Riera confirms Barcelona interest

Asked about the rumours linking him earlier this summer with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Liverpool left winger and Spanish international Albert Riera (27) has confirmed in an interview with Madrid sports tabloid As that Barcelona was interested:

"I will not deny that there was something going on. It's true that they were interested in me. But I play at Liverpool, which is a European top club. One day I nevertheless would like to return to the Liga, when the time is right.

I don't want to think about the rumours that I didn't start two league games because I studied an offer of Barcelona. Benítez is an extraordinary coach who defends what is his. I know he counts on me because he has told me that."

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Guardiola wanted to replace Henry this summer
Barcelona interested in Liverpool winger Riera

Guardiola wanted to replace Henry this summer

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona wanted to replace Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) during the past summer transfer window.

Because Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would have had enough of the clash of the egos of Henry and Eto'o, he reportedly asked the club to look for a new left winger.

Although it was Eto'o who took all the hits from the press and Henry came out of it fairly undamaged because of his good relationship with the media and the entourage of the club, Guardiola would have wanted to get rid of both players.

Barcelona would therefore have been discretely sounding out the market over the last months and contacted among others left wingers like Riera, Robben, Robinho, Mata and Silva. But although those players would have agreed to join Barcelona, it was not possible to close a deal with their clubs. If Barcelona would find a new left winger next year, Henry will probably leave the club at the end of this season.

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Robben confirms Barcelona interest
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Barcelona monitoring situation of Riera

British tabloid The Daily Mirror claims that Barcelona is monitoring the situation of Liverpool left winger and Spanish international Albert Riera (27) after the player was left out of the Liverpool squad last weekend (read more here).

Barcelona would have been made aware that Riera could be available before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. If Liverpool are willing to listen to offers, Riera might want to leave the English Premier league to return to Spain. Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are also said to be interested in the winger.

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Reina keeps Barcelona door open

Barcelona interested in Liverpool winger Riera

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Liverpool left winger and Spanish international Albert Riera (27).

Riera would be the last name that has been added to the list of targets for the last weeks of the summer transfer window.

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Mascherano disappointed about failed transfer
Valencia holds on to Mata