Chelsea Planning To Smash Transfer Record For Barca Star?

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Chelsea are understood to be considering making a world record bid for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, with Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari keen to lure the Spanish International away from the Nou Camp, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.

24-year-old Iniesta has been identified by the Premier League club as the player to turn around, what has been a disappointing first season in charge at Stamford Bridge for former Portugal and Brazil coach Scolari. Chelsea are 2nd in the Premiership, but have performed poorly against other teams of the ‘big four’, which was highlighted in their 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chelsea reportedly made an offer of £42million two-years ago to bring Iniesta to England and are now set to reignite their interest in the EURO 2008 winner in a bid to get their faltering season back on track.

Barca allowed Deco to leave the Blaugrana last summer for Chelsea, with Iniesta, who has been at Barca since 1996, proving a more than adequate replacement for the Portuguese International. Deco has struggled to regain his early season form at Stamford Bridge, which has led Scolari to Iniesta, with it remaining to be seen if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic will bankroll the purchase of Spaniard after refusing to go above a certain point with both Robinho and Dani Alves last summer.

Sport claims that Chelsea are preparing an offer for Iniesta, with it also understood that should Barcelona allow the midfielder to leave. They would expect a fee in excess of the £46million that Real Madrid paid for Zinedine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.

Barcelona Line Up £45million Bid For Arsenal Pair?

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La Liga giants Barcelona are set to test the resolve of the board at Arsenal, with a sensational £45million double swoop being mooted to Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie away from the Emirates Stadium, according to the Daily Star.

Barca, are believed to be upbeat that they can prise long-term target 21-year-old Fabregas along with 25-year-old Dutch International Van Persie from the Premier League club. Having signed Alexander Hleb from Arsenal last summer.

Arsenal’s playmaker Fabregas, who left the Catalan club to join the Premiership side in 2003, has been consistently linked with a move back to Spain, with Real Madrid also heavily linked to the midfielder. Fabregas has always insisted he would like to move back to Spain in the future, with Barcelona the more likely destination due to the players, strong links with the club.

It is now understood that Van Persie is also on the radar of the La Liga pacesetters after a meeting between Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Beguiristain.

A Barca source says: “This is not the first time that Barca have looked at Van Persie, but there is a feeling that he has now matured and is ready for the move.”

Although a move is unlikely during this transfer window for the pair, especially with Spanish International Fabregas out injured for the next three-months with a knee ligament injury. A £45million bid for both Fabregas and Van Persie is expected in the summer, with Barca midfielder Yaya Toure likely to be part of any deal that brings the pair to the Nou Camp.

Adebayor Still Wanted By Barca

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Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is still a transfer target for La Liga giants Barcelona next summer, with David Villa at Valencia and Lyon’s Karim Benzema also on the Catalan clubs potential list of recruits for the Nou Camp next season, according to Sport.

24-year-old Adebayor had been on the verge of joining Barca during the summer in a £30million deal, with Serie A side AC Milan also interested in the Togolese International. However, a move to either the Blaugrana or the Rossoneri failed to materialise and the former Monaco striker agreed to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, which is believed to be worth around £80,000-a-week to Adebayor.

Adebayor has struggled with niggling injuries this season for the Gunners, but has still scored 8 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League side, 7 of which have come in the Premiership.

A move for Adebayor by Barcelona could be easier and probably cheaper than any attempt to land Villa or Benzema, but the Togolese hit-man would still cost in excess of £25million, with it unknown if Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would be willing to let the forward leave the North London club.

Another factor, which could affect any move by the Spanish side for Adebayor is Togo’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations next year, with Togo on course to qualify for the tournament. Barca, are already going to lose Cameroon International Samuel Eto’o for a month to the tournament next year and are unlikely to want to have two key players in the same position missing for so long.

Wenger Wants To Deliver Champions League To Arsenal

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With Christmas almost upon us Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping he can deliver his own gift to the Gunners, with the Frenchman hoping he can deliver the Champions League to the Premiership club, come next May.

Wenger has won 3 Premier League titles and 4 FA Cups during his 12-years at Arsenal, but Europe’s biggest prize has eluded both the North London club and Wenger throughout their respective histories. The closest either has been to getting their hands on the trophy was in 2006, when Arsenal lost 2-1 to La Liga giants Barcelona in the final, with the Blaugrana coming from behind to beat the 10-man Gunners.

Now Arsenal must negotiate a passage through the last 16, where they meet Serie A side Roma, after the draw was made in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday. Wenger however, is determined to go one step further than 2006 and deliver Arsenal the perfect albeit late Christmas gift next May.

“I want to give that [the Champions League] to my club because not only have I not won it, but the Club have not won it,” said Wenger.

“We were very close in 2006 and lost one game in the whole season in the Champions League which was the Final. We were down to 10 men after 10 minutes [in that game], so we know we can do it.

“It is frustrating but you don’t just turn up and win it because if you see the names who are in the competition, they are all of the top level. They have top investment and it will always be difficult.

“But I believe we have achieved something – a remarkable consistency. In the last six years only four teams in Europe have been in the final 16 and we are one of the four. We have been remarkably consistent.”

City To Swoop For Arsenal Legend Henry?

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Manchester City, are considering a bid to bring Arsenal legend Thierry Henry back to the Premier League from La Liga giants Barcelona, according to the Daily Mail.

31-year-old Henry, who left the Emirates Stadium for the Nou Camp in 2007 as the Gunners record goal-scorer, with 226 in 369 appearances in all competitions for the North London club had been linked with a move to City’s rivals, Premiership Champions Manchester United in the summer.

However, United chose to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur and French International Henry remained at the Blaugrana, where after a slow start in his debut season in La Liga he is now a pivotal figure in Pep Guardiola’s team, who are currently top of La Liga.

Henry, who scored a hat-trick at the weekend in the 4-0 destruction of Valencia is understood to be open to a return to England, with City backed by the wealth of owner’s the ADUG prepared offer the striker a mega-deal in personal terms in order to lure the forward to the Eastlands.

While, Barca will be reluctant to let Henry leave the Catalan club it is understood that Henry is unhappy at the racist taunts himself and Cameroon International Samuel Eto’o suffer in away games and this could be enough to see the former AS Monaco striker quit the Nou Camp and return to England, with City.

Arsenal To Swoop For Barca Outcast?

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Arsenal are ready to reignite their interest in Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure, younger brother of Gunners defender Kolo, with a £6million offer for the Ivory Coast International being mooted in January, according to The Sun.



Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had been heavily linked with a move for 25-year-old Toure in the summer, but were put off by the £15million price tag put on the combative midfielder by the Catalan club.

However, Toure has fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp under new Barca coach Pep Guardiola and has not featured for Guardiola at all in La Liga this season after a successful debut season for Barcelona in 2007/2008. Where Toure made 26 league appearances for the Spanish club following his transfer from AS Monaco.

Toure has had a trial at the Premier League club, but failed to earn a contract with Wenger’s North London side and was signed by the Blaugrana, where the midfielder has impressed. Toure did also reveal recently the interest by the Gunners in the summer and that he had chose to stay at Barcelona, but with the midfielder not able to break into the Barca first-team this season Toure could see a reunion with brother Kolo at the Emirates Stadium as the perfect solution in January.

Spurs Weigh Up January Bid For Barca Prodigy?

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up a bid for Barcelona prodigy Gai Assulin when the transfer window reopens in January after reports in Spain have suggested that the Israeli International is ready to quit the Nou Camp.

17-year-old Assulin is believed to be frustrated at his progression at Barca, with passport problems preventing the Israeli from following Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola from the B Team at the Catalan club into the senior side at the Nou Camp.

Assulin has a £15million buyout clause inserted in the three-year deal he signed this summer with the Blaugrana, but signed the deal on the presumption that he would be part of the Barca senior set-up this season and should be allowed to leave the La Liga giants for considerably less in January.

The attacking-midfielder’s situation at Barcelona has alerted new Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who is understood to be considering a January move to bring Assulin to White Hart Lane.

Assulin has been at the La Liga side since 2003, with the young starlet coming through the Barca youth set-up to score 10 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona Atletic last season in helping them win the league title. With his performances attracting the interest of Arsenal, Man United and AC Milan this summer, who could decide to reignite their interest in the midfielder. Assulin has played once for the Barca first-team when he came on a a substitute in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya against Girona in September 2007.

However, despite the interest of several of Europe’s top sides, Spurs could hold the key, with Assulin sharing the same agent as former team-mate and friend Giovanni Dos Santos, Pini Zahavi, who was behind the transfer of Giovanni to the North London club this summer from Barca.

Barca Chief To Sell Xavi Against Guardiola's Wishes To Land Arsenal's Fabregas?

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Barcelona president Joan Laporte is understood to be stepping up his efforts to sign Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, with the Catalan club chief even prepared to sell Spanish International Xavi, despite coach Pep Guardiola insisting last week that Xavi (below) remains at the Nou Camp as long as he remains in charge, according to Spanish radio station Onda.

Recent reports have claimed that EURO 2008 winner Xavi is unhappy at the La Liga side, with talks on a new deal at Barca stalling as he seeks parity with the top earners at the Nou Camp. Which has led to speculation that he could leave Barcelona next summer, with Serie A side Juventus interested in Xavi, who was voted player of the tournament at EURO 2008.

Should Xavi not extend his current contract at Barcelona then Laporte could be forced into selling the Blaugrana midfield general, with the midfielder’s deal running out in 2010 and despite having a buyout clause of £100million, it is understood that the Barcelona vice-captain would be allowed to leave for considerably less.

However, these latest reports that Laporte is willing to lure Fabregas from the Emirates Stadium back to the club he left as a 16-year-old at all costs, including selling Xavi, will anger Guardiola, who sees Xavi as an integral part of the Catalan side. With the former Barca legend declaring last week that Xavi will remain at Barcelona, while he is in charge.

“With me as coach Xavi remains here, that is non-negotiable,” Guardiola said ahead of the La Liga match against Malaga.

21-year-old Fabregas has constantly been linked over the past couple of seasons with Barca’s great rivals Real Madrid, but it is hard to imagine Fabregas ever playing for Los Merengues given his attachment to the Blaugrana, and did reveal recently that “It would be a dream” to return to his boyhood club.

“I would like to try to win more titles here, although next season we'll see,” Fabregas said.

“It would be a dream to return to Barcelona one day.”

With Arsenal struggling in the Premier League and not having won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup, Fabregas could decide to return to Barcelona next summer if the Gunners have a fourth season in a row without any silverware, but whether Xavi is sold to accommodate the signing of Fabregas remains to be seen. However Laporte could go over Guardiola’s head, with the Barcelona president seeing the capture of Fabregas as the key to holding on to the presidency after narrowly getting re-elected earlier this year.

Six Premier League Clubs Chasing Barcelona Prodigy Assulin?

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No fewer than six Premier League clubs could be in the hunt to sign Barcelona prodigy Gai Assulin when the transfer window reopens in January, with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Manchester United and Manchester City along with AC Milan all reportedly interested in the young attacking midfielder.

17-year-old Assulin is believed to be frustrated at his progression at Barca, with passport problems preventing the Israeli International from following Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola from the B Team at the Catalan club into the senior side at the Nou Camp.

Assulin has been at the La Liga side since 2003, with the young starlet coming through the Blaugrana youth set-up to score 10 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona Atletic last season in helping them win the league title. With his performances attracting the interest of Arsenal, Man United and AC Milan this summer, who could decide to reignite their interest in the midfielder. Assulin has played once for the Barca first-team when he came on a a substitute in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya against Girona in September 2007.

Spurs along with City, Chelsea and Pompey are all believed to be monitoring the situation at the Nou Camp, with Assulin having the same agent as Giovanni Dos Santos, Pini Zahavi, who was behind the transfer of Mexican Giovanni’s summer move to White Hart Lane.

However, with Assulin considered one of the future stars of Spanish football there will no shortage of suitors for the young Israeli should he become available in January.

Man United To Make £7million January Raid For Real & Barca Target Douglas?

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Premier League Champions Manchester United are planning a £7million January swoop for teenage Brazilian sensation Douglas Costa at Gremio, according to The News of the World.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly ready to bring forward his plans and move for 18-year-old Douglas in January, but is sure to face competition from La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, who have also shown an interest in the talented Brazilian midfielder.

Douglas has been dubbed the ‘New Ronaldinho’ in his homeland after just a handful of appearances for Gremio, with the attacking-midfielder catching the eye of Ferguson as well as the Blaugrana and Los Merengues, while playing in the Junior Copa Santiago tournament in January.

The interest shown by Barca, Real and the Red Devils has led to Gremio quickly handing Douglas a new five-year deal at Olimpico Monumental, which runs until 2013 and inserting a £21million buyout clause for the Brazilian prodigy.

However, Gremio are believed to need money and it is understood that Ferguson could bring Douglas to Old Trafford for as little as £7million as he looks to fine tune a squad going for a hat-trick of Premiership titles.