WENGER DENIES OZIL TO BARCA MOVE

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has denied reports that Mesut Ozil has agreed a move to Barcelona next year. The German’s deal at the Emirates would lapse next summer and the player could sign pre contract in January.

Ozil is yet to agree to an extension at Arsenal, with the bickering lasting for several months. Jose Mourinho was willing to sign the player in a free transfer while the player earns significantly in sign-on fees. However, the Man United coach hinted that Barcelona have cornered the player after selecting him as an alternative to Philippe Coutinho.
Continue reading WENGER DENIES OZIL TO BARCA MOVE

Valverde wants to keep his squad focused on football

Recently, Spain has politically undergone a string of changes and events that affect the entire nation as a whole and this also includes the football national side of the country as well, but ciach Valverde is hoping he can get his players to concentrate on their football, ather than the political turmoil taking place in Catalonia.

For the past few weeks, there has been a division and a number of things being done involving Catalonia wanting to establish an independent republic. With referenduums, political leades fleeing the country, and mass protests, it’s no wonder people don’t seem to be as switched on to the football as they would be normally! The crisis also potentially affects the Spanish national side – if Catalonia’s ultimate goal of being independent from Spain is achieved then this would rule out a number of players from playing for the Rioja, as well as the likes of Barcelona and Espanyol, who ae both based in Catalonia, and might find their space in the Primera Liga brought into question. Continue reading Valverde wants to keep his squad focused on football

Maria Bartomeu believes that Barcelona is better than before

The president of Barcelona FC has recently took some time to talk about his club and about the decisions made during the summer transfer window which saw Neymar making a world-record move from Camp Nou in Spain over to Paris Saint-Germain in France for an astronomically high fee of €222 million.


Neymar is a highly-rated player and this is why PSG decided to pay so much money in the 25 year old Brazilian performer.

With the departure of such a talented player, it’s expected that Barcelona would be weaker in some way or another but the president of the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu believes that the exit of Neymar will reinforce the squad in other ways as the funds that were created was enough to sign: OusmaneDembele, Paulinho, Nelson Semedo, Marlon and Gerard Deulofeu in the summer transfer window. Continue reading Maria Bartomeu believes that Barcelona is better than before

BARCELONA DEMANDS FULL £198 MILLION FOR NEYMAR

La Liga giant Barcelona are demanding the £198 million release clause “in full” if they want to land their top summer target Neymar Jr. this summer.


The Brazilian arrived at the training ground with his father and his reps and told the club that he wanted to leave the Nou Camp, according to the BBC.

The manager of the team Ernesto Valverde, who wanted the players in full training ahead of the resumption of the league, allowed Neymar to stay away to sort out his future. The release clause for the 25-year old is £198 million and PSG are keen on meeting the full commitment.

Recently there were reports that the Spanish side would make a serious claim for Financial Fair Play investigation if PSG signed Neymar but after the player insisted that he wanted to leave things changed. La Liga president Javier Tebas had threatened legal action against the Ligue 1 champs but so far no action. Continue reading BARCELONA DEMANDS FULL £198 MILLION FOR NEYMAR

Barcelona abandoning youth players

Former Barcelona academy player Alejandro Grimaldo has accused Barcelona of abandoning their youth policy and to focus on signing established stars rather.


He said that this is a mistake by the Spanish giant and that this could cause them regret in the future.

Indeed players such as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, and Mikel Arteta all started their career in the Barcelona youth ranks and then went on to successful careers around the world.

Alejandro Grimaldo believes that the Barcelona staff now ignores these players and that they are not given any chance in the team.

Grimaldo was a product of the Barcelona academy and failed to make a breakthrough in the first team. He then left the team and went to Benfica where he managed to establish himself as a regular player. He managed to win the Portuguese league as well as the domestic cup. Continue reading Barcelona abandoning youth players

Barcelona’s upcoming training ground will be named after Cruyff

In the approaching season of 2017-18, Barcelona will begin their process of creating as well as upgrading Camp Nou as a renovation is scheduled to take place which is going to expand the stadium from having a capacity of 99,354 to 105,000 and not only that but some of the other new additions to Camp Nou are going to be made.


This renewal process will begin in the upcoming season of 2017-18 and it’s scheduled to be completed by the season of 2021-22.

Barcelona released a club statement which revealed details about these changes that are going to be made in the near future and the announcement from the Spanish club reads: First of all, the future stadium in the CiutatEsportiva training complex is to be named the ‘Estadi Johan Cruyff.’

‘’Therefore, the most emblematic building in the facility where future Barca players are coached is to be named after somebody who played such a central role in fostering youth talent at the club.” Continue reading Barcelona’s upcoming training ground will be named after Cruyff

Rakitic wants Enrique to stay

Barcelona and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has stated that he wants Luis Enrique to remain as the Barcelona coach for the long run.


This comes as a surprise as there were reports recently that the midfielder will leave the club if ever Luis Enrique continues as the Barcelona coach.

Indeed Ivan Rakitic has struggled to get playing time at Barcelona during recent weeks as he spends most of the time on the bench.

However, the Croatian midfielder believes that it will be easier for him for Enrique to remain as the Barcelona coach as it is him who brought him to the club. He said that Luis Enrique knows him better and it will be better for him that he remains as the Barcelona coach.

There was news that Manchester City might be interested in the midfielder and he might want to reconnect with a former Barcelona manager in Pep Guardiola. Continue reading Rakitic wants Enrique to stay

BELLERIN INJURY MIGHT AFFECT ARSENAL

Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin has reportedly been sidelined for about a month at a critical time this season.


This would be a big blow for the Gunners who are poised to meet Manchester United on Saturday, November 19, 2016. Arsenal would battle French champions Paris St. Germain for a chance to top the UEFA Champions League at the Emirate next week, and the all-important Bellerin would likely not be available.

Historically, the November curse for Arsenal is real. And after the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur and with the forthcoming games, the Arsenal set-up would have to sit tight to maintain their current form.

Bellerin has been a decent addition to the first team. He has successes in shaming critics since his time at Watford on loan. He managed to get past his debut against Borussia Dortmund, and he is gradually building a name for himself at the Emirates. One of his spectacular performances is the game against Bayern Munich last year. Continue reading BELLERIN INJURY MIGHT AFFECT ARSENAL

Barcelona going after Premier League defenders

Barcelona are in the market for a new defender, and it is reported that they might be making their choice among the Premier League defenders. Indeed, with Dani Alves likely going to Juventus in the summer, Barcelona might be looking for a capable replacement.

One commonly cited player is Hector Bellerin. The Spanish player was trained at the Barcelona academy and will be the most obvious choice for that post. However, they might find it difficult to convince Arsene Wenger to let one of this best players leave the team. The French manager has recently stated that Arsenal is not a selling club anymore and that they will hold on to their best players.

Barcelona still want to believe that they can convince Hector Bellerin to join them by promising him that he will be able to win trophies there. It will all depend on how Arsenal strengthen their team this season and whether they will be able to challenge for silverware next season.

If ever the deal for Bellerin does not work out; it is believed that Barcelona might make a move for Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta. However, they might find competition from other clubs especially Manchester United. Indeed, it is reported that Jose Mourinho might be interested in bringing his former player at Old Trafford as he attempts to improve a defence that has been quite leaky during the past seasons. Bayern Munich are also reported to have made inquiries for the player, but they have yet to make any offer.

Cesar Azpilicueta is a versatile player that can play on both side of defence and in this aspect, he is much more useful that Bellerin. But Barcelona will believe that it will be easier to tempt an Arsenal player rather than a Chelsea player especially when they have successfully done it in the past.