The Barcelona Clear-Out

[Pat Murphy]

A few rumours collected over the last few days.....

Firstly one about incoming players. Bayern have taken Lahm's offer of a new contract off the table after failing negotiations. His deal runs out in 2009 so Bayern might want to get a sum of around 12m euros for him which for Barca will be a realistic price alternative to the very expensive Dani Alves. They'll need to fight with United for his signature tho.

Edmilson has apparently agreed a pre-contract with Villarreal for next season. He'll have a medical on Monday.

Marquez is said and this is a very supposing rumour but he's rumoured to have signed a pre-contract deal with Atletico Madrid for next season with Barca aiming to replace him and Thuram next season with Garay.

Also an interest in Catania's attacking LB Vargas, who would replace Sylvinho. Barca will need to fight with Roma for him tho.

[Pat Murphy]

Barcelona Set To Sell Ten Players

Barcelona will begin their rebuilding project by allowing no less than ten first team players to leave during the summer with Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry heading the list, according to a report.

After being eliminated from the Champions League in midweek by Manchester United, the Blaugrana now have nothing left to play for and know that they will endure a second trophyless season.

That has led the club to press ahead with its planned summer of change and a major change of playing personnel appears to be the way that technical secretary Txiki Begiristain is planning to go.

AS have drawn up their own list of ten players who they believe will be moved on at the end of the campaign with the only surprises being the contradiction with other reports about certain stars and they believe all this will be done after Freank Rijkaard's exit.

Ronaldinho's move to AC Milan looked certain at one stage, but with Italian outfit now ready to back out because of the asking price there are voices that are suggesting that he could stay. Manchester City are believed to have met Barça's asking price for the Brazilian, but he is though to not be keen on a move to the Premier League and only has eyes for Serie A if he does in fact leave Camp Nou.

Henry is second on the list after an unimpressive start to life in Catalunya. The Frenchman arrived in a blaze of publicity but has failed to reproduce the form that made him a household name at Arsenal. Barcelona's system is very different to the Gunners and Henry has been stuck on the left wing for most of the season and there is now talk that he could return to England or even go to the MLS, despite him stating that he is staying put.

Deco is another player to be includedthat has recently stated he wants to stay, but his behaviour in th elast 18 months has reportedly won him few friends within the club and he is set to now leave. According to AS, Lilian Thuram has been told to look for another club from June 30, while Edmílson's departure looks to have already been settled with stories that he has signed a pre-contract with Villarreal.

Rafa Márquez's name is somewhat surprising because it was stated by other sources that the Mexican would be one of the players remaining because he is seen as being so versatile, but he is included on AS list. Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gianluca Zambrotta are likely to leave, while Santi Ezquerro has been on the verge of an exit almost from the end of his first season.

The final player is Sylvinho. The Brazilian may not play often, but he is seen as a father figure within the squad and tutors all the newcomers in the ways of Barcelona and what the club and city are al about. AS to state that the former Arsenal and Celta full-back could well be offered a new one-year extenstion, as suggested last month by various sources, but any offers could be considered too.

Do you believe that Frank Rijkaard will go and then be followed out of the door by various players or do you think that just a few key names should be sold and then replaced?

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Goal.com - Barcelona - Barcelona Set To Sell Ten Players

[Pat Murphy]

All 6 of the players above are rumoured to be being offered to being sold. Barca want more than 100m euros for the lot. Some of them I can understand but I think both Henry and Eto'o will be staying.

Giovani dos Santos has recieved a big offer from Man City and is mulling over whether to stay or leave for the big bucks.

On the purchase side of things we've been linked to Christian Poulsen (10m euros buyout clause) and Seydou Keita (14m euros buyout clause) and also Lucho Gonzalez as a Deco replacement although i think the 25m euros price is too steep.

Coloccini also has a 10m euros buyout clause and Barca are being linked with him to replace Thuram.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Send us Deco as a compensation if you want Lucho.

I'd accept 15m + Deco

[Pat Murphy]

Deco is leaving for about 10m euros so it's the same price. Deco + 10m euros is my offer.

Also Lucho can be dubbed as a "creative CM" but does he tackle and track back? Will he add any muscle to the midfield? I'm wondering if he's a bit too similar to Xavi - Iniesta or if he's really the man we need.

[NJ10]

I dont think Henry will go. Arsenal would be the only Premier League club that he would join, and I very much doubt they would get him back. Couldnt see him going to Serie A again, too much of a risk off the back of a below par season.

Obviously it appears Ronaldinho is off to Milan, although I havent heard anything regarding the price of that particular move. I heard Eto'o linked with Milan also, but would it make great sense for Milan to splash out on those two (plus it seems that they want Shevchenko back anyway)?? Same goes for Deco really, I struggle to find an obvious taker for him...The squad players will obviously go- Sylvinho and Ezquerro wont be greatly missed, and I think the same goes for Giovani (although i dont see City getting him).

Personally I think Poulsen would be a fantastic signing for €10m, better than Keita for €14m. As for a big star signing, will Barca be in the hunt for David Villa perhaps?

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Deco is leaving for about 10m euros so it's the same price. Deco + 10m euros is my offer.

Cheap bastard
We'd probably take that offer though. But I can't see Deco returning to Portugal at 31.

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Also Lucho can be dubbed as a "creative CM" but does he tackle and track back? Will he add any muscle to the midfield? I'm wondering if he's a bit too similar to Xavi - Iniesta or if he's really the man we need.

He wouldn't add that much muscle to the midfield and he is far from a physical player, I'd say he is a bit similar to Xavi in some ways.

Lucho played DM occasionally last season, when he was recovering fitness. He tracks back quite a lot actually, for a kind of offensive center-midfielder, definitely works more than Deco and than Xavi as well I'd say.

He tackles well enough, not the best of tacklers, but better than Deco or Iniesta for sure on that department.

I don't think he is the man you need though, he would be more of a Xavi replacement than a player to fight with Yaya for a place in the starting line-up. Keyta would IMO be the perfect signing for you.

[Pat Murphy]

Bronzetti said that Milan made and official bid of 20m euros for Dinho and that Man City met Barca's demands of 40m euros for Dinho. Barca want a sum near to 40m euros but Milan have publicly come out and said that Barca's demands are too high. I think a deal near 30m euros will be done but Ronaldinho only has eyes for one club and that's Milan, a deal will be done with them.

Sammy is too important I think and if he goes it will be because he's forced his way out. If Sammy did go then I'd like someone like Villa to replace him although I think Madrid are in a better position to get him than Barca.

Deco has been linked to clubs like Inter, Juve, Milan, Bayern, maybe even Porto. I think if a club meets that 10m euros then it's up to Deco where he goes. Mourinho at Inter or Barca might well influence his decision.

The man I want is David Silva to replace Ronaldinho. He's got the qualities of a direct play winger which is what we need and can also play as a CM and playmaker. He should be available for 14-18m euros this summer if he'll come.

[NJ10]

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Bronzetti said that Milan made and official bid of 20m euros for Dinho and that Man City met Barca's demands of 40m euros for Dinho. Barca want a sum near to 40m euros but Milan have publicly come out and said that Barca's demands are too high. I think a deal near 30m euros will be done but Ronaldinho only has eyes for one club and that's Milan, a deal will be done with them.

Sammy is too important I think and if he goes it will be because he's forced his way out. If Sammy did go then I'd like someone like Villa to replace him although I think Madrid are in a better position to get him than Barca.

Deco has been linked to clubs like Inter, Juve, Milan, Bayern, maybe even Porto. I think if a club meets that 10m euros then it's up to Deco where he goes. Mourinho at Inter or Barca might well influence his decision.

The man I want is David Silva to replace Ronaldinho. He's got the qualities of a direct play winger which is what we need and can also play as a CM and playmaker. He should be available for 14-18m euros this summer if he'll come.

Yeah, it seems Ronaldinho and Milan have been edging towards each othere for a while now. of course the only reason Roberto Assis ever went to Milan over the past few years was to "check" on Ricardo Oliveira!!!

Mourinho would greatly influence Deco imo. But who's to say that wont be at Barca?!

Silva is a star, he would add a lot to Barca for sure. I think he might cost a bit more than €14m personally, but it looks like there will be a race for the door at Valencia so it isnt an impossibility.

[azzurri]

What about Diego? He would be a good replacement for Deco in that playmaker role. VDV as well, who would be cheaper and want's a move to Spain.

[Pat Murphy]

Diego would be a good choice, as would VdV but I'm not sure they can squeeze into that CM position or out on the left wing. VdV complained all the time about being played out of position so he might not accept it here.

Would depend on the new coach tho as he'll possibly play a new formation.


Goal.com - Liverpool - Riise Out, Abidal In At Anfield?

Abidal linked to Liverpool for £10m.

[Pat Murphy]

Milan Will Definitely Sign Ronaldinho & Zambrotta

AC Milan will definitely sign both Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta from Barcelona this summer, according to Rondo.

The deal for Milan to buy Ronaldinho, who is certain to leave Camp Nou following a depressing season, had looked a virtual certainty only a few weeks ago.

However then reports emerged in the press that Barca were demanding £30m for the Brazilian, and this led to Milan powerbrokers Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani claiming at the weekend that a transfer had all but collapsed.

Many people believe though that these declarations were simply designed as a bargaining tool to convince Barcelona to lower their asking price.

Rondo says that Milan are confident of signing Ronaldinho, and his club team-mate Gianluca Zambrotta for a combined £18m.

Zambrotta also seems highly likely to leave Barca at the end of the season, as he and his wife have becoming increasingly homesick since moving to Catalonia in 2006.

Barcelona journalist Cristina Cubero, who is a close friend of Ronaldinho, reported last night that both the Brazilian and Zambrotta would definitely be joining Milan this summer.

The Rossoneri are building a strong team ahead of next season, and yesterday completed the signing of Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer from Arsenal.

Roberto Rossi

Goal.com - AC Milan - Milan Will Definitely Sign Ronaldinho & Zambrotta


I think a deal between £18m and £32m for the pair will be worked out. £24m I'd accept.

[Pat Murphy]

Goal.com - Barcelona - Barça Eye Piqué And Coloccini Again

Firstly Barca have been linked with Coloccini and Pique as the main 2 targets for CB. The other targets are Garay, Juan and Delpierre from Stuttgart. Maybe a starter like Garay and a backup like Pique might happen.

Garay's price is rumoured to be 12m euros, Coloccini's is 10m euros and Pique's is 5m euros.


Mundo Deportivo - Adebayor gusta mucho a Txiki y Pep

Also being linked to Adebayor a lot although Ade says he wants to stay with Arsenal.


Also Bayern linked with Deco, Gatusso in the same article on EMD. Deco's price is a ridiculous 18m euros in that article but Barca are thinking about doing a deal with Lahm - Deco, maybe a straight swap.

[Pat Murphy]

Estos son los 14 jugadores a los que el Barça quiere dar salida | SPORT | Barça

A massive 15 players linked out today.

Pinto is ending his loan.

Ezquerro, Edmilson, Thuram, Sylvinho, Giovani dos Santos are ending their contracts at the end of the season (although Sylvinho has been offered a 12 month extension and Gio has been offered a new deal but looks like he'll sign for Man City).

Jorquera, Oleguer, Gudjohnsen are too crap to continue, Gudy has Prem offers and Ole has offers from clubs like Lazio and Ajax.

Ronaldinho, Deco and Marquez are the 3 party boys who will probably be shut out.

Zambrotta is pining for a move back to Italy with Milan.

Henry and Eto'o are the 2 that I think will stay but if Barca get a good offer for them then they will sell them.