Barcelona news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp
Friday, February 15
- PSG outcast Adrien Rabiot remains convinced he’s joining Barcelona
- Rabiot has told friends and family that a Nou Camp switch is happening
- Barcelona are interested in signing Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt
- Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he will need to bring more silverware to the club
Adrien Rabiot to Barcelona
PSG outcast Adrien Rabiot remains convinced he’s joining Barcelona on a free transfer this summer.
That’s according to French newspaper Le Parisien, who claim Rabiot has told friends and family that a Nou Camp switch is happening.
Rabiot has been frozen out by manager Thomas Tuchel after refusing to sign a new contract.
The midfielder talent hasn’t played a single minute for PSG since December 15 and doesn’t expect to play again this season.
Tottenham had been due to snare Rabiot in a £20million deal last month before the transfer collapsed.
And Express Sport understand Daniel Levy and co. are worried Liverpool might swoop in to beat them to the punch in the summer.
Wanted: Matthijs de Ligt
Barcelona are interested in signing Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
But the transfer hinges on the fitness of centre-back Samuel Umtiti.
Umtiti, 25, has returned to light training having spent three months on the sidelines nursing a serious knee injury.
It was reported that his return would spell the end of Barca’s search for defensive reinforcements.
However, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim Barcelona will look to bring £75m-rated de Ligt to the Nou Camp if Umtiti’s injury issues persist.
No Neymar return
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has ruled out a return for Barcelona.
Neymar joined Paris St-Germain for a world-record £200million in 2017 but is continually linked with a return to the Nou Camp.
“I’ve spoken with Neymar, we’ve seen each other a few times, but his people have never told me he wants to come back,” Bartomeu told Spanish radio station Radio Kanal Barcelona.
No one’s called us about it. Neymar has a contract with PSG. It’s his second season there and it’s very difficult (to imagine) they want to sell. We didn’t want to.
“We have the disadvantage of the (release) clause here. European clubs (can) take advantage of that. That’s not the case (in France) so it’s not possible for him to return.
“The club’s taken another path, with (Ousmane) Dembele, (Philippe) Coutinho. We have to move on with them. They’re the two biggest investments in the club’s history and we back them 100 per cent.”
Philippe Coutinho latest
PSG are interested in signing Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
That’s according to French publication Le10 Sport, who claim Neymar has given a glowing appraisal of the Brazil international.
Coutinho found first-team football hard to come by before the turn of the year, which prompted speculation over his future.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both been linked with the former Liverpool star.
But Le10 Sport claim Neymar ‘will undoubtedly encourage’ PSG to make an approach in the summer.
Ernesto Valverde targets silverware
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he will need to bring more silverware to the club in order to see out his new contract.
Valverde has committed his future to the club for another season with an option for a further year, which would take him to four years in charge if he remains until the summer of 2021.
Barca go into Saturday’s game against Real Valladolid leading rivals Real Madrid by six points in LaLiga with 15 games to go, and Valverde knows his new deal does not reduce the pressure to keep delivering trophies.
“Intentions are always for the best but we know what football is like,” he said. “The results matter. Everything is uncertain. I understand that the club sees the results and trusts more will arrive with me.
“When we talk about the (contract length) it is because you’ve done well or you’re expected to do well. In any club it’s because things have gone well. In order to get to four years we are obliged to win, to collect titles.
“It’s the only way to be able to continue, I am clear about that.”