Barcelona Rapid Roundup: Transfers, News & Views
Covering a team like Barcelona is always exciting, but the sheer quantity of information means that as quickly as you’ve covered a story, another story surfaces in contradiction to the first one. The Mbappe story is the perfect example of this.
So to keep you up to date with all the news and views, every now and then we’re going to do a rapid round-up of all the key Barca news, linking to any stories that we’ve produced with more details.
Barcelona are not negotiating with PSG for the signing of French strike Kylian Mbappé
Earlier today a news report surfaced in France linking Barca with a move for Kylian Mbappé, and we covered that first thing this morning. Hours later Mundo Deportivo, quoting sources from within the club confirmed that there was no truth to the rumours as we expected. Instead, it’s believed that PSG is using the Barcelona name to increase the pressure on Real Madrid to make a move.
Manchester United finally give up their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong
According to a report in Mundo Deportivo. Manchester United have continued to try and lure Frenkie to Manchester up until a few days ago. However, they have now finally given up their pursuit. They now understand that de Jong is indispensable to Barca and Xavi’s system and the Dutch midfielder has no interest in leaving the La Liga Champions.
Although it doesn’t directly state the decision was in direct response to Frenkie being named a captain, it is implied.
Anderlecht trying to hijack Barcelona deal for former Chelsea wonderkid Tudor Mendel
We reported a while ago that Barca was closing in on former Chelsea youth star Tudor Mendel, but according to football insider Fabrizio Romano, Belgian side Anderlecht are working to hijack the deal and there’s a good chance that the English winger ends up there
PSG are closing in on the signing of former Barcelona keeper Arnau Tenas
As we reported today, there is talk that Arnau Tenas may be heading to Paris after Barcelona allowed his contract to expire at the end of June. Barca has been making an effort to keep Tenas but his route to first-team football is clearer in France. Head over to our story today for more detail.
Marseille are interested in Barcelona centre-backs Clement Lenglet & Eric Garcia
Earlier today we reported that French side Marseille were interested in signing Barca centre-backs Clement Lenglet and Eric Garcia, both of whom are not expected to play a key role in Xavi’s side this season. Lenglet has been linked with a move to Tottenham this summer after spending a year on loan in North London, but so far no deal has been struck opening the door for a Marseille hijack. You can read more about that interest here.
Barcelona have a full squad back in training ahead of the friendly against Arsenal
Barca’s first friendly on their tour of the USA had to be cancelled this weekend after nearly a dozen players came down with gastroenteritis, but reports today indicate that the players have recovered in time to face Arsenal this week. Today Xavi had his full squad training in California and with no new illnesses detected, the game against Arsenal should go ahead as scheduled.
Barça signs Swiss central defender Eman Kospo from Grasshopper Zurich
Barcelona have completed the signing of a 16-year-old highly rated Swiss defender who will enter their La Masia academy on a three-year deal. A big aerial defender, Kospo was the captain of the Swiss U-16 team and will join the Juvenil A preseason training sessions under the orders of Óscar López. Certainly, a name to remember for the future.
Riqui Puig criticises Xavi for his treatment while he was at Barcelona
Former Barcelona man and current Los Angeles Galaxy player Riqui Puig shared some criticism of the Barca manager saying: “It is true that there was no good treatment when I went to train in the sense that he did not let me train the first few weeks when it is true that if I am a player in a team with a contract I have to exercise and he cannot prohibit me from not training. That’s what bothered me the most. So I quickly made up my mind and changed and found a way out”
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