Barcelona push for João Cancelo, sign Juan Ybarra
Flick reshapes Barça’s fitness team: Julio Tous exits, Rafa Maldonado and German Fernández leave first-team, Benjamin Kugel takes charge, aiming to solve injury and recovery issues.
Fermin Lopez returns to Ciutat Esportiva gym work after right foot metatarsal surgery. Recovery is on track, but he is unlikely to start pre-season at full intensity.
Pau Cubarsí, 19, shines for Spain: ever-present minutes, 96% passing from 449 attempts, 5 key passes, 19 recoveries, 23 defensive actions, and 5 clean sheets, forming a strong pairing with Aymeric Laporte.
Barça add a triangular tournament in Udine on 8 August, facing Udinese and Nottingham Forest, alongside friendlies vs CE Europa and Birmingham City in a packed pre-season under Hansi Flick.
Luis de la Fuente praises Lamine Yamal after Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal, calling it one of his biggest matches and citing Nuno Mendes’ injury as proof of the demands the Barça winger posed.
Barça sign Juan Ybarra from Tenerife until 2028. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder-winger joins Barça Atlètic after 14 goals and 4 assists last season, strengthening Juliano Belletti’s midfield.
Pedri salutes PSG’s Vitinha on Instagram after Spain’s 1-0 World Cup win over Portugal, with both midfielders starting in Arlington but struggling to influence the match.
Gerard Martin cuts short holiday to train early, following a tailored programme and solo sessions at Ciutat Esportiva to be ready for pre-season and consolidate his role under Flick.
Barça prepare a final push to sign João Cancelo permanently from Al-Hilal. After 5 goal contributions in 16 league games on loan, talks with Deco ongoing, aiming to have him for England pre-season on 27 July.
Barça aim to help Raphinha overcome repeated thigh injuries and a difficult World Cup, reviewing conditioning and recovery amid Saudi interest, with the winger inclined to stay.
Ex-Barça icon Lionel Messi sets World Cup assist record with 9, scores to make it six straight knockout games, as Argentina rally from 0-2 to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the quarter-finals.
Barça plan a new bid for Julian Alvarez after reports Atletico may hear offers, with the forward keen to leave. Flick values his pressing and versatility, but a deal and price remain uncertain.
Barça declined a move for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, focusing instead on signing Anthony Gordon. PSG and Liverpool lead the chase, with a €100m offer reportedly rejected.
Barça set for around €2m via 20% sell-on as ex-La Masia CB Sergi Dominguez nears a €10m move from Dinamo Zagreb to Lazio on a deal to 2031, boosting summer finances under 1:1 rules.
After Spain beat Portugal 1-0, Barça’s Gavi posted support for ex-teammate João Cancelo on Instagram, captioned ‘Always together brother’, following Cancelo’s elimination at the Last 16.
