Barcelona
Man City vs PSG the standout as Champions League groups drawn
The groups for the Champions League 2021/22 have been drawn. Chelsea are looking to defend their title, having defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final last March. Those two are joined by fellow English sides Manchester United and Liverpool. Paris Saint-Germain look to win the competition for the first time, hoping that the acquisition of Lionel Messi can help them over the final hurdle. Man City are also yet to win the trophy, while Juventus have gone a quarter of a century since their last European triumph. Meanwhile, Sheriff Liraspol become the first ever Moldovan team to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League. There are several exciting fixtures to come out of the draw. The headline tie of the group stage will likely be Man City vs PSG in Group A, while Barcelona and Bay...
Barcelona to receive cut of transfer fee with 23-year-old’s move to Brighton – report
Barcelona will receive a cut of the transfer fee with Marc Cucurella’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion this month, Spanish publication Marca reports. Cucurella left the Blaugrana for Getafe on a permanent deal last summer after the La Liga outfit triggered the buy option on his loan contract. The deal was initially agreed for €6 million with a 40 percent sell-on clause. Getafe later paid an additional €4m to reduce the sell-on percentage to 10. Cucurella is now expected to make his move to Brighton. The Premier League outfit have activated his €18m release clause after failing to negotiate a lesser fee. Sportslens view: Barcelona were recently permitted to register Memphis Depay, Emerson Royal and Eric Garcia after Gerard Pique accepted a significant pay cut. Jordi Alba h...
Report: Klopp tried to bring 63-cap international back to Liverpool this summer
Liverpool have tried to re-sign Philippe Coutinho on a couple of occasions already this summer according to Mundo Deportivo (print edition, August 21, page 3). The 29-year-old was absolutely brilliant for the Reds during a five-year spell at Anfield. The 63-capped Brazil international bagged 54 goals and 45 assists in 201 games in all competitions and was a key player for Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. However, his form has nosedived since joining Barcelona from the Reds for around £142 million in January 2018 (BBC). Coutinho in action for Barcelona Liverpool have tried to re-sign Coutinho That’s according to Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish publication claims that the Merseyside outfit have regularly ‘probed’ Barca regarding a swoop for the mercurial South American. The Coutinho of today w...
PSG can afford Lionel Messi’s contract within FFP rules, claims report
Paris Saint-Germain will not be in breach of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules even after the signing of Lionel Messi, claims Swiss Ramble on Twitter. Messi recently joined PSG on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Barcelona. However, despite no fee being paid, many questioned how the French giants could afford the forward’s astronomical wages while remaining in line with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. When at Camp Nou, the Argentine was reported to be earning over €1 million per week. Eventually, the club could not pay his salary without exceeding La Liga’s salary cap rules and had to let him go. Messi at his presentation with PSG After he departed from the Catalan giants, Messi made the switch to Paris, which again prompted questions over the effectiveness of...
Barcelona considering deal for Arsenal star duo – pair have 150 Gunners goals between them
Barcelona are weighing up a move for Arsenal duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette this summer, according to Spanish outlet Sport. La Blaugrana need reinforcements up front, following the departure of all-time top goalscorer Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain. Sergio Aguero arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City, but an injury is expected to keep him out for the first few weeks of the season. This leaves Martin Braithwaite as the club’s only natural striker. Despite his brace on the opening day of the campaign in the 4-2 victory over Real Sociedad, the Danish forward is still on the transfer list, with West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur linked. Despite his double on the weekend, Braithwaite is expected to leave Barcelona Should they sell Braithwaite in the comi...
West Ham have been offered the chance to sign £130m star on cut-price deal
West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City have been offered the chance to sign Brazilian attacking midfielder Phillipe Coutinho from Barcelona this summer. According to The Sunday Mirror (printed edition), Coutinho has been offered to the three Premier League clubs in a cut-price arrangement. The 29-year-old enjoyed his best football at Liverpool, but his career took a massive nose-dive since moving to Barcelona for £130 million. He has failed to make an impact at the Catalan club, and Barcelona are desperate to offload him this summer. The La Liga giants are struggling with their finances, and they want to get rid of Coutinho and his massive wages. The report claims that Coutinho’s agent – Kia Joorabchian – has spoken to the clubs about signing the Brazilian. A...
Barcelona 2021/22 La Liga fixtures
With the 2021/2022 La Liga betting odds placing Barcelona in a charitable second place, you should read this article about Mr Play casino before placing a bet online and also take a look at how last season and this transfer window will have an impact on Barcelona’s upcoming campaign. A topsy-turvy 2020/21 season saw Barcelona finish third in La Liga, seven points adrift of top-placed Atletico Madrid. Lionel Messi’s heartbreaking departure in early August has been an insult to injury as the Catalan outfit gear up for their first top-flight without the Argentine since 2003. A tumultuous summer highlighted by one of the most shocking turns of events in the footballing world this century puts Ronald Koeman’s side in an awkward position heading into the new campaign. Barcelona’s 2021/22 La Liga...
Barcelona set to pay Messi €39m loyalty bonus even after PSG transfer
Barcelona will pay departing star Lionel Messi a €39 million loyalty bonus, according to Spanish source El Mundo. Messi has been one of the sport’s most influential figures in recent history. He spent 17 years at Barcelona, scoring over 700 career goals and winning countless trophies. During that time, he became a Blaugrana legend and a footballing icon. Messi scores one of the most iconic goals of his career against Bayern Munich in 2015 However, the last few months have gone sour at Camp Nou. Last year, he submitted a transfer request after a trophy-less campaign. But following a stand-off with former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, he stayed at the club. Everything looked in place for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to extend his contract at Barcelona this summer. They had won the Copa ...
West Ham have agreed deal for €15m star but he wants Tottenham Hotspur move – report
Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite has the preference to join Tottenham Hotspur over West Ham United this summer, Spanish publication Sport claims. The Hammers are long-term admirers of the Denmark international, and they recently agreed a deal of around €15 million for his signature. Despite the preliminary agreement, Braithwaite has asked for more time to assess his future. He is waiting for an approach from Spurs. Spurs are still uncertain over the future of Harry Kane, and he could make a British-record move to Manchester City in the coming days. In that case, they could reportedly bring in two strikers to fill the void. Spurs have Braithwaite as one of their top targets for the summer. Sportslens view: The Hammers are desperate to add a new centre-forward to their ranks. Michail Ant...
PSG leading the race for Messi after talks with Pochettino
Lionel Messi’s future is likely to become clearer after it was confirmed that he will hold a press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday. Barcelona confirmed in midweek that Messi had left the club as they were unable to fulfil a new contract that had been agreed due to La Liga’s new salary rules. That left the way clear for Paris Saint-Germain to sign Messi, and he has already held talks with manager Mauricio Pochettino, according to Sky Sports. PSG will offer Messi a two-year deal worth £25 million per year after tax, with the option of a further year. PSG move quickly for Messi Following the end of contract renewal talks at Barcelona, PSG quickly emerged as favourites to sign Messi. Club officials contacted Messi’s representatives after the official announcement from Barcelona on Th...
Report: Everton could move to sign £12.5 million Brazil international
Everton could make a move to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Neto this summer according to a report from Sport. The Toffees currently have Jordan Pickford as their undisputed number one goalkeeper. João Virgínia and Asmir Begovic are at Goodison Park as back-up for the England international. So Rafa Benitez signing another goalkeeper at this moment in time would be a rather strange move. Unless the Spaniard is planning to move one of those names mentioned above on this summer. Barcelona goalkeeper Neto could be a transfer target for Everton Everton eyeing Neto? Sport reckon that the Merseyside outfit could take advantage of Barcelona’s crippling financial issues and snare the Brazilian stopper this summer. The 31-year-old is available for around €15 million (£12.5 million) according to Sport. Th...
Barcelona enquire over 23-year-old Euro 2020 champion
Barcelona have asked about the future of Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli. Locatelli has been in the headlines lately, following his impressive breakthrough displays at the European Championships. He featured in five of Italy’s fixtures, scoring a brace in the group stage against Switzerland and helping the Azzurri lift the trophy in July. Locatelli celebrates at Wembley with teammate Marco Verratti These performances have attracted attention from all over Europe. Arsenal have been linked with the 23-year-old, while Juventus are tracking him. Barcelona are also keeping an eye on the situation, knowing that his next move could impact the sale of Miralem Pjanic. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants have been in touch with Sassuolo for an update surrounding his future. Pjanic’...
