Tag: Barcelona

Transfer Gossips: Ralph Ragnick ready to work with Man United, Barcelona close in on Lingard & Cavani

Good Morning and welcome to the Weekend’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossips coming from around the world

27/11/2021

Ralf Rangnick has not ruled out becoming Manchester United’s permanent boss in the summer.(The Sun)

Arsenal could sell club-record buy Nicolas Pepe after England youngsters Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka stole his spot. (The Sun)

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has signed a deal that could open the door to a full takeover of West Ham. (The Sun)

Erik ten Hag is the alternative target for Manchester United if their No 1 choice, Mauricio Pochettino, does not become the club’s new manager next summer. (Daily Mail)

Ed Woodward is set to leave his position as Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman as planned in April with managing director Richard Arnold lined up to succeed him. (Daily Mail)

Ralf Rangnick’s training ground revolution could see a custom-made clock installed at Manchester United’s Carrington complex to drive the significant changes that are anticipated from the new interim manager.(The Daily Telegraph)

Antonio Conte has warned his Tottenham Hotspur players that he is watching their every move and preparing to speak to the club about which members of his squad will be good enough to fulfil his demands. (The Daily Telegraph)

Covid is a more likely cause of surge in footballers collapsing with heart problems than vaccines, scientists believe. (The Daily Telegraph)

Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland’s preferred destination if he leaves Borussia Dortmund next year is Real Madrid, although the 21-year-old has yet to make a decision on his future. (Goal)

Newcastle United are leading the chase to sign France winger Ousmane Dembele, with Manchester United also interested in the 24-year-old whose contract with Barcelona runs out next summer. (Mundo Deportivo)

Barcelona are desperate for attacking reinforcements in January and are considering moves for Manchester United’s 28-year-old England attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard and 34-year-old Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani. (Mundo Deportivo, via the Sun)

Leeds United and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 25, will reject a move to rivals Manchester United next summer to remain at Elland Road. (Star)

Manchester United are close to appointing Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season and the German will be involved in the process of choosing his permanent successor at Old Trafford. (Star)

Manchester City forward Ferran Torres is a target for Barcelona and the Nou Camp club have agreed a deal with the 21-year-old Spain international but have yet to come to an arrangement with the Premier League club. (Marca)

Mikel Arteta has emphatically denied Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for 26-year-old Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe in January. (Metro)

Aston Villa will prioritise signing a centre-back and defensive midfielder in January as manager Steven Gerrard looks to strengthen his side. (Football Insider)

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, whose side suffered an embarrassing loss to NS Mura in the Europa Conference League, says he is making “evaluations” about his players before speaking with the club. (Mirror)

Fulham’s Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, 27, has been lined up for a dream move to Juventus. (Tuttosport, via the Sun)

English midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, 18, will not sign a new contract at Aston Villa, putting the Premier League’s biggest clubs on alert, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool. (Guardian)

Transfer Gossips around the world: Manchester United close in on Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona to sign Andre Ayew’s Al Sadd teammate Bounedjah

Welcome to Sports Wednesday’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossips and latest team news of your favorite European football leagues and clubs

24/11/2021

Take a seat and read all the transfer rumours and gossips coming from all angles of the world within two minutes

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka would be open to returning to Borussia Monchengladbach.(Daily Mail)

Manchester United have opened talks with former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde as they look to appoint an interim manager until next summer.(The Guardian)

Real Madrid’s hopes of signing Kylian Mbappe in the summer could come to an end if Mauricio Pochettino leaves PSG and is replaced by Zinedine Zidane.(The Sun)

Real Madrid are keen on signing Manchester City left-back Pedro Porro, who has been sent out on loan ever since he joined the club in 2019 and is yet to make a first-team appearance.(The Sun)

Jesse Lingard is one of few Manchester United fringe players who still want to leave Old Trafford in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure as manager.(Daily Mail)

Leeds United expect to complete the signing of Espanyol’s teenage forward Mateo Joseph in the early stages of the January window and remain keen on Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley.(Daily Express)

Barcelona’s new boss Xavi wants to bring striker Baghdad Bounedjah to the Nou Camp from his former club Al-Sadd.(Daily Star)

Manchester United are ready to abandon their search for an interim manager if they can get Mauricio Pochettino from Paris St-Germain now.(Guardian)

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, another possible United target, wants to take over at PSG if Pochettino leaves for Old Trafford.(Telegraph – subscription required)

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is a director on the club’s football board, will have no role in their search for a new manager.(ESPN)

Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle are monitoring 20-year-old Guinea striker Aguibou Camara, who plays for Olympiakos.(Sun)

Barcelona are looking at Chelsea’s Morocco international Hakim Ziyech, 28, and Germany striker Timo Werner, 25, are alternative options to Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling, 26.(ESPN)

Borussia Dortmund are preparing a new deal for striker Erling Braut Haaland, 21, in a bid to convince the Norway international to stay.(Sky Deutschland, in German)

Newcastle are interested in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel, 32, and the Belgium international, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is open to a move.(Sport1, in German)

The Magpies also want to sign England full-back Kieran Trippier, 31, from Atletico Madrid.(Mirror)

Belgium’s 26-year-old forward Divock Origi, who is a target for Newcastle, will not be allowed to leave Liverpool in January.(Northern Echo)

New Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has sanctioned the January sale of Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore, 26.(Football Insider)

Gerrard wants to sign Spain centre-back Pau Torres, 24, from Villarreal.(Fichajes – in Spanish)

But Torres, who turned down a 60m euro (£50.4m) move to Tottenham in the summer, is happy to stay at his hometown club for now.(Guardian)

Liverpool and Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara, 30, has dismissed speculation linking him with a move back to first club Barcelona.(Liverpool Echo)

Arsenal and Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 29, would be interested in returning to Borussia Monchengladbach when his contract ends in 2024.(Mit Geredet, via Mail)

Burnley, Brighton, Norwich, West Brom, Sheffield United and Blackburn have all watched English striker Rhys Healey, 26, who plays for Ligue 2 club Toulouse.(Team Talk)

Thursday’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossip and why some ~DEALS~ weren’t successful                    

02/09/2021

Manchester United will reportedly receive just £5 from each of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt sales following his return to the club.(The Sun)

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has sent an email to all the club’s staff in which he called for everyone to bounce back after a ‘hugely disappointing start’ to the season.(The Sun)

Chelsea made around £38m in profit this summer despite spending a club-record £97.5m on Romelu Lukaku.(The Sun)

Martin Odegaard is not a fan of Arsenal’s All or Nothing documentary as he admits he cannot be himself in front of the cameras.(The Sun)

Newcastle United’s attempt to sign the Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury fell through because the club would not match the loan fee and the player’s salary(The Times)

Everton were thwarted in a late attempt to sign Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United after they were told the Netherlands international remains part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans.(Daily Mail)

Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has been left in transfer limbo after seeing his deadline day move to Greuther Furth collapse in the final hours.(Daily Mail)

Eden Hazard has hit out at claims he ‘is always injured’ as he says he is determined to prove his worth to Real Madrid this season.(Daily Mail)

Saul Niguez has opened up on how Diego Simeone’s refusal to play him in his correct position at Atletico Madrid led to him joining Chelsea on loan.(Daily Mail)

Donny van Beek is banking on Manchester United honouring a “clear agreement” to give him more playing time this season after the club refused to entertain a loan move, according to the Netherlands midfielder’s agent.(Daily Telegraph)

Borussia Dortmund and Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland, 21, will be Manchester United’s top target next summer despite the arrival of 36-year-old Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.
(ESPN)

Outgoing Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward ‘played a key role’ in the acquisition of Ronaldo.(Manchester Evening News)

Spain midfielder Saul Niguez, 26, is expected to wear the number 17 shirt at Chelsea after joining on loan from Atletico Madrid on deadline day.(Star)

Barcelona will try to sign Spain midfielder Dani Olmo, 23, again in January after missing out with a deadline-day £50m bid that was rejected by RB Leipzig.(Mail)

Leicester, Southampton and Nottingham Forest all made late offers for Middlesbrough’s 21-year-old English right-back Djed Spence.(Northern Echo)

Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo assured new signing Emerson Royal, 22, that he would play a key role in the team, before the Brazilian defender agreed to leave Barcelona.(Marca)

Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are set to battle for 25-year-old Brighton and Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma in January.
(Mirror)

Chelsea’s 22-year-old French defender Malang Sarr has been left in limbo after his loan move to Bundesliga side Greuther Furth collapsed on deadline day.(Mail)

Wednesday’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossip and DONE DEALS

01/09/2021

Real Madrid were unsuccessful with a fresh 220m euro (£189m) bid for Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, 22. The France international will now be free to negotiate a pre-contract deal with the Spanish club in January before joining them on a free transfer next summer. (Goal)

Manchester United’s French forward Anthony Martial, 25, rejected the chance to join Lyon in a last-minute move on deadline day. (L’Equipe, via Mirror)

Unlike Martial, United midfielder Donny van de Beek, 24, wanted to leave Old Trafford – only for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to block the Netherlands international’s loan move to Everton. (AD – in Dutch)

Atletico Madrid knocked back an £18m bid for England right-back Kieran Trippier, 30, from Manchester United, which prompted the Premier League club to block 22-year-old Portugal defender Diogo Dalot’s move to Borussia Dortmund. (Sport1, via Star)

Tottenham did not return with an improved bid for winger Adam Traore after having had a £30m offer rejected on Monday. Wolves demanded £50m for the 25-year-old Spain international.(Athletic)

Wolves pursued a deal for Marseille and France Under-21 midfielder Boubacar Kamara, 21, after an attempt to sign Portugal’s Renato Sanches, 24, from Lille fell through. (Athletic – subscription required)

West Ham were keen on signing England midfielder Jesse Lingard, 28, from Manchester United following his successful loan spell last season, but were not willing to meet the Old Trafford club’s £25m asking price. (Talksport)

Newcastle failed with their attempt to sign former England Under-21 midfielder Hamza Choudhury, 23, from Leicester after discussions between the two clubs broke down. (Sky Sports)”

​​DEAL DONE: Crystal Palace have signed Celtic striker Odsonne Édouard for £15m. He’s put pen to paper on a 4-year deal.

​​DEAL DONE: Real Betis have announced the signing of Hector Bellerin from Arsenal. One-year loan deal. He has taken a pay cut to join the Liga club.

​​DEAL DONE: Arsenal have signed Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for around £17m.

​​OFFICIAL: Tottenham have confirmed the departure of Serge Aurier following the termination of his contract.

DEAL DONE: Nuno Mendes has joined PSG from Sporting CP on loan for a €7m fee. They have a €40m buy option next year.

Saúl Ñíguez’s move to Chelsea has been complete in time. Official announcement imminent.

Rayo Vallecano have signed Radamel Falcao after he terminated his contract at Galatasaray.

✅ Saúl Ñíguez to Chelsea

✅ Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid

✅ Luuk de Jong to Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann’s final contracts for the move to Atlético Madrid was signed at 22:59. One minute before the deadline.

​​
DEAL DONE: Celtic have signed Cameron Carter-Vickers from Tottenham on loan with an option to buy next summer.

Messi marks PSG debut in Ligue 1 clash against Reims

The Argentine got his first taste of club football away from Barcelona in the second half at Stade Auguste Delaune

Lionel Messi has made his Paris Saint-Germain debut, coming on for Neymar after 66 minutes in a clash against Reims.

It is the first time that Messi has played a competitive club match for a team other than Barcelona.

He arrived at PSG earlier in August after Barcelona were forced to release him for financial reasons.

Messi’s debut

Previously in the game, Kylian Mbappe had given PSG a first-half lead, with the forward netting despite rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid in the days leading up to the game.

He had netted a second moments before Messi came on, making it 2-0 for the visitors.

The much-anticipated moment came just one minute after Mbappe’s second goal, as Messi came on for his former Barca team-mate Neymar.

How long has Messi been at PSG?

Messi signed a two-year deal with PSG at the start of August after his 21-year stint with Barcelona came to an end.

The Argentine, though, was not initially in a fit state to play with his new club. He had been out of action for around a month when he joined PSG, having spent time on holiday in Miami and Ibiza following the end of the Copa America, in which he led Argentina to their first international title since 1993.

Messi has only been back in training for a couple of weeks and has been short of match fitness, which resulted in his debut being delayed.

He will hope to make his first start for the club after the international break, when PSG play newly promoted but undefeated Clermont at Parc des Princes.

Thursday’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossip around the World 26/08/2021

Arsenal transfer target Houssem Aouar has been offered on a loan-to-buy deal as Lyon desperately attempt to sell the midfielder.(The Sun)

Real Madrid are planning an improved bid for Kylian Mbappe with Paris Saint-Germain finally willing to sell the forward if they receive an offer of €210m (£180m) before the transfer window closes next Monday.(The Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea have held talks with Atletico Madrid for Saul Niguez, pushing them ahead of Manchester United in the race for the Spain midfielder.(The Daily Telegraph)

Trevor Sinclair has hit out at Rio Ferdinand for ordering injury-hit Manchester United defender Phil Jones to ‘find a new club’ as he is a ‘waste of time’ at Old Trafford.(Daily Mail)

Manchester City will reportedly turn their attention to Cristiano Ronaldo after Harry Kane confirmed he is staying at Tottenham.(Daily Star)

Sevilla are asking Chelsea for £60m for the services of Jules Kounde as the Blues look to push for a move before transfer deadline day.(Daily Star)

Jesse Lingard is now ‘likely’ to join West Ham from Manchester United this summer.(Daily Star)

Paris St-Germain want 220m euros (£188m) from Real Madrid for 22-year-old France forward Kylian Mbappe. (Le Parisien – in French)

Manchester City have not ruled out signing Juventus and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, after England captain Harry Kane committed his immediate future to Tottenham. (ESPN)

Kane is upset Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would not sanction his sale and the 28-year-old could sign a new contract with the club that includes a release clause. (Telegraph)

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City when his deal runs out after the 2022-23 season and take a break from football before becoming a national team boss. (Globo, via Manchester Evening News)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not in immediate danger of losing his job despite the Gunners’ poor start to the Premier League season. Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been linked with replacing him.(Independent)

Roma manager Jose Mourinho is planning a £13.5m bid for Chelsea’s English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The 25-year-old briefly worked with Mourinho during the Portuguese’s second stint with the Blues. (Mail)

Manchester United will not be able to bid for either Rennes’ French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 18, or Atletico Madrid and Spain midfielder Saul Niguez, 26, unless they can sell players to raise funds. (ESPN)

Chelsea are thought to be in pole position to sign Niguez, with Atletico open to selling the Spain international. (Express)

Sevilla say they have rejected an offer from Chelsea for 22-year-old French defender Jules Kounde and do not need to sell any players. (Goal)

Chelsea and RB Leipzig are possible destinations for Barcelona midfielder for Ilaix Moriba if the 18-year-old Guinean does not renew his contract with the La Liga side. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish)

Arsenal and Brazil winger Willian, 33, is trying to secure a move to Corinthians. (Sun)

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets has agreed to take a further pay cut and wage deferral to help the Spanish giants reduce their wage bill. (ESPN)

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, 29, says he is considering retiring after receiving no offers following his release by Championship side Bournemouth. (Athletic – subscription required)

PSG signs Messi in two-year deal; check contract details

The midfielder has now put pen to paper in a two-year deal on Tuesday morning and will now be unveiled to the media in the coming hours

Argentina captain and former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has signed a two-year deal with French Ligue 1 giants PSG, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 34-year-old signed as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Barcelona and he now has the option to extend his stay in France.

Messi is reported to earning a salary around €35 million after taxes per each season.

He will become one of the highest earning players globally.

Messi is expected in France on Wednesday to meet his new coach Mauricio Porchetino to know his systems and formations and where he will fit in alongside Neymar, Di Maria and Mbappe.

Messi has has six balon D’or titles and he is with high hopes to add another to it this season after helping Argentina to win Copa América last month.

Messi cries on live TV as he bids Barcelona & La Liga farewell

The Best player ever to play in La Liga leaves after 21 years in Spain and says he wasn’t ready for it

Barcelona legend Lionel  Messi has finally bid the club and its supporters goodbye as he leaves after 21 years.

The 34-year-old leaves the club at a time where they are struggling financially which forced La Liga top hierarchy to cancel his contract extension.

Although, Messi has been linked with a move to French giants PSG where he will link up with former teammate Neymar Jnr and Argentine international Di Maria as well as former rival Sergio Ramos, he insists he was not prepared to leave Barca this summer.

He added that he would’ve loved to play in front of the club’s teaming supporters since he hasn’t gotten the opportunity to do so over a year now due to Coronavirus pandemic that hit the world in 2020.

“I was convinced to stay here at Barcelona. This is my home, our home. I wanted to stay at Barça and it was the plan… and today I’ve to say goodbye after my entire life here, Messi” said. 

“These recent days I have been thinking about what I can say. The truth is that I can’t think of anything. This is very difficult for me, being here my entire life. I’m not ready for this.”

He added: “Today I have to say goodbye to all of this. Since I was 13, after 21 years, I’m leaving with my wife and with my three little children. This is our home.”

“Hopefully one day I can return to the club, to contribute and that Barça continue to be the best in the world.”

“We’ve not been able to play with public this past year due to the pandemic. I leave this club without seeing the fans for a year and a half. I would have liked to say goodbye in a different way, with people at the stadium.”

Barcelona is tipped by many soccer pundits and connoisseurs to struggle this season after they failed to won La Liga last season even when Messi was at one of his usual best.

BREAKING NEWS: Lionel Messi leaves Barcelona & La Liga ahead of new season

The diminutive midfielder has left the Spanish giants due to financial difficulties the club is facing currently

FC Barcelona have officially announced that their captain Lionel Messi will no longer be at the club due to financial difficulties.

The 33-year-old, who became a free agent this summer following the expiration of his contract, leaves Camp Nou after almost three decades at the club.

✅| OFFICIAL STATEMENT: “Despite having reached an agreement between Barça and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it will not be possible to formalize due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations),” a club statement read.

“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.”

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life,” the statement added.

Messi won several awards and trophies with Barcelona including La Liga, Super Coppa, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.

Messi leaves at a time that Barcelona are undoubtedly struggling to find their feet after failing to win La Liga last season.

Xavi Hernandez signs Ghana captain Andre Ayew at Al Sadd

The former Swans influential forward will arrive in the Gulf region on Thursday ahead of a bumper deal with Xavi’s side

Ghana captain Andre Dede Ayew will sign a reported three-year deal with Qatari giants Al Sadd after he passes medical checks, AshesGyamera.com understands.

The 31-year-old will join Sadd as a free agent after opting not to renew his contract with Welsh giants Swansea City since the club failed to qualify to play in next season’s Premier League.

Despite being linked to several clubs in Europe, including some EPL sides like Crystal Palace, Ayew is believed to have accepted an offer from Al Sadd after a telephone call from former Barcelona superstar Xavi, who currently handles the club as the head coach.

Ayew, who boasts of 91 international appearance for Ghana and has netted 19 goals, scored 16 goals in 46 matches for Swansea and led the Welsh side to the Championship play off final only to lose to Brentford.

Ayew began his career in France with Olympique Marseille before he arrived in England to play for Swansea and West Ham United. He also spent some short time in Turkey on loan at Fernabache.