Barcelona transfer news

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      New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman targets Manchester City defender Eric Garcia as man to replace Gerard Pique

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      NEW Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman aims to bring Eric Garcia back to the Nou Camp this summer.
      The Catalan giants have made it clear they want to re-sign Manchester City’s centre-back, 19, who came through their famed La Masia academy.

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      Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman aims to bring Eric Garcia back to the Nou Camp this summer

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      Gerard Pique’s Barcelona future is in doubt and Garcia is seen as his heir

      Yet with funds tight at the club, Barca chiefs were willing to wait until May when Garcia’s Etihad contract will have expired.
      Now Koeman wants to see if their move for the talented youngster — who has been called up by Spain this week — can be brought forward.
      With doubts over the future of veteran Barca defender Gerard Pique, 33, Koeman is hoping to secure a centre-half for the long-term future.
      City boss Pep Guardiola revealed earlier this month that the Spanish superkid has turned down a new deal and is keen to leave.

      But Etihad moneymen are demanding £30million to consider selling now — and Barca are unlikely to reach that figure.

      City would also be happy to keep Garcia next season and let him leave for free next summer.
      Dutchman Koeman admits it will be difficult to make sweeping changes this window, due to the economic impact of Covid-19.
      But the ex-Everton and Southampton chief knows he must shake things up after their humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich — which led to Quique Setien being axed as manager.

      So instead, he will prioritise two or three new faces this summer — with Garcia expected to be one of them.
      Koeman said: “Big clubs are undergoing major losses and I’m aware it may be hard to bring in five or six players immediately.”

      City’s willingness to part with Garcia (right) this summer is likely to be linked to their success in the transfer market.
      They have already paid £40m to sign defender Nathan Ake from relegated Bournemouth.
      And Guardiola is eyeing a move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, despite the Senegal centre-half’s £80m price tag.

      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

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      Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum wanted in Barcelona transfer as new boss Koeman ‘tells him to snub new deal’

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      GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM is a transfer target for Barcelona with new boss Ronald Koeman urging him to snub a new Liverpool contract, according to reports.
      The midfielder, 29, has just one year left on his current deal at Anfield.

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      Georginio Wijnaldum is a transfer target for Barcelona with his contract at Liverpool running out next summerCredit: Rex Features
      And according to AD in the Netherlands, Koeman has told his compatriot not to sign an extension.
      That’s because, the report adds, the new Barca chief is keen to bring him to the Nou Camp instead.
      Koeman replaced Quique Setien this week and is preparing for a major squad overhaul.
      Other than seven ‘untouchables’ – Lionel Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet, Nelson Semedo, Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele – everyone else is up for sale.

      And the manager will be hoping to try and land Wijnaldum with some raised funds.
      The midfielder signed for Liverpool from Newcastle for £25million in 2016 and played a crucial role in Jurgen Klopp’s men becoming European, world and – finally – Premier League champions.
      But he is yet to pen a new deal and opened the door to a transfer in January by admitting it is “difficult to say” what the future holds.

      He said: “What would I like? It is difficult to say.

      “It depends on what the club wants and how the situation is at that time.”
      Miralem Pjanic will join Barcelona as one new central midfielder during the brief off-season.
      But Koeman managed Wijnaldum with the Dutch national team and already has fellow countryman De Jong in midfield.

      The three teamed up expertly to help pull the Netherlands out of a dire state following their failure to qualify for back-to-back major tournaments.
      And by signing Wijnaldum, they would no doubt hope to do something similar amid the chaos and unrest at Barcelona.
      But Barca know it will not be easy to convince the former Feyenoord and PSV star to leave Anfield while making a move may prompt the Reds to prioritise sorting a new deal.

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      Wijnaldum worked under Ronald Koeman with the Dutch national team before he took the Nou Camp jobCredit: Getty – Contributor

      A profile look at new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman More

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      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman plots shock transfer swoop for Everton’s Michael Keane as replacement for Gerard Pique

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      EVERTON defender Michael Keane has emerged as a shock transfer target for Barcelona, according to reports.
      Ronald Koeman is the new man in charge of the LaLiga giants and he already has his transfer targets in mind.

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      Michael Keane has emerged as a shock transfer target for BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images

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      Would Keane fit into this possible Barca line up under Koeman?
      The Dutchman is believed to have identified fellow countryman Memphis Depay and Donny van de Beek as two of his top three targets this summer.
      And OK Diario claims the England centre-back is the other.
      Koeman took Keane to Goodison Park from Burnley in 2017 in a £30m deal.
      The centre-half has since become a regular for the Toffees and featured 37 times last season.

      Now Koeman, who was sacked by Everton in 2017, wants a reunion with the ex-Manchester United ace.

      Barca are looking to revamp their aging squad after missing out on the league title before they were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.
      They are looking for recruits all over the park, but Koeman is believed to have identified Keane as the perfect long-term replacement for Gerard Pique, 33, who has offered to leave for the good of the club.
      The ace has played over 100 times for Everton and his performances have also been recognised at international level, winning 10 caps for the Three Lions. More

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      Gerard Pique ‘offered Premier League return by Fulham as they target audacious transfer for Barcelona star’

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      FULHAM have reportedly made contact with Barcelona about a sensational move for Gerard Pique.
      The centre-half was crestfallen after his side were thumped 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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      Gerard Pique has offered to leave Barcelona this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He admitted after the game that the team have hit “rock bottom” and then offered to leave the club if they wanted to rebuild.
      Unsurprisingly Quique Setien was sacked after the disaster and replaced by former Everton boss and Barca legend Ronald Koeman.
      And according to Peruvian website Libero, Fulham wasted no time in contacting the Spanish giants over a potential move back to the Premier League.
      Pique came through the youth ranks of Manchester United before leaving for Barca in 2008.

      But now, at the age of 33, the £220,000-a-week defender is seemingly ready for a new challenge.
      Libero reports that there is “an offer on the table” from Scott Parker’s Premier League new-boys.

      It is now up to Barca as to whether they “negotiate” Pique’s transfer to London.

      The Bayern thumping was especially painful for boyhood fan Pique who has made 543 appearances for the club.
      In an emotional interview after the game, he said: “No one is untouchable, least of all me.
      “Fresh blood is needed. We’ve hit rock bottom now. We all need to reflect and see what’s best for Barça.
      “Coaches and players follow one another, but it has been several years since we have been able to be competitive on a European level.
      “We all have to think internally and decide what is best for the club, for Barca. Tonight was unacceptable for Barcelona.
      “It’s very hard to take but I hope it will be useful for something, for us to all think about it.

      “The club needs changes. And I’m not talking at the level of the coach or the players, but structurally the club needs changes of all kinds.
      “We must bring in new blood to change this dynamic, and if necessary, I would be the first to leave.”
      Pique has won eight La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey trophies and three Champions Leagues with Barca.

      Barcelona stars Pique and Vidal win £500k in pro poker tournament with £25k buy-in More

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      Higuain warns Messi he would get ‘s*** kicked out of him’ in the Premier League amid Man City transfer talk

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      CHELSEA flop Gonzalo Higuain has warned Lionel Messi he would be “kicked the s*** out of” if he decided to play in the Premier League.
      Following Barcelona’s thumping by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, it was reported that Messi has told the club he wants to leave.

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      Lionel Messi has been warned of the toughness of the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters

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      Gonzalo Higuain has told Messi that he will get “kicked” by defenders in EnglandCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Argentinian has cut a forlorn figure at times in what has been a miserable season the the Catalans.
      They threw away the LaLiga title to bitter rivals Real Madrid after leading for most of the season.
      Manchester City have emerged as the favourites to sign the 33-year-old which would see him reunited with old boss Pep Guardiola
      But Higuain, who endured a torrid 18-game loan spell with Chelsea in 2019, has warned Messi that he could “suffer” some rough treatement from defenders in England.

      Speaking to Fox Sports, as translated by Marca, Higuain, 32, said: “I suffered a lot in the Premier League and couldn’t adapt in those six months.
      “It’s nothing like LaLiga. Defenders kick the s*** out of you and nothing gets given, they don’t blow for free-kicks like they would in Spain.
      “I don’t know how that would affect Messi.
      “I don’t think he would suffer, since he is a player at another level.”

      Big things were expected of Higuain when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, but he scored only five goals.
      Messi has grown disillusioned with life at his boyhood club following numerous mounting problems behind the scenes.
      His contract expires next summer when he can leave for free but he appears determined to leave right now.
      He reportedly threatened to quit if there was not a major restructure at the Nou Camp.
      But he is not willing to wait for the change and wants to leave “immediately”, according to Esporte Interativo.

      An inside source close to Messi is quoted as saying: “He has never seen Leo so determined to leave as now.”
      The Brazilian outlet correctly revealed Neymar was leaving Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
      Barcelona have refuted the claims, according to Catalan outlet Sport.

      A look at the career of Lionel Messi as rumours circulate the Barcelona captain is looking to leave Camp Nou More

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      Barcelona blow as Ter Stegen – one of just two ‘untouchables’ at club – faces ten weeks out after knee surgery

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      BARCELONA have been dealt a huge blow following the news that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be sidelined for almost three months.
      The 28-year-old had been playing through the pain barrier and finally underwent surgery on a knee problem this week.

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      Barcelona have confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be sidelined for ten weeks following knee injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He had hoped to be fit in time for next season after deciding to go under the knife as a preventative measure.
      Yet Barcelona have now confirmed that the German International is expected to be sidelined for ten weeks.

      Ter Stegen had been plagued by a knee problem during the recent weeks of the extended 2019-20 season.
      And the Catalan No1 finally had the chance to clear up the issue after Barcelona’s campaign finished with an 8-2 mauling to Bayern Munich.

      Ter Stegen had written on Twitter: “The medical experts and I discussed to do this ‘clean-up’ as there were some irritations earlier this season.
      “It’s a proactive intervention in order to prevent and prepare for the future.
      “I will need some weeks to recover and to return to 100%. I’m calm and positive about the situation, I will come back soon.”
      Ter Stegen’s extended absence will prove a bitter blow for Barca, who had listed the German as one of only two ‘untouchable’ players in their squad.

      Reports in Spain name a figure of £115million that must be made up in player sales to balance the books of the Camp Nou club.
      And only star forward Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen were thought to be safe from the axe.
      The Catalans are said to be working on contract renewals for both players but those have been put on hold until the pandemic eases.
      Ter Stegen’s injury also likely ends Chelsea’s interest in signing him this summer to replace flop shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

      The former Borussia Monchengladbach ace made his 46th and final appearance in Barcelona’s disastrous Champions League exit.
      The Spanish giants suffered an 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich in a result that cost head coach Quique Setien his job.
      It also meant that the Blaugrana ended the season without a trophy for the first time in 12 years.

      Is Marc-André Ter Stegen on his way to the Premier League? More

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      Barcelona sack sporting director Eric Abidal after disastrous end to season and failings in transfer market

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      BARCELONA have sacked sporting director Eric Abidal to continue their major shake-up.
      In the aftermath of the LaLiga giants’ 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Abidal becomes the second major casualty of the Barcelona hierarchy.

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      Eric Abidal has lost his job amid Barcelona’s massive overhaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On Tuesday, the Catalans confirmed their former left-back’s exit after two years in the role.
      He follows coach Quique Setien in leaving the club at the end of a first trophy-less campaign in 12 years.
      A statement read: “FC Barcelona and Eric Abidal have reached an agreement for the ending of the contract that united the two parties.
      “The Club would publicly like to thank Eric Abidal for his professionalism, commitment, dedication and the close and positive nature of his relationship with all aspects of the blaugrana family.”

      Abidal was a surprise appointment to oversee Barcelona’s transfers in 2018.
      The defender was a popular player in his first six years at the club, where he won eight major trophies while battling liver problems that eventually required a transplant.
      His first summer in charge saw little star power arrive but Clement Lenglet, Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo were competent first-team players alongside the flop that was Malcom.

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      The appointment of Quique Setien did not go to plan for Abidal or BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors
      Antoine Griezmann was the marquee signing of last summer and his £108million move has so far failed to set the world alight.

      Meanwhile, the decision to sack Ernesto Valverde and replace the two-time LaLiga winner with Setien has backfired considerably.
      After Abidal suggested the players “weren’t satisfied or working hard” under their former coach, the Frenchman was on the end of a barb from Lionel Messi.
      The Argentine stated: “The heads of the sports department have to take their responsibilities too and above all own the decisions they make.

      Ronald Koeman spotted at Barcelona airport and set to replace Quique Setien as manager after ‘advanced talks’ with club
      “Finally I think that when you talk about players, you have to give names because if not, it makes everyone dirty and gives air to things that are said which are not true.”
      Mundo Deportivo report that Abidal’s assistant, Ramon Planes, has been handed the reigns on an initial temporary basis.
      The club’s woes in the transfer market certainly last much longer than just Abidal with £940million splashed in the last five seasons.
      And the cracks around the Camp Nou have opened up after the shock Champions League hammering at the hands of Bayern.

      Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said after the defeat: “There are some decisions that we had already made, and others that we will make over the next few days.
      “Announcements will be made from next week, we need to make decisions after things have calmed down.
      “Today is a day for reflection. Tomorrow we will try to raise our fans’ spirits following such a heavy defeat.”
      Presidential elections are planned for next spring although Bartomeu, having served two terms, cannot stand again. More

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      Marc Overmars ‘working to bring Luis Suarez back to Ajax in shock transfer from Barcelona after being put up for sale’

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      ARSENAL legend Marc Overmars is reportedly working on a deal to bring Luis Suarez back to Ajax.
      The Barcelona star, 33, is on the club’s transfer list, according to reports in Spain.

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      Luis Suarez could leave the Nou Camp after six yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And he could be set for a return to Dutch side Ajax – where Suarez spent four years before joining Liverpool in 2011.
      Uruguayan journalist Enzo Olivera claims Ajax’s sporting director Overmars is readying a bid for Suarez.
      Olivera told sports show Polideportivo via Football Inside: “Overmars wants Suarez and has opened the doors of the Johan Cruyff Arena for him.”
      The Uruguayan striker’s contract runs until next summer and Barca have an option to extend the deal for an extra season.

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      Luis Suarez was a prolific goalscorer in his first spell with AjaxCredit: PA:Press Association
      But the Catalan giants are planning a major squad overhaul after their 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich.
      Just SIX players including Lionel Messi are safe from the axe – but the Argentine superstar has reportedly told the Blaugrana he wants to leave “immediately”.
      And an ageing and injury-prone Suarez could be moved on.
      He has also been linked with a move to Qatari side Al-Arabi with David Beckham’s Inter Miami battling for his signature too.

      But Suarez will undoubtedly have to accept a pay cut if he leaves the Nou Camp.
      Ajax – where Suarez has happy memories after scoring 111 goals in 159 games during his first spell – will not match his current wages.
      The veteran striker collects over £260,000 a week at Barca.

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