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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