Barcelona interested in two Sevilla left wingers

Spanish news site El Confidencial claims that Barcelona is interested in Sevilla players Diego Capel (21 - picture) and Adriano Correia (24).

To strenghten the left wing, Barcelona failed to sign Ribéry, Arshavin and Riera earlier this summer and would now still be looking to add another player to the squad.

Both Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain reportedly like the Spaniard and the Brazilian a lot, although it's not clear if there's enough time left for Barcelona to make a bid for Capel or Adriano. The buyout clause of Capel would be 15 million euros°.

Read more:
Capel buyout clause on the rise
Kanoute couldn't wait any longer for Barcelona
Capel talks about his time at Barcelona


Watch a video of Capel here:



Watch a goal of Adriano:

Youth: Carmona followed by European clubs

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that several European clubs are interested in Barcelona Juvenil A left wing attacker Adrià Carmona (17).

Tottenham, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Sevilla, Manchester City, Panthinaikos and Borussia Dortmund would all be monitoring Carmona, but Barcelona would have no plans to let the Catalan winger leave.

Read more:
Youth: Adria Carmona
Barcelona's Spanish U-17 Stars
English and Italian clubs monitoring Barça youth

Ex-Barça: Saviola to Benfica

Portuguese club Benfica has officially announced the transfer of former Barcelona forward Javier Saviola (27).

The Argentinian striker will sign a three-year contract with an option for another year at Benfica, who will pay 5 million euro for the transfer. Real Madrid has offically confirmed the transfer.

Javier Saviola joined Barcelona in the summer of 2001, arriving from Argentinian club River Plate. During the 2004-2005 season, he played on loan at Monaco, the next season at Sevilla. He left Barcelona on a free transfer in 2007 and joined Real Madrid.

Read more:
Transfer history: Saviola
Ex-Barça: Cruyff to Valletta
Ex-Barça: Rijkaard to Galatasary

Kanoute couldn't wait any longer for Barcelona

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Sevilla forward and Mali international Frédéric Kanouté (31) has confirmed in an interview with Spanish sports weekly paper Don Balón that Barcelona has shown interest in him in the past but said it's now probably too late for a transfer:

"I didn't think about that possibility last summer and that's the truth. I do know that Barcelona was interested in me a couple of times and at one point it was that concrete that I even imagined how it would be to join them. It's a club that I've always liked but it's probably too late now.

But there's a time for everything and my present and my future are here in Sevilla. My contract expired in 2010 and I actually was waiting for other offers because I still have three or four more seasons at the highest level left, but in the end I didn't want to wait any longer. I wasn't sure that the offers I would like would come, so I preferred to accept Sevilla's renewal offer for two more years a few weeks ago."

Read more:
Kanoute leaves Barcelona door open
Looking for a star
Transfer history: Guus Hiddink (PSV Eindhoven)

Kanoute leaves Barcelona door open

Asked about his future, Sevilla forward and Mali international Frédéric Kanouté (31) has unconfirmedly said in an interview withe the official Uefa website that he wouldn't refuse the chance to move to Barcelona:

"At this moment, I have a contract with Sevila and I'm feeling good here. But of course, playing for Barça or Madrid is something every football player would like... But you cannot know if this is really a possibility.

I don't think about retiring yet. I'm very happy here but nobody knows what the future can bring. I wouldn't mind retiring in Sevilla, if all parties concerned would find an agreement. I've lived the best years of my professional career here."

Read more:
Looking for a star
Marseille wants to sign Keita next summer
Barcelona considers buying top striker

Capel talks about his time at Barcelona

In an interview with Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón, Sevilla left winger and Spanish international Diego Capel (20), who also denied that he was close to leaving Sevilla this summer, talked about his one-season stay in Barcelona eight years ago.

When you were very young, you already tried your luck joining the Barcelona youth academy.

Yes, I went there when I was twelve years old. Although things didn't turn out fine, I don't regret what happened. I did what I felt I had to do back then, which was leaving Barcelona, because I just wasn't comfortable being away from home.

Which memories do you have from your time in Barcelona?

I know who the coach was and I know that Messi was already there, although in a higher category. They treated me extremely well but I had a bad time basically because I was coming from a very small town and was very attached to my family.

Being so far away from home with only twelve years old...

I cried a lot... Like everytime I spoke by phone with my mother or my father. I missed them , like I missed spending time with my friends, but I'm still very grateful to Barcelona.

I guess your second club now is Barcelona?

No, my second club also is Sevilla.

Was it frustrating for you that you had to leave a club like Barcelona?

At first I didn't even want to keep on playing football, but soon football was back in my life and I asked myself "What have you done now?!". But happily for me shortly after I started playing again with a local club, another big club like Sevilla became interested and gave me another chance to join their youth academy.

Read more:

Agents deny Capel exit

Looking for a left winger

Capel buyout clause on the rise

Already pre-agreement with Keita in December

New Barcelona midfielder and Mali international Seydou Keita (28) has revealed in two interviews last month that Barcelona already contacted the then Sevilla player in December about a tranfer this summer.

In an interview with French football site Foot Mercato, Keita stated that Barcelona was already working on his transfer for a long time: "I had already advanced contacts with Barcelona last December. It's always difficult to predict if a deal will go through but Barcelona wanted me and they knew I had a buyout clause. Of course it also depended on my performances.

Barcelona was already interested in me when I was playing for Lens and I was close to signing but in the end they prefered other players. Last december they came back because of my good season at Sevilla. The contacts were still there and since I had proven myself in the Liga, they made a quick decision. They weren't the only ones interested though. Juventus and Real Madrid also contacted me but I had given my word to Barcelona and didn't want to change that."

Keita kind of repeated the story in an interview with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo a few weeks later: "Since I was a little boy I especially followed Barcelona and Marseille and I liked players like Romario, Koeman and Stoichkov. I knew that I would arrive here one day. When I was still playing for Lens, Txiki Begiristain already contacted my agent and tried to transfer me. And although I went to Sevilla, it was clear for me that my intention remained to come here.

Last December Txiki contacted us again and here I am. There were other clubs interested in me, amongst which Real Madrid and Juventus, but for me there was only one possible destination: Barcelona. It's a special club and for me without any doubt the best one there is."

Read more:

Keita possible back-up for Toure

Keita's first interview

Barcelona will pay Keita buyout fee

Ribery was on top of Guardiola's wish list

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Bayern Munich wing attacker and French international Franck Ribéry (25) was on top of the wish list of Barcelona managr josep guardiola to replace Ronaldinho as left wing attacker.

Barcelona sounded out Bayern officials who were nevertheless not willing to start talking (read more here).

The second name that was proposed by Guardiola was that of Real Madrid left winger and Brazilian international Robinho (24). After talking with agent Wagner Ribeiro, it soon became clear that Madrid didn't want to sell the player to Barcelona (read more here).

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain then proposed trying the transfer of Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22), who in the end chose to renew his contract with Valencia.

Barcelona finally looked at the option to sign Zenit Saint-Petersburg forward and Russian international Andrei Arshavin (27) or Sevilla left winger and Spanish international Diego Capel (20). Although Guardiola wasn't totally convinced of their qualities, both players could have partially solved the left wing problems but a deal was not found.

Read more:

Failed bids for Bayern duo Toni and Ribery

Nani was on top of the transfer list

Robinho agent admits contact with Barcelona

Agents deny Capel exit

Asked about the rumours linking Sevilla left winger and Spanish international Diego Capel (20) with Barcelona (read more here), the player's agents René Ramos and Pedro Bravo denied the rumours to Sevilla local sports site Mucho Deporte: "We're not looking at offers for Capel, he'll stay with Sevilla."

Sevilla president José María del Nido, who confirmed that there are renewal negotiations ongoing, said at a press conference that he has some gentlemen's agreement with Barcelona and Real Madrid on the buyout clauses:

"There's a lot of speculation but no club will pay the buyout fee for Capel. The highest officials of the two big Spanish clubs have agreed with the president of Sevilla that they won't use the clauses of Capel or any other player without our consent. So if the clauses aren't valid in international football and I have this agreement with the two main Spanish clubs it's clear that no player will leave unless someone breaks his word."

Read more:
Sevilla president thinks Capel transfer unlikely
Barcelona ready to pay Capel buyout clause
Capel only thinking about Sevilla

Five players on left wing short list

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is handling a five-name short list in their search for a left wing attacker.

The list includes the following players: Andrei Arshavin (27 - Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Angel Di María (20 - Benfica), Rodrigo Palacio (26 - Boca Juniors - picture), Ricardo Noir (21 - Boca Juniors) and Diego Capel (20 - Sevilla).

While Barcelona officials could meet with Zenit officials in Monaco later this week, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain likes the Palacio option a lot. Capel wouldn't be the player Guardiola is looking for.

Like Begiristain (read more here), Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola said at a press conference yesterday that, although he's not worried about the current squad, the club is still searching the market ready to act.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that the board is divided on whether or not buying a left winger in the coming days. A part of the board thinks that a new transfer isn't necessary and prefers that the staff uses the Barcelona Atlètic players if needed.

Read more:

Arshavin confirms Barcelona offer

Barcelona interested in Di Maria

Pre-agreement on Palacio transfer put on hold

Talks on Boca Junior striker Noir

Sevilla president thinks Capel transfer unlikely

Sevilla president thinks Capel transfer unlikely

Asked about the rumours linking Sevilla left winger and Spanish international Diego Capel (20) with Barcelona (read more here), Sevilla president José María del Nido avoided to talk about his plans to renew the player and has said at a press conference this weekend that he didn't yet receive a buyout offer for the player:

"I don't think he will leave since nobody has asked for him. And because of a basic respect between the clubs, there's always a previous contact with the club, like has happened in other cases when they were willing to pay the buyout fee of one of our players. We are not planning to enter negotiations for him and until this day I don't see any club capable of paying the buyout clause (btz: of 15,6 million euro°)."

Read more:
Barcelona ready to pay Capel buyout clause
Capel only thinking about Sevilla
Capel has a madridista background

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)
read more

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)
read more

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)
read more

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)
read more

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)
read more

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)
read more

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)
read more

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 - Official: Valiente to Sevilla B

Barcelona has yesterday officially announced the transfer of Barcelona Atlètic central defender and Spanish youth international Marc Valiente (21) to Sevilla Atlético, the second team of Sevillla that plays in the Spanish second division.

Sevilla confirmed the news on its official website yesterday.

Valiente signed a three-year contract with Sevilla. Barcelona will receive 25 per cent of the transfer fee if Valiente is sold and has the right to buy the player back at the end of the 2008-2009 season for a fee that will depend on the number of matches Valiente will play next season with the first team of Sevilla.

Read more:
Barça B - Official: Coto to Sevilla B
Barça B: Pre-agreement with Sevilla on Valiente
Barça B - Official: Guerra to Atletico Madrid B

Deal with Celtic on Crosas

Scottish tabloid Sunday Mail claims that Celtic Glasgow is on the verge of signing Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) after the two clubs reached an agreement on a 2,5 million euro° deal.

Crosas' representatives would fly to Glasgow in the coming hours to discuss personal terms. Crosas, who played on loan with Olympique Lyon during the first half of this year and who was also wanted by Sevilla, Sporting Gijon and Sampdoria, hopes to sign a three-year contract within the next 72 hours.

Barcelona would have preferred to loan the player to Celtic but Crosas held direct talks with club officials and urged them to let him move on a permanent transfer. The excellent working relationship built up at boardroom level in the past years between Celtic and Barcelona also helped seal the deal.

Read more:
Barcelona and Celtic negotiating Crosas deal
Contract renewal for Crosas
Celtic leading tight race for Crosas

Barça B: Pre-agreement with Sevilla on Valiente

Sevilla regional sports paper Estadio Deportivo claims that Barcelona and Sevilla have reached on Wednesday a pre-agreement on the transfer of Barcelona Atlètic central defender Marc Valiente (21). The player will join Sevilla Atlético, the second team of Sevilla that plays in the Spanish second division.

Valiente, who already had agreed personal terms with Sevilla last month, will sign a three-year contract. Barcelona will have an option to buy the Catalan defender back.

With the contracts now only having to be drawn up and signed, Valiente is preparing to travel to Sevilla as soon as possible and hopes to join the Sevilla B squad at the latest on Monday.

Read more:
Barça B: Valiente again close to Sevilla B

Barça B: Zaragoza asks buyout fee for Goni

Barça B: Talks with Sevilla on Valiente stopped

Barça B: Valiente again close to Sevilla B

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona Atlètic central defender Marc Valiente (21 - picture on the right) is again close to joining Sevilla Atlético, the B team of Sevilla that plays in the Spanish second division.

Valiente, who has been told that he can leave Barcelona this summer, has also received an offer from Greek club Panathinaikos but Barcelona seems to prefer to negotiate with Sevilla. The two clubs would now have picked up the talks on a transfer after an earlier cancellation (read more here).

Asked about the latest rumours linking him with a move to Spanish second division team Celta Vigo (read more here), Valiente has said to the paper that he's unaware of the interest of that club.

Read more:

Barça B: Valiente to Panathinaikos

Barça B: Talks with Sevilla on Valiente stopped
Barça B - Official: Coto to Sevilla B

Celtic leading tight race for Crosas

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Celtic Glasgow (read more here), Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) has said in an interview with Scottish tabloid Daily Record that he has received proposals from Celtic and Sevilla and that he would be ready to accept a loan deal:

"I would love to join Celtic. I enjoyed my time last season at Lyon a lot and it is now up to Barcelona to agree a deal with Celtic or Sevilla. Both have made proposals which appear acceptable to Barça. An agreement now has to be struck with one of them so that I know where I will be playing next season.The option of a season at Celtic could be perfect and there might even be an option to extend that stay.

For me it would be an enrichening experience to play in Scotland. As well as the football, I would experience another culture and also improve my English. Gaining experience of playing in the Champions League is another attraction and I am thrilled about that possibility. Celtic is a very attractive proposition."

In an interview with British tabloid The Sun, the Catalan midfielder says he's waiting to see what will happen: "I haven’t spoken with anyone from Scotland yet, but I am awaiting news. People have spoken about Celtic and Sevilla but everything depends on Barcelona’s decision."

A Barcelona source is quoted as saying that Barcelona sees the Scottish champions as a good option: "Barcelona rate Marc very highly so there’s no way they will sell him. But Guardiola likes the Scottish mentality, the work ethic and the team spirit. Moving to Celtic for a year would also give him some valuable Champions League experience."

The Sun also claims that English Premier League teams West Ham, Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland would now all have declared an interest in Crosas, who says that he likes the English league: "After FC Barcelona, English football’s my passion. But, if I leave Barcelona, it is with the intention to return."

Catalan sports Sport claims that Crosas is close to joining Celtic on a one-year loan deal. Barcelona and Celtic officials have started negotiations and an agreement could be reached soon. There would still be discussion about an option for Celtic to buy Crosas next summer.

Sevilla regional newspaper ABC de Sevilla claims that Crosas is a back-up option for Sevilla in case the transfer of Racing midfielder Duscher wouldn't go through. Sevilla sports director Monchi would have well-advanced contacts with Barcelona on a transfer.

Read more:

Sevilla and Celtic interested in Crosas

Getafe interested in Crosas

Olympiacos considering offer for Crosas

Sevilla and Celtic interested in Crosas

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Sevilla and Celtic Glasgow are the top candidates to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20).

Sevilla would have showed interest for Crosas during the negotiations Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristan and Sevilla sports director Monchi have held over the last months on the transfers of Seydou Keita, Daniel Alves and Fernando Navarro.

Crosas' good performanes in the recent pre-season friendlies against Hibernian and Dundee United have led Scottish champions Celtic Glasgow to contact Barcelona asking for the possibility to sign the Catalan midfielder.

Although a loan deal could be discussed, it seems that all parties involved prefer a permanent transfer.

Read more:
Getafe interested in Crosas
Contract renewal for Crosas
Olympiacos considering offer for Crosas

Barça B - Official: Coto to Sevilla B

Sevilla has officially announced the transfer of Barcelona Atlètic (previously known as Barcelona B) wing attacker Carles Coto (20), who signed a two-year contract and will play for Sevilla B in the Spanish second division next season.

Coto, who was part of the Spanish U-19 national team that became European champions last summer, leaves Barcelona on a free transfer. In case Sevilla sells the player later on, Barcelona will receive a part of the transfer fee. Catalan newspaper Diari de Girona thinks that part could be 20 per cent.

Coto, who is representented by sports agency Bahía International, played last season on loan with Belgian first division club Mouscron. Although Mouscron decided not to use the option to buy the Catalan winger, Coto said to Diari de Girona that the loan has been a positive experience for him: "I matured as a player and as a person. I lived an experience I wouldn't have had staying with Barcelona B and playing in the fourth division. It has been a good decision with a very positive outcome."

Read more:
Barça B: Pedro Garcia looking for Belgian club
Barça B: Ruben looking for another club
Barça B - Official: Fali to Terrassa