Barca wants Top Liverpool Star! Sanctions & More!

While Liverpool is not eager to sell Thiago this summer, they are reportedly willing to listen to reasonable offers for the midfielder. Barcelona manager Xavi is interested in Thiago due to his versatility in the center of the pitch. Club president Joan Laporta recently hinted at Xavi's desire to sign a midfielder in an interview, suggesting that reinforcing the team with a couple of pieces is a priority.
For fans who buy Barcelona tickets, this is good news. With the Messi move not going through, the Catalans would desperately want some big names in.
Thiago has struggled to replicate the form he displayed at Bayern Munich since joining Liverpool, mainly due to injuries. With the arrival of new midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago's playing time at Liverpool will be limited, prompting the club to consider cashing in on him with just a year left on his contract.
Liverpool has already made significant investments this summer and may view selling Thiago as a way to recoup some funds. The club has seen the departure of James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as free agents after the 2022-23 season.
Additionally, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is rumored to be considering a move away from Anfield. There is interest from the Saudi Pro League, where former teammate Steven Gerrard is the new manager. The Saudi Pro League club is reportedly willing to offer Henderson a significant wage increase.
One of the worries of the fans that buy Barcelona tickets is their players being new prey to the rich Saudi Pro League. With several big names heading to the Middle East, the club needs to be on par with the Saudi clubs for transfer value.
In UEFA's latest round of monitoring, Manchester United and Barcelona have both been fined for breaches of the financial fair play (FFP) regulations. Manchester United received a €300,000 ($336,420) fine for "minor break-even deficits" spanning the financial years between 2019 and 2022. On the other hand, Barcelona was issued a larger €500,000 ($560,700) fine for incorrectly reporting profits on the disposal of intangible assets in the financial year 2022.
The FFP, introduced by UEFA in 2009, ensures that football clubs do not spend more than they earn, preventing financial instability and long-term damage to their financial health.
AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, who UEFA fined in September, have met their stricter financial targets for the previous season and will continue to be monitored for compliance in the coming year.
UEFA has recently updated the FFP rules, initially approved in 2009, with a new monitoring system that prioritizes financial sustainability for clubs and shifts away from setting competitive balance on the field as the primary objective.
Barcelona star Pedri has undergone a physical transformation during the summer break, showcasing his muscular physique upon his return to preseason training. Pedri, who has often drawn comparisons to Andres Iniesta, has been working out rigorously in his native Tenerife, following a diet prescribed by Barcelona's nutritionists.
The focus on building his strength and addressing his injury issues comes as part of a concerted effort by the club. Pedri suffered from muscle problems last season, leading to a two-month recovery period. This was delightful news for the fans who buy Barcelona tickets as they yearned to see Pedri get into his big-boy shoes.
Barcelona's strength and conditioning coach, David Pozos, developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen Pedri's legs and upper body.
To aid his recovery and allow him to concentrate on his physical development, Pedri was not included in the squad for the final four games of the season, and he also did not join the Spanish national team for the Nations League.
The noticeable changes in Pedri's physique are expected to impact his movement on the field. While he will need to adapt to these changes, the added strength should also enhance his ability to withstand pressure from opponents. If Pedri can maintain his fitness throughout the upcoming season, Barcelona will have a promising asset with significant potential for improvement.
Barcelona has ruled out the possibility of signing Joao Cancelo as their search for a right-back continues. The high price tag set by Manchester City for Cancelo has made it difficult for him to secure a new club, and Barcelona cannot meet the financial demands.
The potential fit of Cancelo at Barcelona, playing on the right side with Alejandro Balde on the left, seemed promising. However, due to economic constraints, Barcelona has abandoned any considerations regarding Cancelo.
If there are significant changes in City's stance on Cancelo's transfer, then it is likely that he will join Barcelona. If the transfer market for Cancelo remains challenging, City might be compelled to accept a cheaper loan deal, making the situation more favorable for Barcelona. However, as of now, an agreement still needs to be put in place.
In the meantime, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez will evaluate Sergino Dest and Julian Araujo during the preseason. The club also has Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto as potential options for the right-back position in the upcoming campaign.
Giovani Lo Celso, the highly sought-after midfielder, is generating interest from top European clubs in the summer transfer market. After an impressive season at Villarreal and winning the World Cup with Argentina, Lo Celso has become a desired name. Xavi sees him as a valuable addition to their midfield.
Currently contracted with Tottenham until 2025, Lo Celso will participate in the club's early stages of the preseason. Tottenham's new coach, Ange Postecoglou, wants to assess him with other players on loan last season.
Despite interest from clubs like Real Betis, Barcelona has yet to make any moves. However, Xavi is a fan of Lo Celso and believes he would be a solid addition to their formidable midfield. Everyone that proceeded to buy Barcelona tickets last season saw the midfield at an outstanding level. But they also understand that this momentum must continue this season if they intend to retain the La Liga title.
Barcelona has a talented group of players for the interior positions, including De Jong, Pedri, Gundogan, and Gavi, while Oriol Romeu has been mentioned as a potential defensive midfielder.
The situation surrounding Lo Celso remains open, with possibilities ranging from a loan move to a permanent transfer. His familiarity with the Spanish league makes a loan option particularly attractive for Barcelona.
The outcome will depend on Tottenham's decision, the player's preference, and the offers for him.
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