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Lamine Yamal Agrees New Barcelona Contract

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago05 mins

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Lamine Yamal has agreed a contract extension with La Blaugrana, while Frenkie de Jong is also in talks over a renewal. Hansi Flick’s men are currently in party mode after securing the La Liga title, triumphing 2-0 over Espanyol on Friday to officially eliminate Real Madrid from first-placed contention. La Blaugrana are now simply completing the formalities of their top-flight campaign, as they host Villarreal on Sunday before travelling to Athletic Bilbao next weekend in the final gameweek of the campaign. With the crown already wrapped up, attentions are turning to a busy summer of spending, selling and signing, and the powers-that-be at Camp Nou are working to tie down their prized assets to new contracts. Ballon d’Or contender Yamal has been one of the first in line for new terms, having enjoyed another extraordinary campaign with 42 direct goal involvements in 53 matches, 17 of his own and 25 assists. Two years on from making his Barcelona debut under Xavi at the age of 15, the still-teenage Yamal is already considered one of the best players of the world, even at his tender age. As things stand, however, the Euro 2024 winner could become a free agent at the end of next season, and there were rumours of Paris Saint-Germain submitting a sensational nine-figure bid for his services last year. Manchester City and Liverpool are also said to have been casting a watchful eye over Yamal’s situation, waiting to see whether the 2007-born talent could become available due to Barcelona’s delicate financial situation. However, Barca president Laporta has now confirmed that Yamal has put pen to paper on a new deal, and all that is left is the announcement, telling reporters: “Lamine Yamal’s contract renewal has already been agreed upon. Now all that remains is the official signing.” As well as tying down Yamal for another few years, Barcelona are doing their utmost to extend the terms of De Jong, whose long-term future has been the subject of intense speculation for a couple of years now. Then-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag relentlessly pursued his former Ajax protege in the summer of 2022, and Barcelona even accepted an offer from the Red Devils, but De Jong refused to leave. De Jong initially struggled for starts under Flick, but he made the first XI for all of Barca’s games in the Champions League knockout rounds, and Laporta has confirmed that talks are ongoing to prolong his deal beyond 2026. “We’re working on renewing Frenkie de Jong’s contract. For sure he’s very excited to stay and we’re absolutely determined to do whatever it takes to ensure he stays,” the 62-year-old added. While Barcelona are working to keep De Jong in Catalonia, La Blaugrana are supposedly prepared to listen to offers for as many as eight players in the summer transfer window.

Barca Considers Ademola Lookman Move

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago04 mins

Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman during this summer’s transfer window. The 27-year-old has been in excellent form for Atalanta during the 2024-25 campaign, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in the process. Lookman has 13 goals and five assists in 28 Serie A matches this term, while he also impressed in the Champions League, scoring five goals and registering two assists, before the Italian team were eliminated by Club Brugge in the knockout round playoffs. The forward’s future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Arsenal and Manchester United both believed to be considering making a move for him during this summer’s transfer window. According to Fichajes, Barcelona are also in the hunt, with the Catalan outfit giving serious consideration to making an offer. The report claimed that Lookman may be available for as little as €35m (£30m), which would represent a bargain considering his quality, and his arrival would give Barcelona a different option in the final third of the field. Lookman was born in London, coming through the youth system at Charlton Athletic before representing their first team on 49 occasions, scoring 12 times, and his form earned him a switch to Everton. The Nigeria international found it difficult to make his mark for the Toffees, scoring just four times in 48 appearances, before having an unsuccessful spell at RB Leipzig, spending time out on loan with Fulham and Leicester City. Lookman has finally realised his potential at Atalanta, though, representing the Italian side on 115 occasions, scoring 50 goals and registering 24 assists in the process. The attacker is capable of playing in a number of different positions, but he has mainly operated as a second striker, scoring 12 times and registering four assists in 25 outings while starting in the position behind the main forward. As well as Arsenal and Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool are believed to be keen on Lookman, with his bargain price making him a very attractive proposition during the summer market. Lookman is entering his prime, and his previous experience of English football should stand him in good stead. The forward is a different player to the one who left Everton in 2019 and then spent time on loan at Fulham and Leicester. Much will come down to which club shows the strongest interest, as Lookman will want to be an important player at this stage of his career, and it is difficult to imagine him becoming a starter at Barcelona, especially not next season.

Lamine Yamal becomes youngest Kopa award winner

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal became the youngest ever winner of the Kopa Trophy at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, an award which recognises the best under-21 player in men’s football.

Andres Iniesta quits football at 40

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

Legendary former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has confirmed his retirement from football aged 40. Iniesta, who scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, establishing himself as a core part of Barcelona’s midfield alongside long-term running buddy Xavi. He became one of the world’s best players, owing to his supreme technical ability, and was rewarded for his talent with endless success at both club and international level. A four-time Champions League and nine-time La Liga winner with Barcelona, Iniesta won the 2008 and 2012 European Championship with Spain, sandwiched either side of an unforgettable 2010 World Cup campaign that saw him break Dutch hearts with a late extra-time winner. Many felt his displays at club and international level would lead to the 2010 Ballon d’Or, but Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi pipped both Iniesta and Xavi to the award – he also finished in third place two years later. Iniesta departed Barcelona in 2018 but continued his career in Japan with Vissel Kobe, staying there for five years before joining Emirates Club, based in the United Arab Emirates, for a season. In an emotional announcement confirming he is stepping away from the game, Iniesta said: “I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. All these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness. They are tears of that boy from Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of work, sacrifice… of never giving up, essential values in my life. “I feel very proud of this journey, with all the people who have accompanied me.” He continued: “I feel very happy to have achieved my dream. My sporting career has been like a fairy tale because I have experienced the best at a professional level. Let’s go through it. It starts on the track in my town, at school, and with all the trips to Albacete. My first steps were there. “I remember that stage as very happy. I remember watching Alba in the First Division. Although I never played professionally for Alba, I have always had two teams: Albacete and Barça. My land is in my heart.” “The journey of my life is Fuentealbilla-Barcelona. I am lucky to have the four people who made that trip with me. My parents, my grandfather and I. It is very nice that today we are together again at such a special moment. That journey involves everything: work, sacrifice, humility… La Masia changed me forever. It is the best place where I could be to enhance the values that must be had in life. And I am grateful to all the people, teachers, teammates… it is a stage that undoubtedly marked our lives. “Coming to Barca was a dream, which I focused on to fulfil. That effort, coming to Barcelona at 12 years old with everything that meant, could not divert my focus from what I had. I arrived at the best place to fulfill my dreams that lay ahead.”