Barcelona
Man City targeting Barcelona man as possible Harry Kane alternative
Manchester City are looking at Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann as a possible alternative to Harry Kane, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. Griezmann joined Barcelona for a nine-figure sum back in 2019 from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. He has shown flashes of brilliance since then but has fallen well short of living up to his price tag, scoring 35 goals in 99 appearances in all competitions. Griezmann hasn’t hit the heights of his best days at Barcelona Nonetheless, there is no denying his huge talent. Throughout his years at Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, the 30-year-old established himself as one of the finest players in the world, hitting over 200 goals in all competitions from 2009 to 2019. His spell at Camp Nou could be about to end, with Mundo Deportivo claiming t...
‘Sad reality’, ‘Fraud’: Some Arsenal fans are unhappy with reported interest in Barcelona man
A selection of Arsenal fans have not welcomed the prospect of Barcelona goalkeeper Neto joining the club this summer. The Brazilian was heavily linked with the Gunners in January before they signed Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. Ryan is unlikely to rejoin them this summer, and it has recently been reported that the club are still interested in Neto’s services. His agent Kia Joorabchian is working closely to secure the transfer. Some Gunners supporters are unhappy with proceedings. Twitter reactions: I hate everything that comes after and including, ‘play out from the back’. 😭 — Faris Afiat (@AfiatFaris) July 5, 2021 Onana is the best deal we can get in this position but Edu is twerking for Kia Joorabchian’s clients. This is a sad reality we live in ht...
Report: Arsenal first option for £13m Everton target, agent working for a move right now
Arsenal are heavily interested in signing Neto from Barcelona this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo. The 31-year-old was keen to join the Gunners during the January transfer window, but the deal didn’t materialise at that time. The report claims that Arsenal are still interested in signing the Barcelona goalkeeper, and the player’s agent is working on a move right now. Neto has a contract at Barcelona until 2023. Sport revealed last month that the Brazilian is expected to leave the Spanish club and will cost around €16 million (£13m). Everton are also in the hunt to sign Neto, while Roma are also interested. However, Arsenal have emerged as his preferred destination. Neto has played mostly as a second-choice keeper behind Marc-André ter Stegen. He wants to play regularly...
Barcelona ready to release two stars as they are desperate to keep Messi – report
Barcelona are willing to terminate the contracts of Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic by mutual consent as they look to raise wages to keep Lionel Messi, Mundo Deportivo claims. The La Liga have introduced a salary cap for next season that has reportedly delayed the proposed contract extension for Messi. The club are desperate to keep him, but they will have to lower their wage bill by a staggering €200 million to meet his demands. They recently terminated the contract of Matheus Fernandes and sanctioned the loan exit of Francisco Trincao earlier today. There could be high-profile exits in the coming weeks to free up wages. It is reported that Umtiti and Pjanic are free to leave without any transfer fee. Neither player has accepted the proposal. Umtiti has two years remaining on his co...
Mexico coach: Victory vs Nigeria good test ahead Concacaf Gold Cup
Gerardo Martino, Technical Director of the Mexican national team, has described the win against the home-based Eagles as a good test for his side ahead of this year’s Concacaf Gold Cup. A brace from Atletico Madrid midfielder Hector Herrera and a goal each from Jonathan Dos Santos, former Barcelona forward and Rogelio Funes Mori, earned Mexico a comfortable 4-0 win in Los Angeles, USA, in the early hours of Sunday. Speaking at a virtual press conference, the former Barcelona coach said: “It always gives peace of mind, especially since we are on the eve of a very important tournament for us. “Recovering feelings of the game and scoring goals, gives a greater margin of tranquility, this is a friendly match, it has been a good test and a good way to introduce ourselves into what is to come.” ...
PSG send contract offer to free agent Lionel Messi amid Barca talks
Lionel Messi has been a free agent since this Thursday after his contract at Barcelona came to an end. PSG have taken advantage of the situation to send an offer to Barca’s number 10, who is currently concentrating on the Copa America with Argentina. Since he became a free agent this Thursday after his previous contract at Barcelona terminated, meaning any team is free to sign Messi. According to reports the Argentine is yet to reach an agreement with his boyhood club, teams from around the round are looking to pry him away. Among his suitors is Paris Saint-Germain. ‘AS’ report suggest that the French side has taken advantage of the current situation to send an offer to the player. The Ligue 1 outfit are looking to build add to a set of strong summer reinforcements, as Donnarumma, Hakimi a...
Paratici has made an approach to sign 100-cap int’l for Spurs…he’s signed him before
Tottenham Hotspur have made an approach to sign Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona this summer. According to reports from Catalan media outlet Sport, Spurs want to sign the 31-year-old midfielder on loan. Pjanic is one of the several fringe players Barcelona are trying to offload. Several Serie A clubs have shown interest in signing him, including Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Pjanic joined Barcelona in 2020 from Juventus and made 30 appearances in all competitions for them last season. If he returns to Italy, he would prefer to return to his former club where he won four league titles. Spurs are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, with the futures of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko uncertain. Fabio Paratici, who previously signed Pjanic for Juventus from AS Roma, now wants to b...
Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and co: The top five free agents available this summer
For the first time in 17 years, Lionel Messi has become a free agent after his Barcelona contract expired on June 30. The Catalan giants are optimistic about keeping the Argentine, but they have yet to make any progress over a new contract. The deal could be complex with La Liga’s new salary cap. Messi would be considered a new signing as per the latest regulations. The Blaugrana may need to offload players first to reduce their wage bill before handing a new deal to the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. We look at the top five free agents available this summer. Lionel Messi Messi is effectively a non-Barcelona player for the first time in his career, though the Catalan giants are positive about keeping him. At 34, he remains one of the best (probably the best) in the business. He had a superb ...
Barcelona could miss out on Chelsea star as Thomas Tuchel wants to keep him
Barcelona could miss out on signing defender Marcos Alonso with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel keen on keeping him at all costs, Mundo Deportivo reports. The Blaugrana are likely to sell Junior Firpo in the coming days, and it was recently claimed that they could land Alonso as a replacement. The Spaniard had reportedly agreed terms last summer, but a move fell through as the Blaugrana failed to offload Firpo from their ranks. The club have revived their interest, but they are set to face a blow with Tuchel reluctant to part ways with the former Fiorentina man. Tuchel considers Alonso as a key part of his plans for next season and will ask the hierarchy not to do away with the services of the Spaniard. Sportslens view: Alonso barely played during the first half of last season under Frank La...
Copa America: Messi takes lead in Golden Boot race, Cavani scores crucial goal
The final two games of the Copa America group stages were played last night, and we now know our lineup for the knockout rounds. Argentina finished their Group A fixtures with a clash against Bolivia, while Paraguay and Uruguay competed against each other. Here is how the two games went. Bolivia 1-4 Argentina Messi scores his first of two from the penalty spot Argentina went into the final game unbeaten, knowing that a win would secure their place at the top of Group A. As for Bolivia, they had suffered three straight defeats and were already eliminated. The first half was the Lionel Messi show, as the 34-year-old directly contributed to three goals. He began in the sixth minute by scooping a beautiful pass for Papu Gomez to volley home off the underside of the crossbar. In the 33rd minute...
Barcelona star with 20 goal contributions last term, has no plans of leaving the club
Spain international Jordi Alaba has no plans of leaving Barcelona amid the reported interest from Inter Milan, Mundo Deportivo claims. Inter are interested in signing a new left-back this summer, and Alba has emerged as a potential target this month. It was recently reported that the Blaugrana would be prepared to sell the Spaniard to reduce their wage bill. However, the 32-year-old does not intend to leave the club and is keen to honour his contract expiring in June 2024. Sportslens view: The Blaugrana need to lower their wage bill to comply with La Liga rules following the arrival of four new signings this summer. It was recently claimed that they could offload one of their highest earners in Alba, with Valencia’s Jose Gaya joining as a replacement. That appears unlikely to happen w...
Report: £35m Everton target dreams of joining Liverpool, club ready to sell
Phillipe Coutinho is reportedly dreaming of a potential return to Liverpool someday. The Brazilian joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for a reported £146 million after a superb five-year spell at Anfield. His time with the Catalan club has been a disaster, and he has only managed to produce glimpses of his ability. Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Coutinho in previous transfer windows, and they are reportedly interested in signing him again this summer. Coutinho has just over two years remaining on his Barca contract, and Ronald Koeman is open to letting him go. According to Le 10 Sport, Everton are also interested in signing Coutinho, who could be sold for around £35 million. It has now been suggested that the Brazilian would like to return to Liverp...
