All the rumours, all the facts
Asked about the future of Bayer Leverkusen central defender and Barcelona loan out Henrique (22) (read more here), Bayer Leverkusen sports director Rudi Völler has said in an interview with German tabloid Bild that the Brazilian defender will return to Barcelona at the end of this season:
"There will be some changes in our team. Henrique will for example return to Barcelona because Márquez suffered a serious injury and we signed Hyypiä to replace him."
Read more:
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
How is Henrique doing at Bayer Leverkusen?
Henrique will start next pre-season in Barcelona
Asked about the chance that he could sign a Barcelona player this summer, former Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who officially announced yesterday that he will be a candidate in the presidential elections of Real Madrid next month, didn't exclude the option at a press conference:
"I don't recall there's a non-agression pact with Barcelona. I don't remember that when we signed Figo I said that we wouldn't do that again. The reality is that when one uses his buyout clause, he's respecting his contract. Everyone can be affected by that, but that's how it is. I also bought Makélélé, I took well care of him, but he wanted to leave and so he left.
I will anyhow wait until the end of all competitions to talk about sporting issues. The results of Barcelona are a fact that we have to take into account. Barcelona is having an excellent season but instead of worrying me, it motivates me. We want a sporting project that will make us leaders in Europe, so we'll not only have to compete with Barcelona, but also with Manchester United, Chelsea, etcetera."
Asked about the statement, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said to journalists today that he thinks trying to sign a Barcelona player would be a waste of time: "I thank him for the praising words, but I didn't like the fact that he left the door open in a kind of mysterious way for a possible signing of a Barça player. If he would do it, I would consider that to be a sporting aggression.
Florentino Pérez is a respectable man and he knows about sportsmanship. The relations between the clubs are at this moment agreeable and absolutely respectful and we hope things to stay this way, whoever the next president of Real Madrid will be, Florentino Pérez or somebody else.
I also advise him not to try to sign a player, because he will fail, firstly because the players who are at Barcelona are committed to the club, and therefore any attempt would be in vain. So I would be thankful if he didn't dedicate time to try and destabilise Barcelona. He will not obtain anything and the truth is that it wouldn't be worth the time and the effort."
Read more here:
Next Madrid president keeps pushing for Iniesta
Madrid having difficulties to understand Messi
Japanese sports paper Nikkan Sports unconfirmedly claims that Cerezo Osaka midfielder and Japanese international Shinji Kagawa (20) is considering an offer to train with Barcelona.
The Japanese would have received a trial offer by Real Madrid as well, while Atlético Madrid and Espanyol Barcelona are also said to be following Kagawa, who is now playing in the Japanese second division.
Asked about the rumours, Kagawa told the paper that he's open for a proposal if he gets the permission of his team: "The Spanish league is my favourite. The attacking mentality suits my style. My dream is to play in the Champions League one day, so this is a great opportunity."
Read more:
Swine flu could lead to tour in Asia instead of US
Japanese interest for Edmilson
Barcelona coaches instruct Vietnamese children
Watch a goal by Kagawa (third goal, number 29) :
goals
12 Maric
10 Pedro
6 Benja
5 Jeffren
4 Nolito
3 Victor Sanchez
2 Rochina
2 Abraham
2 Gai
2 Botia
2 Longás
1 Verdes
1 Xavi Torres
1 Rueda
assists
6 Víctor Vázquez
3 Nolito
3 Longás
3 Maric
3 Gai
2 Jeffren
2 Benja
1 Botia
1 Thiago
1 Abraham
1 Pedro
1 Verdes
1 Rayo
yellow cards
15 Verdés
9 Joni
7 Nolito
7 Abraham
7 Corcoles
7 Longàs
7 Botia
6 Maric
6 Víctor Vázquez
5 Xavi Torres
4 Mino
4 Gai
4 Fontas
3 Rueda
3 Victor Sanchez
3 Thiago
3 Oier
2 Rochina
2 Jeffren
2 Espasandín
2 Romeu
2 Rayo
1 Pedro
1 Benja
red cards
3 Abraham
2 Verdés
2 Corcoles
2 Botia
1 Xavi Torres
1 Longás
1 Víctor Sánchez
1 Nolito
1 Rueda
Barcelona Atlétic has played 38 official games
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