Victor Valdes could be heading to the Premier League after failing a medical with Monaco this week. Both Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on the Spanish goalkeeper, who left Barcelona this summer after spending almost 20 years with the club. Valdes was due to move to the principality after announcing he would not be renewing his contract with Barca, but a knee ligament injury made matters difficult. He failed the medical this week and now could be the subject of a head-to-head battle between two English giants. New United boss Louis van Gaal would apparently be keen on Valdes, having … [Read more...]
Sanchez prefers Arsenal move over Liverpool
Barcelona's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez looks to be on his way out of the Nou Camp, with Arsenal leading the race to sign him. Liverpool are also keen on Sanchez, and wanted to take him to Anfield as part of the Luis Suarez transfer, but Spanish media are reporting that the striker's preference is a move to London. With Barca continuing to negotiate with Liverpool for Suarez, they too would be happy for Sanchez to choose Liverpool in a bid to cut the expected £63m fee. However, Sanchez is said to want to move to either Arsenal or Juventus, with both clubs reluctant to enter into a bidding … [Read more...]
Barcelona and Liverpool to discuss Suarez transfer
Negotiations between Barcelona and Liverpool will begin this week over the potential transfer of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan, who faces a four month ban from football for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, is likely to cost Barca in the region of £60m. Suarez issued an apology for the incident on Monday, and key figures at Barcelona have been quick to praise the striker for his humility. "He plays for a rival team," said President Josep Bartomeu. "But what I can say, as a football person, is that apologising has been to his credit, because when you make a mistake you should … [Read more...]
Should he stay or should he go? Suarez’s transfer to La Liga
If recent media reports are to be believed, Luis Suarez may soon make the switch from the EPL to La Liga and with details already being talked about in public –Barcelona would pay around 30 million Euros (the number was a high as 85 million before Suarez’s “incident” at the World Cup) to Liverpool and possibly send Pedro and/or Sanchez as well— the possibility of a deal is real. Thus, the question becomes not if Suarez will move from the EPL to La Liga but should he? Eric Duffy explains. The reasons to move from Liverpool to Barcelona are simple. First, Suarez is currently one of the best … [Read more...]
Barcelona bring in keeper Bravo
Barcelona have agreed a deal with Real Sociedad for goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The 31-year-old Chilean will join Barca after the World Cup for a fee which has not yet been revealed. He has signed a four-year-deal with the club and will link up with fellow new custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen and fight for the number one spot. The long-serving Victor Valdes left Barcelona at the end of the season whilst back-up stopper Pinto was not given a new deal at the Nou Camp. It is thought that Bravo's signing will help ease the pressure on ter Stegen following his big move from Borussia Monchengladbach … [Read more...]
Barcelona close to Rakitic deal
Barcelona are expected to announce the signing of Croatian international Ivan Rakitic later on this week. Rakitic will move from Sevilla for a fee of around £16.2m and become part of Luis Enrique's new-look Barcelona team. Rakitic, who is preparing to face Brazil in the World Cup opening match this Thursday, has agreed personal terms with Barca and is just awaiting the clubs to agree the final figure and conditions of the transfer. Upon completion, Barca are expected to commence with Cesc Fabregas' transfer to whichever club he chooses. The Croat is expected to cost the Catalan club around … [Read more...]
Fabregas nears Chelsea switch
Cesc Fabregas is close to completing a £30m move to Stamford Bridge following Barcelona's decision to sell the Spanish international. The Blues are the favourites for Fabregas' signature after former club Arsenal rejected the chance to re-sign him. There was an option in Fabregas' contract that Arsenal would have the first option to buy the player if Barcelona were willing to sell, but Arsene Wenger has refused to take up the offer. Instead it appears as if Chelsea are holding off Manchester City and United in the race to sign Fabregas. Jose Mourinho has openly admitted that he is interested … [Read more...]
Is Luis Enrique the Right Choice for Barcelona? They better hope so.
Barcelona wasted no time in appointing Luis Enrique as their new manager. As a former player, captain, and coach of Barcelona B, Enrique seems like the perfect hire to ensure Barcelona returns to its winning ways. However, his C.V. doesn’t necessary mean success is guaranteed; the coaches’ graveyard is littered with epitaphs of managers who seemed destined for success. In today’s game there are too many factors involved and too many unknowns for success to be a given for any manager. … [Read more...]
Manchester United swoop for Barcelona pair
All eyes are on Lisbon tonight, as Real play Atletico in the most anticipated Champion's League final in years (and be sure to check La Liga Blog later for live reporting and updates at http://laligablog.com/2014/05/24/real-madrid-v-atletico-live/), but Louis Van Gaal is focused on the other side of the Iberian peninsula as he aims to capture both Cesc Fabregas and Xavi from Barcelona. As yet, Van Gaal has been primarily linked with long standing targets Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller along with a handful of Dutch players. But I understand that his number one priority before next season is the … [Read more...]
Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid
La Liga is one of the most exciting and avidly followed football leagues in the world, and this year’s result could be the most interesting of all. Currently in a great position to win are Atlético Madrid, a side which hasn’t won the League since 1996 – that’s 16 years – and yet, after their 1-1 draw with Malaga on the 11/05/14 they go into their match against Barcelona on the 18/05/14 knowing that, should they beat the mighty Barça, they will be champions. … [Read more...]