Lahm battle coming

British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that there is a battle coming up between Barcelona and Manchester United to sign Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm (24). The player, whose contract expires in 2009, did not want to renew with his current club, although the appointment of Jürgen Klismann as the new Bayern manager for next seaon could change his position. If Lahm does quit Germany, his personal preference for the Premier League and his friendship with Manchester’s Owen Hargreaves could make him choose a move to Britain.

While Manchester sees the placer as an option for both the right and the left back position, Barcelona would like to bring in Lahm as a right back to replace Gianluca Zambrotta (31), who is rumoured to return to Italy in the summer. Barcelona would be prepared to pay the 11,5 million asking price and to offer the player a lucrative contract.

Pique return looked at

Because the transfer of Santander central defender Ezequiel Garay (21) could be troubled by the salary demands of the player (see more here), Barcelona is said to have started looking at alternatives for in case the Garay option fails.

Madrid tabloid As claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain held a meeting a few days ago with Arturo Canales, the agent of Manchester United central defender Gerard Piqué (21) to discuss the situation of the player, whose contract expires in 2009. It seems for the moment unlikely that Manchester would want to let go the Barcelona youth product for a reasonable price.

Crosas goes French / 5

Olympique Lyon drew one all with Manchester United in the first leg of the Champions League first knock out round. Barcelona loan out Marc Crosas (20) is not allowed to participate in the Champions League with Lyon since he played with Barcelona (half an hour against Stuttgart) in the group stage.

Garay transfer in doubt

Madrid tabloid As claims that the transfer of Santander central defender Ezequiel Garay (21) is getting uncertain. Some weeks ago, everything seemed to lead to the conclusion that a transfer was imminent.

During a meeting between Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Fabián Basualdo, the agent of the player, it would have appeared that the difference between what Barcelona wants to pay the player and what the player pretends to get is substancial. Besides that, the Argentinian is said to have received at least two more offers from Spanish clubs, one of them being Real Madrid.

Mourinho on campaign trail

Spanish news site El Confidencial claims that former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45), who would be the best placed candidate to become the next Barcelona manager, has started a campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Barcelona fans. His attitude during recent Chelsea versus Barcelona games has created fierce opposition amongst a part of the culés.

Mourinho would have contacted several journalists, who he knows from his time in Barcelona as assistant coach, to tell them he always has kept the club and the city in his heart. The negative attitude of Johan Cruijff towards Mourinho, who would be very closely following the performances of Barcelona, would also have changed in recent weeks.