Rivals in the field for Coloccini

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that, after the rumour spread that Barcelona has been approaching Deportivo La Coruña central defender Fabricio Coloccini (26) (read more here), Real Madrid contacted the agent of the Argentinian international, Marcelo Lombilla, to let him know they would also like to sign the player. Madrid doesn't seen to have a lot of confidence in players like Cannavaro or Metzelder and thinks Coloccini could be the ideal player to strengthen the central defence. And even more so if the player would only cost 10 million euro.

Bayern not planning to let Lucio go

Bayern Munich central defender Lúcio (29) has said in an interview with Munich tabloid TZ that some people misunderstood the rumours linking him with Barcelona and that nothing has been signed yet. The Brazilian international nevertheless says his dream is to play in Spain: "An offer from a club like Barcelona is the biggest thing for every player. If a concrete offer comes, I would want to go. I know it wouldn't be easy to leave this club but every problem has a solution. I think that a transfer could also be to the advantage of Bayern."

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told in an interview with German weekly sports paper Sport Bild that the club doesn't want to let go top players like Lúcio: "It's a known fact that he has a contract until 2010 and we don't plan to let him leave before that date."

(read everything on the Lucio transfer story here)

Youth: Gai Assulin

British tabloid The Daily Star claims that Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in Barcelona attacking midfielder Gai Assulin (16), who made his debut with the Israeli national team yesterday. The agent of the player, Pini Zahavi, admits the interest of several clubs but told in an interview with the paper that the player has no plans to leave. Zahavi is quoted as saying: "Those teams are interesting and we will never say no. But Gai feels good in Barcelona."

Gai Assulin was born in Israel and came to Barcelona four years ago. Since a few months, Gai is playing with Barcelona B in the Spanish fourth division. Under the management of former Barcelona defensive midfielder Josep Guardiola he already scored seven goals this season, having an important part in the second place of the team in the classification. Last september he made his senior debut with the first team in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya.

In August last year, Gai signed a three year contract with Barcelona, that includes a buyout clause of 20 million euro (°).

(read more youth transfer stories here)

Mourinho deadline approaches

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45) has set a deadline: at the end of the first week of April the Portuguese will make a decision about his future and determine which club he will be coaching next season. Mourinho no longer wants to take the risk of being left without a top club if he keeps waiting until Barcelona, his first option, decides to continue or not with their current manager Frank Rijkaard (45).

Real Madrid and Inter Milan are widely believed to be the other two main candidates to sign Mouriho, with the latter supposedly being the best placed at this moment.

(read more on the Mourinho story here)

Ronaldinho decision expected in June

Barcelona president Joan Laporta told at a conference that Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28) isn't the main theme within the club at this moment, since Barcelona is still in the race for the two major trophies and the team, and not the individuals, is the most important thing for now. Still, Laporta denied that the relations with the club are permanently broken: "There is no divorce between Barça and Ronaldinho, nor between the player and myself. I've always had the utmost respect for the player. Ronaldinho has given a lot to Barcelona and I hope and believe that he will keep on doing that."

Catalan sports paper Sport nevertheless reports that the Ronaldinho case has been discussed for hours during the board meeting on Tuesday. The board decided that the members wouldn't pronounce anymore on Ronaldinho to avoid an intensification of the debate and that any decision is postponed until the end of the season. Madrid tabloid Marca assures that the Barcelona board has already taken the decision: Ronaldinho has to leave in the coming summer, even if this would mean they should let him go on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, British tabloid The Sun claims today that Barcelona would be willing to sell the Brazilian international for 15,3 million euro (°), with Chelsea being interested to sign the player. And Madrid tabloid Marca claims that Roberto de Assís, brother and agent of Ronaldinho ànd owner of Brazilian football club Porto Alegre, could use a new FIFA ruling to sign his brother for 16 million euro (°°) and then negotiate freely with interested clubs.

(read more on the Ronaldinho transfer story here)