Alexis Sanchez In, Bojan Krkic Out

FC Barcelona has made an official announcement regarding the signing of the Chilean striker on the official website. The agreement reached with Udinese will se Barca paying 26 Million Euro upfront and another 11 million later as variables. My assumption is the variables will be linked to not only his performance also to the playing minutes. The Chilean striker has been linked to Barca since the end of last season. Udinese played their part in hiking the value of a player who scored 12 goals last season, four in one match. The amount of 26 Million says how highly Rosell and Guardiola rate the player and he is expected to give cover to Barca's front line and also a bit of competition to likes of Villa and Pedro. Meanwhile as expected Barca has announced the departure of Bojan Krkic to Roma after four less than successful seasons. Barca will get 12 Million Euros for the player and also have a buy-back clause of 13 Million if they decide to bring back the striker in the end of 2012-13 season.

Messi and Argentina Back on Track

Millions of Argentinian fans can breathe a sigh of relief today after their team's sensational performance against CostaRica. May be beating CostaRica should never be considered sensational, but then considering their last two performance this was nothing short of sensational. It's not only the Argentinian fans who are relieved, but also the Barcelona ones. Messi unfortunately have come under lots of flack from press in home country and right now there is a change in the mood. It is rather unfortunate to put the whole blame of pathetic performance on Messi, who honestly was the best player against Bolivia and Colombia and also created a host of chances but for his team mates to waste it. Finally he was given a team to express himself and boy oh boy he did really well. Two assist and a number of would have been assist summed up his great night. The match started with a nervous Messi but the second half saw the great one who love to go in those mesmirising runs. He should be a bit agitated with the number of chances both Aguerra and Higuain have wasted, but he wouldn't mind that much as he knows clearly that his coach now know the system which works with him.

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Barca Opens Title Defense at Malaga

The Spanish League's calendar has been out and we will be travelling to Malaga in the opening fixture of our title defense on the 21st of August. We will be aiming to win our fourth successive La Liga title and equal the record of the Cryuff's Dream Team. The first Clasico match which is going to be held at Camp Nou is scheduled on the 11th of December. But there is a high chance that it may be postponed as we will have our semi-final match of the Club World Cup in Japan on 15th. The opening fixture at Malaga looks like a good match to start with, but there are trouble coming in the starting weeks. Matchday 2 will see us hosting Villareal at Camp Nou, Matchday 5 has we travelling to Valencia and the very next week we will be hosting Athletico Madrid. So that's a tough start. Just to remind you all that Season's opener Spanish Super Cup is scheduled on the 14th and 17th of August. We will be playing the second leg at home. So we can expect a season long sledging attacks between two clubs.

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Thiago Extends Contract till 2015

Upcoming Spanish midfielder, Thiago Alcántara has put an end to all speculation and signed a contract which will see his stay at the club extended to 2015. Recognizing his enormous talent and brilliant performance in Under 21 European Championship, Barca has put a huge 90 Million Euro buy out clause. According to official Barca website, the official signing of the contract will take place today, Wednesday, at 17.00. Later there will be a photo session, open to the media, at the doors of the FC Barcelona offices.

Out of the Shadows, Thiago Emerges

What an impact an successful tournament makes, isn't it? What an impact a wonder goal makes, isn't it?Two weeks before I was shouting at the loudest voice in another Barcelona blog about the foolishness of letting Thiago slip away inorder to facilitate the signing of Cesc Fabregas. No one cared. But it looks like Thiago's wonder goal in the final of Euro - 21 has done the trick for him. Suddenly Barcelona fans have started to realise that it could be stupidity of monumental proportion to let this kid slip away. Tha Catalan media have suddenly recognised the talent of Thiago and today's cartoon section has a positive warning against selling him for any matter.

This is Sport.es' cartoon



Thiago triumphs with the U21′s

“Those that want me to be ‘exchange money’ need to be careful…because the change from the little bit of money could end up being costly.”

MundoDeportivo.es had this in their humour section:



“Do you think that Thiago can be successful with Barça?”

“If first they make a bad sale to Arsenal and then buy him back again for for millions, then of course!”

Translation Courtesy : Total Barca

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