Arsenal Preparing to Offer Cesc Raise

British tabloid News of the World is reporting that Arsenal would like to renegotiate Cesc Fabregas's contract so that the star midfielder will be less tempted by Barcelona's transfer requests.

Fabregas is under contract with the Gunners until 2014 at a rate of 90,000 pounds per week. This rate, while high, is not commensurate with the salaries of other top premiership players.

It is thought that by making Fabregas one of the highest paid players in the world's richest league, he will be less inclined to return to his boyhood team in Barcelona.

Read more:
Wenger dismisses new Fabregas rumours

Eto'o willing to join Manchester United

British tabloid News of the World claims that Barcelona forward and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) wants to join Manchester United and is willing to lower his wage demands for that.

Despite the signing of Michael Owen, the English champions could still be interested in Eto'o, who would only want to join a European top club and would be willing to accept a year salary of around 9 million euro. A source close to the player is quoted by the tabloid as saying: "Samuel has not been convinced by a move to a mid-table side in the Premier League and neither will he sign a new deal at Barca."

Greater Manchester regional newspaper Manchester Evening News meanwhile claims that a transfer to Manchester City has become more likely after Barcelona president Joan Laporta has indicated to sources in Spain that he may be ready to agree a pay-off to Eto'o or to renegotiate the transfer fee so that part of City's offer goes to the striker like stipulated in his contract.

The English Premier League club would already have agreed a 30 million euro° transfer fee with Barcelona but the sticking point would until now have been a bonus clause in Eto'o's contract with Barcelona which entitles him to compensation if he's sold before his contract expires next summer.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is willing to accept a 25,5 million euro° bid by Manchester City. This would be the only formal offer Barcelona has received until now. The English club would be ready to offer Eto'o a year salary of 10 million euro net and not a salary that would make him the best paid player in the world as Barcelona president Laporta had previously stated.

Read more:
Club waiting for reply Eto'o to renewal offer
Eto'o has found a house to live in Manchester
Laporta comments on the transfer market

Eto'o to sign for Manchester City next week

British tabloid News of the World claims that Manchester City have completed the transfer of Barcelona forward and cameroon inernational Samuel Eto'o (28).

Barcelona would receive a transfer fee of 29,5 million euro°, while Eto'o would earn a year salary of 9 million euro net, with further bonuses tied to success. The Cameroonian is expected to travel to Manchester in the next few days to finalise the deal.

A source close to the deal is quoted as saying: "The player could have earned similar money at Barca. But Eto'o and his people think City could be going places and is excited by the type of players they are attracting."

British tabloid The Daily Mirror nevertheless claims that a delegation from Manchester City met with Barcelona officials last week. The English Premier League club, who has been encouraged by Barcelona to make a move for Eto'o, is nevertheless not at all willing to pay the asking price of 47 million euro°, which is the double of what Manchester City has in mind.

Catalan sports paper Sport on the other hand claims that Eto'o, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2010, is not willing to move first and is waiting for Barcelona to offer him a renewal like the club has been announcing. The initial plan of the player is to start the pre-season with Barcelona.

Read more:
Eto'o holding talks with Manchester City
Laporta comments on the transfer market
Barcelona hopes Eto'o will retire at the club

Manchester United following renewal talks Valdes

British tabloid News of the World claims that Manchester United is again keeping an eye on Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés (27) because of the difficult renewal negotiations with Barcelona (read more here).

The English champions reportedly monitored Valdés all season but expected his contract to be settled after his performances in the Champions League. United had therefore turned their attentions to Villarreal goalkeeper Diego López but could now refocus on the Catalan goalkeeper whose current contract expires at the end of next season.

Read more:
Manchester United wants to sign Valdes
Barcelona not willing to accept Valdes demands
Valdes wins his second Zamora trophy

Mascherano wants Spain move for personal reasons

British tabloid News of the World claims that Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argentine international Javier Mascherano (25) is considering leaving Liverpool because of personal reasons.

His pregnant wife Fernanda has been unable to settle in England and returned to South America with the couple's daughter Lola before the end of last season.

And although Mascherano is professionally happy at Anfield, the personal situation of being apart from his family means he feels he has no option but to consider moving on. The midfielder thinks it will be easier for his wife to live in a Spanish-speaking country.

A Liverpool source is quoted as saying: "The truth is Javier loves Liverpool and is especially thankful to Rafa for everything he has done for his career in England. But he's facing a huge dilemma because he feels his family might be more settled in Spain. Nothing is certain, but it's true it's a big problem for the club."

Despite a presumed imminent 35 million euro° bid from Barcelona, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has insisted the midfielder is not for sale at any price. Liverpool released today a new official statement saying that they didn't receive any offers for Mascherano and that they don't intend to let the Argentinian go (read more here).

The statement on Liverpool's official website reads as follows: "Despite repeated media speculation on the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Liverpool has received no official approach or offer from any club regarding the players. Neither is for sale and furthermore Liverpool has no interest in the long list of Spanish based players being linked with a move to Anfield as part of any deal."

Read more:
Mascherano open to offer from Barcelona
Manchester United confident of signing Eto'o
Mascherano ideal candidate to strengthen midfield

Eto'o scares off clubs with wage demands

British tabloid News of the World claims that Barcelona attacker and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) wants to cash in on the last major contract of his career.

Eto'o reportedly asked Manchester City a month salary of one million euro net for five years. Eto'o would be negotiating himself and simply employs lawyer Josep Maria Mesalles to handle the paperwork on his contracts.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan would be among the other clubs that have inquired about his services and all have been quoted the same wages. Inter and Liverpool would already have pulled back, while United are highly unlikely to break their carefully regimented wage structure for Eto'o.

British tabloid The People claims that Eto'o rejected a 10 million euro offer by Manchester City because he didn't want to give up Champions League football. Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan would be the clubs who are still interested in the striker. Barcelona would ask a transfer fee of 25 million euro° for the Cameroonian.

Read more:
Manchester United confident of signing Eto'o
Messi-Eto'o-Henry: Barcelona's Prolific Trident
Agent Eto'o repeats wish to continue

Vidic dismisses Barcelona rumours

Asked about the rumous linking him with several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), Manchester United central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) has said in an interview with British tabloid News of the World that he has no intention to leave:

"I am very happy here and next season we will start again. I have got no desire to go anywhere. People forget that when you join a new league you don't just have to adjust to the country, you also have to adjust to the style of football.

I feel my game is well adjusted to England now and I want to play a part in a successful team next season. United can make it a record four titles in a row next year. I've also started to understand and love all the things you English love. Now I even love a bacon sandwich!"

Read more:
Agents Vidic dismiss Barcelona rumours
Barcelona preparing bid for left back Evra
Vidic offers himself to Barcelona

Fluminense interested in Sylvinho

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Brazilian club Fluminense is interested in Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (35), whose contract expires at the end of this month and won't be renewed (read more here).

The Brazilian club had earlier announced in an official statement that they are negotiating the last details of the signing of a player who is currently playing in Europe and Sylvinho would be one of the three candidates.

British tabloid News of the World meanwhile claims that the search for a new manager has stopped the contacts between Celtic Glasgow and Sylvinho. Asked about the matter, the player's agent Hans Lamberz said that he'll look at other options: "Celtic are a huge club who play in the Champions League and one that would normally appeal. But I doubt it will happen now."

Read more:
Espanyol interested in Sylvinho
OFFICIAL: Sylvinho will leave
Celtic Glasgow is an option for Sylvinho

Arsenal not excluding Henry return

Asked if there was a chance that Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) could return to Arsenal, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger left the door open in an interview with British tabloid News of the World:

"Of course there's a chance of him returning. I hope for the club to have people of his quality. It would be difficult as a player because in 2010 he will be 33. I still talk to him. He was on the phone not long ago.

Thierry does not miss one Arsenal game on TV. He even watches the reserves. He has a very strong link with this club. He had a massive influence here which also had a massive influence on his career. I believe somewhere in everybody's career one club has a stronger pull than any other. For him it would be Arsenal.

It was his decision to leave in 2007. I tried to convince him to stay. He said, 'The way you are going you will have a great team in two or three years. But I can't wait that long. I am 30 years old'. He knew from training. When he left Cesc Fabregas was 19, for instance. Thierry is very intelligent.

Last year we had 83 points and with him we might have got the extra points that would have won us the championship. But after eight years it was difficult to stand in his way. When he had given us so much and had the opportunity in Barcelona we had to make a decision."

Read more:
Manchester City monitoring Eto'o and Henry
Several clubs preparing bid for Barcelona players
Messi-Eto'o-Henry: Barcelona's Prolific Trident

Barcelona reconsidering Van Persie transfer

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo unconfirmedly claims that Barcelona is reconsidering the transfer of Arsenal winger and Dutch international Robin van Persie (25).

Because the transfer of Ribéry would have become more difficult, Barcelona is again reopening other options, with Van Persie being the first name on the table. The Dutch attacker still didn't renew his contract that expires next summer and could therefore be available for a transfer fee of around 10 million euro°.

British tabloid News of the World claims that Van Persie, who has been offered the double of his current salary by Arsenal, is postponing a new deal with Arsenal, which could force the English Premier League club to listen to offers coming in during the summer transfer window.

Read more:
Barcelona preparing bid for Van Persie
Henry, Eto'o, Toure and Keita are for sale
Barcelona moving for Arsenal trio

Celtic Glasgow is an option for Sylvinho

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona left back defender Sylvino (35), whose contract expires at the end of this season, with a move to Celtic Glasgow (read more here), the player's agent Hans Lamberz has said in an interview with British tabloids The Daily Express and News of the World that the Scottish club is certainly an option:

"We have two firm options to play in Spanish football, but he wants to look outside of Spain. When you've played for Barcelona, it's very difficult to go elsewhere in the league, so he'd prefer a new culture, a new style of football.

Right now I've not had any direct contact with Celtic, but that could all change overnight and if it did it could change Sylvinho's opinion.They are the sort of club which would make him book a flight right away to travel to Scotland. They are a huge club who play in the Champions League and one that would satisfy his ambitions. Sylvinho may be older on paper but he's a fit man who can play for many more years."

Read more:
Sylvinho wants to play for two more years
Barcelona looking for left back in Dutch league
Sylvinho can negotiate with Celtic

Talks with Manchester City on Toure transfer

British tabloid News of the World claims that Manchester City wants to sign Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivorian international Yaya Touré (25) during the summer transfer window.

Touré would have been the subject of discussions when top officials of the English Premier League club and Barcelona met in Spain earlier this week (read more here). The transfer fee that is being discussed would be 28 million euro°.

A Spanish source is quoted as saying that Touré could be open for offers at the end of the season: "City made a move for Toure in January but the player wanted to stay. But he is now willing to consider a move to City."

Read more:
Manchester City prepares summer bid for Toure
Toure to join Arsenal in the summer
Manchester City and Barcelona holding talks

Messi repeats wish to retire at Barcelona

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to the English Premier League (read more here), Barcelona attacker and Argentine international Lionel Messi (21) is quoted as saying in an interview with British tabloid News of the World that he wants to finish his career at Barcelona:

"To be honest, every time I get asked this question I find it very boring. I have said many times I intend to stay with Barcelona until I retire. I know a lot of players say this, but I really mean it. You have seen how well we have been doing and you have seen the way we play football - why would I want to leave?

When you are playing in a team of players like we have at Barca you never want to stop playing. The dressing-room is a great place to be because confidence is very high and everybody is smiling. We have great players here now that I can learn from, but also players that are no longer here. I have played with the likes of Deco and Ronaldinho and it is amazing.

There are a lot of smiling faces in our dressing-room. There is no reason for me to ever want to leave. When you are a kid you dream of playing with one player like Thierry, Xavi and Eto'o. To play with 10 of them is amazing and not something I could ever have dreamed of. I am loyal as well. I am aware that I owe Barcelona a lot. They gave me a chance and now I want to reward them with even more success."

Read more:
Manchester City planning record bid for Messi
WAG: Lionel Messi
Madrid having difficulties to understand Messi

Barcelona deserve Champions League

author: Rob Shepherd
source: News of the World
date: 11 April 2009
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com





FC Barcelona is the focal point of Catalonia, the proud province which sees itself as a country within a country. It is a club owned by its constituent member fans, not bankers. No oligarchs from Russia, American gold diggers or wealthy Arabs will ever have enough money to bribe the people of Barcelona to allow the family silver be sold in the way it has at Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and, possibly, Arsenal.

The Nou Camp fans elect a president and expect him to deliver not just a winning team but one which does so in exotic style. So heads will roll if trophies are not lifted with panache.

The night before Terry Venables was axed by the club, the wine flowed in a celebration of a reign that had seen him bring back La Liga for the first time in 11 years. But a penalty shoot-out failure in the European Cup final against Steaua Bucharest after a grim goalless draw was too much to suffer and El Tel was soon history. Barca eventually landed the big one in 1992 under the guidance of Johan Cruyff.

Now managed by Guardiola, the team is a legitimate son of that sensational Cruyff side. The pace of their passing movement and interchanges can be just jaw dropping. Just take the front three. Leo Messi is Cristiano Ronaldo without the antics. Samuel Eto'o is Didier Drogba without the diving and Thierry Henry is, well, back to being classic Henry. It is a mark of how wonderfully they combine that their frontline has improved since Ronaldinho left.

So far this season they have scored 113 goals in all competitions, 85 of which have been come in La Liga, many more than England's top scorers, Liverpool.They define Hiddink's philosophy of defending from the front. The midfield rocks of Andres Iniesta and Xavi are so good that even if Cesc Febregas goes back to his roots in the summer, Arsenal's talisman would struggle to get a regular game.

Taking off the English blinkers, they are a cut above all contenders at the moment. It would be damned shame if Barca don't go on to lift the Champions League trophy.

read the full and original article here


Read more:
Barça's beauty lies in their bite
Barcelona Is Winning With Style
Barcelona the team to avoid in Champions League

Manchester City preparing bid for Iniesta

British tabloid News of the World claims that Manchester City is preparing a bid for Barcelona attacker and Spanish international Andrés Iniesta (24).

The English Premier League club would still be desperate to attract a star player to play alongside Robinho and help increase their profile around the world. And although Iniesta is believed to be untouchable, Manchester City would try to sign the Spanish player this summer. The club is likely to open with a bid of around 40 million euro°.

Iniesta has a contract with Barcelona until 2014, including a buyout clause of 150 million euro. Barcelona players Yaya Touré (25) and Thierry Henry (31) would also remain on the list of Manchester City targets for the summer transfer window (read more here).

Read more:
Iniesta hopes to retire at Barcelona
Iniesta, Left or Center?
Chelsea considering offer for Iniesta

Cesc not thinking about leaving Arsenal

Asked about a possible return to Barcelona (read more here), Arsenal midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas has said in an interview with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo that he's only focusing on Arsenal at this moment:

"I can only repeat that Arsenal is my team now since I have a contract until 2014. I'm the captain of Arsenal, I owe the gunners and I will never do something behind the back of the club. I won't talk or meet with anyone without them knowing about it. If a club wants me, they should first talk with Arsène Wenger and then we'll see what happens next.

Everyone should go after his own luck and I'm completely happy at Arsenal. If that wasn't the case, you can be sure that I would already have talked with my coach to ask him to let me go but at this moment that's not the case. We're still fighting for three trophies, let's see if we can win one.

It's nonetheless true that Barça is special for me. I cannot say anything else. I had six unforgettable years there, it's a club that has been my club since childhood, when one is only focused on one team. My family is deeply barcelonista and I share this feeling. Nobody can ignore that."

British tabloid News of the World meanwhile claims that Cesc could be on his way out as a consequence of a change in his attitude since he returned victorious from Spain's success in last summer's European Championships and of the player's wage demands.

An insider is quoted as saying: "Fabregas has changed since he came back from the European Championships. It's as if he thinks he's made it because Spain won. It was the same with Thierry Henry in his last season, but at least Henry had won everything and had a right to swagger around.

As far as most of the players are concerned there is a real arrogance to him now. Fabregas is almost a law unto himself. He walks around like he owns the place and that's put more than a few noses out of joint. A lot of the players think he'll be off in the summer to Barcelona, or maybe even Real Madrid, and that he's just swaggering around until he goes.

People are scared to confront Fabregas in case they upset him and he decides to walk in the summer. The problem is that he gets away with it. There were a lot of people at the club who were surprised when he was allowed to go back to Spain for several weeks to do his injury rehabilitation because it's normally a strict policy that rehab is overseen by Arsenal medical staff."

The situation of Cesc would be monitored closely in Barcelona. Sources close to the Barcelona are said to be convinced the midfielder has set his heart on rejoining the club. Barcelona would be briefing the Spanish media that Fabregas believes there is a witch hunt against him as part of a campaign to drive him away from Arsenal.

Read more:
Aguero, Cesc and Asenjo could join this summer
Cesc will make decision at the end of the season
Do we buy? Fabregas.

Manchester City moving to bring in Henry

British tabloid News of the World claims that Manchester City has made Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) their top target for the summer (read more here).

Manchester City CEO Garry Cook would have made the first step this week by contacting player's agent Pini Zahavi and asking him to set up a deal in time for next season.

The English Premier League club wants a big name in their squad to attract other star players as they attempt to become a world top club and Henry could be available without paying anything like the record fee talked about for Kaká.

Henry is thought to be keen on returning to England and the move would become increasingly likely if Barcelona fulfils this season the Frenchman’s lifelong ambition of winning the Uefa Champions League.

With Manchester City planning to bring in six top names this summer, Barcelona would have two other players who could interest the English club: Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivory Coast international Yaya Touré (25) (read more here) and Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (28) (read more here).

Read more:
Manchester City prepares summer bid for Toure
Messi and Eto'o on Manchester City wish list
Manchester City preparing summer bid for Henry

Hleb honoured by Bayern interest

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Bayern Munich (read more here), Barcelona attacker and Belarus international Alexander Hleb (27) has said in an interview with German sports weekly paper Sport Bild that he welcomes the interest but that he is now only thinking about succeeding at Barcelona:

"When a club like Bayern is interested in you, that's of course great. It's one of the top clubs in the world and I know from my time at Stuttgart that Bayern is a very special club. That's why I'm pleased and honoured with the interest.

It's true that Bayern also wanted me last summer and that a deal was close. But I'm in Barcelona now and you don't win anything by speculating about the past. I'm now fully concentrating on Barcelona and I'm working hard on training to make progress. I'm playing with Barcelona and that has always been a child's dream for me, which now has been fulfilled.

Of course I want to play and I've come to Barcelona to win my spot. I want to show here what I can. On the left, on the right, in the centre, that doesn't matter. I believe in myself and I know I can be part of this team. On the other hand, I'm at the perfect football age now. And I don't want to lose those best years by sitting on a bench. When I was 20 years ols, I had time. But I'm almost 28 years old now and I think I've already proven something in my career."

Asked by Sport Bild about the Hleb rumours, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge didn't really want to enter the issue: "I don't want to comment on it, because if I say that it's an interesting player, then it would seem as if we've signed him already. We didn't speak with anyone at this moment. It's true that we held talks last summer. In the end the transfer didn't went through because of some minor details."

Belarus national team coach Bernd Stange meanwhile said in an interview with British tabloid News of the World that Hleb wants to leave Barcelona: "In London he was a hero. If I went to a restaurant with him, there in a matter of seconds about 20 people would surround him asking for an autograph.

Now he is at a mega-club. They have 25 world-class players. Only eleven of them can go on to the pitch. Seven sit on the bench and seven more watch games from the stands. It makes me nervous, too, when I see the captain of my team coming on as a sub for five or ten minutes or not playing at all. But he needs to make a fight of it."

Read more:
Hleb could be part of Ribery deal
Guardiola denies Van Persie-Hleb swap offer
Hleb agent denies exit rumours

Barcelona preparing bid for left back Evra

British tabloid News of the World claims that Barcelona is interested in Manchester United left back defender and French international Patrice Evra (27).

Barcelona scouts would have made several trips to England to monitor the Frenchman’s form and fitness and the club would be preparing to make a bid of 22,5 million euro° at the end of the current season.

Barcelona would want Evra to replace his French compatriot Eric Abidal and Evra, whose contract with the English champions expires in 2012, could be tempted by the offer.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson rates Evra highly but sees Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva as his long-term full-backs and could therefore be willing to cash in on the French defender as he freshens up his squad.

Read more:
Zhirkov among targets for left back position
Barcelona will sign left back next summer
Ribery and Lahm approached by Begiristain

Interest in Chelsea defender Mancienne

British tabloid News of the World claims that Barcelona is interested in Chelsea central defender and English youth international Michael Mancienne (20).

The contract of Mancienne, who also can act as right back defender, with Chelsea expires next summer.

The English defender, who played on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this season, is said to be frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at the English Premier League club and would therefore be looking for an exit.

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Bojan sounded out by European top clubs
Father Bruno Alves confirms Barcelona interest
Ex-Barça: Quaresma to Chelsea on loan