LALIGA

8Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid confirm UEFA Super Cup plans

Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid CF looks on during the Santander League match between Villareal CF and Real Madrid at the Ceramica Stadium on February 22, 2022, in Valencia, Spain. Real Madrid kick off their 2022/23 campaign with a UEFA Cup Final showdown up against Eintracht Frankfurt. Los Blancos head to Finland for the annual European season curtain raiser with Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League winners taking on Europa League champions Frankfurt. Ancelotti’s charges have endured a mixed preseason, with just one win in three games during their tour of the United States, ahead of the their Spanish title defence kicking off next weekend. The game will take place in front of limited crowd at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium on August 10 with plans now confirmed for Real Madrid ahead o...

6Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Dani Alves: It’ll be hard wearing white at Barcelona

Dani Alves poses during his unveiling as new player of Pumas UNAM at La Cantera on July 23, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Dani Alves will be back at Barcelona once again on Sunday as his Pumas side face the Catalan giants in the Joan Gamper Trophy. The Brazilian has been speaking ahead of the game and admits it will be special to play at Barcelona once again but it will feel weird wearing white at the Camp Nou. “It’s strange to be back in a shirt that’s not Barcelona’s and it will be a special game for me,” he explained. “The only thing I’m not happy about is returning to Camp Nou in a white shirt! That’s hard for me.” Alves also spoke about his exit from Barcelona once again and insisted he was not hurt by the club’s decision not to offer a renewal. “I am not hurt, I am eter...

1Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona confirm activation of third financial lever

Joan Laporta, Frank Kessie and Mateu Alemany during the presentation of Frank Kessie as a new player of FC Barcelona, in Barcelona, on 06th July 2022.Barcelona have announced that they have sold a stake of Barca Studios to Socios for €100m.The sale confirms the club's activation of a third financial lever this summer to help them sign players in the transfer window and register them in time for the new La Liga season.Laporta said: “First we have to register the players and get rid of those who don’t count. Then we’ll see what we can do.“The lever thing is very difficult, it’s to save the club and have the possibility of signing players and registering them. The risk is controlled. The Barça Studios operation has been carried out.“The feeling we have is that we are doing the job, with great...

29Jul

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Barcelona President Joan Laporta makes public appeal to Frenkie de Jong

Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona waves his hand prior to the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia stadium, April 10, 2022, Valencia, Spain.Barcelona have made a number of major signings this summer, but are yet to see any similarly sized exits. The player who has been most strongly linked with a move away from Barcelona is Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but there has been no movement on that front for some time. As one of their most saleable assets and in a position that they have cover, de Jong appears to have been marked out as the prime candidate to help lighten their wage bill. It has been suggested that if Barcelona cannot find some way to remove of lessen de Jong’s salary, they may be unable to register players.Speaking to the ...

29Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Kounde praises Xavi in first interview as Barca player

Jules Kounde of Sevilla FC gestures during the spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between Sevilla FC and Elche CF at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on February 11, 2022, in Sevilla, Spain.Jules Kounde has been officially confirmed as Barcelona’s fifth signing of the summer after the club announced a deal with Sevilla on Thursday afternoon.The French center-back did a quick with the club’s official channel shortly after arriving at Camp Nou, and spoke highly of his new team and manager.The quote about Xavi Hernandez deserves to be highlighted:“Xavi is one of the great reasons that I am here. I spoke various times with him and the way he spoke got me excited. We had some good conversations, we see football the same way. Now it is a question of coming into the team and wi...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid extend 20-year-old attacking prodigy’s contract until 2025

Peter Federico of Real Madrid warms up during the Spanish League, La Liga Santander, football match played between Real Madrid and Levante UD at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on May 12, 2022, in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid have reportedly extended the contract of highly-rated attacking prodigy Peter Federico until June 30, 2025.According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Real Madrid prodigy Peter Federico has penned a contract extension with the Spanish club, which would keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until June 30, 2025. The agreement was made official on Tuesday, July 27, after all parties involved came to terms with the conditions on offer in the new contract.Currently with Real Madrid Castilla, Peter’s previous contract ran until 2024, which has now been extended by another year. ...

25Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ansu Fati rejects ongoing injury concerns at Barcelona

Ansu Fati, for the first time with the captain's armband, during the friendly match between UE Olot and FC Barcelona, played at the Olot Municipal Stadium, in Olot (Girona), on 13th July 2022.Ansu Fati is determined to end his injury hell at Barcelona ahead of the 2022/23 season.The Spanish international has endured a miserable 18 months, after undergoing knee surgery, with a string of minor issues forcing him to miss around 72 games since November 2020.Fati requested to be omitted from the La Roja squad for UEFA Nations League duty in June as he wanted to focus on getting back to full fitness in Catalonia.Xavi opted to ease him back into first team action in the final weeks of the 2021/22 campaign and Fati is ready for the upcoming challenge.“I am working to achieve full fitness and I hav...

23Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Luka Modric doesn’t see hunger as an issue for Real Madrid this season

Family photo of the Real Madrid team during the celebration of Real Madrid's Champions League 2022 victory, at La Almudena Cathedral, May 29, 2022, in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid will shortly be waking up to prepare for their first preseason game of the season – against Barcelona. El Clasico kicks off at 05:00 CEST and with a handful of new signings, including Robert Lewandowski and Aurelien Tchouameni, it’s an intriguing prospect.Veteran midfielder Luka Modric commands plenty of star power on his own, even if he is part of the furniture at Real Madrid. One of several seasoned professionals, one of the big questions about Real Madrid’s attempt to retain the title this season is whether they will have the necessary hunger to do so. Los Blancos have not repeated a title success since 20...

21Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona forward prepared to leave club for free

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay during the match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca, corresponding to the week 34 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, in Barcelona, on 1st May 2022.Memphis Depay is reportedly ready to walk away from Barcelona if the Catalan giants terminate his contract amid uncertainties surrounding his future.According to Helena Condis, Memphis has made peace with the idea of leaving Barcelona in the summer transfer window if they grant him the letter of freedom. But the Catalan giants want to recoup €15 million from the Dutch forward’s sale, which complicates the prospect of selling him.Memphis Depay would have had lofty ambitions when he completed a dream move to Barcelona in a Bosman move after running down his contract with Lyon. But ...

20Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lewandowski: The ultimate goal machine Barca need in post-Messi era

Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona warms up before a preseason friendly against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Nearly two months after Robert Lewandowski stunned the football world to publicly declare that his "story is over" at Bayern Munich, the German juggernaut finally granted the Polish striker his wish. Barcelona released a statement on Tuesday night confirming that the club have signed the 33-year-old on a four-year contract worth 50 million euro ($51m). "I'm finally here. I'm delighted to be at Barca," Lewandowski, who had a buyout clause of 500m euros, told the Spanish giants' official website. "The last few days have been very long, but the deal is done and now I can focus on a new chapter and challenge in my li...

18Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

‘I’m finally here’: Lewandowski explains leaving Bayern for Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern München walks onto the training pitch before a training session of FC Bayern München at Saebener Strasse training ground on July 15, 2022 in Munich, Germany.Robert Lewandowski said a desire for a new challenge motivated his decision to leave Bayern Munich and sign for Barcelona, while also fulfilling his “dream” of playing in LaLiga.Barcelona have confirmed an agreement with Bayern Munich over an initial £38 million transfer of the 33-year-old Poland international, who is expected to sign a three-year contract with the option of an additional year.Although the deal is not yet complete, Lewandowski has joined Barcelona on their pre-season tour of the United States and has met his new team-mates. It brings a protracted transfer saga to a close after Lewandowsk...

14Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ousmane Dembele and Joan Laporta speak after the Frenchman re-signs with Barcelona

Joan Laporta and Ousmane Dembele during the signing of the player's contract renewal by FC Barcelona until June 30, 2024, in Barcelona, on 14th July 2022.After a long-running soap opera that went on for months together, Ousmane Dembele has finally signed a new contract with Barcelona. The 25-year-old had become a free agent when his previous deal expired on June 30. But, with no major European club taking an interest in signing him on a Bosman deal, the French ace was left with little choice but to renew with the Blaugrana. Dembele has signed a two-year contract with Barcelona, which will run until the summer of 2024. Reports in France suggest that he will be pocketing an €11 million per year net salary, but Spanish sources claim that those figures are inaccurate, w...

8Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ousmane Dembele set to sign two-year renewal with Barcelona – report

Jose Angel Gomez Campana (L) of Levante UD competes for the ball with Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia stadium, April 10, 2022, Valencia, Spain.Spanish news outlet Marca has offered a fresh update on Barcelona’s lengthy contract standoff with Ousmane Dembele, suggesting the saga is nearing its conclusive end. After months of negotiations, it appears the two parties are on the verge of reaching an agreement over a new contract that would see Dembele signing a two-year deal at Camp Nou. The report from Marca suggests the two parties are currently in the final stage of negotiations and only need the “last push” to get the deal over the line. Dembele is currently a free agent after he...

7Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Xavi won’t let Nico leave Barcelona this summer – report

Barcelona's Spanish coach Xavi (R) gestures to Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez (L) during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 24, 2022.Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez will reportedly refuse to let Nico Gonzalez leave the club this summer as he wants him in his squad for next season. There has been speculation this week that Nico is ‘seriously considering’ a loan move away as he’s worried about his game time in 2022-23. However, Xavi and his staff consider Nico to be an “important piece” and do not want him to move away from the Camp Nou, as reported by Diario AS. Xavi understand Nico needs to keep developing but his coaching staff have seen “significant” progress in the 2...

4Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Memphis Depay issues Barca exit statement

09 Memphis Depay of FC Barcelona and 25 Aubameyang of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RD Mallorca at Camp Nou Stadium on May 1, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona star Memphis Depay is committed to staying at the club this summer. The Dutch international has been linked with a potential move away from the Camp Nou as part of a squad reshuffle this month. Reports from Diario AS claim Xavi has already told the former Lyon star he is expendable with the club aiming to raise around €25m from his possible sale. The report states Depay is hurt by the club’s stance and feels unfairly treated based on his performances last season. However, despite his frustration over a potential departure from Catalonia, Depay has fi...

3Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Xavi gives ‘green light’ to Memphis sale – report

Memphis Depay scores during the match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca, corresponding to the week 34 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, in Barcelona, on 1st May 2022.Barcelona coach Xavi has reportedly given the club the green light to sell Memphis Depay this summer if a decent offer arrives. The Dutchman ended his first season at Barca as the team’s joint top scorer but is not in Xavi’s plans for the future, according to Diario AS. Barca informed Memphis’s agents of the situation earlier this week in a meeting at the club and will let him leave for a fee of around €25 million. Xavi’s seems willing to do without Memphis because he is hoping to have Raphinha in his squad next season and potentially even Ousmane Dembele too. Barca also have Ferran Torr...

2Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ansu Fati to return early for Barcelona pre-season

Ansu Fati during the match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca, corresponding to the week 34 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, in Barcelona, on 1st May 2022.Ansu Fati is planning to report for Barcelona pre-season a week earlier than planned in an attempt to get a head-start on his return to fitness.The 19-year-old has endured two years of injury hell, with several hamstring and knee injuries keeping him sidelined, but he did make a comeback towards the end of last season as he featured off the bench in Barcelona's last five games of the season.He was then called up to the Spain squad this summer but did not play a minute, leaving Fati still looking for regular action to get himself back to full fitness.According to AS, his international involvement saw him granted p...

1Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Xavi sacks four first-team players ahead of club’s return to action

Samuel Umtiti during the match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, corresponding to the week 3 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, on 29th August 2021, in Barcelona, Spain.The former midfielder had no remorse in telling all these players to seek for employment elsewhere after their poor contribution to the team last season. Barcelona fans are quite aware of their team's economic problems, and with that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the former footballer wants to help his employers by letting some of the players within the squad leave so they can leave something for the club to spend before their contracts expire. That being said, the Blaugrana skipper spoke with four players to slap them with an ugly truth: they have been deemed surplus to the team'...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Patrick Kluivert hoping Frenkie de Jong stays at Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona in action with Borja Iglesias of Real Betis during the La Liga Santader match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at Benito Villamarin in Seville, Spain, on May 07, 2022.Patrick Kluivert has been talking about Barcelona and made it clear he thinks Frenkie de Jong should stay at the club. Speculation on Tuesday has suggested Barcelona and Manchester United have agreed a fee for the midfielder, even though he has said he wants to stay at the Camp Nou. Kluivert told Cadena SER that he knows Barcelona are in a tricky financial situation but still hopes that De Jong will not be forced to leave. “I hope they keep him, yes. He is a player who has surprised many people, but you have to see the situation of the club,” he said.“If you sell him, it i...

20Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Xavi asks Barcelona to confirm Ousmane Dembele’s extension

Ousmane Dembele during the match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC, corresponding to the week 30 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, in Barcelona, on 03th April 2022. Xavi is prepared to fight until the last minute to keep Ousmane Dembele at the club. The French international’s future at Barcelona is a major focus in the coming weeks with his current deal set to expire at the end of June. Xavi has consistently stated his desire to retain the former Borussia Dortmund winger at the Camp Nou after he produced an eye-catching end to the 2021/22 campaign. Dembele was questioned on speculation on his future plans yesterday, and remarked he was happy at Barcelona, however, the club remain stalled in talks with his representativ...