Posts Tagged ‘Barcelona’

Football

Arsenal update: David Villa, Lukasz Piszczek, Julian Draxler

By Stefano on May 10th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

Another of the winter’s main targets for Arsene Wenger is back in the news again. Barca’s David Villa is the subject of much speculation this morning as it was revealed that he allegedly had one one foot at Arsenal in the winter.

Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo claims that the North Londoners had offered £8.5m for the 31-year-old, but the La Liga leaders wanted a larger sum. Villa was so keen to leave that he even offered to negotiate part of the deal himself.

Ultimately Barca decided that they needed the 31 year old for their domestic and European campaigns and he stayed.

Villa has had a disappointing end to his season with poor personal form as well as Barca’s undignified Champions League exit. He is still likely to leave Barca at the end of the season, but whether Arsene Wenger re-ignites his interest in the player is another matter.

A couple of sources have reiterated that Arsene Wenger has his sights on a new right back in case Bacary Sagna decides to leave the club in the summer. The Mail reports that the club are after Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek as a potential replacement for Sagna after the Frenchman refused to sign a one year contract extension.

The 27 year old Pole has been in excellent form this season, but doubts remain over whether Dortmund will let yet another star player leave.

Finally one player who seemingly isn’t Emirates-bound is Schalke’s Julian Draxler. Yesterday the 19 year old signed a deal with the German club that will take him through until 2018.



Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Arsenal round up: Gonalons, Fabregas, Koscielny and Cesar

By Stefano on May 3rd, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

It is no secret that Arsenal are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer with one, maybe two signings. On the Emirates wants list somewhere is likely to be the £15m-rated Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons.

Wenger has sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old on several occasions this season and Lyon have hinted that it take offers of over £15 million seriously.

Gonalons is a defensively minded midfielder and is another option for along side old boy Alex Sony and Etienne Capoue.

Meanwhile Laurent Koscielny is continuing to attract attention from Europe’s footballing elite. After a supposed inquiry from Barcelona, Goal is reporting that Bayern Munich are also interested in the French defender.

Apparently they are mulling over a £20 million bid, but but the good news for Arsenal fans is that the club is confident that he will stay.

Meanwhile Cesc Fabregas has spoken openly for the first time about a possible return to The Emirates. Quizzed about his life in Spain and a possible move back to London Cesc told Sky Sports.

“I do not know what is being said and even what is written. I can only say that I alone know my own future.”

Which hardly sounds like a resounding commitment to the Catalan club. This one is going to run all summer.

Finally the gossip over the future of QPR’s star player continues with three and in speculating that Arsenal may make a move for the Brazilian keeper Cesar, but they might find his wages too much to accommodate.

I guess you could say the same for several other Rangers players too.



Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Is Cesc Fabregas on his way back to Arsenal? The four reasons why he might be

By Stefano on April 28th, 2013
4 comments

Well that’s what the Star is suggesting this morning. The theory runs like this.

1 Barcelona can’t seem to accommodate him in their team. This article looks in depth about how they have chosen to use him. The evidence is clear is that while he was brought in to replace Xavi he just hasn’t worked in that role. He has played best just behind the strikers or as a fake number nine – roles that Barca find tricky to offer him on a regular basis.

2 Barca need a big spend this summer - The shock defeat at Bayern has set alarm bells ringing. The club needs to spend and the cash received for Cesc could help fund that spree.

3 Arsenal are rumoured to have first option on the player – Is there a clause which gives the north London club first option on a Cesc return to the Premiership? Possibly. Wenger would clearly jump at the chance of re-signing his star player.

4 Fabregas’ girlfriend is London based - Daniella Semaan, which has just given birth to his first child, is London based and Cesc is rumoured to have tried to buy a flat in London for her.

So it does kind of add up. I think it would be hard for Fabregas to leave his home club with his tail between his legs. He has been reasonably successful at the club but not really replicated his astonishing form for Arsenal.

Might he be part of a £50 million package along with Villa and Song? Keep dreaming Arsenal fans…



Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Football | 4 Comments »

Football

Wenger doesn’t expect Alex Song to return to Arsenal, yet

By Stefano on April 19th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

After his cousin/uncle (no one seem to know) Rigobert Song’s intervention yesterday claiming that Alex Song was unhappy at Barcelona and itching to return to England, Arsene Wenger has responded.

In particular he has emphasised that the rumours that Arsenal have a buy back clause on Song simply aren’t true

Wenger said

“There is no buy-back clause. I heard he wants to give it a go for another season, which you can understand because it’s the first season [with Barcelona].”

“I think he is a quality player and sometimes the players have to persist when it doesn’t go well and not change their mind too soon. My personal advice for him would be to give it another go and after two seasons he can still make a decision.”

Which sounds fair enough. Song was a special player for Arsenal. But he left under a bit of a cloud with reports of changing room bust ups and poor relationships with other players. Besides, is he the type of player that Arsenal need to anchor the midfield to let Cazorla and Wilshere roam freely? I am not so sure.

But maybe in a year’s time he could be a very worthwhile, and possibly inexpensive, addition to the squad.



Tags: , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Song wants Arsenal return says Song

By Stefano on April 18th, 2013
2 comments

It has been a least a week since the last Alex Song back to Arsenal story so no surprises that Metro has dug out a new angle.

The paper has a quote from Alex’s cousin Rigobert which underlines how unhappy he is at Barcelona and how he longs to return to North London.

‘Barcelona put so much effort into signing him last summer, and Alex turned down many great teams in order to sign with them,’ he said.

‘But this season he has only been a substitute. He is not happy.’

‘At Arsenal he was a leader on and off the field – he doesn’t feel like this in Spain and it makes him feel bad.’

Barcelona paid Arsenal £17million fee for Song last summer, but so far he has been limited to a bench role in Spain, making just 15 appearances.

The paper says that Song is desperate to leave but ‘it’s thought that he would only consider returning to England with Arsenal.’



Tags: , , ,
Posted in Football | 2 Comments »

Football

Yaya Toure tells City to sort his contract out – or he will be off

By Stefano on March 20th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

The Sun has a huge football exclusive this morning which concerns the fate of Man City’s massively talented midfielder Yaya Toure.

Apparently the player has been in contract talks with City for six months now and according to the paper if he doesn’t sign a new deal by the weekend the 29 year old will look for a move.

And depressingly for City fans Toure’s agent has said that the deal isn’t about money.

Dimitri Seluk said

“I do not feel he will stay at City. This is not about money. He wants to leave because of many reasons.

“He is one of the best players at Manchester City but does not feel the respect of the staff. Only Roberto Mancini respects Yaya.”

It could be that City simply have decided that they can’t afford to keep their star player. He is currently on £220,000 a week which makes him the club’s top earner and is one reason why City’s wages bill is astronomical.

The tricky part for City though would be finding a a club willing to pay his gargantuan wages, especially as Toure heads towards the end of this career.

The most obvious destinations would be PSG or a Russian club like Anzhi Makhachkala who are ambitious and could afford to pay him. Though Barca, Chelsea or even Man United might be tempted to stretch their wage bill further to land one of the most talented players on the planet.

To be honest though this feels like agent posturing. My money would be on the player singing a new contract at the club very soon as he angles for a better deal. What do you think?



Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Arsenal update: Alexis Sanchez for Thomas Vermaelen swap? Striker Carr on radar

By Stefano on March 20th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

There’s more buzz about the Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal transfer this morning with several papers suggesting that the Barca winger/striker is one of Arsene Wenger’s top targets for the summer.

Wenger has been helped in his quest by the former sporting director at Udinese, Fabrizio Larini, the club where Sanchze made his name.

Larini thinks that his former protege should join The Gunners because their style of football complements the way that Sanchez plays.

“Sanchez needs to play the ball on the ground, just like Arsenal. That would be his ideal game. I do not know his current situation at the Spanish club. But his fitness problems have definitely limited his performances.The only thing that these teams will have to consider is that he is a player who needs freedom to play his way. In teams that have particularly rigid patterns of play he might have a few problems,” Larini said.

Several papers are also suggesting that one way of bagging Sanchez would be to include him as part of a swap deal for Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian has been out of sorts this season so a new start in Spain might appeal to him.

The Mail also reports that Arsenal are tracking the Dulwich Hamlets striker Daniel Carr. The player, who the paper claims is one of the hottest prospects in non-league football, was apparently on his way to Liverpool but Arsenal are keen to hijack the move.



Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Italian website says Arsenal will raid Barca for players. But might Man City cast offs be a better bet

By Stefano on March 19th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

It is a story that has been bubbling under for a few days now, but a number of sources are now saying that Arsene Wenger is looking at buying a job lot of Barcelona players in the summer.

The latest news source to confirm The Gunners’ growing interest in players from the Catalan club is Italian website Tutto Mercato.

It suggests that Wenger has his eye on winger Alexis Sanchez, defender Martin Montoya and former Gunners midfielder Alex Song.

Song, we know all about. His Barcelona sojourn has been a disaster and the player is keen to get back to the Premierhsip. Arsenal is the obvious port of call, but both Song and Wenger will have to resolve some of the issues that precipitated the player’s move to Spain last summer. I wonder if there are better, more defensively minded holding midfielders to be considered, but I don’t think too many Arsenal fans will be too disappointed to see Alex return.

As for Sanchez, great things were predicted for the Chilean when when he landed at Barca, but they just haven’t materialised. These days he is marginalised as a squad player which is waste of his undoubted talents. With Arshavin out the door in the summer he would be an obvious replacement.

The article also mentions Barca defender Martin Montoya, but it could also have namechecked keeper Valdes and that man Villa.

I guess that Barca still owe Arsenal a fair chunk of cash for the Song and Fabregas transfers and that offloading a few players would be quick and easy business for them. But then again I thought that might be the case with Villa in the winter window too.

As much as all five are great players and would undoubtedly grace any future Arsenal team I wonder if Arsene Wenger would be better off shopping closer to home. Man City are supposedly on the verge of a huge clear out and there are several players that would be ideal for Arsenal. Unlike the Spaniards they have lots of Premiership experience and unlike a lot of the current Arsenal team they are used to winning trophies.

So Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Edin Djeko and even old boys Kolo Toure and Sami Nasri are worth looking at, especially if Arsenal don’t make the Champions League cut this season.



Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Is the David Villa to Arsenal story dead if Barca offer him a new contract?

By Stefano on March 18th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

The Daily Mail this morning is running with a story that Barcelona are about to offer Arsenal target David Villa a new contract. The 31 year old was hankering for a move in the transfer window as injuries had pushed him down the Catalan club’s pecking order.

However after some excellent recent performances the club have decided that they want the striker to stay at the Nou Camp and the Mail says that a contract extension – his contract expires in 14 months is on the cards.

So should Arsenal fans be concerned? I don’t think so.

Villa would have been a superb addition to the squad on loan during the winter window and I think his goals would have guaranteed a CL placing for the Gunners. However the team needs some new younger striking blood, and as he is likely to be priced out of Napoli’s Edinson Cavani Arsene Wenger has identified Fiorentina’s 23 year old Stevan Jevetic as a more suitable long term replacement for Robin Van Persie.

I think the door on the Villa transfer for Arsen Wenger shut over a month ago. Besides if Arsenal fail to quality for the Champions League I can’t imagine that Villa would sign anyhow.

Of course the story may have more twists and turns, especially if Vila is dropped again.

But I don’t think Wenger cares too greatly now anyhow.



Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Arsenal update: Song return, Vermaelen to Barca, Real defender targeted

By Stefano on March 8th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

Today’s Arsenal news is all about Spain. The big story is that, unhappy with his lot at Barcelona Alex Song is pondering a move back to The Emirates.

Less then a year after questioning the player’s commitment and attitude Arsene Wenger is reported to be happy to welcome the Cameroonian back to London.

Song, who has been pretty much sidelined by current Barca coach Jordi Roura, is apparently very keen to leave with PSG also monitoring his situation.

Arsenal are of course in need of a solid and powerful defensive midfielder – though there is a question mark over whether Song fits that bill. In his last season at The Emirates he was chastised by the manager for pushing forward too often and not maintaining his position.

One possible deal could see Song return to Arsenal and Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen head the other way - with Barca adding a few million pounds as a sweetener.

The move might make sense for Vermaelen whose form has been poor this season.

One replacement then could be Real Madird’s Raul Albiol. The player has featured less and less for the side this season and may also be looking for a new challenge. The Daily Mail thinks that Arsene Wenger might be tempted.



Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Too late for Arsenal? David Villa told he can leave Barcelona by club’s VP

By Stefano on February 26th, 2013
1 comment

Here is yet another thing guaranteed to set Arsene Wenger’s teeth on edge this morning. After spending days chasing the player in the transfer window only to be told that the club wouldn’t let him go, it now transpires that Barcelona are willing to let David Villa leave.

Talk Sports is reporting that he will not be kept at Barcelona against his wishes, according to the club’s vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.’

As you may remember Wenger was desperate to sign Villa in the window and it is pretty clear that Arsenal’s lack of firepower (and the not too clinical finishing from Gervinho and Giroud) might be the thing that prevents them from securing a Champions League qualification place.

Talk Sports says that

In an interview with BTV, Bartomeu said: “The coaches hope he is here next season but we will not retain any player that is uncomfortable. In that case, we will talk to him to seek a solution.”

So are Arsenal likely to renew their interest in Vila in the summer? I wouldn’t have thought so. He would have been a perfect fit at a time when the club had a very real (and still unaddressed) problem. Come the summer and Wenger will have a lot of other options to look at (Jovetić, Cavani, Benteke) and a player who is pushing 32 and has been wracked by injuries probably isn’t going to top his list.

He might want Champions League football too – and that may or may not be an issue for Arsenal.



Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Football | 1 Comment »

Football

Dani Alves urges Barcelona to sign Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere

By Stefano on February 19th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

Yesterday it was Thomas Vermaelen’s turn to be linked with a move to the Nou Camp, today it is Jack Wilshere. For Danio Alves has been saying how much he would love the English midfielder in the Barca team, possibly as a replacement for Xavi or Iniesta.

Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Petit, Alex Song and Marc Overmars have all, made the move to the Catalan club in recent years and now Alves believes that his clubs should be in for the 21 year old.

Alves told reporters in Spain (which was reported in the UK by Goal)

“He is a great player who we have met playing against Arsenal and without doubt he can reach the height of the players we have here at Barcelona like Xavi and Iniesta.”

“He has a lot of quality and a great personality. If I was given the chance to choose, he is a player that I would sign for Barcelona.”

Alves also saw Wilshere close up during the recent international between Brazil and England.

Wilshere, who signed a new contract last year, is obviously going nowhere for now. However were Arsenal not to qualify for the Champions League on a regular basis it would be clear that there would be plenty of clubs ready to taker the player.

The Daily Mail reports on the parallels between Wilshere and Bayern’s midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger. The paper notes that in many way they are very similar players and that…

Bastian Schweinsteiger once sparkled in the gloom for Bayern Munich and Germany much as Wilshere does now for Arsenal and England.

The midfield battle between Wilshere and Arteta and Schweinsteiger and Kroos tonight will be a fascinating one.



Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Rumours of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona? The Arsenal captain’s curse again!?

By Stefano on February 18th, 2013
2 comments

Here’s an interesting question for Arsenal fans. Would you cash in Thomas Vermaelen for a Barca player or two?

Well that’s the rumour that has been picked up the Daily Mirror which suggests that the Catalans are lining up the Arsenal defender as a replacement for Eric Abidal who is unlikely to return to to-level footballer after his illnesses.

In return The Mirror suggest that Arsenal will be offered several Barca players including David Villa.

The paper says

Wenger has gone cold on the idea of signing Barcelona striker David Villa. However, the Spanish giants will try to reignite his interest if it will help get a deal for Vermaelen done.

Barcelona have already put around £40million aside for new signings in the summer and that pot will grow if they can offload Villa, versatile defender and midfielder Adriano and young forward Cristian Tello.

Vermaelen, 27, is under contract at Arsenal until October 2015.

So Arsenal fans what do you think? Might this be a sensible move for Arsene Wenger? It is clear that Thomas Vermaelen isn’t the commanding figure he was a couple of seasons back. There are even those who think that the Arsenal captain isn’t part of the best defensive pairing which they believe to be Mertesacker and Koscielny.

Then again it would be tough to replace a player with his skill and experience.

It is interesting too that this could end up being another example of the curse of being captain, for several players that Wenger has given that role to has left the club not too long after.



Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Football | 2 Comments »

Football

Arsenal update: Barcelona want €20m for David Villa. Is he too expensive now?

By Stefano on February 14th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

Is this the end of the David Vila to Arsenal story? It certainly feels as if it might be that way.

Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, which has been reported in the UK here, has stated that Barca have put a €20m price tag of their star striker – way more than the £10m (€11.5m) that Arsenal were reported to have bid in the transfer window.

So if Arsenal want to land the striker they will have to smash their transfer record to secure a player who will be 32 in December.

There’s still plenty of the season left and Villa may yet platy an important tole for the Catalan club’s bid for La Liga and The Champions League, but if that is not the case the striker, who has struggled with injuries, is very likely to push for a transfer.

The player was apparently very keen to move to London, but the chances of him becoming a Gunner now see remote. It could be a last desperate attempt by Barca to get as much money for the player as possible, so it will be fascinating to see how clubs respond.

Wenger has recently reiterated that he is looking at many strikers across Europe and that Stevan Jovetic, who is also interesting Man City is likely to be his number on target.



Tags: , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

Football

Arsenal update: Henry wants to come back, Fabregas not so sure

By Stefano on February 14th, 2013
0 comments yet. Be the First

Arsenal’s talismanic French man is apparently keen on a third stint at the club. At a press conference this week he reiterated his desire to be involved with Arsenal in any role

Henry said

‘All I know is that I will be involved in the game for sure and hopefully be involved with Arsenal because that is the heart talking there, that’s the team that I support. Forget about me as a player, that’s the team I support.

‘In any type or shape, if I can go back to the club I would love to do it, but it’s not up to me. That would be a desire, more a desire than something that can be officialised, I still have two years playing here and then I will see.

‘But I would definitely love to be back with Arsenal.

Henry was also dismissive of Arsenal fans who have been critical of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this season.

‘For me, it is difficult to hear, difficult to see, but for me the boss will always be Arsene – always great for me and I know what he has done for the club,” he said.

From this point it is hard to see exactly where in the Emirates management structure he would fit. But many Arsenal fans would love the idea of their favourite son returning possinbly as a manager in waiting under Arsene Wenger’s tutelage.

One player who won’t be returning any time soon is Barcelona’s midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard has been to several of Arsenal’s home games this season and watches each game on television. There were rumours that he might even be considering a loan move back to his old club.

Wenger also said last year

“I’m not convinced Fabregas won’t come back here one day. He’s an Arsenal man. He loves Arsenal. He watches every Arsenal game. Barcelona was his home town where he grew up and you have to accept this, especially as Barcelona are the best team in the world.

“He won’t return in the next two or three years but, after that, maybe.”

However Fabregas has underlined his desire to stay at Barcelona.

He told Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo:

“I went back to Barcelona to stay forever, if possible. I fight with all my might to stay here as long as possible. I’ve already lived experiences abroad and I have done well.”

One person



Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Football | No Comments »

©2012 Shiny Digital Privacy Policy
-->