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Ibrahimovic: Mancini Suitable For Manchester City

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Many rumors if management decisions Manchester City appoint Roberto Mancini as coach to replace Mark Hughes got a rejection from the internal team. Issue, some players could boycott.

But for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester City's need figures like Mancini. Barcelona's striker Mancini rate can change manchester City into a respected team.


"I think Manchester City have to understand they can not be Barcelona or Inter Milan overnight. It only takes a lot, but also the right person to handle the team," said Ibrahimovic told People quoted Il Corriere dello Sport on Monday (28 / 12).

"Mancini will change the mentality of the club because he is a good coach, and players must be aware of in the near future."

"Only a good coach who can handle a great player. If they see a weak coach, who had never handled a large team, they can take advantage of it."

"It is not respecting Mark Hughes, but Manchester City need a coach who knows how to change the team mediocre to great," he said Ibrahimovic.

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Messi wants New Challenges

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Lionel Messi submit the resolution for the year 2010. Barcelona star who brings his team successfully won six championships this year, as well as carrying herself as the best player of Europe and the world that wants to carve out a higher performance again.

"My hope for 2010 is to continue winning the title with Barcelona. To be honest, I never tired or even exhausted mind to be a champion," said Messi told Sport, Monday (28/12).

"Personally, not much more can I ask for this year. Needless to say, I want to continue to develop myself as a footballer, because I was one person who thinks there is room to develop themselves."

"I like new challenges, although I have to appreciate how spectacular this year," he explained.

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Mourinho praised Guardiola

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Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho is secretly a huge fan of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. The Special One claimed to strongly support that Guardiola could sign a contract any longer with Barca.

"I expect Pep Guardiola could survive as Barcelona coach any longer," said Mourinho.

Mourinho's statement was born because until now Guardiola was still not updated his contract with Real Madrid - the club who have won six titles diantarkannya differ in one year.

"I saw that Guardiola is able to understand very well how to adapt the culture of Madrid and of course the best coach for the team," he said.

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Report: Barcelona To Make Official Offer To Valencia For David Villa Via Bancaja

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Valencia and their president, Manuel Llorente have spent the past few days bluntly denying rumours that they are currently engaged in negotiations to sell David Villa to Barcelona.

That has largely to do with the fact that the Blaugrana have yet to table any formal bids, which they are now ready to do, according to various reports in Spain.

Both Sport and El Periodico believe that Barca will make an official offer of €40 million plus Keirrison (on loan) and Martinn Caceres. It is believed, however, that the Catalan giants will not submit their proposal directly to Los Che. Instead, they will go through Bancaja, the financial institution currently overlooking Valencia’s debt, which has now reportedly amounted to €547 million.

Barca are hoping that the organisation will pressure Valencia to accept the deal as the Mestalla outfit have frequently persisted that they want more than €40m in cash for Villa without any player swaps included in the agreement.

It has been reported that ‘El Tricampeon’ have already agreed personal terms with ‘El Guaje’ in a deal worth €7.5 million per year for five seasons.

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Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas Would Cost Barcelona €50m - Report

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Barcelona supremo, Joan Laporta had confirmed yesterday that he as well as the club’s coaching staff are intent on taking Cesc Fabregas back from Arsenal.

Last week, meanwhile, the Blaugrana’s potential presidential candidate for next year, Sandro Rosell revealed that he wants to make the midfielder his pre-election promise.

These declarations have not gone unnoticed in England and The Sun has predicted that only a €50 million offer would be enough to tempt the Gunners to part with their skipper, eventhough the price tag was set by the media at just €40m a few days prior.

With limited transfer budget this summer, Barcelona are unlikely to even attempt a move for their former young sensation. And Sport believes, despite the constant rumours about Cesc’s future over the past few weeks, that the 22-year-old will not be a priority for the Catalan behemoths for the upcoming season.

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I Am Desperate To Play For Barcelona - Filipe

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Deportivo La Coruna defender Luis Filipe has stated that he is "desperate" to play for Barcelona and that it is a dream for him.

The full back appears to be on the verge of a move to Barcelona but as of yet nothing has been agreed upon, with Deportivo reportedly demanding more money than Barcelona are willing to pay.

Filipe himself has stated his desire to play for the Catalan club on numerous occasions and today he told Radio Galega "I am desperate to play for Brazil and for Barcelona".

"It is a dream and the opportunity of a life time. That makes me nervous because there is a lot of anxiety and desire that can be quickly fixed," he said.

"I will never interfere in the matters of [Augusto Cesar] Lendorio [Deportivo president]. I owe a lot to him because he opened the doors of La Primera to me, but I did not ask for a pay rise and I expect that they will think about my future because I can succeed and move up into the national team."

Filipe also acknowledged that he is aware Barcelona are not willing to pay the €20 million release clause to sign him.

"It is reported that Barcelona are not desperate for a full back, and it is very hard to pay that much for, in theory, a substitute, but I promise I would fight for a starting place," he declared.

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Barcelona And Manchester City Look For Eto'o Solution - Report

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Barcelona and Manchester City are lining up further talks to try and find a solution to the transfer of Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona outfit to the Premier League side, according to a report.

Eto'o is believed to have agreed to a €10 million a year contract at Eastlands, but has demanded compensation from Barcelona for forcing him to move.

While that obstacle is also under consideration, the matter of how much Manchester City will have to pay is still ensuring that the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.

Barcelona have offered to lower their asking price of €30 million if City are willing to raise their initial bid to show willing and talks can then continue, Sport state.

With only one season left on his current contact, Barcelona are trying to earn as much from Eto'o's transfer as possible, with the money then being used to buy David Villa from Valencia.

City have agreed to further negotiations after contact was made, and a move could be completed by the end of next week when Eto'o returns from the United States.

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Report - Barcelona To Move For Juan Mata

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Barcelona are preparing to make a bid for Juan Mata, but they will only make their interest official once they have signed David Villa, according to a report.

The 21 year old forward is now at the top of the treble winners list of players to add to their ranks after Barcelona opted to not pursue Franck Ribery or David Silva.

Coach Pep Guardiola has kept his cards close to his chest on summer signings, but El Mundo Deportivo believes that a left sided forward is a priority.

Mata has a contract with Valencia until 2013, but he only earns €600,000 per year, and Barcelona would be able to increase that significantly if he were to agree to join them.

His father, also called Juan Manuel Mata, is a FIFA agent who represents player agency Traffic in Europe and has often held talks with Barcelona in their dealings to sign Henrique and Keirrison.

That line of communication has allowed the Blaugrana to let Mata senior know what would be on the table, and to learn how much Valencia value his son.

Valencia's enormous debts have not stopped them from making Silva unavailable, but Mata could well push for a move to the Camp Nou, which could be the key to any deal.

Florent Malouda was also on Barca's list before he penned a new deal with Chelsea, while Robinho has been ruled out of a move by Manchester City.

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Barca Want "David Villa" Next Week As Valencia Must Sell

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Barcelona are keen to wrap up a deal to sign David Villa next week as Valencia know that they have to sell the striker in order to appease their enormous debt with the banks, according to reports in Barcelona.

Los Che's president, Manuel Llorente, may have claimed that the striker was not for sale, but Sport believe that the club recognise that they have no choice but to listen to offers.

With a debt now totalling €547 million, Bancaja, among others, are leaning on Valencia to make a repayment in order to reduce the amount by a considerable chunk.

Offers of loan players heading to the Mestalla are of no interest as a result and Barcelona will have to raise the money on offer and end talk of Keirrison or Caceres being included in any deal.

Talks between Villa and Barca directors Txiki Begiristain and Raul Sanllehi in Asturias this week were not well received by the Valencia hierarchy, but there is little that can be done.

Barcelona are now waiting to see who must make the first move, according to El Mundo Deportivo, with the Camp Nou board hoping to receive a call from Valencia to reopen negotiations.

David Villa has made it clear that he would like to go to Barcelona and both Sport and El Mundo Deportivo are convinced that a deal will be done, with the latter's reporters staying in Asturias near the player to speak to his family and friends.

Sport believe that the former Real Zaragoza forward has told his relatives that he will be joining the Catalan club and that he would prefer a resolution to the matter before having to return to Valencia.

A five year deal worth €7.5 million-per-season has been agreed, according to Sport, between Barcelona and the player. Now Barcelona will likely offer Valencia a fee between €40m and €50m.

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Report: Barcelona Ready To Drop Filipe Luis Interest To Focus On Bruno Alves

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Barcelona have grown tired of Deportivo La Coruna playing hard ball over Filipe Luis. The Galicians have been holding firm on their €20 million asking price for the Brazilian, while the Catalan giants are only prepared to pay half that amount.

And according to Sport, Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola, who is reportedly getting impatient with the lack of reinforcements, wants the club to forget about the left-back slot.

The Barca-based paper believes that the Santpedor-born trainer is confident Eric Abidal will be able to perform his duties as the main left-back with the versatile Carles Puyol acting as a back-up when necessary. Instead, Pep now wants to focus on bringing in a two reliable centre-backs and has targeted Porto’s Bruno Alves and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Dmytro Chyhrynskyi.

The 27-year-old Porto man will not be easy for Barca to lure, as his club have slapped a €30m price tag on him, although the Catalan giants are hoping to bring it down to a mere €15m once negotiations start.

And even though the player himself has said he is in no hurry to leave the Dragao, his father, Washington Alves, told Sport, “Bruno is excited, because it fills him with pride that such a big club is asking for him.

“It’s true that he is a little worried as he is unsure about his future because he knows that one of the best clubs in the world have made an offer for him.”

The 22-year-old Chyhrynskyi, however, could be a slightly easier target for Guardiola. The centre-back would also cost Barcelona around €15m and the player has already made it known that he wants to make the jump to the Camp Nou.

Shakhtar’s coach Mircea Lucescu is aware that he could lose his key player, but he admitted that nothing is concrete yet.

“We are aware that Barca are interested in him, but [club president] Akhmetov has not accepted any offers yet so he continues to be our player,” Sport quoted him saying.

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Liverpool Prepared To Sell Mascherano To Barcelona At The Right Price - Report

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Barcelona are ready to bid for Javier Mascherano, having been told by Liverpool that they would consider a sale at the right place.

The Blaugrana have been chasing Mascherano for some time, but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had been adamant in his refusal to let the player go. However, according to El Mundo Deportivo, he appears to have conceded that Mascherano has his heart set on a move to the Camp Nou, and is willing to sanction a sale.

Now, The Independent is reporting that Barca have prepared a €29 million bid for the midfielder, a figure that would represent that vast majority of their reported transfer budget. Rafael Benitez had previously set a €58 million asking price on Mascherano's head, but he is prepared to compromise.

However, any deal could hinge on whether Xabi Alonso seals his proposed move to Real Madrid. Alonso and Mascherano are both key components of Liverpool's midfield, and Benitez would be loath to lose both of them at once.

Mascherano has represented Liverpool 79 times during his time at Anfield, and is currently Argentina's captain. Barca are desperate for midfield reinforcements ahead of next season, as Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita are set to to miss a month of an already gruelling campaign due to the African Nations Cup.

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Barcelona President Laporta Confirms Interest In Arsenal Skipper Cesc Fabregas

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that his club are eager to sign their superstar youth product, Cesc Fabregas, from Arsenal.

The Spanish midfielder has been linked with his former club for a long time, but these comments from Laporta confirm that a move is a distinct possibility.

Speaking to radio station Cadena Cope, the supremo said, "Cesc Fabregas has the Barcelona DNA in his body and we know that he wants to play for this club.

"At the moment he is the leader at Arsenal and a very important player for them. But Cesc is wanted by me, by the coach Pep Guardiola, and by the sport director Txiki Begiristain.

“We are concentrating all of our efforts on it, but at the same time we have a lot of respect for Arsenal. We have positive relations with Arsenal so it will not be an easy topic to talk to them about.”

The player himself has sent mixed messages about his future recently, re-affriming his commitment to the Gunners while confirming that he would love to play for Barcelona at some point.

Arsenal signed Fabregas in 2003, offering him a professional contract before Barca were able to due to Spanish laws. Since then, he has made 231 appearances for the club, and is currently their captain.

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Keirrison Promises Proper Palmeiras Farewell Before Leaving For Barcelona

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Keirrison has stirred up a storm at Palmeiras while he patiently waits for an official word to complete his move to Barcelona.

His coach, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, has already been sacked for banishing him from the squad and lambasting his lack of professionalism, while just recently, team captain Edmilson slated the young striker for isolating himself from the rest of the team.

But 'K9' has now responded swiftly to clear up the situation to ensure he does not leave the Verdao on a sour note.

“I do want to say goodbye to everyone and I will speak to Edmilson so that he can tell to me about Barca,” he told Globoesporte.

“Everything has happened very fast and so far I have only been able to speak to two of my team-mates [Willians and Pierre] on the telephone, but I want to thank everyone for their support.”

Keirrison is expected to touch down in Barcelona on July 13 to finalise the transfer, but it is reported that he will personally address the issue with Palme

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I Want To Join Barcelona - David Villa

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David Villa has told Barcelona, in a face-to-face meeting, that he wants to join them - and now the Catalan club are set to make a push to secure his services.

The Valencia striker maintained his silence over a move away from Mestalla throughout the Confederations Cup, but is now reported to have made his intentions clear.

Blaugrana technical secretary Txiki Begiristain flew to Asturias on Monday to speak directly to Villa and was told in no uncertain terms that the player wanted a deal to be done.

"I want to join Barcelona," Villa is quoted as telling the Barca chief by Sport.

Valencia admitted that there have been talks, but the rumour mill has since gone into over-drive regarding the type of deal that could be put forward to try and convince them to sell.

If Barcelona meet los Che's asking price then a move could be done, but the involvement of loan players is said to complicate matters and could delay any move.

Villa has yet to return to Valencia after going back to Asturias to be with his family, and until he reports for pre-season training there will be no out

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Eidur Gudjohnsen Could Yet Stay With Barcelona - Father

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Eidur Gudjohnsen could stay at Barcelona, if the club want him and ignore offers from across Europe, but he will not be rushed into any decision, according to his father.

The Icelandic international has been widely tipped to leave Camp Nou this summer after playing a bit-part role last term, and several English teams have already registered their interest.

But Arnor Gudjohnsen, who acts as his son's agent, does not think that he will automatically leave Barcelona and could well opt to stay and compete for a place next season in Pep Guaridola's side.

"Well, there is nothing happening at the moment, it seems to be very quiet," he is quoted as saying by Sport.

"Eidur is not in any rush and he plans to make his decision in two or three weeks.

"To be honest everything is possible, he might stay in Spain or he could go to England, he has not made up his mind."

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Report: Barcelona Waiting For David Villa Agreement Before Confirming Keirrison Deal

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Real Madrid may have to step out of the summer limelight for a moment as their eternal enemies, Barcelona, prepare to make their first big move in the transfer market.

The Spanish media are now convinced that ‘El Tricampeon’ are moving closer towards signing David Villa from Valencia, following reports that the player and his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, met yesterday with Barca's technical director, Txiki Begiristain, to begin negotiations.

AS is speculating that the Blaugrana will offer Los Che anywhere between €35 million to €40 million, a sum that would still fall short of the Mestalla outfit’s expectations.

As such, it is believed that Begiristain has asked ‘El Guaje’ to force the issue and demand an exit, and if Valencia are willing to open talks, then the Catalan giants could include Martin Caceres or even Bojan Krkic in the deal.

Globosporte, meanwhile, has confirmed that Barcelona have reached an agreement with Traffic Sports Marketing to sign Keirrison for around €16m.

However, AS reckons that the official announcement has been postponed because Barca are waiting to reach an agreement for Villa first, as the club fear that Valencia would significantly increase their asking price for the striker.

It is also widely expected that 'K9' could be incorporated into a part-exchange deal to lure Villa to the Camp Nou.

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Report: La Blaugrana Waiting For "David Villa" Agreement Before Confirming Keirrison Deal

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Real Madrid may have to step out of the summer limelight for a moment as their eternal enemies, Barcelona, prepare to make their first big move in the transfer market.

The Spanish media are now convinced that ‘El Tricampeon’ are moving closer towards signing "David Villa" from Valencia, following reports that the player and his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, met yesterday with Barcelona's technical director, Txiki Begiristain, to begin negotiations.

AS is speculating that the Blaugrana will offer Los Che anywhere between €35 million to €40 million, a sum that would still fall short of the Mestalla outfit’s expectations.

As such, it is believed that Begiristain has asked ‘El Guaje’ to force the issue and demand an exit, and if Valencia are willing to open talks, then the Catalan giants could include Martin Caceres or even Bojan Krkic in the deal.

Globosporte, meanwhile, has confirmed that Barcelona have reached an agreement with Traffic Sports Marketing to sign Keirrison for around €16m.

However, AS reckons that the official announcement has been postponed because Barcelona are waiting to reach an agreement for David Villa first, as the club fear that Valencia would significantly increase their asking price for the striker.

It is also widely expected that 'K9' could be incorporated into a part exchange deal to lure David Villa to Barcelona

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Filipe Pleads With Deportivo For Barca Decision

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Filipe Luis has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona as the Catalan club continue their quest to find a replacement for Sylvinho.

Despite Barcelona's strong interest in Filipe, an agreement between the two clubs has reportedly reached a stalemate as Deportivo remain determined to be paid the €20 million stipulated in the Brazilian left-back's contract.

And Filipe, who has made no secret of his wish to play for the Champions League holders, has urged Deportivo to make a quick decision on his future.

"Talks have been going on for a long time and one hopes for a solution as soon as possible because I do not know if I have to leave or stay," he told Catalunya Radio.

"This is a very troublesome situation."

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Agent - Barcelona Make Official Enquiry About Mascherano

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Barcelona have made contact with Mascherano, but are yet to make an official offer until they are confident he will be allowed to leave, according to a report.

The Blaugrana's technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, has spoken to Reds boss Rafa Benitez about the Argentinian international in order to let him know of the club's interest.

Sport believe that Liverpool manager is unhappy about the situation and that Liverpool are also unsettled that Barca are alleged to have already sounded out the player's agent.

Real Madrid have no chance of persuading Javier Mascherano to join them as he is now focused on pushing through a move to Barcelona, the report states.

Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer, is aware of the conversation between Begiristain and Benitez and also knows that Barceona view his client as a fundamental player for next season.

According to Sport, Liverpool need to sell in order to reinforce their own squad and the question remains over which players they will be prepared to let go.

Madrid are keen on Xabi Alonso and Juventus are also said to have registered their interest, but Benitez will not allow both his central midfielders to leave, and that is why Begiristain made direct contact to explain Barca's position.

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Agent - Samuel Eto'o Prepared To Join City

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Eto'o could be set to join Manchester City despite Barcelona's offer of a new contract because he has become disillusioned with the Catalan club, according to his agent.

Samuel Eto'o has stated that his first option would be to stay at Barcelona, but Josep Maria Mesalles thinks that Barcelona are looking to edge him out after being told he is not wanted

That belief is growing despite the offer of a two year extension to his contract, and a move to Manchester City could be on the cards if all the criterior are met.

"If we find out for sure that they don't want him, then we will do our best to find him another club and Manchester City would be a good option," Mesallaes told reporters in Barca.

"There are only about six or seven clubs out there who could afford Eto'o, but Manchester City is one and they are a serious club.

"In theory he wants to play in the Champions League, but if Manchester City have an offer accepted, we would be delighted to go there," he said.

Barcelona have made it clear that they do not see the striker who netted 29 league goals last term as part of their plans, despite the public declarations that they want him to stay.

"We have had two meetings with the club and they have told us both times that Samuel is not in their plans for next season," Mesalles continued.

"I don't know if they made the offer because they want him to stay or because they want to make money.

"They want 30 to 35 million euros from his sale and that is unrealistic - he has one year left on his contract and they are asking for too much, especially in a year when he would play the African Cup of Nations and then the World Cup in the summer.

"Samuel is very disappointed with Barcelona."

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Report - Keirrison Will Arrive In The Catalan On July 13

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After reporting that Barca would confirm the signing of Keirrison from Palmeiras by the end of yesterday, newspaper Sport is confident that the deal is now definitely done and all that is missing is a contract to make the signing official.
The Catalan based daily revealed that Keirrison unofficially declared himself a Barcelona player last Sunday when he inserted his own picture next to Barcelona badge on his website.

The paper then explained that the reason the transfer wasn’t formally announced yesterday was because both Palmeiras and Barcelona decided to postpone the confirmation until the end of this week in order to obtain maximum media coverage.

The highly rated 20 year old striker also divulged on his website that he will not be participating in any further games in Brazil and he will start training alone to avoid picking up any injuries.

Sport has quoted July 13 (a week on Monday) as the date K9 will disembark at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport to conduct the usual medical examinations and sign a contract that will tie him to the Camp Nou for four years.

It is still unclear if Barcelona will keep hold of the youngster, or use him as a pawn to sign David Villa from Valencia.

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Barcelona To Offer Liverpool €30m For Mascherano

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Various reports in Spain appear to be hinting that Barca are growing impatient at their lack of activity in the summer transfer period.

Following rumours yesterday that Spain’s treble champions are on the verge of signing Keirrison from Palmeiras, AS is now reporting that the Barcelona hierarchy are about to send off a fax, if they haven’t already done so, to Liverpool with an “irresistible offer” for Mascherano. It is believed that the offer could reach or even exceed €30 million.

The bid may instantly wipe out almost all off Barcelona’s transfer budget for this summer, but Barcelona are aware that if they successfully sign the Argentine national team captain, then bitter enemies Real Madrid would stand no chance of acquiring Xabi Alonso.

It is understood that Liverpool’s new managing director, Christian Purslow, has received strict orders not to sell both the team’s central midfielders, meaning it will be first come, first served between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

On the other hand, it could also be seen as a way for AS to push Real Madrid towards making an immediate offer for Alonso before the Catalan giants, or any other team, snap up Javier Mascherano.

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I Rejected Barcelona, Milan & Real Madrid To Stay At Manchester Utd - Nemanja Vidic

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Nemanja Vidic has revealed that he turned down offers Barcelona, Milan and Real Madrid in order to stay at manchester.

Nemanja Vidic has become one of the most important players at the club, as evidenced by the fact that he won both the Fans' and Players' Player of the Year Awards last season. Interest in him was inevitable, but Nemanja Vidic has always remained committed toManchester United.

Speaking to The Sun, he said, "I am happy with the team and Manchester and the club’s ambitions for next season.

"“I got offers from Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid and I played a very honest game — I disclosed all these offers to my boss Sir Alex [Ferguson]. He reacted quickly.

"I was told he was raising my pay to bring it to the level where my reputation is in the Premier League and Europe."

Indeed, after receiving a mega offer from Barcelona, Ferguson decided to raise Vidic's wages from £20,000 a week to £70,000.

Vidic continued, "After Milan and Real Madrid made their offers, Barcelona came in — they wanted to pay £30m for my services but after Sir Alex’s move, I am definitely staying in Manchester until my contract expires in 2012."

Having moved to Old Trafford in 2006, Nemanja Vidic has now racked up 102 appearances for the club.

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Barcelona Chief - We Need A New Striker Even If Eto'o Stays

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Barcelona should pursue a new striker this summer even if Eto'o decides to stay for another season because he will be missing for several weeks in the New Year, a club director has stated.

Xavier Sala i Martin believes that Barcelona should not stop chasing David Villa or any of their other targets as the squad needs strengthening up front.

Samuel Eto'o has yet to decide whether he will leave, pen a new deal with Barcelona or see out the remaining year of his current contract and that has led to intense speculation.

If Eto'o accepts Manchester City's offer then Barcelona will move for Villa, but if he turns that chance down then that should not change the club's plans, Sala i Martin thinks.

"Whether or not Eto'o stays we should strengthen the striker position because Samuel, like Keita and Toure, will be going to the African Cup of Nations halfway through the season and we will have to have a goalscorer for those weeks," Sport quote him as saying.

Barcelona have offered Samuel Eto'o a new two year extension on the same salary and Sala i Martin has revealed that he would be delighted if the goalscorer put pen to paper.

"If he does sign a new deal then we will be happy," he added.

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Gudjohnsen Will Leave Barcelona

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Eidur Gudjohnsen's father and agent believes that his son will leave Barcelona this summer, but does not think that a move to England will be definite.

The former Chelsea star's dad, Arnor, has revealed that, although his son's days at the Camp Nou are over, he may remain on the continent rather than take up one of the offers from the Premier League.

Three English clubs have made their intentions known and Gudjohnsen must now consider all the options that he has before deciding where next to ply his trade.

"I think that Eidur will leave Barcelona, but I am not sure where he will end up playing next," Arnor is quoted as saying by Sport.

"There are many possibilities open to him, and apart from Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton, there are also clubs in other European countries that want him."

Tuesday's Manchester Evening News, reports that former club Bolton Wanderers are considering a move for the Icelandic star.

The 30 year old has expressed an interest in joining former Chelsea team mate Gianfranco Zola at West Ham, but nothing official has come from the east London outfit.

Leaving Barcelona will be a wrench as Gudjohnsen and his family are settled in Catalunya and his two boys are with the Blaugrana's youth academy.

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Andrey Arshavin: I’d Love To Join Barcelona

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The latest quotes attributed to Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin will not make happy reading for fans of the north London based outfit.

The 28 year old is reported as stating that he would be delighted if the opportunity to join Primera Division giants Barcelona was to come along.

"If I have the chance to play for Barcelona, I'd be really happy," British tabloid The Sun quotes Arshavin as saying.

The versatile 5ft 8in forward, who can play on the wing as well as in a central role up front, only moved to the Emirates Stadium from Zenit St. Petersburg at the beginning of February this year for a fee of €17.7 million (£15m).

The 44-time capped Russia international, who has scored 15 goals for the Sbornaja, has impressed for the Gunners so far, finding the back of the net six times in 15 appearances.

Arshavin also recently stated his intention to return to the Sine-Byelo-Goluboy to see out the end of his playing career.

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Barca Hours Away From Closing Keirrison Deal

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Barcelona are reportedly on the verge of signing Brazilian wunderkind Keirrison from Palmeiras, who confirmed four days ago that they had received an official offer from Barcelona juggernauts.

According to Sport, Barcelona have been quietly engaged in discussions over the past few days and are now only a matter of hours and few minor details away from completing the transfer. The paper is even confident that, barring any surprises, the 20-year-old will be a Barcelona player by the end of the day.

It is believed that the transfer fee will be set at around €15 million, an amount that is allegedly stipulated in his contract with Traffic Sports Marketing, the agency that owns 80 per cent of his rights.

If the deal is completed, Barcelona could initiate a fresh assault for David Villa as they look to include 'K9' in a part player-swap with Valencia.

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Barca Offer Eto’o Two Year Contract Extension

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Barcelona have made a swift response to a recent turn of events regarding their star striker, Samuel Eto’o.

Reports had emerged from England early yesterday morning indicating that Manchester City were preparing an official €30 million offer for Eto'o.

Immediately after rumours surfaced that the deal had been completed, however, the player’s agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, came out and revealed that the 28 year old was eager to see out the remainder of his one year contract at Barcelona.

Now, Barcelona board have reacted and, according to Cadena SER programme ‘El Larguero’, are set to offer the hot-shot a two-year contract extension but without any amendments to his pay package.

Mesalles, however, is reportedly unhappy with the way Barcelona have made their proposal and he wants the club to make a formal offer on Tuesday (today). The agent has also announced that he will hold a press conference of his own at 11:00 CET the same day to reveal Samuel Eto’o’s final decision about his future.

At this point, it is believed that Barca are trying to force Samuel Eto’o out in order to cash in on him to bring in reinforcements, while the player, who is unhappy at the way he is being treated, wants to see out his contract so that he can disrupt the club’s transfer plans by leaving on a free next summer.

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David Villa's Page Hacked By Alleged Barcelona Fan

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An alleged Barca fan hacked Valencia star David Villa's personal page this afternoon.

The hacker, who called himself Nemesis, claimed to be a supporter of the Spanish champions and questioned Villa about the reason he has not signed for Barcelona already.

"For the love of God Villa, what is a player of your class waiting for to come to the best team in the world?" the hacker wrote on the player's official page.

"We are waiting for you ace :) I am a simple supporter of F.C. Barcelona, fan of Villa."

On the hacked page, you could also see Linux's official mascot, Tux, dressed in a Barcelona shirt.

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Andres Iniesta: Barcelona Do Not Envy Real Madrid

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As Real Madrid continue to rack up the big-name signings, Barcelona maestro Andres Iniesta appears unconcerned at a possible resurgence from their bitter rivals next season.

El Anti-Galactico was instrumental in the Blaugrana’s treble triumph in the 2009 campaign, and is gunning for further success under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola.

Iniesta appeared on Catalan television to discuss the impact Madrid’s new additions may have on Barcelona’s title tilt, and the 25-year old stated that he is only concerned with the approach that he and his team-mates will undertake in order to defend their honours.

“€94m [For Cristiano Ronaldo] is a lot of money and we will see if it works,” He said.

“The most important thing is that we have nothing to envy from Real Madrid. We just have to make sure that we look at ourselves.”

Iniesta is still on holiday following the end of the season after suffering the leg injury that kept him out of Spain’s entire Confederations Cup campaign, and admitted he was disappointed to watch helplessly as La Furia Roja could only clinch 3rd place after being eliminated by the USA.

He added, “It is unfortunate that my colleagues failed to reach the final.”
Finally, he reminisced about his stunning equaliser at Stamford Bridge that sent Barcelona into the Champions League final at the expense of Chelsea.

“That goal was a thing of destiny.” He said. “I was lucky to be there to make that goal, it was the happiest moment of my life.”

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Daniel Alves Is The Best Right Back In The World - Joan Laporta

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Catalan giants Barcelona stamped their authority on the world of fooball last season, adding the Champions League title to the Primera Division and the Copa del Rey trophies.

Barcelona's impressive treble-winning campaign came less than a year after president Joan Laporta was voted against by 60% of the club's associates in a motion of censure.

Laporta, who turns 47 today, has now spoken of his pride in the results achieved, but stressed there are three competitions he wants to win in the near future.

"It is undeniable that we have made history with the triplet and we will always be a reference in the history of the club," he told ICAT FM.

"I hope we will still win more; we have two Supercups and the FIFA Club World Cup [to aim for]."

Laporta has also commented on the players that arrived at the club last season, saying, "[Dani] Alves is the best in the world in his position; he is key because he is everywhere and he makes us play with 12, while [Gerard] Pique is incredible, a true leader in the dressing room."

Quizzed on the club's departures, Laporta noted: "We will see what will happen with [Jose Martin] Caceres, [Aliaksandr] Hleb and [Eidur] Gudjohnsen because there are plenty of teams that want them."

He also spoke of injured Gabriel Milito, who "has recovered a lot and says he is no longer in pain".

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Barcelona Still Want Javier Mascherano From Liverpool - Laporta

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Joan Laporta has revealed that Barca have not given up on signing Mascherano from Liverpool and hinted that he hopes Messi could persuade the player to move.

Barcelona president explained that despite the Argentinian not having generated further speculative headlines in recent days, the Catalan club's interest in him has not waned.

Toure Yaya has penned a new deal and with so many central players to choose from, the interest in Javier Mascherano was thought to have gone.

But Joan Laporta has ensured that the pressure remains on Liverpool by stating that the former West Ham United misfit is a player of whom he is is a big fan.

"Javier Mascherano is a close friend of Leo Messi. We will see what happens. He's a player I like very much," he told icat FM.

Messi has already stated that he hopes his compatriot could join him at Barca, but with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insisting he is not for sale it could be difficult to prise him away from Anfield.

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Yaya Toure Voted Ivorian Player Of The Year

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According to a report posted on FIFA’s official website, Yaya Toure grabbed 39.58 per cent of the votes to win the fourth Ivorian Footballer of the Year gong.

Like in 2008, when he was first voted player of the year, Toure seduced the jury comprising of journalists and the public with his inspirational displays both for club and country.

This year he helped Barcelona win a historic treble; the Copa del Rey; the Primera Division title; and the Champions League.

He was followed in the poll by goalkeeper Boubacar Copa Barry, who grabbed 23.44 per cent of the votes. The Lokeren shot stopper ended the season on a high and was voted the Goalkeeper of the Year in Belgium. Chelsea star Didier Drogba followed in third position with 16.47 per cent.

Drogba came ahead of Marseille’s Bakari Kone (14.07 per cent) and Salomon Kalou of Chelsea (6.45 per cent), who completed the top five. Twenty-three players were initially listed to take part in the poll, in which only five made the final round.

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Barcelona Stars Get €4m Bonus From Joan Laporta For Historic 6-2 Win At Madrid

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Barcelona have regarded their 6-2 win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernebeu late last season as another trophy in itself to add to their grand treble.

And the Blaugrana players would have had even more reason to celebrate after it was revealed that they were offered a bonus by their president, Joan Laporta.

According to Sport, the Barcelona chief had promised to dish out a total of €4 million, or €200,000 each, for the 25 players in the squad if they managed to win at the Bernabeu back in early May.

And Barcelona superstars delivered in style as they handed their ferocious foes one of their worst Clasico defeats in history - and, in the process, all but guaranteed that the Primera Division trophy would be heading back to the Camp Nou.

But that wasn’t the only payment Joan Laporta had to part with. The Barcelona based daily reports that the players had also been promised €3m if they made it all the way to the final of the Champions League and another €1m for the Copa del Rey.

All in all, the Catalan club had to sacrifice €8m in various bonuses, an amount that has affected their transfer budget for this summer. But not surprisingly, Sport believes that the 'cost' of the historic win was worth its weight in gold.

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Xavi: There’s No Room For Ronaldo At Treble Hunting Barcelona

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After adding the FIFA Confederations Cup bronze medal with Spain to his European Championship, Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League honours list, Xavi is now ready to head off to a well-earned holiday.

But before leaving football behind for the next few weeks or so, the Barcelona midfield mastermind looked forward to next season and warned his rivals that the Blaugrana will be aiming for another treble at the very least.

“We are in a very privileged situation. We know that Barca are in good football health and next season we will be presented with an exciting challenge,” he said in an interview with Sport.

“We have won more titles than we expected and because we have done so well, we have been rewarded with three more competitions and that makes us very excited.

“We have a lot of desire to continue winning. This group has a strong mentality and why shouldn’t we dream about winning the treble again? I already said it last year and we managed to obtain it.

“It is no longer a dream, although we are aware that it will be difficult [to win it again]. In the history of Spanish football, it has only been done once, but it is also necessary to keep thinking that we will get six next time.”

One of the three extra trophies Barcelona will be contesting for, aside from the Spanish and UEFA Supercups, is the Club World Cup. And having flopped once in 2006 in Japan, Xavi assured that he and his team-mates are eager to make amends.

“We are very excited about that competition. After playing and losing in the final once, I am very motivated to try and win it,” he stressed.

“We will not make the same mistakes again. The majority of this squad have already experienced it once, and we will make sure we work hard for it, make sacrifices and maintain our humility.

“In the world of sport, if you do not strive, you will be surpassed.”

Finally, the 29-year-old playmaker spoke about his arch nemeses, Real Madrid, and the rebirth of the Galacticos empire, their quest to sign the best players in the world and the recent confirmation that Cristiano Ronaldo is now a Merengue.

“The best player in the world is Lionel Messi and there’s no chance he will switch allegiance,” he declared.

“We also have Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o and with that kind of luxury, we are capable of doing anything.

“As for Ronaldo, I wouldn’t want him here. At Barca, we do not have room for players who fill gossip magazines. We are hard workers and sportsmen but he, on the other hand, is uncontrollable.”

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Barcelona Star Samuel Eto'o Will Not Be World's Best Paid Player At Manchester City

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Manchester City have every intention of signing Eto'o, but he will not be made the best paid player in the world.

After news of City's massive transfer bid for Samuel Eto'o surfaced, many, including Barcelona president Joan Laporta, suggested that the deal would make Samuel Eto'o the highest earning player in the world.

According to The Daily Express, however, representatives of the English club have insisted that that will not be the case.

Earlier reports had indicated that Samuel Eto'o would earn in the region of €211,000 (£180,000) per week, leading to an annual salary of around €14 million (£12m).

However, City officials insist that in a bid to avoid dressing-room unrest, Samuel Eto'o will be paid no more than what Robinho, currently the club's top earner, makes. This would place his wages at around €187,000 (£160,000) per week.

Barcelona are keen to accept City's €29m bid, as Samuel Eto'o is off contract in a year's time and could leave for free at that point.

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Messi Is The Best Footballer In History

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It is a debate that will probably never end who is the greatest footballer of all time? Pele or Maradona?

Neither, according to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who insists that 22 year old Lionel Messi has already proven himself to be the best player ever to pull on a pair of boots.

Joan Laporta also fielded questions on the future of forward Samuel Eto’o, with speculation intensifying that Manchester City have launched a monster bid for the Cameroon international.

“Samuel Eto’o wants to stay, but an offer like that from Manchester City is very difficult to refuse,” admitted the 46 year old lawyer.

“Txiki Begiristain is who should make this decision.”

Finally, Joan Laporta added that the club may have cooled their interest in
Deportivo La Coruna full back Filipe, after his club placed a huge transfer fee on his head.

Coach Pep Guardiola had pinpointed the left sided player as cover for Eric Abidal, but Laporta appeared to draw the curtains on the deal.

“We have made a sensible offer, but if [Augusto Cesar] Lendoiro speaks of €20m, then he is out of our market,” concluded the Barcelona man.

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Villa Chase Hleb

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Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb is a transfer target for Aston Villa, according to Daily Star Sunday.

Hleb has been enduring a tough time at Barcelona, as first team opportunities are proving to be very elusive.

The former Stuttgart man has only made 19 league appearances for the Spanish giants since his £11.8 million move from Arsenal last year, and it is believed that he would like a return to the Premier League.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is yet to make his first summer signing, but is thought to be on the lookout for a defender to replace Martin Laursen, who was forced to retire at the end of last season through injury, as well as looking to boost his options further forward.

Villa have the transfer funds available, as American billionaire owner randy Lerner has stated that he is willing to hand O'Neill massive funds for the summer, and a move for Hleb could be forthcoming.

The 28 year old would have a much better chance of regular first team football at Villa Park, and it is believed that he is keen on a move away from Camp Nou.

The Birmingham based club are also looking to strengthen their midfield after losing captain Gareth Barry to Manchester City.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could also bid for Hleb, with the midfielder set to cost around £7 million.

Hleb has not yet scored for the Spanish club, but picked up a domestic and European cup treble last season.

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Joan Laporta - Manchester City Have Made A Monster Offe’ for Eto’o

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Barca president Joan Laporta has admitted that Manchester City have made a monster offer for striker Eto’o.

Samuel Eto'o future remains the topic of much debate with conflicting reports in today’s British press over whether or not he will move to Eastlands.

However, according to Sky Sports News, the Barcelona president has now stated that the Citizens have made the striker a huge offer, which he described as “stratospheric”.

Joan Laporta reportedly went on to say that the offer from City would, “Convert Eto’o into the best paid player in the world”.

The 46 year old insisted that Samuel Eto’o wants to stay at the Camp Nou but hinted that such a huge offer may be difficult to refuse.

He also added that, should the striker make the switch to England, then the European champions would have to bring in a replacement.

"It's starting to become clear that he has this monster offer,” he explained.

“He wants to stay, but an offer like this is very difficult to refuse."

“If Samuel Eto’o accepts this stratospheric offer, we would have to bring in someone.”

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Xavi: Villa Would Be Perfect For Barca

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Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez is doing his bit to lure David Villa to Barcelona, by singing the striker's praises.

David Villa had gone through a tough personal time during the early stages of the Confederations Cup, as rumours about his future intensified. When all the speculation had died down a little, he thanked Pepe Reina, Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez for their support. To this end, Xavi wanted to stress the great relationship he has with El Guaje, saying, "We have been supporting him and I think he is fine now."

"He seems calm, although maybe inside he is still worried, because these situations are not easy for anyone. I have known him for a long time, and we have a great relationship.

"He has always been great friends with the Barcelona players and we joke a lot together."

Finally, Xavi left no doubt as to Villa's ability to fit into the Barcelona system, stating, "He has great technique, an eye for goal and would fit into our style perfectly."

If the latest rumours are to be believed, Villa will end up at Barcelona next season, a move that could trigger Samuel Eto'o's exit, possibly to Manchester City, while Keirrison will be loaned out to Valencia, after signing for Barcelona.

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la Blaugrana To Offer Valencia Martin Caceres, Keirrison & €40m For Villa

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Barca are preparing a mega bid for Villa as they seek a swift resolution to negotiations.

According to Sport, the Catalan are prepared to offer Valencia €40 million plus Martin Caceres on a permanent deal and Keirrison on loan. While this is not a final offer, it is believed that Barcelona are unwilling to offer too much more.

Keirrison is expected to sign a five year contract with La Blaugrana on Tuesday, and the club are keen for him to get some top flight experience away from the pressures of the Barcelona Giants. Indeed, Valencia have been tracking him for some time, and tried to sign him in January.

Martin Caceres, meanwhile, failed to impress in his first season at the club, even being overlooked at centre back in favour of Yaya Toure towards the latter stages. He would fill a hole at Valencia, with Raul Albiol already having been sold to Real Madrid.

Manchester United are said to have offered €48 million for David Villa, but Barcelona can count on his desire to stay in Spain in their favour.

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Barca Tempt Porto With Henrique In Bruno Alves Bid

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Barca have stepped up their push to sign Bruno Alves from Fc Porto.

According to Sport, Barcelona are preparing to enter into negotiations with the Portuguese club, having decided on Bruno Alves as their primary defensive target.

Indeed, they are prepared to offer Henrique, who spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, in part exchange. However, this is by no means a certainty, as Pep Guardiola is keen to give the player, whom Barcelona signed for €8 million from Palmeiras last summer, a chance to impress in pre season.

Alves' father recently stated that were the clubs to agree a deal, his son would not hesitate to join the Catalan, leading many to believe there had already been initial contact between the parties. Porto, however, have stated that they have not received any offers.

Should the deal go through, Bruno Alves is expected to sign for five seasons. Henrique, meanwhile, would be an attractive option for Porto, as they tried to sign him a year ago before losing out to Barcelona.

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Sandro Rosell Wants Fabregas On His Barca Ticket

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Future Barca presidential candidate Sandro Rosell has lined Fabregas up as the poster boy of his campaign.

Laporta's time as president at Barcelona will end after this season, and his former right hand man, Rosell, is widely expected to contest the elections. He has already begun preparations, and, according to AS, his attentions are firmly focussed on Cesc Fabregas.

When the player left Barca in 2003, Rosell tried to obtain a first transfer option should Arsenal ever decide to sell him. They are unlikely to do so, but Sandro Rosell believes that the summer of 2010 will be the perfect time for Cesc to return to Barcelona, especially as it would be on the back of a World Cup.

Cesc Fabregas has made no secret of his desire to return to the Camp Nou at some stage in his career, but he has committed to Arsenal for the coming season.

Sandro Rosell, meanwhile, has a history of structuring major deals, and he is rumoured to be one of the main factors behind Ronaldinho's initial decision to join the club.

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Eto'o Preparing For Barcelona Exit By Negotiating With Manchester City - Report

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Eto'o is edging ever closer to an exit from Barca, with Manchester City looming as the likeliest destination.

According to El Mundo Deportivo, Eto'o is now open to a move to Eastlands, having previously been uninterested in City's proposal. Indeed, Samuel Eto'o is rumoured to have already begun negotiations about his potential contract.

Samuel Eto'o is requesting a contract of four or five years, with some suggesting that City would make him the highest paid player in the world. The move could be beneficial for all parties, as Manchester City are offering Barcelona more than any other club, with the transfer fee thought to be in the region of €30 million.

Barcelona are desperate to cash in on Samuel Eto'o given that he could leave for free when his contract expires next summer.

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Barca Considering Bid For Fiorentina's Felipe Melo

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Barca are considering a move for Felipe Melo, should their bids for Mascherano and De Rossi not come to fruition.

With Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita set to miss most of January due to the African Nations Cup, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is desperate for midfield reinforcements. According to El Mundo Deportivo, Pep Guardiola has eyed Melo as a suitable alternative, as negotiations for Javier Mascherano and Daniele De Rossi continue to drag on.

After a stellar season for Fiorentina, Melo has established himself as a regular in Dunga's Brazil team. He also has considerable experience of La Liga, having played for Mallorca, Racing Santander and Almeria previously.

However, a move is still a distant possibility, as the player has repeatedly spoken of his desire to stay with Fiorentina, who have no intention of selling him. It is believed that Barcelona would have to offer a minimum of €20 million to begin to interest La Viola.

Internazionale, Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid have all been linked with the player in the recent past.

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Deportivo Reject Barca Latest Filipe Offer

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Filipe Luis' proposed move from Deportivo to Barca is no closer to being sealed, with Depor president Augusto Lendoiro rejecting Barca's latest offer.

Speaking to AS, Lendoiro said, "We have an offer of €8 million that we consider completely insufficient, given that his buy out clause is €20 million.

"Once they pay the clause, then they can start negotiating. Filipe's agents already know that if there is to be a transfer, we want it to conclude soon."

Lendoiro then said that he was not interested in receiving fringe players from Barca as part of the deal, while denying that he had offered Filipe to Real Madrid. The Brazilian has made his intention to move to Barcelona abundantly clear in recent times.

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Patrick Kluivert Dreams Of Managing Barca

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Ex-Barcelona Patrick Kluivert has said that he hopes to return to the club as manager one day.

Kluivert's former team mate, Josep Guardiola, has enjoyed unprecedented success in his first managerial season, winning the treble with Barca.

And, speaking to Sport, Kluivert stressed that he was keen to follow in his footsteps, saying, "Pep is a soulmate."

"He always encouraged me and I hope to have the same success as him some day. My dream is to coach Barcelona.

"The Dutch federation allows footballers to do a short course that allows us to coach any team. I want to take advantage of that opportunity, because besides being a football lover, I need to look after my future."

Kluivert has clearly been thinking about the topic, as he showed when he compared Guardiola's situation to Diego Maradona's at Argentina.

"Great players don't always become great coaches," he added.

"However, it is clear that he will always be important because of his experiences. His mere presence will inspire Argentina, and that is exactly what I want to instill in the teams that I coach in the future.

"Football has evolved a lot, and sport and science are now allies, which is a positive thing. I intend to continue that tradition."

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Keirrison Issues Personal Statement To Clarify Barca Situation

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Keirrison has issued a personal statement in an attempt to clarify his current situation.

Keirrison is currently the subject of a controversial transfer bid from Barca that has resulted in Palmeiras coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo's departure from the club.

To clarify the situation, Keirrison issued the following statement on his personal web site:

'Dear friends and fans, I will, unfortunately, not be participating in the next match against Santos. The decision was taken as a group with the board of directors and while the official negotiations with Barcelona take place, I will train on my own.'

Barcelona are widely expected to complete the signing for a fee of around €15-20 million in the coming days. It remains to be seen whether Keirrison will remain at the Catalan, or be used in a potential deal for David Villa.

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Toure Yaya Extends Barca Contract Until 2012

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Yaya Toure has reportedly finalised a contract extension with La Blaugrana which will see him stay until 2012 at least.

Yaya has been linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer, but he will now stay on with the Catalan side.

Marca report that Toure's agent, Dmitri Seluk, met with Barcelona's technical secretary Txiki Bergiristain this afternoon and after the encounter emerged saying that an agreement had been reached.

He also added that he would return with the player later today so that they could put pen to paper on the deal.

All that remains now is for the extension to be officially announced by the club, which could well come this evening or over the weekend.

It is reported that as well as lengthening his stay with Barca, the new contract has brought improvements to Toure's wages.

Yaya Toure joined Barcelona club back in 2007 from Monaco and has since played over 50 games for them.

His presence in the midfield was a key part of the success last season and he scored the opening goal in the Copa del Rey final.

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I Want To Join A Big Team And Barca Are The Best Right Now

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Filipe has admitted that he wants to join a big Spanish team and that at the moment, Barcelona are the best team around.

The defender has been widely linked with a move away from Deportivo La Coruna this summer, with Barcelona as a possible destination.

In an interview with Ona FM, he explained that he has enjoyed his time with Depor, but that he would like to leave.

"Deportivo have treated me as family and have taken care of me a lot. They know what I want, we have spoken many times and I will defend them, but I want to be in Spain and I want to go to a big club," he said.

"I don't know what will happen, a player wants to fight for a place and to always play. With Deportivo I did that and if I go I will continue to do the same."

One of the problems for Filipe and Barcelona could be Depor president, Augusto Cesar Lendoiro, who is known to be a tough negotiator.

Filipe admitted that they have a right to make demands and that there is a contract which nobody forced me to sign.

He also spoke about the fact that he does not wish to leave Spain this summer, stating "Spain is the country I like the most, I am completely adapted to the league and the language. I don't want to go".

As well as proving himself at club level, Filipe acknowledged that moving to another side could help his chances with the Brazilian national team.

"To get in the national team is very hard but I want to play for Brazil. In this sense it would be good to move and I would have a chance as, at right back we have some of the best players in the world, but at left back not so much, therefore I believe I can do it and I want to play there," he concluded.

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