With the end of the season drawing close it is no surprise that the Catalan sports press is full of stories of who Barça are going to buy and sell in the summer. El Sport headlined with the story of Kaka being a possible target, seeing as Ronaldinho and Zambrotta could both be on their way to Milan, the paper speculated with the idea that a deal could be struck with Kaka signing for Barça in exchange for Ronnie, Zambo and €20 million. A nice story perhaps, but the idea that Silvio Berlusconi will let Kaka go is extremely hard to believe.
Next up was El Mundo Deportivo who had scooped an exclusive interview with Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor where he is quoted as saying that no-one could say no to Barça. Adebayor has done well this season and has scored 24 goals in the premiership. He is a powerful player quite similar in style to Drogba, but with a slightly suspect first touch. He would certainly be a good buy but I imagine his quote was more out of politeness than anything else. You often have these interviews where a player gets asked if he would ever consider playing for a certain team, and when the player says he would not rule out such a possibility, the next day the story is run as an imminent signing. To make matters worse Toure Yaya also responded to the question of playing for Arsenal alongside his brother Kolo by saying he would love to. So now of course, based on a couple of polite answers to journalists, the big Adebayor-Toure swap is on. We shall see.
Both papers also ran the story that a European team are prepared to pay €46 million for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. It looks like Cech’s agent is trying to get a better deal from Chelsea. Maybe the team is Barça but there are plenty of others who it could be too. I’ve always backed Victor Valdés as I think there are only three or four keepers out there who are better. However, Cech is probably one of them. The only problem, apart from it being a huge amount of money, is that Cech is somewhat injury prone. I can’t remember Valdés ever getting a bad injury and if he left to make way for Cech, who would cover when he got injured? If we want to spend that much money on one player it would be better spent on other positions.
I think there is a much bigger chance that Dani Alves and Alexander Hleb will be among the first signings. Alves seems to want to come but the only problem will be agreeing a price with Sevilla as their president Del Nido is one of the most stubborn there is. Last year he turned down €35 million from Chelsea for the right back, but Barça may get him a bit more cheaply as he is nearer to the end of his contract which is till 2011, and Alves is insistent that he wants to leave. Hleb, it seems, is not happy in London, he is also one of the names that has been most repeated in the last few months. I have a feeling that there is something in the story.
No mention today of Benzema or Huntelaar or Van der Vaart or Fabregas or Poulsen or David Silva or Lampard or Capel or Lahm or Drogba. Who will make it into tomorrow’s papers? It’s anyone’s guess.
38 responses so far ↓
FCB // May 14, 2008 at 20:10
isnt adebayor bad??
Sue // May 14, 2008 at 20:14
FCB- what the hell you on about Adebayor bad?
Joe Henry // May 14, 2008 at 20:22
Adebayor is great 30 goals in the premier league. But he is not coming to Barca. Arsenal doesn’t grow strikers for us. We already take Henry turned him for star to zero I’m sure Adebayor won’t do the same mistake. Henry will rise again thou I know it but there is no need for Adebayor to leave Arsenal.
FCB // May 14, 2008 at 20:33
Sue—-i was ASKING! thats y i didnt say ADEBAYOR IS BAD!! i had two question marks after wut i said…… my friend is an arsenal fan and he doesnt like adebayor so i assumed he wasnt good…..im sorry if i ruined ur day by saying that.
John // May 14, 2008 at 20:38
Adebayor is good, not world-class though.
If you have a world-class striker banging in the 1 v 1’s, and Adebayor, you’ll probably win any league.
Barca 4 lyf // May 14, 2008 at 21:10
I don’t like Adebayor the thought of him in a Barca shirt makes me sick, he’s too cocky a months ago 1st half of the season he said he’s better than Henry and Eto’o he’s a bag of balls! Cech would be a great signing but the european team willing to spend €46 million for him isAC Milan!!! Dani Alves of course he’s coming he’ll be a great signing!!! I hope the Kaka story is true because
1. Deco is not the playa he was 2 years ago
2. Zamb is shit for Barca bring on Dani alves!!!
3. Ronnie is my favourite playa but it really piises me off that all he cares about is booze and parties!!! It’s time for him to move on!!!
Benzema would be great as would Van der Vaart, Fabregas, Lahm and Capel!!!
BARCA 4 LYF!!!
Frede // May 14, 2008 at 21:19
I would love to see Kaka, Cech and Alves here, but NOT Adebayor. He is way too controversial to fit into our new “rising” of the team. Just look at his problems with N. Bendtner in Arsenal.. He is a primadonna and will only causs problems with the rest of our squad.
Uhhh, these warm transertimes are so exciting! Can’t wait to see what our team will look like at he end of august..
Frede // May 14, 2008 at 21:22
.. BTW. I believe there is a slight possibility that Kaka will leave Milan. Of one reason: Champions League. ACM will probably play the UEFA Cup next year, and he is simply too blessed to not be playing in CL.
Sue // May 14, 2008 at 21:42
FCB, when you ask a question such as “isn’t Adebayor bad??” people need to know in which context you are talking about!
You so called Arsenal fans really need to go and see a few games before you make wild accusations about a player.
When did Adebayor say that he was better than Henry? that’s really laughable.
FREDE - I should imagine Adebayor would feel the same in a Barca shirt (sick) - Barca are really an unstable club never knowing who the next manager be beats me why anyone would want to go there. The way you treat other clubs with contempt in the tapping up of their players needs looking at the highest footballing order.
Henry should come back home - he isnt happy in Spain, he hasnt been treated very well and it shows.
BARCA 4 LYF // May 14, 2008 at 21:47
Sue he did say he’s better than Henry and Eto’o he’s full of himself the dopey bastard needs a slap!!!
Sue // May 14, 2008 at 22:04
Could you please place the recording of him saying it on this website for all to hear
hamza // May 14, 2008 at 22:27
adaboyor being in barca , i don’t think that adabyor’s level would leads him to barcelona , yes he is a good player but he is not the type of player that take the responsibility by him self and i don’t see him developing into another level i think his performance for this year is simply his peak ..
one last thing , i am sick of rumors that links us with top players i don’t think its a good idea cuz it didn’t work for us the last two years .. having a team full with top players is not what u need cuz the team will lose it’s soul which is the exact same thing that happened to barca this season .. A team without a soul .. why would u look for a player who already proved himself with no ambition ? i think we should look for good players , yes well-known players but not top class except for goalkeeper ( we really need another gooly )
Gooner mac daddy // May 14, 2008 at 22:37
He never said he was better than henry or etoo.
Jesus what you barca fans smoke, we do not believe the papers you must run out and buy it and say yes he said that because the press say so.
But he is a top race horse with a bad leg… lmao this fella has the touch of a r*pist and thats a terrible statement but its true i cannot imagine how he has socred 30 goals because 9 times out of 10 he is offside.
And if you want the ball back after passing it DO NOT GIVE IT TO ADEBAYER because he wont find you he normally passes it back to a defender.
But you know the english league is the place to be now the only thing you guys have is the climate and because of global warming in the next few years we will have that as well LOL.
We was 4 points from the tittle and we had some of the worst luck in history and with a few class players at arsenal there will be no stopping us… lets face it barca we make more money than you with a 60,000 seater.
Spanish league is in decline english league is rising up just look at the last 4 years its always been english teams in the semis and now its an all english final.
Soon you will be like italy with your currupt transfers and dodgy tapping up of players at least we look at the english league and see its the cleanest league in the world where deals are done by the law and we do not put stupid news in the press so players can be tapped up.
barca are crap right now!
Titi186 // May 14, 2008 at 22:40
Regarding all things Arsenal, the buck stops with me
Adebayor did say he can be better than Henry and Eto’o but it was more of future tense comment ie he will be better than them.
Hleb to Barca is exatly what Barca need. He doesnt score many goals but nor does any of the Barca midfeild contrary to the glittering references some people give it. It needs freshness in it and needs someone to thrad the ball through the most tiniest of gaps and I think Hleb fits the bill perfectly. Against Man United he was amazing and only Adebayors poor finishing let Hleb down.
@ Sue - I think Adebayor IS overrated. 30 goals in a season yet 6 against Derby the EPL’s worst ever side isnt as impressive as it looks and he score I’d say 1 in 3 chances so its not that great when you look deeper.
However as John says he is a good player all round rather than a technical player so if he was to play with someone who could score 1 vs 1’s then he could form a world-class partnership although I dont think he is individually a world-class player.
Regarding all other rumours, I stay the same and say Barca need a new full back which they seem to have in Alves, a new CB to cover Milito/Thurham, and a new creative midfeilder. I still beleive that Henry, Messi and Eto’o with Bojan in the backround is enough to win the league. However with Eto’o customary start of season injuries, Messi’s unfortunate long lay offs, and Henrys chronic back problems perhaps a new experienced Larson like striker is needed.
FCB // May 14, 2008 at 23:07
Sue—-u can ask me in what context i am talking about…u dont have to be rude about it. maybe hes a gr8 player but i hope arsenal keep him cuz we need benzema!!
Phil // May 14, 2008 at 23:12
Joe Henry,
The fact that you signed Henry and played him out of position is your problem. Take off your Barcelona tinted glasses and realise that it was only biased continental coaches that kept voting for Ronaldiniho that prevented Henry from becoming the world footballer of the year, even though his assist and goal scoring record was superior. If Henry had been playing for Barcelona 5 years ago you would have revered him as a god.
FCB // May 14, 2008 at 23:21
GOONER MAC DADDY— i dont knoww yyy but its hard to take ur comments seriously lol
Goalposthead // May 14, 2008 at 23:32
Why do a**enal fans always come here to complain? Could they all still be crying over Belletti’s goal?
Rafael // May 15, 2008 at 0:23
I hope Alves comes.
I don’t think we need any strikers or any any midfeilders. We just need a healthy and focused squad.
A players form can change after a new season. It can’t stay the same forever.
All we need is perhaps a fullback and Alves.
We don’t need any blockbuster signings like Kaka etc.. Our current squad is capable.. Henry, Messi, Ronaldinho, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Abidal, Puyol, Eto’o, Bojan, Deco.. these are all international players..
morzzan // May 15, 2008 at 1:43
Rather than Kaka, I think a more feasible option might be Diego. I know for sure, that if he is placed for negotiations, Calderon will, I repeat WILL snatch him. He has been behind Kaka for 2 seasons if I am not mistaken. And we all know the amount of money Madrid have.
Adebayor, no. Not good enough to be wearing a Barca shirt. I am an arsenal fan, but surely, I feel if Wenger wasn’t so stingy and spent a little more on another striker, then Arsenal would have been champions. They have what it takes to be the strongest in the world, but just as Wenger is a great coach, but he is a curse in the transfer money he invests.
Alves, surely he is coming to Barca. He will add an extra tooth to the right flank.
Other than these players, Barca need someone on the left flank. I know Barca play with 3 strikers, but they need someone who can throw in a cross once in a while. Everybody knows the way Barca play, 4-3-3. Just to confuse and give a little more variety to the attack, i feel they need someone who can cross the ball into the box from the left. I know for sure, that Alves will from the right, similarly someone on the left.
Calderon has said that he will sign 3 players this summer. Its a small number for Madrid, but he said the supporters will be pleased. So, im thinking 3 really huge players. And Marca and As are constantly talking about C Ronaldo. I know for sure, Kaka/Diego will arrive and probably Garay or Caceres for full back. These are the areas Madrid need filling, a Right wing, a Cenral Advancing Midfielder and a centre back since Cannavaro doesn’t look sharp enough.
Morzzan
bobby // May 15, 2008 at 1:51
salcido is top class player
blaugranafan // May 15, 2008 at 2:34
I don’t often take the bait, and I’m probably risking getting into a quarrel with a 12 year old, but I’m fed up. To all the gooner fans who come to this blog and tell us to keep away from their players and say stuff like:
“Soon you will be like italy with your currupt transfers and dodgy tapping up of players at least we look at the english league and see its the cleanest league in the world where deals are done by the law and we do not put stupid news in the press so players can be tapped up.”
Self-righteous statements like these are what make people look like gits. Let’s be honest here. No league is 100% pure, nor is any football club. We may like to think so, but ultimately, that’s an exercise in self-deception.
I don’t know what the canonical definition of ‘tapping up’ is, but I’ll loosely interpret it as approaching a player to discuss signing for you without the consent of a player’s club. For whatever reason, a lot of English fans like to apply the definition to players with a professional contract, i.e., players who are old enough and mature enough in the eyes of the law to make economic decisions on their own behalf and enter legally binding business contracts. But they think it’s quite alright to approach easily impressionable teenagers and pre-teenagers and offer bags of cash to these *kids*, many of whom can’t legally drink, vote, or drive yet–simply because the law doesn’t ban it.
Newsflash: Just because there isn’t a law against it doesn’t mean it isn’t unethical. Do everyone a favor and quit the holier-than-thou speak, Gooner mac daddy. Wenger just had a public hissy fit because Inter was rumored to have spoken to Hleb, but didn’t make the effort to call him first. Since when has Wenger ever deigned to ‘call’ one of the clubs he poaches youth players from? Arranging it so that Merida’s agent actually HID the player from Barca is a shameless act. The bags of cash English clubs offer these kids also teaches them the lesson that the most important thing in football is money, not loyalty. And yet your fans have the gall to call Flamini a Judas when he signs for more cash with Milan. I enjoy Arsenal’s style of play, and I apologize to some of the more regular and reasonable gooner posters here (Titi186 in particular), but your club’s hypocrisy on this issue knows no end.
Arsenal is as guilty of ‘tapping up’ as any other club. Give it a rest.
Shahenshah // May 15, 2008 at 2:52
goalposthead:
lol maybe that and the fact that Thierry “gooner for life” Henry plays for Barcelona now.
Gooner Mac Daddy:
After reading your point regarding Arsenal’s 60,000 seater, I cant help but think either you are an aspiring comedian or quite an ignorant fellow. Doesnt matter because you have successfully provided comic relief either way. Camp Nou has more prestige and fame than the Emirates ever will. Sure nowadays its all about the money with Emirates being able to fill in 60,000 seats compared to Camp Nou’s measly 98,000 seats…………..wait did I read that right? I hope you did. If not, then guess what? Its time for a fun fact! Camp Nou is the largest stadium in all of Europe………………..Emirates is in Europe too.
Furthermore, the bpl (its not really called the english premier league anymore seeing as how more than half the league is not even english) is nowhere close to La Liga. You should keep in mind when you are speaking of the league, its 20 teams, not just the top 4. I am pretty positive the eighteen teams in la liga will beat the 16 teams of the epl with better quality of football (well sevilla did beat Arsenal this season)
Hell even Fernando Torres admitted La Liga is better than the bpl. Speaking of Torres, its interesting how a striker who got most of his goals from the penalty spot in La Liga created major havoc in the english league, isnt it?
Joe Henry // May 15, 2008 at 5:24
@Phil.
Yes If Henry was is Barca for the last 5 years he would have been a god. What I’m saying is he was a god in Arsenal. Now look at him. although I really don’t want him to leave. If the Madrid game showed me anything is that Henry next season will be Fantastic. Specially that he will start to feel that all the stars are leaving expect Messi then they could start to play real football.
Maise // May 15, 2008 at 5:49
Guys, Adebayor might not be too bad, he does have the ariel power we lack. What we need is speedy alves instead of the lousy Zambrotta, and we need to invest in good responsible tall central defenders. Do you see how many goals we have conceded this season from corners??? And talkin about corners, does Xavi really know how to take them, Xavi is class there is not a shred of doubt, but he’s corners have been totally useless. We have an average of 10 to 15 corners a game, still only a handful of goals have been scored from corners.
Liam // May 15, 2008 at 5:55
“he score I’d say 1 in 3 chances so its not that great when you look deeper.”
Those numbers aint bad, actually, they are awesome!, thing is, Adebayor netted 1 out of 20! not surprised he has so many goals, seriously, with all the chances Arsenal creates its easy to do so, its just like when Etoo scored 25… he could have had 30+ but he missed tons.
Anyway, No thanks, we dont need Adebayor, would have Drogba 24/7.
EPL has stronger top sides, but the rest of the teams suck, thats why I consider Liga better.
EPL pace is incredible, but as a footie fan, I rather c tons of passes and then a change of pace, dont really like the “NBA LIKE” footie games.
Torres scoring tons in EPL means nothing, english fans could say the same about Kanoute or Forlan… styles are different, in England all u need is speed, imho defenders give strikers too much room so…. speed + space + a slow CB = u create havoc, thats why Ronaldo is doing so good, Im pretty sure he wouldnt be as great as he is if he played in Liga or Serie A. In Spain it all depends on the team ur facing, but a guy who can use his head or shoot decently can bag 15+ goals.
Gooner…. considering the best player Arsenal has is a spaniard and came from Barca u should watch ur mouth, im pretty sure that gunners wouldnt be half as good as they are if they didnt have Frabregas in their squad.
About EPL being clean, i recall Fergusons son being accused of making some fishy transfers 2-3 years ago? charging an extra % in order to get the player a spot in x or y team using his father connections? Then u got what blaugranafan said which I think it is way worse and shows no ethic at all, pro players can decide for themselves, youngsters cant, all u need is tons of money and a house for the family and the parents will sign anything u want….
Dont really care if Arsenal makes more money with their stadium (they prolly do, but only cuz in Spain u dont pay crazy prices for a bloody season ticket), thing is, Arsenal aint anywhere near Barca, history wise, talent wise, etc.
This style ur so proud of… Barca has played it since 1990… way before Arsene landed in Highbury and showed u guys what real football is (before that i recall Arsenal playing just like Liverpool or Chelsea do now). So, spare urself and stop this “public humilliation”
Liam // May 15, 2008 at 5:59
Almost forgot, Barca is a real club, owned by its members… it also has tons of different sections apart from football (basketball, water polo, hockey, handball, indoor fottie, rugby, baseball, etc.)…. can u say the same about Arsenal
Deidra // May 15, 2008 at 7:22
“Adebayor netted 1 out of 20! not surprised he has so many goals, seriously, with all the chances Arsenal creates its easy to do so”
It must not be that easy because no other striker or anyone else on the team has scored as many goals as him. Do you happen to have real stats to back up the 1:20 or is that a guess?
Blaugrana // May 15, 2008 at 9:59
Adebayor is not a good striker in fact he sucks, his only good trait is his strength in holding up the ball, eduardo is 10 times better than him, when eduardo got injured the goals stoped coming.
if we gona buy a striker this summer adebayor shouldn’t be on the list at all, and if barca let go of henry it will be a loss in my opinion there arn’t many strikers out there that are as good as him he has a lot of goalscoring experince and an all round funny guy,
But i would like to see hleb to don the blaugrana his attacking mentality and quick feet will be enough to please the insatiable camp nou fans.
It will be interesting to see what formation guardiola will go for, please let this season end quickly and look to brighter things.
john // May 15, 2008 at 11:55
Hi there,
I’m passionate supporter of Argentina and I must say that the future Barca is without a doubt going to be build around Lionel Messi.
I must say thank you to Barca for doing job keeping him well.
Also I’m happy that Gabriel Milito is also playing for Barca. Unfortunately I’ve heard devastating news about his injury. It seems he might be out for 9 months!!!
That is a really looooong time to recover.
Please check out my blog, as we’ve just posted news about Milito. Perhaps some of you might want to share your views about this….
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/05/bad-news-for-gabriel-milito.html
Liam // May 15, 2008 at 17:15
Diedra, him being the only striker makes it easier, as it made it easier to Henry, when u gotta share the goal quota with 2 other men ur goal average goes down. So again, if he was any good everyone would be talking about him and not Ronaldo, Adebayor should have scored 35+…. thing is, he didnt cuz he aint as good as his numbers say.
Of course the 1 out of 20 ratio is a wild guess, like, who on earth would keep his stats?
Valo // May 15, 2008 at 17:50
Deco wants out for sure:
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/379078/0/deco/barca/calcio/
Deidra // May 15, 2008 at 19:32
Actually Liam there are stats out there for you to look at instead of making up numbers to back up your OPINION.
I’m sorry Liam I’m not following you only one other person, Ronaldo scored more goals in the League that Ade and he is not a striker so how is Ade shit. No one who scores that many goals sucks. I’m not saying that Barca should sign him but let’s back shit up with FACTS.
“when eduardo got injured the goals stoped coming. ”
Eduardo barely played in League games, so thats not where Arsenal were getting their goals from.
Liam // May 15, 2008 at 21:11
Are u blind ?
“him being the only striker makes it easier, as it made it easier to Henry, when u gotta share the goal quota with 2 other men ur goal average goes down”
Adebayor was the only friggin forward Arsenal had, so its normal he scored that much, if Eduardo had been there im pretty sure his numbers wouldnt be the same.
U find a website that keeps track of every shot or chance he had and then we do the maths, in the meanwhile, dont “make up stuff” to back up ur OPINION
Ade is shit cuz he didnt score as many goals as he could have, if ur a gunner fan im sure u watched their games and in every single one he missed at least 1-2 easy chances. Also, playing in the EPL helps tons, only 4 decent sides, the rest are crap… how many goals did he get vs MU, Chelsea and Liverpool? ONE! vs MU (I recall him having at least other 2 chances to score vs Devils, but he missed them cuz of his poor skill)… the rest:
6 vs Derby
1 vs Pompy
3 vs Spurs
2 vs Reading
1 vs Villa
2 vs Newcastle
1 vs Everton
1 vs West Ham
1 vs Birmingham
2 vs Fulham
2 vs M City
1 vs Blackburn
24 goals in Premier… Torres (never scored that many in Atletico, best he did = 19 goals) has the same amount and its his first season.. he also plays for Liverpool, a club that doesnt creates as many chances as Arsenal does… Santa Cruz… 19 goals despite playing in Blackburn… (8 years and 38 goals in Bayern Munich) ..
Wanna impress me, use Ronaldos numbers, he played with Rooney and Tevez yet he scored 31 times and he aint a 9!, he played more like a second striker (despite him being a winger) and managed to score more than anyone, so how am I supposed to say the Togo guy aint crap?
So how u like those FACTS?
PS Adebayor wouldnt score that many goals if he wasnt playing for Arsenal, look at his numbers when he was at Monaco… 3 years and only 18 goals in Ligue Orange.. think that pretty much says everything
blaugranafan // May 16, 2008 at 2:54
Liam–you are one funny dude. lol
Shahenshah // May 16, 2008 at 4:09
look at it this way, if addebayor comes to barcelona, him, eto’o and henry can do their own special dance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL5ukFVJ61g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX_TXzW5O6g&feature=related
Liam // May 16, 2008 at 4:16
mwahahaha, am I? =P
eri // May 20, 2008 at 1:01
i think kaka would be agreat signing but i have doubts in adebayor chances becouse i think barca ned a world class striker to be a leader for the club like david villa or fernando torres he would be a potential striker and with him barca would the team to watch next season. About cech he is the most strongest keeper in the world and he will be a marvellous keeper for the dream team.
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