Barcelona
Mino Raiola wants Erling Haaland to be 1st £1 millon-a-week player
Mino Raiola is determined to make Erling Haaland the first £1 million-a-week player. Haaland has grown into one of the deadliest strikers in world football, having scored a ridiculous 49 goals in 52 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian sensation is attracting interest from all of Europe’s elite but according to The Mirror, super-agent Raiola wants any transfer to be a “once in a lifetime deal”. Raiola, along with Haaland’s father Alf-Inge, recently travelled to spain for meetings with both Barcelona and Real Madrid. It’s said the two Spanish giants were shocked at the finances it would take to secure the former Red Bull Salzburg man, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are all aware how costly and complex a potential deal will be. Still only 20 but w...
El Clásico’s impact on La Liga title race
In the 246th competitive fixture between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, it was Los Blancos who came out on top at the final whistle. First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos were enough to claim three points at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano despite a second-half consolation for the visitors by Óscar Mingueza. With little over a month left of the season, we look at just how their 2-1 victory has impacted the La Liga title race. Which teams are battling it out? There are three teams left fighting for the title at this stage – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Since Valencia in 2003/2004, these three are the only teams to have won a La Liga title. Atlético have done so on one occasion in that time frame, pipping Barcelona on the final day of the 2013/14 campa...
Tactical Analysis: How Real Madrid overcame Barcelona in El Clásico
Real Madrid and Barcelona may be two falling giants of European football, but their reputation remains high despite their struggles. Therefore, their clash – El Clásico – is still one of football’s biggest attractions, even if not the best from a quality perspective. The latest Clásico on Saturday had something much bigger at stake than pride – the La Liga title. Atlético Madrid looked intent on breaking Madrid and Barça’s duopoly on the Spanish top-flight, getting 50 points in the first half of their season and going clear at the top of the table, but they have slumped incredibly since. Their drop has allowed Madrid and Barcelona back into the title race, with Los Blancos just two points behind their Catalonian rivals going into this match. The hosts came away with a m...
Real Madrid complete El Clasico double to go top of La Liga
Real Madrid defeated Barcelona for the second time this season to climb to the top of the La Liga table. It was a lively start to the game, with the visitors having the first sight of goal. Lionel Messi slipped a ball through to Jordi Alba, who tried to find Ousmane Dembele with a low cross but was denied by the left hand of Thibaut Courtois. But it was not long before Los Blancos launched their first attack, and with that came the opening goal. Lucas Vazquez was fed the ball after some brilliant work from Federico Valverde, and the Spaniard’s low cross was expertly flicked in at the near post by Karim Benzema. Not long later, Zinedine Zidane’s men doubled their lead through a slice of luck. Toni Kroos’ free kick took a huge deflection off Sergino Dest, and Alba was unable to head the ball...
Three key battles that could decide El Clasico – and La Liga
Real Madrid vs Barcelona is always a big game, but this is massive. If either side can take all three points from this El Clasico, they will be in pole position to kick on for the league title. There really is nothing between the two sides at the moment. Both teams come into the game enjoying their best form of the season, with Barca unbeaten in 19 games and Madrid having lost just one of their last 19. With no clear favourite heading into the game, here are some of the key battles that could define the outcome of the biggest game of the Spanish season. Messi vs Casemiro The obvious place to start is La Liga’s top goalscorer. If Madrid are going to get anything from this game, they will need to nullify the threat of one of the greatest players of our generation – Lionel Messi. The Argentin...
Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona interested in signing £210,000-a-week German star – report
Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona are among the contenders to sign Jerome Boateng when his contract with Bayern Munich expires this summer, Sport Bild reports. The German has been a brilliant performer for the Bundesliga giants over the past decade, but it was confirmed earlier this week that his contract won’t be renewed. Boateng, who was previously with Manchester City, has been linked on multiple occasions with a return to the Premier League with Chelsea in particular. Bild journalist Christian Falk has now reported that Spurs and Barcelona are looking at Boateng as a smart addition to their respective squads this summer. Sportslens view: Spurs have had a stop-start campaign in the league, and they have been guilty of conceding late goals which have cost them valuable points. Jose Mourinh...
Boost for Barcelona and Real Madrid as Atletico star set for spell on the sidelines
Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez has suffered a muscle injury in his left leg, as confirmed via the club’s official website. Suarez came to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona in last summer’s transfer window. Despite his age, the 34-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, scoring 19 La Liga goals in 26 appearances. This has put him second in the race for the Pichichi, four behind former teammate Lionel Messi. Suarez has enjoyed a fine debut season at Atletico Madrid This form has helped Los Rojiblancos to the top of the La Liga table with just nine games remaining. They remain on course for their 11th league title, and their first since the 2013/14 season. However, Diego Simeone’s side have suffered a major loss of form, winning just four of their last ten league outings. This has seen...
Manchester United target to be offered new contract
Barcelona are preparing to offer a new contract to winger Ousmane Dembele, reports Spanish outlet Sport. Dembele came to Barcelona in the summer transfer window of 2017, arriving from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth up to €145 million. He was brought in to replace Neymar, who had departed for Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee that window. Dembele celebrates a goal against Sevilla His time at the Camp Nou has not been as successful as hoped. He has shown flashes of potential, but injuries and inconsistency have held him back from fulfilling his potential. Nonetheless, there is no denying his talent. With a bit of fine tuning, the Frenchman could go on to become one of the world’s most feared forwards. Spanish publication Sport are claiming that the Catalan giants are set to offer...
Barcelona scrape to a narrow win against 10-man Real Valladolid to go within a point of the top
Ousmane Dembele struck a crucial late winner for Barcelona against Real Valladolid for their sixth league win in a row. It was a really quiet first half for the home side, who suffered an early scare when Saidy Janko’s cross was headed onto the crossbar by Kenan Kodro. That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock until first half injury time. Youngster Pedri struck a low shot towards the bottom corner, only for Jordi Masip to reach out a hand and turn it onto the post. The second half picked up where the first left off, with very little in the way of goalmouth action. Lucas Olaza had the visitors’ best chance after the break, hitting the side netting after a solo run. Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann both had glorious chances to give Barcelona the lead on the hour ma...
Neymar in contact with Barcelona over possible return
Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly in contact with newly elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta over a potential return to the club, reports El Chiringuito (via the Express). Neymar left Barcelona in the summer transfer window of 2017 for a world record £198 million fee, joining Paris Saint-Germain. He has since enjoyed a lot of success in France, scoring 83 goals in 105 appearances while winning seven domestic trophies, as well as reaching a Champions League final. Neymar has continued to shine at PSG However, Les Parisiens will be concerned over his future, with his contract set to expire in 2022. They have been in talks with the forward over a new deal, but nothing has been agreed yet. And now Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reports that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has got in...
Manchester United boss rules out suggestions of move for Kun Aguero
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ruled out suggestions that Sergio Aguero could cross the Manchester divide by joining Man Utd. The Manchester City legend has confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after a decade of success at the Etihad, winning four league titles, five league cups and an FA Cup, as well as establishing himself as the club’s record goalscorer. He does of course still have the chance to add four more winners medals to his collection before the end of the season as City chase an unprecedented quadruple of honours this campaign. However, with Aguero set to finish his career away from the Etihad, attentions have understandably turned to where he will be moving to, with a whole host of top European sides looking to bolster their attacking lineups. Barcelon...
Barcelona enter race to sign 26-year-old Everton target valued at €20m – report
Barcelona have joined Everton in the race to sign midfielder Adrien Rabiot from Juventus during this summer’s transfer window, Calciomercato reports. Rabiot is presently in his second season with the Bianconeri, but it is reported that the Serie A holders are seriously considering his sale. The club have identified Paul Pogba and Manuel Locatelli as potential midfield additions, and Rabiot could be offloaded to recoup funds. Rabiot’s mother and agent Veronique has reportedly made contact with the Blaugrana, but the Catalan giants are yet to decide on a possible move. Ronald Koeman’s side are aiming to pursue a top-class striker, and it is claimed that a part-exchange deal like last summer (Arthur-Pjanic) could be on the cards. Both Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann are in the tran...
