Football

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Two-player Neymar agreement false, Lionel Messi injury blow


Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Thursday, August 29

  • Barcelona have NOT struck an agreement for Neymar
  • A Barcelona spokesman says nothing has changed
  • Jean-Clair Todibo has no interest in leaving the club
  • Lionel Messi is unlikely to play against Osasuna

Presidents to meet

Barcelona and PSG plan to meet again tomorrow to thrash out a deal for Neymar.

The Catalan side have had several offers for the Brazilian international knocked back by PSG – but there’s still hope.

French newspaper Le Parisien claim a meeting has been scheduled involving the presidents of both clubs, Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Josep Maria Bartomeu on Friday.

Barcelona have until September 2 to get the deal over the line.

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

Neymar absent

Neymar will play no part in Friday’s clash with Metz.

That’s according to PSG manager Thomas Tuchel, who says he’s not part of the group making the 200-mile journey to 11th-placed Metz.

“Neymar is not in the group and nothing has changed since the start of the season,” Tuchel said.

“I know nothing about Keylor Navas (potential addition), only that Alphonse Areola will play against Metz,” he added.

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

Carlos Vela

Former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela agreed to join Barcelona in January.

According to the Los Angeles FC star, Barcelona spoke with his agent but decided to bring in Kevin-Prince Boateng at the last moment.

“I was really close [to joining Barca],” he told ESPN FC. “In the second month of my holiday, I had a pina colada in hand and my agent called me to say: ‘Listen, Barcelona are calling you.

“They want you to play for four months and then you can go back to Los Angeles.’ I said to him: ‘Just say yes, I don’t care about money or anything. I’m going to start training tomorrow. Give me two weeks to get my fitness up.’”

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

Ronaldo retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to keep playing at the highest level for the next three years and has no retirement plans as yet.

The forward told Portuguese radio station TV1 last week that he could play into his 40s but also said: “Maybe I can leave my career next year.”

Ronaldo was asked whether he and Messi could retire at the same time during tonight’s Champions League draw.

“He’s two years younger than me,” the 34-year-old replied. “I think I look good for my age! I hope to be here next year, and in two years and three years.

“So, the people who don’t like me, they’re going to see me here.”

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

No Neymar agreement

Barcelona have NOT struck an agreement for Neymar, according to a club spokesperson.

Reports were circulating that Barcelona had agreed a deal to bring the Brazilian international back to the Nou Camp.

It was said that midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Ousmane Dembele would join on a season-long loan plus £113million.

However, Barcelona spokesman Guillermo Amor says nothing has changed and no deal has been reached.

“We were focused on this for a long time but they said there is nothing,” Amor told Movistar. Pressed if a move was still possible before the transfer deadline, Amor added: “We’ll see.”

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

Jean-Clair Todibo snub

Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo has no interest in leaving the club.

Todibo, 19, was reported to be a makeweight in the potential deal to sign Neymar along with Ivan Rakitic and Ousmane Dembele.

But the French defender has other ideas.

Spanish website Mundo Deportivo claim Todibo doesn’t want to leave the Nou Camp and Barcelona would also be reluctant to let him leave.

Lionel Messi absent

Lionel Messi is unlikely to play in Barcelona’s third fixture of the season.

The Catalan giants travel to Osasuna on Saturday – but their Argentine magician, who attended the Champions League draw today, is an injury doubt.

Messi missed Barcelona’s defeat to Athletic Bilbao and the victory over Real Betis.

However, he trained alone on Thursday and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected back after the international break.

Borussia Dortmund teasing

Borussia Dortmund took aim at Barcelona after the Champions League draw.

The Bundesliga side were drawn against the Catalan giants, Inter Milan and Slavia Prague in an extremely competitive Group F.

And it didn’t take long for Dortmund’s social media team to react.

They posted a picture of the two club badges alongside the cheeky caption: “Time to practice our corners.” A reference to Liverpool’s quick set-piece routine that dumped them out of last year’s competition.

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp

Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest updates from the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

Champions League draw

Barcelona have learned their opponents for this season’s Champions League group stage.

The Catalan side were drawn in Group F against Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Slavia Prague.

Lionel Messi was present and won the Forward of the Season award – but lost out to Virgil Van Dijk for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.

Group Stage dates: Match day one: 17-18 September, Match day two: 1-2 October, Match day three: 22-23 October, Match day four: 5-6 November, Match day five: 26-27 November, Match day six: 10-11 December.



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