FC Barcelona News: 15 August 2019

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Tenth opening day fixture with Athletic | FC Barcleona
On Friday, Barça will be opening the season against Athletic Club for the tenth time in club history, a story that dates back to what was only the third edition of La Liga, back in the days before televised football, not even in black and white. The year was 1930, and Barça, managed by Englishman Jim Bellamy, won 6-3 at Les Corts, although Athletic would go on to win the title.

Atletico won the summer transfer window but will they pip Barcelona and Real Madrid to La Liga? | ESPN
Judging them by their own, well-publicised objectives for the close-season, Barca could award themselves a complacent pat on the back, a glass of cava, exchange mutually appreciative smiles among their football executives -- and then their rivals could laugh up their sleeves at the Camp Nou finances.

Barcelona president opts out of chance to talk to PSG | Football Espana
Barcelona may have placed the brakes on their attempts to re-sign forward Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, say El Mundo Deportivo. The Catalan media outlet highlights how the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu will not travel to Liverpool for the European Club Association (ECA), where he was due to speak with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, president of the French club.

‘Neymar to Real wouldn’t be Barcelona betrayal’ – Camp Nou return still the preference, says Rivaldo | Goal
Rivaldo told Betfair of a long-running saga involving an iconic countryman: “There have been many rumours about which of the clubs negotiating for Neymar - Real Madrid and Barcelona - needs him most now. But Neymar is such a talented player that any team in the world would benefit from having him in their side.

Bayern Munich decide to wait for Philippe Coutinho | Sport
Bayern Munich are waiting for Philippe Coutinho until the end of the window, per SportBild. They believe the Barca playmaker could be a good opportunity. If the deal between Barca and PSG for Neymar, in which Coutinho would go the other way, breaks down, Bayern could strike for the midfielder and loan him for two seasons.

Andre Villas Boas opens the door to Miranda arrival | Sport
Olympique Marseille coach Andre Villas Boas was asked about the chances of Barcelona left-back Juan Miranda arriving. He said he didn’t know anything about the negotiations between the two clubs but said “maybe there’s a possibility”. He said the sporting directors know Miranda well because he’s “a notable player”.

Source: barcablaugranes.com