Latest news with #Catalan
Metro
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Liverpool star could block Marcus Rashford's 'dream' transfer move from Man Utd
Marcus Rashford's 'dream' move from Manchester United to Barcelona could be blocked by a Liverpool star, according to reports. Rashford held a meeting with Barcelona chief Deco earlier this week to discuss a proposed move to the Nou Camp. The 27-year-old does not have a future at boyhood club Manchester United while Ruben Amorim is still in charge and spent the second-half of the season on loan at Aston Villa. Amorim criticised Rashford's output in training before sanctioning his move to Villa in January and has advised the club to offload him on a permanent deal this summer. Rashford is not against extending his stay at Villa Park but views Barcelona as his 'dream' destination after holding talks with the La Liga giants in January. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Barca are interested in a deal, with United asking for £40m, but have also expressed interest in Liverpool forward Luis Diaz. Diaz has scored 30 goals for Liverpool over the past two seasons and, according to Spanish transfer expert Gerard Romero, is a genuine option for Barcelona. The Spanish champions can neither afford or accommodate both so will choose between Rashford and Diaz as they look to bolster Hansi Flick's options in the wide areas. 'We like Luis and we like Rashford,' former Barcelona, Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Deco told the Catalan radio station last week. 'However, we can't talk about players who are under contract. For me, it's much more important to improve what we have at home.' Diaz joined Liverpool in a £37.5m move from Porto in 2022 and has made 148 appearances for the Reds. The Colombia international featured in all but two of Liverpool's Premier League games this season as they stormed to the title. Rashford, meanwhile, played over 400 games for Manchester United after coming through the club's academy and developing into a key player for the Red Devils. Amorim effectively banished Rashford from his first team shortly after replacing Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat and is ready to give incoming signing Matheus Cunha his No. 10 shirt. More Trending Rashford has shown encouraging signs at Aston Villa but suggested after the season ended that he did not expect to stay part of Unai Emery's squad next year. 'Just a message of thanks to everyone here at Villa for what has (injury aside) been an incredible few months for me,' he posted on social media. 'It is a really special club and I appreciated the way Villa fans embraced me with open arms from 1st minute on the pitch. Manager, team, and coaching staff have all been brilliant. 'I know it is a huge disappointment not to have made the Champions League place which everyone worked so hard all season for but I know this club and team will come back stronger.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Erik ten Hag targets two Manchester United stars as first Bayer Leverkusen signing MORE: Arsenal in talks to sign £92.5m star as Mikel Arteta approves deal MORE: Concern for Arsenal as Real Madrid given fresh hope of signing £51m star
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Agents believe most of Manchester City's squad is FOR SALE this summer transfer window
Agents believe most of Manchester City's squad is FOR SALE this summer transfer window Football agents are believed to be discussing the fact that the majority of Manchester City's first-team playing squad are for sale and available at the right price this summer. That is the latest claim as the summer transfer window approaches for Manchester City's recruitment chiefs, who are plotting somewhat of an overhaul going into the brand new 2025/26 season. Advertisement A minimum of four new players are expected to come into Pep Guardiola's side over the summer months, adding to the four signings that were made during the January transfer window to strengthen the club's successful pursuit of a UEFA Champions League place. However, the Catalan coach at City has consistently stressed the importance of keeping his squad numbers down to ensure that all members of the team are actively engaged with matchday routines and named frequently enough on team-sheets. That feeling comes after a challenging few weeks on a personal note for Guardiola, who has been forced to leave out a number of names from his matchday squad lists due to his side being at full fitness – with the likes of Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish, and Savinho left out at times. Advertisement Now, according to MailSport's Ian Ladyman, agents across the game are said to be speaking privately of most of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City squad being for sale this summer if the price is right. It is further stressed that it remains likely the team who starts next season will be 'all but unrecognisable' from those that started last campaign in an away victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Among the names whose futures remain in doubt heading into the latest edition of the summer transfer window are both of Manchester City's goalkeepers, who may actively seek new challenges away from the club depending on the proposals that become available. Matheus Nunes could also be a casualty in the full-back ranks as City bosses look towards Newcastle's Tino Livramento as a new right-back addition, while Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri is admired for the left-back role. Advertisement Further forward and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White as well as AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders are both being eyed for additions into midfield, while it remains to be seen whether attacking players could be targeted depending on the future of Jack Grealish. Other names to consider as potential outgoings include John Stones and Nathan Ake due to injury issues, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic purely due to age profile in the centre of the park, and Claudio Echeverri – who could seek consistent on-field opportunities in Europe.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Key reason why Luis Diaz is Hansi Flick's top choice to strengthen Barcelona's attack
Barcelona are closely watching Liverpool star Luis Diaz, and according to Mundo Deportivo, manager Hansi Flick has made it clear he is a big fan of the Colombian winger for one key reason. Even though Diaz could cost over €80 million, Flick sees him as a perfect fit for the kind of squad he wants to build at Barcelona. Advertisement What makes Diaz stand out is his versatility. Flick learned an important lesson this season that having players who can adapt to different roles is key to success. At Barça, this approach is already visible. Eric Garcia, mainly a centre-back, was used as a right-back due to Jules Kounde's injury and even as a pivot. Other players like Ronald Araujo, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and even Dani Olmo have all played in roles outside their usual positions under Flick. A winger who can also score as a striker Diaz is naturally a left-winger, but reports show he is also effective when playing through the middle. Hansi Flick really likes Luis Diaz. (Photo by) This season at Liverpool, he has played as a centre-forward in 15 games and managed to score eight goals. He is also found the net twice while playing as a false nine. This ability to switch roles without losing impact is exactly what Flick wants. Advertisement The coach values tactical flexibility, and Diaz's profile fits perfectly into that plan. His ability to play both wide and centrally gives Barcelona an attacking edge that's been missing at times. Barcelona are keeping Diaz high on their list of targets, but pulling off the deal won't be easy. Liverpool value the Colombian highly, and it's unlikely they will give the Catalan side any favours in negotiations. The transfer could cost Barça more than €80 million, a fee that will require careful planning given the club's financial situation. Still, with Flick looking to build a flexible, hard-working team, Diaz ticks all the boxes.
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
FC Barcelona Puts Two Title Winners On Transfer List
FC Barcelona has put two members of its Spanish treble winning squad of 2024/2025 on the transfer ... More market to be sold according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources. FC Barcelona has put two members of its Spanish treble winning squad of 2024/2025 on the transfer market to be sold according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources. With said campaign finishing less than a week ago, the Catalans are already looking to move certain players on, which will help bring in fresh faces to join Hansi Flick's outfit. Once talked up as the future of the club and given Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt when the Argentine departed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Ansu Fati looks like he could also be on his way to France in the coming weeks. COPE reported that he has agreed to join AS Monaco, as part of a loan deal that will come with an option to buy the former Spain international outright. Over at SPORT, the Catalan newspaper explains that the potential exits of two more players are being prepared too. They are namely midfielder Pablo Torre and Pau Victor, who like Fati struggled for regular minutes last term and might be better off with a change of scenery. As already detailed, there is an 'overbooking' in midfield with regards to Torre, who is way down the pecking order of a list of eight players for three positions which also includes Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Marcs Casado and Bernal, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez. He has offers in Spain, France and Germany, but Barca needs to get it right by first making sure Torre extends his contract. With the 22-year-old out of contract on June 30, 2026, Barca needs to make sue it doesn't lose him for free around 13 months for now and especially to a club that can take him on loan first. Pau Victor is in a three horse race with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres for the number 9 spot, and he has proposals to enjoy more prominence than on Flick's watch from Spanish teams including Real Betis, Celta, Valencia, Sevilla and Mallorca. According to SPORT, FC Barcelona expects to sell each player for around $5.7 million (€5 million) but it is also getting their salaries off the books which will help with Financial Fair Play. Furthermore, it will be wise to make sure any outgoing transfers include buyback clauses.
Morocco World
18 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Signs $50 Million Investment Deal with Catalan Companies
Rabat — The Moroccan government signed four major investment agreements with Catalan companies on Wednesday, securing a total investment of MAD 500 million ($50 million) that will create over 700 direct jobs. The projects will launch in three key Moroccan cities: Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra. This deal marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between Morocco and Spain. High-Level signing ceremony Karim Zidane, Morocco's Deputy Minister for Investment, hosted the signing ceremony in Rabat. Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of Foment del Treball, Catalonia's main business organization, led the Catalan delegation. The investments target four strategic sectors, including automotive manufacturing, waste recovery, industrial packaging, and construction materials. These areas reflect Morocco's growing appeal as an investment destination and its ability to turn economic partnerships into job-creating projects. Morocco positions itself as a regional hub Zidane noted that these projects align with King Mohammed VI's vision to establish Morocco as a competitive industrial and economic hub in Africa and the Mediterranean region. 'We have implemented structural reforms that make investing easier,' Zidane explained, noting three key improvements, namely digital procedures, simplified administration, and stronger Regional Investment Centers (CRIs). Catalonia plans bigger future investment Sánchez Llibre commended the warm reception his delegation received and announced ambitious expansion plans. 'These first projects are just the beginning of a larger, long-term presence in Morocco,' he said. 'We will return within a year with a new delegation of about twenty Catalan companies,' Sanchez Llibre added. Spain-Morocco strengthened economic partnership Spanish Ambassador to Rabat Enrique Ojeda Vila attended the ceremony and celebrated the initiative. He reminded attendees that Morocco and Spain are each other's top economic partners, with strong geographic, historical, and strategic connections. Meanwhile, Adil Rais, co-president of the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES), said the agreements reflect both countries' commitment to enhancing a solid investment axis, intending to make Spain Morocco's largest foreign investor. Building on previous success This signing ceremony is a continuation of the bilateral economic promotion work under the 'Morocco Now' initiative. Previous efforts include roadshows in Barcelona in January 2024 and Madrid in April 2025, as well as the first Catalan delegation visit in June 2024. The new investments demonstrate Morocco's success in attracting international partners and transforming diplomatic relationships into concrete economic opportunities that benefit both countries' workers and businesses. Tags: economyInvestment dealMorocco spain
