Barcelona could use Coutinho or Malcom to try to get Rashford

Manchester United could be tempted by a deal involving a swap of players

FC Barcelona are interested in Marcus Rashford, but the message from Manchester United so far is that he’s not for sale. However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barça could tempt the Red Devils if they were to include one of two players in a potential swap.

The one that clearly interests United most is Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian is going through a rough patch of form, but he was one of the Premier League’s best players when he was at Liverpool. United would be hoping that he regains his top level once he returns to England. In this case, Barça would be operating from a position of power since Rashford is not valued as highly as Coutinho. United would have to give the young English forward up in addition to some transfer fee to make this sort of deal happen.

Another option is Malcom. The winger has had trouble getting minutes under Ernesto Valverde, but he is young and many teams think he’s on the rise and will be a star soon. However, United’s interest in the player is less strong than in the Coutinho case. This would make this particular deal trickier for Barcelona.s going through a roug

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Boateng picks Ibrahimovic over Messi for best player he’s played with

The pair were team-mates at AC Milan

This week Kevin-Prince Boateng said Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the best teammate he ever played with. Boateng and Ibra were teammates at AC Milan earlier this decade.

Boateng of course made a move to Barcelona in January and is now teaming with the man that most players would say is the best in the world, Lionel Messi. The reality is that Boateng just arrived at the Camp Nou and hasn’t teamed with Messi for that long.

When you’re asked about the best teammate you’ve had at a job you often say the one you have good memories with and helped perform at the highest level. Boateng reached the highest levels with Ibrahimovic. Perhaps once Boateng sees Messi in the later rounds of the Champions League this year, his answer will change.

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Messi returns to training ahead of Espanyol clash

The captain has recovered from a groin problem

Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona training on Wednesday after recovering from a groin injury picked up on international duty with Argentina.

The Barcelona captain was back along with a host of other players who have been away with their national teams over the international break.

⚽ Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Semedo, Rakitic, Todibo, Messi, Aleñá, Umtiti and Vermaelen all back at work this morning!
#ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/16Q9UTRFxB

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 27, 2019

Luis Suarez also did part of the session with the group as he recovers from a sprained ankle picked up against Real Betis.

@LuisSuarez9
#ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/9zsv4OPg6E

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 27, 2019

Barcelona now face a busy week of La Liga fixtures before they take on Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The play Espanyol on Saturday, Villarreal on Tuesday and then welcome Atletico Madrid to the Camp Nou.

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FC Barcelona News: 27 March 2019

Real Sociedad and Alavés kick off times confirmed | FC Barcelona
The Spanish Football League have announced the kick off time for the game between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. The week 33 fixture will be played on Saturday 20 April at 8.45pm CET and will be the return fixture from week 4 when second half goals from Luis Suárez and Dembélé gave Barça victory after the home side had gone ahead through Elustondo.

Gerard Pique condemns anti-Spain chants in Catalonia win | Football Espana
“I went to tell them to be quiet, because (as players) we must be the example,” Pique told reporters after the match, as cited by Diario Sport. “There was no need for what was being said, it was a lack of respect and we should not have to tolerate this.

Lopez Rekarte: There has not been anyone as good as Messi | Marca
Luis Lopez Rekarte, who played for LaLiga Santander sides such as Barcelona and Real Sociedad, has insisted that current Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is the best player that he has ever seen. The retired left-back played alongside legends such as Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona, yet he believes that Messi is another level above.

France Football: Bayern Munich’s Alaba back on Barcelona’s radar | Sport
David Alaba’s name has been added to the list of left-back options as Barcelona look for competition for Jordi Alba. According to France Football, the Austrian is on the Catalan club’s radar along with Nacho Monreal, Alberto Moreno, Filipe Luis and Ferland Mendy.

Ajax hope to stop Onana from returning to Barcelona | Marca
Barcelona are aware that Jasper Cillessen will likely leave the Camp Nou in the summer of 2019 and Andre Onana, a former La Masia graduate and one of their leading candidates to replace him, is considered so important by Ajax that they’ll fight to keep him.

Antoine Griezmann ‘tired’ of links to Barcelona | Football Espana
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is ‘tired’ of the speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona: “It is the same every year.” A report in El Mundo Deportivo outlined how Griezmann’s ‘proven quality and fixed price of €120m’ – relating to the forward’s release clause – is why the Blaugrana are interested in a summer deal.

Barcelona interest in Manchester United’s Rashford like ‘wanting to date Cindy Crawford’ - sources | ESPN
Barcelona are closely following Marcus Rashford’s contract situation but are realistic about their chances of landing the Manchester United forward, sources have told ESPN FC. Rashford, 21, has been on Barca’s radar for a long time. His deal at Old Trafford expires in 2020 and the Catalan club are waiting to see if he ends up committing to an extension.

Lo Celso not thinking about Madrid or Barca as transfer speculation mounts | Goal
Giovani Lo Celso says he is unconcerned by interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid as he continues to make his way during his loan stint with Real Betis. The Argentinian international was loaned to Real Betis in August as he joined the La Liga club on a season-long deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

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Carles Puyol: “Gerard Piqué is better than me or Sergio Ramos. He’s the best in the world.”

The retired defender was full of praise for his ex-teammate

Carles Puyol has declared his former defensive partner Gerard Piqué as the best centerback in the world in a recent interview with Diario MARCA. Puyol played alongside Piqué in multiple triumphs, notably in La Liga and UEFA Champions League-winning campaigns for FC Barcelona and the 2010 FIFA World Cup for Spain.

“Gerard is better than me or Sergio Ramos. He’s the best in the world,” he said.

“He is key for Barcelona in everything he adds, his leadership, how he competes... he is a phenom and a great friend.”

The former Barcelona captain also weighed on some current players.

On Lionel Messi: “When you have the best in history, it’s logical that you depend on him. But around him, there are great players that together are making history and can keep going for a while.”

On Ousmane Dembélé: “He is a great, great player. But sometimes you can have a setback. You have to let him work, and let him know that all of us, when we are young, have made mistakes. He is in the best place. He should capitalize on the chance. With his qualities, he can make history.

And finally, on Arthur: “He is showing an enormous personality and similar qualities, but comparing him with Xavi is a lot. We are talking about one of the best midfielders in history. You have to go step by step, let him work and congratulate him for how he is playing. He should focus on Xavi, watch his videos and learn from him.”

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No one loves Argentina more than Messi

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Pique explains why he’s playing so well for Barcelona

The centre-back has been in fine form

Gerard Pique has been talking about his fine form for Barcelona this season and reckons he’s performing so well because he’s no longer playing international football.

The centre-back retired from Spain duty after the 2018 World Cup which has allowed him to rest over the international breaks.

He did turn out for Catalonia’s friendly win over Venezuela on Monday but says that will not affect his rest too much.

“It’s not just me, but others [who don’t play international football], but it’s obvious in my case I am performing better for Barça since I left [the Spanish team],” he said.

“The decision has been made and I do not regret it. The people that don’t want to understand it aren’t going to understand [my international retirment] but I explained it all at the time.

”It was the right moment to leave the Spanish national team. I needed to rest. The Catalan national side only needed me for on day. The two things have nothing to do with each other.”

Source | Sport

Pique’s international retirement has also allowed him to play every minute of the La Liga season so far, the only player in the top flight to do so.

The defender was back in training with Barcelona on Tuesday and should be fresh for Saturday’s La Liga clash against Espanyol.

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