SETTABLOID – Page 387

XAVI PUBLICLY CALLS FOR TWO MORE BARCELONA STARS TO RENEW CONTRACTS

Barcelona head coach Xavi on Sunday made clear his hope that two of the club’s most highly-regarded young talents will soon follow in the footsteps of teammate Pau Cubarsí.

The name of defender Cubarsí has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital across the week to date.

This comes after the 17-year-old put pen to paper on fresh Barcelona terms, through the summer of 2027.

Media chatter in the days since, though, has assured that those behind the scenes at Barca are far from finished when it comes to locking down the club’s next crop of breakthrough talent.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, the subject of the futures of Cubarsí’s fellow La Masia graduates was therefore put to the aforementioned Xavi.

And, in his response, the Blaugrana headmaster singled out two names whom he is evidently particularly keen to see tied down for the foreseeable future.

“We trust our own young players,” Xavi began. “I’m very happy with Pau Cubarsí signing a new deal. It’s excellent news.”

“I hope that Héctor Fort, Marc Guiu and the others can sign new contracts here.”

5 MISS OUT AS REAL SOCIEDAD NAME SQUAD FOR BARCELONA CLASH

Real Sociedad have on Sunday unveiled their travelling squad set to face off with Barcelona in 24 hours’ time.

The final fixture of the La Liga gameweek is set to play out in Catalunya’s capital on Monday night.

The matchup in question will see the aforementioned Barcelona act as hosts, in a meeting with Imanol’s Real Sociedad at Montjuïc.

Both sides will head into proceedings eager for all three points, albeit for different reasons.

In the case of Barcelona, the clash marks an important one in their ongoing efforts to clinch 2nd place in the Spanish top-flight, in the knowledge that a three-point haul would see them leapfrog Girona into the runners-up spot.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, remain in the thick of the hunt for European football, sitting 6th in the table at present, two points clear of Real Betis below them.

Safe to say, then, that all of a txuri-urdin persuasion will no doubt be keen to hear of the latest personnel news stemming from the club’s base.

As much was forthcoming a short time ago, by way of the announcement of Imanol’s travelling squad.

And missing out are no fewer than five of La Real’s stars, most notably midfield lynchpin Martín Zubimendi.

Also unavailable for selection to boss Imanol on Monday will be all of Javi Galán, Igor Zubeldia, Aihen Muñoz, and Carlos Fernández.

The one positive piece of news for Sociedad comes in the form of the return of the previously injured Kieran Tierney, who could well be thrown straight back in from the off at Montjuïc.

Barcelona have a trump card in their bid to sign La Liga starlet – report

With the season soon coming to a close, FC Barcelona are scouring the Spanish market for up-and-coming talents that could improve the team in the coming summer.

Alex Baena, to that end, has emerged as one of Barça’s potential targets. The 22-year-old midfielder, known for his impressive assist record, is admired by both the sporting department and technical staff.

While Baena’s versatility – playing both as an interior midfielder and a false left winger – perfectly aligns with Barcelona’s needs. Baena, for his part, has expressed his desire to play for the Catalans in the past.

However, his hefty €55-60 million release clause presents a significant financial hurdle for cash-strapped Barça.

The astronomical asking price makes a straightforward transfer unlikely. But here’s where things get interesting: Barça might have a trump card up their sleeve.

Here’s how Barcelona can ease Baena operation

According to Diario SPORT, Villarreal are also keen to bolster their squad with young talent. Here’s where a potential player-plus-cash deal comes into play.

Villarreal have been closely monitoring several promising players from Barça’s La Masia academy who have already broken into the first-team scene.

Remember Ilias Akhomach? His recent rise to prominence serves as a perfect example. Villarreal’s interest in such players presents an opportunity for Barcelona to ease the financial burden of acquiring Baena.

Barça could thus offer a lower transfer fee for Baena, combined with one of their promising youngsters.

This move would benefit both clubs: Barcelona would land their coveted target with a reduced financial outlay, while Villarreal could secure a talented young player in addition to a significant transfer fee.

€50m-rated Barcelona star still intends to stay despite exit rumors

FC Barcelona reportedly has significant plans for the upcoming summer window. As per reports, the Catalan giants want to reinforce the team and make a much more competitive squad. Yet, with all their financial uncertainties hanging around, there are no guarantees for Barcelona right now.

In fact, one way through which La Blaugrana can guarantee themselves at least some hope in terms of making purchases in the summer is to first be open to making sales. On that front, certain names pop out more than others, either due to sporting reasons or simply economic ones.

27-year-old Brazilian winger Raphinha, for instance, is one of the names linked to a move away from Barcelona mainly due to the latter reason. Still holding a good market value, as well as a number of suitors from lucrative places, he would be a good asset for Barcelona to consider.

However, according to SPORT, the player himself has no intentions of letting such a move happen. Moreover, the report itself states that the player’s entourage has told SPORT that there is currently no consideration for a move away from the Catalan club.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI: ‘HIDDEN CLAUSE’ IN CONTRACT THAT COULD SEE HIM LEAVE BARCELONA

Following on from yesterday’s developments in the transfer saga surrounding Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona, fresh details have come to the fore on Sunday detailing how the Pole’s contract could provide him another avenue for a Barcelona exit.

Pini Zahavi, Robert Lewandowski’s agent, has shed light on the player’s immediate future. A future that involves FC Barcelona, as the Pole has no intention of moving this summer. However, the scenario might change in 2025, as Zahavi has revealed “a clause to terminate his contract” based on the minutes he plays next season.

Amid rumours of a possible exit, the agent spoke to Polish journalist Tomasz Wlodarczyk, disclosing the striker’s future plans.

Via El Desmarque, Zahavi said: “That’s nonsense,” when asked about a potential meeting with Joan Laporta and Deco in the coming days to discuss the number 9’s future. Lewandowski, whose season improved over time, has a contract that grants him a hefty salary next season, potentially hindering the club’s financial plans.

Nevertheless, the player has made it clear on more than one occasion that he wants to stay at Barça. His representative echoed the sentiment: “He wants to play another year in Catalonia. He signed a four-year contract.”

Zahavi also revealed a clause in Lewandowski’s contract that could see him leave in 2025: “The last year depends on his performances in the 2024-2025 season and includes a clause that provides for the possibility of contract termination if he doesn’t play 55% of the possible minutes.”

It’s worth noting that Lewandowski arrived at Barça for €50 million two seasons ago when he had only one more year left on his contract with Bayern Munich. This summer, he turns 36 and is contracted until 2026, although his agent has acknowledged the possibility of his departure in 2025 depending on his playing time.

To date, Lewandowski has played 91 matches for the Blaugrana, scoring 57 goals and providing 17 assists. This season, he has played 82% of minutes in LaLiga and the Champions League.

Barcelona coach praises the youth and highlights future needs

For Xavi Hernandez and FC Barcelona to succeed next season, certain things must be guaranteed. La Blaugrana felt severely understaffed during this campaign, and the consequences have been felt. However, with Xavi guaranteed another season, Barcelona must comply with his requirements.

It is already clear that specific positions and roles within the team need more competent arrivals who can bring both quality and depth. However, beyond just the requirements already known to the club, Xavi has even explicitly mentioned his own priorities and the future players on whom he depends on.

As highlighted by SPORT, the Barcelona coach has just recently talked about some key topics in a pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against Real Sociedad. One topic that he was explicitly clear about was his satisfaction with the young starlets of Barcelona, and their respective progressions.

Speaking about the development of both Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, as well as the contract negotiation progress made towards both Hector Fort and Marc Guiu,

LA LIGA BOSS ASSURES THAT BARCELONA ‘WOULD HAVE REGRETTED’ LETTING XAVI LEAVE

Barcelona head coach Xavi has this weekend received the backing of a fellow member of the manager contingent in La Liga.

The tactician in question? Imanol.

Xavi and Imanol are of course primed to lock horns on the touchline on Monday night, when Barcelona play host to Real Sociedad in Catalunya’s capital.

The matchup marks an important one for both sides, amid their ongoing efforts to clinch a place in the Spanish Super Cup, and Europe for next season respectively.

Speaking to the media this weekend, the subject of his opposite number in the Barca dugout was in turn put to Sociedad boss Imanol.

This comes with Xavi fresh off committing his future to the Blaugrana for the 2024/25 campaign.

And Imanol is adamant that as much proved the right course of action for his side’s upcoming opponents, who would have been left to ‘regret it’, if their headmaster had followed through with his original plan of departing in the summer:

“I already said that if Xavi didn’t continue, Barcelona would regret it, Fortunately, they have changed their minds.”

Barcelona stance on Luis Diaz transfer as Liverpool face battle for Mohamed Amoura and two others

Liverpool look set to have a busy summer transfer window if the latest rumour mill has any basis of fact.

The Reds are being linked with several potential new signings for when the window reopens. It already promises to be a busy few months as the post-Jurgen Klopp era begins.

Klopp is set to depart at the end of the season and is expected to be replaced by Arne Slot in the Anfield dugout. And now reports are beginning to emerge around the players that could be signed ahead of Slot’s first season in charge.

Barcelona have reportedly moved on from showing an interest in Luis Diaz by identifying an alternative target. The La Liga giants have been heavily linked with a move for the Liverpool winger in recent month.

But according to Spanish news outlet Sport, Barcelona have decided that it is “100 per cent unaffordable” to complete a deal to sign the Colombia international. As a result, the Camp Nou club have instead focused their attention on signing Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams as an alternative.

Williams has also been linked with a move to the Reds in the past. The 21-year-old signed a new deal with Bilbao back in December that keeps him contracted to the La Liga club until 2027.

Elsewhere, one of the latest rumours centres around Union Saint-Gilloise forward Mohamed Amoura. Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing Amoura, and now an update has emerged.

Barcelona striker’s agent lashes out at rumours over a departure: “This is nonsense”

There has been talk of a big departure from Barcelona’s forward line this summer, especially considering that the club are eyeing the recruitment of a new left-winger.

It is thus clear that no one, barring young Lamine Yamal, is untransferable from Xavi’s forward line. Robert Lewandowski, despite his numbers this season, is also not safe.

Amidst rumours of his departure from the club, however, the Polish striker has remained firm that he sees his future in Barcelona and his agent, Pini Zahavi, relayed the same in a recent interview via Mundo Deportivo.

No intent to sell

As revealed by the Spanish outlet, Zahavi spoke to Polish journalist Tomasz Wlodarczyk recently and insisted that Barcelona have no intention to sell his client this summer.

He also denied any meeting with Joan Laporta and Deco to discuss the Pole’s future, saying, “This is nonsense.”

The super-agent then remained firm that the Catalans would not ship out his client either in a bid to enable new signings or to get his hefty salary off their books.

Barcelona 28-year-old defender could be used as bargaining chip to sign Premier League striker

Apart from a select few, Barcelona’s roster is poised for considerable turnover, with numerous players likely to be considered for transfer exits.

The club’s fickle financial state and the need to return to the 1:1 rule in La Liga compels them to oversee sales. Funds from departees will also allow Barça to invest in areas where fortifications are needed.

Due to these conditions, many players face an uncertain future, with Andreas Christensen emerging as a possible sacrificial lamb.

Newcastle interested in Christensen

Indeed, according to SPORT Premier League side Newcastle United are big fans of Christensen.

Now that Guido Rodriguez is set to arrive as a back-up defensive midfielder, Christensen is more dispensable than before.

The 28-year-old’s contract expires in 2026, and thus Barcelona could cash out on him this summer, especially considering the imminent return of Eric Garcia.

Moreover, the report argues that the Danish center-back could be a valuable negotiating chip for Alexander Isak, the Swedish forward who is being considered by Barça as a potential Robert Lewandowski successor.