Just a quick roundup of today’s news, I’ve had a long day at work and I ought to think about taking out my better half tonight. First story is that Barça have signed a 14-year-old wonderkid called Mauro Icardi. Born in Argentina but with an Italian passport, Mauro has played for the Canary Island team UD Vecindario for the last five years scoring more than 500 goals for their junior teams. Barça beat Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal, among others, to sign him. Click here to see him in action.

I’m sure you already know that Samuel Eto’o arrived back in Barcelona today and the medics say he has a strained femoral biceps muscle in the left leg. Eto’o will miss the game in Zaragoza which will no doubt disappoint the racist twats among their supporters. Eto’o will receive special treatment for three days with the intention of getting him as fit as possible for the Celtic game. It is also looking increasingly likely that Puyol will make it for the game in Glasgow.

Barça have sacked basketball coach Dusko Ivanovich and replaced him for now with his assistant Xavier Pascual. As I don’t really follow the basketball perhaps someone who does can send a comment explaining what’s going on. 

Barça’s vicepresident Ferran Soriano announced that Barça have made a profit of €9.4million in the first half of the season. That’s from a total of €153million coming in through TV deals, merchandising etc, and costs going out of €143.6million. The economic situation looks quite good so there should be no problem signing Fabregas, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka for next season. (only kidding)

I should apologize to regular readers for allowing the comments section recently to turn into a slanging match. I would much prefer intelligent debate but would rather not censor - even though I have censored a couple of ‘violent’ comments. Anyway I recognise I have also got drawn in a couple of times and I’ll try not to do so again. Problem is the weeks with no midweek game there is often only the rumours to write about. I try to put my twist on these stories to let people know the game the press is playing, however, some people seem incapable of reading an article through before they send the “hands off our player” type comments.

Lastly for today I should remind you all that there are only a couple more days to vote for FCB News in the soccerlens blog awards. I’m currently in the lead but in case there is a sudden late surge from one of my rivals all votes will still be greatly appreciated. So if you like this blog click here and vote. Cheers.