LaLiga

€900m Camp Nou Renovation Set For August 10 Return

Barcelona will finally set foot back into their iconic Camp Nou Stadium on August 10 for the Joan Gamper Trophy – a symbolic homecoming after two years of Montjuic exile.

The partial reopening marks a crucial milestone in the quoted €900 million renovation project, however over €1 billion is rumoured to be the final tab.

With a severely reduced capacity of just 25,000 – less than a quarter of the eventual 105,000 target – it’s hardly the triumphant return Barça envisioned.

The stadium remains a work in progress or in other words, looks like a building site. The third tier, VIP sections, roof installation, and various facilities are still unfinished, explaining the skeleton crew capacity for what should be a celebration.

Don’t expect league action at Camp Nou to start the 2025-26 season. The LaLiga champions have already requested their opening fixtures be played away while construction crews race against time.

Club sources, speaking anonymously, admit September is a more realistic target for competitive matches – with an unofficial deadline of the Champions League group stage kickoff between September 16-18.

Barça initially hoped to return for their 125th anniversary in November 2024, then pushed for the end of the year, before settling on this August 2025 test run. The club and construction firm Limak have agreed on June 2026 for full completion.

The delays forced Barcelona into an awkward Montjuic arrangement for two full seasons. Their lease at the Olympic stadium won’t carry into 2025-26, adding pressure to get Camp Nou operational. LaLiga granted them more home games in the second half of last season, expecting a return that never materialised.

Real Madrid faced similar issues in 2022, playing their first three LaLiga matches on the road while finishing Bernabeu renovations – setting a precedent Barcelona hope to follow.

The August 10 date represents more than nostalgia. Camp Nou’s new revenue streams are crucial to Barcelona’s financial recovery, making every delay costly. The 105,000-capacity venue will be Spain’s largest stadium, dwarfing the Bernabeu’s 81,000.

UEFA’s rule preventing clubs from using multiple venues during Champions League group stages adds another wrinkle. If Camp Nou isn’t ready by mid-September, Barcelona could be stuck at Montjuic through October.

After multiple false starts and broken promises, August 10 offers Barcelona fans their first glimpse of the future. It’s progress, even if the finish line remains frustratingly distant.

Insideworldfootball.com

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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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