Tag: Spain

Barcelona signs Ferran Torres as Xavi prepares for a make-or-break second half of the season

On Tuesday, Barcelona officially completed the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City for €55 million to the excitement of Barcelona fans the world over.

Torres, 21, has not featured for Manchester City since September after suffering a foot injury playing for Spain during the international break, but not before scoring two goals and providing one assist in the Premier League, and scoring three goals in seven appearances in all competitions for the Citizens.

In total, the right-winger scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 43 games for City across all competitions in the 16 months he spent at the Etihad.

The right-winger is the second signing of the Xavi Hernandez dispensation after Dani Alves, signing until 2027. His release clause is set at €1 billion, which is the same amount that Barcelona has slapped on all their promising youngsters who are attracting the interests of many clubs in Europe.

Torres, who has resumed training with his new teammates, looks set to make his debut for the Blaugrana in the Copa del Rey against Linares Deportivo on Jan. 5. His LaLiga debut will come a little later.

Barcelona will present Torres to the club’s fans on Monday 3 January after which the club’s facilities will be open for the fans to witness the 21-year-old train with his new teammates. 

What can Ferran Torres bring to Camp Nou?

The versatile attacker who is deployed mostly as a right-winger but can play expertly as a left-winger, a central striker and as a second striker is the first of Xavi’s signings which he intends to use to change the club’s fortunes in front of goal.

Torres is also a proven LaLiga veteran, already having made 71 LaLiga appearances and a total of 140 senior club appearances at the young age of 21. However, it was under the tutelage of Barcelona legend and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola that he became a feared goalscorer, as he was deployed more often in the central striker role.

Torres is especially adept at shooting. He has an eye for a shot, being able to turn any chance into a shooting opportunity. His accuracy is also frightening too as many of his shots hit the target. But for great goalkeeping and defending from most of his opponents, the right-winger will have more than his current career total of 25 senior goals.

Ferran Torres himself spoke of what he will bring to Camp Nou after his signing was confirmed to the media. “Versatility, as I think I can play any of the three positions up front, which is important if there are injuries or whatever,” he said.

“I intend to help the team score goals, provide assists and defend.”

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain had great words to say about the youngster’s short stint at the Etihad: “Ferran should be proud of what he has achieved here at Manchester City,” he said.

“Last season was his first time in a new country, but he adapted well. He always gave 100%, worked hard for the team and scored goals which helped us win trophies.

“Injury unfortunately prevented him from playing more games this season, but Ferran is a player we have all enjoyed working with and we wish him all the best at Barcelona and for the rest of his career.”

Ferran Torres signing is a declaration of Barcelona’s intent

Barcelona’s announcement video of Ferran Torres’ signing showed Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Eric Garcia, Nico and Gavi, with Torres rounding up the lot. This shows that Xavi and Joan Laporta are looking to build a team of the future after having a squad full of players over the age of 30.

The club knows they cannot afford another shaky season with their legacy on the line and debts piling up. Xavi made it known from the day of his appointment that the club had to begin again and so far, steps have been taken in that direction.

Ferran Torres’ arrival also means that Barcelona have to sell, and fast. Quite a few players are already on the market, and Barcelona fans can be looking forward to a totally new squad by this time next year

 

Manchester United block Anthony Martial exit

Anthony Martial may be spending the rest of the season at Manchester United against his wishes after the club blocked a potential loan move for the Frenchman to Sevilla.

Anthony Martial told Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick earlier in the week that he wanted to leave Old Trafford and the manager gave his okay to the board to find a way out for the 26-year-old. Martial has not had many suitors but preferred to move to LaLiga with Sevilla among the few clubs who have inquired about his availability in January.

Sevilla went ahead to table a loan move with no option to buy. The Andalusian club also inserted a clause that would see them pay half of the striker’s wages in the duration of the loan but Manchester United have thrown the proposal out, leaving Martial in limbo.

 

Reports from Spain claim that Sevilla’s argument for including that clause is that Martial’s price could go up if he performs well in LaLiga. The striker is currently valued between €32-€35 million and his current contract at Old Trafford runs till 2024. While Sevilla’s argument makes sense from a logical standpoint, Manchester United has no interest in closing the deal, seeking instead to totally take off Martial’s wages from their books.

Martial earns between £300,000 and £350,000 a week at Manchester United and Sevilla offers to only cover half of this fee in their loan, which sums up to between £150,000 and £200,000. United is only interested in selling Martial outright or in loan deals that cover his full wages, and are also open to keeping Martial until his contract runs out in 2024.

Sevilla may keep pursuing a deal for the striker as they will be losing key striker Youssef En-Nesyri in January when Morocco travel to Cameroon to fight for the African Cup of Nations title.

 

Rangnick says Martial’s transfer wishes are ‘understandable’

The Frenchman was signed by Louis Van Gaal in 2015 for £36 million to become the world’s most expensive teenager at the time. Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer was nearing the end of his time at Old Trafford at the time and Martial’s performances gave fans hope for the future following Rooney’s departure.

Louis Van Gaal left and Martial didn’t find favour under Jose Mourinho, being relegated to a squad player as Marcus Rashford broke through to stake a solid claim for the starting striker role. He saw a little resurgence in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first season at the club, scoring 17 Premier League Goals, and later going back to being a squad player and even being frozen out of the squad at times.

Under Rangnick, Martial seems to have no hope of getting regular minutes and has now considered his time at United to be over.

Rangnick says that the 26-year-old’s feelings are understandable.

“He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else,’ the German manager said.

“I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts, but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.

“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and we want to be as successful as we can be.

“I told him ‘listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him [he will stay]’ and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.”

“So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”

 

Mbappe refuses to rule out Real Madrid summer move

Kylian Mbappe has refused to rule out a summer move to Real Madrid in his latest interview but has assured Paris Saint-Germain fans that he is “100 percent” committed to the club until the end of the season.

Speaking to CNN’S Becky Anderson after the Glob Soccer Awards event in Dubai where he won the award for Men’s Player of the Year, the France national team mentioned that he is only focused on winning something big with PSG this season. He also claims that the only thought he has about Real Madrid is beating them in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 come February and March.

“No, I’m not joining Real Madrid in January. In January it’s not happening,” Mbappe said to Anderson.

“I’m in Paris Saint-Germain, I’m really happy and I will 100% finish the season as PSG player. I’ll give everything to win the Champions League, the league and the cup and to give all the pleasure to the fans, because they deserve it.

“I think I deserve to win something great with PSG. I want to win everything this season.”

Mbappe also maintained that his wanting to leave Parc De Princes in the summer was an honest feeling which will definitely worry the PSG hierarchy and the fans who are hoping the striker renews his contract at the end of the season. He said, however, that he still feels comfortable at the club.

“I was honest and I gave a feeling, I gave what I have in my heart,” he said. “Of course, I’m happy to stay.”

Lionel Messi joined PSG in the summer and has enjoyed a good relationship on the field with Mbappe. Both have assisted each other’s goals a few times as PSG continue to progress with their season objectives. Mbappe spoke about playing with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the club he grew up watching and dreaming about.

“Paris is my city, it’s where I was born, it’s where I grew up. To play for PSG, it’s an amazing feeling to play with your family and friends alongside of you.

“It’s also a big pleasure for me to say to my kids and to my friends that I played with [Lionel Messi]. We have to enjoy seeing him in Paris. It’s an amazing moment in the history of the game.”

Real Madrid looking for a back door deal with Mbappe ahead of January

Real Madrid are reportedly becoming desperate in their chase for Mbappe as they are pushing for an agreement with the 23-year-old’s entourage ahead of January.

The Frenchman’s latest comments saw him put to bed any chances of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in January. His comments, however, do not seem to stop the Spanish giants who are willing to do anything to sign Mbappe before the 2022/23 season.

Los Blancos, however, can hold on to hope that the Frenchman could sign for them having expressed a desire to play for them in the past. He is also currently resisting every new contract renewal opportunity which PSG have presented to him.

According to the new rules, Real Madrid will be allowed to strike a pre-contract agreement from January 1 as a result of Mbappe’s rejection of PSG’s offers. However, they are looking at swiping the striker from PSG in January according to reports from Diario AS.

Madrid is hoping to agree on every necessary detail with Mbappe ahead of both clubs clashing in the Champions League round of 16 in February and March with Mbappe’s signature coming after the duel.

Mbappe will be feeling grateful for the year he’s had; a year in which he won the UEFA Nations League and the Globe Socer Men’s player of the year, with the only blight being the loss of the Ligue 1 title to LOSC Lille

The 23-year-old was awarded the prize in a lavish ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, beating Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski to the prize.

Lewandowski was honoured with the Maradona award for the top goalscorer of the year and as the Fans’ player of the year. Cristiano Ronaldo was given a special honour for breaking the international men’s goalscoring record as well.

Other winners were Barcelona Femni captain Alexia Putellas who won the Women’s player of the year, Italy winning the Best National Team of the Year, and Chelsea winning the Best Men’s Club of the Year.

 

 

 

Transfer news: Real Madrid opens doors for Bale, Isco, Marcelo departures

Real Madrid are planning a clear out of their squad in January and have officially put a number of their players up for transfer.

Carlo Ancelotti is in his second stint as Los Blancos boss and has now deemed some of the players he worked with in his first stint as surplus to requirements of his current vision for the side.

Gareth Bale, whose last three seasons at the club have been turbulent is one of the players the club is seeking to move on in January.

Bale signed for Madrid under Ancelotti and both worked to great effect in the Italian’s first season, as he won the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey with the Welshman playing a key role in Madrid’s famous BBC attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Isco Alarcon is another player signed by Ancelotti whose time is now at its end under the Italian. Both Isco and Bale are the club’s main January clear out candidates, according to reports.

Isco and Bale both have contracts until the end of the season but Ancelotti has moved on from both of them and Los Blancos are not going to try to renew their deals.

Meanwhile, team captain Marcelo, who has been kept out of the side by injuries and Ancelotti’s tactical decisions is also on the way out.

Like Isco and Bale, his contract ends at the end of the season but Madrid will be looking to get some money for the enigmatic Brazilian fullback whose performances once made him the best in the world in his position.

Rumours from Brazil claim that the 33-year-old could be headed to the Brazilian Serie A with Fluminense at the end of the season. However, Madrid want to speed up the Brazilian’s exit so he can have more playing time.

Madrid open to January offers for other players not included in the clear out list

It is not news that Eden Hazard’s time at Madrid could be up at the end of this season. However, Ancelotti still rates the Belgian and used him in the last two matches of the year.

The Belgian impressed in those games, showing his quality and what Madrid could stand to gain if they invest more time in their €100 million man.

However, president Florentino Perez has grown tired of waiting to recoup the money spent on Hazard and is willing to listen to offers for the Belgian even if Ancelotti would like to keep him.

Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic are also players Ancelotti would like to keep in the squad. They, like Hazard, could be out of the Santiago Bernabeu in the coming weeks or months of any good offers are submitted to Madrid.

The players planned for the squad clear out in January will not be replaced as things stand, according to reports. It is a precedent which Florentino Perez has set in his tenures has president: Madrid barely signs players in January.

However, their sights remain set on Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and only a breakthrough in negotiations for these two could see them join the club in January instead of at the end of the season when the club projects.

New striker target emerges in former Eintracht Frankfurt star for Barcelona

Another new transfer target has emerged for Barcelona in former Eintracht Frankfurt striker, Sebastien Haller, as they seek solutions to their striker crisis.

The news broke early in the month but there was nothing to it until Spanish outlet El Nacional and Okdiario‘s chief pundit Eduardo Inda both confirmed it early this week.

Inda went on popular Spanish football show El Chiringuito to mention that Xavi Hernandez, the Barcelona manager, likes the striker, whose form has seen him grab all the headlines and attention of many clubs across Europe.

El Nacional also claimed that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is in negotiations with the striker for a summer move from his current club, Ajax Amsterdam, where he is currently enjoying the best season of his career.

Haller is currently the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League top scorer, with 10 goals from six group stage games. The 27-year-old also has the same amount of goals in the Eredivisie, with 12 goals in 17 league appearances for Ajax.

El Nacional claims that Haller became an option after Barcelona’s prime long-term striker targets – Erling Haaland, Dušan Vlahović and Alexander Isak – turned out to be too expensive for the Catalans to pursue in their current state.

Edinson Cavani looks to be on his way to Barcelona as a short term replacement for Sergio Aguero, who retired earlier in the month following a heart issue he suffered playing for Barcelona in October. The club have also agreed to a €55 million deal with Manchester City to sign Ferran Torres, who can also take up the central striker role despite not being a natural striker.

The reports state that Barcelona will only have to spend in excess of €40 million to Ajax if Haller decides to sign for them, which is a much lesser fee than what could be paid for any of the three long-term options of Haaland, Vlahović or Isak.

 

Ajax, however, have ruled out any January moves for the striker as he is integral to their season.

Dembele chooses Barcelona; Manchester United to block Cavani move to Camp Nou

Fresh reports claim that Ousmane Dembele has finally made a decision on his Barcelona future. The Frenchman has chosen to continue at Camp Nou despite his entourage wanting a fresh start for the winger.

The 24-year-old has been in talks with Barcelona over his contract situation for months now with no visible light at the end of the tunnel. Dembele has now lit up the path but the details are yet to be confirmed.

Elsewhere, reports are now claiming that Manchester United will block Edinson Cavani’s move to Barcelona in January.

The 34-year-old has reportedly agreed on personal terms with the Catalan giants and all looks set for the former PSG man to don the Blaugrana from January 2022, but United have decided to keep him as a backup because of the COVID cases spiralling out of control in the Premier League.

Manchester United instead prefer to let Anthony Martial go, which could throw a spanner in Barcelona’s plans.

Barcelona seals Ferran Torres deal for €55 million

Barcelona and Manchester City have agreed an initial €55m (£46.7m) deal for Spanish forward Ferran Torres to move from the Etihad to the Camp Nou with additional clauses that could take the fee to €65m.

Ferran Torres is expected to travel to Barcelona in the coming days to complete a medical and will sign for Barcelona for the next five seasons. This news contradicts Barcelona’s widely publicised financial issues, which almost prevented the club from having enough players to compete in LaLiga this season.

The 21-year-old has been a target of the Catalan club for quite some time now, including the season he moved to Manchester City from Valencia. Barcelona still did not lose interest in the player after he signed for the Manchester side and chased his signature throughout the season.

Following injuries to all of Barcelona’s forward line, he, alongside Manchester City teammates Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, as well as many other attackers, was in the news as names Barcelona were monitoring to help deal with the crisis at the club.

Ferran Torres had not featured for City since late September after suffering a foot injury while on international duty with Spain but still continued to be on Barcelona’s radar. His impressive form which saw him start City’s first six games of the 2021/22 Premier League season as well as all of Spain’s international games until his injury also contributed to his stock staying as high as it did.

The Spain international currently has seven goals from 11 appearances for club and country this season and will now have the opportunity to continue his fine form in another league when he recovers from his injury in January.

The 21-year-old’s signing will come as good news to the Barcelona community who have just lost Sergio Aguero. The veteran striker who was only signed for free this season after 10 years at Manchester City, had to cut his professional career short following a heart condition which he suffered playing in Blaugrana colours.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, values Torres’ contribution at City but has placed a few names ahead of him in his team considerations for each game. Marca reports that Guardiola sanctioned Torres’ move to his former side, considering the €55 million fee a good return for a player who cost the club €27m (£24.5m) in August 2020.

Barcelona to finance Torres’ deal with loan

Barcelona is reportedly going to be adding to their debt portfolio to finance the deal with Manchester City for Ferran Torres.

BBC reports that the Spanish club are able to fund the deal despite their current financial troubles thanks to a recent bank loan. The club will need to offload some players if they are to register the forward in January in compliance with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations. Sergio Aguero’s exit from the club, however, has freed up some money for Torres’ salary.

Barca’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, is reported by GOAL to have led the discussions with the player, who had previously told Guardiola that he would like to return to Spain. Valencia will receive 10 percent of the transfer fee Barcelona will pay for Torres, in compliance with the forward’s transfer clause from the Mestalla to the Etihad.

Barcelona’s initial bids of €45 million and €50 million were turned down by City who valued the youngster at €70 million. Xavi Hernandez’s keenness to bring him to Camp Nou led Barcelona’s negotiating team to raise their offer

Torres will be giving up Champions League football and a potential second-ever league title as he will be departing the Etihad with Manchester City top of the table. He will be joining a Barcelona side who have struggled this season but are now coming into a good run of form to fight for a top-four spot and to play in the Europa League.

Manchester City may request a swap deal for Torres, reports say

Many Barcelona first-team players are reportedly up for sale as the club looks to reduce its wage bill and offset debts. One such player is former Ajax Amsterdam star Frenkie De Jong, who is valued by Barcelona in the region of the fee which the Catalans will be paying for Ferran Torres.

Spanish outlet El Nacional reports that Barcelona and Manchester City may explore the possibility of a direct swap which will involve no fees exchanged as City have also been long-term admirers of the Netherlands international.

Regardless of the reports from El Nacional, Manchester City could do with the money as they have transfer ambitions of their own to fulfill.

Ferran Torres has been used by Guardiola mostly in the central striker role despite not being a natural central striker. The club is said to be bullish on signing one this summer, and Borussia Dortmund man Erling Haaland is their top target.

The fee paid for Torres could go towards financing this deal, as Haaland will be available for €75 million this summer.

 

Tottenham contact Barcelona for Clement Lenglet

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet for a January transfer, according to the latest reports from The Sun.

Antonio Conte, who admitted that Tottenham’s squad was not up to standard after their loss to Mura in the European Conference League, has managed to whip the team into a fighting shape.

The North London club have kept three clean sheets in their last five Premier League games but Conte is still pining for more defensive reinforcements as he looks to make the Tottenham Hotspur team in his image.

Clement Lenglet has been a target for Spurs for some time, and with Barcelona looking to solve a big financial issue, the Lilywhites could make a move for the 26-year-old French defender and offer Barcelona some much-needed funds.

Lenglet signed for Barcelona from Sevilla in 2018 and is in his fourth season at Barcelona. In that time, he has won a LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey trophy and a Supercopa de Espana trophy during his stay at the club. His fine form for Barcelona in his debut season saw him earn his first call-up to the French national team and he has been a part of their dynamics ever since.

He has since been relegated to being a squad option after an impressive debut season at the Camp Nou which saw him displace fellow Frenchman Samuel Umtiti. 

Spurs are in need of a left-footed defender as Welsh fullback Ben Davies is the only left-footed defender at the club. This will also mean that Lnglet could slot in seamlessly into Antonio Conte’s preferred 3-5-2 formation as the left-sided centre back.

Sevilla contact Barcelona for Lenglet

Lenglet could be returning to his old club Sevilla according to more reports from El Nacional. The defender recently came under fire from Barcelona fans after cameras caught him laughing with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski following their 3-0 defeat to the German champions in the Champions League which sent them to the Europa League.

El Nacional claims that Clement Lenglet is being looked at by Sevilla who are preparing for the exit of Jules Kounde who could be leaving for Chelsea in the summer. Reports from November also claim that Lenglet was offered to The Andalusian giants for €10 million ahead of the January transfer window. Now, they are the ones reportedly looking into a potential summer deal that could see them paying more to Barcelona for their former defender.

The 26-year-old has started only eight games this season for Barcelona as he has seen his spot usurped by new signing Eric Garcia and former youth player Ronald Araujo. However, unlike Tottenham’s interest in the defender for a January transfer, Sevilla are targeting the Frenchman for a summer transfer.

This could give Xavi some more time with him as the Barcelona manager still considers Lenglet a very important squad player and hopes to keep him beyond the summer.

Real Madrid approach Dortmund for Haaland; Dortmund pushing for striker to stay

Borussia Dortmund have revealed that Real Madrid are “very interested” in Erling Haaland after receiving an official inquiry about the Norwegian striker.

The former Red Bull Salzburg striker is the hottest property in football right now and is courted by all the too teams in the world. Real Madrid are looking to make him their next Galactico signing, alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

Having reached out to the club to inquire about the striker’s €75 million release clause, Dortmund, through chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke, have now officially confirm Real Madrid’s concrete interest.

“No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland,” Watzke told German outlet BILD in a recent interview.

“All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him. 

“I could name 25 others now. But I know for sure, it can be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays. A few days ago I had a very good conversation with Mino Raiola, when we are in a target corridor, the conversations are always quite friendly and that phone call was quite friendly. 

“We will certainly have another meeting in the next few weeks. The focus is on the overall development of Haaland. 

“Just like with Lewandowski, I would like to be proud of Erling at some point if he wins the Champions League. Personally, I think it’s good for him if he stays in the Bundesliga a little longer.”

Haaland can wait for anybody, claims Raiola

The 21-year-old is a dream signing for many clubs including Barcelona, whose financial situation will definitely be an obstacle in signing the player at the end of the season.

The Catalan club is currently in need of many reinforcements and is also looking to offload a number of players to offset their wage bill and shake up the squad to beat it back into fighting shape.

Raiola has given the Camp Nou hierarchy a glimmer of hope in their pursuit of the Norwegian, as he says that Haaland can wait for anybody, including Barcelona as he doesn’t rule out another season with Dortmund.

“Could Haaland wait for Barcelona? He can wait for anybody,” Raiola said to NOS when specifically asked about Barcelona’s interest in his client. “We don’t have a pre-agreement with any club.

“We’ll look for the best option for him and I can’t rule out another year at Dortmund. Theoretically, that’s still possible.”

Raiola also went on to note that Barcelona may be down but not out due to their current financial situation.

“Barcelona will always be one of the world’s biggest clubs,” Raiola added. “Even despite their current situation.

“In a year or two they’ll be back. They have the power to find great economic agreements. They’ll only need a year or two to get back.”

The Camp Nou hierarchy, however, could be in Raiola’s good books if they do the super agent a favour by signing one of his players who dreams of playing for the Catalan club.

Ajax Amsterdam right-back Noussair Mazraoui will be out of a contract at the Eredivisie side in the summer and is holding on from contract negotiations as he hopes Barcelona will make a.move for him soon.

Signing Mazraoui could be a step in the right direction for Barcelona’s pursuit of Haaland.

Brazilian club Cruzeiro become Ronaldo’s second club

Brazil legend Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, popularly called Ronaldo, is now the new owner of his boyhood club, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.

Ronaldo’s bid beat Fenway Sports Group (FSG), owners of Liverpool FC to secure the rights to the major shares of the club, giving the local hero the reins to his boyhood club.

Cruzeiro is currently struggling in the second tier of Brazilian football but their acquisition by O Fenomeno has given the club’s hierarchy something to smile about and a future to look forward to.

Ronaldo only spent a year with Cruzeiro’s senior team in the Brazilian Serie A back in 1993/94 but his impact was felt all through the nation.

His 44 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions helped the club to win their first ever Copa do Brasil in 1993 and gave him visibility in Europe.

Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven were the ones to snap him up from Cruzeiro and the rest, as they say, is history.

The 45-year-old is now enjoying retirement from a career that was cut short due to injuries and has made a name in Brazil as an astute businessman, with sports business being one of his many ventures.

Cruzeiro is the second club he has acquired. Spanish Segunda side Real Valladolid is the first, and he currently serves as both owner controlling an 82 percent stake (51 percent when he bought it in 2018) in the club, and president who oversees the day to day running of the club.

“I have a lot to give back”, Ronaldo tells Cruzeiro fans

The final agreement to make Ronaldo the majority shareholder between Ronald and the club’s president Sergio Santos Rodrigues was reached during a meeting in Sao Paulo on Saturday.

Ronaldo and Rodrigues both announced the news on an Instagram live session.

“I have a lot to give back. We have a lot of work ahead of us. We will. We have a lot of work and ambition to do the Cruzeiro again,” Ronaldo said during the Instagram live.

Rodrigues added: “The club that revealed Ronaldo to the world, now Ronaldo is opening the doors to the world again.

“A job very well done and sewn for a while. Already known as president, now majority shareholder of Cruzeiro SAF.”

Ronaldo will be taking charge of a Cruzeiro with serious financial problems just like he did with Real Valladolid, and will hope that he can take them back to the Brazilian Serie A and into better financial times.

Xavi: Top four is main objective at Barcelona

Xavi Hernandez has managed his return to Barcelona relatively well given the resources he has had to work with, but his comments before the Elche game suggest a humble disposition for the Spanish giants this season.

Xavi took charge of his fifth LaLiga game since taking over from Ronald Koeman at Barcelona earlier in the season and his side marched on to a hard-fought win over relegation strugglers Elche.

Before the game, Xavi admitted that Barcelona are way off the mark in terms of squad strength and quality this season but will be fighting for the top four positions.

“The main objective is to be in the top four and to win titles,” Xavi said in the pre-match press conference before his side went on to beat Elche.

“Nothing can be ruled out, we are a long way behind the leader but I have great confidence in the squad.

“The results aren’t coming but I am confident, the feelings are better and positive, even if the results aren’t, tomorrow is another huge test.”

Xavi has now won three, drawn and lost one each of his five LaLiga games so far and is currently seventh on the table with 27 points.

The Elche match could have ended differently but his side left it late, with Nico Gonzalez’s second goal of the season sealing all three points for the Blaugrana at the Camp Nou.

Xavi praised the fighting spirit of his young squad, singling out Pablo Gaviria who surpassed Lionel Messi to become Barcelona’s third youngest ever goal scorer.

Xavi: Barcelona have lost their style

Xavi, however, also noted that the squad has been poor and said that they have “lost the Barcelona style”.

“We’ve lost [Barcelona’s] model of play and we have to bring it back,” Xavi said after the game.

“I have not been here for six years and there are things that have surprised me tactically. I wasn’t here so I don’t know who’s responsible for it, but it’s making [the job] hard for us.

“The large majority [of players] don’t understand positional play. There are mechanisms that I understood from the age of 11 and we have players here that haven’t worked on them.”

He also expressed hopes that this win will mark a turning point in their season as they march forward towards their objectives of finishing in the top four of LaLiga.

“We hope this will be a point of inflection,” the 41-year-old said. “We complicated things for ourselves. Elche survived on our errors and that cannot be the case. We have to learn and be more responsible.

“I was a little angry [after they equalised] because I wasn’t imagining not winning the game. We deserved much more, but in the situation we’re in, these are three golden points.”

Barcelona tracking Haaland; will need to fulfill condition to become key destination for Dortmund striker

Before the Elche game, Xavi spoke about the club’s interest in Erling Haaland.

“At the moment we have a difficult economic situation,” he noted.

“We have to be realistic and think that it will not be easy to strengthen the team, there is a problem with the salary limits. We will see what happens. I don’t know anything about Haaland, everyone would be interested.”

Barcelona could jump ahead of the competition for Haaland’s signature next summer if they can do a favour for Mino Raiola, however.

Sport reports that Barcelona President Joan Laporta is willing to do anything to land the Norwegian striker and that includes signing another of Raiola’s clients, Ajax Amsterdam right-back Noussair Mazraoui.

Mazraoui is currently enjoying his best football at Ajax, scoring four goals and providing three assists as Ajax defends their Eredivisie title. His defensive abilities are also top-tier, having helped the club keep 14 clean sheets in the 21 games he has played so far.

Mazraoui has expressed a desire to play for the Catalan giants and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, could become a cheap option for Barcelona who are currently struggling at the right-back position.

This deal could sway Raiola’s favour towards Barcelona as they battle with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for Haaland’s signature.