Barcelona
Barcelona interested in Chelsea star with swap deal an option
Spanish outlet Sport has reported that Barcelona are interested in a move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho this summer. The Italian international has enjoyed a change of fortune since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in the Chelsea dugout in January, reclaiming his place in the heart of the Blues midfield. However, it is claimed that the La Liga giants could offer Miralem Pjanic to sweeten any deal struck with the London club. Pjanic has fallen out of favour with Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, with the Bosnian playmaker restricted to just six La Liga starts this campaign, despite a £54 million move from Juventus last summer. SL view – Would Jorginho’s departure be a miss for Chelsea? Jorginho played a vital role in Chelsea’s success over Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-f...
Oliver Kahn rules Bayern Munich out of race to sign Erling Haaland in summer due to high fee
Erling Haaland moving to Bayern Munich is “unimaginable” at this time, according to the club’s future CEO Oliver Kahn. Haaland has established himself as one of the most prolific frontmen in Europe since joining Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, and is attracting attention from a number of top clubs heading into the summer transfer window. Bayern are among those being linked with a swoop for the Norwegian, but Kahn claims that they won’t be able to match his price tag in the current financial climate. “Sorry, whoever spoke about that didn’t understand the situation,” the Bayern director, who will succeed Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as CEO later this year, told Bild. “A package that costs – as we heard – over €100m is unimaginable for FC Bayern at the moment.” Kahn went on to insist that Bayern ...
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona stars could beat Lewandowski for 2021 Ballon D’Or
The Ballon d’Or is arguably the most prestigious individual award in modern football, celebrating the beautiful game’s best player from the previous year. Now it is worth noting that the Ballon d’Or is not the be-all-and-end-all of football. It’s often biased towards those who shine in the Champions League. Media hype, big moments, and trophies won usually take precedence in the voting over individual performances. In fact, all Ballon dOr winners since 2007 has either won the Champions League or been the competition’s top goalscorer, and all since 2007 have reached at least the semi-finals stage. With no obvious standout, however, this summer’s international tournaments could be decisive. Lionel Messi and co. will compete in the Copa America, while Europe’s finest battle it out at the Euro...
La Liga title race: Barcelona and Real Madrid playing catch-up, but can the league leaders manage a win?
In what looked set to be a crucial round of fixtures in the La Liga title race, points dropped by Atlético, Barcelona and Real Madrid over the weekend leaves us with no clear title favourite with three games left to play. Atlético maintained their two-point lead at the top of the La Liga table despite their stalemate with the Catalans on Saturday afternoon, as Real Madrid also drew with Sevilla on Sunday night in an entertaining 2-2 clash. The tense race for La Liga glory will continue, and with the unpredictable nature of the chasing pack’s results – we can expect plenty of surprises as the season draws to a close. Will wasteful Barca rue missed opportunity? Ousmane Dembélé was guilty of missing a glaring opportunity five minutes from time Victory over Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou woul...
Neymar: I am happy and proud to remain at PSG
Neymar has signed a contract extension with Paris St-Germain, keeping Brazil forward at the French giants until 30 June 2025. The 29-year-old said “happiness” was the main factor in signing a new deal. Neymar, who joined PSG in a world-record £200m deal in 2017, had been linked with a move away, including a return to Barcelona. “I have grown as a person here, as a human being and as a player, too,” he told the PSG website. Neymar was in the final year of his contract, having signed a five-year deal on his initial arrival. He has scored 85 goals and registered 51 assists in 112 games for PSG. However, he has had a difficult relationship with the club’s fans at times and was booed after expressing a desire to move back to Barcelona in 2019. Neymar said he had undergone a “very positive evolu...
Eden Hazard vs Philippe Coutinho – Who has been the biggest La Liga flop?
It may seem like a long time ago now, but there was once a time when Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho were two of the best players in the Premier League. At Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, the two playmakers were putting in regular dazzling displays. Hazard’s mesmerising dribbling struck fear into the heart of any right-back, while Coutinho’s gem of a right foot could pick out the top corner from anywhere within 40 yards of the goal. Fast forward a few years, and they both probably wish they had stayed in England. Coutinho has fallen wildly out of favour with manager Ronald Koeman at Camp Nou, while Hazard has become public enemy number one in Madrid. But who has been the bigger flop in Spain? Let’s have a look. Transfer fee Eden Hazard at the Santiago Bernabeu after completing his tr...
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – La Liga Preview, Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Barcelona and league-leaders Atletico Madrid will go head-to-head at Camp Nou in a titanic La Liga title six-pointer on Saturday. Ahead of the kick-off, the hosts sit two points adrift of their opponents and are looking to maintain their imperious home streak against Atletico to leapfrog them in the standings. Meanwhile, the visitors harbour a slender lead over Barca and Real Madrid and cannot afford another slip-up if they are to capitalise on impressive domestic performances this season. Barcelona Preview Barcelona prevailed in a five-goal thriller at Mestalla last time out, coming from behind to beat Valencia 3-2 and bounce back from a 2-1 home defeat to Granada. Ronald Koeman’s men have racked up the most La Liga points (49) since the turn of 2021 (W16, D1, L2), at least eight more tha...
Real Madrid sweating on key star’s fitness, Barcelona trio miss crucial game
The La Liga season continues apace over the next few days, with the 35th round of fixtures featuring some crucial match-ups. It could be a pivotal few days for La Liga results, with the top four sides set to face each other this weekend. Atletico Madrid travel to Barcelona on Saturday afternoon hoping to hang onto their place at the top of the La Liga table. Diego Simeone’s side are two points ahead of Barca and Real Madrid heading into the weekend, and a win at the Nou Camp would put them in a strong position. Martin Braithwaite, Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati miss out for the home team, while Renan Lodi is the only doubt for Atletico. Sevilla visit Madrid on Sunday evening, knowing that anything less than a victory will end their faint title hopes. The Andalusian side are six points off...
‘Impressive’: Barcelona star talks about Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland
In an interview with Sport1, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen spoke about the progress made by Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland. Haaland has immensely built his reputation over the past one-and-a-half seasons and is currently regarded as one of the best centre-forwards in the world. The 20-year-old has already been linked with some of Europe’s elite clubs including the Blaugrana, who are eyeing a new striker. When asked about Haaland, ter Stegen said that he has been impressed by the style of play and scoring record of the Norwegian international. There has been speculation that he could leave Dortmund if they fail to make the top four, but ter Stegen feels Haaland could continue his development in Germany for another year. He added that any club which succeeds in s...
Barcelona open negotiations to sign £22.5m-rated Chelsea target, contact made with agents
Barcelona have held initial negotiations with the representatives of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero regarding a free transfer, Sky Sports News claims. The Argentine has netted 258 goals over the past decade for the Cityzens, but it has been confirmed that he will leave them when his contract expires this season. Aguero’s farewell appearance for the club could come against Chelsea in the Champions League final, which is scheduled to be played on May 29. There have been suggestions that the Blues could then attempt to sign the 32-year-old, but the Blaugrana are aiming to beat them to the striker’s signature. Aguero is free to negotiate a pre-contract with an overseas club, and the Catalan giants have opened talks with his agents regarding a free transfer. Sportslens view: Aguero has y...
Barcelona looking at trio as they aim to find a long-term replacement for club legend
Barcelona have got their eye on three central midfielders as they look for a long-term replacement for club legend Sergio Busquets. Busquets first joined Barcelona in 2005, arriving at the famed La Masia academy. He made his debut for the first team in September 2008 under Pep Guardiola. Since then, he has been a key part of their side. He has made over 600 appearances for the Catalan giants, winning eight La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, and seven Copas del Rey, as well as a World Cup and a European Championship with his national team. Busquets was part of Barcelona’s best side The defensive midfielder is renowned for his class and composure on the ball, controlling things in the middle of the park while offering protection to the back four. However, the time is approaching when B...
Wijnaldum Liverpool exit ‘looks likely’ with midfielder being targeted
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum is ‘likely’ to leave the Reds this summer, according to Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle. Wijnaldum has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with the Dutchman’s contract set to expire during the off-season. Despite making 232 appearances for Liverpool and winning both the Premier League and Champions League, talks over a new deal have seemingly failed to reach an outcome. Reports have even suggested that Wijnaldum has signed a pre-agreement contract with Barcelona to join the Blaugrana next season. Doyle has now claimed that Wijnaldum’s exit ‘looks likely’, with a new midfielder expected to arrive in the summer. ‘As I expect a new midfielder to arrive then, yes, Wijnaldum will be replaced if he leaves, which looks likel...
