Barcelona convinced €40 million-rated versatile defender will stay this summer

Barcelona are staring at a critical summer transfer window in the weeks to come where there will likely be some notable departures from the club.

After all, the financial situation demands that the Blaugrana sacrifice one or two top players in order to be able to go after their intended targets.

The centre-back department appears the likeliest to be hit, given the sheer number of resources in the position for manager Hansi Flick.

Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde are both attracting interest although it is extremely unlikely that both will be sold.

Another defender who appears set to continue at Barcelona beyond the summer is Andreas Christensen.

Andreas Christensen going nowhere

Indeed, as per MARCA, Barcelona are completely convinced that Andreas Christensen will not be leaving the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.

After having held talks with the Danish international, the Catalan heavyweights are certain that the defender will be staying put.

Although Christensen arrived as a central defender, he played the second half of last season as a pivot midfielder with a high level of performance.

As things stand, the idea is that the 28-year-old will play in the centre of the park again next season as new manager Hansi Flick likes to operate with a double pivot and Barça will need options in the position.

Barcelona have the likes of Gavi, Ilkay Gundogan, and Frenkie de Jong to operate as part of the double pivot while they also plan on making a new addition. But they also count on Christensen in the position.

It must be remembered that Christensen’s sale would be very lucrative for Barcelona in their current economic situation.

After all, he was signed for free in 2022 and his market price is between €30-40 million. If a sale were to be made for that money, it would all be written as profit on the balance sheet.

But Christensen’s contributions, both defensively and in attack – like the goals against PSG and Real Madrid, are valued by the Catalans.

As such, the idea at Barcelona is to keep hold of Christensen despite being fully aware of what they could get for him financially with a sale.

BARCELONA STARLET LAMINE YAMAL’S NEW TRANSFER VALUATION REVEALED

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has seen his value on the transfer market take another jump this week.

Arsenal unwillingly tends to sell out star player £59m and player becoming for his dreams at first hurdle

Unwanted Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney has made clear which club he would like to join next after being told he has no future at Emirates Stadium, though his chances of sealing a dream move hang in the balance.

TEAM-talk has revealed already that Tierney is no longer part of Mike Arteta’s future plans, having spent last season on loan at Spanish club Real Sociedad, where he played 20 league games, registering two assists but scoring no goals. Sources have said Aston Villa, who reached the Champions League for the first time under Tierney’s former Gunners boss Unai Emery, are among those keen.

the 27-year-old is keen to return to Celtic, where he began his career. That move would see him reunite with manager Brendan Rodgers, under whom he won a double treble before making the £25m move to North London in 2019, after the Ulsterman returned to the club last summer following his sacking by Leicester City.

However, that prospective move could fall at the first hurdle with Arsenal keen to recoup as much of if not all of their money for the defender.
The report also says that wages demands could cause problems for a prospective loan deal, though both parties have made it clear they are interested in a reunion. His Arsenal contract runs until 2026.

Injuries have played a huge role in Tierney’s Arsenal career not reaching the heights expected, though he has still made 124 appearances in five years for the club. The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in 2022 forced him down the pecking order and now it appears his future lies elsewhere.

The Gunners also have Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu as potential options in Tierney’s position, complicating his situation even further.

Arteta is planning a wider cull of his Arsenal squad with the likes of midfielder Thomas Partey and striker Eddie Nketiah also said to be available for a transfer, with Italian club Juventus previously interested in a move for the former Atletico Madrid midfielder.

There is plenty of evidence that Arteta is ready to get ruthless this summer as he looks to usurp his former club City as Premier League champions. In the last two seasons, City have beaten them to the title towards the end of the season, with Arsenal taking the race to the final day last term.

Tierney is currently focusing on Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign, which gets underway against hosts Germany in Munich next Friday.

Arsenal wonderkid playing four years above his age as Mikel Arteta gets Bukayo Saka reminder

Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has been playing four years above his age group this season and the 14-year-old is already making a name for himself at international level

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been reminded of the incredible talent in his academy after teenage player Max Dowman shone for the Under-18s on Saturday, playing four years above his age group. The 14-year-old has played with older age groups several times this season and he is quickly moving up through the England youth ranks.

Players like Gunners and England star Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah have successfully moved from Arsenal’s academy to the first team in recent years. And there are many more working hard behind the scenes hoping to do the same.

Arsenal interested in signing Serie A star as potential backup for Bukayo Saka

Arsenal considering Serie A star as potential backup for Bukayo Saka

Reports suggest that AC Milan forward Rafael Leao could be on his way out of Italy.

Fichajes claims that Arsenal are monitoring the Portuguese forward.

If he joins Arsenal, Leao could provide valuable support for players such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. The lack of depth in the squad has made it difficult for Arsenal to rotate their attackers. With his experience in Italy, Leao could make a significant impact at a higher level.

Rafael Leao’s potential transfer fee is estimated at €150 million. If Arsenal or Liverpool show genuine interest in signing him, a move to the Premier League would present an enticing opportunity for the player. Both clubs can offer him the platform to compete for significant titles in the upcoming seasons.

However, it is likely that Arsenal and Liverpool will negotiate for a more reasonable price, considering the player’s market value. AC Milan may need to lower their asking price to facilitate the transfer.

 

According to reports, Arsenal is said to be interested in securing the services of AC Milan’s Rafael Leao during the upcoming summer transfer window. The talented Portuguese youngster has caught the eye of manager Stefano Pioli, who has even compared him to the legendary Thierry Henry.

 

Previously, the Gunners were heavily linked with Dusan Vlahovic, but unfortunately, Juventus managed to secure the Serbian’s signature. However, Arsenal has now shifted their focus towards Leao, as stated by Italian outlet La Repubblica.

 

The 22-year-old forward offers versatility in attack, capable of playing on the left or through the middle. With 23 goals and 15 assists in 100 appearances for AC Milan, Leao has proven himself to be a promising talent.

 

AC Milan manager Pioli recently drew comparisons between Leao’s playing style and that of Arsenal legend Henry, emphasizing the importance of hard work and ambition for the young star to reach the top.

 

Similarly, former Henry’s team-mate Tacchinardi also likened Leao to the Frenchman, highlighting their similar characteristics in terms of pace and attacking style.

 

He needs to motivate himself and dedicate significant effort to develop a sense of ambition. It’s not enough to rely solely on talent when aiming for the top. He has realized the importance of working diligently and effectively to achieve his goals.

On the other hand, Alessio Tacchinardi, a former teammate of Henry, drew parallels between Leao and the French player.

According to Tacchinardi, “Today’s Leao is like the young Henry.” Both players exhibit similar characteristics, such as speed in one-on-one situations and a tendency to attack from the outside to penetrate the opponent’s defense.

 

Despite facing criticism on social media for this comparison, Tacchinardi believes that a simple comparison of their gameplay videos speaks for itself – they are indeed very similar.

Barcelona loanee full-back likely to stay at club, 20-year-old starlet’s future uncertain

Based on Sergi Capdevila’s report in SPORT, it looks like Julian Araujo has a good chance of staying with Barcelona next season as the club’s management is very pleased with how he progressed while on loan at Las Palmas during the 2023/24 season.

In contrast, Alex Valle’s future at Barcelona is more uncertain. Although he is expected to participate in the pre-season, it is unclear if he will remain with the team afterwards.

Regarding the squad, the list of central defenders is considered complete, and the midfield and attack positions are mostly settled.

There are only a few changes expected in these areas, with a defensive midfielder and a winger being the main priorities.

However, there are still questions about the full-back positions as Barcelona currently lack depth in the area.

With Joao Cancelo’s future undecided, Hector Fort and Alejandro Balde are the only natural full-backs in the team. Including Jules Kounde, who can also play as a full-back, the total number of full-backs comes to three.

Julian Araujo is trusted by Barcelona

If Cancelo does not stay, it will be a significant problem for the team, and this is where Araujo’s potential return becomes important.

At the moment, Barcelona are struggling with financial regulations that prevent them from making new signings easily.

However, Araujo’s strong performance at Las Palmas and the club’s financial situation have increased his chances of staying.

After finishing his loan, Araujo has continued to train hard at Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva and is eager to impress coach Hansi Flick at the start of the pre-season.

Interestingly, Araujo and Flick have already met during the latter’s visit to Barcelona’s facilities, and they had a chance to talk.

A lot depends on Cancelo

While Cancelo’s future remains uncertain, the plan is to try and extend his loan rather than making a permanent transfer.

Meanwhile, Valle, who spent the season on loan at Levante, is expected to take part in the pre-season, but it is not clear if he will continue with the team.

He currently has a contract with the reserve team, but if he stays, he should be promoted to the first team.

The decision about his future will be made after evaluating his performance following his loan spell at Levante.

Mikel Arteta’s signing of a ‘world class’ target has already received the seal of approval from the Arsenal dressing room.

Kieran Tierney, a familiar face to both Mikel Arteta and Martin Zubimendi, has recently given a glowing endorsement of the Real Sociedad player.

This comes as no surprise, as Arteta has been keen on bringing Zubimendi to Arsenal for quite some time now. With Tierney’s seal of approval, Arteta’s admiration for the talented midfielder may only grow stronger.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has already expressed his admiration for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, but he may pay even closer attention to the comments made by his own player, Kieran Tierney.

Tierney, who is currently on loan at Real Sociedad, has had the opportunity to observe Zubimendi closely during his time there.

The 25-year-old Spanish midfielder’s technical skills have impressed Arteta, and Tierney’s recent interview with the Guardian further highlights Zubimendi’s talent.

In the interview, Tierney specifically mentioned Zubimendi as one of the standout players at Sociedad, along with Mikel Merino and Brais Mendez. These remarks provide an interesting perspective from an Arsenal standpoint, shedding light on the quality of players outside the Premier League.

 

Despite the significant investment of £105 million on midfielder Declan Rice last summer, it appears that Arteta’s efforts to revamp the midfield are not yet complete. Zubimendi has emerged as a potential replacement for Thomas Partey, should the injury-prone Ghanaian be sold during the summer transfer window.

 

Reports suggest that Zubimendi’s release clause is set at a relatively modest £51 million. If Arsenal is genuinely interested in acquiring his services, they could potentially leave the Sociedad player with a difficult decision to make regarding his future at the club.

 

Given the frequent rotation in Arsenal’s midfield alongside Rice, with players like Jorginho, Partey, and Kai Havertz all featuring alongside him at various points this season, Arteta is eager to secure the services of a player who can consistently partner with their record-signing midfielder week in and week out.

 

Regarding Tierney’s future, the 26-year-old has remained tight-lipped. When asked about the possibility of returning to Arsenal in the long run, the left-back responded, “It’s difficult to say.

I cherished my time there, and I still have two years left on my contract. I am immensely grateful to Arsenal. Although I’m uncertain about what lies ahead, I am thoroughly enjoying my current situation.

I believe I have adapted well, and I aspire to repay the club’s faith in me. This squad is incredibly talented, boasting world-class players, many of whom have emerged from the academy. It’s truly an extraordinary narrative.

‘Ilkay Gundogan will continue at Barcelona’ – Galatasaray admit defeat in hunt for midfielder

Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has admitted he dreams of signing Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan but the club have now conceded it won’t happen this summer.

Coach Okan Buruk has spoken about the situation, after signing a new contract, and said the Germany international won’t be leaving the Catalan side.

“Gundogan will continue at Barcelona,” he told reporters.

“Every coach wants to have him on his team, but I know that Ilkay will continue his career in Barcelona for one more year.

“He is a very high-level player in terms of personality and character, but it is certain that he will continue there for another year.”

It’s no surprise to hear that as Gundogan was a virtual ever-present last season after signing on a free transfer from Manchester City.

He can now look forward to working with Hansi Flick again next season after seeing the former Germany boss announced as Xavi’s successor.

Barcelona yet to make a move for €25m-rated midfield target; situation remains open

In recent weeks, Barcelona have been strongly linked with a move for Javi Guerra as part of their plan to reinforce the midfield department.

Guerra was seen as an alternative for Guido Rodriguez, whose move to Barcelona appears to have collapsed now. However, as things stand, Barça are unsure of signing Javi Guerra either.

No approach from Barcelona

A recent report from SPORT has offered an update on Barcelona’s pursuit of Javi Guerra.

The report suggests Barça have yet to make any concrete efforts to try and sign the Valencia midfield starlet, who could serve as an alternative to the likes of Gavi and Pedri next season.

In fact, the Catalans are yet to discuss the potential transfer of Guerra with Valencia for a while now. The player’s agent recently met Valencia, but the player’s future was not on the table.

Valencia, for their part, have maintained their asking price of €25 million and are unlikely to settle for anything less.

A target but not a priority

From Barcelona’s end, Javi Guerra still remains an option, but he is not a priority target at the moment. It seems Hansi Flick and Deco are looking out for other options in the midfield unit.

Barcelona might be interested in a more defensive-minded candidate, who can be stylistically similar to Sergio Busquets.

That said, sporting director Deco still hasn’t entirely discarded Javi Guerra. But Barcelona’s approach will depend on how the summer progresses and whether or not the club have enough capital to spend.

How the Catalans manage to offload their unwanted stars, therefore, could be crucial if Guerra wants to secure a move to Catalonia this summer.

Five players Barcelona will aim to sign after returning to 1:1 rule

Barcelona have been diligently tracking their transfer targets, but before they delve into signing new players, they need to comply with the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

This has been a longstanding concern for the club, and to meet these financial requirements, Barcelona might have to consider selling some of their current players.

Any decisions made in the transfer market, however, will be influenced by the input of their new coach, Hansi Flick.

Flick has a general idea of how he wants his Barcelona team to function and has identified a few key players that fit his strategy.

However, the broader picture remains a concern. If Barcelona manage to adhere to the 1:1 rule of FFP, they will aim to sign significant players and here are five players they might want to acquire:

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino currently plays for Real Sociedad, and his contract runs until 2025. This could make him a more affordable option if Barcelona decide to make a move this summer.

However, recent reports indicate that his release clause has increased from €60 million to €65 million due to a stipulation in his current contract.

This could be a stumbling block for Barcelona, but there might be room for negotiation given his contractual situation.

Barcelona might approach this by proposing a deal worth €25 million with an additional bonus of up to €5 million, making the total value €30 million. This seems reasonable for a player of Merino’s quality and experience.

Nico Williams

To make way for new players, Barcelona might consider selling Raphinha, and one potential replacement could be Nico Williams, a left-winger.

While Luis Diaz is another option due to his experience, Williams’ potential for growth, given his age, makes him a better long-term investment.

Williams has been a priority target for Barcelona for some time, but interest seemed to cool down after he signed a new contract in December, which includes a €60 million release clause.

If Barcelona can meet the 1:1 ruling, paying this fee would not be an issue, especially if they make significant sales this summer.

Xavi Simons

Flick’s appointment has slowed Barcelona’s interest in Xavi Simons. However, Simons could significantly elevate Barcelona’s status and it is said that discussions about his return to Barcelona have been ongoing.
At this time, his future remains uncertain as he is set to return to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite this, he has expressed a preference for Barcelona over other teams.

While the club’s interest in him is clear, Flick’s opinion will be crucial in deciding whether to pursue him.

Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich, a versatile midfielder and defender from Bayern Munich, would be an exciting addition to Barcelona.

His contract extension talks with Bayern have been on hold, which gives Barcelona an opportunity. Flick is a huge fan of Kimmich and has informed the club that he wants them to pursue the German’s signature this summer.

It is said that Barcelona have already started negotiations with Bayern for Kimmich. However, Kimmich is not satisfied with Barcelona’s initial offer, but Flick’s involvement could be crucial.

Flick, who has previously coached Kimmich at Bayern and Germany, has a good relationship with him and will do everything possible to bring him to Barcelona.

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva’s experience would be beneficial for Barcelona, especially given their strategy of integrating youth players into the first team as his presence could be impactful both on and off the field.

Manchester City have a clear stance regarding their players: if a player wants to leave and it benefits the team, they will let him go.

If Barcelona meet the financial regulations, they can pursue Silva’s acquisition as his vast experience could help guide the younger players and strengthen the team’s overall performance.