Barcelona tried again for Forlan last week

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona made last week an ultimate bid for Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

Barcelona would have offered Atlético 25 million euro plus a one-year loan of Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22), but Atlético held on to the buyout clause of 36 million euro.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona president Joan Laporta offered his Atlético counterpart Enrique Cerezo 25 million euro plus one of the three following players: Cácered, Henrique or Keirrison. Last Wednesday, Laporta would tehn have made a last offer of 36 million euro but on the condition that Atlético also accepted to sign Barcelona forward Eto'o. This last offer would also have been rejected.

Read more:
Guardiola gives green light for Forlan
Forlan back-up for Villa

Atletico president repeats Forlan not for sale

Asked about the rumours linking with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's father Pablo Forlán has said in an interview with Catalan radio station Com Ràdio that he hopes a transfer will be posible:

"Third time lucky, they say. Barcelona already tried to sign him when he was playing at Manchester United and a second time a few years later, when he was at Villarreal. And now, it seems that they're again interested. I believe it could now finally become concrete.

He's very happy at Atlético because they've treated him marvellously, but every player in the world is without any doubt interested in playing for a great club like Barcelona. We cannot lie about that."

Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo meanwhile repeated in an interview with Catalan radio station Ona FM that Forlán is not for sale: "I'm not worried about them paying the buyout clause. Everybody knows what our position is. We've already said that we don't want tot sell. No use to talk about it again. Laporta didn't talk to me about this. For me everything is clear. He's not for sale and that's it. It's a waste of time bringing this up."

Read more:
Guardiola gives green light for Forlan
Barça turns again to Forlan...

Barça turns again to Forlan...

by Alfredo Relaño
for As



I have been told that Barça is again turning to the option of Forlán, and this doesn't surprise me. Valencia has decided to ask an impossible fee for Villa, 55 millions, something Barça is not willing to pay, as Madrid wasn't either. Forlán, on the other hand, has a clause of 36 millions, which is also a lot of money, but less. That's a sum Barça could pay. By squeezing a bit, but the can get there.

Villa has two advantages over Forlán: he's Spanish and he's younger. Forlán is 30 years old, an age which makes one think twice about the 36 millions, but he has always has taken care of himself and it's not very risky to predict that he'll have a long career. And he's at his peak.

The underlying problem is that you can't really count anymore on Eto'o. He has one year left, he doesn't allow a sale, he doesn’t want to renew, he doesn't pick up the phone when the president calls and the last thing we knew about him was a press conference full of insults by his agent. At the beginning of next year, Eto'o will take part in the African Cup of Nations, which will give him the chance to show himself to the world. At the end of the season, he'll look for a new contract, being free.

Behind him, there's only Bojan, whom we have still doubts on. For Guardiola, it’s a difficult situation having to start the season without a centre forward he really believes in. And this can now only be solved, at least in my opinion, by Forlán.

Guardiola gives green light for Forlan

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona could sign Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30) this summer.

Although Valencia forward Villa stays the main target, Barcelona wouldn't want the planning of next season to be postponed too much because of the uncertain situation at Valencia and has started moving for Forlán by contacting his agent (read more here).

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would have given his permission to go on with the negotiations. Guardiola and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain wouldn't be worried by the player's age since reports suggest that the player is behaving as an exemplary professional. The buyout fee of Forlán is 36 million euro° and Atlético Madrid wouldn't be willing to lower that.

Read more:
Barcelona reopens Forlan option
Deal with Valencia on transfer Villa
Forlan back-up for Villa

Atletico Madrid willing to lower asking price Forlan

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Atlético Madrid would be willing to lower the asking price of Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

Although the player's buyout clause is 36 million euro°, Atlético could be willing to close a deal for a transfer fee of around 25 million euro°.

Madrid sports tabloid As on the other hand claims that Atlético officials met last week with the player's agents Daniel Bolotnicoff and Pablo Forlán, his brother, to inform them that the Uruguayan striker is not for sale and will only leave if a club pays the buyout fee.

Read more:
Barcelona reopens Forlan option
New contact with agent Forlan
Forlan back-up for Villa

Barcelona reopens Forlan option

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona has reopened the option of signing Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

With new Valencia president Vicente Soriano expected to announce today that Valencia forward David Villa will not leave this summer, Barcelona would now want to pay the 36 million euro° buyout clause of Forlán.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain called Forlán this weekend to inform him about the recent events. The Uruguayan striker would be delighted to join Barcelona but wants the clubs to reach an agreement first. Forlán also doesn't want to publicly express his wish to join Barcelona, like he did three years when Barcelona in the end signed Gudjohnsen.

Read more:
New contact with agent Forlan
Forlan back-up for Villa

New contact with agent Forlan

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has reactived yesterday the plan to sign Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

This happened after the news came that former Valencia president Vicente Soriano could return to the presidency on Monday and would in that case stop all outgoing transfers.

As a consecuence, Barcelona would have contacted the agent of Forlán, whose contract with Atlético expires in the summer of 2011, to inform him that they are again considering the transfer of the Uruguayan.

Read more:
Forlan back-up for Villa
Agent Forlan in Barcelona

Forlan back-up for Villa

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is still interested in Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

The Uruguayan striker would be the back-up option in case the transfer of Valencia forward David Villa wouldn't go through.

Although Atlético Madrid would only be willing to let the striker go if the buyout clause is paid, Barcelona reportedly doesn't want to pay that fee of 36 million euro° (plus value added tax) and will try to lower it by including players in the deal.

Barcelona would be ready to make Atlético Madrid an offer of 25 million euro° plus the loan of two players: Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20), who is close to joining Barcelona (read more here) and Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (30), who would be willing to join the Spanish club (read more here).

Read more:
Barcelona considering how to get Forlan
Deal on transfer of Keirrison
Forlan transfer wouldn't mean exit Eto'o

Deal on transfer of Keirrison

Catalan television channel TV3 claims that there's a deal on the transfer of Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20) to Barcelona.

Barcelona would have used the first option they had to buy Keirrison and paid a transfer fee of 13 million euro° plus 3 million euro° incentives. The Brazilian stiker would sign his contract in the coming days.

It's nevertheless not yet clear what the final destination of Keirrison will be since Barceloan is expected to try to include the player in another transfer deal, which means the Brazilian could end up at Valencia (Villa), Atlético Madrid (Forlán) or Porti (Bruno Alves).


(full story tomorrow)


Watch a video of Keirrison:

Next season's team (3)

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona wants to sign five players this summer: a left back defender, a central defender, a defensive midfielder, a left winger and a centre forward.

They give an overview of how the "ideal" squad could look like next season.


Right wing: Messi
Back-up: Bojan, Pedro, Hleb

Nothing will change ont he right wing, although it's possible that Messi will move more to the centre during the coming season after the good results of this tactics last month.

Centre forward: Ibrahimovic
Back-up: Bojan, Eto'o

Guardiola prefers to sign Ibrahimovic (Inter) to replace Eto'o. In case a transfer of the Swede wouldn't be possible, Villa (Valencia) and Forlán (Atlético) are the alternative options. If the club doesn't find a buyer for Eto'o, the striker will stay next season.

Left winger: Ribéry
Back-up: Henry, Hleb

Barcelona still hopes to be able to sign Ribéry. Robinho (Manchester City) and Mata (Valencia) are the other names on the list. Because of his age, Henry will have less minutes next season.

Read the other parts of this report:
Next season's team (2)
Next season's team (1)

Agent Forlan denies meeting with Barcelona

Asked about the rumours saying that he was in Barcelona to meet with Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain yesterday (read more here), Daniel Bolotnicoff, the agent of Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30), has denied in an interview with Catalan radio station Ona FM that there has been a meeting:

"I've came here because of personal reasons. If you say that I came to talk with Barcelona than you know more than me. Besides, I think they are trying to sign Villa."

Read more:
Deal with Forlan
The report of Txiki (3) : 60 million for Eto'o
Villa is not for sale

Agent Forlan in Barcelona

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Daniel Bolotnicoff, the agent of Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30), is in Barcelona.

Everything would indicate that the agent will meet later today with Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain to discuss the possible transfer of the striker.



Read more:
Deal with Forlan
The report of Txiki (3) : 60 million for Eto'o
Barcelona considering how to get Forlan

The report of Txiki (3) : 60 million for Eto'o

Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain presented the board on Thursday a report about the current transfer market. The club would want to sign three or four players this summer (read more here).

Barcelona thinks the forward line is the line with the most quality in the current squad but that things can always be improved.

Wings
Barcelona would like to sign a player for the left wing. The asking price for Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribéry (26) would have gone overnight from 40 to 70 million euro° (read more here). Because the club thinks that this fee is above the market price, the negotiations have been put on hold.

Manchester City left winger Robinho (25), who is not feeling comfortable at his club, could only come on loan because he's too expensive (read more here). Valencia left wing attacker Juan Manuel Mata (21) and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young (23) would be the alternative options (read more here and here).

Centre forward
Barcelona would have valued Eto'o at 60 million euro° and hopes that Manchester United or Chelsea will bid for him. A swap with Inter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27) is still not being excluded (read more here).

Atlético Madrid forward Diego Forlán (30) would fit the profile put forward by Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola but his age reportedly makes Barcelona doubt about paying his 36 million euro° buyout clause (read more here). Barcelona would believe that Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27) will force his exit after the Confederations Cup and that in that case he will join Barcelona or Real Madrid (read more here).

Read more:
The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority
Barcelona close to signing Robinho on loan
Manchester United confident of signing Eto'o

Deal with Forlan

Madrid sports tabloid As claims, based upon a undisclosed source, that Barcelona has signed Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

Barcelona didn't want to confirm the rumour.

Last Thursday, people from the entourage of the striker would have rented a house in Castelldefels, a coastal town in the outskirts of Barcelona where several Barcelona players live.


Read more:
Barcelona considering how to get Forlan
Barcelona planning six transfers
1 Ibrahimovic - 2 Forlan - 3 Villa - 4 Benzema

Barcelona considering how to get Forlan

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30), to have a back-up for Barcelona forward and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) if the latter stays or to replace him if he leaves (read more here).

Barcelona would want to offer Forlán a three-year deal paying him a bit more than he's now earning at Atlético but doesn't want to pay the 36 million euro° buyout clause Forlan and is therefore considering other options.

A straight swap with Eto'o seems impossible since Eto'o doesn't plan to leave and Atlético Madrid could unlikely pay the salary Eto'o is asking. Another option would be to offer Atlético Madrid 20 million euro° cash plus a two-year loan of Barcelona forward and Spanish youth international Bojan Krkic (18).

Read more:
Forlan first option to replace Eto'o
1 Ibrahimovic - 2 Forlan - 3 Villa - 4 Benzema
Bojan will not leave on loan this summer

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

Forlan transfer wouldn't mean exit Eto'o

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguayan international Diego Forlán (30) is one of Barcelona's first transfers target for this summer.

Barcelona thinks that Forlán, the Liga topscorer with 32 goals, could add something to the current squad. All the reports and advises that Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has received - from scouts, sports directors, defenders and Barcelona players - are highly positive.

Also because of the age of the Uruagayan striker, Barcelona is nevertheless not willing to pay his 36 million euro° buyout clause. A transfer will only be a possibilty if Atlético would accept to seriously drop that price. One of the options could be to include Barcelona players like Eidur Gudjohnsen (30) or Martín Cáceres (22) or a Barcelona Atlètic player in the deal.

Despite the interest of other European top clubs like Liverpool, Forlán, whose contract with Atlético expires in 2011, would prefer to join Barcelona in the summer.

The arrival of Forlán would not be linked to the exit of Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o (28) but would be an addition to the squad taking into account the tough season that is waiting Barcelona (read more here). The transfer could nevertheless mean that Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic (18) leaves on loan for several years before returning to Barcelona as a more mature and experienced player.

Read more:
Forlan first option to replace Eto'o
Eto'o close to joining Manchester City
Barcelona willing to pay Forlan's buyout clause

Eto'o close to joining Manchester City

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona forward and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) is close to joining Manchester City this summer.

Eto'o could already heve reached a personal agreement with the English Premier League club in January but the deal wasn't made public not to influence Barcelona's season. Manchester City would be ready to make an offer of 34 million euro° for Eto'o.

Barcelona would want to replace Eto'o by signing Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (29).

Because Atlético Madrid doesn't want to let the player go, Barcelona would have to pay the buyout clause of 36 million euro (read more here). With the value added tax included, the transfer fee for the Uruguayan would in the end be close to 40 million euro°.

Asked about the rumours linking Forlán with a move to Barcelona, Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo told Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo that his club is not planning to let him leave: "Laporta perfectly knows our stand: we won't sell. We're not worried at all. We won't let Forlán go for anyone or anything. We're not selling and we're not thinking about it. Clear as that."

Read more:
Eto'o wants to continue at Barcelona
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
Forlan first option to replace Eto'o

Barcelona willing to pay Forlan's buyout clause

Spanish television channel Intereconomía TV claims that Barcelona wants to sign Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (29) in the summer (read more here).

If needed, Barcelona would be willing to pay the 36 million euro° buyout clause of the Uruguayan striker.

It's unclear what a possible transfer would mean for the future of Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o, who wants to continue at Barcelona next season. Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid are also said to be interested in Forlán.

Read more:
Forlan first option to replace Eto'o
Verbal agreements on Aguero transfer
Atletico B goalkeeper De Gea sounded out