Barcelona scouts watching Tottenham ace Modric

Sun, 06/17/2012

Barcelona are eyeing Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.

Barca scouts will watch Modric in action for Croatia against Spain.

Asked about the speculation, Modric replied: "Of course, I love to hear things like that, but it just motivates me more to play better and show that I can be even more dangerous."

Modric is also a target for Manchester United and PSG.

Barcelona swoop for six-year old Brazilian prodigy

Sun, 06/17/2012

Barcelona have swooped for a six-year old Brazilian prodigy.

Brazilian talent Artur Miani impressed in trials at La Masia and has been offered a place in the club's academy.

"This is a huge pride," Artur's father, Adilson Miani, told Globoesporte. "He played against kids he had never seen before in his life.

"He even dealt with the jet lag and the long trip. I am very happy.

"My son has been approved by one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"They have not yet sent any info, or said if they will help with the costs, but we are already thinking about how we will cope with this.

"He is six years old, so he cannot go alone. I cannot leave the country right now, so his mother will probably go with him there."

Sampdoria to face Barcelona for Gamper Trophy

Sun, 06/17/2012

Sampdoria are set to face Barcelona in preseason.

There are reports Sampdoria could play Barcelona on August 12 in a repeat of the 1992 European Cup Final.

It’s rumoured Barcelona aim to celebrate the event by playing Sampdoria in the Gamper Trophy on August 12.

It has been 20 years since that night at Wembley Stadium, when Roberto Mancini’s side pushed Barça to extra time.

Manchester United are receiving encouragement in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Daily Mail says Thiago has grown frustrated with his limited first-team opportunities behind the likes of Xavi and Cesc Fabregas. And the departure of manager Pep Guardiola has prompted the 21-year-old to consider his future at the Nou Camp. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been following Thiago for 18 months and knows any serious bid will be considered by Barca weighed down by heavy debts.

Sun, 06/17/2012

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has told Croatia their Euros campaign is over.

Xavi insists Spain will beat Croatia and help Italy qualify for the knockout round.

“We are not accustomed to playing for a 2-2. Our mentality doesn’t let us play for a draw, as we always go out for the win,” assured Xavi.

“I am sure Italy will reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals along with Spain. After our own team, Italy are the ones who impressed me the most in the tournament so far.

“Cesare Prandelli has given a great shape to a team that really reminds me of the one that took theWorld Cup in 2006.”

Man Utd encouraged in pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara

Sat, 06/16/2012

Manchester United are receiving encouragement in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

The Daily Mail says Thiago has grown frustrated with his limited first-team opportunities behind the likes of Xavi and Cesc Fabregas.

And the departure of manager Pep Guardiola has prompted the 21-year-old to consider his future at the Nou Camp.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been following Thiago for 18 months and knows any serious bid will be considered by Barca weighed down by heavy debts.

Ex-Barcelona chief Begiristain eager for Tottenham talks

Sat, 06/16/2012

Former Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain is seeking talks with Tottenham.

The Telegraph says Begiristain wants to be considered for the football director's job at Spurs.

The Spaniard helped shaped Barca during Joan Laporta's reign as president and was considered for the football director's post at Liverpool.

Mourinho snaps: Get it right! Spain more Real Madrid than Barcelona

Sat, 06/16/2012

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is upset with claims that Spain are based on Barcelona's successful team.

Mourinho insists it is Real which dominate Vicente del Bosque's line-up.

"You speak about Spain and Barcelona but the national team of Spain have five Real Madrid players too," Mourinho stated to reporters.

"I don't know why you would mix that up because those are completely separate things.

"Barcelona was the champion of Spain. And I repeat 'was' the champion of Spain, and nothing more."

Vilanova admits Barcelona must buy this summer

Sat, 06/16/2012

New Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova admits they're seeking defensive signings this summer.

Vilanova confirmed they'll be buying during the transfer window.

"It's true that we want to bring in defensive reinforcements, we've had problems there and we've had to adapt players," he said.

"We want a left-back and a centre-back. Up front we don't expect to bring in anybody else. This year Villa, Alexis and Pedro have suffered injuries, but next season we hope that will be ok. We also have Cristian Tello and Isaac Cuenca."

Vilanova also dismissed speculation linking Dani Alves with a move away from the club, describing the Brazil full-back as "one of the most important players in the squad" and said they are not looking to move on midfielder Seydou Keita either.

Barcelona coach Vilanova has no fear of Guardiola comparisons

Sat, 06/16/2012

Tito Vilanova has no fears of emerging from Pep Guardiola's shadow at Barcelona.

The 42-year-old Vilanova knows comparisons between himself and his former colleague are inevitable as he embarks on his first post as a first-team coach, but he is not letting that bother him.

"I'm not scared of there being comparisons between his Barca and mine. I'm going to lose all of those comparisons, I know that. But I've not come here to be compared to him, I've come here to do my job," Vilanova said.

"I've been very fortunate to have won all those titles in four years. We're going to have the opportunity to repeat that, but it's going to be very difficult.

"We know the difficulty that we have, but we want to win every game.

"We will not give any game or any title up for lost. We will try to win everything."

In appointing Vilanova rather than looking outside the club for a new coach, Barca are aiming to remain faithful to the style of play that has served them so well in recent years.

On what is likely to change under his tenure, Vilanova said: "Pep and I worked closely together and we made many of the decisions together. Therefore, I'm not now going to try and change just to differentiate myself."