Shakhtar winger Willian on winter target list

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is still interested in Shakhtar Donetsk winger Willian Borges da Silva (21).

The Brazilian player would be on the list of possible winter transfers, but with a contract until 2012 and a buyout clause of 30 million euros° a transfer seems difficult.

Last year, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would already have met once with Nikola Franco, the agent of the Brazilian attacker, in the Camp Nou offices (read more here), but this then didn't lead to any concrete result.

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Watch this video of Willian:

OFFICIAL: Chygrynskiy

Barcelona has today officially announced the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk central defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22).

Shakhtar Donetsk has meanwhile officially confirmed the transfer and the transfer fee.

Barcelona will pay the Ukrainian club a transfer fee of 25 million euros. Chygrynskiy has signed a five-year deal with Barcelona, until 2014. The buyout clause of the Ukrainian is set at 100 million euros.

Chygrynskiy signed his contract at 1 pm today. The player's agent and brother Victor Chygrynskiy, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Barcelona sports vice-president Rafael Yuste, Barcelona sports direxctor Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehí assisted the signing at the Camp Nou offices.

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Chygrynskiy will arrive in Barcelona tomorrow

Barcelona's official website has announced that Shakhtar Donetsk central defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) will arrive in Barcelona tomorrow.

Spanish news agency EFE claims that Chygrynskiy will travel to Barcelona together with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Barcelona sports vice president Rafael Yuste, who are today in Ukraine for the inauguration of the new stadium of Shakhtar Donetsk.

Chygrynskiy would undergo the medical tests tomorrow afternoon and will then be presented to the press and the fans on Monday afternoon. Barcelona is believed to have agreed to pay a transfer fee of 25 million euros for the Ukrainian centre-back, who would sign a five-year contract.

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Chygrynskiy confirms transfer to Barcelona

Chygrynskiy confirms transfer to Barcelona

Speaking at a press conference today, Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) has confirmed his transfer to Barcelona:

"Tomorrow it will be a very special game for me. It will be my last game with the shirt of Shakhtar. After that, I will leave for Barça.

For every football player, without any exception, the dream of a lifetime is to play for a team like Barça. I feel proud that they have signed me and that Barça has insisted until the end to be able to count on my services."

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Shakhtar coach confirms transfer Chygrynskiy
Txiki confirms transfer Chygrynskiy

Shakhtar coach confirms transfer Chygrynskiy

Speaking at a press conference today, Shaktar manager Mircea Lucescu has confirmed the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) to Barcelona:

"I can confirm the transfer of Chygrynskiy. I have talked with the president and it is a fact. He will play tomorrow with us and then he will join Barcelona.

It's an honour for a club like Shakhtar that a big club like Barça has signed him. When Barça wants a player, it's impossible to reject this. Chygrynskiy will show all his qualities at Barça. The only one who loses here is me. Barça wins because they get a great player, the president of Shakhtar gets a good sum of money and the player goes to the European champions."

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Txiki confirms transfer Chygrynskiy

Txiki confirms transfer Chygrynskiy

Speaking to journalists before travelling with the team to Monaco for the European Super Cup game, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has confirmed the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22):

"Chygrynskiy will come and I'm sure he'll be very good with us. The deal is not yet closed, although we are well-advanced. We will leave things until after the game. We think that is the best way. I don't think there will be any problems, it's just about the sporting logics.

Pep wants a centre-back, he likes this one and after we have tried to lower the price, we have insisted. Since the previous season ended in Ukraine, we have been trying to sign him. It's a key position for our attacking way of playing. He fits the profile we were looking for, it's someone with good heading qualities, who pushes up to midfield and can help in building up from behind.

We're aware that he won't be able to take part in the Champions League but he's 22 years old and I hope he will be able to do it for the next ten seasons, so in the end he will be a cheap player. If he plays a lot of games and wins a lot of trophies, we will have bought him for almost nothing."

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Chygrynskiy will be official on Saturday

Details of Chygrynskiy contract revealed

Details of Chygrynskiy contract revealed

Sport reports that it has uncovered the details of the contract between FC Barcelona and Ukrainian defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy.

According to the paper, Chygrynskiy will be paid 1.2 million euros net per year during the first year of the five year contract. His salary will go up year by year and he is set to make 2 million euros in 2013-2014, the final year of contract.

This represents a significant pay cut from Chygrynskiy's deal with Shakhtar Donetsk, where he reportedly makes 3 million euros per year. The defender's willingness to take such a pay cut demonstrates his desire to play football at the highest level with Barcelona. All that is left is for the two teams to hammer out the final details of the transfer deal, tentatively agreed-upon at 25 million euros.

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Guardiola: I want Chygrynskiy
Chygrynskiy on his way

Guardiola: "I want Chygrynskiy"

Asked about the possible transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22), Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has explained in an interview with Catalan television channel TV3 why he wants to sign the centre-back:

"I want to sign Chygrynkiy. He has some things that you don't easily find in a centre-back but that we need because of the way we play. There are very good central defenders, like all those who came to Barça, but Chygrynskiy has something special. He knows what to do with the ball, and besides that we take into account that he's a very young player.

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Chygrynskiy on his way
Shakhtar coach opens door for Chygrynskiy

Shakhtar coach opens door for Chygrynskiy

Asked about the renewed rumours linking Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu has said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC 1 that he thinks the player will join Barcelona in the coming week:

"It's a matter that is being dealt with by our president and Laporta, and I think that it will happen in the end. I played football until I was 36 and when a club like Barça is interested in a player, I have to give him the chance to go there.

It could depend a lot on the coach but I'm willing to let him go. We'll see what will happen, we will wait for two more days. It might be a big loss for Shakhtar and for myself but it is the wish of Guardiola. It's a great player and a player like him can play at Barcelona. I anyhow think that the normal thing is that he still plays the European super cup with us."

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Chygrynskiy on his way
Laporta optimistic about Chygrynskiy transfer

Laporta optimistic about Chygrynskiy transfer

Asked about the renewed rumours linking Shakhtar defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said in an interview with Catalan television channel TV3 that he thinks a deal will be closed this summer:

"It's a complicated transfer. Chygrynskiy is the favourite player of the owner of the club, Rinat Akhmetov. And besides that, they want to have Ukrainian defenders in their team. They have asked us a lot of money but we are negotiating and I think that in the end we will find an agreement. He's not just a player fancied by the coach, he's necessary to strengthen the squad."

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Txiki confirms continuation of Chygrynskiy talks

Asked about the renewed rumours linking Shakhtar defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain confirmed to journalists that the club is still working on a transfer:

"We will keep on talking, because it's a very interesting player and if we can close a deal, we will do that. I don't think it's necessary to meet in order to reach an agreement. We have one week left and we will try to make it happen. There are alternatives for Chygrynskiy though. He's not the only option we're working on. We will see which one is the best and most feasible option. But we've started with Chygrynskiy and let's see if we can close the operation."

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Shakhtar agrees on holding Chygrynskiy meeting

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Shakhtar Donetsk has agreed to hold a meeting to discuss the situation of Shakhtar defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22).

Although Shakhtar still isn't willing to let the centre-back go, delegations of both clubs would meet in Monaco, where Barcelona will compete for the European Super Cup on Friday, to talk about Chygrynskiy.

It is believed that there could be more telephone contacts in the coming hours (read more here) and it's not excluded - although unlikely - that Barcelona president Joan Laporta could travel to Ukraine on Tuesday.

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Transfer of Chygrynskiy not excluded

Asked if the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) was excluded this summer, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola said at a press conference that he couldn't confirm that:

"I don't know if he will come. We'll see what will happen, I don't know. Is he as good as people say? There are other players on the market, he's not the only option, but I'm getting paid to make decisions, more than to coach.

I decide who plays, who doesn't, who comes, with whom I work and which staff I have. You have to make decisions and it's often difficult, but that's my job."

Dimitri Seluk, the agent of Chygrynskiy, meanwhile said in an interview with Catalan radio station Ona FM that there will be a last attempt to reach an agreement on the transfer of the Ukrainian centre-back next Friday when the two clubs will compete for the European super cup in Monaco.

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New contacts with Shakhtar on Chygrynskiy

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona has started yesterday the club's final attempt to sign Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22).

New telephone contacts between Barcelona, Shakhtar and the entourage of the player would have taken place but didn't change a lot. The Ukrainian club would nevertheless not be willing to change its position and would still be asking a transfer fee of 30 million euros°.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Shaktar would be ready to drop the asking price to 25 million euros° if that sum is paid immediately. Barcelona could make such a bid when delegations of both clubs will meet in Monaco later this week ahead of the European super cup. Chygrynskiy, who would have told people of his entourage in the past days that he would like to join Barcelona, would be offered a contract of four to five years.

Asked about the new rumours about a transfer to Barcelona, Chygrynskiy said yesterday at a press conference that the reports don't affect him: "I don't think about it. Everything is clear to me. I have a fresh head, I feel good and I'm preparing for the games to come."

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Ultimate attempt to sign Chygrynskiy

Both main Catalan sports papers claim that Barcelona will make a last attempt to sign Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) before the current transfer windows end at the end of August.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that although the club wants to try to fulfil Guardiola's main request and plans to raise its bid, they are not prepared to loose their heads. Previous offers of 17 million euros plus 8 million euros and a one-year loan for 3 million euros plus a buy option for 22 million euros would have been rejected earlier this summer.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona will make an ultimate bid of 25 million euros°. Barcelona could make a new contact with Shakhtar this weekend and delegations of both clubs are expected to meet in Monaco in the margin of the European super cup next week.

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Srna agent confirms Barcelona contacts

Asked about the new rumours linking Shakhtar Donetsk right back defender and Croatian international Darijo Srna (27) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent Damir Stimac confirmed in an interview with Croatian newspaper Jutarnji list that there have been contacts two months ago but said that a deal is now unlikely:

"Yes, Barcelona wants him, it is not a new story. Some talks took place at the beginning of June, but now there are only 12 days left before the end of this transfer window so I think that it's not very realistic to think that he will now move to Barcelona.

Too many things have to be agreed, like his wage, as he is big player and he should earn at least 4 or 5 million euros per season. But it's well-known that taxes in Ukraine are only 18 per cent, a lot lower than in Spain or England. But if a transfer happens, than my prediction is that he will rather move to an Eglish club than to Barcelona. We are talking about a club, which is right now selling a right-back and the coach is just in love with Srna's style of play."

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Barca Asks About Willian

Sport is reporting that Barcelona is interested in 21 year old Brazilian Willian, although it has not yet made an offer for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger. Known for his powerful outside shot, the player has appeared for the under 17, 18, and 20 Brazilian national teams.

Pepe Costa, member of Barcelona's staff, would in the last days have been in contact with Nike Brazil to get the latest reports on the player, which were excellent. Costa then reportedly called Willian, who repeated thathe would be delighted to b able to join Barcelona.

Willian appears to be ready to make a move. "I am very grateful to Shakhtar, which has allowed me to change my life and that of my family from water to wine. Coming to Ukraine was not what I really wanted, but the offer was good...I think I could be at a better club if I had not rushed," he is quoted as saying at the beginning of thsi month. Shakhtar paid a 13 million euros transfer fee for the Brazilian in 2007.

The player reports being dissatisfied with the cold, the small crowds, and the rough style of play in Ukraine. Still, a transfer may be difficult, as the midfielder's buyout clause is 30 million euros. Just last year the player's agent reported that Barcelona had come to personal terms with the player but the teams were not able to reach an agreement.

Even if Barcelona were able to secure a transfer, Willian would not be able to play with the team during its 2009/10 Champions League run, as he appeared alongside Chygrynskiy in Shakhtar's losing effort in the qualifying rounds.

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Deal With Shakhtar Donetsk Winger Willian

Eight names on right-back short list

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has been proposed by the club a short list, including videos, of candidates to strenghten the right back positon.

It's now up to the coach to inidicate his priority so Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona director of football Raúl Sanllehí can then start to move for the player.

Barcelona would be looking for a quality player, with good technical skills, an attacking way of playing, who's physically strong and agressive.

The names on the short list would include the following eight players:

César Azpilicueta (19 - Osasuna)
Cicinho (29 - Roma)
Emmanuel Eboué (26 - Arsenal)
Zdenek Grygera (29 - Juventus)
Jonás Gutiérrez (26 - Newcastle)
Andoni Iraola (27 - Athletic)
Rafinha (23 - Schalke)
Darijo Srna (27 - Shakhtar)

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Last-minute attempt for Chygrynskiy coming up

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona has not yet given up on Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22).

The player, who would also still hope to join Barcelona, would certainly stay with Shakhtar until 29 August, when the Ukrainian club will inaugurate their new stadium.

Barcelona would make a last attempt to sign Chygrynskiy in the margin of the European super cup game between Barcelona and Shakhtar on Friday 28 August. The club will most probably again propose Shakhtar to sign Chygrynskiy on loan with the option of buying him next summer.

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Chygrynskiy accepts that he will not leave


Watch a video of Chygrynskiy here:

Chygrynskiy accepts that he will not leave

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) is quoted by Catalan sports paper Sport as saying at a press conference in Ukraine that he has no other choice than to accept his club's decision to not let him go:

"Of course I would have liked to join Barça. Which player in the world wouldn't want that? I know there have been several rounds of talks and that a lot of money has been offered.

But in the end my club didn't accept the offer and there's nothing I can do about that. Those are decisions made by the president and I have to accept them. The only thing I can do now is to focus on my team. After the Champions League elimination we have to come back even stronger."

Madrid sports tabloid As meanwhile claims that Shakhtar Donetsk's last asking price for Chygrynskiy was 23 million euro° plus incentives, a sum Barcelona wasn't willing to pay which made an end to the negotiations.

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