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BARCELONA CLAIM EL CLASICO SPOILS

Barcelona have delivered a significant blow to El Clasico rivals Real Madrid ahead of the new season after they claimed victory in a pre-season friendly duel played in the United States of America this weekend. The two El Clasico teams met in Wisconsin and it was Barcelona who took the spoils at the end of the game via a 1-0 win.

Barcelona have been the talk of the transfer market this summer after they sign some quality attacking players despite their well documented financial struggles. The Catalan giants have signed quality players such as Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski this summer. Continue reading

BARCELONA INCHING CLOSER TO KOUNDE AGREEMENT

Frenchman Jules Kounde has emerged as a transfer target for Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona this summer and they are in a two-way battle to sign him alongside Chelsea. The 23-year-old defender is seen as a priority target by Chelsea. He would be a like-for-like replacement for German star Antonio Rudiger at Chelsea if they can beat Barcelona to his signing. Rudiger is no longer a Chelsea player after he agreed a free transfer deal with Real Madrid putting pen to paper on a four-year deal in the process.

Chelsea are long-term admirers of Kounde dating back to last summer. They would have signed the French international player from Spanish team Sevilla if they were able to agree a few for him. Their chase for the player is now more complicated than what it is last summer with the entrance of Barcelona into the race for the player. Media outlet Onze TV3 has reported that Barcelona are getting closer and closer to meeting the demands from Sevilla for their prized asset.
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NEWCASTLE RIVAL BARCELONA FOR ALEJANDRO GRIMALDO SIGNING

Newcastle United are reportedly set to rival Barcelona in the race to sign former La Masia prospect, Alejandro Grimaldo, from SL Benfica. According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Barcelona are set to face competition from cash-rich Premier League outfit Newcastle United in the race to sign Alejandro Grimaldo from SL Benfica this summer. Grimaldo came through the ranks at Barcelona’s La Masia academy and made close to 100 appearances for the club’s B team. However, with no clear pathway to the senior side, the 26-year-old left-back decided to leave for Benfica in 2016, where he has thrived.

Grimaldo has been a consistent performer year in and year out for Benfica since his arrival. He has made 249 appearances for the Portuguese giants, registering a return of 19 goals and 50 assists. The Spaniard enjoyed a positive 2021/22 campaign in which he was directly involved in 15 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions. Grimaldo’s current contract with Benfica expires next year, and the 26-year-old has decided not to sign an extension, leading to speculations over his future. Given that they could lose him for nothing in 2023, the Portuguese club could be open to selling the left-back this summer itself, alerting several clubs, including Barcelona and Newcastle United. Continue reading

BARCELONA TO FINISH SEASON AGAINST VILLARREAL

Catalan giants Barcelona will finish the current La Liga season with an home game against immediate past Europa League champions Villarreal this weekend. Barcelona are unbeaten in their last four La Liga games and they would be hoping to extend it to five La Liga games when they play hosts to the Champions League semifinalists at home.

Barcelona have had an average season by their high standards and they will finish the season without a silverware for the first time in almost two decades. The Catalans started the season with Dutch manager Ronald Koeman in charge of the first team before he was replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez after a poor run of results in all competitions. The club has enjoyed stability under Xavi since his appointment towards the end of last year. Barcelona were in mid-table when Xavi was appointed and he has been able to take them to second spot on the league table in a matter of months. Ahead of the final league game, Barcelona have sealed second spot. Continue reading

LEGENDARY STRIKER SET TO JOIN BARCELONA THIS SUMMER

As the talk surrounding the future of Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski rumbles on, Mundo Deportivo has come out with a fresh report that sheds light on the striker’s current situation. The 33-year-old Lewandowski will be entering the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich this summer. Meaningful talks over a renewal are yet to be held, although club director Hasan Salihamidzic insisted that he will not be sold and discussions over a new deal will soon begin.

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Despite those claims, it is believed that Lewandowski is keen on a new challenge in his career after having won everything at the Allianz Arena over the past eight years since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund on a Bosman deal. Barcelona have shown a keen interest in signing the Poland international. With a move for Erling Haaland collapsing, Lewandowski has become the marquee target for president Joan Laporta, who wants to get the 33-year-old’s signing at any cost in the summer.
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BARCA EYEING 22-YEAR-OLD AS LEWANDOWSKI ALTERNATIVE

At this point, it is a well-known fact that Barcelona are keen on signing a new, prolific striker in the summer transfer window. The Blaugrana are intent on landing a marquee attacker who can be the face of the rebuild under Xavi Hernandez and have been long linked with Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.

But with chances of signing him looking bleak, the attention has shifted to Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski. The 33-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena and is keen on a new challenge, with a move to Barcelona being touted heavily.
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BARCELONA PREPARE 3-MAN SHORTLIST TO REPLACE BUSQUETS

Sergio Busquets has been in top form of late and has been an integral figure in Barcelona’s revival under Xavi Hernandez. While the veteran star is still going strong, he is at the stage of his career where his game-time needs to be managed carefully.

With no proper cover for the 33-year-old in the position, Xavi has had to play him relentlessly, with little rest in between. Given the packed fixture schedule, it might affect Busquets’ fitness and, in turn, his longevity. Continue reading

BARCELONA SET SIGHTS ON DEFENDER SIGNING THIS SUMMER

It is no news that Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona need to sign a proper defender this summer to bolster their ranks. The Catalan giants are now well-packed in attack following their January winter transfer window business, while also having a solid midfield to compliment it. However, they have been too vulnerable in defense and they have been tipped to sign proven defenders to strengthen their back line, something they look to have turned to.

The Camp Nou outfit are set for a major defensive overhaul in the upcoming transfer window, with left-back one of the main areas of focus for the club. As things stand, the Blaugrana have Jordi Alba as their first-choice left-back with no other senior player to cover for him. Alejandro Balde has not been called upon much by manager Xavi Hernandez and there is a possibility that he could be loaned out next season. Continue reading

AUBAMEYANG MAKES HISTORY AFTER BARCELONA HAT-TRICK

New Barcelona signing Pierre-EmerickAubameyang wrote his name in the history books after becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the top flight league in France, Germany, Italy and Spain on the back of his hat-trick during the Spanish La Liga clash with hosts Valencia at the weekend. Aubameyang was able to celebrate the occasion of his first Barcelona start in the league with three goals at the expense of Los Che who could not cope with the quality shown by the Gabonese international skipper.

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Aubameyang has made a fantastic start to life at the Nou Camp on the back of his transfer to Barcelona at the end of last month. The Gabonese player signed for the Catalan giants on a free transfer after his Arsenal contract was cancelled by mutual consent. He was handed a three-and-a-half year deal until the end of the 2024/25 season.
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BARCELONA CHASE CHELSEA DUO

Barcelona look set to sign soon-to-be out-of-contract pair Azpilicueta and Christensen from Chelsea with the players yet to agree on a new contract with the club which is leading many Barcelona fans to expect their club to sign the defensive pair on a free transfer.

Barcelona have been struggling for money of late, with presidetn Laporta having to admit defeat with Lionel Messi – allowing the 7 times Ballon D’Or winner leave his contract early, for nothing. Senior players such as Gerard Pique and Dembele have also taken paycuts, and it has left Barca scouring the market forgood free transfers. Continue reading “BARCELONA CHASE CHELSEA DUO”