Barcelona move to buy first option for Pastore

Barcelona have moved to buy first option on Palermo star Javier Pastore.

Sky Italia says Barca have already approached Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini about a price for first refusal on the exciting Argentina midfielder.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are also intensifying their interest in Pastore this year.

It's suggested Barca want to be alerted should Real Madrid come knocking on Zamparini's door for the midfielder. The Spanish champs are desperate not to see Pastore move to Madrid in the summer.

Ronaldinho set for Brazil return

Ronaldinho appears to have rejected a move to Blackburn Rovers and remains on course to rejoin Brazilian club Gremio.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona forward is due to bring an end to his three-year spell with Serie A side AC Milan following the arrival of Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria.

Ronaldinho has been widely expected to return to Gremio, the club where he began his professional career in 1998.

English Premier League club Blackburn emerged as an unlikely bidder this week, but any hopes they had of securing the former world player of the year appear to be receding fast following comments by Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri on Wednesday.

"We are all sorry to lose a player of the quality of Ronaldinho," Allegri said.

"But he has made a life choice by going to Brazil."

The 30-year-old 2002 World Cup winner is expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal with Gremio, who finished fourth in last season's Brazilian championship.

Blackburn confirm Ronaldinho offer

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed a sensational bid for Ronaldinho, just one day after denying any such interest in the AC Milan star.

Rovers have tabled a 20-million-pound offer to lure the Brazilian playmaker to Ewood Park for the next three years.

The bid was first reported by Sky Sports News on Tuesday, and Blackburn's owners Venky's have confirmed an approach to Ronaldinho to the BBC.

"He is keen to play in the English Premier League and I think that goes in our favour," Venky's chairwoman Anuradha Desai told BBC Radio Lancashire on Tuesday.

"To be precise (it is) 7.6 million euros (6.5 million pounds) for the first year and about 8.5 million euros (7.2 million pounds) for the second and third years."

Ronaldinho is all but certain to depart the San Siro this month after leaving Milan's training camp in Dubai to negotiate a new deal elsewhere.

Brazilian side Gremio are favourites to land their former youth player, who went on to play with Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish giants Barcelona before moving to Italy in 2008.

But Venky's are keen to make an immediate impression on the club they purchased in November, and have offered manager Steve Kean a sizeable transfer kitty to boost Blackburn's stocks.

"Money is not the criteria at all though, we do not mind about the money," Venky's chairman Venkatesh Rao told the Lancashire Telegraph on Monday.

"It is about getting the right players for Blackburn Rovers and we have enough money to do that."

"That is not a problem. We want to bring quality to Blackburn Rovers."

Guardiola welcomes signing Afellay

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has praised the talents of new signing Ibrahim Afellay, joining the club from PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch international is unavailable for the La Liga champions for their Sunday fixture against Levante due to a transfer window technicality, which frustrated Guardiola given the absence of stars Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol.

"We knew that the market doesn't open until the third (of January). It's a shame, because he (Afellay) would have been useful to cover for missing people... but is good that Afellay has come, he's been well received. Then urgent thing now is for him to learn the language," Guardiola told the club's official site.

Afellay played with PSV from 2003 onwards, making more than 20 league appearances in three of their title-winning seasons from 2005-2008.

Guardiola was in no doubt about the 24-year-old midfielder's talents.

"The first thing that struck us is what a good player he is and the different things he can offer. He rarely loses the ball, he can play inside, he uses space well, he can play on both wings, he can shoot with both feet and he very willing... he has all the time in the world," Guardiola said.

"He needs to integrate and when we can, we'll give him time on the pitch."

Bojan eyes Barca place

Barcelona striker Bojan says he is determined to prove he can become a first-team regular at the La Liga giants.

The youngster, unsurprisingly, has failed to displace the likes of David Villa and Lionel Messi and has been restricted largely to a bit-part role this season.

Bojan, who scored twice for Catalonia in the territory's 4-0 win over Honduras on Tuesday, said on Wednesday he is prepared to be patient.

The 20-year-old has made 13 La Liga appearances this season - 10 of them as a substitute - and scored three goals.

Of Serbian descent but having represented Spain at international level, the striker also talked about the arrival of new midfielder Ibrahim Afellay from PSV.

"The game yesterday (with Catalonia) was one in which I knew that I was going to play, that I was going out there to enjoy myself and was unlike a game with Barcelona," he said.

"I've started games, so that's a lot of minutes. It's true that when I feel at ease and am enjoying myself, I play a lot better."

" Here you talk about the best players in the world, in a historic moment, so it's difficult to improve. I want to show that I should be here, and the day that I am unable to play at first team level with Barcelona, then I would leave. But until then, I've always said that there is more to come and that I want to stay at Barcelona."

"I was in the dressing room and met Afellay. We still don't understand each other, because I don't speak English nor French. If he's been signed now, then it is because he is a good player and can give the manager what he wants. Any player is welcome here."

Barca sign Dutch star Afellay

Holland international Ibrahim Afellay has spoken of his delight after joining Spanish giants Barcelona on a four-and-half-year deal.

Afellay's move from PSV Eindhoven was made official on Friday when the 24-year-old put his name to a three-million-euro deal at the Camp Nou.

A statement on Barca's official website noted the Dutch international, who has been capped 29 times for his country, has also had a 100-million-euro buyout clause inserted into his contract.

As part of the transfer arrangement, Barca have agreed to play PSV in 2013 in recognition of the Dutch club's centenary year.

Afellay fronted the media following his signing, gushing that it was a dream come true to wear the shirt of the Catalan club.

"I'll wear the Barca colours with pride and respect. Barca is more than a club," Afellay said.

"When I was a kid, I wanted to play for Barca - it was a dream."

"We all know that it is the best place to play football and when I heard about their interest I didn't think twice, I just felt - sign now and close the deal quickly."

Afellay is under no illusions as to the difficulty he faces breaking into Pep Guardiola's star-studded line-up, but remains optimistic he will see first-team action.

"That's normal at a club like this where there are so many quality players, but I'll fight for my place," he said.

"I don't mind where I play - wherever the boss wants me, I'll do my very best."

"(The team is) fast and has a really high level. Every new player who comes in has to find his position in the team and that's what I will do."

Barca Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta said the club would not make any further purchases during the January transfer window.

"We have absolutely no plans to sign anybody else," Zubizarreta said.

"(Afellay) was a player who was about to finish his contract and with the squad we have he looks like somebody who can add something."

Barcelona seal Adriano switch

Spanish champions Barcelona on Saturday completed the signing of Brazilian utility player Adriano Correia from rivals Sevilla on a four-year deal.

Barcelona will pay Sevilla 9.5 million euros for the 25-year-old, plus another four million euros depending on results.

The champions also have an option to extend the deal by another year.

I did not think twice about joining Barca, says Adriano

Newly recruited Barcelona utility player Adriano Correia said Monday he did not hesitate when the Spanish champions offered to sign him from La Liga rivals Sevilla.

"I was very excited. I didn?t think twice about it and now I?m really pleased to have the chance to defend the Barca colours. This was something I couldn?t let pass by," he said during his official presentation.

"I?m very happy. I have worked hard to achieve this," the 25-year-old Brazilian added.

Barcelona completed the signing of Adriano, who can play at full-back or as a wide midfielder, on a four-year deal on Saturday after the player passed his medical tests.

The Catalan side will pay Sevilla 9.5 million euros for the 25-year-old, plus another four million euros depending on results.

The champions also have an option to extend the deal by another year.

"I?m comfortable playing in any of the four positions out wide. This is the best team in the world and I?m going to give everything for this club," said Adriano.

Adriano had been at Sevilla since 2004, twice tasting success in both the King's Cup (2007, 2010) and the UEFA Cup (2006, 2007).

He is the first player to move to Barcelona since the arrival of new club president Sandro Rosell at the beginning of July.

Barca have already completed the signing of Spanish international striker David Villa, who arrived from Valencia for a fee close to 40 million euros.

Ibrahimovic commits to Barca

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona, despite speculations linking him with a move to the Premiership.

The arrival of Spanish top striker David Villa fuelled rumours 'Ibra' might leave the Camp Nou. The Swedish targetman has been strongly linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.

However, Ibrahimovic insists that he has no plans to leave Barca and remains fully committed to Josep Guardiola's side for 2010/11.

"I was a Barca player when I left (to go on holiday) and I'll be a Barca player when I go back," Ibrahimovic said at a press conference to announce his return to the Sweden national team.

He added: "I have four years left on my contract."

Ibrahimovic has also taken a swipe at those who continue to report that he is poised for an imminent exit from the Catalan side.

"I want to congratulate everybody that has used my name, because it's fun to have been at Chelsea, at Manchester City, without having been there," he added.

Barça and Sevilla agree Adriano deal

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona and Sevilla CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of Adriano Correia that will see the Brazilian move to Camp Nou for an initial fee of €9.5 million and a conditional €4 million extra.

The deal depends on the utility star passing a medical at Barça and the signing of his contract. Adriano will arrive in Barcelona on Saturday in order to undergo a series of tests.

Swapping places

Adriano is set to become the second signing of the summer after David Villa made the switch from Valencia before the World Cup Finals. The 25-year-old has shone during his six seasons at Sevilla as he proved that he can play in a variety of positions.

Different positions

Able to play in either full-back position Adriano can also push forward and perform on the left or right of midfield and has even proven his worth in the centre. His vision and desire to help out in attack has won him many admirers and made him a regular in a Sevilla side that has enjoyed winning several major honours in the past few seasons.

Alves again

At Barça next term Adriano will team up once again with former Sevilla colleague Dani Alves. The pair spent four seasons together at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán winning the UEFA Cup twice, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup and the European Super Cup.

T. Henry Caming New York Red Bulls on Transfer 2010/2011

The 32-year-old, who has just moved from Barcelona to MLS side New York Red Bulls, ends his international career on a sour note having failed to make a single start in a disastrous World Cup campaign.

But the former Arsenal star was a key member of the squad that won both the 1998 World Cup and the European championships in 2000.

In an international career that spanned 13 years, he scored 51 times making him France's all-time record goalscorer.

Henry released a brief statement, saying: "This is the end for me on the national team."

Henry signs for New York Red Bulls

French football star Thierry Henry has signed for New York Red Bulls on a long-term deal, the US club announced on Wednesday.

The striker is expected to make his debut for the Red Bulls in a home friendly on July 22 against English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

"It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years," said Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull global soccer.

"We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner."

Henry, who signed the "multi-year" contract after leaving Spanish champions Barcelona, added: "This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life. It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls.

"I am fully aware of the team?s history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship.

"Knowing Red Bull?s significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my teammates and I will succeed."

Cesc Making Jersey FC Barcelona After Celebrating FIFA World Cup 2010

Cesc Making Jersey FC Barcelona
After Celebrating FIFA World Cup 2010

Guardiola preferring silence in Cesc transfer saga

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has preferred to remain silent over the Catalan club's interest in Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Gunners captain, who has been the subject of intense speculation this summer over his future, has been hotly pursued by the Catalan giants.

Fabregas is currently on international duty with Spain at the World Cup in South Africa, where the midfielder has seen little action despite his status as one of the most sought-after talents in the game.

The Gunners have rejected Barcelona's bid to sign the 23-year-old despite the Spanish champions' very public interest, but Guardiola, who is in South Africa currently, refused to be drawn on the speculation when asked by the English press about the subject.

"It's not my business, it's not my job. I'm sorry," said Guardiola.

"He's a player for Arsenal, so Wenger has the say. You have to ask them.

"You know him better than me (the British media), you see him each weekend, he's a good player, that's why he is here with the Spanish team and not on his holidays."

Toure joins Manchester City

Manchester City have finally secured the signing of Yaya Toure from Barcelona. Toure joins brother and captain Kolo Toure at the City of Manchester on a five-year contract.

After intense speculation, he 28-year-old has finalized the deal and is now City's third signing of the summer after the impressive deals which brought Valencia's David Silva and Hamburger SV's Gerome Boateng to Eastlands.

City manager Roberto Mancini told the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "This is another fantastic signing for Manchester City and I am very pleased Yaya has joined us, he is a very good player.

"Everyone knows Yaya is a player that we have admired for a long time and we would like to welcome him to Manchester City.

"He has played at the top level with Barcelona and I am sure his experience and ability will be very important for us."

Keen to hold Krkic

Barcelona are not willing to sell Bojan Krkic.

Despite David Villa's arrival from Valencia, Barca are determined to keep Krkic at the Camp Nou.

El Mundo Deportivo reports Arsenal, Real Mallorca and Valencia have all asked for the 19-year-old striker since the turn of the year and have all been turned down by the Catalan side.

Getafe are also after Krkic, but Barca boss Josep Guardiola refuses to let him go.

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.

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."

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."