Grygera agent leaves Barcelona door open

Asked about the rumours linking Juventus right back defender and Czech international Zdeněk Grygera (29) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent Mino Raiola kept the door open for a possible move in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb:

"At this moment the situation is calm, despite the fact that there are many interested clubs.

The player is feeling good at Juventus and they have said that he is not for sale. However, the transfer market is still long, and as you know, in football anything can happen."

Read more:
Looking for a right back defender
Cicinho and Grygera also options for right back
Eboue tops right back target list

Rossi agent opens Barcelona door

Asked about the situation of Villarreal forward and Italian international Giuseppe Rossi (22), the player's agent Andrea Pastorello has said in an interview with Italian football website Tutto Mercato Web that Barcelona is an option for the player:

"I think it is very unlikely that Rossi will leave Villarreal this year. With Milan there have been no negotiations. Juventus has sounded out Villarreal during a trip of sports director Secco to Spain, but it ended without any result.

The player might be willing to return to Italy, although he feels good in Spain. The asking price is nevertheless rather high and only clubs like Inter, Juventus and Milan in Italy and Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain could have the means to sign him. And we are also only prepared to join a top club like these ones."

Read more:
Barcelona keeps on scouting Diego Lopez
Villarreal wants Bojan for next season
Valencia, Sevilla and Villareal want Jeffren


Watch this video of Rossi:

No concrete talks with Poulsen

Asked about the rumours linking Juventus midfielder and Danish international Christian Poulsen (29) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent Jorn Bonnesen has said in an interview with Italian football site Tutto Mercato Web that there's nothing concrete so far:

"I've heard about Barcelona, but until now there haven't been any concrete talks. The English Premier League might be a good destination for my client but everything will depend on the club and the offer. We also only want to leave permanently so we won't accept a loan deal."

Read more:
Meeting Caceres-Poulsen swap coming up
Agent Poulsen confirms Barcelona contact

Ibrahimovic agent finalizing last details in Milan

Italian sports site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Mino Raiola, the agent of Inter Milan forward and Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27), will be in Milan today to finalize the last details of the striker's transfer to Barcelona.

After Inter and Eto'o reached an agreement, Inter and Ibrahimovic now have to deal with the last contract formalities prior to the official annoucnement of the transfer operation.

Raiola meanwhile said in an interview with Italian televsion channel Sky yesterday that more talks with Barcelona are needed: "I now still have to speak to Barcelona as my main task is to satisfy my client. The whole operation began at the end of lest season. I think that the dinner between Moratti and Laporta has been decisive. Barcelona wanted to sign Ibra, even when Eto'o wouldn't have been part of the deal. I always thought they were two separate negotiations and Laporta has confirmed this."

Read more:
Barcelona officially confirms Zlatan-Eto'o deal close
Ibrahimovic on his way to Europe

Agent: Caceres waiting to make decision

Asked about Barcelona defender and Uruguayan international Martin Caceres (22), agent Daniel Fonseca was quoted by Italian site Tuttomercatoweb that a deal could soon be made:

"Nothing has changed since we last heard, but Juventus are optimistic about the signing. I think that in 10 days time the situation will be resolved.

Does it depend on Barcelona or Juventus? Neither of them - we are waiting for the player's answer, which should arrive in 4-5 days, and then we can finally move forward."

Read more:
Guardiola about current Barca players
Juventus confirms Caceres interest
Caceres very close to Juventus loan

Juventus and Roma interested in Caceres

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22) with a loan move to Juventus (read more here), the player's agent Daniel Fonseca has confirmed in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb that the Italian club is interested:

"At the moment, there is nothing concrete. Juventus is interested in him, like several other Italian and Spanish clubs are like interested in him, but until now we haven't start any negotiations.

Would Barcelona be willing to let him go on loan? At this moment, no. The will of the player? His priority is to play regularly, it doesn't really matter if that's in Italy or in Spain."

Italian football site Calcio Mercato meanwhile claims that AS Roma is also interested in Cáceres. Roma sports director Daniel Pradè would have met today with Fonseca and transfer intermediary Ernesto Bronzetti to discuss the situation of the Uruguayan centre-back. Italian football site Calcio News claims that Cáceres should cost 12 million euro° plus incentives, which would be too much for Roma.

Read more:
Caceres is an option for Juventus
Liverpool and Juventus interested in Abidal
Caceres could sign Zaragoza loan deal this week

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

Hleb will stay next season

Asked about the rumour that Barcelona tried to include Barcelona attacker and Belarusian international Alexander Hleb (28) in the transfer deal on Inter Milan player Ibrahimovic (read more here), the player's agent Uli Ferber has said in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb that the player doesn't intend to leave:

"I have not been informed about this possibility, not by Inter and not by Barcelona. The wish of my client is anyhow to respect his contract with his current club."

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain is meanwhile quoted by Baden-Württemberg regional newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung as saying that Hleb will certainly stay: "We did not fight so hard to sign him last year just for that."

Read more:
Hleb does not want to leave
Meeting with Inter on Ibrahimovic: A reconstruction
Stuttgart cannot afford to sign Hleb

Youth: Barcelona following Napoli talent Marciano

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Barcelona is interested in Napoli youth player Paolo Marciano (born 1995).

The Italian striker would be being followed by several European clubs, with Barcelona, Manchester United, Bordeaux and Olympique Lyon having shown the most interest.


Read more:
Barcelona willing to bid for Napoli striker Lavezzi
Youth: Barcelona signs Cameroonian goalkeeper
Bid for Napoli defender Santacroce upcoming

Barcelona is an option for Inter right back Maicon

Asked about the future of Inter Milan right back defender and Brazilian international Maicon (27), the player's agent Antonio Caliendo has said in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb that Barcelona is a possible destination for the defender:

"Yes, I think it's possible he moves to Spain, to Real Madrid or Barcelona, although you have to wait and see if Inter president Moratti gives his permission.

Maicon is one of those players who is wanted by all clubs. I think that there will be a lot of movement during the coming transfer window because there will be new funds available in Spain, particularly at Real Madrid and Barcelona. And I don't exclude that my client could also get involved."

Read more:
Inter Milan interested in Hleb
Pre-agreement with Ibrahimovich
A look at the coming transfer summer (2)

Agent Abidal denies Juventus rumours

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona left back defender and French international Eric Abidal (29) with a move to Juventus (read more here), the player's agent David Venditelli has said in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb that the Frenchman has no intention of leaving:

"This is just one of those transfer rumours, there has been no contact at all. It's absolutely wrong that the player would like to leave Barcelona. He has another two years left on his contract with the club and he's very happy there. He doesn't have any reason for wanting to leave.

The rumours about him not wanting to join an Italian club because of the presumed racism in the stadiums? Unfortunately, the press completely distorted some statements. The player once had an argument with De Rossi during a match, but neither he nor I have ever talked about Italy as being a racist country nor have we ruled out a transfer to the Italian league on these grounds."

Read more:
Milan interested in Abidal
Abidal appeal dismissed
Juventus wants to include Trezeguet in Abidal deal

Barcelona tried to sign Hazard last summer

Asked about the rumours linking Lille attacking midfielder and Belgian international Eden Hazard (18) with several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent for Italy Francesco Musarra has confirmed in an interview with Italian football site TuttoMercatoWeb that Barcelona is interested in the player:

"It's a player who is already followed by Barcelona and Manchester United for at least two years. This season he's more regularly playing with the first team but Barcelona already tried to sign him last summer. It's true that Inter and Mourinho are also interested and that they're closely monitoring him, but although he has always wished to play in Italy, we should admit the Italian league isn't top anymore.

Eden has said that he would like to stay another year at Lille to keep on learning and to make progress. But it's clear that a concrete and real interest of an important club could change that view. In football you never know."

Read more:
Hazard doesn't yet want to leave Lille
Barcelona monitoring Irish talent McCarthy
Barcelona interested in Belgian talent Hazard


Watch a video of Hazard here:

Barcelona interested in French talent Feghouli

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Barcelona is interested in Grenoble attacking midfielder and French youth international Sofiane Feghouli (18).

Barcelona would be one of the many European top clubs that are following Feghouli and would recently have made a first contact to inform they are interested in the French player of Algerian descent.

Read more:

Barcelona interested in Belgian talent Hazard

Barcelona monitoring Irish talent McCarthy
Barcelona asking 3 million from former youth player

Watch a video of Feghouli giving a clinic:

Barcelona willing to bid for Napoli striker Lavezzi

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Barcelona is interested in Napoli forward and Argentinian (youth) international Ezequiel Lavezzi (23).

Barcelona has made the first contacts and would be willing to make a bid worth 20 million euro° for the Argentinian striker.

Lavezzi, who joined Napoli in the summer of 2007, would like the option to join Barcelona and could be trying to force his way out since he has earlier this week asked a serious pay rise. With Napoli not willing to give in to that demand because they don't want to break the financial balance in the squad, the Italian club could now be looking to sell the player.

Read more:
Barcelona interested in Lazio forward Zarate
Bid for Napoli defender Santacroce upcoming
Barcelona scouted Argentinian talent Salvio

Barcelona keeping an eye on Veloso

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Barcelona is one of the European top clubs that is interested in Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder and Portuguese international Miguel Veloso (22).

Paulo Barbosa, the agent of Veloso, has earlier confirmed in an interview with Italian football site Firenzeviola that the player is being followed by Spanish clubs: "I know that Italian agents have been watching him, but there are no official negotiations ongoing. He has a host of suitors in Italy but there are also interested clubs in Spain and England."

The contract of Veloso at Sporting expires in 2011 and the player has a buyout clause of 30 million euro°.

Read more:

Moutinho was high on list to replace Deco

Porto's Lucho Gonzalez to replace Deco

Ex-Barça: Rochemback to Sporting

Barcelona scouted Argentinian talent Salvio

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Barcelona is interested in Club Atlético Lanús forward and Argentine youth international Eduardo Salvio (18).

Barcelona would be one one of the South-European top clubs that have sent a scout to Buenos Aires to watch Salvio, who made his first team debut in August, in action.


Read more:

Barcelona interested in Lazio forward Zarate

Talks on Boca Junior striker Noir

Pre-agreement on Palacio transfer put on hold

Watch a video of Salvio here (he's the number 14 of the purple-red team, scoring the third goal for his team at 3:30):

Busquets agent optimistic about renewal

Asked about the rumours on difficult renewal negotions of Barcelona defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) (read more here), the player's agent Josep Maria Orobitg has denied in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb that there are serious problems:

"Talking about difficulties with the renewal is not correct and does not correspond with the reality. We are still talking, for now there has only been one meeting, so to speak already about problems seems out of place. On the other hand, it is true that he's an interesting young player who, as his contract expires at the end of the season, could be signed for a very low price.

That's why he is followed by several Spanish, English and Italian clubs, although I won't give you any names. Because the talks with Barcelona are still ongoing, it wouldn't be right to give the names but I can assure you that I'm not involved in any type of negotiations with any of those clubs.

We're talking about a very young player but above all a player who has been created, so to say, by Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola, who is also represented by me. So I don't only think he will stay in Spain but I'm very optimistic about his continuation in Barcelona."

Asked about the renewal negotiations with Busquets, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said earlier this week at a press conference that he's also optimistic about a contract renewal: "The relations between the club and the player are excellent. He has made an incredible progress, something we thought could happen when we promoted him to the first team.

We're talking with his agent but we're also in contact with his father, a former player who is part of the technical staff of the club, and we know that his entourage thinks that Barcelona is the best club for him to keep making progress."

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona wants to close the renewals of Busquets and Xavi as soon as possible, preferably in the coming days, so the club can then start working on the cases of Márquez, Puyol and Eto'o.

Read more:
Milan offers Busquets twice as much as Barcelona
Busquets not listening to offers by other clubs
The Arabic tattoo of Busquets

Barcelona prepares bid for Rakitic

Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb claims that Barcelona is interested in Schalke 04 attacking midfielder and Croatian international Ivan Rakitić (20).

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would be impressed with Rakitić and has asked the club to try to bring the player to Barcelona. The club would be preparing a 14 million euro° offer for January.

Read more:

Vargas (Fiorentina) and Farfan (Schalke) monitored

Barcelona to pay additional fee for Pedro

Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04)

Pavlyuchenko again an option as centre forward

Russian tabloid Tvoi Den (unconfirmedly) claims that, with the difficult negotiations on Arshavin and Adebayor, Barcelona has again opened the option to transfer Spartak Moscow forward and Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko (26) (read more here).

Barcelona would be considering to launch a 15 million euro° bid for the Russian centre forward, who is expected to leave his club this summer and who is also monitored by several other European top clubs.

Italian football site Tutto Mercato Web claims that Barcelona is one of the four clubs in the running for Pavlyuchenko and estimates the chances of the clubs at this moment as follows: AC Milan 30% - Barcelona 25% - AS Roma 25% - Tottenham 20%.

pep's opinion:
because he was one month ago already once linked with barcelona, i watched him a little more closely in the euro games against sweden, holland and spain and i have to say i was really impressed by his performances. and not only because of that wonderful goal against the netherlands (watch it again here). *** what i totally loved about him was the way he moves in the box, that is just world class. even being the sole striker and so kind of being covered by the two central defenders he always (al-ways) seemed to have no defender in a circle of one meter around him when a ball reached him. incredible. even in that terrible spain-russia game, he gave puyol and marchena a hard time in the first half. i'm pretty sure puyol would name pavlyuchenko if our captain was asked about his most difficult opponent during the tournament (ahead of guys like toni, ibrahimovic or klose) *** he seemed (based on those three games of course, you should see him in more games and in other circumstances to have a more profound judgment, plus: i would want to know more about his character) a very complete striker to me: strong, fast, smart, versatile, good heading, great long distance shot, good balance between selfish and eye for team-mates. maybe he lacks some scoring? and like he showed with russia he must be able to play as only centre forward in a 4-3-3. *** of course he's 26 and has no experience in a top league, so it would be a huge risk to for example take him as your first choice striker. although maybe on the other hand: who else is available on the market if you don't get adebayor and guardiola holds on to his preference for a strong centre forward? if eto'o would have stayed, i guess for that price pavlyuchenko would have been the ideal number two behind him. *** note: pavlyuchenko was apparently only russia's back-up for the striker position---i wonder how that pogrebnyak guy is like...

Read more:
Pavlyuchenko new name on striker list
Barcelona pushing hard for Adebayor
Where was Arshavin all those years?

Sylvinho waiting to sign his renewal

Asked about the situation of the player, Hans Lamberz, the agent of Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho Mendes (34), said in an interview with Italian football site Tutto Mercato Web that the player is waiting to put his signature:

"We have been talking about a one-year renewal, a solution that satisfied all parties. But every agreement should be put on paper and be signed and the signature seems to take a lot of time. The player is about to leave for Brazil and wants to have a final response soon. If that's not the case, the player will be on the market since we have enough requests for him."

With AS Roma there were contacts in the beginning of this year (read more here), but the agents denied any recent talks to include Sylvinho in a deal on Roma winger Amantino Mancini (read more here).

There have been contacts with other clubs, but none of them convinced the player so far: "We had an offer from an English club, one from a French club, which he refused because of the language problem, one from a German club, which he said no to although it was a financially interesting offer. And two offers from Italian club, but although Sylvinho is not amongst the best paid Barcelona players, his contract is not within the reach of Italian clubs, or at least of those who have contacted us. There is also an offer by a Spanish club, but when you have played in Barcelona it is difficult to switch to another Liga team."

Barcelona remains at this moment the first option of the Brazilian left back defender: "Sylvinho is being appreciated by everyone in the club: from his team-mates, over the technical staff to the directors. For him, Barcelona is a family. So he wants to stay and his future is totally in the hands of the club now. But if the renewal is not being signed, we will have to start to look around."

pep's opinion:
if caceres can also play as left back, maybe all this waiting means sylvinho won't continue in the end. but whatever it is: like in the crosas case, again very poor behaviour from the people responsible for dealing with this matters.

Read more:
Barcelona wants to renew Sylvinho

Sylvinho ready to accept renewal offer

How things stand: Left back defender