Barca targets Villa, Henry off
Source: Agencies |
May 19, 2010, Wednesday
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LA Liga champion Barcelona is closing in on prized Valencia striker David Villa while the Catalans expect a longer wait before it clinches Cesc Fabregas's return to the Nou Camp.
Joan Laporta, the club's outgoing president, said yesterday at a Barcelona foundation event talks with Valencia for the capture of Villa were "on track" and he expected them "to be resolved soon".
Rafael Yuste, one of the Catalan club's vice presidents, said bringing Arsenal captain Fabregas back to Barca, where he was a youth player, was "more complicated because lengthy negotiations with his club lie ahead".
"But both players want to come and that makes everything easier," Yuste said on Monday.
Asked about Yuste's comments, an Arsenal spokesperson said the Premier League club never commented on transfer speculation and a Valencia spokeswoman said the La Liga club had no immediate comment.
Laporta and Yuste both said French forward Thierry Henry could be on his way to a club in the United States.
The France captain and Barcelona had to "put the finishing touches (to a deal) so that both are happy", Yuste told Ona FM radio.
Laporta said Henry was very popular in Major League Soccer.
"We are working in that direction and what we will do is reconcile the interests of Barcelona and the player," he said.
Fabregas, who has several years left on his Arsenal contract, is recovering from a cracked bone in his right leg and should be fit to help European champion Spain in its bid for a first World Cup triumph in South Africa starting next month.
If he moved back to Barcelona, the 23-year-old would join international teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the La Liga champion's midfield.
Laporta, whose quotes were carried on Barcelona's Website, quashed speculation in the Spanish media that Xavi would be sold to make way for Fabregas.
Asked by reporters whether Xavi might leave, Laporta replied with a firm "no", according to the club's Website.
Barca won its second consecutive league title on Sunday and one of the Spanish media reported it was chasing 28-year-old Spain striker Villa last year.
Reports of his imminent move to the Catalan capital have led to speculation Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who joined from Inter Milan last year, will be sold on after failing to live up to expectations this season.
"He has a contract with us and we are satisfied," Laporta said.
Villa said at the weekend he was happy in Valencia and committed to the club, who finished a distant third in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League.
He said he did not want to be distracted during the World Cup.
Joan Laporta, the club's outgoing president, said yesterday at a Barcelona foundation event talks with Valencia for the capture of Villa were "on track" and he expected them "to be resolved soon".
Rafael Yuste, one of the Catalan club's vice presidents, said bringing Arsenal captain Fabregas back to Barca, where he was a youth player, was "more complicated because lengthy negotiations with his club lie ahead".
"But both players want to come and that makes everything easier," Yuste said on Monday.
Asked about Yuste's comments, an Arsenal spokesperson said the Premier League club never commented on transfer speculation and a Valencia spokeswoman said the La Liga club had no immediate comment.
Laporta and Yuste both said French forward Thierry Henry could be on his way to a club in the United States.
The France captain and Barcelona had to "put the finishing touches (to a deal) so that both are happy", Yuste told Ona FM radio.
Laporta said Henry was very popular in Major League Soccer.
"We are working in that direction and what we will do is reconcile the interests of Barcelona and the player," he said.
Fabregas, who has several years left on his Arsenal contract, is recovering from a cracked bone in his right leg and should be fit to help European champion Spain in its bid for a first World Cup triumph in South Africa starting next month.
If he moved back to Barcelona, the 23-year-old would join international teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the La Liga champion's midfield.
Laporta, whose quotes were carried on Barcelona's Website, quashed speculation in the Spanish media that Xavi would be sold to make way for Fabregas.
Asked by reporters whether Xavi might leave, Laporta replied with a firm "no", according to the club's Website.
Barca won its second consecutive league title on Sunday and one of the Spanish media reported it was chasing 28-year-old Spain striker Villa last year.
Reports of his imminent move to the Catalan capital have led to speculation Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who joined from Inter Milan last year, will be sold on after failing to live up to expectations this season.
"He has a contract with us and we are satisfied," Laporta said.
Villa said at the weekend he was happy in Valencia and committed to the club, who finished a distant third in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League.
He said he did not want to be distracted during the World Cup.
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