per cent of the transfer rights of Sergio García although it's not clear what this means for Barcelona.

Read more:

Sergio Garcia transfer will benefit Barcelona

Barça B: Zaragoza confirms transfer of Longas

Ex-Barça: Sergio Garcia to Betis

News of the day - Wednesday

(This post will be updated throughout the day.)


Arshavin has contacted Barcelona this week to know if they're still interested in him, Barcelona has replied that the club is still considering if they will sign another player and that he's just one of the options, Barcelona would not be willing to pay more than 20 million euro while Zenit is asking 25 million euro (El Mundo Deportivo)
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Zenit states that they have negotiated with Tottenham on the transfer of Arshavin but considers the talks closed after Tottenham didn't make a new proposal (official website)
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A Zenit spokesperson confirms that the negotiations with Tottenham on the transfer of Arshavin are cancelled but says that other clubs can stil launch a bid before the end of the month (Efe)
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Barcelona didn't push any longer for Arshavin after Zenit president Dyukov replied to Barcelona's first offer by sending a fax that said: "If you want Arshavin for 15 million euro, we'll buy Messi for 20 million euro" (Sport)
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Barcelona doesn't want to pay Capel's buyout fee of 15,6 million euro and has asked the player to put some pressure on Sevilla by making clear that he wants to leave (As)

Sevilla is aware that Capel could leave before the end of the transfer period and is already working on how to replace him (As)

Barcelona denies that they're interested in Capel, the entourage of the player says that Txiki hasn't contacted them (El Mundo Deportivo)
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Hernanes is again an option, his transfer would allow Iniesta to play on the left wing, the value of the player has risen because of his participation in the Olympic Games and São Paulo could be holding on to the 25 million euro asking price (Sport)
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Jeffren is now an absolute priority for Zaragoza, who is expected to push for the player in the coming days, Jeffren has several offers but prefers to join Zaragoza on loan (Equipo)
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News of the day - Tuesday

(This post will be updated throughout the day.)


While Guardiola doesn't want to sign any new players, Txiki thinks the squad is short to be on top in all three competitions (Sport)
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Due to the good performances during the pre-season, there's less need to sign another player, Guardiola will in the end decide if there will be a new transfer or not (El Mundo Deportivo)
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Arshavin is still the main candidate for the left wing position certainly now Tottenham seems to have pulled out of the race (Sport)
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Arshavin and Capel are the two names on the list, Arshavin is the first option but if Zenit doesn't move the transfer of the Russian won't go through (El Mundo Deportivo)
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Barcelona is considering to pay the 16 million euro buyout clause for Capel and could put the money on the table in the coming days (Marca)
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Sevilla is aware that Capel could leave the club in the coming days given the low buyout fee of 15 million euro and the low salary, a renewal hasn't been possible earlier this summer because Capel doesn't accept a new and much higher buyout clause (As)

The Neves option would be on the rise although there are questions about the player's character and private life, the Brazilian would cost around 12 million euro (Sport)
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Eto'o has asked Barcelona to lower his 150 million euro buyout fee because he wants to be able to leave easier if there would be a new conflict situation, Barcelona has accepted although it's not known what the new buyout fee is (El Mundo Deportivo)
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The Barcelona board wants to offer Xavi a contract renewal and extension and plans to start the negotiations next month (Catalunya Ràdio)
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Barcelona has told Jeffren he won't be able to stay with the first team and that he can choose between returning to Barcelona Atlètic or leaving on loan for one season, although several English and Spanish first division clubs, like Villareal and Getafe, are interested in the player, Barcelona has advised the player to leave for a Segunda División club like Zaragoza, Herculés or Tenerife (Equipo)
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News of the day - Friday

(This post will be updated throughout the day.)



Txiki and Guardiola will meet today to decide if Barcelona will go after a left wing attacker with Arshavin, Palacio and Capel being the options that could be activated (Sport)
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Txiki and Guardiola keep looking at the market trying to bring in a left wing attacker with Arshavin now being the priority (El Mundo Deportivo)
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Capel is the number two on the list and Neves -who has been scouted in China this week- and Palacio are the other options (El Mundo Deportivo)
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Arshavin and Palacio are the two options, although Barcelona isn't desperate to sign another player and won't pay excessive fees (Marca)
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Guardiola says that, although he has faith in the guys, the squad could be a little short at this moment and that they're following a lot of interesting players, one of them being Arshavin (press conference)

A Zenit Saint-Petersburg official confirms that the club has lowered its asking price for Arshavin in the transfer negotiations with Tottenham (Sovietski Sport)
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Through a Brazilian agent Barcelona has shown interest in Cruzeiro left winger Wagner Ferreira dos Santos (23), who should cost 10 million euro (Sport - unconfirmed)
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Silva says Valencia has always been his first option but he thanks Barcelona for the interest they've shown in him (Canal 9)

Barcelona has told Tottenham that they are ready to make a move for Berbatov and Tottenham would rather sell the striker to Barcelona for a reduced fee than letting him join Manchester United (The Sun)
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Guardiola says that the players from the B team will in principle return to Barcelona Atlètic although the staff will look at it case-by-case, loan deals are almost excluded (press conference)

Effren Suárez, father and agent of Jeffren, says that Barcelona still hasn't decided if the player will stay with the first team but that the decision will be taken in the coming days, if he doesn't continue a loan deal is an option, although Barcelona prefers not to loan him out to a Primera Division or a foreign team (Equipo)
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Pedro says he considers himself a Barcelona Atlètic player until he's been told the opposite, if he had to leave the first team he would join the B team with the will to work hard to get another chance (El Mundo Deportivo - Sport)
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Barça B: Valencia, Sevilla and Villareal want Jeffren

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Valencia and Villareal are interested in signing Barcelona Atlètic winger and Spanish youth international Jeffren Suárez (20).

The Valencia technical staff would like the Venezualan-born player a lot and it is suggested that this could play a role in a possible transfer of Valencia left winger David Silva to Barcelona.

Aragón regional sports paper Equipo claims that Jeffren is high on the wish list of second division team Zaragoza, that hopes to get the player on loan.

Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique would want Jeffren to stay with his team but Barcelona thinks it's a better option to let the player leave on loan to a Spanish first or second division club.

Valencia regional sports paper Super Deporte meanwhile claims that Primera División teams Sevilla and Getafe, second division teams Levante, Tenerife and Hércules and some English clubs are also following Jeffren, who has scored twice during the pre-season he's doing with th first team this summer.

Jeffren's brother would have done a trial with Villareal which was seen as an attempt to attract the winger. Jeffren, his father and his agency would nevertheless prefer to stay linked with Barcelona and leave on a loan deal.

A source from the player's entourage is quoted as saying that Jeffren is not planning to stay with Barcelona's second team this season: "The goal is to play in the Primera División, but if that's not possible we would consider the Spanish second division if there's a good project. He'll certainly not return to play with Barcelona Atlètic in the third division.

Now we're waiting to talk with Barcelona. After that we'll look at all the options that are on the table and make a decision. At this moment the door is open for offers to come in from interested clubs."

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that it will be Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique who will decide what will happen with Jeffren. Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola won't promote the player to the first team and Zaragoza has made a formal loan offer.

Read more:

Barça B: Celtic wants Jeffren on loan

Barça B: Pedro thinks promotion is difficult

Barça B: Promotion or exit for Jeffren

Barça B: Zaragoza confirms transfer of Longas

Second division club Zaragoza has officially announced that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) will play for Barcelona Atlètic next season. Although several papers expected the player to sign today, Barcelona has not yet confirmed the transfer.

All media agree that Longás, who is representented by sports agency Bahía International, will sign a two-year deal with Barcelona but the nature of the deal is somewhat unclear. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the deal is permanent. Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Zaragoza has a buy-back option.

Aragon sports paper Equipo claims that Zaragoza can get the player back for free after one season and will receive 35 per cent of a transfer fee if Barcelona sells Longás.

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that it's a loan deal and that Zaragoza can buy Longás, whose contract with Zaragoza expires in 2010, back for 150 000 euro next summer and for 300 000 euro in the summer of 2010.

Read more:

Barça B: Longas could finally sign

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B: Zaragoza asks buyout fee for Goni

Barça B: Still no deal with Zaragoza on Longas

Aragón regional sports paper Equipo claimed yesterday that Barcelona and Zaragoza had finally found an agreement on the transfer of Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) to Barcelona Atlètic (previously known as Barcelona B).

Longás, who still has one year left with Zaragoza, would sign today a two-year contract with Barcelona (read more here).

The midfielder would join Barcelona Atlètic for free but Zaragoza would have a buy back option plus a percentage on a future transfer fee.

But later on Sunday, Longás again had to participate in a Zaragoza training session. The Spanish midfielder showed his disappointment about the events in an interview with Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón:

"They start to drive me a little crazy and I honestly don't know what to say anymore. Saturday morning I was told that everything was agreed upon and in the afternoon they added that I didn't have to train anymore. And now I'm back here. I hope everything can be arranged in the coming days so I can join Barcelona Atlètic as soon as possible."

Read more:
Barça B: Deal with Zaragoza on Longas
Barça B: Deal with Ecija on Nolito
Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Barça B: Zaragoza asks buyout fee for Goni

Aragon regional sports paper Equipo claims that second division team Zaragoza has made clear to Barcelona that they will only let Zaragoza B central defender Raúl Goni (19) go if the buyout clause of 24 000 euro° is paid.

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona B (read more here), Goni was cautious in his statements: "Nobody directly informed me but I know that Barcelona is interested. I'm not desperate to go to Barcelona although for sporting reasons I prefer to join Barcelona B since they play in a higher division. On the other hand I'm playing for Aaragoza since I was nine years old, so I'm a die hard zaragocista."

Read more:
Barça B: Difficult talks with Zaragoza on Goni
Barça B - Official: Rayo
Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Aragón regional sports paper Equipo claims that Barcelona has found an agreement with Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23), who would join Barcelona B for the next two years.

Barcelona would now be negotiating with second division team Zaragoza and it is expected the deal could be closed and announced in the coming days.

Longás played the 2006-2007 season with Zaragoza in the Primera División and was last season loaned out to second division team Tenerife. Despite offers from several second division teams, the Spanish midfielder has chosen to accept the offer from third division team Barcelona B after good talks with the Barcelona technical staff, who left the possibility open for the player to be promoted to the first team.

After being told that his current club doesn't really count on him for next season, Longás asked to be able to leave on a free transfer, which was rejected by Zaragoza. Longás' contract with Zaragoza expires next year and the club wants to receive a transfer fee. Besides that, Zaragoza would want to have the right to buy the player back or to receive a percentage of the transfer fee if the player leaves Barcelona.

Read more:

Barça B: Difficult talks with Zaragoza on Goni

Seven B players will start season with first team

Barça B - Official: Rayo

Barça B: Difficult talks with Zaragoza on Goni

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona B (read more here), Zaragoza B central defender Raúl Goni (19) has confirmed in an interview with Aragón regional sports paper Equipo that the clubs are holding talks:

"It looks like the clubs are talking. They told me something about it although I don't know much. For sure, there's nothing concrete yet and I certainly didn't yet recieve a formal offer."

The player would be delighted to move to Barcelona this summer: "Although I was born and raised in Zaragoza and the club means a lot to me, the interest is an honour because Barcelona is a big club. It would be a positive thing for my career to move from the fourth division to the third division, certainly with the senior team playing in the Primera División. But let's see what happen, I'm relaxed about the whole story."

The paper claims that the negotiations seem to be difficult and that a deal probably won't be found this week, which would mean that Goni, whose contract with Zaragoza expires in 2010, would start the pre-season next week with Zaragoza B. It is expected that more clubs will push for the player who made his debut with the first team of Zaragoza last season.

Read more:
Barça B: Luis Enrique building a new team
Barça B: Gai feels ready for first team
Barça B: Nolito (Ecija)