TheNewsGuru

Tag: Barcelona

  • Transfer: AC Milan star Kessie passes Barca medical

    Transfer: AC Milan star Kessie passes Barca medical

    AC Milan star Franck Kessie has passed a Barcelona medical, it has been revealed.

    Italian transfer expert Gianluca di Marzio, of Sky Italia, reports the tests took place in Lugano (Switzerland) in recent days.

    Off contract in June, Kessié will join Barca for free and sign for the next four seasons, until 2026, earning €7m-a-year.

    The negotiations would have accelerated at the end of February once it became clear that Kessié would not accept the renewal offer from Milan.

    The Ivory Coast midfielder is viewed at Barca as a long-term successor for Sergi Busquets.

  • Messi seeking escape from PSG – Bent

    Messi seeking escape from PSG – Bent

    Former Tottenham Hotspur player, Darren Bent has said former Barcelona star, Lionel Messi does not fit at his current club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bent made this known while speaking to talkSPORT, and stressed that what may be in Messi’s mind at the moment is how to escape from the French side.

    “One or two nice touches, but I was expecting so much more from [Messi]. What I will say about Messi is that he looks like Marcus Rashford at Man United.

    “Rashford looks miserable at United and Messi just looks like ‘I don’t want to be here’. Maybe the smile on his face would come back [if he returned to Barcelona].
    “I don’t think we’ll see the Messi we saw that was head and shoulders above everybody. But he just doesn’t look like he fits in at PSG. I bet he’s probably thinking, ‘I wish I was back at Barca’. He didn’t want to leave in the first place,” Bent said.

    TNG reports Messi left Barcelona on 10 August 2021 for PSG on a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year.

    On 1 July 2021, Messi became a free agent after his contract expired with negotiations on a new deal complicated due to financial issues at Barcelona.

    On 5 August, Barcelona announced that Messi would not be staying at the club, even though both parties reached an agreement and were due to sign a contract that day.

    Barcelona cited financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi’s departure.

  • Chelsea defender move to Barca ’99 per cent done’

    Chelsea defender move to Barca ’99 per cent done’

    Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen is on the verge of becoming a Barcelona player.

    Spanish reporter Gerard Romero is stating the deal is now “99 per cent done”.

    Off contract in June, AC is said to have agreed pre-contract terms with Barca about a Bosman move this summer.

    Romero says the arrangement is for four years.

    Christensen, 25, passed a Barca medical in London this week, reports El Chiringuito.

  • PSG star Lionel Messi returns to Barcelona

    PSG star Lionel Messi returns to Barcelona

    Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi was back in Barcelona on Sunday.

    Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday as they came from behind to beat Saint Etienne 3-1, helping his teammates win three points with two assists.

    However, after the game he jumped on a plane to Barcelona to spend some time back in the Catalan city, where he feels happy, as revealed by La Sexta, who caught him arriving at El Prat airport.

    Messi had a big smile on his face as he sported his PSG tracksuit. He has come to Barcelona to spend time with his partner Antonella, who is in the city to celebrate her birthday.

  • I no longer watch football, it scares me – Aguero

    I no longer watch football, it scares me – Aguero

    Former Barcelona striker, Sergio Aguero has admitted he wants to watch and play football but he’s too scared following his cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis.

    The Argentine was forced into retiring from football on the back of medical advice from his doctors, much to the dismay of fans worldwide.

    Aguero has insisted now is the time to relax, though he will begin to consider what kind of role he could still play in football in the future.

    According to TYC Sports, Aguero said: “Today I want to play, but I’m scared. I trained all my life to the maximum and in big competitions. I don’t watch football or the news, I don’t care what’s going on.

    “I concentrate on what I like the most, like friends. Returning to play comes into my head from time to time but I know it’s something I can’t do. They told me I was lucky because I could easily have had a heart attack. Now it time to relax. I’m happy with what I’m doing.

    On his role with Argentina for the 2022 World Cup: “We’re still talking about what role I’ll have. [Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia] has always been nice to me and asked me to come.

    “We’re going to chat a little more to see if I’ll go to the World Cup draw. I’ll be there with the guys, I get along very well with them. I’ll be there with them and helping them with tense situations.”

  • I was the solution, not the problem – Arteta tells Aubameyang

    I was the solution, not the problem – Arteta tells Aubameyang

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s claims after his move to Barcelona.

    The Gabonese has insisted the end of his time at Arsenal was due exclusively to a problem with the Basque coach, who separated him from the first team after missing training following a trip to France.

    Arteta said, “That’s his opinion.

    “It’s what he said and you have to respect it. I’m very grateful for what he contributed, the goals he scored are undeniable.

    “But the way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem.”

  • Leaving Arsenal without real goodbye hurts – Aubameyang

    Leaving Arsenal without real goodbye hurts – Aubameyang

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says the manner of his departure from Arsenal “hurts” as he moves to La Liga side Barcelona.

    The 32-year-old former Gunners captain was pictured training with his prospective new team-mates after arriving in Spain on Monday.

    Confusion reigned. No agreement was reached, as deadline day passed. His release by Arsenal now makes him a free agent.

    Prior to the completion of his move to the Camp Nou, Aubameyang took to social media on Tuesday night. He posted a farewell message to the club he has called home since 2018.

    In the Instagram post, Aubameyang wrote: “To the Arsenal fans, Thank you for making London home for myself and my family for the past four years.

    “We went through ups and downs together and your support meant everything to me.

    “Having the chance to win trophies and the honour of being the captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.

    “I have always been 100 per cent focused and committed on doing everything I can for this club. Which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts —- but that is football.

    “I’m sad. I did not get the chance to help my teammates in the last few weeks. But I have nothing but respect for this club. I truly wish all my guys and the fans all the best and many successful years in the future!”

    The Gabon international returned home early from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to health reasons.

    But he had not played for Arsenal since being disciplined by the club in December.

    He had been linked with a loan move this January. FC Barcelona was among a number of European clubs who showed an interest, as well as teams based in the Middle East.

    Talks progressed with the LaLiga side on Monday. A deal, releasing him from his 250,000-a-week pounds (337,000 dollars) basic salary at the Emirates Stadium, was agreed upon.

    It meant he could join the Catalan giants outside of the transfer window.

    It is believed Arsenal held back on announcing Aubameyang’s departure, four years to the day since he signed from Borussia Dortmund, as a gesture of respect to FC Barcelona.

    The Catalans’ president, Joan Laporta, had said on Tuesday the official unveiling may come later in the week.

    However, pictures which appeared to show Aubameyang in the back of shot training at FC Barcelona subsequently emerged.

  • Arsenal out of favour Aubameyang trains with Barca for first time

    Arsenal out of favour Aubameyang trains with Barca for first time

    Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is already down to work at Barcelona.

    Aubameyang trained with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday.

    Aubameyang met his new teammates on Tuesday. He presented himself one by one to each member of the squad, although such formalities were not necessary with Ousmane Dembele. The two have maintained a good relationship since they spent time at Borussia Dortmund together. They were barely apart during the session.

    The former Arsenal forward trained at the same rhythm as his teammates despite various weeks out of not seeing action. His training was lauded especially after having to leave the Gabon camp at the African Cup of Nations in a hurry due to ill health.

    Barça were expected to make the announcement official on Tuesday evening. He is likely to take the No.25 shirt and everything indicates he will have a contract until 2023.

  • Transfer: Juve, Barca make loan offers for Aubameyang

    Transfer: Juve, Barca make loan offers for Aubameyang

    Juventus and Barcelona have made loan offers for Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    The Italian and Spanish giants want to take Aubameyang on loan until the summer, with discussions also ongoing regarding whether either deal would include an option or obligation for the striker to move permanently, says the Daily Mail.

    Juventus are on the verge of tying up a £62m deal for previous Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic and also keen to offload Alvaro Morata, which could impact their move for Aubameyang.

    Aubameyang’s preference is to remain in Europe and despite recent developments at Arsenal, where he has fallen out of favour, he is still wanted by some of the continent’s major clubs due to his track record at the highest level.

    He has not featured for the club since the start of December after seeing the armband taken away from him due to repeated disciplinary breaches.

  • Pique publishes his salary after report of player wages

    Pique publishes his salary after report of player wages

    Barcelona and their players are furious over a report claiming a list of their squad’s individual salaries.

    Gerard Pique, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were the three players who had the most criticism within the piece, suggesting that they were paid way more than in reality.

    The information was published by Lluis Canut on TV3, although the club has now officially denied his report.

    “People like [Canut] charging public television to go on and defend their friends,” Pique posted on Twitter.

    “Here is 50 percent of my [base] pay, as paid on Dec. 30. Have a little respect for yourself.”

    Pique’s response came alongside an attached picture of his most recent online banking screenshot, which highlighted the fact his base salary paid is now around 2.3 million euros net.

    Barcelona as a club also issued a statement, denying the figures presented by Canut.

    “In relation to comments made by Lluis Canut on TV3, Barcelona would like to clarify the following,” the statement read.

    “1. The information on the salaries of certain first-team players has not, in any case, been provided by the club and the origin [of any leak] is unknown.

    “2. In any case, the amounts referred to in the information are erroneous and do not conform to reality. Furthermore, in the case of the first three players referred to [Pique, Busquets and Alba], it gives fixed amounts which, as the sums involved are based on variables, will possibly never be reached.

    “3. It is also false that the aforementioned players have only deferred their salary. Pique, Busquets and Alba gave up part of their salary when they signed contract renewals last summer.

    “We consider it inappropriate, unprofessional and that [Canut] has acted in bad faith by offering this information as truthful. We regret that data of this type is provided because it infringes the personal rights of the players and deserves, when the information is true, confidentiality.”