There were speculations about Messi’s potential return to Camp Nou when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended.
Despite the opportunity to go back to Catalonia, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner chose to pursue the American dream and joined MLS side Inter Miami.
Laporta acknowledged that it feels unusual to witness Messi in a different jersey after spending two seasons in France.
Laporta told ESPN when asked during Barcelona’s summer tour of the U.S. what it is like to see Messi representing a team from the States: “It’s a strange feeling. We identifyMessi with Barcelona.
“That’s the way I think most supporters see Messi, because most of his career has been at Barca. But we respect his decision and we wish the best for him. We want the best for our players.
“He came to Barcelona as a kid, 14 years old, and he spent 20 years with us. I hope he can be very happy in Miami.”
Barcelona held talks with Messi representatives regarding a return to familiar surroundings, with the funds found during a testing time for the club on the financial front, but it was not to be.
Laporta added: “It was very close. We had to manage our financial fair play situation so we needed time. At the end, we reached an agreement with LaLiga that authorised us to add him to the squad.
“But Leo was coming from a situation in Paris where he was under a lot of pressure. His father told me that he needed a place where he won’t be under pressure and at Barca that would not be the case because of the meaning of the return of our hero.
“In Miami, it is different for him, it’s a new league for him, one that is improving and Messi can help with the developing of the league. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as well, maybe Luis Suarez. It will be very attractive for the fans in the United States.
“So he preferred to go to Miami. We respected it and understood his decision.” Messi scored 672 goals through 778 appearances for Barcelona – helping them to 11 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns – but the 2022 World Cup winner is now illuminating American soccer and has already found the net on three occasions in his opening two games for Inter Miami.
Confirming the decision, UEFA stated that Barcelona is eligible to compete in this season’s prestigious Champions League tournament.
The club had been facing corruption charges since March, related to alleged payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee.
While the legal case is still ongoing, UEFA has not ruled out the possibility of taking action against the Catalan club in the future.
However, as of now, Barcelona has been granted the green light to take part in Europe’s top-tier club competition.
UEFA said in a statement: “The UEFA Appeals Body has taken the following decision with regards to the admission of FC Barcelona in the 2023/24 UEFA club competitions.
“The proceedings concerning the admission of FC Barcelona to the 2023/2024 UEFA club competitions are suspended and may be resumed, ex officio, or at the request of the Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors (EDIs) in charge of the case.
“FC Barcelona is provisionally admitted to take part in the 2023/2024 UEFA club competitions. A future decision on admission/exclusion from the UEFA club competitions is reserved.
“FC Barcelona is obliged to keep the EDIs informed of the progress of the ongoing investigations proactively and to provide the EDIs with all the documents and information they request.
“The EDIs in charge of the case are invited to continue and finalise their investigation and to send a further report to the UEFA Appeals Body if and when they consider that the admission/exclusion ofFC Barcelona should be assessed.”
Barcelona play Real Madrid in a marquee pre-season friendly in two days.
Following his exceptional performance against Barcelona on July 27, 2023, some Arsenal fans have changed their stance and no longer call for the club to let go of Thomas Partey.
Partey’s sensational display in the pre-season friendly, where Arsenal emerged victorious with a 5-3 scoreline at the SoFi Stadium in the USA, left a significant impact on the fans.
Earlier, the Ghanaian midfielder was on Arsenal’s outgoing list after the club signed Declan Rice from West Ham United.
However, Partey’s recent performances have sparked a massive u-turn in the narrative, with fans now considering him their most crucial player.
The pre-season games, particularly the match against Barcelona, have convinced supporters that Partey should remain at the club. Those who previously backed the player to stay now feel vindicated in their support.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also expressed the importance of Partey to the team in a previous interview, confirming the player’s significant role in the squad.
“I expect Thomas Partey to stay here. Every time I spoke to him and had a conversation with him he’s ready to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there’s at all.”
Below are some reactions to Thomas Partey’s performance against Barcelona
— вkσmík (@bkomun) July 27, 2023 ???????? Yet another solid performance from Thomas Partey, he always seems to be in the right position to receive the ball. He was a menace in intercepting play and started the second goal with an excellent through ball from a quick free-kick. Majestic baller ⚪️???? pic.twitter.com/dyCHgPXcCM
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey is the most Important Arsenal player pic.twitter.com/Mj0rkRQZdO
— Jon ???? (@JonMurigi) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey once again proved to Arsenal why they need him in the midfield more than Declan Rice… proper baller pic.twitter.com/kvaw6IfNNv
— Highest Majesty (@kwaku_majesty_) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey once again proved to Arsenal why they need him in the midfield more than Declan Rice… proper baller pic.twitter.com/kvaw6IfNNv
— Highest Majesty (@kwaku_majesty_) July 27, 2023 They wanted to sell Thomas Partey just because of this uncle Sam rice bag
— Essel (@Esselguy) July 22, 2023 While we are here please don’t sell Thomas Partey.
— Arsenal ANOOP (@ArsenalAnoop) July 27, 2023 PLEASE JUST DON’T SELL THOMAS PARTEY ????????????????????
— Arteta’s First Dawta❤️ (@Teafeh) July 27, 2023 ????️: I really don’t know the type of manager Mikel Arteta is” lost faith in Thomas Partey allowing the club to sell him for Declan Rice ????
????: Partey impact help Arsenal closer to win the Premier League last season. He makes all the Arsenal midfield function✍???? https://t.co/9nD07peVnt
— E.P.L????️???????? (@ishmael_idriss) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey is that guy!
With Andre Iniesta being tipped to join former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, boss Tata Martino shared a transfer update.
The 2010 World Cup winner remains a free agent after ending his spell with Vissel Kobe in Japan. Despite being 39, he is being linked with a move to Inter Miami on a two-year contract.
Martino previously worked with Iniesta for a year at Barcelona when he was in charge of the Spanish side in the 2013-14 season.
When the Herons’ coach was quizzed about the probability of the move, Martino chose to keep his cards close to his chest.
“Iniesta is one of the best players and best people I have ever coached. Nothing more to say,” he told reporters.
Inter Miami are assembling a star-studded squad this season with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi the pick of those deals.
They have also added Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to the ranks and are now vying for the services of Luis Suarez, who is currently in Brazil with Gremio, but has seen a switch to the United States speculated on.
If Iniesta indeed makes the move to Florida then he would be counted as the third ‘franchise’ star at DRV PNK Stadium along with Messi and Busquets.
Inter Miami are currently at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference and are without a win in 11 matches.
They will hope that these marquee additions can turn around their fortunes.
However, their next fixture is against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cupwhere Messi and Busquets are expected to make their debuts.
Joao Felix has seen the plaque bearing his name at Wanda Metropolitano vandalised following his Barcelona “dream” transfer admission.
The Portugal international forward has incurred the wrath of Rojiblancos supporters after telling Fabrizo Romano: “I’d love to play for Barca.
” Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barca. It was always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”
Those words have not gone down well in the Spanish capital, with Atletico followers making their feelings clear by striking a crossthrough Felix’s name outside their stadium.
They have also etched the words “going/go to Barca” and “wh*re” around a commemorative plaque.
Plaque
Any player that makes more than 100 appearances for Atletico receives a plaque. Felix is not the first to see his vandalised, with Antoine Griezmann receiving similar treatment following his 2019 transfer to Barcelona, while Thibaut Courtois angered supporters of his former club when saying that current employers Real Madrid are the bigger team.
It remains to be seen whether Felix gets his dream move to Barcelona, with financial struggles at Camp Nou making it difficult for them to put deals in place.
The 23-year-old, who has taken in 131 appearances for Atletico, spent the second-half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Premier League giants Chelsea.
Reports suggests that,Atletico Madrid has agreed to facilitate Joao Felix’s much-desired move to Barcelona.
Back in December 2022, Barcelona came close to securing the Portuguese winger on loan, but Atletico withdrew from the deal and opted for Chelsea instead.
However, the current situation suggests a potential change, as AS reports that Atletico has given the green light for Felix to join their arch-rivals, Barcelona.
It is likely that any agreement will include a purchase option, granting Barcelona the opportunity to sign Felix permanently once the loan spell concludes.
In a recent interview with Fabrizio Romano, Felix admitted that he would “love to play for Barca” and the Liga champions have always been his “first choice” as it was his “dream” to don their jersey since he was a child.
Barca president Joan Laporta would love to welcome him at Camp Nou and they have already crunched the numbers that would take them to execute the operation, keeping in mind their fragile economic condition.
Felix has struggled to find his feet under Diego Simeone and has netted just 34 times in 131 appearances for Atletico.
His loan spell withChelsea saw him score four goals in 20 Premier League appearances and has been linked with a permanent move away from the Wanda Metropolitano, with Barcelona now emerging as the favourites for his signature.
Atletico and Barcelona are figuring out the details of the transfer and Felix will hope to finalise a transfer to Camp Nou before the start of the new season.
Atlético Madrid’s talented player, João Felix, has caused discontent among the club hierarchy by openly expressing his desire to join LaLiga rivals Barcelona.
“I’d love to play for Barça,” said Felix, who has failed to live up to expectations since his club-record move from Benfica in 2019. “Barcelona has always been my first choice and I’d love to join Barça. It was always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”
Atlético reportedly only learned of Felix’s incendiary comments when the remarks from an interview with journalist Fabrizio Romano were made public.
The club has been tight-lipped on Felix’s future but AS sources suggest that Atlético are unwilling to let the player leave without a considerable transfer fee.
“The player’s agent knows perfectly well the conditions that must be met for João to be able to leavethe club. Beyond this, we have nothing to say on the matter,” sources within the club told AS.
Regardless of Felix’s dreams, the reality is that there appears to be little interest in him from other top clubs. He has struggled for consistency in the Spanish capital and fell out of favour with head coach Diego Simeone after a poor start to the 2022/23 season.
Felix was shipped out on loan to Premier League side Chelsea but failed to make any meaningful impression. Meanwhile, his exit coincided with a real upturn in performances for Atlético.
The forward’s transfer to Atlético Madrid was always viewed as something as a curiosity, given that Felix’s languid style is a stark contrast to the all-action ethos preferred by Simeone. There had been reports that Felix’s mid-season exit was caused by a falling-out between himself and the Atléti coach, something that Simeone has disputed.
“I don’t clash with him,” Simeone said. “I’m clear with him and I tell him what I feel. He knows what my coaching profile is and he knows that I like to train with a lot of happiness.”
However for a club like Atlético it is not sustainable to keep such a high value asset on the bench for a prolonged period. They just need to find someone willing to pay the estimated €100 million transfer fee for his services.
Barcelona has officially announced the signing of midfielder Oriol Romeu from Girona. As part of the deal, 20-year-old midfielder Pablo Torre will move to Girona on a season-long loan.
Romeu, aged 31, becomes Barcelona’s fourth signing of the summer, following Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez, and Vitor Roque, who will join in 2024.
Having previously played for Chelsea and Southampton, Romeu returns to Barcelona, where he spent seven years in the club’s academy before moving to England in 2011.
During his earlier stint at Barcelona, Romeu made two first-team appearances before departing for Chelsea at the age of 19 in a transfer worth approximately €5 million ($5.6m).
Loan spells with Valencia and Stuttgart followed before a permanent switch to Southampton, where he spent seven years and made over 250 appearances.
Romeu returned to Spain last summer and signed for Girona, where he impressed at the base of their midfield as the Catalan side secured a 10th-place finish in LaLiga.
Barca’s interest in Romeu stemmed from their need to fill the vacancy left by Sergio Busquets, who has joined Inter Miami, and the lack of money available to pursue their primary targets.
Sources told ESPN that Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich were both names championed by coach Xavi Hernandez, while Marcelo Brozovic, who recently swapped Inter Milan for Al Nassr, was also considered.
However, with Barca operating under strict financial restrictions due to being in excess of their LaLiga-imposed spending limit, they were forced to explore alternatives.
Romeu emerged as their first option due to the cost of the deal, his performances with Girona last season and his knowledge of the club having come through the academy.
He becomes Barca’s second midfield signing of the summer following the arrival of Gundogan, adding to options which already include Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie.
President Joan Laporta has said Barcawould also like to add another midfielder to the squad, with Xavi previously requesting a “Santi Cazorla-type player” in the final third, but further incomings are likely to be conditioned by outgoings.
Torre, meanwhile, will join Girona on a season-long loan as part of the agreement which sees Romeu sign for Barca.
After joining the Blaugrana from Racing Santander last year, the attacking midfielder, who is only 20, has found regular minutes hard to come by and is need of regular game time in the Spanish top flight.
Barcelona is reportedly on the verge of acquiring midfielder Oriol Romeu from Girona, shortly after signing free agentIlkay Gundogan from Manchester City.
Romeu rejoined Girona last season after spending seven years playing for Southampton in the Premier League.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement has been reached between Barcelona and Girona, with Pablo Torre set to move in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.
With over 200 appearances in the Premier League, Romeu brings a wealth of experience to the reigning La Liga champions.
Barcelona, facing financial constraints, sees him as a cost-effective option to fill the void left by club legend Sergio Busquets, who departed at the end of last season.
Moreover, it will be a homecoming for Romeu, who came through the club’s famed La Masia Academy.
The 31-year-old also briefly played for Chelsea but failed to nail down a spot in the team, per Transfermarkt.
Barcelona midfield options
With the signing of Romeu, Barcelona now have some depth in the middle of the park, but they may need to add one or two in case of injury.
For now, Romeu will have to compete for a midfield spot with Gundogan, Frenkie De Jong, Gavi, Pedri and Frank Kessie. The summer transfer window is far from over, and the Spanish giants may have a completely different set of midfielders by the time the season gets underway.
Xavi’s side have also signed Inigo Martinez and Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque.
Ilkay Gundogan has provided insight into his decision to join Barcelona from Manchester City, expressing his desire to contribute to the development of the club’s young players.
Gundogan departed City after achieving a treble under Pep Guardiola’s guidance last season, joining Barcelona as a free agent following the expiration of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
He has elaborated on his enthusiasm for collaborating with a youthful squad and his goal of supporting the growth and success of players such as Gavi, Pedri, and Ansu Fati.
Speaking after arriving at Barcelona, Gundogan said: “It’s a dream come true. I remember myself being a child and watching the Barca under Pep and (Frank) Rijkaard, and since then I’m following the club for nearly all the seasons through.
“Obviously, I’ve been here a few times, been at the stadium a few times, I’ve played here and came also as a spectator and now I feel very proud and I’m very happy to be part of this club.
“I expect great football, I think there’s a lot of potential in the team, we have a very young squad and I hope that I can, with my experience, help the younger players to bring them to the next level, I think the base is there, the potential is there, we just need to show it next season and that’s why I came, that’s why I joined. I’m full of motivation and dedication.”
Manchester City star, Bernardo Silva, has reportedly chosen Barcelona as his next club and is willing to reject other offers while waiting for the Spanish champions.
Despite the potential for a new contract with City and a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain, the 28-year-old Portuguese midfielder and winger has his sights set on joining Barcelona.
Silva has spent the past six years at Manchester City and had previously been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
However, his intention appears to be holding out for a transfer to Barcelona.
However, it remains uncertain whether Barcelona, given their precarious financial situation, will make a substantial offer that satisfies Manchester City.
Silva has another two years left on his City deal, but Mundo Deportivo state that Pep Guardiola wouldn’t stand in Silva’s way, granted the transfer fee is acceptable to City.
Silva will have to wait until Barcelona find the money to make a suitable offer for him. More economic levers may have to be pulled in order for the Catalans to be in a position to afford signing him.
UEFA has imposed fines onBarcelona and Manchester United for violations of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, as confirmed by European football’s governing body on Friday.
Barcelona has been fined €500,000 for inaccurately reporting “profits on disposal of intangible assets” in 2022.
Meanwhile, Manchester United has been fined €300,000 for minor breaches of break-even deficits.
“While disappointed by the outcome, Manchester United accepts this fine for what UEFA acknowledges to be a minor technical breach of its previous Financial Fair Play rules,” United said in a statement to British media.
Cypriot side APOEL and Turkey’s Konyaspor were fined 100,000 euros each for the same offence as United. Turkish clubs Istanbul Basaksehir and Trabzonspor, Belgian champions Royal Antwerp and Anderlecht were among other teams to receive fines.
The decisions follow the last round of monitoring using FFP rules that have been replaced by new sustainability regulations announced last year.
A group of high-profile European clubs including Paris St Germain, AC Milan and Inter Milan, who agreed settlementswith UEFA in September last year, have fulfilled targets set for the financial year 2022.
UEFA added that these clubs will continue to be monitored for compliance next season.
Barcelona’s newly signed defender, Inigo Martinez, expressed his satisfaction in joining a team he has frequently struggled against. He made these remarks during his presentation on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Spanish center-back, who arrived on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao last week, acknowledged the challenging encounters he has faced at Camp Nou against the Spanish champions.
“Honestly, I’ve suffered every time I’ve come to Camp Nou, there’s no game in which I’ve not ended up knackered,” Martinez told reporters at Barcelona’s training ground.
“The style of Barcelona takes you into their territory bit by bit, there are top quality players, whoever the opponent is pays a high price and feels it on the pitch.
“You end up looking at the scoreboard and the minutes aren’t passing, the game feels eternal.”
Martinez signed a deal withBarcelona until 2025 and said it was an easy choice, highlighting the appeal of working under coach Xavi Hernandez, despite the club’s financial situation.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Amrabat has informed Fiorentina of his intention to pursue a new challenge, with interest also coming from Atletico Madrid.
Fiorentina is willing to let him go if their asking price of €35 million (£30 million) is met.
Amrabat has attracted significant interest, but he has made it clear that he is only interested in joining a Champions League club like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, or Manchester United.
Other offers are reportedly not being considered.
Since joining Fiorentina in 2020, the Moroccan international has made 107 appearances for the Serie A club.
Laporta says Messi mentioned that he no longer has any interest in going back to Camp Nou because of his unhappy time in France, where he was jeered by supporters after being suspended for travelling to Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, the president of Barcelona stated: “The player wanted it, the father wanted it, but the rhythms are different. We didn’t want what happened last time.
“He told us that he decided to join Inter Miami because he had spent very difficult seasons in Paris, where he was under a lot of pressure, while in Miami he would be calmer and could think about the national team and that, although he wanted to come to Barça, he didn’t want to spend another year like this.
“It’s understandable and we’re working on a great tribute to Messi that Barca should do.”
Messi became an icon at Barca, winning everything there is to win, but he is set to link up with Inter Miami in MLS after touching down in the United States following an end-of-season break.
According to GOAL, the 18-year-old forward will cost the Catalan giants and Athletico Paranaense €35 million (£30 million/$38.4 million) plus add-ons.
Vitor Roque’s move to Barcelona was formally announced on Wednesday. The transfer fee might go to as much as €71 million (£60 million/$77 million).
Whether the Brazilian moves in the January transfer window or the summer after that is still up in the air.
The deal Vitor will sign has a release clause of €500 million (£427 million/$551 million) and extends until 2030.
The transfer fee will be paid in instalments and will be the biggest in the history of Brazilian football.
The bonuses are related to the number of matches played, goals scored and individual and team awards.
The deal, which has been weeks in the making, comes as something of a coup for Barcelona.
Sporting director Deco is credited with helping see off competition from the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to secure the player.
The deal will come as a relief to Barca fans after losing out to bitter rivals Real Madrid for the signature of another 18-year-old in Arda Guler.
Barca begin pre-season preparations in July as they head on tour to the United States.
Earlier this year, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, then the vice president of the TechnicalCommittee of Referees, was the subject of a barrage of unfavourable allegations against the club.
Since then, the so-called “El Caso Negreira” incident has persisted, and the Catalan club is being looked into by the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office on claims of sporting corruption.
Barcelona has defended their innocence throughout the legal process, with Joan Laporta stating that the club had nothing to do with the buying of referees and had only paid Negreira for refereeing reports.
Prosecutors’ verdict on Barcelona
The La Liga champions may well be on course to be vindicated with reports from El Partidazo de Cope that the Prosecutor’s Office has found no evidence of payments to referees.
Instead, the main suspicion appears to revolve around money laundering, which former Barcelona Presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu allegedly could be involved in.
Joan Laporta, the club’s current President, may also be charged by the Civil Guard.
Also reports from The Athletics state Barcelona were also informed that UEFA has finished its investigation into the scandal and came to a conclusion: European football’s governing body recommends they should not be banned from the next edition of the Champions League.
While the club are still waiting for a formal announcement from UEFA to confirm it, it means Barcelona will not face any punishment from UEFA for those payments to Enriquez Negreira.
This news will surely be welcomed by Barcelona, and the club will hope to put the matter behind them as attention turns towards the new La Liga season.
Not playing in the Champions League next season would have been a disaster for the La Liga champions. The income generated by European competition represents an oxygen tank for the ailing club finances, who need any financial help they can get in their present situation.
With the hosts being required to play without spectators, the Catalans, who are looking to start their season off on the greatest possible note, may have just received a raw deal or the ideal boost.
This means they will have to deal with one less hostile crowd.
According to reports from Barcablaugranes, the punishment meted out to Getafe dates all the way back to a 2019 event during which Getafe supporters threw objects from the stands during a match against Tenerife.
Getafe will now be required to serve a one-game supporter ban as a result of the event, and it will take effect against Barcelona, according to a recent Supreme Court decision.
Getafe’s stadium ban incident explained
In 2017, Getafe player Sergio Mora was subject to chants of ‘assassin’ and ‘[Expletive] Getafe’ around the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez, before a smoke bomb was released in stoppage time.
The Getafe fans would then invade the pitch on the final whistle, as per reports from Relevo.
They threw seats and prevented the refereeing team and opposition from reaching their dressing rooms, in a grim show of power.
Originally, a stadium ban was issued to the Madrid-based club, but it was later replaced by an €18 000 fine, but recent protests by the Anti-Violence Committee have appealed that decision, and ultimately caused the ban to fall on the first day of this coming campaign.
Sports Brief had previously reported Barcelona are set to no longer forfeit their Champions League slot for next season after Spanish police reportedly cleared the Catalan club over allegations of trying to influence referees.
The recently crowned La Liga champions have been under investigation by anti-corruption authorities for months over alleged payments made to former Spanish refereeing chief, Enriquez Negreira.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar Jr was supposedly presented as an option to return to Barcelona this summer, but the Catalan club rejected the opportunity for two distinct reasons.
Since his record-breaking transfer from Barcelona in 2017, the Brazilian superstar has been a key figure at PSG.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona declined the chance to re-sign their former player due to financial considerations related to the Financial Fair Play regulations.
Additionally, there were concerns within the club about the potential negative impact Neymar’s presence could have on the dressing room dynamics.
These factors ultimately led Barcelona to pass on the opportunity to bring Neymar back, opting not to pursue the deal for the 31-year-old Brazilian forward.
Because of his recent court battles with the club, his chapter with the club was deemed to be over.
Neymar will, however, have to remain with PSG, but the good news is that his former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is the new boss at the French club. The two won the treble in 2015 with Barcelona.
Neymar’s future at PSG?
The Brazilian superstar had a disappointing 2022/23 season. He played only 29 games and was ruled out for the rest of the season in March with an ankle ligament injury. Several outlets reportedthat Neymar wanted to leave the club.
He has a complicated relationship with the PSG fanbase, who have not been afraid to voice their disappointment when the team is not performing. He was linked with moves to the Premier League, but the appointment of Enrique seems to have stopped him from forcing a move elsewhere.
Barcelona has commenced the demolitionof sections of Camp Nou as part of their ongoing renovations of the iconic stadium.
The process took a significant step forward on Monday as machinery began dismantling a stand.
The club initiated the extensive upgrade project at the conclusion of the previous season. Barcelona will temporarily play their home matches for the upcoming season at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
The team is expected to return to Camp Nou in late 2024, when the stadium will reopen with a retractable roof and solar panels, accommodating 70 percent capacity.
As preparations for the new season commence, Barcelona’s senior squad underwent medical examinations at the club’s training center on Monday. These initial steps mark the start of their training and readiness for theupcoming campaign.
Despite significant interest from Barcelona, Arda Guler has made the decision to join Real Madrid, following in the footsteps of several other young players who were pursued by both Spanish giants but ultimately opted to wear the white jersey.
This scenario has been repeated in the past with players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Endrick, all of whom were signed by Real Madrid as teenagers.
Vinicius and Rodrygo have already become key contributors to the Madrid squad, while Endrick is currently in Brazil and expected to join the team in the summer of 2024.
“Another one who chooses the greatest [club],” wrote Vinicius on social media next to the official announcement of the arrival of Guler by Real Madrid.
Given that Vini had to choose between joining what he considers to be the biggest club in the world, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, the message carried symbolic significance.
“Another talent joins our Madridista family! Welcome @10ardaguler,” the former Santos player wrote.
Fine season at Fenerbahce
In the 2022-23 season, he made 35 appearances, scoring six goals and registering seven assists for Fenerbahce.
Sports Brief previously reported on one of his most recent and best performances came in the Turkish Cup final when they defeated Basaksehir 2-0.
He was decisive with an assist and he picked up the Man of the Match award.
Players who snubbed Barcelona for Madrid
Earlier, Sports Brief analysed eight players who decided to snub Barcelona to sign for their eternal nemesis Real Madrid following the signing of Arda Guler.
The 18-year-old, who has emerged as one of the most promising prospects in European football and has been compared to Lionel Messi, penned a six-year deal at the Bernabeu.
Guler had a €17.5 million release clause and Los Blancos paid that transfer fee to beat off competition from rivals Barcelona to sign the teenager.
Barcelona is intensifying their interest in Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu and plans to hold discussions with his agent, according to sources close to ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.
Romeu, 31, began his career in Barcelona’s academy before joining Chelsea in 2011. He has been identified as a cost-effective option to potentially replace the departing Sergio Busquets.
Initially, Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona’s coach, prioritized Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.
However, due to the club’s financial circumstances, they have been compelled to explore alternative options, with Romeu being considered as a potential candidate.
“We need to strengthen [at the base] of the midfield but we are in a tricky situation [financially],”Xavi said at the launch of his soccer school on Thursday. “We don’t have the privilege of being able to sign who we want, so we have to adapt.”
French champions, Paris Saint-Germain, have announced the appointment of former Barcelona andSpain coach Luis Enrique as their new coach.
The 53-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the club. Luis Enrique had been without a team since his dismissal as the coach of the Spanish national team in December of last year.
He takes over from Christophe Galtier, whose departure from PSG was confirmed earlier on the same day.
Luis Enrique was officially presented by PSG at a press conference held at their state-of-the-art training facility in Poissy, located in the north-west of Paris.
The club’s president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, was also present during the unveiling.
“I’m delighted to be joining Paris in order to enjoy a new experience,” Luis Enrique said in a club statement.
“It’s so exciting to meet new people, to live in this city, to learn a new language and, above all, to manage PSG.”
The new coach, whose full name is Luis Enrique Martinez Garcia, is the eighth man to lead the club since the transformative Qatari takeover of 2011 and, like those before him, will be charged with bringing them the success in the Champions League that has so far proved elusive.
PSG have never won Europe’s most prestigious club competition, coming closest when they lost in the final to Bayern Munich in 2020.
They have gone out in the last 16 in five of the last seven seasons, losing to Bayern at that stage in the campaign just finished. That defeat proved costly for Galtier.
Luis Enrique arrives with pedigree in the Champions League, having won it as coach of Barcelona in 2015 when a brilliant team led by an attack of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez beat Juventus in the final.
He now joins a club beginning their latest rebuild following the departure of Messi at the end of his two-year stay.
Mbappe future in doubt
There are doubts surrounding the future ofsuperstar forward Kylian Mbappe after he told the club he would not renew a contract that expires next year.
Several high-profile new signings are expected to be confirmed as the club prepares to start pre-season training in the coming days, with a tour to Japan scheduled for later this month.
Luis Enrique brought to an end a three-year stay at Barca in 2017 and then became Spain coach in 2018.
However, he quit in June 2019 and announced the death of his nine-year-old daughter from bone cancer two months later.
He returned to the Spain post in November of that year, retaking the reins from Robert Moreno, and took La Roja to the Euro 2020 semi-finals and the 2021 UEFA Nations League final before being fired after their elimination from last year’s World Cup in the last 16 in a penalty shoot-out against Morocco.
Galtier had only been in charge for one season and still had a year to run on his contract, but his departure had been expected ever since the end of the last Ligue 1 season a month ago.
“Paris Saint-Germain and Christophe Galtier have decided to terminate his contract as coach of the first team,” the club said in a statement.
“Everyone atParis Saint-Germain thanks Christophe Galtier, as well as his assistants Thierry Oleksiak and Joao Sacramento, for their professionalism and commitment over the course of the season, and wishes them the best in their future careers.”
Galtier led PSG to a French record 11th title but that success was also overshadowed by their disappointing exit from the Champions League and a French Cup last-16 loss to Marseille.
The final weeks of Galtier’s reign were also marred by accusations that he made racist remarks about players during his previous job at Nice.
He has vehemently denied the accusations but will stand trial in December on charges of “moral harassment and discrimination on the grounds of actual or supposed membership or non-membership of a particular ethnic group, nation, alleged race or religion”, according to prosecutors in Nice.
The offences are punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a 45,000-euro ($49,000) fine.
On Wednesday, Barcelona made an official announcement regarding the signing of defender Iñigo Martínez on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old player had recently departed from Athletic Club. Martínez joins Barcelona on a two-year contract and will add depth and competition to the center-back position, alongside Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé, and Eric García.
Barcelona had previously attempted to sign Martínez last year but failed to reach an agreement with Athletic Club, resulting in the player staying with the club despite the risk of losing him as a free agent this year.
However, Barcelona continued to express their interest in acquiring Martínez, and negotiations gained momentum at the beginning of the year following Gerard Piqué’s retirement from football.
According to ESPN, in March, Barcelona and Martínez reportedly reached a verbal agreement.
The defender’s contract with Athletic Club expired last month, paving the way for his move to Barcelona.
Barcelona’s defense was a notable strength as they secured their first LaLiga title since 2019 this season, keeping 26 clean sheets in 38 league games under the leadership of manager Xavi Hernández.
However, Xavi was keen to add a left-footed centre-back to his options, with Martinez also adding experience to what is a relatively young backline.
Martinez began his career with Real Sociedad, making over 200 appearances for the club before joining their Basque rivals Athletic in a deal worth €32 million ($34.8m) in 2018.
He made 177appearances for Athletic and helped the club beat Barca to win the Spanish Super Cup in 2021, but will now embark on the next chapter of his career at the Spanish champions.
The 18-year-old, considered one of Europe’s most promising talents and likened to Lionel Messi, is set to sign with the 14-time Champions League winners.
According to The Athletic, Barcelona made significant efforts to attract the attacking midfielder, but he ultimately chose Real Madrid.
The deal is expected to be finalized this week, with Real Madrid paying slightly over Guler’s €17.5 million release clause.
Guler, who has already earned four caps for the Turkish national team, has played 51 matches for Fenerbahce, scoring four goals and providing nine assists.
Additionally, Madrid is reportedly willing to offer more than the release clause and Fenerbahce will retain a 20% sell-on clause.
The signing of Guler would be part of the club’s policy of attracting young talent, which has brought the club so much success in recent years, and which this season has had another chapter with the signing of Jude Bellingham when he was only 19 years old.
Fine season at Fenerbahce
In the 2022-23 season, he made 35 appearances, scoring six goals and registering seven assists for Fenerbahce.
One of his most recent and best performances came in the Turkish Cup final when they defeated Basaksehir 2-0.
He was decisive with an assist and he picked up the Man of the Match award.
Guler has since broken through Fernerbahce’s first-team plans, helping them lift the Turkish Cup last season.
Should Guler secure a transfer to AC Milan ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, he could prove to be a great coup for them. He would likely fill the void left by Brahim Diaz, who has re-joined Real Madrid.
Former Barcelona footballer and current president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT)Samuel Eto’o, could potentially face legal consequences for allegedly neglecting to provide his daughter, Erika de Rosario Nieves, with a monthly allowance of €1,400 for the past five years.
Last February, a Madrid court officially recognized Eto’o as Nieves’ biological father and ordered him to pay a monthly child support allowance.
However, it has been reported that Eto’o has not fulfilled this obligation over the past five years, resulting in an accumulated debt of nearly €90,000.
Nieves’ lawyer, Fernando Osuna, has confirmed the outstanding amount owed.
Osuna said, per El Diario de Sevilla and quoted by Daily Post: “He owes more than five years of pension to his daughter and continues to defy justice. Erika’s economy is fragile, while Eto’o lives in luxury.”
The lawyer even suggested the Cameroonian’s alleged failure to pay child support could constitute an ‘abuse of power’, while not complying with a court order may even result in jail time for Eto’o if the court deems it necessary.
Nieves’ mother’s lawsuit against Eto’o
The lawsuit is also said to have revealed that Eto’o told Nieves’ mother, Adileusa, that he would ‘act responsibly with respect to the common child’ despite his preference that she ‘did not give birth’.
However, according to the details of the case, the retired Cameroonian striker allegedly began avoiding the woman’s attempts to discuss their child’s upbringing and also cut off all communication.
In 1999, Adileusa gave birth to Nieves at the Alarcon Foundation Hospital in Madrid, with the circumstances of their relationship and the birth of their child forming a key part of the legal proceedings.
Eto’o declared father of Erika
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that FECAFOOT President, Eto’o was declared the biological father of a 24-year-old woman by a court in Madrid.
The final verdict was reached on February 17, marking the culmination of a legal process initiated back in 2018 and which reached its shocking conclusion.
In a subtle dig at Barcelona,Al-Nassr has officially announced the acquisition of Croatia international midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter.
Brozovic joins the growing list of prominent players who have left top European leagues to play in Saudi Arabia, teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
The 30-year-old was reportedly sought after by Barcelona, who were in search of a replacement for club legend Sergio Busquets in the defensive midfield position.
However, Brozovic has chosen to embark on a Middle Eastern adventure instead.
Reports suggest that Brozovic has signed a three-year contract with Al-Nassr, entitling him to an annual salary exceeding €35 million (£30m/$38m).
Announcing the deal, Al-Nassr took aim at Barcelona and Brozovic’s other suitors, writing: “Everyone wanted him. He wanted ONLY us.”
The club is among the four Saudi sides who are targeting big names in European football this summer.Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech could be the next star to make the move to Al-Nassr.
At one point, it seemed like the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would make a comeback to Camp Nou after deciding not to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
Discussions took place between the involved parties, but Messi ultimately opted to pursue an American dream by joining Inter Miami in MLS.
Iniesta, who spent may successful years working alongside Messi in Catalunya before making his own move in 2018, has told DAZN of seeing his former team-mate favour the United States over Spain: “It would have been nice, special for what it means, but in the end, everyone looks for the best option, what they think will be good for them and, from there, they will probably live a different experience to what they have lived before.
“If it’s what he was looking forward to and what he wanted, I’m sure it will go well, as he did well in all the places he’s been.”
While Barca be without Messi in 2023-24, they still have the likes of Pedri at their disposal.
The talented 20-year-old is considered to be the natural heir to Iniesta at Camp Nou, with the man himself saying of the youngster’s ongoing development: “As young as he is, he is already a reference point, an important person in the team with a lot of influence in the game and, surely, this evolution that he has had during this time will continue.
He is in the best team to continue growing and I am convinced that he will have another great season.”
Barcelona claimed the Liga title in 2022-23 for the first time in four years and are in the process of bolstering their ranks – with a deal alreadydone for Ilkay Gundogan – despite seeing club legend Messi decide to head elsewhere.
In the world of football, money plays a significant role, but it doesn’t guarantee success. Football clubs nowadays are increasingly willing to spend large sums of money in their relentless pursuit of trophies.
Unfortunately, numerous instances have shown that even top-quality players and high-profile signings often fail to live up to their exorbitant transfer fees.
Sports Brief delves into the realm of expensive transfers that ultimately fell short of expectations.
One such example was a transfer fee so exorbitant that La Liga initially refused to accept the payment.
PSG disregarded Financial Fair Play regulations and directly handed the money to Barcelona, activating a release clause that was designed to make such transfers nearly impossible.
This turn of events made Neymar, according to reports from Goal, the most expensive signing in the history of football.
The Brazilian however has failed to dish out a performance worthy of his price tag, as he is always hit with season-ending injuries in the crucial part of the football season.
Eden Hazard – £143m/€160m (Chelsea to Real Madrid, July 2019)
The initial payment of £88.5m alone would have been a disastrous transfer, but Hazard has accidentally activated enough variables in between numerous injuries to make this an all-time great waste of money.
Hazard featured 76 times for Real Madrid in four years. Image: Angel Martinez. Source: Getty Images
So disastrous was Hazard’s disastrous stint at Real Madrid that the club opted to end his contract a year early, paying off the Belgian in the process. Hazard featured just 76 times for Real Madrid in four seasons at the Spanish capital.
Philippe Coutinho – £142m/€160m (Liverpool to Barcelona, January 2018)
It’s difficult to pinpoint the most wrong aspect of this deal from a buyer’s perspective, but it’s somewhere between the £106m initial fee, the £26.4m in clauses paid out for Coutinho’s first 90 appearances, the £89m premium Barcelona reluctantly agreed to pay if they signed any further Liverpool players in the next two years, the fact Coutinho won the Champions League with Bayern Munich while on loan from the Nou Camp, scoring twice in the 8-2 quarter-final humiliation of the Catalans, or the knockdown price of £17m they sold the Brazilian to Aston Villa for after four underwhelming years.
Ousmane Dembele – £135m/€147m (Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, August 2017)
With a bruised ego and the Neymar cash burning a hole in their back pocket, Barcelona had tried all summer to sign Coutinho but after facing resistance from Liverpool, they went cap in hand to Dortmund for their back-up instead.
Surely Lessons were learned with a £369.6m release clause inserted this time – not that the Frenchman has ever come close to warranting such lavish interest.
Dembele has struggled with consistency since his move from Dortmund. Image: David Ramos. Source: Getty Images
Dembele’s time at Camp Nou has been plagued with injuries and loads of unhealthy sportsman habits. According to Transfermarkt.com, the French man has scored just 40 goals since his transfer in 2017.
Antoine Griezmann – £107m/€120m (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona, July 2019)
The Frenchman could no longer avoid the Barcelona pull in the summer of 2019 and eventually made the switch to the Camp Nou – a move he would eventually admit was a career mistake according to L’equipe.
Griezmann has somehow managed to remain without a La Liga winner’s medal through it all, timing his moves back and forth between Atletico and Barcelona. The French forward found the back of the net only 24 times in 102 appearances for the Blaugrana.
Joao Felix – £113m/€126m (Benfica to Atletico Madrid, July 2019)
Perhaps the worst match of player and manager there has ever been for a club-record transfer.
How strange that the skilful individualist forward who doesn’t track back never meshed with a totalitarian coach who demands suffering and sacrifice from his subordinates.
Joao Felix is seeking a move to PSG. Image: David S. Bustamante. Source: Getty Images
How strange that Atletico committed such sums on a teenager with 45 career first-team appearances. How strange that they can’t find someone to buy him. It’s a conundrum for Atleti and Joao Felix currently.
The Portuguese is reportedly linked with a move to PSG which is a move the 23-year-old will pray surely materialises.
Jadon Sancho – £73m/€85m (Borussia Dortmund to Man Utd, July 2021)
Across his two whole seasons with Man Utd, the forward has scored 12 goals and assisted six in 79 games.
According to Talksport, the disappointing forward is on the long list of players set to be shipped out of Carrington, and the club could accept £45m for him two years on. it’s not gone too well for Sancho so far.
Antony – £82m/€95m (Ajax to Man Utd, September 2022)
Erik ten Hag put all his eggs in the Antony basket but a few must have cracked in transit from Amsterdam, with the relatively slow and predominantly one-footed winger scoring eight goals and assisting three in a 44-game debut season.
Anthony has struggled to find his feet since making his switch from Ajax. Image: David Horton. Source: Getty Images
It remains to be seen if the forward can re-write prints at Old Trafford. Judging by what has been seen over time, not much improvement is expected from the former Ajax man.
Nicolas Pepe – £72m/€80m (Lille to Arsenal, August 2019)
After offering the closest challenge to Kylian Mbappe for the Ligue 1 Golden Boot, Arsenal spent what remains, for now, a club-record fee on a player who has since returned to France after long being outgrown by the upwardly moving Gunners.
Pepe’s spell at Arsenal remains a failure and he has been deemed surplus to requirement in Mikel Arteta’s new project.
The Argentine superstar was one of the first players to agree to salary deferrals under the previous president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, in order to alleviate Barcelona’s financial struggles.
According to Marca, Barcelona’s current president, Joan Laporta, has disclosed that the club still has outstanding payments owed to Messi, which are anticipated to be settled by 2025.
This indicates that Barcelona is honoring their financial commitments to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, despite his absence from the team.
“What is owed to him is the deferral of wages that was agreed with the previous board and that produces outstanding payments that end in 2025,” he said.
Messi turned down a bid to return to Barcelona this summer, despite being available as a free agent following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons.
Details of Messi’s Miami contract
Meanwhile, Daily Postreports that Messi will earn around $50-60 million per year at his new club Inter Miami after sealing a deal with the Major League Soccer side this summer.
Inter Miami’s co-owner, Jorge Mas has shared the details of Messi’s contract after he agreed to move to the United States after his contract with PSG expired on June 30.
The 2022 World Cup winner and seven-time Ballon d’Or holder will also receive shares from Apple and Adidas as part of his contract.
Messi set for Ramos reunion
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Inter Miami are reportedly in talks with Sergio Ramos over a transfer to the United States, which could see him link up with his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Messi.
Following the expiry of his PSG contract, Messi is now officially a Miami player, as is his former Barcelona colleague, Sergio Busquets, who moved to the MLS side as a free agent.
Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham, have opened talks with Ramos about a potential switch to Florida.
Barcelona has officially announced the appointment of former midfielder Deco as the club’s new Sporting Director.
Prior to this role, Deco had previously worked with Barcelona as a scout and agent, helping to sign players such as Raphinha.
According to Football Espana, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Deco will commence his new position with the reigning La Liga champions in mid-July.
Deco, who played a vital role for Barcelona in the mid-2000s after joining from Porto in 2004, was instrumental in the team’s UEFA Champions League triumph in 2006. He is also one of the few players to have won the prestigious tournament with two different clubs.
In his new role as Sporting Director, Deco is reportedly focused on bolstering the team’s right-back position.
With Jules Kounde no longer willing to fulfill those duties, Deco is actively working on bringing in a new player for the position.
Ivan Fresneda is mentioned as one potential option for Barcelona. The club is attracted to Fresneda’s qualities, and they believe they can negotiate a reduced transfer fee, possibly around €15 million.
In other news, Deco recently shared his insights on why Portugal fell short at the 2022 World Cup, highlighting the factors contributing to their disappointing campaign.
Having represented Portugal in 75 matches, Deco believes that if Lionel Messi had been a part of the team, the Selecao could have emerged as champions in the tournament.
Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, played a pivotal role in leading Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Manchester City is reportedly interested in pursuing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, after ending their pursuit of West Ham United’s Declan Rice according to the Sun.
De Jong, 26, has been linked with a potential departure from Camp Nou as Barcelona seeks to reduce their wage bill amid financial difficulties.
Although the Dutch midfielder is keen to stay at the club, Barcelona may consider selling him for a fee exceeding €100m.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has previously expressed admiration for De Jong and made an unsuccessful attempt to sign him in 2019. Meanwhile, Rice is reportedly close to joining Arsenal in a deal worth £100m plus add-ons.
Barcelona successfully brought together former Borussia Dortmund teammates Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan during the summer transfer window.
However, another ex-Dortmund star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has expressed his desire to reunite with his former teammates, was not able to be a part of this reunion.
The Gabonese international, who is expected to leave Chelsea this summer, has long been advocating for a return to Camp Nou.
In a recent interview, he fondly looked back on his time at Barcelona and spoke highly of some of his former teammates at the club.
Talking about his short six-month stint in Catalonia, Aubameyang said as quoted by FCB World:
“It was special, every time the fans were singing my song.”
When asked to name his favourite moment with the club, he replied: “The 4-0 win over Real Madrid.”
Aubameyang’s spell at Barcelona
Aubameyang indeed had a fond spell at Barcelona. Despite being a part of the team for a little over six months, the forward scored 13 goals in 24 league appearances. He was rather unfortunate to be offloaded by the club last summer.
The Gabonese international, though, has no resentment toward the club. In fact, he harbours massive respect for some of his old teammates including Ousmane Dembele.
When asked to choose between Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, the forward chose Dembele, adding, “Dembele is my favourite player, and he is my friend.”
Aubameyang heaped praise on yet another former Dortmund teammate in Lewandowski.
“I love him. He is a player who has taught me a lot,” he said.
“Pedri and Gavi are sensational players,” he said.
“Toughest opponent I’ve ever faced? Araujo, but he was my teammate.”
Aubameyang’s comments are the latest indication of his desire to return to Barcelona. Unfortunately for both parties, a return might not be a possibility anymore, as per reports from Marca the Catalans continue to focus on the pursuit of Vitor Roque ahead of the new season.
Aubameyang’s regretful video goes viral
Sports Brief previously reported that a video of Aubameyang ‘regretting’ leaving the Emirates Stadium has gone viral, as Chelsea suffered a humiliating season.
Auba was part of the limp Blues squad that struggled all season, finishing outside the top 10 in the Premier League for the first time since the league was formed.
The talented young midfielder from Fenerbahce, Arda Guler, is currently in high demand, with Real Madrid and Barcelona expressing strong interest in signing him.
Both clubs are making significant efforts to secure the 18-year-old attacker, and the next few hours could prove crucial in determining his future.
Guler has a buy-out clause of €18 million, which has further fueled the competition for his signature.
Barcelona appears to have gained an advantage in the race to sign the Fenerbahce prospect, as their sporting director, Deco, traveled to Istanbul for negotiations.
Positive discussions have taken place between the two clubs and the player’s representatives, leading to a tentative agreement that would see Guler join Barcelona in 2024.
However,Real Madrid has also entered the picture, with club legends Emilio Butragueno and Roberto Carlos planning a visit to pursue their interest, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
With Real Madrid now officially joining the battle for Guler, they are expected to pursue the signing with great determination.
Acquiring Guler would align with Real Madrid’s strategy of attracting and nurturing young talent, which has been a key factor in their recent success. This season, they continued this approach by signing Jude Bellingham at the age of 19.
Guler has become one of the most sought-after young talents in football following an impressive breakout season at Fenerbahce.
Although he is under contract until 2025, his reported release clause of €18 million has attracted the attention of several top clubs across Europe.
Madrid’s greater financial freedom may ultimately win the day. While Laporta has managed to pull a range of financial levers in his latest term as president, the club still remain in huge debt according to reports from Diario AS.
Milan joins Guler transfer race
In addition to Barcelona and Real Madrid, AC Milan is also reportedly interested in securing the services of Fenerbahce sensation Guler, who has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi.
Guler has emerged as a key player for Fenerbahce, contributing to their success in winning the Turkish Cup last season. AC Milan is determined to outbid their competitors in the pursuit of the talented midfielder.
Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has reportedly agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, despite previous interest from Barcelona.
Well-known football journalist Fabrizio Romano provided updates on the transfer, stating that Brozovic has given his approval to Cristiano Ronaldo’s team.
The transfer is said to involve a fee of €23 million for Inter Milan, with Brozovic set to earn a significant total package of €100 million over a three-year contract with Al-Nassr.
Barcelona had been considered as potential suitors for Brozovic, and there were rumors of the midfielder patiently waiting for an offer from the Spanish club.
However, it appears that Brozovic’s patience wore thin, forcing Barcelona to explore other options in their search for a new midfielder.
While Oriol Romeu has been mentioned as a potential alternative, more names are likely to surface in the coming days as the transfer speculation continues.
In order to bolster their midfield, Barcelona will surely have to turn their attention elsewhere if they are unable to get Marcelo Brozovic.
The decision of Brozovic to join Al-Nassr is a setback for Barcelona, who will now need to refocus and think about alternate targets in their search for reinforcements.
In the interim, Barcelona must take prompt, determined action to find a suitable successor for Brozovic.
They’ll be anxious to prevent any further setbacks and make sure they sign a top-tier player who can strengthen their team.
Al-Nassr may very well gain from Barcelona’s loss as they sign a skilled midfielder who has been an important player for Inter Milan in recent seasons.
Brozovic’s arrival will undoubtedly strengthen Al-Nassr’s midfield and enhance their chances of success in domestic and continental competitions.
The departure of Brozovic from Inter Milan represents a significant loss for the Italian club, which will now need to identify a suitable replacement.
It remains to be seen how they will fill the void left by the Croatian midfielder and whether they will reinvest the funds received from the transfer towards strengthening their squad in other areas.
Overall, Marcelo Brozovic’s decision to join Al-Nassr marks a significant twist in the transfer saga, impacting both Barcelona and Inter Milan’s plans for the upcoming season.
The midfielder’s move to Saudi Arabia highlights the global appeal of football and the increasing competitiveness of clubs in different regions.
There has been some skepticism surrounding Messi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS).
However, Inter Miami’s new coach, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who is a long-time friend of Messi, emphasized that Messi’s decision to join the club is purely based on business and the desire to win, rather than the allure of Miami’s sunny beaches.
Martino made these remarks during his introductory press conference, as reported by Football Espana.
“When we spoke with Leo, yesterday I spoke with Sergio, we talked about arriving to have success, to compete and compete well,” Martino said.
“This happens to us even on a personal level, sometimes we associate the United States, Miami, [with] holidays — this isn’t that. We want to compete… they are not footballers who are going to come here to not compete.”
Martino, who was announced on Wednesday as Inter Miami’s new head coach, is following Messi and Busquets to Miami, both of whom revealed their decisions to join the MLS club earlier this month.
Martino speaks on Inter Miami
The accomplished Argentine manager — who, as reported by ESPN, was crowned MLS coach of the year in 2018 — has coached both players before, as he worked with Messi and Busquets during hisstint with Barcelona from 2013 to 2014 and Messi on the Argentine national team from 2014-16.
But Martino said his decision to join the club premeditated Messi and Busquets hopping aboard.
“I started the talks before [the additions of Messi and Busquets],” Martino said. “I always found this opportunity attractive…let’s just say that the presents arrived next.
Messi, Martino, and Busquets will have a steep road to climb to get Inter Miami back into the race.
The MLS team now on a seven-game losing run and is in last place in the league standings.
Martino thinks that Messi’s addition will significantly boost the American soccer league’s growth.
“That the best player in the world decides to play in this league, obviously it will open up an even better panorama for that growth. I believe that the United States is not a country that misses out on this type of opportunity.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has shed light on whyLionel Messi did not join the club this summer, despite Barcelona being his preferred choice, according to reports from Sportskeeda.
After Messi announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona was seen as the frontrunners to re-sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Laporta has now revealed that Messi’s desire to take a break from the spotlight, following his challenging two years at PSG, led him to choose a move to MLS side Inter Miami.
Despite Barcelona offering the 36-year-old superstar a return to Camp Nou, discussions with Messi’s father, Jorge, indicated that he preferred a break from European football.
It’s worth noting that Messi still holds the record as Barcelona’s all-time leading goal scorer, having scored an impressive 672 goals and provided 303 assists in 778 appearances for the Catalan giants.
Barca to host Messi tribute
The date for a prospective farewell to the superstar at Camp Nou has been confirmed by Joan Laporta, according to Goal, thus Lionel Messi is poised to make a historic return to Barcelona.
The day the Spotify Camp Nou opens, according to Laporta, would be a great time to pay a particular tribute to Messi, who joined Inter Miami this summer.
The president of Barcelona continued by expressing his sadness about having to say goodbye to Messi in 2021 because Barca was unable to pay for the legendary player to sign a new deal.
Messi’s Intentions in the MLS
Earlier, it was reported Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets are expected to be unveiled as new Inter Miami players. The latter’s signing has already been announced, while Messi’s is expected in the near future.
After fans chased Barcelona players into the tunnel at the Stage Front Stadium in May, Espanyol was told to play their first two games of the upcoming season behind closed doors.
Following Barca’s 4-2 victory, which gave Xavi Hernandez’s team its first LaLiga title since 2019, hundreds of supporters broke through the security fence and entered the pitch.
Espanyol have said they will appeal the “disproportionate” punishment, which is due to affect their first two home games in the second division next season following relegation from LaLiga.
“As we have reiterated on multiple occasions, this type of behaviour has no place in football or society and we will continue to act in the most forceful way to eradicate it,” a statement said.
“However, we feel that unreasonable criteria has been applied, inconsistent with other cases. It affects the entire club and season ticket holders from all sectors of the stadium.
“We consider the sanction disproportionate and, therefore, in defence of our legitimate interests and those of our fans, we will exhaust all means of appeal and protection at our disposal.”
Tension was running high before the Catalan derby, with Barca aiming to win the league at their cross-city rivals and Espanyol needing the points to avoid relegation.
After claiming the three points which sealed the LaLiga title, the Barcelona players remained on the pitch for several minutes, celebrating in the centre circle.
Espanyol supporters then broke on to the pitch and charged at them, with the Barca players sprinting for the tunnel, which they reached without any major incidents.
Espanyol fans remained on the pitch, though, chanting anti-Barca songs before turning their attention to the directors’ box and demanding president Chen Yansheng’s resignation.
The mood against the club’s Chinese owner has soured in recent years following two separate relegations from LaLiga.
They secured an immediate return to the top-flight after dropping into the second division in 2020 but, after two years back in the elite, they were relegated again last month following a draw against Valencia on the penultimate day of the season.
Former manager of FC Barcelona, Gerardo Martino, been named the new head coach of Inter Miami, a team in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Known by the nickname ‘Tata,’ Martino takes over from Phil Neville, a former Manchester United defender, and will have the opportunity to work alongside Lionel Messi, who recently joined Inter Miami as a marquee signing.
This will be the third time that Martino and Messi collaborate, having previously worked together at Barcelona and as part of the Argentine national team, according to Al Jazeera.
Who is Gerardo Martino?
Gerardo Martino is a revered football tactician known for his astute understanding of the game. His impressive career has predominantly taken place in Latin America, as well as coaching the prestigious Spanish La Liga club, Barcelona.
With a managerial career spanning over two decades, Martino brings a wealth of experience and success to the club, having overseen more than 400 games across various leagues, including MLS and on the global stage.
Among his accomplishments, the 60-year-old led Atlanta United to MLS Cup success and won multiple league titles in Paraguay while guiding the Catalan giants to Spanish Super Cup glory.
What did the club say?
Following the announcement of the 60-year-old as the new coach of the club, managing owner Jorge Mas said in a statement via Inter Miami’s website:
“We are very happy to be able to welcome Tata to Inter Miami. We feel he is a coach who matches our ambitions as a club and we’re optimistic about what we can accomplish together,”
“Tata has coached at the highest levels, and we believe that experience will be hugely beneficial to us as we aim to compete for titles here.”
Martino, who has a wealth of experience in coaching, having previously coached the Mexican, Paraguay and Argentina national teams, is expected to turn the dwindling fortunes of the club around.
“Tata is a highly respected figure in our sport whose track record speaks for itself,” said Co-Owner David Beckham. “We are confident that his achievements in the game and experience as a head coach will inspire our team, excite our fans, and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on and off the field.”
Messi happy with Miami move
Sports Brief also reported thatLionel Messi has revealed he is excited to start a new phase of his career after ending his stint in Europe to move to the MLS with Inter Miami.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was present in his home country to honour Argentine legend Juan Roman Riquelme, who had his farewell game as Argentina XI took on Boca Juniors XI.
Following a remarkable season at the Etihad Stadium, Ilkay Gundogan completed a free transfer to Barcelona, the reigning champions of La Liga.
The former Manchester City captain, who played a crucial role in the team’s European treble, has reportedly secured an insurance policy worth £7.7 million in the event that Barcelona’s financial difficulties prevent him from participating during the upcoming season.
Gundogan’s exceptional performances in the final stages of the season were instrumental in securing Manchester City’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title, marking a triumphant end to his seven-year tenure at the club.
According to reports by Marca, despite Pep Guardiola and his players pleading for Gundogan to stay, he instead opted to move to Barcelona, with the team fresh off winning La Liga and looking to shine once again in Europe.
Regardless of the Catalans’ financial struggles, which has seen them clash with the Spanish league body numerous times over the registration of players within their spending cap, Gundogan appears excited.
The same rules by La Liga saw Lionel Messi depart the club in 2021 when his contract renewal was unable to be processed, and Barca also struggled last summer to get a number of signings registered.
Gundogan’s Barcelona contract clause
Jules Kounde was unable to join the squad until after the start of the 2022/23 campaign, with president, Joan Laporta, having to sell off assets to free room for new signings.
Gundogan will not take a risk and has a special clause inserted in his contract that could see him depart Barcelona if the club is not able to register him due to any financial problems.
The former Man City skipper was reportedly assured this would not happen, per The Athletic, as well as being promised his first year in wages should his registration be impeded.
The Catalans are currently over La Liga’s spending cap limit ahead of the new season on August 12, but are believed to be confident enough about freeing up space for the midfield veteran.
Gundogan’s message to Man City
Sports Brief also reported on Gundogan’s passionate message to Man City and the fans after the former captain completed a blockbuster switch to Barcelona.
He was Guardiola’s first signing at City in 2016 and captained the club to their first-ever Champions League trophy en route to completing their historic treble.
At the age of 22, Tenas is currently representing Spain U21s at theEuropean Championships in Georgia.
After the tournament concludes, the young player will assess his options and make a decision regarding his future.
Several LaLiga clubs have expressed interest in him.
Barcelona had the option to extend Tenas’ contract by two more years but chose not to exercise it, considering that Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena are currently ahead of him in the first-team hierarchy.
After progressing through the club’s academy, Tenas was the the third goalkeeper for Xavi Hernandez’s team last season and also the No.1 for the reserve team, who play in the Spanish third division.
He remains highly rated within the club due to his leadership abilities and footwork, but with the need to strengthen elsewhere, his salary was deemed too expensive for a third-choice goalkeeper.
Reports suggest , Barcelona’s young midfielder Gavi is reportedly unhappy with the club’s recent signingof Ilkay Gundogan during the ongoing summer transfer window.
Gundogan, who had a successful seven-year stint at Manchester City, has now joined Barcelona on a two-year contract, leaving behind a successful period with the English club that included winning multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League.
The arrival of Gundogan at Barcelona has been widely regarded as a notable achievement for the reigning La Liga champions after his impressive performances in leading Manchester City to a historic treble in the 2022-23 season.
However, this acquisition seems to have unsettled one of the rising stars within the Barcelona squad.
Gavi unhappy with Gundogan move
As revealed by El Nacional and reported by Sportskeeda, Gavi is concerned that his playing time and opportunities will be diminished under the management of Xavi next season.
The 18-year-old prodigy, who only missed two matches during Barca’s triumphant La Liga campaign and made a total of 49 appearances, fears that he will be overshadowed by Gundogan and subsequently benched.
Despite recently renewing his contract, the Spanish midfielder is struggling to come to terms with this transfer.
Gavi’s apprehensions may be well-founded, considering the wealth of experience and expertise the formerBorussia Dortmund star brings to the team.
Gavi inks new Barca deal
Meanwhile, Barcelona are determined to hold on to young starlet Gavi and has offered the Spanish midfielder a new 5-year deal at Camp Nou, Sports Brief reported.
Gavi is regarded as one of the best young players in the world and has been monitored by several top clubs in Europe since his debut in 2021 for Barcelona.
According to reports, the proposed new deal by Barcelona to the 17-year-old midfielder, whose present deal runs out in 2023, will boast of a mouth-watering € 1 billion release clause.
Lionel Messi has expressed his enthusiasm for embarking on a fresh chapter in his career as he departs from Europe to join MLS team Inter Miami.
The legendary player, who has won the Ballon d’Or seven times, was in his home country to pay tribute to Argentina icon Juan Roman Riquelme during his farewell game, where an Argentina XI faced off against Boca Junior XI.
Addressing the crowd that had gathered to witness the commemorative match, Messi shared his sentiments about the significance of this new phase in his career outside of Europe, as reported by AS Soccer.
“It is a very nice feeling to have been able to be at [Riquelme’s] testimonial, with all that he means for footballin Argentina, what he means to Boca, to be once again in ‘La Bombonera’. Now there will be a few days of vacation and then I will start in my new city, my new club (Inter Miami ), I am very excited.”
Messi scored a hat trick in the 4-2 victory for the Argentina XI, and in the second half, he said goodbye with a hug from Riquelme.
Riquelme thanks Messi for appearance
Meanwhile, Juan Roman Riquelme has thanked Lionel Messi for playing in his farewell game after the six-time Ballon d’Or turned up in Rosario for the ex-Villareal superstar, Sportskeeda reports.
Messi, who played alongside Riquelme during the legend’s later days in the national team, has been a huge fan of the veteran and considers the former Barcelona midfielder a role model.
Riquelme took a minute to thank Messi for accepting the invitation and apologised to his family as they had to wait a few more days before starting their vacation.
Argentine fans serenade Lionel Messi
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Lionel Messi marked his 36th birthday in a memorable way, as the World Cup-winning player featured in a game for his Argentinian club Newell’s Old Boys.
The game honoured his teammate Maxi Rodriguez’s last international game. Before the match, the crowd at Rosario Stadium welcomed Messi at his home ground in an elegant way, and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner didn’t disappoint the audience by taking a stunning free-kick to open the scoring.
The Rosario crowd even sang Messi the happy birthday song and the superstar said that it felt special to spend a birthday in Rosario.
The Premier League champions have officially announced that their captain has completed a move to Barcelona on a free transfer after the conclusion of his contract.
The 32-year-old German midfielder, who featured in 304 matches for City, served as the captain under Pep Guardiola and led the team to a Treble in the previous campaign.
In an emotional farewell message, he said: “For me it has been a total privilege and pleasure to be part of Manchester City for the last seven years.
“Manchester has been my home and I have felt part of a very special family at City.
“I have been lucky to have experienced so many unforgettable moments in my time here and to have been captain for this extra special season has been the greatest experience of my career.
“I will carry City always in my heart. Once a blue, always a blue.”
Instead of extending his deal at the Etihad, Gundogan has decided to sign for Barca and try a new challenge in a different environment.
The 67-cap international was Guardiola’s first signing at the club and led by example as the Spaniard transformed City into a dominant force in England.
He has been a moment for the big occasion — scoring a brace on the final day of the 2021-22 season to help complete the comeback against Aston Villa and snatch the title away from Liverpool.
Another brace at Wembley last season saw City fend off rivals Manchester United to lift the FA Cup, with Gundogan scoring after 12 seconds, the fastest final goal in the competition’s history.
Director of football Txiki Begiristain also paid tribute to the City legend, saying: “Ilkay has been a wonderful servant for Manchester City, and he leaves our club on a very special high having captained us to a historic Treble,
“He has played a huge part in the successes we have enjoyed in recent seasons and Ilkay’s intelligence, leadership and commitment to the club — both on and off the field — has been an inspiration to everyone.
“Ilkay has truly cemented his place in the history of Manchester City and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”
Marca reports that Bernardo Silva, the midfielder for Manchester City, is nearing completion of his transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
The 28-year-old has been the subject of speculation regarding a €70 million move away from the Etihad during this summer transfer window.
Both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were rumored to have expressed interest in the Portuguese international.
However, it appears that Silva is poised to join the growing list of European stars making a move to Saudi Arabia.
Silva is under contract with City until 2025, but it is reported that he is open to leaving the club in order to seek a new challenge. Silva played an integral role under Pep Guardiola last season, featuring 55 times across all competitions, netting seven goals and eight assists.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante are amongst the most notable stars who will play in Saudi Arabia next season as the country looks to follow in the footsteps of neighbours Qatar and prepare a bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
The 32-year-old midfielder was presented with a new contract offer by City, but it seems that he has negotiated a more lucrative three-year deal with the reigning Spanish champions.
Gundogan played a crucial role in Manchester City’s successful pursuit of the Treble this season, and manager Pep Guardiola was keen on retaining his services.
The Germany midfielder played 51 games in 2022-23, scoring 11 goals.
Gundogan’s influence was crucial in the closing weeks of City’s season with six goals in his final seven games – including a double in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
He played 90 minutes in the Champions League final as City beat Inter Milan 1-0 to add to their Premier League and FA Cup triumphs this season.
Guardiola said earlier this month City director Txiki Begiristain was “working” to keep Gundogan and he “hoped he can be successful”.
Gundogan’s departure follows City agreeing a £30m deal with Chelsea to sign Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £20m in 2016 and made 304 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.
During his seven years at Etihad Stadium he has won 14 trophies – five Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups and two Community Shields.
He was made club captain at the start of 2022-23 following the departure of Brazil midfielder Fernandinho.
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has received a lucrative offer to join the Saudi Pro League, and talks have already been held according to the Athletic.
However, Silva intends to turn down the opportunity.
Despite his rejection, the Saudi clubs remain determined in their pursuit of high-profile signings this summer.
It is reported that Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy are also poised to join SPL clubs, while Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have already made the move.
Silva is under contract with Man City until 2025, but has been strongly linked with a move away.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both reportedly interested and the midfielder would prefer to continue to ply his trade in Europe.
Barcelona were interested in signing Silva in January but couldn’t raise the €70 million needed, while Man City were reluctant to part ways while the season was ongoing.
He played a vital role inManchester City’s treble-winning campaign last season, featuring 55 times across all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and eight assists.
Manchester City’s final Champions League victory on Saturday earned Pep Guardiola his 12th major trophy with the team.
It marks another remarkable achievement for the ex-Barcelona coach, who has staked his claim as one of the greatest managers of the modern era.
We take a look at some of his best achievements in Manchester.
Cup kings
After a trophyless first season,Guardiolagot his hands on his first silverware at City with a 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final in 2018.
They went on to win the league title in style with a record 100 points the same year before edging out Liverpool by 98 points to 97 in a thrilling title race 12 months later.
They again won the Carabao Cup by beating Chelsea on penalties and thrashed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final to become the first side to win the domestic Treble.
Guardiola’s side failed to mount a successful title defence as Liverpool took the honours in the pandemic-interrupted season in 2020 but they did not go empty-handed, beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final.
City paced themselves superbly in another coronavirus-affected season the year after to win the Premier League with three games to spare ahead of rivals Manchester United.
They also beat Tottenham to claim a fourth successive Carabao Cup but narrowly missed out on the Champions League as they lost toChelseain the final.
Pep’s time
Pep Guardiola is a Manchester City legend
City began April 2022 in the hunt for three trophies.
Their Champions League and FA Cup hopes both ended at the semi-final stage but they pipped the Merseysiders to the title by a point on a dramatic final day by coming from behind to beat Aston Villa.
Fuelled by the record-breaking goalscoring exploits of the remarkable Erling Haaland, City hit form once again in 2023 to reel in long-time leaders Arsenal and claim a fifth title in six years.
Ilkay Gundogan’s brace downed Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final before City emulated their rivals’ 1998-99 treble by beating Inter Milan to win the Champions League thanks to Rodri’s second-half strike.
In his debut season with Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski concluded the campaign by clinching La Liga’s Golden Boot award on Sunday.
Despite failing to score in a 2-1 defeat against Celta Vigo, the 34-year-old striker accumulated a total of 23 goals in 34 league appearances.
Lewandowski’s impressive goal tally placed him four goals ahead of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, who managed 19 goals in 24 games due to a season riddled with injuries.
This achievement solidifies Lewandowski’s status as a prolific goalscorer and highlights his impact in his first season at Barcelona.
Lewa also finished seven goals clear of Espanyol’s Joselu Marto.
The Polish striker also won the Pichichi award without scoring a single penalty, becoming the first player to do so since Dani Guiza in the 2007-08 season, according to MisterChip.
It is also the sixth straight season that Lewandowski has finished as the top scorer in his domestic league, having topped the standings in the Bundesliga prior to his move to Barcelona.
He ended the season with 33 goals across all competitions, including five scores in the UEFA Champions League, two in the Copa del Rey, two in the Supercopa, and one in the Europa League.
Lewandowski beats Benzema to award
As reported by Marca, Benzema had won the prize in the previous season with 27 goals, ending a five-year period of dominance by Lionel Messi.
Benzema and Lewandowski
Lewandowski has now won 11 Golden Boot awards from his career. The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern goal-machine ended seven of his 12 seasons in Germany as the leading scorer in the Bundesliga.
He also won theUEFA Champions League’s Golden Boot prize in 2019/20 when his 15 goals and six assists fired the Bavarians to European glory. His other two Golden Boots were won early on in his career in Poland.
The first arrived in the 2007/08 campaign after Lewa netted 21 times for Znicz Pruszkow in the Polish second division. Two seasons later, he topped the scoring charts in the first division with 18 goals for Lech Poznan.
La Liga’s final Pichichi rankings
1. Robert Lewadowski: 23 goals
2. Karim Benzema: 19 goals
3. Joselu Marto: 16 goals
4. Borja Iglesias: 15 goals
5. Antoine Griezmann: 15 goals
Lewandowski wants Messi at Barcelona
Previously, Sports Brief reported that Lewandoski expressed his desire for Messi to make a fairytale return to Barcelona this summer.
The Argentine departed Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s ailing financial situation, joining Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract.
A seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi has now been urged to make a return to the Camp Nou after departing the French capital.
Reports indicate that,Lionel Messi’s camp has expressed dissatisfaction with comments made by FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández regarding Messi’s potential return to the Camp Nou.
Xavi had mentioned that the decision ultimately lies with Messi himself.
However, sources close to Messi have reportedly found this statement puzzling, as they believe the situation hinges on Barcelona obtaining approval from La Liga.
Xavi spoke with Messi after PSG defeat
The Catalans need to offload players and comply with the league’s financial constraints.
According to information in the media, the Paris Saint-Germain star has demanded that Barcelona put a formal contract on the table, which is something they cannot do at this stage.
The main stumbling block impeding a sensational return remains the club’s precarious finances – particularly their high wage bill.
In an attempt to lower this,Barcelona have said goodbye to veterans, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets this summer, just six months after veteran defender, Gerard Pique left the club.
Even with a lower wage bill, it remains doubtful that bringing Messi back to Barcelona is viable.
Meanwhile, rumours of a PSG stay have been sparked after the veteran featured in the club’s promotional video for their 2023-24 home kit.
Messi’s transfer options
Messi reportedly has an offer on the table from Saudi Arabian side, Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, other information states that Inter Miami has presented a former proposal to bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner to South Florida.
Messi with family in Saudi
Furthermore, a report from TNT Sports Brasil details that barring a drastic shift, the hopes of seeing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner reunite with his former club are low considering the offrts coming from abroad.
Messi’s father anxious about Barcelona
Sports Brief had earlier reported that Messi’s father and agent, Jorge is sceptical about Messi returning to Barcelona in the summer.
The veteran’s representative is said to be anxious about the club’s offer and reportedly wants to confirm his son’s future as soon as possible.
Messi Senior is also said to be unsure about the Catalans’ financial viability plan and how they will stick to Financial FairPlay rules by La Liga.
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