La Liga

Subterms

    More stories

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona consider legal claim against Arthur over ‘unacceptable’ Champions League snub

      by

      BARCELONA star Arthur Melo faces legal action after refusing to return to training before the resumption of their Champions League campaign.
      Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has accused the 23-year-old of showing a “lack of respect” towards his team-mates.

      1

      Arthur has agreed to join Juventus at the end of the season and has now gone Awol from BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Barcelona’s squad are back in training ahead of Saturday’s last-16 showdown against Napoli.
      But they will be without Arthur as he has decided to stay in Brazil – without the club’s permission.
      Arthur has already agreed to join Italian giants Juventus in a deal worth £66million in July.
      However, the deal does not go through until the end of the season and the club have opened a legal file against him.

      During an interview with Sport, Bartomeu said: “What Arthur has done shows a lack of respect for his team-mates because the team wants to do well in the Champions League.
      “It is not logical that playing for such an important title, a player decides to remove himself.
      “It is unjustifiable and totally incomprehensible.
      “We reached the agreement that until the Champions League ended he would continue playing for Barca, both in the league and in the Champions League.

      “He is a player who has a certain importance in the team and who could help us.”
      Before he added: “But he did not appear from the return of the mini-vacations.
      “It is an unacceptable act of discipline.

      “And that is why we have opened a file for him, because there is no argument to justify his absence.
      “He called and said, ‘I will not return, I will stay in Brazil’.
      “It is his decision. No one has given him permission.”

      Lionel Messi ‘to be offered four-year deal worth staggering £235m’ by Inter Milan as they pursue free transfer More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Mauricio Pochettino opens door to Barcelona job despite claiming he’d rather work on a FARM due to Espanyol loyalties

      by

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO has sensationally opened the door to one day managing Barcelona.
      The former Tottenham boss once said that due to him playing most of his career with Espanyol, he would “rather work on a farm” than manage bitter rivals Barca.

      1

      Mauricio Pochettino has appeared to refuse to rule out managing BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
      But now, in an interview with El Pais, the the 48-year-old admitted his farm comment was “arrogant” and refused to rule out managing at the Nou Camp.
      He explained that he made the comment to kill off rumours while he was still managing Spurs after a chance meeting with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
      He said: “I was in Barcelona that year and I met Bartomeu in a bar.
      “We greeted each other because we were taking the children to the same school and we were talking for five minutes.

      “That generated a rumour, and when they asked me I wanted to settle it decisively; I did not want to disrespect Barcelona.
      “I made a name for myself at Espanyol. But I’m not arrogant and I didn’t like making a statement like that.
      “Maybe now I wouldn’t because in life you never know what will happen.”
      Pochettino remains out of work after he was brutally sacked by Spurs and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

      Meanwhile, Barca boss Quique Setien is under serious pressure after fierce rivals Real Madrid coasted to the La Liga title.
      With rumours Lionel Messi could be about to sensationally quit the Catalans, it could be all change at the Nou Camp next season.
      Whether that is with Pochettino at the helm remains to be seen.

      Tottenham ask sacked Pochettino to take pay cut on severance package due to coronavirus shutdown More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      West Ham and Everton eye transfer for controversial Barcelona signing Martin Braithwaite just six months after move

      by

      WEST HAM and Everton are in talks with Barcelona about a move for their striker Martin Braithwaite, according to reports.
      The Danish forward only moved to the Nou Camp in February but he looks set to depart just six months after the controversial transfer.

      1

      West Ham and Everton are in talks with Barcelona about their striker Martin Braithwaite
      Barca were allowed to swoop for the 29-year-old as an emergency signing from Leganes just six months ago.
      But having scored just once from 11 LaLiga appearances since, he could be lining up for West Ham or Everton next season, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
      Other Spanish clubs are said to be interested but Barca have admitted his future likely lies in the Premier League.
      The Catalan giants already have a good relationship with the Toffees while the Hammers are said to have been tracking the Danish international since before his Nou Camp switch.

      Barca were allowed to sign Braithwaite outside the January transfer window as they met his £15million release clause following Ousmane Dembele’s injury lay-off.
      But the deal was met with huge criticism.
      Leganes were not allowed to sign a replacement for the forward, which seriously hindered them in their unsuccessful fight against relegation.
      But Braithwaite had next to no impact for the Catalans as they missed out on the LaLiga title to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

      Despite having four years left on his contract, the former Middlesbrough man is already believed to have been told he is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.
      He is unable to compete in the Champions League for Barca next month.
      And it is claimed his representatives are already sounding out his next employers.

      John Stones set for £20m reunion with David Moyes as West Ham leapfrog Arsenal in race for Man City defender More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Napoli want Champions League clash with Barcelona moved to Portugal after Catalonia coronavirus case spike

      by

      NAPOLI president Aurelio De Laurentiis wants his team’s Champions League game against Barcelona moved to Portugal because of a coronavirus spike in Catalonia.
      The teams are set to play their last-16 second leg tie at the Nou Camp on August 8 but the Napoli big-wig wants a change of plan.

      2

      Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso is looking to reach the Champions League quarter-finalCredit: AFP

      2

      Napoli president Aurelio De Laurenttis has called for his side’s game with Barcelona to be moved to Portugal
      The first leg was a 1-1 draw in Naples in February.
      But the second leg which was originally scheduled for March 18 was postponed because of coronavirus.
      And now the pandemic is causing problems again with a recent spike in the number of daily confirmed cases in Catalonia.
      The Champions League quarter-finals are already set to take place in Portugal and De Laurentiis wants to know why those plans don’t apply to the last-16.

      He said: “I hear a lot of perplexity and fear coming from Spain and they’re acting like nothing is wrong.
      “What does it take to say, ‘Don’t go to Barcelona but rather go to Portugal, Germany or Geneva? 

      “If they’ve decided to play the Champions League in Portugal and the Europa League in Germany, I think we can go to Portugal or Germany for the round of 16.
      “I don’t understand why it should stay in a city that has a really critical situation.”

      The winner of the tie will face Bayern Munich or Chelsea on the quarter-final with the Blues 3-0 down from the first leg.

      Arsenal players mock Lucas Torreira by giving him baby grow to wear in build up to FA Cup final with Chelsea More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      England star Kieran Trippier buys £20k guard dog to protect his home from raiders after spate of thefts

      by

      ATLETICO MADRID star Kieran Trippier has become the latest high-profile footballer to protect his home by purchasing a guard dog.
      The 29-year-old has forked out £20,000 on a rottweiler in a bid to stop raiders from entering his house after his former Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli was robbed at knifepoint.

      6

      Chaperone K9 have announced that Kieran Trippier has purchased a guard dog from the firm
      Trippier – who joined LaLiga side Atletico from Spurs last summer – is now the proud owner of a guard dog that was bought from Chaperone K9.
      And the company took to Instagram where they posted a picture of Trippier’s new dog on their story – tagging the defender and his wife Charlotte in the snap.
      Uploading an image of the rottweiler, the caption said: “Welcome to the K9 family @KTrippier2 @CharlHTripper.”
      Trippier joins the likes of Paul Pogba and his England international team-mates Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in having K9 guard dogs.

      Leicester duo Hamza Choudhury and Jamie Vardy also have dogs from the firm, along with British rapper Stormzy.
      Experts train breeds to be docile family pets that become roaring beasts when a threat is detected.
      On the firm’s website, bosses reveal: “Chaperone K9 have built a strong reputation.
      PAW PAW TWO
      “We are renowned for supplying trained dogs to the very highest quality that offer both security and love to their new families in an often unpredictable society.

      “At Chaperone K9 we know the full history or all of our dogs only accepting those who have been bred from quality stock with a known family history.
      “We have truly bridged the gap between security dogs and family pets.
      “We run a specialist in house training programme for a minimum of six months with a dedicated team of eight staff who expose the dogs to as many different experiences and environments so that they are fully prepared for all eventualities.

      Marcus Rashford invested in a personal protection dog from Chaperone K9

      Phil Jones and his wife Kaya bought Buddy, a German Shepherd from the Leicestershire-based company

      West Ham captain Mark Noble has his home protected by German Shepherds

      Everton’s Michael Keane is another who endorses Chaperone K9’s work
      “We have a broad range of clients with varying needs and we pride ourselves on being able to offer each a truly bespoke service which is supported by all of our client testimonials.
      “We provide dogs to couples, families, people with disabilities, the elderly and those looking for additional security of larger estates.
      “Our client base also includes premiership footballers, international rugby players, pop stars and people working in high risk environments.

      6

      Trippier, 29, has become the latest high-profile footballer to protect his home with a guard dogCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We have supplied dogs all over the UK and Ireland, USA, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
      “We appreciate that buying a dog is a huge commitment, especially one that is fully trained to be loving family pet as well as a home protector.
      “Consequently, we work very closely with you from the initial meeting throughout the dog’s life.”

      Lewis Hamilton is best pals with his British vegan bulldog Roscoe More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona set to flog controversial transfer signing Braithwaite with forward not in Setien’s plans for next season

      by

      MARTIN BRAITHWAITE is set to be sold by Barcelona just six months after they controversially signed him from Leganes.
      The Danish international was allowed to join the Catalans as an emergency signing in February.

      1

      Martin Braithwaite is set to be flogged by Barcelona after just six monthsCredit: Reuters
      That was despite timing being outside the transfer window as they met his £15million release clause following Ousmane Dembele’s injury lay-off.
      But the deal was met with huge criticism.
      Leganes were not allowed to sign a replacement for the forward, which seriously hindered them in their unsuccessful fight against relegation.
      He scored just once in 11 appearances for the Catalans as they missed out on the LaLiga title to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

      Now Mundo Deportivo claims Barca are ready to axe the 29-year-old former Middlesbrough flop this summer.
      Despite still having four years left on his contract, he is already believed to have been told he is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.

      Braithwaite is unable to compete in the Champions League for Barca next month.
      And it is claimed his representatives are already sounding out his next employers.

      His agent, Ali Dursun, is said to have contacted Real Sociedad, Mallorca, Sevilla and Osasuna over a potential deal.

      Barcelona ‘already looking to sell’ Martin Braithwaite just ONE month after shock £15m transfer over financial problems More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona take legal action against rebel Arthur after he refuses to play for club and demands contract be ripped up

      by

      BARCELONA are reportedly instructing their lawyers to take legal action against AWOL midfielder Arthur Melo.
      The Brazilian’s two-year spell in Spain is coming to an end after he was sold to Juventus.

      1

      Arthur Melo is thought to be in Brazil having grown angry with the club’s attempts to sell himCredit: Getty – Contributor
      However, the deal does not go through until the end of the season – with Miralem Pjanic heading the other way in the £70million swap.
      Reportedly unhappy at being forced out of the club, Arthur has refused to return to training ahead of next month’s Champions League campaign.
      Following the culmination of the LaLiga season, the 23-year-old went on holiday to Ibiza before an under-the-radar trip to Brazil.
      Barcelona’s attempts to locate the player ended in him vowing to never appear for the team again.

      And he did not show up for either Monday’s coronavirus test or the resumption of training on Tuesday.
      According to Marca, that has prompted the Blaugrana to take disciplinary action.

      Barcelona star Arthur ‘pulls a Gareth Bale’ as he yawns and looks bored on bench during Osasuna loss
      Arthur is said to want his contract terminated to allow him an early switch to Juventus, with the deal officially going through in September.
      That is not an option for Barcelona, even though the midfielder would not be eligible for the Italian team until next season, and the club is described as angry that the matter could not be discussed amicably.

      Quique Setien’s side face Napoli for the second leg of their last-16 tie on August 8, with the aggregate score at 1-1, and the winner will progress to the Champions League mini-tournament in Portugal.
      Arthur did not appear in any of Barcelona’s last six LaLiga games as they failed to defend their title against Real Madrid – even appearing to fall asleep in the stands during a defeat to Osasuna. More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid saving up for £270m Kylian Mbappe transfer by flogging James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez

      by

      REAL MADRID reportedly hope to sell James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez in order to launch a £270million move for Kylian Mbappe next year.
      For months it has been claimed that 2021 is the year Los Blancos will make their move for the 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker when he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

      2

      Real Madrid hope to flog Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez this summerCredit: Getty Images
      However, they know the World Cup-winning striker will still cost a huge sum to bring to the Bernabeu.
      According to Deportes Cuatro that could be as high as £270m including both his fee and wages – and the LaLiga champions are already starting to save up for it.
      Due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Madrid president Florentino Perez has already confirmed no major arrivals will be heading to the Spanish capital this summer.
      However, the 13-time European kings are already putting their plan in place to try and pinch every penny during the crisis in an effort to be able to afford Mbappe.

      They are trying to make it their priority in the next window to get high earners who hardly feature under Zinedine Zidane out of the club.

      2

      Madrid are already starting to save up for a huge £270m move for Kylian Mbappe next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And Bale and Rodriguez have been identified as key sales in order to be able to accommodate Mbappe.
      But the Galacticos may find it hard to shift either from the wage bill.
      It was reported last month that 30-year-old ex-Tottenham ace Bale’s relationship with Zidane is at “breaking point” and “worse than ever”.

      But despite the player repeatedly being overlooked by Zizou, his agent Jonathan Barnett has insisted he is happy in Madrid and intends to see out the final two years of his contract at the Bernabeu.
      Meanwhile, Rodriguez has struggled for regular action since returning for a two-season loan spell at Bayern Munich and has been linked with a switch to the Premier League.
      But Rodriguez could stay at Real beyond the summer, adding perceived differences with Zidane are pure speculation.

      Gareth Bale looks uncomfortable during Real Madrid title celebrations after Zinedine Zidane leaves him on the bench for title decider versus Villarreal
      And he dropped a subtle transfer hint despite denying having any issues with Zidane recently.
      The Colombian, 28, said: “There never was any problem [with Zidane].
      “Every manager has a different taste. We have a normal working relationship.
      “In the future, you never know what’s going to happen, but if they let me choose, I would pick a club where I could show my abilities and my conditions.”

      Tottenham and Arsenal have also both been linked with winger Lucas Vazquez.
      Whether Perez can pull off the mass exodus and cost-cutting over the next few weeks remains to be seen.
      But the chief seems determined to get his man Mbappe next year in an attempt to make Madrid the continent’s most dominant force again. More