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Tag: Barca

  • Why I gave up my huge pay at Arsenal to join Barca – Aubameyang

    Why I gave up my huge pay at Arsenal to join Barca – Aubameyang

    Barcelona striker, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, has revealed that he gave up his £350,000-a-week salary at Arsenal to move to Spain.

    The 32-year-old was banished by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and stripped of the captaincy after returning late from a personal trip abroad in December.

    In the January window, he left the Emirates by mutual consent before joining Barca in a dramatic deadline day move.

    Aubameyang, speaking with Mundo Deportivo, claimed it was his “dream” to join Barcelona and he knew the transfer might happen a week before it went through.

    He said: “My father did it all with my lawyer and they can say it best.

    “But the week before we already knew that he could end up signing for Barca. The week before there were already contacts and I knew it.

    “I really wanted to go to Barca. I gave up my salary because it is an opportunity that you have once in your life.

    “It was something incredible (his ovation at the Nou Camp). It is a dream to play on a field like this and receive this ovation. I was very pleased and happy. The truth is that it was incredible.”

  • I just feel like my heart doesn’t work properly – Aguero

    I just feel like my heart doesn’t work properly – Aguero

    Former Argentina international, Sergio Aguero fears he won’t be able to run at a decent pace again after his cardiac arrest.

    The Manchester City legend was forced into retirement after his cardiac arrest on his Barcelona debut.

    Aguero was subsequently diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

    Speaking about his health on a Twitch stream, the 33-year-old said: “If I try to play football now, I run out of breath.

    “Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to sprint again. I just feel like my heart doesn’t work properly.”

  • How Dani Alves learned of Barca Europa League snub

    How Dani Alves learned of Barca Europa League snub

    Barcelona coach Xavi called Dani Alves directly to explain the decision to leave him out of their Europa League squad.

    Sport says Alves was the player Xavi left off the list for the Europa League. The Brazilian understands the decision and is still excited about helping the team compete in La Liga.

    He learned from the coach first hand, with Xavi phoning him to explain what would happen with one of the four new signings out, with UEFA allowing only three registrations.

    Xavi decided to bring all the forwards, with Ansu Fati injured and Ousmane Dembele’s future unknown.

    Alves has accepted Xavi’s decision and remains committed to the remainder of the season.

  • Europa League: Daniel Alves upset being dumped from Barca squad

    Europa League: Daniel Alves upset being dumped from Barca squad

    Barcelona fullback Daniel Alves is upset being left out of their Europa League squad.

    Alves signed for Barca before Christmas on a free transfer from Sao Paulo.

    But the veteran was not registered for the Europa League, with no room in the squad for the defender.

    Sport says the decision made by coach Xavi “did not go down well” with Alves.

  • Aubameyang reveals his only problem at Arsenal

    Aubameyang reveals his only problem at Arsenal

    Barcelona signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hit out at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

    Aubameyang signed for Barca on Monday after being released from his contract by the Gunners.

    Aubameyang said: “I think the problem was only with him [Arteta] and he made the decision.

    “I can’t say much, he wasn’t happy and that’s it. It happened like that. He wasn’t very happy, I stayed very calm and that’s it.

    “They were difficult months but I think that’s how football is sometimes.

    “For my part I have never wanted to do something wrong and now I think that this is the past and I want to think about the present and right now that is my answer.”

    Aubameyang has signed a deal to 2025 with the Catalans.

  • La Liga: Barca board ready to sack Dembele

    La Liga: Barca board ready to sack Dembele

    Barcelona’s board are determined to cut loose Ousmane Dembele after Monday’s deadline day events.

    After seeing Dembele refuse several attractive offers to leave, Barca directors have no interest in allowing him to pull on the club’s shirt again.

    Barca want to hand Dembele a free transfer – on a mutual understanding – which could include a payout of his contract.

    However, says AS, should the player refuse to leave, Barca are prepared to SACK the Frenchman. The process would involve paying out the remaining months of his contract immediately and de-registering him from the squad.

    Either way, the feeling inside the board room is that Dembele must not be allowed to play for the club again.

  • Ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa offered to Barca

    Ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa offered to Barca

    Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been offered to Barcelona.

    The Spain international is a free agent after coming contract from Brasileiro champions Atletico Mineiro.

    Costa has been giving clues on his social networks that he would like to play in Spain again. Valencia have also been linked.

    Barcelona have already ruled out signing Alvaro Morata as it’s too hard to reach a deal with Atletico Madrid.

    However Ousmane Dembele departing is important. If he goes then Barcelona will consider bringing in Costa, says Sport.

  • REVEALED: Barca chief rejected Raheem Sterling after meeting

    REVEALED: Barca chief rejected Raheem Sterling after meeting

    Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany chose to sign Ferran Torres ahead of Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.

    Nou Camp chiefs did not believe the England international would adapt to life at the club.

    Sport says Alemany met with England forward Sterling and decided that he would not be an ideal fit for the Catalans.

    Alemany reported back to Barca boss Xavi that Sterling was ‘indisputably talented’ but ruled that he would be a ‘martian’ at the Nou Camp.

    Instead the Blaugrana chief proposed the idea of Sterling’s team-mate Torres, who he had already spoken with and was believed to be ‘crazy to come’ to the LaLiga side.

    Barcelona splashed out £55million for Torres and finally registered the Spain international earlier this month after easing the financial pressure on their wage books.

  • Transfer: Barca sign Adama Traore from Wolves

    Transfer: Barca sign Adama Traore from Wolves

    Adama Traore has joined La Liga side, Barcelona on loan until the end of the season.

    The Wolverhampton Wanderers’ winger previously appearing close to signing for Premier League rivals Tottenham.

    Traore came through Barca’s youth system before leaving for Aston Villa in 2015, and will now return to Camp Nou for at least the next few months.

    The Catalan giants have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for a fee reportedly in the region of 34.8 million euros (38.8 million dollars).

    They will also cover the player’s wages.

    Tottenham appeared to be on the verge of signing the 26-year-old until Barca stepped in, with his native Spain apparently Traore’s preferred destination.

    Traore’s current deal at Molineux expires at the end of next season and Wolves were hoping to cash in on him in the January transfer window.

    Already, the Spain international has shown no intent to sign a new contract at the club.

    He has managed just one goal and zero assists from 20 English Premier League (EPL) appearances so far this season, albeit from only 10 starts.

    He may be a replacement for Ousmane Dembele.

    Barca have continued to insist Dembele will be leaving the club before the end of the January transfer window due to his own contract stand-off.

  • La Liga: Why it’s special playing for Xavi – Pedri

    La Liga: Why it’s special playing for Xavi – Pedri

    Barcelona midfielder Pedri is convinced of a successful future under coach Xavi.

    Pedri admits he’s excited to be playing for a midfield legend like Xavi.

    He told GQ: “As a Barcelona player he is a pride; as a footballer and midfielder like me, a privilege.

    “I did not know Xavi personally and, although I had no doubts, on a day-to-day basis he is showing that he knows football like few others. I am clear that we are all going to learn and improve by his side, both personally and as a group.

    “With him, and with the team he is forming, we are going to have a lot of joy.

    “He has an ability to convey what he sees and what he wants at all times. Tactically and technically, he has always been a benchmark for any midfielder.”