Ter Stegen pays tribute to departing Cillessen

From one goalkeeper to another

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has sent a message to Jasper Cillessen after the club announced the Netherlands international has joined Valencia.

Ter Stegen has paid tribute to Cillessen who has had to play second fiddle to the German since arriving at the Camp Nou from Ajax in 2016.

A serious professional, good teammate and friend. I enjoyed working together these past 3 years with you Jasper, always hard work and successful memories. Good luck with your new challenge and I look forward to playing against you next season. Fuerte abrazo @jaspercillessen ! pic.twitter.com/t2CQDWAAUu

— Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1) June 26, 2019

Cillessen moves to Valencia for a fee of €35 million, although Barcelona are expected to splash most of that fee in bringing Neto to the Camp Nou as the Dutch star’s replacement.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2FugoV9

Read More

Cillessen leaves Barcelona for Valencia in €35m deal

The goalkeeper moves on but stays in La Liga

Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that back-up goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has joined Valencia for a fee of €35 million.

The Netherlands international has spoken of his desire to move on in search of regular football and has now been granted his wish.

Agreement with @valenciacf for transfer of @JasperCillessen

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 26, 2019

While it’s a shame to see such a quality goalkeeper leave the club, it’s hard to begrudge him a move given he is simply far too good a player to sit on the bench.

Cillessen follows Andre Gomes and Marc Cardona out of the door at Barcelona, and there are likely to be more to follow in the summer transfer window as the club trim the squad.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2KEyEPH

Read More

Neymar could make public plea to leave PSG after Copa América

The Brazilian seems determined to join Barcelona

Neymar is willing to make a public plea to leave Paris Saint-Germain, and force their club president, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, to act on his desire to move to Barcelona, per reports.

Mundo Deportivo says that Neymar has spoken with Al-Khelaïfi in private and told him that he intends to leave, but that the next step could be a public declaration. Diario SPORT echos this, saying Barcelona want him to make a public statement and the player has said he is willing to do that if that’s what it takes.

Both papers agree that Neymar has decided he will not make any declaration prior to the end of the Copa América, out of respect for his Brazilian teammates. The final is on the 7th of next month.

There have been rumors of a verbal agreement as far as personal terms go between Barça and the forward, with Neymar taking a substantial pay cut in the process.

Both MD and SPORT say that Barcelona are looking to offer a player plus cash offer to land the Brazilian star. Philippe Coutinho has been mentioned most often as a possible candidate to leave, although Ivan Rakitić, Samuel Umtiti, and Ousmane Dembélé have also been rumored.

Again according to reports, Barcelona have set three conditions for Neymar’s return. One, that he ask for forgiveness from the fans for leaving Barcelona in the first place. Two, that he drop his pending lawsuits against the club. And finally, that he lower his salary demands.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2NdIme5

Read More

De Ligt almost certain to go to Juventus - report

The player awaits an improved offer from Barcelona that probably won’t come

Matthijs de Ligt is almost certainly going to sign for Juventus.

Diario SPORT tells us that the defender told Barcelona he would sign for them if they offered him the same amount of money as Juve, but all rumors say that Barça are not willing to do that.

Thus, Barcelona reportedly see it as basically done that De Ligt will join the Italians. Barça wanted to sign him but in the end, it seems they thought the cost was too high given that the team doesn’t necessarily have a huge need at the position.

In addition, TV3 pundit Oriol Domènech put Juventus’s chances of landing De Ligt at 95%. He suggests Barcelona do not have much confidence at all that De Ligt will accept their offer in the end.

DE LIGT, 95% A LA JUVE

@orioldomenech: "Deixo un 5% obert pel Barça"#ClubMitjanit pic.twitter.com/I00wIdk9DF

— Club de la Mitjanit (@ClubMitjanit) June 26, 2019

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2FxSvfg

Read More

Bayern interested in Dembele - report

An unlikely rumor all the way from Germany

Bild, a reputable paper in Germany, is reporting that Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in making a move for Ousmane Dembele. Barcelona have said pretty clearly that unless they get close to original value for Dembele, they aren’t going to sell him.

Bayern’s first plan is to make a move for Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. However, if that falls through they want Dembele. Bayern don’t have a history of paying extreme amounts for transfers. The most they ever spent was signing Lucas Hernandez for 80 million euros this year.

The president of Bayern Munich made it clear earlier in 2019 that they wouldn’t make a move for a player that caused them spend 100 million euros. So, if logic leads us to this point, and both Barcelona and Bayern won’t cross the 100 million threshold on their respective sides, there’s nothing to see here.

But we know better. Enjoy the silly season.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2YeiFv1

Read More

Griezmann: A necessary asset for Barcelona?

Read More

FC Barcelona News: 26 June 2019

Lindelof, alternative to De Ligt at Barça | Mundo Deportivo

Barcelona have reportedly considered Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof as an alternative to Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch star looks set to join Juventus, and Barcelona have enquired about the possibility of signing Lindelof.

Valverde gave Griezmann signing his blessing | Mundo Deportivo

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has given the signing of Antoine Griezmann his blessing and has never asked the club to re-sign Neymar. Valverde is said to be a big fan of Griezmann and wants a versatile forward who can play out wide and as a No. 9.

Ronaldo on Messi: “Let him play football for the rest of his life!” | Sport

Brazil legend Ronaldo has been talking about Lionel Messi and how he loves watching the Barcelona star in action. He said: “I want to wish him a happy birthday and I hope he lives for another 100 years. Well, what can you say to Leo? Play football for the rest of your life! I believe Leo is a player that the world loves to watch.”

Neymar ‘considers walking out of PSG’ to force through Barcelona return | Daily Mail

Neymar is reportedly considering walking out of PSG and trying to force through a transfer to Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Brazilian has given his current employers a deadline of July 8 to get the deal done or he will walk.

Barcelona expects to close Neto’s signing today | Mundo Deportivo

Barcelona expect to secure the signing of Neto from Valencia on Wednesday. The goalkeeper will move to the Camp Nou, with Jasper Cillessen heading the other way. The Brazilian is expected to cost €30 million.

Barcelona are closing in on Nancy’s Bilel Hassaini | Marca

Nancy teenager Bilel Hassaini is “very close” to joining Barcelona. The 18-year-old forward has turned down a move to PSG and Barca have now increased their interest. However, Arsenal are said to be keen and could try to muscle in.

Arturo Vidal ignores Inter transfer talk and is fully focused on Chile | Sport

Arturo Vidal has sought to play down rumors about a move to Inter Milan. The appointment of Antonio Conte has brought talk of a move for the Barcelona midfielder, but Vidal is having none of it. He said: “I wish him the best of luck but right now I’m only focused on the national team.”

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/31WFfKX

Read More