Sylvinho agent confirms Manchester City contacts

Asked about the rumours linking former Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (35) with a move to Manchester City (read more here), the player's agent Hans Lamberz has confirmed in an interview with British sports site Sky Sports that there have been contacts with the English club but that a decision has not yet been made:

"There was contact with Manchester City a while ago and that has been renewed recently. Sylvinho is a free agent and he is in no rush to sign anywhere as he can join a club outside the transfer window.

Manchester City is obviously an interesting option with the talent there and Mark Hughes as manager. We are waiting for a decision from the directors of Manchester City and Sylvinho also has a decision to make."

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Fluminense and Corinthians want Sylvinho

Corinthians and Zaragoza options for Sylvinho

Aragon regional newspaper Equipo claims that newly promoted Spanish first division club Zaragoza is interested in Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (35).

The Brazilian defender, whose contract with Barcelona expires this summer and won't be renewed (read more here), would also have offers from France and Germany, but he and his family would prefer to stay in Spain. The player's agent Hans Lamberz confirmed to the paper that Zaragoza could be an option: "The player would be happy to continue in Spain and Zaragoza is an attractive club."

Asked about his future, Sylvinho told journalists in Brazil that returning to his home-country is also an option for him: "I'm on holidays in São Paulo after a very hard season, with a lot of games, a lot of effort, so I want to rest now. Returning to Corinthians would be something very nice because I grew up there and I still have friends at the club. If we would find a deal, I would be very happy. Joining Corinthians is always an option so if they open the door, I won't think twice."

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Fluminense interested in Sylvinho

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Brazilian club Fluminense is interested in Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (35), whose contract expires at the end of this month and won't be renewed (read more here).

The Brazilian club had earlier announced in an official statement that they are negotiating the last details of the signing of a player who is currently playing in Europe and Sylvinho would be one of the three candidates.

British tabloid News of the World meanwhile claims that the search for a new manager has stopped the contacts between Celtic Glasgow and Sylvinho. Asked about the matter, the player's agent Hans Lamberz said that he'll look at other options: "Celtic are a huge club who play in the Champions League and one that would normally appeal. But I doubt it will happen now."

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Celtic Glasgow is an option for Sylvinho

Celtic Glasgow is an option for Sylvinho

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona left back defender Sylvino (35), whose contract expires at the end of this season, with a move to Celtic Glasgow (read more here), the player's agent Hans Lamberz has said in an interview with British tabloids The Daily Express and News of the World that the Scottish club is certainly an option:

"We have two firm options to play in Spanish football, but he wants to look outside of Spain. When you've played for Barcelona, it's very difficult to go elsewhere in the league, so he'd prefer a new culture, a new style of football.

Right now I've not had any direct contact with Celtic, but that could all change overnight and if it did it could change Sylvinho's opinion.They are the sort of club which would make him book a flight right away to travel to Scotland. They are a huge club who play in the Champions League and one that would satisfy his ambitions. Sylvinho may be older on paper but he's a fit man who can play for many more years."

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Agent Sylvinho leaves door open for Celtic move

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (34) with a move to Celtic Glasgow in January (read more here), the player's agent Hans Lamberz has said in an interview with Scottish tabloid Sunday Mail that Celtic's elimination in the Champions League won't have an effect on the player's decision:

"Sylvinho won't make his mind up on a move to Celtic or wherever else based on one result or one poor season. Celtic still hold huge appeal because they are a famous name, regularly win the title and almost always compete in the Champions League. They have great support and are a big club.

One game doesn't change this. They may not be in Europe after Christmas but that doesn't mean the same will happen next year and Sylvinho's decision will be based on not just sporting but personal factors too. If Celtic are interested it will be an exciting option.

Sylvinho is likely to stay at Barcelona until his deal expires in the summer. Moving to a new country and culture in January can be a big step. The weather is different and pitches aren't great. But if he does leave he will be fit enough for the highest level. He could play until he is 40. He doesn't drink, smoke or mess about with women."

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January move to Celtic unlikely for Sylvinho

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (34) with a move to Celtic Glasgow in January (read more here), the player's agent Hans Lamberz has said in an interview with British tabloid The Daily Mail that he believes it is more likely the player will wait until his contract expires next summer than quit Barca in the January transfer window:

"He may not be playing, but that doesn't mean he wants to leave. He is adored by the fans, he adores them and he loves being at a huge club like Barça. I'd say it is far more likely he will look at his situation in June when his contract expires. He is at a huge club and wants to give everything he can for them.

Then he can think of another club, be it Celtic or someone else. Celtic have yet to make their intentions clear with a firm offer. I know they had discussions with his club when Barcelona were on pre-season tour in Saint Andrews, but I don't know if Sylvinho's name was ever mentioned."

Asked about the rumours, Sylvinho is quoted by Catalan sports paper Sport as confirming that Celtic didn't yet make an official bid: "I didn't receive a firm proposal by Celtic, but my first priority has been and will always be Barça. If the club would tell me that they don't want me anymore and that I should go and play elsewhere, I would have to look at other options, but at this moment I don't have any concrete offers."

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Celtic still wants to sign Sylvinho next winter and could contact the defender this week to ask him about this possibility. If Sylvinho would be willing to move to Scotland, Celtic will make a formal bid.

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Sylvinho: "We have a squad to make history"
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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