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There was a time, not so long ago, when Samuel Umtiti was considered untouchable at Barcelona.
One of a select band of players that, come hell or high water, were not going anywhere.
Part of the furniture might be an apt description for the Frenchman at that point.
But how quickly things can change… Continue reading
After capturing the mercurial talent of Frenkie De Jong, it appears that Barcelona are in pole position to sign his current Ajax team-mate, Matthijs De Ligt.
The 19-year-old centre-back is wanted by all of Europe’s top clubs but has allegedly told those close to him that he ‘only wants Barcelona.’
That’s a real coup for the Catalans, who see De Ligt as a future captain of the club and a player who’ll be a mainstay in their defence for the next decade. Continue reading
Barcelona have been linked a surprise summer move for Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno, as they look to find cover for Jordi Alba ahead of the 2019-20 La Liga season.
Ernesto Valverde’s side have been rumoured to be keen on a number of left backs in recent months, as the former Athletic Bilbao boss looks to establish permanent cover for Alba.
With their interest rebuffed for Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis, La Blaugrana have struggled to attract players on the premise of playing a supporting role for the Catalan side next season.
La Liga leaders Barcelona have been linked with a shock move for Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal, according to media reports in Spain.
The Spanish international is rumoured to be interesting Ernesto Valverde’s side, in a story by Catalan newspaper Diario Sport, this morning.
Despite tying current first choice left back Jordi Alba to a long term deal at the end of February, cover in the position has been a real concern for La Blaugrana at times this season.
Defending La Liga champions are facing a tough run of fixtures in domestic and European action, just as bitter rivals Real Madrid are preparing a late bid for the league title.
Ernesto Valverde’s side have drawn their last two league games, against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, dropping four key points, in the same fortnight that Santiago Solari’s team have beaten Alaves and Atletico Madrid.
That has nudged Los Blancos ahead of their city rivals as the Catalan side’s main challengers, and the current leaders will be looking over their shoulder.
Barcelona have made their first move of the La Liga January 2019 transfer window, by bringing in 26 year old defender Jeison Murillo on a loan dea until the end of the season, from Valencia.
Colombian international Murillo has appeared just once in league action for Marcelino’s side so far this season, after joining from Italian side Inter Milan in the summer.
Murillo initially signed on a two year loan contract at the start of last season, with an obligation for Valencia to buy inserted into the details the deal.
Valencia exercised the purchase option at the start of the season, after he made 17 La Liga appearances in 2017-18, as they returned to the Top Four in Spain. However he has become more and more of a fringe player this season, and now Barcelona have accepted a purchase option on him at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
Barcelona slipped to their first La Liga defeat of the season in midweek, going down to a shock 2-1 loss to struggling Leganes.
Ernesto Valverde’s side remain top of the table, as Real Madrid slipped to a 3-0 defeat away at Sevilla, but he will be concerned with their leakiness in defence.
The defending La Liga champions have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four domestic games, including wins over Huesca and Real Sociedad, a draw with Girona and the loss to Leganes.
The former Athletic Bilbao boss has rotated his back four in those games, with injuries and suspensions forcing his hand at times.
With the new La Liga season just weeks away from kicking off – sides are making their final adjustments to their squads ahead of the start on August 18th.
Defending champions Barcelona have already completed the signings of Arthur Melo and Clement Lenglet, with midfield duo Andres Iniesta and Paulinho exiting the club.
Despite losing two important players, manager Ernesto Valverde is likely to trim his squad down even further – as he looks to free up space and funds to sign new players.
Rumours are circulating that up to ten first team players could be set to leave the club, as they seek more playing time and the Catalan side look to move forward with transfer targets.
Continuing our series of looking ahead at this summer’s primary contenders in the World Cup in Russia, attention now focuses on Roberto Martinez’s Belgium. Often considered underdogs and outside bets, the Belgians have been improving regularly over the course of the past decade or so, and enter the competition this time around favoured ahead of the likes of former world champions England and Uruguay. While the improvement has been steady, it could be argued that this Belgium squad will be among the finest the nation have ever produced. A raft of stars ply their trade in one of Europe’s top flights, including several Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 stars.
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