Barcelona Prepare Swap Deal For Torres

There are Catalan press claims of an amazing swap deal involving Chelsea striker Fernando Torres moving to Barcelona.

El Mundo Deportivo says Torres will join Barca in exchange for youngsters Sergi Roberto, Isaac Cuenca and Martin Montoya.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas drove the deal, offering Torres to Barca with the European champs losing David Villa for the season and was initially demanding Pedro in part exchange.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola, in talks with Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo in Brescia, refused to release Pedro and instead offered three of their top youngsters.

Blues midfielder Oriol Romeu also had a big say in the deal, convincing his three former Barca B teammates about life in London and at Stamford Bridge. The young trio are expected in London on Saturday to finalise their switch.

Torres, meanwhile, is expected in Barcelona later today.

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Fabregas wants to play for Arsenal again

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has spoken of his desire to one day play for Arsenal again.

The Spanish international left the Emirates Stadium in the close season after a protracted transfer saga involving the Gunners and the club where he started his career.

The 24-year-old eventually joined the European champions for an initial fee of 25 million pounds, but says that leaving north London was a deeply emotional time for him.

"If I have to leave Barcelona, I will go back to Arsenal - I would like to," Fabregas told Sky Sports News.

"I am not embarrassed to say that the day I left I could only say 'Thank you very much', I couldn't say more."

"I'm not embarrassed to say that I nearly cried."

"Arsene Wenger, I have never met someone that loyal. He is one of the best, I really believe that."

Fabregas has scored eight goals in 12 appearances in La Liga this season, while at the same time contributing five assists.

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Messi:Neymar most Welcomed at Barca

Lionel Messi says Santos striker Neymar would be a most welcome addition to Barcelona's already-stellar forward line.

The Catalans have reportedly agreed a deal with Santos for the young prodigy and after lining up against the Brazilian in Sunday's Club World Cup final, Messi has revealed he would be more than happy to see the forward arrive at Camp Nou.

"If Neymar comes to Barcelona, he would be welcome," Messi told reporters upon returning to his native Argentina for the festive season.

Messi said he was in great spirits after Barca's stunning 4-0 demolition of Santos in Yokohama, a game in which he netted twice.

"I'm very happy," the 24-year-old said. "Having become world champion with my club makes me very happy. Now, to enjoy the holidays with the family."

Messi did admit that Argentina's disappointing Copa America campaign was his one big regret from the last year.

"Unfortunately, the national team have not yet given me (a title), but we are working with enthusiasm and hope," he said.

Messi has played 66 times for his country since making his debut in 2005, scoring 19 goals.

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Buying Neymar depends on coach,Barcelona president

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said it is up to coach Pep Guardiola to decide whether or not to add Santos attacker Neymar to the squad.

The Brazil international is continually being linked with a move to Camp Nou, among other clubs, and reportedly asked Guardiola to take him to La Liga in the wake of Santos' 4-0 Club World Cup final loss against the Catalans on Sunday.

Rosell has made it clear that Barca are not thinking about a transfer at the moment.

"Do I want to sign Neymar? That decision is up to the coach. I'm only the president," Rosell told A Tribuna.

"You can't judge Neymar on one single game. The image we have of him is based on a number of matches. We think he's a great player. We haven't spoken to Neymar. We are focussing on the current season."

Neymar signed a contract extension with Santos in November in a deal that will keep him with the Copa Libertadores champions until after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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Barca are Club World Cup Champs

An imperious Barcelona were crowned Club World Cup champions in style in Yokohama, adding the world title to their Spanish and European honours as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Santos.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring for the Catalans, before Xavi and Cesc Fabregas added their names to the score sheet in a completely one-sided first half. Santos showed more after the break, but never looked likely to make their way back into a game they surrendered in the first 45 minutes. Messi put the icing on the cake with a late strike, to put the result beyond any doubt.

The opening exchanges of the match passed in a predictable fashion. Santos started with a five man defence and the intention of not conceding an early goal, and their deep back line allowed Barcelona to dominate possession. The Brazilians looked strong, however, and Barca were allowed limited glimpses of goalkeeper Rafael in the first 15 minutes.

The shot-stopper showed his talents though with an impressive double save. Lionel Messi was the first to unlock the Santos defence with a typical mazy run, and his long-range shot was parried by Rafael who was quickly up to deny Thiago with the rebound. Ganso, meanwhile, had an early effort for the Peixe, but his left-foot effort from outside the box fizzed wide of Victor Valdes' left post.

It was to be the Catalans who took the lead, however, as Messi once more showed why he is considered the best player on the planet. The Argentine picked up a wonderful ball from Xavi and delicately flicked the ball over Rafael's head, and Bruno Rodrigo's despairing dive could not deny a beautifully worked opener for the Blaugrana.

After just 22 minutes, the score was 2-0. Santos failed to cut out a cross-field ball, and Xavi found it all too easy to storm through the middle and slide the ball past the keeper. Borges then called Valdes into action with a decent effort on the right, but it could so easily have been three within the first half-hour if Fabregas' close-range shot had not found the post.

Minutes before the half-time break, Barcelona gave another demonstration of their complete control. Dani Alves' cross was palmed by Rafael and the ball pinged across the box, before Fabregas stepped up to fire home and notch the side's third of a one-sided 45 minutes.

The second period was not even one minute old before Barca threatened a fourth. An awful mistake by Edu Dracena led to Messi charging into the area, and the Argentine laid off to Fabregas who was denied by a fingertip save from Rafael. Neymar then showed the first signs of attacking danger; a header floated over the crossbar, before a decent run ended in his shot being saved by the impeccable Valdes.

Santos showed more in the second half, taking advantage of an opponent who had slowed down from an impressive showing early on to enjoy a little more possession. An intricate exchange between Neymar and Ganso was a highlight for the Brazilians, but there was no sign that Barca's imposing three goal lead was in danger as they cruised towards the Club World Cup title.

There was to be a final flourish for Barcelona. Messi was played in by Dani Alves free on the edge of the box, and the Ballon D'Or winner skipped past Rafael to slide the ball home and extend the scoreline to 4-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Josep Guardiola's side lift their second Club World Cup title, after the 2009 triumph over Argentine side Estudiantes. They also secured a quadruple for 2011, adding the trophy to Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa triumphs over the course of the year.

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Sanchez Could Miss Club World Cup Final

Barcelona could be forced to make do without the services of Alexis Sanchez in Sunday's Club World Cup final clash with Santos.

The Chilean winger picked up an abductor muscle injury in Thursday’s semi-final victory over Al Sadd and, according to Marca, is now a major doubt for the tournament decider.

The absence of Sanchez would be a blow for Barca as the forward has been in fine form of late and was on target in last weekend's Clasico victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sanchez arrived at Camp Nou from Udinese over the summer and has made eight appearances in La Liga so far, scoring eight goals.

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Injured David Villa returns to Barcelona

David Villa has returned to Barcelona ahead of surgery on the broken shinbone he suffered in the Club World Cup semi-final in Yokohama.

Spain's all-time record scorer is expected to be sidelined for between four and five months after being carried off on a stretcher in the first half of Thursday's match against Al-Sadd with a fracture to his left tibia.

A Barca statement on Friday evening read: "David Villa has landed on Friday afternoon in Barcelona via Frankfurt, after the fracture of the tibia in his left leg that he suffered during the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.

"The player arrived in Barcelona in good condition and the transfer has been developed without any incident. In the next few hours a decision will be made over pre-operative tests and the date and time of surgery."

The 30-year-old is likely to miss the majority of Barca's Primera Division and Champions League campaigns, but could be available to world and European champions Spain for Euro 2012, which begins in June.

Villa's team-mates, who remained in Japan ahead of Sunday's Club World Cup final against Santos, took to Twitter to express their support for their injured friend.

Club captain Carles Puyol posted: "Encouragement for el Guaje!!! I'm sure he'll be back with us soon, his injury is a blow to the team. We will try to dedicate the title to him."

Fellow defender Gerard Pique tweeted: "You'll get well soon Guaje! We are all here for you, friend!" while midfielder Cesc Fabregas added: "Stay strong Guaje! We're with you, friend!"

Coach Pep Guardiola said after yesterday's match: "He will be greatly missed as a colleague and as a player. I hope everything goes well.

"He will be out for a long time. It's a big blow to the team. We just hope that he can play again as soon as possible.

"David is very dear to us. The injury has saddened us all. Everyone can put themselves in his place and know how they would suffer if it happened to them. They feel for him. We must accept it and encourage him in his recovery."

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Barca wary of the threat posed by Santos

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano says his side are wary of the threat posed by Santos in Sunday's Club World Cup final.

The Catalan giants have earned passage into the final following a 4-0 victory against Qatari side Al Sadd in Yokohama on Thursday.

Mascherano discredited the notion that his country's football rivalry with Brazil will add a special feeling to the match, but noted that defeating Muricy Ramalho's side will not be an easy job.

"The final will not be special because I am Argentine," he said.

"Obviously that this is a final, we want to win it because it is an important trophy to us. We will try to do the right thing to get the trophy."

"Santos are really good, they have important players up front, like Neymar and Ganso."

"I know they are experienced, because I played in Brazil, and their coach is very clever. They are in the final, so we have to respect them."

The Argentina international also noted that Al Sadd's defensive approach to the game caused Barca some problems in the earlier stages of the match.

"I think the first 20-25 minutes were not easy, we could not find spaces to move forward," Mascherano said.

"But after the first goal, we calmed down and we started to find the spaces to attack better. After the second goal the game was almost finished."

Meanwhile, Carles Puyol admitted that the leg injury to David Villa is a heavy blow to his side.

"All injuries are painful, but this is more painful because Villa is highly regarded," he said.

"The only thing we can do is be with him and wish him a speedy recovery. Not having Villa for the final will be a special motivation, we will try to dedicate the victory to him."

The Barca captain then acknowledged that his side will need to turn in a good performance to defeat the Copa Libertadores winners in the final.

"It is clear that playing the final will be different; we will face another team, who are at another level, they have very good players who know well how to play the ball," Puyol said.

"We know that if we are not focused, we cannot win. The important thing is to play a good game, give our best and take the victory."

"The finals are always 50-50, especially if one is playing against a good team like Santos. We will have to be at our best."

"Neymar is a great player who makes the difference, he is very good in one-on-one situations and it will be very hard to defend him."

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Messi meets survivors of the Fukushima disaster

Barcelona's star-studded team took time out on their visit to Japan to meet eleven survivors of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas presented the group of children – aged between nine and 18 – with Barcelona shirts at the training ground of J-League outfit Yokohama Marinos.

The youngsters are now living at a school in Tokyo as they wait to see when they can return home.

But their minds were taken off their problems, as they enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest stars in world football.

They watched the team train before the meet and greet session.

Barcelona are in Japan for the Club World Cup, with Pep Guardiola's side to face Al Sadd of Qatar on Thursday for a place in the final.

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La Liga wrap:Barcelona beat Real 3-1

Barcelona came from behind to win 3-1 at Real Madrid in an eventful Clasico, while Real Betis surprised Valencia 2-1 in La Liga on Saturday.

In the seventh and final Clasico of 2011, Real Madrid knew that a win would send them six points ahead of bitter rivals Barca with a game in hand.

And Jose Mourinho's league-leading side made a lightning start by going in front after just 22 seconds - the quickest lead in Clasico history.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes' poor clearance fell to the feet of Real's Angel Di Maria, who drilled the ball into the penalty area only for Sergio Busquets to block its progress.

The rebound fell to Mesut Oezil and his volley deflected off Busquets, before Karim Benzema was able to lash home from six yards.

Real continued to impress and they could have doubled their lead when Cristiano Ronaldo skewed his shot wide, though Di Maria was perhaps better placed to his right.

The hosts were in control, with Barcelona's opportunities limited to counter-attacks. But the visitors levelled proceedings on the half-hour mark through Chile forward Alexis Sanchez.

Lionel Messi was the provider, with the 24-year-old skipping by several challenges before sliding a weighted through ball to Sanchez to fire home expertly from the edge of the area

Both sides went into the break locked at 1-1, but that changed eight minutes after half-time, when Barcelona were handed the lead thanks to a large slice of fortune.

Xavi's speculative volley 25 yards from goal took a massive deflection off Marcelo to wrong-foot Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, with the ball spinning off the post and into the back of the net.

Ronaldo then wasted another good opportunity, with the Real captain heading wide despite being completely unmarked inside the penalty area.

The hosts were made to pay for their profligacy, as a quick counter-attack ended with Cesc Fabregas scoring his eighth goal for his new club.

Messi slid the ball out to Dani Alves on the right, who whipped in a terrific cross towards the backpost. It was met by an unmarked Fabregas, who headed home.

Real had some late opportunities to get themselves back into the contest, but Barca held firm to move to the top of the La Liga table.

There was more great drama in Seville, as a pair of goals to Ruben Castro in injury time saw Real Betis defeat Valencia 2-1.

A Dorado own-goal handed Valencia the lead with 24 minutes remaining, but Castro - who scored 27 goals last Segunda Division season for the club - made two telling interventions late in the piece.

The other La Liga match on Saturday saw Levante move five points clear in fourth after they defeated Sevilla 1-0, thanks to Nano's second-half goal.

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Why is ‘El Clasico’ big in India

As Madrid builds itself up to a frenzy with the Santiago Bernebeu as the focus, out come the 175 rupee jerseys of red and blue or pure white in a subcontinent far, far away from the Spanish insanity. India gears up to one of its two most important European games (implying games played in Europe, not any intracontinental competitions) of their season. El Clasico. The Classic. Why does this game often have more stature than, say, the Champions League final?

There are, very simply put, two reasons. They are, in no particular order (so as to remain neutral), Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Unquestionably, the two best players in the world. The Neymars and the Hazards and the Goetzes are raw talents, but none are really close to their levels. Always the two finalists in the Ballon d`Or nominations (lets be honest, the third nominee never really has a chance). They are almost the sole reasons for sparking the Clasico fever in India.

Agreed there are fans of other perspectives in the game. There are fans of Mourinho and fans of Guardiola. There are fans of the `hot` David Villa and fans of the `handsome` Casillas. There are fans of the tiki-taka and attacking defenders and the fans of the sweeping, lightning breaks and compact defence. There are fans of the enormous and glittering histories of either side. Amazingly, there are even fans of the different kits!


There are all sorts of crazy justifications for supporting one side over the other in this game which usually decides which team will finish above the other in what many bill as Europe`s only two-team league.

But as we come right down to it, its is those two men up front, single handedly capable of changing the game. But why do they have this romantic image of infallibility, especially in this country? For those fans who are a little more knowledgeable, it might be because of their differently similar back stories.

A boy from a not so well-to-do Argentine family, born in Che Guevara`s birthplace, began by playing in a club coached by his father. His growth hormone deficiency threatened to stop his progress but with the poor Argentine economy, no club could afford his £500 injections. But a certain Spanish club which had been keeping tabs on the boy, who had natural talent like nobody they`d ever seen before, generously offered to pay his medical bills if he and his family moved to Spain. Their technical director flew out to meet him and discuss terms with him. His hastily arranged contract was written out and signed on a paper napkin because there was no other paper available and the rest, as they say, is history.

On the other side of the divide is the son of a cook and a gardener who started playing at a club where his father has a side job as a kit man. But here the story branches a bit, accepted into the wildly famous academy of one of the biggest clubs in Portugal, he worked tirelessly trying to perfect his game even at a tender age. But his racing heart condition might have forced him to give up on his career, if the club had not stepped in and sanctioned surgery. Bought by the second most successful club in England (at the time), he showcased his talent in possibly the grandest league of all. Talent enough to become a player worth £80 million and the Spanish league has never been quite the same! The romance, perhaps is in their rise.

But that only the fanatics with access to the information will know. For every other fanatic, its all about the style. The silky first touch. The step overs. The flick-ons oozing class. The goals. The assists. The free-kicks. The trophies. The mind-blowing statistics. The rippling muscles. The pretty faces. The Lionel Messi of the Blaugrana. Or the Cristiano Ronaldo of the Galacticos. In the end, its all about the bragging rights. Who is going to come out on top in yet another clash of the titans? Not long left to find out.

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Cruyff: Clasico isn't a title decider

Former Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff has played down the importance of the Catalans' visit to Real Madrid this weekend, insisting it is too early to label it a 'title decider'.

Real are currently three points clear of Barca at the top of La Liga and have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola's side, leading some to suggest that a win for Jose Mourinho's charges could deal a critical blow in the race for the Primera Division title.

But Cruyff, who won the league with Barcelona once as a player and four times as a manager, believes there are plenty of twists and turns ahead, no matter what the result at the Bernabeu on Saturday night.

"The favourite to win? I can only say that Barcelona always play to win against Madrid," Cruyff told AS. "We'll see on Saturday who comes out victorious.

"The Clasico won't be decisive. There are so many games left. Nothing that happens on Saturday will be decisive in the title race.

"It's only a game and nothing more than that. A win for Madrid wouldn't all of a sudden mean that they are now the dominant team."

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Barcelona thrashed Rayo Vallecano 4-0

Barcelona have outclassed Rayo Vallecano on their way to a 4-0 win in La Liga, closing Real Madrid's lead at the top to three points.


An impressive double from Alexis Sanchez gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead before David Villa found the back of the net just before half-time at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi added a fourth to secure the win as Real's lead was cut to three points, although Jose Mourinho's men have a game in hand.

The victory also ensured it was the 11th league game in a row at Camp Nou in which the Catalans have kept a clean sheet, a new record in Spain.

The match was brought forward because of Barca's participation in the Club World Cup in December, and they took the lead thanks to a moment of magic from Sanchez.

Having received a pass from Xavi on the left-hand side of the box, the Chilean curled a delightful effort into the far top corner for his second league goal of the season.

On 41 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead and it was again Sanchez who struck.

Messi's clever pass found Xavi, who flicked the ball with his heel into the path of Sanchez to net from 12 yards.

Two minutes later the champions added a third to put the result beyond doubt before the break.

After a barnstorming Gerard Pique run, Dani Alves squared a pass for Villa to place in from close range.

Barcelona made it four on 49 minutes with Messi grabbing his 16th league goal of the season.

The Argentine controlled Alves' pass on the right wing before going past Javi Fuego and sliding the ball past David Cobeno from a narrow angle.

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Alcantara happy with life at Barca

Barcelona midfielder Rafa Alcantara says he is happy with life at Camp Nou and revealed he was not offered an exit route out of the club.


Also known as Rafinha, the 18-year-old put pen to paper on a new three-year deal on November 21 to commit his future to the La Liga and Champions League holders, amid alleged interest from Real Madrid.

But he denied that he was looking for a move away, after being given the chance to continue his development with Barca.

"We knew that Barca is the best team for me," Rafinha told Ona FM. "I do not know about any offer, but I am very happy here and never had the option of going to another team. Real Madrid? I have not heard anything."

"(Pep) Guardiola is the best coach and we all know what he means for this club. From the grassroots level up, it is very important to have someone as technical as him."

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Barca President:Messi will never be sold

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has stressed that Lionel Messi will not leave the Champions League holders as long as he is in charge of the club.


The 24-year-old attacker has developed into a double Ballon d'Or winner since making his official first team debut at Barca in October 2004 and Rosell has made it clear that Messi is indispensable to the club.

"At Barcelona, there are many things that are not for sale at any price, and Messi is a person who is just that for us," Rosell was quoted as saying by Sport.


"As long as I'm the president at Barcelona, and he does not want to leave, Leo will continue to be a Barca player. If it were up to me, he would never leave the club."

Messi has already stated more than once that he is keen to stay with the Blaugrana for many more years, and a transfer seems very unlikely.

The Argentine international has a contract with the Camp Nou side until the summer of 2016.

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Guardiola:We must improve

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says his side must improve in order to retain their La Liga title.


The Camp Nou outfit are six points adrift of leaders Real Madrid following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Getafe.

Guardiola admitted his side have not been at the same level as Jose Mourinho’s team so far, but the Barca coach is still confident about their prospects in the upcoming Clasico fixture on December 10.

“You cannot always be at the top, but the truth is that this is the first time we are below another side,” he said. “This can happen, also because we are competing against Madrid.”

“We know we have a very strong rival above us and we are ready to try (to beat them).”

“We will have to improve, or we will not reach them. We are at a good level, but it is not enough to be first in the table.”

“We will try hard until the last day of the season. I do not know if it will be enough to be champions, but we will try.”

The 40-year-old rejected suggestions of a crisis at the club and said he cannot explain the team’s sub-par displays on the road this season.

“I do not think that this is the team’s most delicate moment since I arrived,” he said.

“There is not just one factor, because every (away) match is different. We did not play poorly in any match, we always had more chances than our opponent.”

Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday.

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Match Report:Getafe 1-0 Barcelona

Juan Valera's 67th minute headed goal gave Getafe a shocking 2-0 win over Barcelona.

As Real Madrid beat their derby rival 4-1,Barca were needed to win this match to close the points gap as El Classico at Bernebeu is now just two weeks ahead.

But Getafe gave an shocking dent to the Barca's title hope,as a 67th minute well headed ball by Valera passed Valdes into the net.

Barcelona are now six points behind the league leader Real Madrid with 28 points,while Getafe are now at the 13th spot with 13 points.

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Barcelona beat Milan 3-2 to reach the Knockouts

Barcelona beat AC Milan 3-2 and secures the top spot of Group H and confirms their qualifications.

Goals scored by:

Barcelona : Mark van Bommel 14′ (OG), Lionel Messi 31′ (PG), Xavi 63′

AC Milan : Zlatan Ibrahimovic 20′ ,Kevin-Prince Boateng 54′ 

Even after this defeat,Milan's qualification to the next round is also cofirmed as runner ups.

In the other fixtures of Group H,

Marek Bakos' 41st-minute strike proved enough for Plzen to take all three points away to Belarusian title-holders BATE Borisov.

This win takes Viktoria Plzeň two points ahead of the last standing BATE,and keeps their hope of Europa League alive.

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