Né (ex-Olympiacos)

Marco Né (24), a one time international for Ivory Coast whose contract with Greek champion Olympiacos Piraeus was broken off in January, has this week been testing with Barça B. If he can convince coach Josep Guardiola, he will be training with the second team for the rest of the season.

Apart from also being an Ivorian defensive midfielder, Né's career so far shows remarkable parallels with that of fellow compatriot Yaya Touré. They come from the same youth academy in their home country, Né replaced Touré in Beveren (Belgium) and Olympiacos and both players were rejected by Arsène Wenger after testing with Arsenal.

Crosas goes French

Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) was last month loaned out to French champion Olympique Lyon till the end of the season. The player, who was permanently promoted to the first team only in December 2007, has already gained more playing minutes in less than a month then he did in the first half of the season playing for Barcelona.

Due to the injury of Lyon playmaker Juninho, Crosas started the three league games so far. He adapted quickly to the new competition but had some problems caused by not having started a game for a long time. Crosas can't play for Lyon in the Champions League.

Transfer history: Iaquinta (Juventus)

Udinese president Pozzo told Italian sports paper Tuttosport that Barcelona made a bid to sign forward Vincenzo Iaquinta (28) in January 2006. Iaquinta impressed the Barcelona staff during the group stage of the Chamions League that season. Udinese rejected the bid cause they couldn't find a player to replace Iaquinta.

In the summer of 2007 Iaquinta signed with Juventus.

Jorquera will sign renewal

Barcelona goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (28), currently recovering from a serious knee injury, will soon renew his contract that expires at the end of the season. Valdés' substitute accepted this week the offer he received from the club. He declared on the Catalan radio station Ona FM he only needs to sign now. The renewed contract will link Jorquera for two more years to Barcelona.

Edmilson's wife wants to stay

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the wife of Barcelona midfielder José Edmilson (31) isn't keen on leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. The contract of the player expires in June and at this moment Barcelona doesn't seem interested in renewing it. Because of the children, Mrs. Edmilson would prefer to stay and hopes for an offer from Barcelona in the coming months.