Barcelona was interested in Lisandro Lopez

Asked about the rumours saying that Barcelona was interested in him earlier this summer when he was still playing for Porto, Olympique Lyon forward and Argentine international Lisandro López (26) has confirmed the interest in an interview with French newspaper Le Progrès:

"My agent had several contacts, but I'm not interested in what could have happened. Lyon very quickly lead the race for my services and showed a lot of interest.

They really wanted me and that was more important than having the certainty to play the Champions League, because of Lyon having to play a qualifying games in August."

Read more:
Guardiola rejects transfer Bruno Alves
Barcelona interested in Lyon attacker Ederson
Barcelona sounded out Porto goalkeeper Helton


Watch López scoring for Lyon last week:

Guardiola rejects transfer Bruno Alves

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has offered Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola alternatives for Shakhtar centre-back Chygrynskiy during a meeting on Thursday evening (read more here).

The names of several central defenders and right back defenders would have been put forward, one of them being Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27). Begiristain would have had several contracts with Jorge Mendes, the player's agent, and would be confident he can sign Bruno Alves if the coach gives the green light. Guardiola nevertheless rejected all alternatives.

Read more:
Bruno Alves stays an option for Barcelona
Guardiola rejects to sign Rafinha and Mongongu
Barcelona preparing strong bid for Bruno Alves

Barcelona giving up on Bruno Alves

Portuguese radio station Renascença claims that Barcelona has given up on Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).

Because of the expensive transfer of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barcelona would have turned to cheaper options to strengthen the centre-back position as they cannot afford to pay the 30 million euro° buyout fee of Alves.

Asked about the rumours linking the Portuguese defender to Barcelona, the player's father Washington Alves put an end to all rumours in an interview with the radio station: "I think that this issue is closed now. Everything that is said about a transfer is pure speculation. Bruno is only thinking about Porto and wants to play a good championship. Bruno has always been very professional and this won't change now because of some press reports."

Read more:
Bruno Alves stays an option for Barcelona
Henrique could be included in Bruno Alves deal

Bruno Alves stays an option for Barcelona

Portuguese sports paper A Bola claims that Barcelona is still interested in Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would already have detected defensive shortcomings early in the pre-season and Bruno Alves is one of the options to strengthen the centre-back positions, certainly since the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk central defender Chygrynskiy has become unlikely after his participation in the Champions League.

Barcelona could make a new move after the team returns from the US tour but the club would nevertheless still think that the transfer fee asked by Portuguese champions Porto is too much. Porto is on the other hand not at all considering to lower the buyout clause of 30 million euro°, since the club doesn't have any financial problems after the transfers of Lisandro, Lucho and Cissokho earlier this summer.

Read more:
Barcelona preparing strong bid for Bruno Alves
Bruno Alves doesn't know what future will bring
Barcelona has been in contact with 22 players

Ex-Barça: RIP Sir Bobby Robson (1933-2009)

Former Barcelona manager and sports director Sir Bobby Robson passed away today at the age of 76.

A statement issued on behalf of his family reads: "It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer. He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.

Sir Bobby's funeral will be private and for family members only. A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby's life will be held at a later date for his many friends and colleagues. Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time."

Robson joined Barcelona in the summer of 1996, arriving from Portuguese club Porto. After one year as head coach, he was replaced by Louis van Gaal and became sports director. In 1998, he left Barcelona for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. As manager of Barcelona, Sir Bobby Robson won the Spanish super cup in 1996, the Spanish cup in 1997 and the European Cup Winner's cup in 1997.

May he rest in peace.

Monaco and Sporting join Keirrison loan race

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that more and more clubs want to sign Barcelona forward Keirrison (20) on loan.

The Brazilian striker and his agents would now want to take some time to more profoundly study the options that are on the table and to decide calmly where Keirrison will play next season.

The entourage of the player would have informed the paper that at this moment French league club Monaco has shown to be the most interested. The club would already have asked Barcelona the permission to start negotiations on the transfer and talks would be ongoing. There would also be contacts with Portuguese clubs Benfica and Sporting. Dutch club Ajax would also be among the candidates.

Portuguese champions Porto, who were also linked with the striker after declarations by one of his agents (read more here), meanwhile denied the interest in a statement on their official website saying that they are not at all interested in Keirrison.

Asked about the destination of Keirrison, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain told the club's official media yesterday after the signing of the player's five-year contract that the club will soon make a decision: "There are a lot of clubs interested, now we have to make the right choice and make sure he can develop well so he can return to Barça."

Read more:
Porto, Ajax and Germany also options for Keirrison
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
Roma also interested in Keirrison loan

Porto, Ajax and Germany also options for Keirrison

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that the agents of Barcelona forward Keirrison (20) are analyzing the last offers for the player.

The Malaquias brothers would travel today to Portugal to start negotiating with Portuguese champions Porto. They could also meet with officials of Benfica, that would also be interested.

Asked about the upcoming loan, agent Marcos Malaquias said in an interview with the site that a decision can be expected at the beginning of next week: "Porto and Ajax have the best chances at this moment but nothing has been decided yet. There's a lot of talk here in Spain that Benfica would already have signed him, but there's no truth in that. After Barça made public that he will leave on loan, a lot of clubs have shown interest. We'll make a decision on Monday or Tuesday."

Portuguese sports paper O Jogo meanwhile claims that Benfica is no longer interested in Keirrison. Asked about the rumours, agent Naor Malaquias nevertheless told the paper that the Portuguese club is still among the candidates: "Benfica is one of the potential candidates to sign the player, like are Roma, Ajax and a German club."

Read more:
Roma also interested in Keirrison loan
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
Benfica to loan Keirrison

Barcelona preparing strong bid for Bruno Alves

Portuguese sports paper A Bola unconfirmedly claims that Barcelona is preparing a strong bid for Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).

The offer would be around 30 million euro°, which is the buyout clause of the player. Porto wouldn't be willing to let the player, whose contract expires in 2012, leave for less than the buyout fee.

Portuguese sports paper Record claims that it's very probable that Barcelona will make a bid for Bruno Alves in the coming days after a deal on the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk central defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chyhrynskiy (22) didn't seem possible (read more here).

Read more:
Bruno Alves doesn't know what future will bring
Keirrison could be included in Bruno Alves deal
Chygrynskiy confirms Barcelona offer

Keirrison could be included in Bruno Alves deal

Brazilian news agency Gazeta Press claims that Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20), whose is close to joining Barcelona (read more here), could be on his way to Porto.

The Brazilian striker might join the Portuguese champions on loan as part of the transfer deal on Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27) (read more here).



Read more:
Final meeting on Keirrison on Tuesday
Joint offer for Villa and Mata upcoming
Deal on transfer of Keirrison

Bruno Alves doesn't know what future will bring

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27) told journalists that he doesn't know what the future will bring:

"I don't know what will happen. If Porto wants a transfer, if they think it's a good thing to let me go, fine. If not, I am not unhappy at Porto. On the contrary, it's a club that has given me a lot of great moments. We'll see what is going to happen. I could leave or I could stay, everything is open.

I think that I have been playing well and I could look for other challenges but there's a right time for everything. We're gonna wait and see to see if something happens or not. Apart from that, I am fine, I feel happy, we'll see what happens in the future.

You always work with the intention to get further and to go to better places. I have done a good job, I have worked hard to achieve better things in the future. Every player would like to play with the best teams in Europe and I'm not different, so I'm working with that objective. Regarding my career, I'm always looking for better and more."

Catalan sports paper Sport meanwhile claims that Bruno Alves will be, together with Shakhtar central defender Chyhrynskiy, Barcelona's main defensive target if the transfer of Deportivo left back Filipe wouldn't go through. Although Porto has until now be referring to the buyout clause of 30 million euro but a deal woudl be closed for a transfer fee of 15 million euro°.

Asked about the rumours, the player's father Washington Alves told the paper that the Portuguese centre-back would like to have certainty: "Bruno is delighted because it's an honour that such a big club is interested in him. Although, there's the fact that he knows that he has an offer from one of the best clubs in the world and he's not sure about his future, so he starts to get worried."

Read more:
Henrique could be included in Bruno Alves deal
Barcelona has been in contact with 22 players
Talks in Portugal on Bruno Alves

Henrique could be included in Bruno Alves deal

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona could soon move for Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).

The technical staff would like Bruno Alves a lot and the scouting reports are reportedly very positive.

If Barcelona would make a formal bid for the Portuguese centre-back, the club would offer Bayer Leverkusen central defender and Barcelona loan out Henrique (22) in the deal. Porto would like the Brazilian, who has a contract with Barcelona until 2013, since they also were interested to sign him last year.

Read more:
Txiki met with agent Bruno Alves
The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority
Talks in Portugal on Bruno Alves

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:

It could be the right time for Bruno Alves to leave

Asked about the rumours linking Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27) to several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), the player's father Washington has said in an interview with Portuguese sports paper A Bola that the player should leave this summer:

"Despite the fact that we're relaxed, because Bruno has three more years left on his contract with FC Porto, it is natural that we're also somewhat anxious because of the uncertainty surrounding his future, will he still be around next season, will he leave... For me, now is the right time to leave. In one year from now, it will be more difficult for him to leave."

Read more:
Talks in Portugal on Bruno Alves
The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority
Bruno Alves reveals transfer to Barcelona

The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority

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).

Defense
There would be a personal deal with Deportivo La Coruña left back defender Filipe Luis (23) but the negotiations with Deportivo are still ongoing (read more here). Shakhtar Donetsk right back defender Darijo Srna (27) wouldn't be an option anymore since Barcelona cannot pay his current salary (read more here).

The situation of Porto central defender Bruno Alves (27) is being monitored but the club is not yet moving for him (read more here). Shakhtar Donetsk central defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) would cost 15 million euro° and seems at this moment the most likely candidate for the centre-back position (read more here).

Midfield
Barcelona's main priority is to sign a defensive midfielder, so the team can count on six first class midfielders and can deal with the absences of Barcelona players Touré and Keita at the beginning of next year due to the African Cup of Nations. Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argentine international Javier Mascherano (25) is the first name on the list (read more here). The player wants to come but it will be difficult to find a deal with Liverpool.

Read more:
The report of Txiki (1) : Three or four transfers
Meeting on Mascherano in Barcelona
Barcelona considering bid for Shakhtar defenders

Porto goalkeeper unaware of Barcelona interest

Asked about the rumours linking him with Barcelona (read more here), Porto goalkeeper Helton (31) let his press office send a statement to Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte saying that he is unaware of things:

"I am in Brazil to take care of some business matters and I will return to Europe this week to be with my family and to enjoy the holidays. I already said that I'm happy in Portugal and if I would have to leave, that will be decided by myself, my wife, my agent Nelson Almeido and in the first place by the board of Porto."

Read more:
Barcelona sounded out Porto goalkeeper Helton
Talks in Portugal on Bruno Alves
Valdes will renew until 2014 or 2015

Talks in Portugal on Bruno Alves

Portuguese sports paper Record claims that a representative of Barcelona was in Porto yesterday to hold talks on the transfer of Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).

Bruno Alves, who was on holiday in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, would have decided to return to the city of Porto, in the north of the country, where he is expected to arrive today.

Porto would be organizing a bid race for the defender who will certainly leave the club this summer. The club reportedly received several offers but is waiting for a bid of at least 25 million euro° to close the deal. Barcelona would be leading the race while Chelsea is also said to be seriously interested.

Read more:
Txiki met with agent Bruno Alves
Bruno Alves reveals transfer to Barcelona
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market

Barcelona sounded out Porto goalkeeper Helton

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Barcelona is interested in Porto goalkeeper Helton (31).

Sources close to the Brazilian player would have told the site that agents linked with Barcelona have sounded out Helton about a transfer at the end of last season.

*Asked about the rumours, the player's uncle and agent Marival Gomes said in an interview with Portuguese radio station Antena 1 that he doesn't know anything about it: "We have no information about that at all. You are informing me right now. For us, it is a surprise. To be founded, the news should come from Porto president Pinto da Costa.

It's not important which clubs are interested in Helton. We have great respect and admiration for Porto and the president. Although it's nice to hear, the best news is still that Helton has become champions with Porto for the third time and he's not thinking about leaving. Unless when there would be a proposal that is good for both him and the club." *

Read more:
Barcelona starts negotiations with Asenjo
Txiki met with agent Bruno Alves
Valdes renewal negotiations broken off

Txiki met with agent Bruno Alves

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain dined on Wednesday evening in Hotel La Florida in Barcelona with Jorge Mendes, the agent of Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27).

Although different subjects were discussed, Begiristain mainly wanted to hear first hand from Mendes, who's also the agent of (former) Barcelona players Márquez, Deco and Quaresma, about the situation of Bruno Alves (read more here).

Before Barcelona moves for the Portuguese defender, the club wants to know what they can expect. At this point, it looks like a deal with Bruno Alves wouldn't be a problem but Porto is expected to ask a high fee for the player.

Read more:
Porto denies talks with Barcelona on Bruno Alves
Possible pre-agreement with Bruno Alves

Porto denies talks with Barcelona on Bruno Alves

Asked about the rumours linking Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Porto general director Antero Henrique has denied talks in an interview with Portuguese sports paper O Jogo:

"We are not negotiating with any club because of the simple fact that we didn't receive any offer, we weren't contact and nobody has asked for him. There is nothing going on with Bruno Alves, that's why we don't understand the reports that are talking about negotiations between Porto and Barcelona.

A player like Bruno Alves doesn't have a price. What we have is a buyout clause and that's 30 million euro°. Porto is the home of Bruno Alves, where he feels good and where he's loved. The president has always supported him and didn't want to sell him even when he wasn't part of the first squad. But of course the wish of Porto cannot be disconnected from the wish of the player."

Portuguese sports paper A Bola nevertheless claims that Bruno Alves will almost certainly join Barcelona this summer. Although the clubs haven't officially admitted that negotiations are ongoing, a deal would be close.

Asked about his future, Bruno Alves told journalists yesterday that he's waiting to see what could happen: "Nothing has been decided yet. We will see what will happen. I'm happy at Porto. I had a very good season but all players always look for more and better. And I'm not different than the others. I believe in my qualities but I will let things happen in a natural way. I'm not saying that I'm dissatisfied at Porto. The opposite is true. Porto has given me everything and I'm very thankful. If it's good for the club and everyone involved, we will let things happen."

Read more:
Deal on Bruno Alves very close
Possible pre-agreement with Bruno Alves

Father Bruno Alves backs Barcelona move

Asked about the rumours linking Porto central defender and Portuguese international Bruno Alves (27) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's father and former football player Washington has backed a transfer in an interview with Catalan radio station Ona FM:

"Barcelona would be an excellented club for Bruno. The qualities of Bruno would perfectly fit at Barça and that's why I think a final agreement would be a good thing both for the player and for Barcelona.

Now the important thing is that the clubs close a deal and if that's the case, Bruno will be delighted to join Barcelona. I’m not aware of how things stand at this moment. I only know what I've read in the papers, that they say that Barcelona is in contact with the agent of Bruno. My son is now with his national team but I hope to be able to talk with him on Thursday."

Read more:
Deal on Bruno Alves very close
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market
Possible pre-agreement with Bruno Alves