LaLiga

Valencia Secure New Nou Mestalla Funding

After 15 years of collecting dust, cobwebs, and broken promises, the most notorious ghost stadium in world football might finally be rising from the dead. Valencia have secured €322 million ($377m) in financing to complete their cursed Nou Mestalla project – what may go down as the longest-running stadium saga in football history.

The half-built concrete skeleton that has haunted Valencia’s skyline since 2009 has become a symbol of everything wrong with modern football ownership. But on Thursday, the Spanish club announced they’ve assembled a financing package comprising €237 million in notes and €85 million in short-term loans.

“Securing this landmark financing gives us the green light to deliver Nou Mestalla – a world-class stadium that will power the club’s growth for generations,” declared Valencia president Kiat Lim, son of controversial Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, who has owned the club since 2014.

The numbers are staggering. This 70,000-seat colossus is scheduled to open in 2027 – a full 18 years after construction originally began.

The ghost stadium has become Valencia’s albatross, a constant reminder of mismanagement and unfulfilled ambitions. While other clubs have built gleaming new homes in a fraction of the time, Valencia’s supporters have watched their half-finished stadium slowly deteriorate, becoming a monument to administrative incompetence.

But the Lim family insists this time is different. Kiat Lim claims the new facility will “more than triple” Valencia’s current revenue thanks to expanded hospitality offerings, greater capacity, and multi-purpose event hosting capabilities. Given that the current Mestalla generates relatively modest income, tripling those figures might actually be achievable.

The financing package has been assembled with heavyweight backing from Bibium Capital, Addleshaw Goddard, Beka Titulizacion, and Goldman Sachs, with LaLiga providing institutional support.

Yet Valencia fans have heard grand proclamations before. The ghost stadium has been “about to be completed” more times than anyone can count, becoming a running joke in Spanish football circles. Every few years, new timelines are announced, fresh renders are unveiled, and hope briefly flickers – only to be extinguished by more delays.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Valencia desperately need the revenue boost that a modern stadium would provide, especially after years of financial struggles and player sales under the Lim regime. The club that once challenged for Champions League glory now finds itself fighting for European qualification.

The 2027 target date gives them just over two years to complete what they couldn’t finish in the previous 15. In football, that’s both an eternity and the blink of an eye. Whether this latest chapter marks the end of the longest stadium saga in football history – or just another false dawn – remains to be seen.

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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