Racing Santander central defender Ezequiel Garay (21), who signed for Real Madrid this week, admitted in an interview with Madrid sports tabloid Marca that he was close to joining Barcelona a few months ago: "With Barcelona everything was agreed upon. But then the deal collapsed for reasons I'm not aware of."
Saturday 24 May 2008
Why did Barcelona miss out on Garay?
Benzema will not come this summer
Olympique Lyon forward and French international Karim Benzema (20) keeps being named as the main candidate to replace Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o (27) who could be sold in the coming months (read more here). But this week it again became clear that Benzema is just not going anywhere this summer.
Gudjohnsen top target for Bundesliga newcomer
German tabloid Express claims that Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (29), whose contract with Barcelona expires in 2010, is high on the wish list of FC Köln manager Christoph Daum.
Guardiola wants Henry to stay
Asked about his future at Barcelona and the rumours saying that he could be on his way out after only one season in Spain (read more here), Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (30) said in an interview with French sports paper L'Equipe that former Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would want him to stay next season:
Chivu not planning to leave Inter
Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Inter Milan centre and left back defender and Romanian international Cristian Chivu (27) said to his club's official website that he had no intention to leave Inter already after one season: "I never listen to transfer rumours, not even by mistake. I'm an Inter player and I am very happy and proud to be a part of this club and of this great squad."
Oleguer wants to stay
Asked about the rumours saying that he could be one of the players having to leave Barcelona in the summer (read more here), Barcelona centre and right back defender Oleguer Presas (28) said at a promotional act for a brand of football boots that he couldn't be very concrete on his future at this stage: "The only thing I can say is that my intention always has been to stay with Barcelona."
Friday 23 May 2008
Keita passed by the Camp Nou
Sevilla midfielder and Mali international Seydou Keita was in the Camp Nou in Barcelona today to negotiate on his contract.
Keita and his agent met with Barcelona sports vice president Marc Ingla and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain. It is believed that Barcelona and the player have reached an agreement.
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Keita and Barcelona agreed on a four-year deal. Spanish news agency Europa Press thinks that the player already underwent medical tests today.
Before making the deal official, Barcelona nevertheless wants to negotiate first with Sevilla on the transfer fee. Keita has a buyout fee of 14 million euro° but if the two clubs can find an agreement, Barcelona would not have to pay the VAT on that fee (read more here). If a deal is not found, Barcelona will probably pay the 14 milion euro plus VAT (2,2 million euro°) on Monday.
Read more:
Barcelona will pay Keita buyout fee
Keita to replace Deco
Keita possible back-up for Touré
Top meeting with Milan to close Zambrotta deal
Spanish news agency EFE claims that AC Milan president Adriano Galliani (picture) flew this afternoon to Barcelona where he will have a dinner with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. It is expected that the deal on Barcelona right back defender Gianluca Zambrotta (31) will be closed.
Pique is in Barcelona
Asked about the statement of Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain earlier this week that a deal on the player was close (read more here), Manchester United central defender Gerard Piqué (21) said today to journalists when arriving in Barcelona where he will play with Catalunya against Argentinia tomorrow that he could not deny that: "It's all very well-advanced, like Txiki already said, but as long as everything is not officially confirmed, I don't want to think much about it."
The short list
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has drawn up a short list of ten players. At least seven of those players would come to Barcelona in the summer.
Will certainly come:
1. Gerard Piqué
2. Seydou Keita
3. Daniel Alves
Will most probably come:
4. Fabricio Coloccini
5. Alexander Hleb
One of the following two will come (in order of preference):
6. Florent Malouda
7. David Silva
One of the following three will come (in order of preference):
8. Karim Benzema
9. Emmanuel Adebayor
10. Dimitar Berbatov
OFFICIAL: Edmilson to Villareal
Villareal has announced on its official website that the club has reached an agreement with Barcelona defensive midfielder José Edmílson (31), whose contract with Barcelona expires in June.
Edmílson will sign for two years and will be officially presented at a press conference on Monday. Over the last months Edmílson had also been linked with Betis, Besiktas and Júbilo Iwata. Less than one month ago, the first rumours about an upcoming agreement with Villareal were spread. Last Friday those rumours were confirmed when the Brazilian midfielder underwent a medical.
At an emotional press conference this morning, Edmílson said goodbye to Barcelona: "I want to thank the socios and everyone that has been supporting me. I'm sad that I'm leaving but I'm happy for the four years I spend here. I have lived a dream in a club that is indeed 'more than a club'. In those four years I have tried to do the best I could. The injuries have not helped me a lot, but I only take good memories with me. Of great people, a great atmosphere and an impressive city."
Referring to his 'black sheep' statement of last season, when he pointed at some team members as not being enough involved with the club, Edmílson said: "I hope the people will not remember me for that bomb declaration, but for the person I am. I want to return to Barcelona one day with my head up high."
José Edmílson came to Barcelona in the summer of 2004, arriving from French champions Olympique Lyon. Also due to injuries he never became a key figure of the team. His best season was 2005-2006, playing the Champions League final in Paris. In four seasons with Barcelona he won two Spanish league titles in 2005 and 2006, two Spanish super cups in 2005 and 2006 and one Champions League in 2006.
1994 - 2000 : São Paulo (Bra)
2000 - 2004 : Olympique Lyon (Fra)
2004 - 2008 : Barcelona (Spa)
2008 - (2010) : Villareal (Spa)
1995 - 2006 : Brazilian national team
Read the whole Edmilson transfer story here
Almeria's Diego Alves to rival Valdes
Barcelona site Pelikano claims that Almería goal keeper Diego Alves (22) is the last name to have joined the list of possible goal keepers who could be transferred in the coming months (read more here).
Barcelona thinks that first-choice goal keeper Víctor Valdés (26) performs at his best when he feels the pressure of having to compete for his place and is therefore looking to bring in a new goal keeper in the summer transfer window. Future Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has relaunched the search for a competitor to Valdés.
Brazilian goal keeper Diego Alves, who also has an Italian passport, came to Spain last summer from Atlético Mineiro and has a contract with Almería until 2012. He was a youth international for many years and is expected to make his debut for the Brazilian national team in the near future.
Read more:
Looking for a goal keeper
Villareal's Diego Lopez to rival Valdes
How things stand: Goal keeper
Guiza willing to return to Barcelona
Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Mallorca forward and Spanish international Dani Güiza (27) said in an interview with Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón that he's open for a transfer: "There have been rumours but we'll see wat will happen. I have always been very motivated playing against Barcelona but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to wear their shirt."
Silva first choice for left wing
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22) is the number one candidate to occupy the position of left wing attacker next season. Future Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola and the technical department of the club think that the player would fit perfectly into the new project.
Because of the critical financial situation of the club, Valencia doesn't exclude to sell some of their top players in the summer and would be willing to negotiate with Barcelona on a transfer of Silva, whose contract expires in 2013.
Madrid sports tabloid Marca reports that Barcelona has already held several talks with Silva's agent to know more about the wishes of the player (read more here). Silva seems ready to leave Valencia.
With the transfer fee probably being between 20 and 25 million euro°, the club wants to close first the transfers of Sevilla players Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita and see how much money they receive for some players who will leave the club.
Read more:
New talks with Silva
How things stand: Wing attackers
Bayern rejects offer for Ribery
Rijkaard top candidate for Mexico job
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (45) is at this moment the first choice candidate to become the next manager of the Mexican national team (read more here).
Thursday 22 May 2008
DEBATE: The summer 2007 transfers
Because I often read interesting comments on the blog but at the same time feel it's not easy to fully enter an issue because there are always fresh new rumours who shift the attention away, I'll put now and then an item up for the discussion.
Before we look to the future, it might be a good idea to make an evaluation of the four transfers of last summer: Thierry Henry, Gabriel Milito, Eric Abidal and Yaya Touré.
What is your opinion about the season of these four players? Who disappointed you, who pleasantly surprised you, were they worth the money we spent, should they stay,... ?
Sylvinho ready to accept renewal offer
Asked about the renewal offer he will receive from the club (read more here), Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho Mendes (34) said in an interview with the official club television channel Barça TV that he will accept the offer: "I really want to stay here. I'm comfortable in this city, I have a great feeling towards the club and my family enjoys it here. I see the offer as a reward for the hard work I've been doing all along the season."
Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain said on Monday that Sylvinho will be the only one who will get a renewal from the five players whose contract expires in June, praising the Brazilina defender for his attitude both on and off the pitch (read more here).
Read more:
Barcelona wants to renew Sylvinho
How things stand: Left back defender
Sylvinho will accept renewal offer
Youth: Douglas Costa de Souza (Gremio)
Several Brazilian media claim that Barcelona is interested in Grêmio left wing midfielder and Brazilian youth international Douglas (17). He is described by a coach as a player with a great ball handling who is eager to learn. Douglas can also play as attacking midfielder or second striker.
A former team-mate says the following about Douglas: "It's a player who is very technical, very fast, very skillful. He has a great view, knows how to organize the game, has a great pass to assist the forwards. And he works really hard, it's a good guy, very modest. He really enjoys it if he can let others score."
Grêmio general director Rodrigo Caetano, who says he hasn't heard anything from Barcelona, has admitted that the club needs to sell players to keep the financial situation of the club in balance. Rumours go that Douglas would have a buyout clause of around 8 million euro°. Although that has not been confirmed, it is believed that selling Douglas could be the solution to keep several first team regulars at the club.
César Bottega, the agent of the player, said to Brazilian newspaper Zero Hora that Barcelona has been watching Douglas: "Last week I handed them some dvd's about him and Tiago Duarte, who I also represent and who is followed since some time by Villareal. And they are clearly most interested in Douglas." The player has a contract until the end of 2009 and Grêmio wants to renew that until 2013 once Douglas turns 18 in September.
Douglas Costa de Souza is playing for the Juniores team of Grêmio and is expected to be promoted to the first team next season. The midfielder already played for the Brazilian U-20 and is now concentrated with the Brazilian U-19 who will play some friendly games in the coming weeks.
Read more:
Youth: Felipe Coutinho (Vasco da Gama)
Youth: Thiago Alcántara
Youth: Erick Flores (Flamengo)
Read all Youth transfer stories here
Barcelona will pay Keita buyout fee
All Spanish and Catalan media seem to agree that Barcelona will pay the buyout fee of 14 million euro° for Sevilla midfielder and Mali international Seydou Keita (28).
Deco top target for Bayern
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona midfielder and Portuguese midfielder Deco (30) is a top target for Bayern Munich manager Jürgen Klinsmann after the German champions failed to transfer AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso (read more here).
Caceres too expensive for Barcelona
Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona sports director has contacted Recreativo Huelva central defender Martín Cáceres (21) to hear more about his situation (read more here).
Luis Enrique to coach Barcelona B
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that former Barcelona player Luis Enrique (38) has accepted the offer to succeed future Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola as head coach of Barcelona B.
Pique soon to be presented
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Manchester United central defender Gerard Piqué (21) could be officially presented as new player of Barcelona before the end of the week.
Wednesday 21 May 2008
Barcelona will offer Eto'o in Chivu deal
British broadcaster Channel 4 claims that Barcelona will tempt Italian champions Inter Milan to sell central defender Cristian Chivu by offering Barcelona forward and Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o (27) in exchange (read more here).
How things stand: Centre forward
(at the end of the season, Barça Transfer Zone looks forward to the coming transfer summer making an analysis for each position, in part 8 we look at the centre forward)
Japanese interest for Edmilson
British news agency Reuters claims that Japanese J-League club Júbilo Iwata is interested in Barcelona defensive midfielder José Edmílson (31), whose contract expires at the end of June and won't be renewed (read more here).
A Júbilo official told the news agency: "He's one of the players we have short-listed. The holding midfield role is a high priority position for us."
According to Japanese media, Júbilo are preparing to offer Edmílson, who is close to a transfer to Villareal (read more here), a multi-year deal worth around 1,5 million euro° a year.
Read more:
Edmilson close to Villareal
Edmilson on his way to Villareal
Edmilson on Besiktas list
New talks with Silva
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain had yesterday intense contacts with the entourage of Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22). Although the player would like to leave Valencia after a dramatic season and Barcelona thinks he would fit perfectly with the club, no final agreement with the player has yet been reached.
Ex-Barça: Meho Kodro dismissed by Bosnia
The Bosnian football association has dismissed former Barcelona forward Meho Kodro (41) as Bosnian national team coach last weekend.
The Bosnian manager, who was appointed in January of this year, refused to take charge of the team for a friendly game against Iran scheduled for this week because he hadn't been asked for his approval of the match.
Mehmed "Meho" Kodro arrived in Barcelona from Real Sociedad in the summer of 1995. Due to injuries and worries related to the war in his home country he didn't perform at the level that was expected. After one season he left for Tenerife.
Read more:
Ex-Barça: Fabio Rochemback
Ex-Barça: Ronald Koeman
Ex-Barça: Ruud Hesp
Read all Ex-Barça stories here
Barcelona rejects Tottenham offer for Valdes
Spanish news site El Confidencial claims that Barcelona has rejected an offer from English Premier League club Tottenham for first choice goal keeper Víctor Valdés (26).
Deal on Zambrotta close
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that the negotiations between Barcelona and AC Milan on several players are going on and that an agreement on the transfer of Barcelona full back defender and Italian international Gianluca Zambrotta (31) has almost been reached.
Malouda is on the list
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Chelsea left winger and French international Florent Malouda (27) is a new candidate to replace Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28) at the left wing attacker position.
Tuesday 20 May 2008
Giovani gives unclear signals about future
Asked about his future before he underwent a succesfull ankle operation yesterday, Barcelona right wing attacker and Mexican international Giovani dos Santos (19) said to journalists that he won't accept to leave on a loan deal in the summer, an option that has been suggested in the past weeks (read more here): "I would like to stay, but I don't want to be a nuissance. If I have to leave Barcelona one day, it will be for good. If a cycle at one place comes to an end, I think one shouldn't come back. I want to be succesfull, no matter where I play."
After he scored a hattrick on Saturday against Murcia, Giovani, who said he wasn't totally fit this season, said to Catalan sports paper Sport that his wish is to stay although he didn't exclude an exit: "It seems that Guadiola doesn't count on me. But this is only what the papers say, nothing more. I think that the club does count on me. To me they have said that I will continue, but I don't have cancelled other options yet. But if it depends on me, I stay in Barcelona. This club is my first option, because they gave me a lot of chances."
In an interview with Mexican newspaper El Centro the Brazilian born player nevertheless said (unconfirmedly) that he wants to leave because of how he was treated by the fans this season (read more here): "Barcelona wants me to stay, but I will have to think carefully about my situation. Being 19 years old, I'm not really looking at the economic side of things, but at the sports side. It will be my decision. Barcelona has given me everything and a part of me wants to stay, but there are details that hurt you, like the treatment by the fans. Nobody wants to be somewhere where he's not wanted."
Read more:
Giovani agrees terms with Chelsea