La Liga

BARCELONA have six star names on their summer shortlist, according to reports.The LaLiga giants are rebuilding under Ronald Koeman.
Erling Haaland is top of Barca’s wishlistCredit: Getty
Sergio Aguero provided a reminder of his skill at the weekendCredit: AP
And, while new president Joan Laporta is optimistic about keeping Lionel Messi, Barca require fresh blood around their iconic No10.
According to Sport, the title-chasing Catalans have their eyes on six key targets – with securing a new striker at the top of their wishlist.
Erling Haaland is the highest-profile name that they are courting up front, with the Norwegian’s father Alf-Inge and agent Mino Raiola having visited club chiefs last month.
Haaland, 20, has scored 25 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund this season to make him arguably the most in-demand player in the world.
But Barca could win the race to his signature, with the attraction of playing alongside Messi a key factor.
A cheaper option, however, has emerged in soon-to-be free agent Sergio Aguero, with the Manchester City star reportedly eager to join Barcelona.
The Argentine, 32, showed he’s still got it at the weekend when he scored a stunning goal against Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, boss Koeman, 58, is a big fan of former Manchester United star Memphis Depay, having worked with his compatriot as manager of the Dutch national team.
Memphis Depay has enjoyed another prolific season in FranceCredit: EPA
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With Depay’s contract, like Aguero’s, set to expire this summer, Barca could land themselves a bargain from Lyon.
Depay, 27, has scored 19 goals and laid on ten assists in 35 Ligue 1 outings for the French side this term.
Barca’s fourth striker option is long-term target Lautaro Martinez, who just got his hands on the Serie A title with Inter Milan.
Like so many others, the Argentine is attracted by playing with his fellow countryman Messi.
The 23-year-old has scored 15 goals and made eight assists in the Italian top flight this season.
Barca’s six-man shortlist is rounded off by another two upcoming free agents.
Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum has shown little inclination to extend his deal at Anfield.
Lautaro Martinez has helped Inter Milan to Serie A gloryCredit: Reuters
Georginio Wijnaldum has worked with Ronald Koeman with the NetherlandsCredit: Getty – Contributor
And the Dutchman, another to have worked with Koeman before, appears likely to take his talents to Spain at the end of the season.
Eric Garcia rounds off the list, meanwhile, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola having recently admitted that he expects the talented defender to join Barcelona.
He said: “Most of the time he’s not on the bench because he’s going to move to Barcelona, I hope so.
“It’s tough, but it is what it is.”
Eric Garcia is expected to leave Man City this summerCredit: Getty
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MARIO GOTZE appears to have delivered a come-and-get-me transfer plea to Barcelona as he revealed his dream of playing alongside Lionel Messi.The 28-year-old hit the big time in 2014 as he scored the World Cup-winning goal for Germany.
Mario Gotze has revealed his dream to play for Barcelona before he retiresCredit: Rex
The German attacker is desperate to line-up alongside the legendary Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
However, persistent fitness issues have hampered his career over recent years after he moved back to Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2016.
Gotze left the German side last year and headed to Dutch giants PSV looking to revive his career.
The attacking midfielder has produced glimpses of the talents that made him one of the most-sought after players on the planet.
That has led to talk of a return to the national squad for the first time in three years for this summer’s European Championship.
Gotze also revealed he still harbours hopes of playing at the very top level – and he admitted Barcelona would be his first choice.
He told 11Freunde: “To celebrate possession football with this [Barca] team, alongside Lionel Messi, that would be a dream.
“I want to play the Champions League again.”
And on a potential Germany recall, Gotze added: “The best German players should come together in the national team, otherwise it will be difficult to survive against the big nations.
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“It is clear that in order to be called up again, I have to perform consistently.”
Gotze has scored six goals in 23 matches for PSV this term and says he is willing to sit down to discuss an extension to his deal there.
But he will only stay beyond 2022 if boss Roger Schmidt remains at the club.
He added: “If Roger wanted to leave, I would worry.
“We have agreed with PSV that we will sit down on an extraordinary offer.”
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VALENCIA have sacked former Watford boss Javi Gracia.Los Che narrowly lost 3-2 to Barcelona last night, in what would turn out to be Gracia’s final game in charge.
Javi Gracia exits Mestalla for the final timeCredit: Getty
The 2004 LaLiga winners have fallen on hard times of late, having to sell most of their best players last summer – including Ferran Torres and Rodrigo, as well as captain Dani Parejo.
Gracia was appointed in July to steady the ship, after both Albert Celades and Marcelino were sacked during last season.
The 51-year-old steered his new side to an unremarkable 11 wins from 38 matches in charge – but did manage to keep them away from the relegation zone.
Los Che currently sit 14th in the LaLiga table, six points above the drop zone with four games left.
In removing Gracia from the post, Valencia’s brutally short statement also confirmed that Voro would return as caretaker manager – his SIXTH stint in temporary charge.
The statement read: “Valencia CF have informed Javi Gracia of his dismissal as coach of the first team, as of Monday.
“The club would like to publicly thank him for his work and dedication during his time coaching the team, and wish him the best of success for the future.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | JAVI GRACIA— Valencia CF 🦇🍊🌊 (@valenciacf_en) May 3, 2021

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“Salvador Gonzalez ‘Voro’ will take charge of the first team on an interim basis.”
Gracia’s Valencia went out fighting against Barcelona last night, even taking the lead against former boss Ronald Koeman’s men.
Ex-Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista powered home a 50th minute header to put the home side in front.
But Barca came roaring back, leading 3-1 just 20 minutes later courtesy of a Lionel Messi double and tap in from Antoine Griezmann.
Gracia’s players kept fighting, however, and pulled one back in the 83rd minute, when Carlos Soler’s rocket from outside the box found the top corner – but it wasn’t enough to salvage his manager’s job.
The experienced boss was sacked by Watford in September 2019 – after just four games of last season.
They would go on to be relegated, but not before also sacking Quique Sanchez Flores and Nigel Pearson.
Since then Vladimir Ivic has also been dispensed with, before little known Xisco Munoz arrived to guide the Hornets back to the Premier League.
Barcelona downed Valencia 3-2Credit: Getty
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LIONEL MESSI missed a penalty but bagged a double as Barcelona beat Valencia 3-2 to keep alive the most exciting LaLiga title race in years.Former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista put the hosts ahead early in the second-half.
Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved by former team-mate Jasper CillesenCredit: AFP
Messi points to the sky to celebrate scoring his side’s third goalCredit: AP
But Messi scored either side of an Antoine Griezmann goal to turn the game on its head.
Carlos Soler’s superb late strike set up a tense finale, but Valencia could not find an equaliser and Barcelona kept the pressure on league leaders Atletico Madrid ahead of the showdown between the two teams at the Nou Camp next weekend.
After a shock home defeat to Granada in midweek, Ronald Koeman’s side knew they had to pick up the three points at the Mestalla.
Despite Valencia’s lowly league position – they now sit 14th – they came into the match unbeaten in eight matches at home.
Koeman, who was sent off during the Granada defeat and began a two-match touchline ban at the Mestalla, made four changes to his team.
Ronald Araujo and Clement Lenglet replaced Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti in defence, while Sergino Dest and 18-year-old Pedri were recalled in midfield at the expense of Sergi Roberto and Ilaix Moriba.
Barcelona began well and a sublime move involving Frenkie De Jong, Griezmann and Pedri saw the latter send a right-foot shot narrowly wide.
Jasper Cillessen then made a fine close range save to deny Araujo before the hosts threatened for the first time. A swift counter-attack caught Barcelona out and Goncalo Guedes teed up Jose Gaya, who clipped his effort just wide.
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Messi went close with a free-kick from the edge of the box just before half-time as Barcelona finished the goalless first half on the up.
Momentum swung the other way after the restart as Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to block a Guedes shot with his feet before Valencia then took the lead after 50 minutes.
Ter Stegen made a mess of coming to claim a corner and Gabriel headed the ball into an empty net.
Thierry Correia could have added a quick-fire second goal, but the right-back blazed his shot high and wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
It proved a costly miss as the visitors scored three times in 12 minutes to take control of the match.
Messi levelled things up after 57 minutes, turning the ball home following a scramble inside the box after old team-mate Cillessen had saved his penalty.
Former Arsenal man Gabriel Paulista opened the scoring for ValenciaCredit: Getty
Messi netted a trademark free-kickCredit: Reuters
Antoine Griezmann celebrated with Messi after making it 2-1 to the Catalan giantsCredit: EPA
Cillessen was again hard done by when Griezmann reacted quicker than the Valencia defenders to poke the ball home after the keeper had made another great save to keep out De Jong’s low header.
Messi netted a free-kick in the 69th minute as the Catalan giants looked to be coasting.
However, it was a nervy finish to the game for Koeman’s men after Soler’s superb 35-yard strike found the top left corner of the net in the 83rd minute.
But Valencia were unable to find an equaliser and Barcelona returned to winning ways.
They stay third in the table, level on points with Real Madrid and two points behind table-topping Atletico.
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