LaLiga

Laporta Slams Athletic Over Williams Block

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has told Athletic Club to mind their own business, as tensions continue over the battle for Nico Williams. The Blaugrana intend to activate his €58m release clause next week, but Athletic Club have made a move to halt their transfer plans.

Williams has reportedly told Athletic that he wants to move to Barcelona this summer, although this has exclusively come from the Catalan media. The Liga champions intend to sign Williams next week, but there are doubts over their ability to register the Basque outlay, with uncertainty over their salary limit status.

Athletic Club want to audit Barcelona accounts
Last week Laporta declared that Barcelona could sign ‘as normal’, but La Liga counterpart Javier Tebas has disputed that idea. Athletic have their doubts too, and as per Cadena SER, representatives from Los Leones were in Madrid on Thursday and held talks with La Liga. Their intention was to request information on Barcelona’s salary limit status, and their intention is to investigate the potential Williams signing down to the last detail.

Williams is keen on a move to Barcelona.
Athletic are convinced that Barcelona are not in the so-called ‘1:1 spending rule’, and are also unhappy with the false stories appearing in the Catalan media. Reports that Williams has emptied his locker at San Mames, or that Athletic had agreed to accept a fee in instalments, are not true.

Laporta’s response to Athletic
After stating last week that Barcelona were in the 1:1 rule, Laporta told MD that they were working towards that end. He also responded to the idea that Athletic were asking questions about their financial status.

“We don’t have bad relations with Athletic. Yes, there have been a series of misunderstandings and incidents in recent years, but you can’t say we have bad relations. We are two clubs with a very long history and long-standing relationships.”

“I don’t understand the reactions they’re having. With all due respect, everyone should look after their own interests. I don’t understand why they’re going to talk about Barca in La Liga. I don’t think it’s right, but they’ll know what they’re doing.”

Athletic were unhappy with Barcelona’s public pursuit of Williams last summer, and captain and brother Inaki Williams voiced his frustration with a number of false stories that emerged. Although it was supposedly Nico Williams who initiated contacts this summer, the words of Sporting Director Deco have not gone down well.

Football-espana.net

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LaLiga

Barca’s Rashford Hopes Rise As Turkish Club Withdraws

Barcelona remain fully engaged in their search for the winger that Hansi Flick has requested to strengthen the squad. The two main targets being pursued by the club’s sporting department are Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford.

Bayern Munich are pushing hard for the Liverpool winger, and securing his signature will not be easy given the German club’s strong financial position.

As such, reports today suggested that Rashford had now become the priority target for the La Liga champions, who were now ready to go all in for him.

However, Fenerbahce in Turkey were also said to be admirers of the Manchester United forward, with their manager Jose Mourinho seemingly keen on a reunion.

Fenerbahce drop out of Rashford race
But, as per the latest update from MARCA, Mourinho has ruled out signing Rashford for Fenerbahce, which comes as a big boost for Barcelona.

Despite considering the option seriously, the Portuguese tactician has decided against a move for his former ward from Manchester United.

Mourinho previously coached Rashford during his time at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018. The Portuguese manager placed full trust in the young forward, who had just been promoted to the first team.

During his time at Old Trafford, Mourinho used Rashford in 125 games, during which the forward netted 28 goals and chalked up 20 assists.

Despite their past working relationship, signing Rashford is currently unrealistic for Mourinho’s Fenerbahce due to the player’s high wages – he earns €18 million per season – and because the forward’s preferred destination is Barcelona.

As a result, a move to Turkey has been definitively ruled out, with the 27-year-old attacker holding out for a transfer to Catalonia.

Barcauniversal.com

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LaLiga

“We All Make Mistakes!”: Szczesny Sports New Blonde Look With Barca Teammates

What is going on?!

Wojciech Szczesny is known for being a bit of a joker and has been having some fun on social media after seeing some of his team-mates show off new looks.

Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have all gone blonde recently, and it looks like Szczesny has decided he wants a bit of the action as well.

He’s posted a picture of himself showing off a new blonde haircut with the caption “we all make mistakes….” and tagged his team-mates in the post.

It’s good to see the Barca boys having some fun as they prepare to get back to work for another season with the Catalans.

Szczesny will be back with the squad, after signing a two-year contract extension, but is expected to play back-up to new signing Joan Garcia.

In the meantime, we’ll have to wait and see if any more players decide to join Lewandowski, Szczesny, Yamal and Gavi in Barca’s blonde club.

Barcablaugranes.com

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LaLiga

Barca Captain Ter Stegen To Meet Flick After Deco Talks

Earlier today, FC Barcelona captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva after his vacation as the team gears up for the start of pre-season on Sunday.

Ter Stegen returns with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his future, considering that Barça have signed Joan Garcia to become their new No. 1.

The German international, though, has been firm on his refusal to leave the club despite the threat of being relegated to the third-choice goalkeeper behind Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny.

Ter Stegen to meet Hansi Flick tomorrow
Now, according to journalist Laia Tudel on Catalunya Radio, Ter Stegen is set to meet with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tomorrow to discuss his future.

As per the update, the 33-year-old already met with the Blaugrana sporting director at the club facilities today and will speak with the manager on Friday.

Barcelona, for their part, are eager to offload Ter Stegen, given that they will be freeing up a huge chunk of their salary space.

However, at this point, the Blaugrana are not planning to take any drastic actions or extreme measures.

Instead, they will explain the situation to their captain and make it clear that there is competition for places, and he will have to fight to earn it.

Ter Stegen still has three years left on his contract with Barcelona and is willing to fight for his place in the team. The German’s idea is to revisit the situation and assess his prospects in January.

Tomorrow’s meeting with Flick will be crucial with regard to how the entire matter unfolds and whether Ter Stegen stays or accepts to move on from the club.

Barcauniversal.com

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