Barça B - Official: Jonathan Soriano (Albacete)

Barcelona has today officially announced the transfer of Albacete forward Jonathan Soriano (23), who will play with Barcelona Atlètic in the third division next season.

Soriano, who passed the medical tests earlier today, signed a one-year deal. Spanish news agency EFE claims that a second optional year depends on games played and goals scored and that his contract will be automatically renewed if the player would be promoted to the first team.

The Catalan striker, whose contract with Albacete expired last month, came through the youth ranks of Espanyol Barcelona and was definitely promoted the club's first team two years ago (read more here). In January, he joined Spanish second division club Albacete on a free transfer.

Soriano is, after winger Edu Oriol, midfielder Luque, central defender Armando, central defender Iván and right back defender Sobregrau, the sixth signing of Barcelona Atlètic this summer.

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Barça B: Jonathan Soriano (Espanyol Barcelona)
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Barça B: Jonathan Soriano (Espanyol Barcelona)

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Espanyol Barcelona forward Jonathan Soriano (23).

Soriano, whose contract with Espanyol expired this summer, would join Barcelona Atlètic, that plays in the Spanish third division.

Since January, the Catalan striker had been playing on loan with Spanish second division club Albacete. Soriano already made his debut with Espanyol's first team in 2002 and was definitely promoted in 2007. Sport claims that the transfer of the former Spanish youth international will be officially announced in the coming hours.

Read more:
Barça B: More transfers negotiations ongoing
Barça B: Elvis Onyema Ogude (Ceuta)

Barcelona president pushes Benitez option

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has put forward the name of Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez (47) as the one who should become the next Barcelona manager if the results force current manager Frank Rijkaard (45) to leave at the end of the season.

Is it said it was a go-between and personal friend of Laporta who informed the Barcelona president about the fact that the Liverpool manager is, contrary to what is generally believed, not untouchable. Laporta would have given the go-between the permission to contact Benítez discretely through the manager's former agent Manuel García Quilón.

With Benítez, who was not on the initial list of the technical staff, Barcelona president Laporta wants to have a valid successor for Rijkaard that is not former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45), who Laporta thinks could give problems cause of his character and the negative view of Barcelona legend Johan Cruijff and some media. Mourinho is nevertheless strongly supported by some members of the Barcelona board, including economic vice president Ferran Soriano and sports vice president Marc Ingla, and by an important part of the Barcelona fans.

Meanwhile British tabloid The Daily Mirror claims that Benítez, who has also attracted the interest of Spanish clubs Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Valencia, is supported by Barcelona legend Johan Cruijff, who would have made a report to Barcelona president Laporta about the manager issue.

(read more on the manager debate here)

Barcelona vice president pushing for Mourinho

Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Barcelona economic vice president Ferran Soriano is the one who is pushing the most for the arrival of former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45). Soriano would have the support from the majority of the board, liking the inflexibility and the professionalism of the Portuguese.

In mid-January, Soriano would even have contacted Mourinho, through his agent Jorge Mendes, to deny the rumours about a veto from Barcelona legend Johan Cruijff and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain. Convinced by those words, Mourinho has since then postponed every decision on his future.

Ferran Soriano would prefer to bring in Mourinho because he thinks the Portuguese manager is the one who can lead the team to success in the coming years, which could make Soriano's road to the presidency in 2010 a lot smoother. The same reason would lead current president Joan Laporta to start supporting more the Mourinho option: Laporta wants to leave in 2010 by the front door, with a trophy.

No spending limits

During the presentation of the economic results of the first half of the season last week, Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano said that the financial situation will allow the club to bring in the players that are asked for by the tecnical staff. The board will nevertheless act in a reasonable way: "There is no transfer budget nor a limit, except that set by common sense."

Ronaldinho talks upcoming

Barcelona’s economic vice president Ferran Soriano has stated that the club will start talking this summer with playmaker Ronaldinho (27), whose contract expires in 2010: “I think that the right time to talk about a renewal is when you have two contract years left. So, this summer we’ll start talking, without any pressure.”

Soriano said the club will start the negociations with the intention to renew and that Barcelona doesn’t plan to sell the player: “We’ve always rejected offers for him, and if another one comes in, we’ll repeat he’s not for sale.”

Mourinho or Wenger

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo analizes today the question who will be the Barcelona manager next season. While it's clear current manager Frank Rijkaard (45) will only be able to continue if the team wins the Liga or the Champions League, the board seems to be divided over who would have to be his successor in case he fails: former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45) or Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger (58).

Some board members think it's time for the strong hand of Mourinho, but external advisor Johan Cruijff keeps opposing the Portuguese. Vice president Ferran Soriano is said to have a good relationship with Wenger after negociating Thierry Henry's transfer last summer. Meanwhile, Mourinho was staying in the same hotel as two Barcelona board members last week in Ghana. Accidentally as it seems, but this will probably only strengthen the rumours.