Last year's Hernanes interest confirmed

Asked about the rumours linking São Paulo midfielder Hernanes (24) to several European top clubs, the player's agent Frederico Pena has confirmed in an interview with Italian television channel Sky that Barcelona tried to sign the Brazilian last summer:

"How much should he cost now? Only São Paulo can decide on his valuation, but I think his price would be around 13-14 million euro.

Barcelona tried to sign him last year, but São Paulo didn't want to sell him back then. Milan? No representative of Milan has officially talked with us, but Milan would of course be a dream for him. There have also been rumours about Juventus, before they bought Melo, and Inter."

Read more:
Negotiations on Hernanes in last stage
Hernanes waiting for Barcelona
Barcelona reactivates Hernanes interest



Watch this video of Hernanes:

Barcelona monitoring promising players

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona's technical department is constantly monitoring a group of promising football players.


The list of footballers who are monitored would include the following players:

Sergio Asenjo (Valladolid - 19)
José Angel 'Cote' (Sporting Gijón - 19)
Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow - 18)
Filipe (Deportivo La Coruña - 23 picture)
Gervinho (Le Mans - 21)
Bafétimbi Gomis (Saint-Etienne - 21)
Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux/AC Milan - 22)
Hernanes (São Paulo - 23)
Javi Martínez (Athletic Bilbao - 20)
Keirrison (Palmeiras - 20)
Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen/Bayern München - 18)
Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao - 24)
Nicolás Lodeiro (Nacional - 20)
Alvaro Negredo (Almería - 23)
Neymar (Santos - 17)
Ricardo Noir (Boca Juniors - 22)
Miralem Pjanic (Olympique Lyon - 19)
Luis Suárez (Ajax - 22)
Lucas Viatri (Boca Juniors - 22)
Walter (Internacional - 19)


(click a player or his label below to know more about him being linked with Barcelona or to see a video about him)

Barcelona reactivates Hernanes interest

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has reactivated their interest in São Paulo midfielder Hernanes (23) (read more here).

After holding talks with sports marketing agency Traffic, Barcelona scout Pepe Costa would have changed his plans and stayed longer in Brazil to watch Hernanes during the Brazilian league game between São Paulo and Palmeiras that was played yesterday.

Last summer, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain offered 11 million euro for Hernanes, but his club held on to the buyout clause of 25 million euro°. São Paulo owns 75 per cent of the transfer rights of Hernanes, while the rest is divided between Traffic and the player.

Barcelona in the end didn't push further for Hernanes and turned to other names on the target list, which resulted in the transfer of Arsenal attacker Alexander Hleb last summer. Barcelona would now be again interested in Hernanes because of his excellent performances over the last months in a more advanced position.


Watch this video of Hernanes:

Barcelona plans at least four summer transfers (1)

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona plans to buy at least four players during the coming summer transfer window.

Adding some new motivation to the group, expiring contracts and the Africa Cup are the three main reasons to renew the squad and look for a central defender, a left back defender, a versatile midfielder and a left wing attacker and/or a centre forward.

Central defender
Although there are still uncertainties about the renewal of Rafael Márquez (30) (read more here) and the return of Gabriel Milito (28) (read more here), Barcelona doesn’t plan to invest in another central defender. Henrique (22 - picture), who played on loan with Bayer Leverkusen this season, will join the team next season, despite the demand of the German club to keep the Brazilian for another year (read more here).

Left back defender
Although he’s having a good season, the contract of Sylvinho (34) will probably not be renewed (read more here), while Eric Abidal (29) could return to Lyon (read more here). There are few candidates to fill this spot. CSKA Moscow left winger and Russian international Yuri Zhirkov (25) is an option (read more here), while Manchester United left back and French international Patrice Evra (27) and Inter Milan left back Maxwell (27) are also rumoured to be among the targets (read more here and here).

Versatile midfielder
Because Yaya Touré and Seydou Keita will teke part in the Africa Cup at the beginning of next year, Barcelona wants to sign another midfielder. With Arsenal midfielder and Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas still being the ideal candidate (read more here), São Paulo midfielder Hernanes (23) could again be an option after his transfer failed last summer (read more here). Eidur Gudjohnsen (30) could leave if a good offer comes in (read more here).

You will be able to read the second part of this post later today.

Hernanes will be put for sale next year

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that São Paulo midfielder Hernanes (23) will be put on the market by his club in 2009.

Hernanes will be sold by São Paulo to cover this year's financial deficit. A transfer will be discussed when the Copa Libertadores has come to an end for the Brazilian club next summer.

São Paulo would have rejected earlier this year an offer of 11 million euro° for Hernanes presented by Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain (read more here), but despite the buyout fee being 25 million euro°, the club could now change its mind due to the global economic crisis.

Sports marketing agency Traffic, that holds 17 per cent of the rights on the Brazilian midfielder (with 75 per cent belonging to the club and 8 per cent to the player), now thinks that Hernanes' value has reached its top last summer and that the transfer fees in international football will drop next year.

Read more:
Hernanes could come next summer
Hernanes waiting for Barcelona
Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Sao Paulo confirms summer offer for Hernanes

Asked about last summer's rumours linking São Paulo midfielder Hernanes (23) with Barcelona (read more here), São Paulo sports director Marco Aurélio Cunha has confirmed in an interview with Brazilian radio station Jovem Pan that Barcelona has made an offer for the Brazilian player:

"We indeed received a bid for Hernanes from Barcelona. But they offered a ridiculous transfer fee and the board dismissed it. We're not like many other clubs who feel forced to sell players to pay their debts. São Paulo owns a part of the rights of a lot of their players, so we could have started negotiations, but in this case we decided not to."

Read more:
Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee
Hernanes could come next summer
New offer for Hernanes coming up

Hernanes waiting for Barcelona

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that São Paulo midfielder Hernanes (23) will continue until next summer with Brazilian first division club São Paulo, that wants to compete for the Copa Libertadores in the first half of the coming year.

With the Brazilian player already having rejected several offers because he only wants to leave for a European top club, Brazilian player's agency Traffic, that represents Hernanes, hopes to restart the negotiations with Barcelona in the summer of 2009 after a transfer of Hernanes to Barcelona failed during the past summer transfer window (read more here).

Read more:
Hernanes could come next summer
Barcelona following Brazilian striker Dentinho
Negotiations on Hernanes in last stage


Watch a video of Hernanes:

Barcelona following Brazilian striker Dentinho

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Corinthians forward and Brazilian youth international Bruno Ferreira Bonfim "Dentinho" (19).

The striker of the Brazilian second division club would also be followed by Real Madrid, like is São Paulo midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23), who was close to joining Barcelona last summer and is still being monitored by the club this season (read more here).

Read more:
Possible deal on Brazilian striker Keirrison

Barcelona interest got Douglas new Gremio deal

Negotiations on Hernanes in last stage


Watch a video of Dentinho:

News of the day - Friday

(This post will be updated throughout the day.)


Txiki wants to bring in another player for the left wing, there's a three-men short list: Palacio, Arshavin and Van Persie, the board has already contacted the entourage of all three and the reactions were positive, Zenit could lower the asking price for Arshavin to 20 million euro, Van Persie is the last option since he already made his debut with Arsenal in the Champions League last week, Guardiola will have the final say (Sport)
read more

Léo Rabelo, the agent of Thiago Neves, doesn't exclude that the player could leave this transfer period, Fluminense vice president Tote Menezes says that the club doesn't own the player so his future doesn't depend on them (Lance)
read more

Delcir Sonda, the president of Grupo Sonda who holds 66 per cent of the transfer rights of Neves, says that the attacker could leave for Manchester City although there are also other interested clubs, his agent Rabelo is in Europe since yesterday trying to close a deal (Lance)
read more

Manchester City are investigating the possibility of making Thierry Henry a "box office" signing in January (The Guardian)
read more

Benzema says he wants to play one day with a team that can win the Champions League although he doesn't yet know the date of his exit nor his destination (French sports weekly Sport)
read more

If São Paulo lowers the 25 million euro asking price for Hernanes, Barcelona plans to make a new attempt to sign the midfielder next summer (Sport)
read more

Barcelona is interested in Brazilian attacker João Bueno de Camargo "Joãozinho" (17), who plays for Brazilian third division club Noroeste and is currently on trial with Inter Milan, Barcelona also invited the player for a test period (Calcio Mercato)
read more

News of the day - Thursday

(This post will be updated throughout the day.)


Capel is now the main left wing option for Barcelona (As)

The presumed interest in Capel would be organized by Capel's agent to get a salary rise, Capel doesn't fit the profile Guardiola is looking for (Sport)
read more

Arshavin is again an option, the player has asked his club to lower their asking price (As)

Thiago Neves has been offered by his agent but Barcelona rejected to sign the player a few days ago, the offer included a four-year deal worth 1,5 million euro a year and a transfer fee of 12 million euro (Sport)
read more

Barcelona has again contacted São Paulo on the transfer of Hernanes because Guardiola thinks there's still missing a Deco type of player, last month the deal was cancelled at the last moment when the player's agent wanted to change some amounts after a pre-agreement had already been reached, Hernanes' agent is in Spain and plans to talk with Barcelona in the coming days, Barcelona would be ready to pay 14 (10+4) million euro (Sport)
read more

News of the day - Wednesday

(This post will be updated throughout the day.)


Arshavin has contacted Barcelona this week to know if they're still interested in him, Barcelona has replied that the club is still considering if they will sign another player and that he's just one of the options, Barcelona would not be willing to pay more than 20 million euro while Zenit is asking 25 million euro (El Mundo Deportivo)
read more

Zenit states that they have negotiated with Tottenham on the transfer of Arshavin but considers the talks closed after Tottenham didn't make a new proposal (official website)
read more

A Zenit spokesperson confirms that the negotiations with Tottenham on the transfer of Arshavin are cancelled but says that other clubs can stil launch a bid before the end of the month (Efe)
read more

Barcelona didn't push any longer for Arshavin after Zenit president Dyukov replied to Barcelona's first offer by sending a fax that said: "If you want Arshavin for 15 million euro, we'll buy Messi for 20 million euro" (Sport)
read more

Barcelona doesn't want to pay Capel's buyout fee of 15,6 million euro and has asked the player to put some pressure on Sevilla by making clear that he wants to leave (As)

Sevilla is aware that Capel could leave before the end of the transfer period and is already working on how to replace him (As)

Barcelona denies that they're interested in Capel, the entourage of the player says that Txiki hasn't contacted them (El Mundo Deportivo)
read more

Hernanes is again an option, his transfer would allow Iniesta to play on the left wing, the value of the player has risen because of his participation in the Olympic Games and São Paulo could be holding on to the 25 million euro asking price (Sport)
read more

Jeffren is now an absolute priority for Zaragoza, who is expected to push for the player in the coming days, Jeffren has several offers but prefers to join Zaragoza on loan (Equipo)
read more

Hernanes could come next summer

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that, although the transfer of São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) has been excluded for this transfer period (read more here), Barcelona stays very interested in the player.

If São Paulo would drop the asking price of 25 million euro°, Barcelona is a candidate to sit again around the table next year.

Despite the interest of Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, the contacts with the player and his agency over the last months have put Barcelona in pole position to sign Hernanes in the future.

Read more:

Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Hernanes isn't an option anymore

Case closed: Ben Arfa

Hernanes isn't an option anymore

Asked about the rumours linking São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) with Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has said at a press conference yesterday that Barcelona will not sign the player this summer:

"We have been following the player and we were very interested. But now we have other thoughts and we gave priority to other options."

Read more:

Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Transfer of Hernanes less likely

New offer for Hernanes coming up

Transfer of Hernanes less likely

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the transfer of São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) is getting more and more unlikely.

With the Brazilian club having rejected a 15 million euro° offer and holding on to the buyout fee of 25 million euro° (read more here), the difference between the two clubs stays too big and none of them seems ready to move. The probable transfer of Arsenal player Alexander Hleb will have as a consequence that Barcelona doesn't really need to buy the Brazilian midfielder anymore.

Brazilian sports marketing agency Traffic, that represents Hernanes and ownes a small part of his transfer rights, nevertheless thinks that the case is not yet closed and that Hernanes, who already has a personal pre-agreement with Barcelona (read more here), could still sign with Barcelona later this summer.

Read more:
New offer for Hernanes coming up
Principal agreement on Hleb
Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Hernanes urged to focus on his game

Asked about the statements made by São Paulo manager Muricy Ramalho that the recent poor performances of some of his player were caused by the speculation linking them with a summer move to Europe (read more here), São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) has said to journalists that he doesn't agree with that view:

"Nobody can know what is happening in our heads. Playing good or bad, that's just part of football, for that you don't have to make guesses about what's going in our heads. I had a problem with my ankle and then I went to the national team, so I couldn't train with the group for one month and that's it. That's why I went to talk with Muricy. I explained him everything and hope he understands. I don't care if the press is commenting things, but inside the club it should be different."

His coach nevertheless sticked to his point in an interview with Brazilian sports paper Lance and said that he wants Hernanes, who has earlier this week been named in the Brazilian Olympic squad to play at the Beijing Games next month, should focus on his game: "It's natural he says this but we all know that these things have an influence. And that 's normal, especially because the guys are so young. I have told him to get his concentration back and to stop talking about the proposals. Let the agents do the talking."

Read more:
Negotiations on Hernanes in last stage
Pique presented
Hernanes will ask his club for an exit

Negotiations on Hernanes in last stage

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has made on Tuesday a second offer for São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23), who has a buyout clause of 25 million euro°.

A new bid of 15 million euro° would now be on the table. São Paulo would not have accepted the offer although it's expected that -with the player possibly pressuring his club- an agreement could in the end be found for a lower fee, but including several variables. The paper claims that the negotiations are now in the final stage and that a deal could be closed next week.

Asked about the new proposal, São Paulo football vice president Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva nevertheless denied any formal offer in an interview with Brazilian sports paper Lance: "We did not talk with Barcelona officials, so we don't know anything. We did not receive any offer for Hernanes or any other player of our squad."

Read more:

New offer for Hernanes coming up

Brazilian defender Alex Silva high on list

Verbal agreement with Henrique confirmed

New offer for Hernanes coming up

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona will make tomorrow a new offer for São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23).

After a first offer of 11 million euro° was rejected by São Paulo, who said to be only willing to talk about the buyout fee of 25 million euro° (read more here), Barcelona would now launch a second bid of 15 million euro°, hoping to wrap up the deal in the end for a fee of 17-18 million euro°.

The paper thinks that all parties involved could reach an agreement this time and that Hernanes, whose contract with São Paulo expires in 2012, could be a Barcelona player in the coming days.

Brazilian sports paper Lance says that São Paulo has been upset about the whole transfer because the club thinks that sports marketing agency Traffic, who ownes 8 per cent of the rights on the player (with the club holding 75 per cent and the rest belonging to the player) has been trying to push the deal through (read more here).

São Paulo sports director Marco Aurélio Cunha says that ten days ago an agent contacted the club wanting to inform them about the 11 million euro° offer made by Barcelona: "We didn't listen to it. Since when does Barcelona needs intermediaries to show that they are interested in a player of São Paulo? We want to negotiate face to face."

The paper claims that a transfer of Hernanes is now nevertheless close with an official proposal by Barcelona expected to arrive soon.

Read more:
Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee
Hleb option falls back
Hernanes is not a priority

Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo claims that Barcelona could make a formal offer for São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) before the end of this week.

With São Paulo owning 75 per cent of the rights on the player, they will be the ones who will decide on a transfer. Sports marketing agency Traffic holds 17 per cent while Hernanes holds 8 per cent.

São Paulo football director João Paulo de Jesus Lopez said in an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte that his club didn't receive any bid from Barcelona so far and again referred to the 25 million euro° buyout fee (read more here): "Two representatives from Traffic keep on talking about a presumed offer of 11 million euro°. But we want to talk from club to club. And since we're not interested to sell Hernanes, we will only start negotiating if the offer is the equivalent of the buyout clause."

Hernanes, whose contract with São Paulo expires in 2012, said earlier this week in an interview with Brazilian television channel SporTV that everything will depend on the position of his current club:

"I am happy in São Paulo but I knew this moment would come although I didn't expect it to come that soon. I'm calm about the whole situation cause I know everyting will depend on São Paulo. There's nothing official yet, but the board should anyhow first give the green light. If that comes, I will be more relaxed to think about what I want. But if the club doesn't want to negotiate, I will just stay here."

Read more:

Hernanes is not a priority

Moutinho still on the list

Hernanes will ask his club for an exit

Hernanes is not a priority

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona doesn't see São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) as a priority summer signing and is therefore not willing to pay the 25 million euro° buyout clause, which is asked by his club (read more here).

Barcelona has made a first bid of 12 million euro° and the player now hopes that Barcelona will come with a seriously higher offer that could convince his club but at this moment it's not very likely a possible new offer will be a lot higher.

São Paulo manager Muricy Ramalho meanwhile said in an interview with Brazilian radio station Jovem Pan that the case should be resolved soon: "It's not good for the player that they say to him that he can come but that they then don't make a decision. I hope that a firm offer arrives for him to go and play abroad and that they stop driving him crazy by now saying one thing and later another."

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Hernanes doesn't have an passport of a European Union country, which shouldn't be a problem since Barcelona still has some non-EU spots available.

Read more:

Hernanes will ask his club for an exit

Brazilian defender Alex Silva high on list

Club-agent dispute could cancel Hernanes move

Hernanes will ask his club for an exit

Asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) has said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC 1 that he will talk with his club about a transfer:

"I will ask my club to let me go because for me joining Barcelona would be a dream come true. I hope they will understand that and reduce the asking price."

Hernanes said that the offer by Barcelona made him change his plans: "Before the interest of Barcelona to sign me, I didn't plan to leave São Paulo. But since I received the offer of Barcelona, I changed my mind. This is a great opportunity that I cannot let slip away."

Asked to describe himself as a player, Hernanes : "You could compare my way of playing a bit with that of Deco. I also think I have a good long distance shot, I use to score regulary and I have quite a good dribble."

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that a deal with Hernanes has already been found but that a serious difference on the transfer price between the clubs remains (read more here). During the coming days the negotiations will go on. Barcelona head scout for South America Pepe Costa watched Hernanes today during a friendly game of the Brazilian olympic team in Río de Janeiro.

Read more:
Club-agent dispute could cancel Hernanes move
Youth: Douglas Costa de Souza (Gremio)
Barcelona admits following Hernanes for months