First meeting on contract renewal Guardiola

Catalan radio station Ona FM claims that Barcelona held this morning a first meeting with the agent of Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola (38) to discuss a contract renewal.

Because the focus is now on the end of the transfer market, the meeting would just have been to hear about the positions of both parties (read more here).

Guardiola would want to have more influence in the transfer and in the youth academy. The coach also wants his contract to be renewed year by year and wants a more important role for Barcelona director of communication Manel Estiarte, a close friend of Guardiola.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo announced the meeting earlier today saying that both Guardiola and his agent Josep Maria Orobitg had already informal contacts with Barcelona board members to discuss the renewal of the coaches contract that expires next year.

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Guardiola calm about contract renewal

Last meeting to seal Busquets renewal coming up

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the renewal of Barcelona midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) will be closed soon.

Busquets, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, will sign a renewal that will link him to the club for the next five seasons.

A deal has principally been agreed upon (read more here) and now Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of the player, will meet a last time to sort out the remaining details and to approve the final version of the contract. The renewal will probably be finalized before the end of this month.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Busquets will sign a five-year contract that has a rather low fixed salary and high incentives based on criteria like the number of matches played.

A new meeting between both parties could be scheduled for next week. Asked about the progress made, Josep Maria Orobitg is quoted by the paper as saying an agreement is imminent: "We're close. With one meeting or two, we could wind it up."

British tabloid The Daily Mail meanwhile claims that English Premier League club Arsenal is ready to make a move for Busquets if the player would still fail to agree a new contract at Barcelona.

After seeing Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb leave his club during the summer, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is keen to strengthen his midfield and wouldn't doubt if given the chance to sign the Catalan midfielder, who has attracted the interest from several clubs in England and Italy (read more here).

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Principal agreement on Busquets renewal

Milan offers Busquets twice as much as Barcelona

Busquets rejects renewal offer

Principal agreement on Busquets renewal

Spanish news agency EFE claims that the contract renewal of Barcelona midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) is closer after a new meeting yesterday between Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Josep Mario Orobitg, the agent of the player.

Barcelona would have offered Busquets, whose contract expires at the end of the current season, to renew until the summer of 2014.

While Barcelona officials confirmed to the agency that it was a "very positive" meeting, Orobitg said that a renewal deal could be reached soon: "The positions are coming closer. I think we'll need one more meeting before signing the deal."

In an interview with Catalan television channel TV3, Orobitg added that there's an agreement on the main issues: "Now it's just about some little details. Barcelona wants the player to stay and the player wants to continue."

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Busquets has been offered to renew until 2013, while the financial conditions got better. Like his team-mates, the Catalan will now also receive a higher fixed salary with incentives based on his individual performances and the performances of the team.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona unexpectedly invited Orobitg for a new meeting after Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona general director of football Raúl Sanllehí worked out a new proposal that was seriously higher than the first offer. The deal could now be closed in the coming days.

Asked about the meeting, Orobitg repeats he is positive about the outcome: "The positions came closer and I think we'll have an agreement very soon. This time I can say that I'm optimistic and that I believe that we can finalize the agreement in one or two weeks. Despite having received several offers, we've always said that Barcelona was our priority. And it has been this way. Both Sergio and his father want to continue at the club and we all hope to sign the renewal as soon as possible."

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Busquets rejects renewal offer

Milan offers Busquets twice as much as Barcelona
Busquets not listening to offers by other clubs

Busquets agent optimistic about renewal

Asked about the rumours on difficult renewal negotions of Barcelona defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) (read more here), the player's agent Josep Maria Orobitg has denied in an interview with Italian football site Tuttomercatoweb that there are serious problems:

"Talking about difficulties with the renewal is not correct and does not correspond with the reality. We are still talking, for now there has only been one meeting, so to speak already about problems seems out of place. On the other hand, it is true that he's an interesting young player who, as his contract expires at the end of the season, could be signed for a very low price.

That's why he is followed by several Spanish, English and Italian clubs, although I won't give you any names. Because the talks with Barcelona are still ongoing, it wouldn't be right to give the names but I can assure you that I'm not involved in any type of negotiations with any of those clubs.

We're talking about a very young player but above all a player who has been created, so to say, by Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola, who is also represented by me. So I don't only think he will stay in Spain but I'm very optimistic about his continuation in Barcelona."

Asked about the renewal negotiations with Busquets, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said earlier this week at a press conference that he's also optimistic about a contract renewal: "The relations between the club and the player are excellent. He has made an incredible progress, something we thought could happen when we promoted him to the first team.

We're talking with his agent but we're also in contact with his father, a former player who is part of the technical staff of the club, and we know that his entourage thinks that Barcelona is the best club for him to keep making progress."

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona wants to close the renewals of Busquets and Xavi as soon as possible, preferably in the coming days, so the club can then start working on the cases of Márquez, Puyol and Eto'o.

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The Arabic tattoo of Busquets

Busquets not listening to offers by other clubs

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) with a move to English Premier League club Arsenal (read more here), the player's agent Josep Maria Orobitg has denied the exit rumours in an interview with British sports site Setanta Sports, saying that the player is focused on securing a new deal with Barcelona:

"All the Arsenal talk is rubbish. The player is young, faithful to Barcelona, and has told me he will only listen to what Barcelona have to offer him. As a consequence we will not listen to other clubs. I keep on negotiating a new contract with them and hopefully we will reach an agreement soon."

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The Arabic tattoo of Busquets
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Youth: Agents battle to represent Deulofeu

Spanish football site Joinfutbol claims that the rumours linking Barcelona Cadete A wing attacker and Spanish youth international Gerard Deulofeu (14) with several English Premier League clubs (read more here), has caused serious competition amongst agents to get the chance to represent the player.

Ginés Carvajal (picture), the agent of Real Madrid forward Raúl, and Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola, would be amongst the agents interested to represent the Catalan player.

Confronted with all the offers, the parents of Deulofeu would now have asked the agents how much they would be willing to pay to become the official representative of the player.

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Busquets wants to renew despite Milan interest

Asked about the rumoured renewal of the contract of Barcelona defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets (20) (read more here), the player's agent Josep Maria Orobitg has said in an interview with Catalan radio station COM Ràdio that he expects a deal can be found soon:

"I'm sure we'll reach an agreement because the player is happy in Barcelona and isn't thinking about an exit. I'm waiting for the Barcelona officials to return from Argentina so we can start talking. If everything develops normally, the renewal could be announced soon.

It's true that three or four clubs have asked for him. One of them is a European top club. But he'll only leave Barcelona if the financial difference between offer and demand is very, very big. I repeat that I'm convinced that he will stay, also because his whole family lives here. The interested clubs are aware that it won't be possible to sign him if everything goes like planned."

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Italian club AC Milan is one of the clubs that have asked the agent for the situation of Busquets, whose contract expires next summer. Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would meet with Orobitg this week (read more here).

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Valencia, Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan have contacted Busquets' agent to ask him about a possible transfer. Busquets nevertheless wishes to renew and the club will offer Busquets a contract extension until 2014, with his salary depending on his performances.

Asked about what would happen if Real Madrid would want to sign him, former Barcelona goalkeeper Carles Busquets, the father of the player, said in an interview with Madrid sports tabloid As that Barcelona is the first option of his son: "You can never say never but Segio is a true culé and his dream since he was a child has always been to play for Barcelona.

Although he's playing well for many years, I didn't see all this coming. I'm very proud, I hope he'll get rewarded for his work. If possible, I give him some advice, but not a lot. He has always been very mature and he has clear ideas about everything. He has worked hard to get there.

I never got the chance to see him as a goalkeeper because he always wanted to score goals! As a child, he was a striker, later on he moved to midfield. In the world of football, it's hard to predict if one will get far or not. He should be aware that he's just starting. He still has a long way to go, but if you work hard, everything is possible."

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Busquets will be offered to renew until 2014

Busquets will be offered to renew until 2014

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20) will be offered a contract renewal until the year 2014.

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would already have scheduled a meeting with Josep Maria Orobith, the player's agent (read more here). The B team contract of Busquets expires next summer.

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Orobitg is waiting for Begiristain to contact him next week. Although there are several club interested in Busquets, who would currently be earning 30 000 euro a year, the player wishes to renew (read more here).

The paper also claims that at the end of August, Getafe and some other clubs were interested in Busquets. Getafe manager Víctor Muñoz wanted to sign Busquets, but Barcelona manager Guardiola refused to let the Catalan midfielder go.

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Busquets wants to renew as soon as possible

First international call-up for Busquets

Busquets renewal talks to start soon

Busquets renewal talks to start soon

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is working on the renewal of Barcelona defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Sergio Busquets (20), whose contract expires at the end of this season.

It is expected that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona sports vice president Rafael Yuste will meet with players' agent Josep Maria Orobitg, who has recently been appointed as representative of Busquets (read more here), during the next two weeks to start the renewal negotiations.

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Contract renewal for Busquets coming up

Contract renewal for Busquets coming up

Barcelona Radio station RKB claims that Barcelona wants to renew the contract of Barcelona Atlètic defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets (20), who seems to be permanently promoted to the first team after he started the two last Liga games.

A few days ago, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain called the player's father, former Barcelona goalkeeper Carles Busquets, who has until now been acting as his agent (read more here). Busquets nevertheless informed Begiristain that he should talk with Josep Maria Orobitg, who has recently been appointed by Busquets senior as the new agent of Sergio Busquets.

Although Barcelona didn't contact Orobitg yet, it is believed that Barcelona is preparing a contract renewal proposal, which should make the player stay longer with the club. The renewal talks should start soon.

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Will Barcelona earn from Navarro transfer?

Although several papers reported last week that Mallorca left back defender and former Barcelona player Fernando Navarro (25) had been transferred to Sevilla, this wasn't yet announced on the official websites of the teams. Today Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Valencia has again joined the race.

Mallorca and Sevilla would have a deal on a transfer fee of 4,7 million euro (+ 0,3 million euro variables) for the 60 per cent of the transfer right that are owned by Mallorca.

Barcelona still ownes 30 per cent of the transfer rights on their youth product Navarro, who himself ownes the other 10 per cent but would have agreed to drop his share of the fee. It is nevertheless unclear if Barcelona accepted to just drop their share in the deal on Sevilla right back defender Daniel Alves (read more here).

Madrid sports tabloid As and Marca and Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona has agreed with Sevilla to drop their 30 per cent which would mean they won't receive anything if Navarro is transferred to Sevilla. Catalan sports paper Sport nevertheless claims that Barcelona would receive 1,9 million euro° for their part of the transfer rights and that this money will be used to lower Alves' transfer fee.

Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Navarro, said two weeks ago in an interview with Madrid sports taloid Marca that the 30 per cent was one of the remaining issues in closing the deal on Navarro: "But it's not only that. And I know little about this because that should be solved between the clubs. We keep on talking but there won't be a deal soon since it's a complicated matter involving a lot of parties and a lot of interests."

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Deal with Guardiola

Although the club did not yet confirm the deal, all Spanish and Catalan media agree today that Barcelona and Josep Guardiola (37) have reached an agreement on the contract of the future Barcelona manager (read more here).

After two days of intense negotiations, Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Guardiola, closed the deal yesterday afternoon with Barcelona sports vice president Marc Ingla, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona general director Anna Xicoy.

Former Barcelona captain Guardiola will sign a two-year contract as Barcelona head coach. Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that the incentives are an important part of his wage structure. If Barcelona wins the Liga, the Champions League and the Copa, Guardiola would receive half of his fixed year salary as bonus.

The contract is not yet signed, but that's expected to happen in the coming days. Guardiola will nevertheless not be officially presented at a press conference until the end of the promotion play-offs that Barcelona B is currently playing (read more here). Once Guardiola has been presented, the same will happen with the players who will then already be transferred, starting with Seydou Keita and Gerard Piqué.

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Guardiola yet to sign his contract

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Official talks on Alves to start tomorrow

With the season officially coming to an end this weekend, it is expected that Barcelona will try to present the first new players for next season in the coming week. Sevilla right back defender and Brazilian international Daniel Alves (25) could be one of the first names that will be announced. The official negotiations with Sevilla will start this week.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo states that Sevilla president José María del Nido starts from the 36 million euro° which Chelsea offered last summer. Barcelona expects to close the deal for less than 30 million euro°. Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona has made a first bid for Alves: Sevilla would receive 25 million euro° for the player, although part of the amount is in incentives and Barcelona could include some players (instead of cash) in the deal.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona and Sevilla officials have been negotiating on Tuesday and Wednesday. Barcelona would have made a second offer which wasn't accepted but which is coming closer to what is acceptable for Sevilla. One single deal on Alves and Sevilla midfielder Keita is also an option (read more here).

Sport also suggests that Mallorca left back defender and former Barcelona player Fernando Navarro (25) could play a role in the transfer. Sevilla has contacted Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of the player, to sound out the Spanish international on a possible transfer. Barcelona will receive 30 per cent of the transfer fee Sevilla would have to pay but considers to drop their share if that would make the transfer of Alves more likely.

All media nevertheless agree that Sevilla is willing to sell Alves, whose contract expires in 2011 and who has a buyout clause of 60 million euro°, this summer. Sevilla sports director Monchi and Sevilla manager Manolo Jiménez seemed to accept at press conferences this week that the Brazilian defender will leave.

The player himself has repeated several times this week that his time in Sevilla is over (read more here). To Spanish television station TVE he was most clear: "I will leave Sevilla at the end of the season."

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser claims that Barcelona economic vice president Ferran Soriano and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain met this week with Rodri, the agent of Alves, to discuss the transfer. Catalan sports papers Sport says that the negotiations between Barcelona and the legal advisers of Alves can be finalized few hours after an agreement has been found between the two clubs (read more here).

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Alves chooses Barcelona

Personal agreement with Alves

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Guardiola yet to sign his contract

Although Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced the appointment of current Barcelona B manager Josep Guardiola (37) as new Barcelona manager at a press confrence last week, the renewed contract has not yet been signed.

On Wednesday, Barcelona sports vice president Marc Ingla and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain met with Josep María Orobitg, the agent of the former Barcelona captain, to discuss the matter. Catalan radio station Ona FM claims that it has been agreed that Guardiola will sign a two-year deal.

Madrid sports tabloid AS claims that the negotiations now mainly concern the salary of the new manager. Guardiola thinks he should be paid taking into account the new responsibility he is being given and the pressure the job brings along. A new meeting is scheduled in the days to come.

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Guardiola sets his conditions

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