Barcelona pass on Rashford fee, press on for Julián Álvarez
Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, admired by Deco and Flick, will ‘surely stay’ per his agent. With a €70m price and two years left, Barcelona must look at alternative centre-back options.
Sixteen Barcelona players head to the World Cup, led by Spain’s eight picks including Pedri, Gavi, Yamal and Cubarsi. Raphinha, Kounde, De Jong, Araujo, Cancelo, Rashford and Abdelkarim also feature.
Hansi Flick will assess Héctor Fort in pre-season after his Elche loan. The 19-year-old full-back, hampered by injuries, still produced five goal contributions in 17 games.
La Masia midfielder Artem Rybak, 16, signs a new deal to continue in Juvenil ranks. The Ukraine U16 talent, at Barça since leaving his country, extends amid the club’s push to lock in prospects.
Barça like Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro, but must first sort exits for ter Stegen, Peña and others. Remiro is open to deputise behind Joan Garcia, yet a move depends on clearing the crowded position.
Barça expect Ansu Fati’s permanent move to Monaco finalised before 30 June, bringing in €11m and removing his salary to aid summer plans after his decent loan spell.
Ex-Inter president Massimo Moratti says he tried to sign young Messi, but the Argentine stayed loyal to Barça, whose medical support and swift promotion to the first team cemented his rise.
Barcelona remain determined to land Julián Álvarez despite Real Madrid’s rejected €150m bid, viewing Madrid’s statement as a disruption tactic and pressing on with talks for a Camp Nou move.
Barcelona sign 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim permanently from Al Ahly for €1.5m plus add-ons after 6 goals in 8 for the U19s, with the Egypt World Cup call-up boosting his profile.
Barça have barred Xavi from featuring for Barça Legends after his election criticism of Laporta’s board and Echevarria. The club view it as a temporary stance that could be resolved.
Barcelona will not trigger the €30m option for Marcus Rashford after his 14 goals and 14 assists on loan. He returns to Man United, though Barça remain open to another loan if United agree.
Bernardo Silva has upped wage demands after Real Madrid and Atletico interest. Barcelona tell him their proposal is final, seeing him as a luxury, not a starter, and will not increase salary.
At 18, Lamine Yamal is named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, one of the youngest ever, reinforcing Barça’s long-standing UNICEF link as he promotes children’s rights alongside his rising on-pitch status.
Barcelona winger Raphinha, who shone against Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, aims to ‘do for him all the things I did against him’ as he leads Brazil’s attack at the World Cup with Neymar a doubt.
