Rosell reveals Barca's Neymar battle

After claims that Neymar had a trial at Real Madrid at the age of 16, only to not be signed because of a €60,000 fee, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has revealed that los Blancos fought until the end to sign the Brazilian superstar.

The Barca president, who was responsible for signing Neymar for €57 million (£50m), claimed that the Brazilian had already completed a medical for Madrid, and that the capital club were still trying to buy him even when he was penning his Blaugrana contract!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 12:00
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Mourinho palms Barca off Luiz move

 

Barcelona's pursuit of a centre-back has hit the buffers after they were slapped down by the old enemy; Jose Mourinho.

The Chelsea manager has no interest in selling David Luiz to the Catalans, and, as exclusively revealed by Goal, the Blues have priced the Brazilian at £43 million in order to ward off interest.
 

Mourinho enjoyed many battles with Barca during his time in Spain with Real Madrid, and he will have taken great pleasure from telling them where to go once again.

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Buzz off! Tata warns Moyes off Fabregas

 

Is Manchester United's pursuit of Cesc Fabregas at an end? New Barcelona coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has said he wants to keep the Spain midfielder, while vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu has again insisted that he will not be sold for any price.

But will this be enough to keep David Moyes away? After being told to forget about it the first time, he came back with a bigger bid! 

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Neymar the closest thing to metrosexual Beckham

 

He's a style icon as well as a football hero but Neymar insists that he is no "metrosexual".

"That was more something for David Beckham, who was more stylish," claims the Brazilian forward but doth the lady not protest too much? "Yes, it is true that I like to go out and buy new clothes, nice perfumes and hair products," he admits. "I also shave my legs, for example."

Neymar's new colleagues at Barcelona could be in for a surprise at just how much care their latest recruit takes over his appearance... 

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Moyes keen to grab Fabregas after failed Thiago pursuit

 

After spending much of the summer chasing unsettled Barcelona starlet Thiago only to be trumped by Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola's sudden charm offensive, Manchester United need a transfer rethink.

A midfield playmaker remains a priority and Cesc Fabregas, Thiago's former team-mate at Camp Nou and another long-term United target, has risen to the top of the wanted list.

Barcelona are currently considering a £25.9 million bid from the Red Devils and, while it is unlikely to be accepted, it surely signals just the start of David Moyes' formal pursuit of the disillusioned Catalan.

There are, however, numerous obstacles to a deal. The Spanish champions are unlikely to simply jettison a player they fought so hard to prise from Arsenal, while the Gunners enjoy first option on any move.

Tito Vilanova revealed on Tuesday that Fabregas is happy at the Camp Nou, leaving United facing another difficult - and possibly fruitless - battle in the transfer market. 

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Pep picks United's pocket to steal a march on Thiago

 

Barcelona youngster Thiago is currently one of Europe’s hottest properties with a number of top clubs seemingly intent on snapping up the Spaniard.

While Manchester United had looked favourites to capture his signature, the 22-year-old now looks destined for European champions Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola, who worked with the youngster at Camp Nou, seems determined to land his man telling a press conference: "Thiago is the only player I want, that's what I told them. It'll be him or no one". 
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Mkhitaryan and Villa snub Premier League

 

Activity in the summer transfer window is starting to hot up with two of Europe’s most wanted men announcing they are on the move.

Barcelona striker David Villa is heading for Atletico Madrid after the two clubs agreed a deal for the Spain international.

The transfer is likely to disappoint many, but particularly Tottenham fans who were hoping to see the striker in Premier League action at White Hart Lane.

Over at Liverpool there is also bad news after Borussia Dortmund confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan has completed a move from Shakhtar Donetsk, preferring the Champions League runners-up to Brendan Rodgers' side. 

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Isco in the doghouse over pet Messi

 

Real Madrid officially announced the arrival of Isco on Wednesday but the 21-year-old may get a few scornful glances from his new team-mates if he ever brings his dog to training.

It had been revealed that the midfielder's dog is named after Lionel Messi and the Spain Under-21 star insists it will remain that way - despite signing for Real Madrid.

"I also had another dog called Figo. It's just an anecdote," Isco said.

"I'm not going to change my dog's name from Messi now because if I did, he would ignore me." 

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Gotze considers Messi an idol

 

Amid reports suggesting Pep Guardiola will deploy Mario Gotze as a 'false No.9' at Bayern Munich, the Germany international says he keen to aspire towards the playing heights of Barcelona's maestro.

"Lionel Messi is a role model for everyone, including me," Gotze said.

"I don't see the transfer amount as extra pressure. It's something to be proud of having just turned 21.

"Looking back, it wasn't easy when the news broke that I was leaving Dortmund, but that's behind me now. The important thing is to develop myself and I wanted to do that at Bayern." 

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Neymar & Messi under the microscope at Barcelona

 

Neymar’s big-money move from Santos to Barcelona will place the Brazilian under huge scrutiny according to Michael Laudrup.

The Swansea boss has explained that while Neymar has been a "great player" back home in South America, he faces an entirely different challenge in La Liga

The Brazilian has been branded as too small and thin to succeed by many, and while Laudrup says he does not want to compare Neymar with Messi, the Argentine superstar has proved that size simply does not matter. 

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Mourinho's trail of destruction in Spanish football

 

Andres Iniesta was scathing in his analysis of Jose Mourinho's time at Real Madrid.

"Yes he damaged Spanish football," the Barcelona midfielder said. "In general, more harm than good."

With La Liga in ruins, let's just hope the Premier League can withstand the whirlwind of carnage that is Mourinho. 

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Neymar arrival grabs headlines as Mourinho exits La Liga

 

A summer of incomings and outgoings in La Liga is now underway following the arrival of Neymar, Barcelona's latest signing, and the departure of Jose Mourinho, who has left Real Madrid for a second stint at Chelsea.

A whopping 56,500 fans turned up at Camp Nou to welcome the Brazil international to Barcelona, while Mourinho revealed the plan for his new club to Chelsea's own television station. 

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Ronaldo calls in Bale reinforcements as Neymar joins forces with Messi

 

Barcelona struck fear into the hearts of Real Madrid as they stole a march on their Liga rivals by beating them to the signature of Santos starlet Neymar.

The Brazil international had been a long-term target for both clubs, with two teams having had bids accepted by his native side, but Barca won the day and secured the much-vaunted forward.

With Neymar set to link up with Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, it may be time for Cristiano Ronaldo to call for backup as talk of a move by Los Blancos for Tottenham star Gareth Bale rumbles on... 

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Bayern Munich too strong for weakened Barcelona

 

Bayern Munich booked a place in the Champions League final with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Already four goals down from the first leg at the Allianz Arena, the Camp Nou giants were facing a tall order in turning over the deficit.

And their task was made harder by Lionel Messi's lack of fitness, with the Argentina star only able to watch on from the bench.

What followed was a dominant showing by the Bundesliga side, who were simply too strong for Barcelona.

Arjen Robben opened the scoring with a superb strike, before Gerard Pique deflected a cross into his own net and Thomas Muller completed the rout with a header from close range to seal a humiliating 7-0 aggregate defeat for Tito Vilanova's men. 

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Pep & Gotze prepare to tag in to Munich Mania as Barca are rumbled

 

Bayern Munich showed their muscle in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the 4-0 hammering of Barcelona putting them on the brink of reaching next month's Wembley final.

Two goals from Thomas Muller and one each for Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben secured a resounding first-leg triumph at the Allianz Arena to send the Munich crowd into absolute rapture.

On course for the treble this season and with Pep Guardiola and Mario Gotze set to jet in to join the Bavarians in 2013-14 - it's a pretty darn good time to be a Bayern fan, that's for sure. 

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Neymar Barca link has La Liga quaking in their boots

 

Despite having Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and David Villa on their books, Barcelona are still keen to bring in Neymar with the Brazilian due to arrive in Spain in July for transfer talks.

Both Dani Alves and Adriano have urged their compatriot to join them at Camp Nou although Manchester City also remain hopeful of capturing the Brazilan's signature.

Indeed should he opt to join Barca his arrival is sure to make waves in La Liga as he goes head to head with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao. 

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German giants ready to trip up Clasico duo

 

Both the Spanish and the German sides have been kept apart in the Champions League semi-final as Bayern Munich have been paired with Barcelona, while Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund.

Many have predicted a Clasico final, although the form of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Europe this season could result in a upset for those hoping for an all-Spanish affair at Wembley in May.

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Messi comes to Barcelona’s emergency service

 

Things were not looking good for Barcelona at one stage on Wednesday evening. Paris Saint-Germain were holding their own after going a goal ahead through Javier Pastore and Tito Vilanova's side were struggling to trouble their opponents in attack.

But that all changed from the 62nd minute as Cesc Fabregas made way for Lionel Messi, who was named as a substitute after failing to fully recover from a hamstring injury.

Despite the setback, the Argentine mustered enough of his brilliance to inspire Barcelona towards the Champions League semi-finals. 

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Barcelona stars return to scene of Spain triumph

 

The Champions League is back on Tuesday as Barcelona take on Paris Saint-Germain with a number of the Catalan giants' making a swift return to France.

No fewer than eight Barcelona stars were involved as Spain defeated France 1-0 in World Cup qualifying just seven days ago, with Pedro scoring the crucial winning goal.

Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Co. firmly planted their flag at the Stade de France a week ago, but can they do the same again in Paris against a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led PSG side? 

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Champions League elite prepare for quarter-final battle

 

Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw served up four intriguing clashes as Europe's elite continue their hunt for a place at Wembley in May.

Barcelona have been paired with Paris Saint-Germain, which will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic face his former club, although the Swede is suspended for the first leg.

Last season's beaten finalists Bayern Munich face a tricky tie against Serie A champions and current leaders Juventus.

Jose Mourinho will be reunited with two of his former players in Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder as Real Madrid take on Galatasaray.

While in the final tie of the round, Malaga will be in action against German champions Borussia Dortmund. 

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