The Fans Football Blog3

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is still looking to sign a midfielder this summer.

With Liverpool player Mascherano (25) and Arsenal player Cesc (22) probably being too expensive, Barcelona would now be working on plan B and would try to sign a midfielder for around 10 million euro°.

Because Barcelona manager Guardiola is considering to change the position of Yaya Touré (read more here), the club is looking for a defensive midfielder who could be a starter. The player, who shouldn't be from the Americas (because of the international games) or from Africa (because of the Africa Cup), would have to be tall (over 1 metre 90), strong, with good heading, tactical and passing skills.

Barcelona would have drawn up a list of three candidates: Ajax player and Belgian international Jan Vertonghen (22 - picture), Galatasaray player and Turkish international Mehmet Topal (23) and AZ player David Mendes da Silva (26). If those options aren't possible, Barcelona could consider promoting Barcelona Atlètic defensive midfielder and Spanish youth international Oriol Romeu (17).

Read more:
Thiago and Romeu at U-19 European Championship
Mascherano wants to join Barcelona
Position of Toure could change


Watch a video of Vertonghen:



Watch a video of Topal:



Watch a video of Mendes da Silva:

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona central defender Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22) with a loan move to Zaragoza (read more here), the player's agent Daniel Fonseca said in an interview with Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón that this could be an option:

"I know about the interest, but there's not only Zaragoza, also other teams are interested. I want to wait until he comes back from holidays on 10 July. I can then talk calmly with him and with Barcelona. We're not in a hurry.

Martín needs to play and he will play. If Guardiola cannot find him a place in the team, we'll look at other options. Zaragoza would sure be a nice place for him. Because of the history and the possibilities, it's a great club and I'm happy they have returned to the Liga."

The paper claims that Cáceres, who would prefer to stay in Spain, has also been sounded out by Galatasaray, Celtic Glasgow and Sporting Gijón.

Read more:
Zaragoza wants Caceres on loan
Galatasaray interested in four Barcelona players
Caceres doesn"t want to leave on loan

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that new Galatasaray manager Frank Rijkaard has talked to Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain.

Rijkaard asked if Barcelona could consider to loan out Barcelona central defenders Martín Cáceres (22) and Henrique (22) to Galatasaray if Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola wouldn't count on one of them for next season.

The Dutch coach, who left Barcelona in the summer of 2008, also asked for the situation of Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (30) and Barcelona attacker and Belarusian international Alexander Hleb (28).

Read more:
Caceres rejects Marseille interest
Meeting with agent Henrique planned next week
Marseille and Galatasaray in for Gudjohnsen

Former Barcelona midfielder and assistant coach Johan Neeskens (57) has been appointed as assistant coach of Galatasaray.

Neeskens, whose contract as head coach of Holland B expired this summer (read more here), becomes the assistant of new Galatasaray manager Frank Rijkaard.

Arriving from Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam in 1974, Johan Neeskens played five season for Barcelona. In 1979, the popular Dutch international left for New York Kosmos.

After the 2006 World Cup, Neeskens quitted as assistant coach of the Australian national team and returned to Barcelona to become the first assistant coach of Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard. He left the club in the summer of 2008.

With Barcelona, Neeskens won one Spanish cup in 1978 and one European Cup Winners' Cup in 1979 as a player and one Spanish super cup in 2006 as assistant coach.

Read more:
Ex-Barça: Rijkaard to Galatasary
Ex-Barça: Cruyff to Valletta
Ex-Barça: Neeskens to Holland B

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that, besides several English Premier League clubs, Barcelona attacker and Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen (30) is also followed by French club Marseille and Greek club Panathinaikos.

Barcelona wants to sell Gudjohnsen, whose contract expires next year, during the summer transfer window and is willing to listen to offers.

Turkish newspaper Zaman meanwhile claims that Galatasaray is also interested in Gudjohnsen. The Icelandic player would be on top of the wish list of new Galatasaray manager Frank Rijkaard and it's believed that officals from the Turkish club will meet with Gudjohnsen's agent this week.

Read more:
Greek, Turkish and Russian interest for Gudjohnsen
Barcelona planning six transfers
Gudjohnsen could return to the Premier League

Turkish club Galatasaray has today officially announced the appointment of former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (46) as their new manager.

Rijkaard had been away from coaching since he left Barcelona in the summer of 2008 and is expected to sign later today a two-year deal with Galatasaray.

After being dismissed by Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam in 2002, Rijkaard arrived in Barcelona in the summer of 2003. Rijkaard stayed five years at the club before leaving last year. With Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard won two Spanish leagues in 2005 and 2006, two Spanish super cups in 2005 and 2006 and one Champions League in 2006.

Read more:
Ex-Barça: Koeman to AZ Alkmaar
Ex-Barça: Stoichkov to Abu Moslem
Ex-Barça: Van Gaal to Bayern Munich