Neymar suffering from anemia - reports

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona striker Neymar has reportedly been put on a special diet by the club's medical staff to ease signs of anemia just days after he made his debut for the club, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais.

The Brazilian international joined the Catalan giants in June for 57 million euros ($75.7 million, £49.5 million) and made his long-awaited debut last week in a 2-2 friendly draw against Lechia Gdasnk in Poland.

However, according to the paper signs of anemia were detected on his return to training after an extended summer break due to his participation in the Confederations Cup.

"Neymar is being treated by Barcelona's doctors for signs of anemia with an adequate diet and complementary course of vitamins," it said on Saturday without quoting a source for the story.

Barcelona were not immediately available for comment, but the club had previously confirmed that the player had his tonsils removed after leading his country to victory in the Confederations Cup.

Anemia is a treatable condition but is thought to be extremely debilitating for top athletes as a low level of hemoglobin in the blood stream can cause excessive levels of tiredness.

The news is also likely to disrupt the club's plans to work intensively on building on the 21-year-old's strength after club doctor Ricard Pruna expressed concerns at his slight weight of 64.5 kilos (142 lbs, 10.2 stone) when he underwent his medical.

Neymar made his home bow against old club Santos on Friday night as he played 45 minutes in Barca's 8-0 destruction of the Brazilians and has travelled with his teammates to take part in coaching clinics in Palestine and Israel before they embark on a tour of Asia with friendlies in Thailand and Malaysia.

Martino set to take over at Barca - reports

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Former Newell's Old Boys and Paraguay national team manager Gerardo Martino is set to become the new Barcelona coach, numerous sources in the Spanish media reported on Monday.

It is expected that the Argentine will arrive in Barcelona on Tuesday to sign a three-year deal with the Catalans, who have moved quickly to replace Tito Vilanova after he was forced to resign on Friday due to on-going ill health.

Martino, who hails from Rosario, the same city where Barca star Lionel Messi grew up, recently left Newell's despite leading them to the Argentine Clausura title and to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.

Previous to taking over at the Argentine club, the bulk of Martino's managerial experience had been in Paraguay, where he won four domestic championships with Libertad and Cerro Porteno before going on to lead the national side to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010 and the Copa America final a year later.

Indeed the 50-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to Real Sociedad earlier last month before deciding to stay on to manage Newell's until the end of their Libertadores campaign.

And it now looks as if he will land a significantly bigger job as the unfortunate timing of Vilanova's departure less than a month before the start of the season left the Spanish champions with few other options.

Neymar set for Barca move - reports

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Brazil striker Neymar has reportedly chosen to join Barcelona this summer.

Santos have accepted two offers for their star player, with Barcelona confirmed as one of the bidders and Real Madrid widely suggested to be the other side in pursuit. After an initial meeting between club officials, Neymar and the player's father, no immediate decision on his future was reached, but Spanish media have since reported the frontman will be moving to the Nou Camp.

A statement from Santos on Friday night read: "In a meeting with representatives of the management committee of Santos FC, striker Neymar Jr was made aware of the offers received by the club and he will analyse them in the coming days before making a final decision."

The 21-year-old's contract expires at the end of next season and some reports had suggested an agreement with Barcelona was as good as signed.

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues apparently shares that view, quoted on the website of Spanish sports newspaper Diario AS as saying: "When I went to Barcelona to hear the offer, I learned that Neymar had a verbal agreement that when he finished his contract in 2014 he was going to Barcelona.

"He has a gentleman's agreement. He doesn't have a contract, but a verbal agreement."

The move to Barcelona was reported as a done deal by Marca.com, the website of the sports newspaper that most closely focuses on affairs at Real Madrid.

Barcelona assistant boss Jordi Roura refused to be be drawn on the progress of Barcelona's chase today, but acknowledged the talent of their target.

"Let things run their course," he said. "He's a spectacular player and any club would want him."

It was reported by Marca.com that Neymar's signing could be announced after Barcelona's Primera Division match at Espanyol on Sunday night, or during Monday.

Neymar set for Barca move - reports

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Brazil striker Neymar has reportedly chosen to join Barcelona this summer.

Santos have accepted two offers for their star player, with Barcelona confirmed as one of the bidders and Real Madrid widely suggested to be the other side in pursuit. After an initial meeting between club officials, Neymar and the player's father, no immediate decision on his future was reached, but Spanish media have since reported the frontman will be moving to the Nou Camp.

A statement from Santos on Friday night read: "In a meeting with representatives of the management committee of Santos FC, striker Neymar Jr was made aware of the offers received by the club and he will analyse them in the coming days before making a final decision."

The 21-year-old's contract expires at the end of next season and some reports had suggested an agreement with Barcelona was as good as signed.

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues apparently shares that view, quoted on the website of Spanish sports newspaper Diario AS as saying: "When I went to Barcelona to hear the offer, I learned that Neymar had a verbal agreement that when he finished his contract in 2014 he was going to Barcelona.

"He has a gentleman's agreement. He doesn't have a contract, but a verbal agreement."

The move to Barcelona was reported as a done deal by Marca.com, the website of the sports newspaper that most closely focuses on affairs at Real Madrid.

Barcelona assistant boss Jordi Roura refused to be be drawn on the progress of Barcelona's chase today, but acknowledged the talent of their target.

"Let things run their course," he said. "He's a spectacular player and any club would want him."

It was reported by Marca.com that Neymar's signing could be announced after Barcelona's Primera Division match at Espanyol on Sunday night, or during Monday.