FC Barcelona News: 29 July 2019

Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images

Bartomeu: Barcelona have an obligation to plan for the post-Messi era | Marca
Josep Maria Bartomeu knows that Lionel Messi won’t last forever and the Barcelona president believes the club have to start preparing for life after the Argentine. The 32-year-old is still performing at an incredible level, but the Catalans need to start building towards the future, with him surely into his final few years at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s De Jong medicine | Marca
One of the brightest positives to come from Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Japan has undoubtedly been the performances of Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman has made extremely positive impressions so far, both against Chelsea and Vissel Kobe, despite playing in different positions.

Neymar not on PSG preseason amid Barca links | ESPN
Paris Saint-Germain have announced that Neymar has not travelled to Suzhou, China, for the French champions’ preseason friendly against Sydney FC on Tuesday amid links of a return to former club Barcelona. The Brazil international, who was confident of tempting an offer from the Spanish giants before the squad left for China, has stayed behind at PSG’s base in Shenzhen.

Barcelona hopeful on Real Betis wing-back Junior Firpo | Football Espana
Barcelona are confident they can conclude a deal for Real Betis wing-back Junior Firpo in the coming weeks, report Diario AS. It is claimed by the report that Ernesto Valverde is driving the interest in the player, with Barcelona willing to pay €20m for the player - although that is well below the valuation of Betis.

Valverde wants two more signings... and Barça’s squad cut down | Sport
With La Liga just under three weeks away, Barcelona are starting an important week in the transfer market. They have done their homework and now must make decisions. Ernesto Valverde would like everything sorted in seven days. He wants the squad lightened and a left-back signed. If Malcom goes, which is on track, he wants another attacker, too. Two signings and four departures.

Pogba sale would see Manchester United move for Barça’s Rakitic | Sport
Barcelona need to reduce the size of their squad and the priority is to make space in midfield, where there is currently a clear overbooking. All eyes are on Rafinha, but the club believe Ivan Rakitic could leave first with the transfer window in the Premier League shutting earlier.

Man City ask Barcelona about Nelson Semedo | Sport
Man City asked Barcelona about Nelson Semedo a few days ago, but the Catalans simply referred Pep Guardiola’s side to the defender’s release clause. His agent Jorge Mendes told Barcelona of the interest from the English club after their negotiations for Joao Cancelo broke down. Barcelona believe in Semedo and do not want to sell him.

Crisis at Valencia could put an end to Rafinha’s Mestalla move | Sport
Barça and Valencia are/were negotiating the transfer of Rafinha. The Catalan club had even suggested a deal could be completed this week. Everything was advanced. But the breakdown of Lim and Alemany’s relationship could change things.

Pique prepares for life after retirement | Marca
At the age of 32, Gerard Pique knows that the end of his playing career is closer than the beginning. Accordingly, the centre-back is preparing for life after retirement and some of the business moves he has made suggest that he’ll remain heavily involved in the sport even after he hangs up his boots.

Iniesta has ‘no regrets’ over leaving Barcelona | Goal
Vissel Kobe midfielder Andres Iniesta has “no regrets” over his departure from Barcelona after facing his former team in a friendly. Iniesta has been at the J.League side since 2018, when he left boyhood club Barca after a trophy-laden 16 seasons at Camp Nou.

Source: barcablaugranes.com