Barcelona
Fabrizio Romano: Leeds target with 182 EPL goals wants to join one club because of Argentine
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero wants to join Barcelona at the end of the season, according to Sky Sports journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Argentine is leaving the Etihad Stadium as a free agent this summer and has been linked with Leeds United. The Elland Road outfit want to sell Rodrigo after a disappointing campaign, and head coach Marcelo Bielsa is said to be keen on Aguero as a replacement. The Leeds boss is a huge fan of his compatriot, but a move does not look likely going by Romano’s latest update. “I want to say that Kun Aguero wants to join Barcelona,” the journalist said on the Here we go podcast. “He is pushing to go to Barcelona – he wants to play with Leo Messi. Contacts are going on. Barcelona won’t decide anything before the end of the season, ...
Everton reportedly join Leeds in the race for striker Messi wants
Everton want to bring Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero to Goodison Park this summer, according to Daily Star. The 32-year-old is leaving the Etihad Stadium as a free agent at the end of the campaign, and he is not short of suitors in the Premier League and abroad. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United are all hoping to land Aguero should he opt to continue plying his trade in England, and the Toffees have also joined them in the race. Barcelona and Inter Milan also want the Man City legend, with Lionel Messi keen on reuniting with his international teammate at club level. Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to make a couple of marquee signings this summer to bolster his side’s top-six chances, and his club have already been linked with an interest in Barca’s Philippe Cout...
Barcelona miss opportunity to go top after shock home defeat to Granada
The La Liga title race took another huge twist as Granada came from behind to win at Camp Nou on Thursday. Barcelona dominated the early stages, with Antoine Griezmann providing the threat. The World Cup winner combined with Frenkie de Jong down the right, but the Dutchman’s cutback was cleared. Griezmann then had a go himself but saw his low shot saved. The home side eventually made their dominance pay off, and Griezmann was once again involved. Lionel Messi played a one-two with the Frenchman before firing into the far corner for his 26th league goal of the season. Not long afterwards, the Argentine had the opportunity to add number 27 to his tally after being played clean through on goal by Sergio Busquets, but his effort was poked around the post by the right foot of Aaron Escandell. G...
Everton reportedly want £146m Brazilian attacking midfielder this summer
According to Tz (via Marca), Everton are willing to make an offer of €40 million to sign Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho this summer. The Brazil international is currently on the sidelines due to an injury he sustained in December, and while he was in manager Ronald Koeman’s plans during the first-half of the campaign, the club’s financial struggles could see them decide to cash in on him. The former Liverpool star joined Barcelona in January 2018 for £146 million but has been largely underwhelming, spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich. Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to further strengthen his squad this summer after making some marquee signings last summer, and it appears that he is keen on Coutinho. The 28-year-old was one of the best players in the Premie...
Rafael Nadal beats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win 12th Barcelona title
Rafael Nadal saved a championship point to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 7-5 on Sunday and claim a 12th Barcelona Open title in the ATP’s longest match of 2021. The Spaniard secured his first title of the year and 87th of his career, denying Tsitsipas back-to-back triumphs following his maiden Masters 1000 title at Monte Carlo last week. Nadal avenged his Australian Open quarter-final loss to Tsitsipas and will return to second in the ATP rankings on Monday by climbing back above Daniil Medvedev after his marathon 3-hour 38-minute win. “It means a lot for me to play the final here and win,” said Nadal. “I improved my level during the week and this trophy means a lot.” Nadal redeemed himself after a surprise quarter-final exit in Monte Carlo, but the three sets dropped en route to...
Samuel Chukwueze: Why I enjoy playing under Unai Emery
Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has revealed why he enjoys playing under Villarreal manager Unai Emery. Speaking at an event for LiveScore, Chukwueze described Emery as a tactical coach with an amazing football brain. “I enjoy playing under Unai Emery. He’s amazing, and so tactical in everything he does. He can push you to the limit, but he’s a fantastic coach. “He has an amazing football brain. He’s amazed me, how I’ve seen him change things from game to game. Sometimes when I watch him from the bench, I’ve looked at him and noticed changes he makes which work for him that are great to see. He’s so good at his job and he’s a fantastic coach.” On how his game has changed since he moved to Europe, Chukwueze said:”I think it’s changed so much, coming from Nigeria to come and play in Eur...
Barcelona prepared to sell top Manchester United target, could cost €50-60m
Barcelona have set an asking price for French winger Ousmane Dembele amid his reluctance to extend his contract with the club, Sport reports. The Frenchman joined the Blaugrana from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, but he has made only 112 appearances due to regular injury setbacks. However, he has stayed unscathed for most of the current campaign, which has brought the best out of him with 10 goals and four assists from 38 outings. The Blaugrana have been in negotiations with Dembele over a possible renewal, but he has not shown any indication that he will commit to a fresh deal. If his stand-off continues, the Catalan giants will reportedly sanction his sale this summer for €50-60 million as his contract expires in 14 months. Sportslens view: Dembele’s availability will attract interest from s...
English FA ‘exploring all options’ to prevent Super League repeat
English football is set for a fan-led review, under the direction of former sports minister Tracey Crouch, following the fall-out from the widely criticised breakaway plans. Twelve of Europe’s leading clubs — including the Premier League’s “big six” — announced late Sunday they had signed up to compete in the Super League. But the plans dramatically unravelled two days later as clubs withdrew following an outpouring of outrage from fans, governing bodies, players and politicians. Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all swiftly confirmed they would not be moving ahead with the proposals, which would have seen founder members exempt from relegation. Bullingham is determined there must be no repeat of the chain of events, which caused an uproar throug...
Messi brace gives Barcelona three points in entertaining victory over Getafe
Barcelona picked up three more points in their title challenge, defeating Getafe 5-2 at the Camp Nou. It was a lively start from the home side, who came within inches of opening the scoring in the third minute. Lionel Messi struck from just outside the box, seeing his near-perfect shot crash back off the underside of the crossbar. But it was not long before the Argentine was on the scoresheet. Sergio Busquets found him with a brilliant through ball, and he did the rest, finding the far corner via David Soria’s glove. However, this lead did not last long. La Masia graduate Marc Cucurella whipped in a low cross towards Angel. The striker deflected the cross onto the body of Clement Lenglet, who diverted the ball into his own net. In the 28th minute, Getafe returned the favour, putting La Bla...
Barcelona supremo: European Super League a ‘necessity’
Barcelona president Joan Laporta described the European Super League as a “necessity” on Thursday but said the final decision would be given to the club’s members. Barca, Real Madrid and Juventus are the only clubs yet to withdraw officially from the breakaway competition, which lasted just 48 hours before the project imploded. Nine of the 12 clubs involved have pulled out. With total debts of more than a billion euros, Barcelona are struggling to keep up with Europe’s elite, making the prospect of a hugely lucrative new tournament particularly attractive. But Laporta said Barca’s members would have to approve the idea in a vote. “We understand it is a necessity but on the other hand, the members will have the last word,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio. “It is absolutely necessary the big cl...
Barcelona enter talks to sign 27-year-old forward with 29 goal contributions – report
Barcelona have begun negotiations with Lyon forward Memphis Depay ahead of a free transfer to the club this summer, Spanish outlet OnzeTV3 reports. The 27-year-old came on the cusp of joining the Blaugrana last summer, but the deal fell through as the Catalan giants could not meet Lyon’s financial demands. It is now reported that the club have started talks with the attacker over a pre-contract with his current deal due to expire at the end of June. The Dutchman is excited by the prospect of playing for the Blaugrana and Ronald Koeman, who was previously his national team manager. Sportslens view: Depay has had another fine season for Les Gones, registering 20 goals and nine assists from 35 appearances in all competitions. His efforts have kept Les Gones in the mix for the Champions League...
Borussia Dortmund confident of retaining Erling Haaland in 2021
Borussia Dortmund remain convinced they will keep hold of superstar striker Erling Haaland this summer. The Norwegian international has been heavily linked with a mega money move away from the Bundesliga giants with La Liga pair Barcelona and Real Madrid both tracking him with interest. However, despite the ongoing speculation over where the 20-year old will be playing his football next season, Dortmund Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl has insisted their stance has not changed. “I understand Erling Haaland will play for Borussia Dortmund next season,” he told an interview with Sport1, as reported via Diario AS. “Erling totally agrees. I see him every day and I can say he completely identifies with the club.” Kehl’s comments come on the back of Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola hint that the Germ...