Tito Vilanova confirms Cesc wants to stay at Barca

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has said that Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas wants to stay at the Spanish champions.

On Monday, United made a bid for the midfielder, who has failed to secure a regular starting spot at Barca since returning to the club from Arsenal two years ago.

However, Barca insisted the 26-year-old was not for sale and Vilanova has now confirmed that Fabregas is not wanting to move on either.

Vilanova said at a press conference: "I'm aware there have been offers, I had a conversation with him and he told me that he wanted to continue here and that he didn't want to go to another big club.

"He wants to succeed here."

Confirmation that Fabregas is committed to the club will come as a boost to Vilanova following the departure of rising star Thiago Alcantara.

The Spain international is currently finalising his move to Bayern Munich after the European champions reached an agreement with Barca last weekend to sign the 22-year-old for a fee which could rise to 25million euros (£21.6m).

More good news for Barca came with the announcement that midfielder Sergio Busquets has signed a contract extension which ties him to the Nou Camp until June 2018.

Messi Wants Neymar to Join Him at Barcelona#8207;

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Lionel Messi has revealed that he is keen for Barcelona to sign Santos forward Neymar Jr. this summer, and the deal could be wrapped up as soon as the transfer window opens.

On a recent trip to Qatar, Messi spoke to TV network ‘Qatar Alkaas’ about how he’d be delighted to play alongside the Brazilian wonderkid.

The 21-year-old talisman has proved himself as the best player in South America by winning the most prestigious individual awards available.

His repertoire of skills that leave his opponents dizzy and a step behind has made him one of football’s hottest prospects.

Reports suggest that Neymar had initially indicated at his desire to stay with the Brazilian club until after the World Cup in 2014, but now could be the right time to move.

Playing in Europe will make him a better player, there is no doubt about that. The Champions League is a fierce competition. It encourages an intense desire to win.

However, he’s sure to face some difficult obstacles along the way.

The cold winter pitches in Ukraine and Russia are no place for his arsenal of flicks and tricks – a huge part of his game.

Hopefully, if he’s the player people claim he is, he will adapt and unlock a new ‘never say die’ style to his play making him more of a physical presence.

Neymar will likely be a long-term replacement for the declining David Villa and the sound of Messi and Pedro leading the attack alongside him is a dream come true for fans, but a nightmare for defences.

Vilanova wants 100 points for Barca

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is hoping the target of matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points will keep his players motivated when the host Valladolid on Sunday.

The Catalans sealed their fourth title in five years last weekend, but can reach a century of points should they win their remaining three games and Vilanova wants to finish the campaign strongly.

"We have taken 91 points, which is a lot. We know we have the opportunity to get 100 and we will play the three games to win them," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"We can't just let it go, that is the only thing I wouldn't like. We owe it to the fans and we need to finish the year well."

Barca have endured an up and down season with the joy of the title tempered by their humiliation to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Vilanova once again stressed that he believes his first season in charge has been an overall success.

"The fans are happy with the league. We have led from the first game to the last.

"It was important to recapture the league. The cycle which they said was ending, in the end has ended with a league, so for Barca I want to say that is has been a good season."

Victor Valdes has been passed fit to return against Valladolid in what could be his penultimate game as a Barca player at the Camp Nou with speculation linking the Spanish international with a move away at the end of the season after he said he wouldn't be renewing his contract which ends in 2014.

Javier Mascherano also returns to the squad after six weeks out, but Lionel Messi will not play again this season due to his hamstring injury.

Despite the tiredness they have shown in recent weeks, a number of Barca's Spanish internationals are likely to be called up for the Confederations Cup when Vicente del Bosque names his squad on the 27th of this month.

And although Vilanova admits he would prefer them to be rested, he accepts Del Bosque's intention to take the best squad available to him to Brazil in June.

"Personally, I would like for them to rest, but I understand that they will go. The national team manager wants to count on the best players."

Messi Wants Neymar to Join Him at Barcelona#8207;

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Lionel Messi has revealed that he is keen for Barcelona to sign Santos forward Neymar Jr. this summer, and the deal could be wrapped up as soon as the transfer window opens.

On a recent trip to Qatar, Messi spoke to TV network ‘Qatar Alkaas’ about how he’d be delighted to play alongside the Brazilian wonderkid.

The 21-year-old talisman has proved himself as the best player in South America by winning the most prestigious individual awards available.

His repertoire of skills that leave his opponents dizzy and a step behind has made him one of football’s hottest prospects.

Reports suggest that Neymar had initially indicated at his desire to stay with the Brazilian club until after the World Cup in 2014, but now could be the right time to move.

Playing in Europe will make him a better player, there is no doubt about that. The Champions League is a fierce competition. It encourages an intense desire to win.

However, he’s sure to face some difficult obstacles along the way.

The cold winter pitches in Ukraine and Russia are no place for his arsenal of flicks and tricks – a huge part of his game.

Hopefully, if he’s the player people claim he is, he will adapt and unlock a new ‘never say die’ style to his play making him more of a physical presence.

Neymar will likely be a long-term replacement for the declining David Villa and the sound of Messi and Pedro leading the attack alongside him is a dream come true for fans, but a nightmare for defences.

Vilanova wants 100 points for Barca

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is hoping the target of matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points will keep his players motivated when the host Valladolid on Sunday.

The Catalans sealed their fourth title in five years last weekend, but can reach a century of points should they win their remaining three games and Vilanova wants to finish the campaign strongly.

"We have taken 91 points, which is a lot. We know we have the opportunity to get 100 and we will play the three games to win them," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"We can't just let it go, that is the only thing I wouldn't like. We owe it to the fans and we need to finish the year well."

Barca have endured an up and down season with the joy of the title tempered by their humiliation to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Vilanova once again stressed that he believes his first season in charge has been an overall success.

"The fans are happy with the league. We have led from the first game to the last.

"It was important to recapture the league. The cycle which they said was ending, in the end has ended with a league, so for Barca I want to say that is has been a good season."

Victor Valdes has been passed fit to return against Valladolid in what could be his penultimate game as a Barca player at the Camp Nou with speculation linking the Spanish international with a move away at the end of the season after he said he wouldn't be renewing his contract which ends in 2014.

Javier Mascherano also returns to the squad after six weeks out, but Lionel Messi will not play again this season due to his hamstring injury.

Despite the tiredness they have shown in recent weeks, a number of Barca's Spanish internationals are likely to be called up for the Confederations Cup when Vicente del Bosque names his squad on the 27th of this month.

And although Vilanova admits he would prefer them to be rested, he accepts Del Bosque's intention to take the best squad available to him to Brazil in June.

"Personally, I would like for them to rest, but I understand that they will go. The national team manager wants to count on the best players."