Barca rumors: Coutinho, Umtit, Griezmann and Jovic latest

The latest gossip from around Europe

Coutinho considering leaving Barcelona

Today’s rumors start with Philippe Coutinho and an ‘exclusive’ from Sport who reckon the Brazilian is considering leaving Barcelona.

Apparently he’s already spoken to team-mates about the possibility of moving on, as he thinks it could be the best thing for his career.

Coutinho’s had a really tough season at Barcelona and thinks he may need to move to get back to the sort of form he showed at Liverpool.

Umtiti a top summer target for Arsenal

Samuel Umtiti’s future at Barcelona continues to make headlines, and the latest comes from England and The Independent.

They report that Arsenal see Umtiti and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba as their top transfer targets for the summer.

Arsenal want to strengthen defensively and believe Barcelona need to “drastically reduce their wage bill” and could sell Umtiti, particularly with Matthijs de Ligt expected to arrive.

But....Umtiti has no intention of leaving

However, it’s a different story altogether in Marca, who report that Umtiti has absolutely no intention of leaving the Camp Nou this summer.

The Frenchman has enjoyed great success with Barcelona and believes he can now get his place in the starting XI back after returning to full fitness.

He enjoys living in Barcelona, has just bought a new house and thinks he can be the “main man” in defence once Gerard Pique retires.

Real Madrid in talks with Luka Jovic

Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Luka Jovic, and so it was only a matter of time before Real Madrid’s name entered the fray.

According to El Chiringuito (via AS), Jovic’s agent (who is also Miralem Pjanic’s agent) was at Real Madrid’s training ground this week to meet general manager Jose Angel Sanchez.

Pjanic is wanted at the Santiago Bernabeu by Zinedine Zidane, but Jovic was also discussed as the club do want to strengthen their attack.

Griezmann deal is done, says former PSG man

And finally today we end with news that a deal to take Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona has already been signed, sealed and delivered, according to Jerome Rothen.

The former PSG winger told RMC that “I can tell from a reliable source, Antoine Griezmann will go to FC Barcelona next summer.”

The Griezmann rumors have been picking up steam recently, although the Atletico star has said “he’s a little bit fed up” with the speculation. You and me both Antoine.

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FC Barcelona News: 29 March 2019

Messi’s goal against Getafe is the best in Barça’s history according to the fans | FC Barcelona
The uncertainty is over. The best goal in Barça’s history according to the fans is Lionel Messi’s spectacular slaloming run against Getafe in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey 2006/07. The goal from the No.10 took the crown ahead of 63 other goals in a competition that started at the end of December 2018, and that has seen more than 500,000 votes cast in the past three months.

Messi one of the biggest trolls I know - Pique reveals Barca star’s ‘ironic’ sense of humor | Goal
Argentina and Barca’s all-time leading goalscorer to go with his five Ballons d’Or and other honours, Messi is perceived to be a shy character. However, Pique – who is often outspoken – made a revelation about the Barcelona captain.

Inter return with offer for Barcelona forward Malcom | Football Espana
Inter want to sign out-of-favour Barcelona forward Malcom this summer and are considering a loan with an obligation to buy, say reports. Corriere dello Sport say the Nerazzurri have been in touch with the Brazilian player’s agent and have improved on their latest offer, meaning they are committed to a permanent deal.

Arsenal and Unai Emery want to sign Samuel Umtiti this summer | Sport
Samuel Umtiti is facing an unusual situation at FC Barcelona after losing his place in the side to Clement Lenglet. This has seen other sides from Europe enquire about the defender’s situation and the last one was Arsenal. According to ‘The Independent’, Unai Emery has asked the club to do everything in their power to sign the French centre back.

UEFA hit FC Barcelona with a 1,500 euros fine | Sport
FC Barcelona were paying close attention to goings on at UEFA today. The Disciplinary Commission were discussing incidents on the agenda and two of those were related to the Camp Nou club. The first was in relation to their supporters using flares against Lyon in the Champions League. The ‘Boixos Nois’ were the ones adjudged to have thrown the flares after clashing with the local police.

Barcelona accidentally mail promising teen’s contract renewal to local rivals Espanyol - sources | ESPN
Barcelona almost ruined promising midfielder Ilaix Moriba’s contract renewal when they sent their final offer to Espanyol instead of his agent, sources from both clubs have confirmed to ESPN FC. Espanyol were left “gobsmacked” at the figures being offered to the 16-year-old -- and a source jokingly told ESPN FC that the teenager “will earn more than some of their first team players.”

Barça “not willing to do anything crazy” to sign Antoine Griezmann | Sport
FC Barcelona’s vice president, Jordi Mestre, spoke on the Catalunya Radio programme ‘Tot Costa’ today where he spoke about a potential move for Antoine Griezmann in the summer. It’s worth remembering that last season the French forward released a documentary where he eventually announcd that he would stay at Atletico Madrid and turned down Barça’s offer.

Barcelona chiefs argue over Griezmann transfer - sources | ESPN
While Barca’s management structure, which includes Pep Segura, Eric Abidal and Ramon Planes, insist that Griezmann is not a priority for next season, other sources say that Bartomeu is keen on doing a deal.

Spanish FA imposes limit on La Liga kick-off times | Football Espana
From now on, no matches can commence before 7.30pm local time between May 20 to September 15 – ruling out lunchtime and afternoon matches. The Spanish FA have said this arrangement has been approved by all levels of their organisation following a consultation process that had begun last year.

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How will Barcelona line up against Espanyol?

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Deulofeu: Barca need to be careful against Man Utd

The winger looked ahead to the Champions League tie

Gerard Deulofeu has told Barcelona they will need to be careful against Manchester United in their quarter-final clash in the Champions League.

The winger knows his former club will be favourites to progress to the semi-finals but says the Red Devils are on the up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“Barça are the favourites because they have a better team and have the best player in the world who is Messi,” he said.

“But in the Champions League we’ve already seen that anything can happen and they need to be careful against Manchester United because they’ve improved a lot.

”It looks like things in the dressing room weren’t going well. Now that’s changed and they’ve working better as a team. They’ve got great players and are a dangerous team.”

Source | Sport

Deulofeu’s Watford side face Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday at Old Trafford. The Red Devils then play Wolves on Tuesday and then have eight days without a game before they take on Barca.

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Messi’s goal against Getafe named Barca’s best ever

The GOAT has topped another list

Barcelona have been having a bit of a competition to crown the greatest goal in their history and have decided on Lionel Messi’s fabulous strike against Getafe as the winner.

The Argentine’s effort is one in a catalogue of brilliant strikes by the GOAT and saw him beat what seems like the entire Getafe team before slotting the ball home.

So, let’s have another look at it:

And the Barça Best Goal Ever is.... pic.twitter.com/MMhis02OZg

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 28, 2019

Messi had a message for fans who had chosen his goal as the club’s greatest:

Leo #Messi has a message for you!#BarçaBestGoalEver pic.twitter.com/PHOXJvIbII

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 28, 2019

The other finalists were Sergi Roberto’s unforgettable late goal against against PSG, Messi’s goal against Athletico Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final and his strike against Real Madrid in 2010/11.

What’s your favourite Barcelona goal of all time? Let us know in the comments below!

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Unpopular Opinion: Figo was right to betray Barça

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Barcelona plan on managing Messi’s minutes

The club are keen to avoid injury

Barcelona management plan on managing Lionel Messi’s minutes moving forward as the club chases the treble, according to Sport. Messi just came back from the international break with a groin injury that ruled him out of Argentina’s second game.

The biggest part of Barcelona’s season is ahead of them. They sit ten points ahead of Atletico Madrid in La Liga and have the Champions League quarter-finals and Copa del Ray finals in the coming weeks.

The highest priority for Barcelona is the Champions League, so Messi can probably expect to take a few matches off in La Liga as they lead into CL matches.

Messi is working on recovering and managing a groin injury so not aggravating the injury is the highest priority for Barcelona staff.

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