Joan Laporta – CaughtOffside

Gavi could miss Euro 2024 as Barcelona ace reportedly tears ACL

Jason Pettigrove — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 07:28:05 +0000

It was a sight that no Barcelona or Spain supporter will have wanted to see, and it was obvious as Gavi hobbled off in tears from La Roja’s meaningless final Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia that there was a big injury problem for the youngster.

Only Luis de la Fuente can explain why he felt the need to play major stars in a match that win, lose or draw, Spain would still have ended the qualifying campaign atop their group.

Gavi’s suspected Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is expected to be confirmed sometime on Monday, and should that be so, then his season is likely over already.

?? Barça expect Gavi’s ACL injury to be confirmed later today as the player is already back in Barcelona.

Initial indications are clear; Gavi was crying in the dressing room before and after the tests.

Barça, furious as they don’t understand why Gavi had to play that game. pic.twitter.com/PRpayuU08P

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 20, 2023

That would be the biggest of blows for Barcelona, after all it was he who was a clear man of the match in the recent El Clasico, despite Jude Bellingham grabbing all the headlines with his late double.

At 19 years of age, he produced one of the most dominant individual displays in a Clasico for years.

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Now, however, he’ll be hoping that he can make the European Championship in Germany next summer.

As Cleveland Clinic note, it takes six to nine months to recover from an ACL injury, so the youngster is likely to be in a race against time to make Euro 2024, given that the tournament begins on June 14, approximately seven months from now.

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Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati appears to have already made a decision on his future

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 11:48:19 +0000

Ansu Fati has really been enjoying himself of late at Brighton and Hove Albion, and is beginning to recapture the form that made him a breakout star at Barcelona.

The youngster is really beginning to find his groove with the Seagulls, and as WhoScored note, he has three goals, an assist and a man-of-the-match award in his last six games.

If he continues finding the back of the net for the Premier League outfit, Roberto De Zerbi would surely be keen to make his loan arrangement from the Catalan giants more permanent.

Ever since he suffered a serious knee injury which really stunted his progress, it’s been a long, hard road back to fitness for Fati, though he’s playing with a smile on his face again and that’s important.

Brighton have helped him to get his mojo back, and it hindsight, it was probably the best decision that Ansu and his representatives could’ve made.

However, his south coast sojourn would seem to be fleeting at best.

That’s because, according to Sport, the player wants to return to Barcelona at the end of the current season and prove his worth at the club.

The outlet go on to say that Fati believes he’s a better option coming in from the left side than Xavi has there currently.

Given he could likely make Barca a pretty penny in transfer fees, it’ll be a strong negotiation between all parties at the end of 2023/24, if Barca’s views don’t align with those of Fati and his representatives.

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Man City in race against time to change terms of Erling Haaland’s contract

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:59:01 +0000

Erling Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons this week regarding her client’s future at Man City.

“Erling is the master of own destiny, always,” she said to Relevo (h/t Fabrizio Romano on X).

“He will always do what’s good for him and for Man City. When they all are open to make a change, it will happen. Erling will always be respectful.

“For sure respect has to be on both club and player side. I’ve no doubts, Man City will respect him.

“If something has to happen one day, we will agree on every step together with the club. It’s always about respect”

The Norwegian striker’s current deal ends in 2025, and as 90Min report, Real Madrid and Barcelona are still interested in bringing him to Spain.

Furthermore, though there doesn’t to be any panic at this point, it’s clear that Man City are in a bit of a race against time to get any new terms or a higher release clause sorted, making it more difficult for potential buyers to acquire him.

With Kylian Mbappe expected to move to Los Blancos next summer, a switch to Barcelona 12 months later would ignite a battle that would be comparable to the Messi v Ronaldo clashes of the past decade.

Were Madrid able to afford Haaland, seeing him play alongside the French World Cup winner, assisted by the likes of Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler et al would surely place Los Blancos back at the pinnacle of world football.

For now, City will need to work hard and fast to persuade Haaland that, in fact, his future remains on the blue side of Manchester.

If he can come out and put any rumours to bed, then there’s no story here, however, all the while he remains silent, those rumours will continue.

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‘Crucial player’ – Contract issues could force rethink for Barcelona ace

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:17:47 +0000

Barcelona’s well documented financial problems, which appeared to begin under the presidency of Josep Maria Bartomeu, have reared their ugly head again and potentially caused a rift with one of the club’s most reliable players.

At a time when the Catalan giants can well do without any more problems, it appears that their lack of funds at this moment has landed them with one.

Although he’s been out of action for a while, there’s little doubt that Frenkie de Jong is the conduit through which much of Barcelona’s best work flows.

One minute back helping out in defence, the next marauding forward to assist or score a goal, de Jong is as near to an indispensable exponent as it’s possible to be.

However, he’s going to have to wait for his reward.

Speaking to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing column, Fabrizio Romano said:

“I wanted to clarify something on Frenkie de Jong’s contract because it’s important to say that Barcelona will not be extending any other contracts this year.

“Not for the Dutchman, for Ronald Araujo or anyone else. It’s because of Financial Fair Play and so they’re not changing any salaries or any contracts in November and December.

“[…] He’s a crucial player as Laporta said many times, so the discussion will take place but it has to be 2024, not now.”

Xavi does have a number of options in the middle of the park at present, but the Dutchman gives his XI something different.

He is the tempo setter for want of a better phrase and the Blaugranes look a far more balanced and cohesive outfit with him in it.

The quicker that his contract difficulties are ironed out, the better for all concerned, or else it could force the player into a rethink.

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Barcelona’s big shock for Frenkie de Jong

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:35:31 +0000

Though the wheels haven’t quite come off for Barcelona this season, it’s not been the most vintage of campaigns for them so far in 2023/24.

Much of the stop-start nature of the season could arguably be attributed to the absences of key players through injury.

Pedri has been a long-term absentee, as has Frenkie de Jong, and when neither have been in situ, Barca’s midfield has appeared brittle at times and lacking invention.

Certainly, de Jong’s marauding runs – which had become a key feature of the way Barca were evolving under Xavi – have been sorely missed.

The Catalans have been slow and laboured in their passing with no one looking to break the lines.

In turn that has meant they’ve become very predictable and easy to play against, so the Dutchman’s return can’t come soon enough.

Given his importance to the club and the way that Xavi and the powers that be want Barca to play the game, one might expect that a contract extension would be in the offing.

However, sporting director, Deco, has announced there’ll be no contract discussions for the time being, regardless of how long a player has left to run on his current deal.

“This year we are not going to make any renewals. We do not talk about that,” he said to Sport.

“We are calm, without rushing, approaching the agents because we know that there are players who have this season and one or two more and at that time we will talk to the agents. Both parties have to be happy and we will see in the future.

“Frenkie is a great player, I like him. There are others in a similar situation, like Pedri, Raphinha, and Ferran and they are players who have a contract and we are going to try to improve little by little but without getting into individualities.

“It will depend on him and also on the club’s situation, as well as in the case of other players. Of course, De Jong is a great player and we would like to have good players.”

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Barcelona make room for the urns of 26,600 dead supporters at new Camp Nou

Joe Dempsey — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 10:05:43 +0000

In what might be considered to be a move in incredibly bad taste, FC Barcelona are incorporating a columbarium into the Spotify Camp Nou as part of the remodelling of the famous old ground.

As the club’s official website states, the area will hold the ashes of 26,600 supporters who wish to have the cathedral of football as their final resting place.

Of course, they will need to pay for the privilege, and the website states that the cost will depend on the duration of the allocation.

It can therefore be inferred that the longer an urn is to be kept at the site, the more money it will cost. Prices start at €250 and go up to €6,000 meaning a significant financial injection into the club just when they need it – given that reservations on a space can be made now.

One has to assume that this is more than an ill-advised PR exercise too, and the club surely wouldn’t countenance the same if they didn’t believe that there was a demand for it.

Football fans can be fanatical at the best of times, but this would be taking their ‘support’ to a whole new level.

The new ground isn’t expected to be fully completed until 2025 and it isn’t clear what will happen to any ashes of the deceased in the meantime.

It’s also unclear as to whether this is something that other clubs may decide to follow suit on.

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Surprise future destination mooted for Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:25:09 +0000

Currently plying his trade at Brighton and Hove Albion, Ansu Fati could make a surprise career switch at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

The youngster, who burst onto the scene at Barcelona and was evidently the heir apparent to Lionel Messi, hasn’t been the same player since a serious knee injury robbed him of his natural ability to anticipate chances arriving and burying them with aplomb.

Where once if the ball was fed to Ansu there was every chance he would find the net, the confidence had seemingly gone post injury as chance after chance went begging.

At present, he’s trying to recapture his initial form under Roberto De Zerbi, and three goals in his last seven games per WhoScored is clear evidence that this is the case.

There doesn’t appear to be any chance of a renaissance for the player at Barcelona, given their loan purchase of Joao Felix, which may turn permanent at the end of the season.

Notwithstanding that Vitor Roque will also arrive in January, Marc Guiu has hit the ground running after an astonishing debut and there is plenty of other competition for places up front at the club.

Estadio Deportivo suggest that, in fact, Ansu’s future could be in the Saudi Pro League with its embarrassment of riches and the chance for the player to really make a name for himself.

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Barcelona superstar could be sold next summer if he has a good season

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:20:03 +0000

Although Barcelona appear to be heading in the right direction in terms of restructuring their finances and getting back on their feet, they’re still far from out of the woods at this point.

Former president, Josep Maria Bartomeu’s questionable decisions and alleged corruption almost brought the club to its knees, but since his removal and the election of Joan Laporta, things are slowly but surely getting better.

Perhaps the best evidence of that is the long overdue rebuilding of the Camp Nou, and the fact that the club are able to start buying some of the best players that European football has to offer.

Things could be so much better of course but it is going to take a long, long time before the blaugranes can be considered as the best on the continent and in the world again.

Ansu Fati

One player that arguably has never reached the heights that his early professional career promised is Ansu Fati.

His star has waned so much, that he’s now plying his trade at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Frankly, that’s not a bad option at this stage of his career, given how poor his recent form at Barca had been, and the club will be hoping he can rediscover some of the old magic.

That’s because, according to Sport (h/t Football Espana) the Catalan giants want to cash in and sell him at the end of the season to bring in some much needed funds.

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Deco explains the reason why Lionel Messi will “definitely” play for Barcelona again

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:03:42 +0000

Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate, Deco, who is now the club’s director of football, has suggested that the Argentinian will “definitely” play for the Blaugranes again.

That’ll be music to the ears of those supporters desperate to see the World Cup winner in the blaugrana shirt once more.

Ever since Messi had to leave the club in 2021 things haven’t been the same around Camp Nou, and despite opportunities for a previous return, ultimately, any moves have been destined to failure because of Barca’s acute financial situation.

There’s no specific time being put on Messi’s return to the club, though one thing is certain – it will only be for a one-off appearance.

Lionel Messi celebrates a goal for Inter Miami

“I think a farewell game, but maybe in the new stadium when it’s ready. He will always be the greatest idol in the club’s history,” Deco said to Lance!

“The club had great idols, like Cruyff, Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all. He will definitely play a farewell game at Barcelona, but when that will be, we don’t know.

“He is playing, and I hope he plays for more years, because people who like football, who like him, will be happy to see him happy.”

Tickets for any type of testimonial/benefit/farewell game are bound to be like gold dust, and depending when everyone decides is the most appropriate moment to fit in what is sure to be a monumental homecoming, that will dictate just how many get to experience Messi’s last-ever match in a Barca shirt.

Do so at the end of next year, and many thousands are likely to be disappointed. Wait until the Spotify Camp Nou is fully operational and finished, and 110,000 adoring supporters will be able to chant his name again.

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President of European giants wants Man City star at club next season

Darren Looney — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:00:36 +0000

Barcelona secured a loan deal for Man City’s Joao Cancelo this summer and with the full-back unlikely to ever return to the Etihad, the Catalan club would like to keep him if he continues to perform.

The La Liga giants have serious financial issues which has hindered their most recent transfer windows. As the club can’t afford many permanent transfers, Barca have taken advantage of the free-agent market and loan deals to get by.

Two of the biggest this summer were that of Portuguese duo, Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo. Both have made promising starts to life in Catalunya and Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, is happy to try and keep them if they continue to perform.

Laporta said about the duo on Catalunya Radio via Fabrizio Romano: “If João Cancelo and João Félix continue to play at their same level, we will make an effort to keep them.

“I want top players to stay at Barça and I have really liked João Félix for a long time”.

?? Barça president Laporta: “If João Cancelo and João Félix continue to play at their same level, we will make an effort to keep them”.

“Deco will manage it”, told Catalunya Radio.

“I want top players to stay at Barça and I really like João Félix since long time”. pic.twitter.com/bAEhrww4Hn

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 19, 2023