TheNewsGuru

Tag: Barca

  • Laporta tells De Jong only way he can stay at Barca

    Laporta tells De Jong only way he can stay at Barca

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Frenkie de Jong there’s only one way he can stay this season.

    Laporta has held his stance in making it very clear to the Dutch midfielder that, if he wants to stay, he will have to accept a sizeable salary reduction.

    “We are going to do everything possible for him to stay and we hope that the player will also do everything possible to stay. We all have to make an effort,” he reflected. “We find ourselves with a wage bill that has shot up by more than 40 per cent. What is clear is that we have a new wage scale and all the players have to fit into it.

    The Barça boss, however, has stressed that “he wants to stay and we want him to stay. That’s the most important thing,” he added.

    On the excitement over the arrival of Jules Koundé, he has claimed that the French centre-back “wanted to come for a lesser salary than elsewhere”.

  • Luis Suarez reveals new club

    Luis Suarez reveals new club

    Former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has confirmed he’s returning to Uruguay’s Nacional.

    Just hours prior to the announcement, it seemed like he was destined for a move to MLS, to Gareth Bale’s Los Angeles FC, but the Uruguayan has followed his heart and opted for Nacional.

    After 16 years in European football, he is returning to his former club where he came through the youth ranks and made his professional debut.

    Putting an end to a summer of speculation and rumours, Suarez himself announced the news in a video posted to his personal Twitter account. The news will delight Nacional fans who had been campaigning for the signing.

    In the short video, the former Atletico Madrid man revealed that he has reached a pre-agreement with Nacional and that he expects the details to be ironed out shortly. Then, everything will be announced officially and Suarez will return to Nacional.

  • What I told some Barca players in May – Xavi

    What I told some Barca players in May – Xavi

    Barcelona coach Xavi says several players have been encouraged to leave this summer.

    Xavi knows that he needs to lighten his squad this summer, particularly with new signings needing to be registered, and as a result he left a number of first-team players out of his pre-season squad tour, making it clear that they had to find new clubs.

    “They haven’t been cast aside,” Xavi said. “They’re first-team players and they trained with us before the tour.

    “But I was clear with them all in May. They’re looking for solutions now, and we’re trying to help them so that they can play football.

    “They know it will be impossible for them to play with Barcelona, so they have to find a solution to find somewhere to play.”

  • Barca number one member since 1932 dies at 101

    Barca number one member since 1932 dies at 101

    La Liga side Barcelona on Tuesday announced the death of Manuel Manos Gonzalbo, the man who became a member in 1932.

    The club said Gonzalbo, who died at the age of 101, was number one on their membership list, with the club currently having over 140,000 “socios” who are eligible to vote on significant club issues.

    Gonzalbo saw legends of the football world come and go at the Catalan giants.

    He saw superstar figures such as Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi star for FC Barcelona during his lifetime.

    The club said in a statement: “We are sorry to announce the death of Manuel Manos Gonzalbo, holder of FC Barcelona membership number one, at the age of 101.

    “He had been a club member since Sept. 5 of 1932. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”

  • Lewandowski heads to Barca in deal worth N30.6bn

    Lewandowski heads to Barca in deal worth N30.6bn

    La Liga side, Barcelona has confirmed the final agreement to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich for €50 million ($51 million, about N30.6 billion), including add-ons, on a four-year contract.

    The Poland international travelled to Miami to meet his new team-mates on Sunday, the day after Barca confirmed they had struck an agreement in principle with Bayern Munich.

    Lewandowski subsequently passed his medical, with Bayern Munich “officially” announcing his departure on Tuesday.

    Barca soon confirmed the transfer details for the talismanic striker, who will have a €500m buyout clause.

    The 33-year-old scored 50 goals across all competitions last season, the most across Europe’s top five leagues, as Bayern Munich lifted their 10th Bundesliga title in a row.

    Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller’s long-standing Bundesliga record by scoring 41 goals in a single season in the 2020/2021 campaign.

    His 43 league goals in 2021 serve as the record for a calendar year in Germany’s top tier.

    The forward’s 312 Bundesliga goals are the second-most scored by any player in competition’s history, behind Muller (365).

    He leaves Bayern Munich having accumulated 344 goals and 57 assists across 375 appearances in all competitions.

    Though club coach Julian Nagelsmann was reluctant to let Lewandowski leave, he suggested Bayern Munich’s game plan will become more “unpredictable” after his departure.

    “When someone like Robert plays upfront, you play more crosses,” he told reporters on Bayern Munich’s pre-season tour in the U.S. “The way we’re going to play will change. It’s a new Bayern Munich.

    “It will be a challenge —- and I like challenges. It’s good for everyone, we have to find new ways and be creative.

    “In the past it might have been easier for the opponents to prepare for our game. Now we’re going to be even more unpredictable.”

  • Barca making first offer for Chelsea captain

    Barca making first offer for Chelsea captain

    La Liga side, Barcelona are making an offer for Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

    The defender is under contract at Chelsea for the coming season, though wants to return to Spain and sign for Barca.

    Chelsea have refused to grant Azpilicueta a free transfer and instead are insisting he will only leave for a €10m fee.

    Mundo Deportivo says Barca haven’t been put off and are offering an initial €3m for the defender.

    The Catalans are prepared to go higher should Chelsea continue to act stubbornly.

  • Robert Lewandowski joins Barca teammates in US

    Robert Lewandowski joins Barca teammates in US

    Robert Lewandowski is in the US today to join his new Barcelona teammates.

    Bayern Munich accepted Barca’s offer for the Pole on Saturday.

    “I am here to help Barça get back to the top and win as many titles as possible,” said Lewandowski today upon touching down in the US.

    “I’m finally here. I am very happy to be at Barça. The last days have been long, but in the end the agreement has become a reality. I am ready to face this new challenge in my career. I am a guy who likes to win matches and titles. I hope that the season starts and ends well in this sense.

    “I have always wanted to play for a great club in LaLiga and this is a great opportunity for me. It is also a challenge for my private life.

    “It was easy to make the decision. I want to play and win titles and I know that with Xavi this will be very possible. He knows perfectly how to lead Barça. He was an amazing player and now he is a great coach. He has a great future and I want to be part of it.

    “I am a footballer who always wants to win. We have great players, with a lot of quality, in the squad. I am excited about what we can all achieve together.”

  • Man Utd agree terms with Barca for Frenkie de Jong

    Man Utd agree terms with Barca for Frenkie de Jong

    Premier League club, Manchester United FC have agreed terms with Barcelona FC for Frenkie de Jong, the PA news agency reports.

    An initial fee of 75 million Euros rising to a potential 85 million Euros is believed to have been agreed with Barca, but there remains some way to go in the deal.

    De Jong is understood to be owed a substantial amount in deferred wages by cash-strapped Barcelona.

    The Dutchman will need convincing to leave the LaLiga giants.

    But United would surely not have pursued the 25-year-old all summer if they did not believe he was willing to move to Old Trafford.

    Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia has so far been the only summer arrival but a verbal agreement has been reached with Christian Eriksen.

    United are in advanced talks to sign Lisandro Martinez, the Argentina defender from Ajax, with a fee reported to have been agreed to sign a player that is keen on moving to Old Trafford.

    Football director, John Murtough and chief executive Richard Arnold travelled to Amsterdam to discuss the transfer, having also recently been in Barcelona to talk about De Jong.

    The executive pair remained in Europe as United jetted off on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.

    Ten Hag’s men face Melbourne Victory at the MCG on Friday having beaten Liverpool 4-0 in Bangkok on Tuesday.

  • Barca youngster Gavi makes history with Spain goal

    Barca youngster Gavi makes history with Spain goal

    Barcelona youngster Gavi made history with Spain in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic in the Nations League.

    The Czech Republic’s opening strike was the fastest conceded by Luis Enrique’s side in his 39 matches at the helm.

    However for La Roja, they managed to battle back thanks to a historic Gavi goal before the stroke of halftime, who at 17 years and 304 days, became Spain’s youngster ever goalscorer.

    The previous record holder was Barca teammate Ansu Fati, who scored against Ukraine in Valdebebas at 17 years and 311 days.

  • Chelsea chief publicly backs move for Dembele

    Chelsea chief publicly backs move for Dembele

    Chelsea chief Daniel Finkelstein has added to talk of interest in Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele.

    Finkelstein has added fuel to fire after liking a tweet begging the club to sign Ousmane Dembele.

    The Barcelona star is available on a free transfer with his contract at the Nou Camp expiring this month and the Blues are in the race to sign him, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

    But Thomas Tuchel knows the player well from his time in charge at Borussia Dortmund and a move is believed to be on the cards.

    With Finkelstein tagged, one Twitter user replied to another fan saying: “Please tell him to kindly sign Ousmane Dembele.”

    And Finkelstein responded by liking the tweet.