Barcelona transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans are just realising why Barcelona’s badge has St George’s cross on it and the bizarre reason they wear red and blue

      by

      JUST three British players have ever featured for Barcelona.Yet a famous piece of England takes the field with the Spanish giants every time they play.
      Robert Lewandowski is the latest legend to don the iconic colours of BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      The Spanish giants have the St George Cross prominently on their badgeCredit: Roddy Scott – The Sun Glasgow
      And many fans will be surprised to realise just why the Barca badge includes the St George Cross.
      The red cross on a white background is of course the basis for the flag of England.
      But St George is also the patron saint of Georgia and… Catalonia, where he is known as Saint Jordi.
      The reason, however, for Barcelona’s iconic red and blue colours is less saintly.
      READ MOE TOP STORIES
      It’s all down to Joan Gamper, the club’s founding president in 1899.
      Gamper, from Switzerland, also set up FC Zurich and supported home-country team FC Basel.
      So he simply adopted Basel’s colours for Barcelona.
      It’s the badge, though, that might intrigue British supporters most.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      And that symbol is a touch ironic when you consider the incredibly low number of footballers who have swapped the UK for Barca.
      Terry Venables, who later bossed Tottenham and England, signed the first of the trio, Steve Archibald from Spurs, in 1984.
      The Scotland striker won LaLiga in the first of his four seasons at the Nou Camp.
      Next came Gary Lineker from Everton and Manchester United’s Mark Hughes, both in the summer of 1986.
      Lineker bagged 21 goals in his first term, including a hat-trick against Real Madrid.
      But the England hero was sold to Tottenham in 1989 after struggling once Johan Cruyff  became Barca manager.
      And Wales frontman Hughes lasted just one campaign at Barca before a season on loan at Bayern Munich and a return to Old Trafford. More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Sergio Busquets ‘to leave Barcelona after 15 seasons with captain most likely to make Saudi free transfer’

      by

      SERGIO BUSQUETS has reportedly decided to NOT sign an extension at Barcelona and will leave this summer.The 34-year-old club captain, who came through the youth ranks at the Nou Camp, is said to have informed Barca of his decision today.
      Sergio Busquets is reportedly set to depart Barcelona this summerCredit: AP
      The club captain will leave on a free once his contract expires in JuneCredit: Getty
      Marca claims that the Spanish World Cup winner was wary of staying past his prime and did not want to damage his legendary status with a decline in performances.
      And another Spanish publication, SPORT, claims that they have discovered that “Saudi Arabia is positioned as the number one option for Busquets’ new destination”.
      They did also add that he has not yet agreed to join any team in the Middle East, but they did reiterate that he has made his mind up that his time at Barca is over.
      Barcelona boss Xavi, the former midfield partner of Busquets, wanted his skipper to remain with the Catalans after fifteen trophy-laden seasons.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      But the financially-stricken club were unable to offer him an acceptable proposal.
      An official announcement is set to be made over the coming days ahead of what could be their LaLiga title-clinching game with city rivals Espanyol this weekend regarding his exit.
      And Barcelona will no doubt want to honour one of their most iconic names before the end of the campaign with a final farewell at the Nou Camp.
      Meanwhile, the MLS could also be another potential option on the table for the veteran.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      His old team-mate Lionel Messi could also move to America with Inter Miami keen on snapping up the Argentine when his contract expires at Paris Saint-Germain in June.
      Busquets has been as influential as ever for Barcelona this term as he chases a ninth LaLiga title with his boyhood club.
      As well as winning both the World Cup and Euros with his country, the star has lifted the Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup on three separate occasions with Barca. More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal want transfer for ANOTHER former Man City ace after taking Jesus and Zinchenko from title rivals

      by

      ARSENAL want to sign Ferran Torres from Barcelona, according to reports.Torres, 23, joined the La Liga giants in a £55million transfer from Manchester City in December 2021.
      Arsenal are interested in signing TorresCredit: Getty
      Upon his arrival at the Nou Camp, a huge £842m release clause was inserted into his five-and-a-half-year contract.
      However, Barcelona are expected to put the striker up for sale when the summer transfer window opens in order to raise funds for the potential return of club legend Lionel Messi.
      And they will accept far less than his release clause.
      According to TalkSPORT, Arsenal are considering a swoop for Torres.
      Read More on Arsenal
      Mikel Arteta is said to be a long-standing admirer of the Spaniard and he is keen to add him to his ranks this summer.
      But the Gunners will face competition from Aston Villa for his signature.
      Torres spent 16 months with City before joining Barcelona.
      During his time at the Etihad he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances and won a Premier League title.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Arsenal raided the Cityzens last summer, signing both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      Both players have significantly bolstered the squad this season, with the Gunners battling for the Premier League title. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Aubameyang ‘keen to terminate Chelsea deal’ a year early after disaster transfer and take big pay-cut with former club

      by

      CHELSEA striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is keen to terminate his contract prematurely so that he can return to Barcelona, according to reports.The 33-year-old joined Chelsea in a £10million transfer from the La Liga giants in September, but he has struggled to establish himself as a regular first team starter.
      Aubameyang wants to terminate his Chelsea contractCredit: EPA
      He has been limited to just 21 appearances across all competitions this season having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
      And according to Spanish outlet Sport, he is subsequently eager to terminate his contract.
      Aubameyang wants leave Chelsea so that he can return to Barcelona when the summer transfer window opens.
      However, the La Liga leaders will have to manage their financial issues before facilitating another move for the striker.
      Read More on Chelsea
      Barcelona need to make up a financial deficit by selling several players, meaning they will struggle to buy new players unless the adequate funds are found.
      Should Aubameyang become a free agent he will be able to join for nothing, although he will likely have to accept a huge pay cut.
      The striker joined Barcelona at the beginning of 2022 after his Arsenal contract was terminated due to a series of disciplinary issues.
      He scored 13 goals in 24 appearances in Spain, but he fell down the pecking order after Robert Lewandowski joined the club.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      Aubameyang is not the only Chelsea player that has been linked with a move to Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window.
      Xavi is also said to be plotting a move for N’Golo Kante.
      The Frenchman’s contract expires next month, so as things stand he will become a free agent in July. More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola wanted me to be the new Pique, but now I don’t even say I played for Barcelona

      by

      DMYTRO CHYGRYNSKYI was once set to become Gerard Pique’s partner at the Nou Camp but now he doesn’t even admit he played at Barcelona.Chygrynskyi joined Barca in 2009 after a stunning season with Shakhtar Donetsk as he helped the Ukrainian outfit shock Europe by winning the UEFA Cup.
      Pep Guardiola wanted Dmytro Chygrynskyi to partner up with Gerard Pique at BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      Then Blaugrana manager Pep Guardiola was so impressed with the former Ukraine international that he wanted him to be Pique’s long-term partner at centre-back.
      Chygrynskyi told Relevo: “In winter there were rumors in the press, but there was nothing.
      “Days after winning UEFA, I received a call: ‘Now it’s serious, Dmytro. They love you’. Wow! It was the first time I felt real pressure in my career.
      “But even so, the moment in which I really saw that the thing was serious was when Guardiola called me while I was in pre-season in Switzerland. That’s when I was ‘scared’.
      Read More on Football
      “Pep told me: ‘I want you to be a couple with Pique for many years. Trust me, I like your way out of the ball, your first pass… I was in shock.”
      However, Chygrynskyi never managed to shine at Barcelona and only lasted a year before returning to Shakhtar.
      The 36-year-old, who is still active and plays in Greece for Ionikos after a successful spell at AEK Athens, admits his brief stint in Catalonia was unsuccessful.
      So much so that when asked about his time in the Catalan capital he says he “was” at Barcelona instead of stating he “played” for the Spanish giants.
      Most read in Football
      The defender blames it on his poor mentality at the time but insists current Manchester City boss Guardiola always had faith in him.
      But after a sudden change in the club’s hierarchy, which saw Sandro Rosell replacing Joan Laporta at the top, the Ukrainian was let go in 2010.
      Chygrynskyi added: “I never say that I played for Barca. I say: ‘I was at Barca’. And that’s different, because to say that you played there you need to have been an important part of the team.
      “It was something more symbolic, something that shows that you can achieve your greatest dreams. I wanted to learn as quickly as possible. It was different football, a different country…
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Chyhrynskyi now won’t admit he played for Barcelona after his brief stintCredit: AFP
      “Now I know that the main problem I had was my psychology. I was in too much of a hurry. I pushed myself too much.
      “Pep told me: ‘Just do what I ask you, don’t think too much’. But I knew I wasn’t the best in training, so the sessions ended and I stayed working. I was obsessed with progressing quickly. With the language, doing double sessions in the gym…
      “I put constant pressure on me to turn the situation around. And Pep saw it, because in several conversations he asked me to calm down. It’s Barca. You’re not going to have two, three or four chances. If you’re not good enough, a year is a lot. It’s not like in England.
      “On a general level I don’t think it would fail, but if we talk about some specific games, yes , I failed. And that is the price you pay at Barca.
      “I say it without qualms: In the Cup match against Sevilla I failed. And against Cadiz in the League I also failed, despite the fact that we won. I had mistakes that at Barca are not acceptable, because the bar is very high.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It also did not help me that the following year Joan Laporta left and Sandro Rosell came in, since I had not played much and nobody could guarantee me anything.
      “Despite everything, Guardiola told me: ‘Don’t read anything, get ready. You didn’t have a pre-season, but this year will be different’. But what happened, happened and that’s how my story at Barca ended.” More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd transfer target Frenkie de Jong told to reduce salary AGAIN as Barcelona try to free up funds for Messi

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED transfer target Frenkie de Jong is set for a meeting to discuss his Barcelona future, according to reports.De Jong was one of United’s main transfer priorities last summer and the club even had a £72million bid accepted by Barcelona.
      Barcelona want Frenkie de Jong to accept a wage reductionCredit: Getty
      Barcelona are keen on re-signing Lionel MessiCredit: PA
      But the midfielder refused to make the move and Erik ten Hag instead signed Casemiro from Real Madrid.
      However, the Red Devils boss is still said to be keen on De Jong, who is facing an uncertain future at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona want the 26-year-old to agree to a salary reduction amid their financial problems, according to Mundo Deportivo.
      De Jong could extend his contract, which expires in 2026, for another two or three years.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      But Barca want to cut his wage – something De Jong may reject given he is owed £14.5m by the club after deferring his wages during the coronavirus pandemic.
      Barcelona also asked De Jong to accept a wage reduction last summer and they could be tempted to sell once again if he refuses.
      The LaLiga leaders are desperate to re-sign Lionel Messi, whose time at Paris Saint-Germain appears to be approaching an end.
      The 35-year-old was suspended by the club after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia which saw him miss training on Monday.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      PSG are reportedly set to allow his contract to expire, with Barca chiefs ready to pounce.
      On Messi potentially returning, vice president Rafa Yuste said: “We’ve been in contact with Leo Messi’s camp.
      “Leo knows how much we appreciate him and I’d love for him to come back.
      “For sure Messi loves Barca and the city, so we hope to find the right conditions to continue his history here.” More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Wolves close in on astonishing Ansu Fati transfer with Barcelona to give swap deal ‘the ok’ after Mendes talks

      by

      WOLVES are closing in on a deal to sign Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, according to reports.Fati, 20, has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp this season.
      Wolves are close to sealing a deal for FatiCredit: AP
      And Xavi is understood to be looking to offload him when the upcoming transfer window opens.
      Wolves have already expressed an interest in signing the winger, with officials proposing a swap deal including Ruben Neves and £26million.
      And according to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona are satisfied with the offer.
      Club officials are now waiting on a final decision from Fati regarding his future.
      Read More Transfer News
      However, he is understood to be eager to stay.
      Several European clubs are understood to be interested in signing the winger, including Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United.
      But Fati’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has many clients on the books at Wolves so he has already begun the process of trying to convince him that a move to Molineux could be a good idea.
      Meanwhile, Barcelona are keen to welcome Neves to the club.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Although there was an initial doubt that the midfielder would fit into Xavi’s plans, the club see him as a positive addition going forward.
      Neves has scored six goals in 31 Premier League appearances for Wolves so far this season. More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea and Arsenal ‘send transfer offers for Barcelona star Raphinha’… but an ex-Blues ace could have final say

      by

      RAPHINHA could leave Barcelona at the end of the season, according to reports.The winger, 26, joined the La Liga giants in a £55million transfer from Leeds in July.
      Raphinha could leave Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      However, according to Spanish outlet Sport, he is already considering leaving.
      Raphinha fears that he will have to accept playing fewer minutes at the Nou Camp next season, with Ousmane Dembele understood to be Xavi’s preferred option on the right.
      The potential return of club legend Lionel Messi is also factoring into his decision.
      Several teams are understood to be interested in signing Raphinha, including Arsenal and Chelsea.
      Read More on Chelsea
      His agent, former Chelsea midfielder Deco, has so far received three formal offers.
      Both Arsenal and Chelsea attempted to sign the Brazilian last summer, but Barcelona won the transfer race.
      Arsenal kicked off the bidding war for Raphinha, but Chelsea swooped in with a £55m offer which was accepted by Leeds.
      The winger then refused to agree personal terms with the Blues in a bid to force a move to Barcelona.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Raphinha has registered 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 appearances for Barcelona this season.
      Newcastle are also understood to be interested in signing him.
      The club’s owners are set to abandon their cautious approach to the transfer market and splash out on some marquee signings. More