Ibrahimovic not for sale

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent claims his client is happy at Barcelona and insists they are not selling him to Milan.

The speculation was rife that Barca were planning to sell the Swedish striker during this transfer window and Milan are preparing to pounce with a bid for the the former Internazionale hitman. But his representative Mino Raiola has insisted that there is no transfer on the horizon.

“Ibra is not moving from Barcelona and I don’t understand why he should,” Raiola told Radio Radio TV.

“He doesn’t want to leave Barcelona and the club don’t want to sell him.

“He didn’t have the kind of ending to the previous campaign that he expected, but everything was going well until February.

“It’s just an exaggeration of the facts to suggest that he should move to another club,” he concluded.

Ibrahimovic had a disappointing first season at Barcelona since his mega-money move from Inter last summer for £40m plus Samuel Eto'o.

Begiristain leaves Barcelona

Txiki Begiristain will leave Barcelona.

The departure of the technical director was announced by Barca's general manager Juan Oliver.

Begiristain revealed, with former president Joan Laporta leaving, it was the right time for him to leave the club as well.

"It is a good moment to do it," the former Barca player told the club's official website.

"Laporta is the person that has most trusted in me and given me most support and I believe that is the moment to leave.

"I wanted to finish in a good moment, in which the Barca functioned well."

Begiristain admitted he would find it difficult to build the same relationship with the new president Sandro Rosell.

"I need a lot of complicity with the president. I needed confidence and with him (Laporta) I have had it to the maximum," he said.

"And I see this complicity very difficult to find now. It is a good moment for the new president to find that confidence in a new person and be able to build something similar to what president Laporta and I built."

Set for Henry, Toure exits

Spanish champions Barcelona confirmed Monday they have cleared the way for the departures of French international striker Thierry Henry and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.

Club director general Joan Oliver said that proceedings were "very advanced" but it was now up to the players to make the final move.

Both Henry and Toure lost their first-team places last season with the French striker scoring just three goals in 20 matches.

Oliver said they were expecting 32-year-old Henry to announce his departure in "the coming days." According to reports the striker is hoping to finish his career in the United States with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.

"Now it's up to him (Henry) to make this reality," said Oliver.

Henry, a World Cup winner in 1998 and European champion in 2000, joined Barcelona in 2007 from Premier League club Arsenal where he had established himself as one of the top strikers in the world.

But he played just a cameo role in his country's disastrous World Cup campaign where they failed to get past the group stages.

Concerning Toure, Oliver said agreement has been reached in principle between Barca and Premier League club Manchester City who want to recruit him.

"The decision is in the hands of the player and his agent," he added.

Toure also exited the World Cup in the group stages, but he scored in his country's 3-0 win over North Korea.

Transfer Block 'Stresses' Fabregas

The Gunners rejected an approach for their star midfielder on Wednesday after the Catalan giants earlier revealed they had submitted a written offer for the 23-year-old's signature.

And reports have now emerged that the Spain international is so upset that he could enact a Fifa clause known as the 'Webster ruling' which would allow him to buy out his contract.

A statement from Arsenal clearly stated their intentions to keep hold of the talented midfielder at all costs.

The statement read: "Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is under contract with the club until the summer of 2015. He is a highly valued member of the team and part of our future plans.

"However, [on Tuesday evening] we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.

"We will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word."

Barcelona director Rafael Yuste however declared that the Gunners' rejection of their first offer would not put them off further attempts to snap up their man, fuelling fire to the speculation that this tug-of-war will continue to rumble on.

"We won't be hasty but nor will we let up," said Yuste. "The ball is in Arsenal's court now and as we have an exceptional relationship with them I am optimistic."

Villa: I'll Play on The Wing

Spain striker David Villa is not worried about his role on the pitch, as long as he is in the starting line-up at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

The 28-year-old, who is preparing for tomorrow's friendly against Korea Republic in Innsbruck, is happy to be used anywhere by coach Vicente Del Bosque as the European champions look to secure world glory.

Villa, who joined Barcelona from Valencia last month, said: "The important thing is to play.

"If I play alone up front, then I tend to play central. But if there is another striker, I don't mind shifting to one wing."

With Liverpool's Fernando Torres having recovered from knee surgery, Del Bosque could opt for two up front tomorrow instead of playing with Villa as a lone striker. The pair have scored a combined 59 goals for La Roja.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is also likely to be given some playing time against the South Koreans, after resuming full training following a cracked fibula.

Arsenal Reject Barca's Fabregas Bid

Gunners turn down official Barcelona offer as the tug-of-war over the Spain star looks set to rumble on throughout SA2010

Arsenal have rejected an approach throught to be in the region of 30 million euros from the Catalan giants for star midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

La Liga champions Barcelona early revealed that they were in formal discussions with the London club over Fabregas' signature, having submitted a written offer.

Barca director general Joan Oliver said: "Any deal must go through them and June 1 was the beginning of the period of official negotiations. Until earlier there were informal conversations, but since yesterday these are formal - and the usual mechanism is to present a formal and concrete offer."

The Gunners captain has already stated that he does not want any distractions as he prepares to try and help Spain win their first ever World Cup title this summer in South Africa and Barcelona Technical secretary Txiki Begiristain echoed the player's sentiments saying he hoped a deal could be reached soon.

Begiristain said: "I'm hopeful he can sign for the club as soon as possible. I'm optimistic and it is clear that he, his family, the players and the entire environment would give a very warm welcome."

It is understood that Barcelona are not willing to match Arsenal's 60 million euros valuation for a player they feel they nurtured and developed, sparking fears the negotiations could rumble on throughout the tournament in South Africa.

The player's father Francesc Fabregas hinted the deal could turn into a long-running transfer saga: "The negotiations between Arsenal and Barcelona are going to be very long. Both parties are going to have to sit down several times because the matter is complicated."

Messi Eyes Rooney Final

Lionel Messi earmarks Argentina vs England as his dream final - and would relish the chance to face Wayne Rooney

The two nations have experienced more rivalry than most in recent history - both on and off the pitch - and the passion and skill on show could provide and electrifying finale to this summer's South African adventure.

Argentina coach Maradona led his side to their last World Cup triumph as captain in 1986, eliminating England on route to the final thanks to the infamous "Hand of God" goal that has fuelled the two teams' rivalry ever since.

Messi, however, feels that England would be worthy ultimate opponents this time around, regardless of any divine intervention.

"I know there is a lot of history between England and Argentina, but I also know our players admire the English game," he explained.

"Mentally they are strong, and they have good quality players. Capello has made them strong, I have seen them play many times on TV and I have been impressed."

Fifa's 2009 World Player of the Year also picked out England striker Wayne Rooney, saying he will be the key man to help fulfil the Three Lions' SA2010 ambitions.

"For me, England have a good balance," he continued. "They look very dangerous when Peter Crouch plays with Rooney up front. I like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, too, but Rooney will be the key.

"It would be great to play against Rooney, although I don't think I would see much of him because we mostly play at opposite ends of the pitch.

"It would be good to play against him in South Africa - preferably in the final, if that is possible," added the 22-year-old midfielder.

Barcelona Make Fabregas Offer

Barcelona have confirmed they have submitted a written offer to Arsenal for midfielder Cesc Fabregas and are now in "formal" discussions.

The 23-year-old has long been linked with a return to Barca, the club where he plied his trade as a youngster before moving to the Gunners seven years ago.

He is under contract with the north London outfit until June 2014 but last month expressed his desire to head back to the Nou Camp at a promotional event in the Catalan capital.

That wish could have moved a step closer to reality over the past two days.

Barça director general Joan Oliver told club website said: "Everyone knows that Cesc wants to play for this club and everyone knows that we also want this. But there is a third major player, which is Arsenal.

"Any deal must go through them and June 1 was the beginning of the period of official negotiations. Until earlier there were informal conversations, but since yesterday these are formal - and the usual mechanism is to present a formal and concrete offer. So yesterday afternoon, we submitted a written bid to Arsenal."

Txiki Begiristain will carry out the talks with Arsenal, and vice-president Rafael Yuste is keen to see a positive resolution in the near future.

He said: "I'm hopeful he can sign for the club as soon as possible. I'm optimistic and it is clear that he, his family, the players and the entire environment would give a very warm welcome.

"So we will not do anything to thwart his signing. We will not be in any kind of hurry, but we will not pause either. Now the ball is in Arsenal's court and, as we have an exceptional relationship with them, I am optimistic."

"I think I would like to go to Barcelona. Whether or not they want me is another thing."Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal midfielder.

Barca last month splashed out €40million to Valencia to make Spain striker David Villa their first summer signing and the Primera Division champions' hopes of adding Villa's international colleague to their ranks received a boost when Fabregas spoke out.

He said: "You see your [Spanish] team-mates succeeding here [in Barcelona] and it is exciting because you have worked alongside them for so long. I think I would like to go to Barcelona. Whether or not they want me is another thing."

Barça were not slow to express their reciprocal interest, although they vowed to do everything by the book and to show Arsenal "respect".

His father Francesc Fabregas, who is also Cesc's agent, believes talks between the clubs could be protracted but feels in the end that Arsenal could give the green light for their captain to leave.

"The negotiations between Arsenal and Barcelona are going to be very long," he told Radio Marca last month. "Both parties are going to have to sit down several times because the matter is complicated."

Valdes Backs Casillas After Error

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has leapt to the defence of Spain No1 Iker Casillas and expressed his surprise that anyone would doubt his "impeccable" rival.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque is spoilt for choice between the posts with Valdes and Liverpool's Jose 'Pepe' Reina to choose from as well as Real Madrid's Casillas. Casillas, the undisputed first choice in recent years, has come under fire this week after his error on Saturday gifted Saudi Arabia the opening goal in Saturday's 3-2 warm-up friendly win.

But Valdes insists UEFA EURO 2008 winner Casillas remains the main man. "His record is impeccable and I would not understand those who cast doubt on his quality," said the uncapped 28-year-old. "Iker has a spotless record. He has achieved everything and probably will get more titles.

"His record is impeccable and I would not understand those who cast doubt on his quality." Valdes on Casillas

"For me it is fortunate to have two colleagues like Iker and Pepe to help me work and improve," Valdes went on. "The squad benefits from this. We should respect everyone and not speak of one as better than the other. It's lucky for everyone that we have this level of goalkeepers in the squad and, for me, having them as colleagues too."

Valdes also played down talk of a rift between himself and Reina, his former Barςa youth team-mate. "There is no problem," he said. "We have spoken and it is just to the contrary - we have always got on very well. There is no close friendship, since we went separate ways in our youth, but the idea that we have a bad relationship is totally false."

Coming together
Meanwhile, midfielder Xabi Alonso feels the Spain squad are gradually adapting to the new FIFA World Cup ball. The Jabulani ball has received criticism in recent days with several players, including Casillas, claiming it is difficult to control.

Alonso, a team-mate of Casillas at Madrid, said today: "The ball is different but little by little, we are getting accustomed to it. We have only been training with it for a few days and it has different characteristics but you get a feel for the touch and its trajectory. I think as days go by and once we play more games with it, I am certain we will feel more comfortable with it."

The European champions are currently training in Austria in preparation for the finals. Del Bosque's side continue their build-up with a friendly against South Korea in Innsbruck on Thursday.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres sat out training this morning as a precaution, with the 26-year-old not yet fully fit after knee surgery.

Do Not Rule Out Ibrahimovic Sale

MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona have not ruled out the sale of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club's director general Joan Oliver said Monday following controversial comments made by the player's agent last week.

The agent, Mino Raiola, was quoted as saying by Spanish media that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola should go to a psychiatric hospital if he did not make greater use of the 28-year-old in the upcoming season.

"We didn't like Mr Mino Raiola's statements at all, especially the tone. The reference to the coach is in very bad taste," Oliver said in comments published on the club's website.

"The club doesn't need money. We don't want to sell. But if things get too complicated, there will be no option but to sell the player. However, that's not the intention of the club at this moment," he added.

Ibrahimovic, who joined Barcelona in July 2009 from Inter Milan, has had a mixed first season at Barcelona.

He scored 16 times for the club in the Spanish league but failed to win over fans and ended the season on the substitutes' bench.

His centre-forward role was taken over by teenager Bojan Krkic and he will face even more competition next season from Spanish international striker David Villa who joined Barcelona from Valencia earlier this month.