Liverpool target Jean Michael Seri shows off impressive skills
Barcelona News LIVE updates: All the latest from the Nou Camp
Thursday December 7
Coutinho claim
12.45: Philippe Coutinho has not closed the door on a move away from Liverpool if Barcelona make a renewed attempt to buy him in the January transfer window.
The Spanish giants had three bids - the last of them around £117m - rejected last summer when Coutinho was tempted by the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp and submitted a transfer request.
Liverpool's owners insisted then that the Brazilian playmaker would not be sold but Barcelona have not ruled out a fresh attempt when the winter window opens in three weeks time.
Coutinho has responded well this season and insists any fresh speculation will not have a detrimental impact on his focus and form at Anfield.
He said: "I do not know how the future is going to be. What will happen in January, we will know it in January. I do not know if there will be an offer.
“I am at Liverpool and I always do my best when I have the opportunity to play, respecting the jersey and the supporters.
“Last summer there was a job offer [from Barcelona] in the same way that happens with any employee and I was interested in it. Since I stayed, I have played with will and desire.”
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Philippe Coutinho has spoken out on Barcelona's interest
Andre Gomes regret
09.45: Andre Gomes regrets picking Barcelona over Real Madrid, according to claims in Spain.
The Portugal midfielder struggled for games at Barca last season under Luis Enrique.
And new boss Ernesto Valverde hasn’t used him much either.
And Don Balon claim he has told friends he wished he had joined Madrid instead when he had the chance.
Seri battle
07.15: Manchester City and Liverpool have joined the race for Jean Michael Seri.
The midfielder was on Barcelona’s radar in the summer and they made a move worth £35.2m for Nice star.
And now they face competition from the Premier League duo.
The Daily Mail claim both clubs are keen on Seri and could make moves in January.
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Jean Michael Seri could be the subject of interest from Manchester City and Liverpool
Messi sets sights on international retirement
06.00: Lionel Messi has admitted that next year’s World Cup is likely to be his last one.
The Argentina international is desperate to get his hands on the Jules Rimet Trophy.
But he acknowledges that it will be difficult given the standard of opposition at the tournament.
"People are waiting for this group to leave because it has not won for a long time and those who criticise get tired of always seeing the same faces," Messi told TyC Sports.
"I think it's the last opportunity for this group. There is a lot of excitement. If we do badly, the entire national team will have to disappear.”
Barcelona ‘call’ Coutinho during interview
04.30: Philippe Coutinho had his post-match interview interrupted by a phone call after the Spartak Moscow drubbing.
Former Premier League striker Jan Aage Fjortoft, who is now a TV pundit, was conducting post-match chats with Jamie Carragher following the 7-0 win.
Although Kop legend Carra made a rookie error. He left his handset on loud and the ringing phone stopped Coutinho in his tracks.
Carragher shook his head at the mistake while Fjortoft, who was working for Norwegian television at the time, turned to Coutinho and said 'it's Barcelona' as he did his best to make light of the situation.
Messi admits he needs resting
02.30: Messi has revealed that his body can no longer take playing every game every season.
The Argentine forward has been dropped by boss Ernesto Valverde three times this season and started the club’s last two Champions League games on the bench.
"I have learned that the season is long, that there are times which are harder than others because the years fly by and now my body pays the price for playing in so many matches," Messi told TyC Sports.
"I realised that sometimes not playing is for the best."
Messi's Barcelona future cast in doubt
00.30: Lionel Messi has reiterated his desire to finish his career with boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.
However, the Argentine attacker has voiced his concern over the state of affairs in his country which may cast doubt over any potential return.
Messi signed a new contract at the Nou Camp last month which keeps him in Catalonia until 2021.
But when the time comes in four years time, and if his family feel it is right, then Messi will return to Newell’s Old Boys to see out his career.
"I've said many times that my dream is to play at Newell's but I don't know what will happen,” Messi told TYC Sports.
“A part of that doubt is due to the way the country is at the moment.
"I have a family and my children come first, and then me.
“I want them to grow up in a calm place, being able to enjoy life with security.
"It is very ugly to see the things that happen in Argentina, that you can go out on the street and people want to rob you and that they can kill you."
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Lionel Messi wants to finish his career at Newell's Old Boys.
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Wednesday December 6
Luiz loan move
22:25: Chelsea will allow David Luiz to leave in January, preferably on loan, reports claim.
According to the Gambling Times, Chelsea are ready to let Luiz go in January.
Their preference would be to see the 30-year-old go out on loan until the end of the season as the club still see a future for him at Stamford Bridge.
Luiz also wants to see out his contract, that runs until 2019, but is well aware of the need for regular game time if he wants to make Brazil’s squad for the World Cup next summer.
Real Madrid have been linked with making a move for the former Paris Saint-Germain star in the New Year but they face competition from Barcelona.
Champions League action
20:00: It’s the final night of Champions League group action and Express Sport have it covered.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur are all in action.
17:55: Barcelona face a battle with three European big guns if they renew their interest in Nice midfielder Jean Seri.
The Ivory Coast international was the subject of a £35.2m bid from the La Liga giants over the summer.
And the Daily Mail claim Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are now all after his signature.
Whether Barcelona will look to add Seri to their ranks in the new year remains to be seen.
BARCELONA
Barcelona striker Ousmane Dembele is back in training
Renato on Arthur
17:00: Gremio coach Renato admits it will be difficult to keep hold a youngster Arthur with Barcelona keen on him.
Arthur was recently voted the best defensive midfielder in the Brazilian league 2017.
"The pressure has been huge, that's normal. If he will continue? Sincerely, I find that difficult to see," said the coach. "It makes us happy to have a player that's being watched by European sides," said the coach.
"Maybe we don't have a player of his quality but we have others who can replace him. He's helped us a lot, but I think it will be hard to keep him."
Dembele back training
14:20: Ousmane Dembele is already back training with Barcelona.
The striker tore his hamstring earlier in the season and is not expected to be fit until the New Year.
But he stepped up his recovery today by training with his team-mates.
Barcelona paid £138m for Dembele this summer but the injury has meant he is yet to score a goal for his new club.
Cahill's claim
12.45: Gary Cahill admits he wants to avoid Barcelona or PSG in the next round of the Champions League.
Chelsea finished runners up in Group C after a draw with Atletico Madrid last night.
And that means they’ll face a group winner in the second round - and potentially Barca or PSG.
Antonio Conte and Eden Hazard appeared to welcome the prospect, but Cahill insisted his preference would be for such ties to come later in the competition.
"To get to and win the final, of course we have to beat the best teams," Cahill said.
"But let's not lie as well, let's hope we dodge them and progress.
"You expect to see the very, very big teams later on. At this stage of the competition, those that qualify are top teams - you can't dodge anyone too much - but I hope the draw is a good one for us."
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Javier Mascherano wants to quit Barcelona this winter
Messi fury
11.45: Ernesto Valverde wants Antoine Griezmann next summer - and Lionel Messi isn’t happy about it.
Valverde is less than impressed with Luis Suarez this season and is ready to give him the bullet.
Suarez is playing through pain this season and needs to undergo surgery.
But with Ousmane Dembele out he has decided to play - but without much success.
The 30-year-old has still managed six goals in 11 games but some of his displays have drawn criticism, and Valverde wants an upgrade.
And the man he wants, according to Don Balon, is Atletico Madrid star Griezmann.
But Messi is desperate for Valverde to stick with Suarez and believes his place in the team should be guaranteed.
Messi has struck up a close relationship with the former Liverpool man and doesn’t want someone to rival his place.
Mascherano demands exit
10.40: Javier Mascherano has demanded to be sold in January.
The Argentina stalwart is well down the pecking order this term and wants out.
Munro Deportivo report that Mascherano has made it clear he wants to leave despite the injury to Samuel Umtiti.
The 33-year-old has made five La Liga starts and one in the Champions League.
Messi in Coutinho secret
07:25: Lionel Messi has been told Barcelona will try to sign Philippe Coutinho.
That's according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.
The Argentine was informed of the news before Barcelona's 2-0 Champions League win over Sporting last night.
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Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Danny Rose
Valverde not worried about defensive shortage
06.00: Barcelona manager Ernesto Valero has claimed that he is not worried about a shortage of defenders.
The La Liga giants have been hit hard with injuries at the back with Samuel Umtiti and Javier Mashcherano ruled out.
But Valverde says he is confident in relying on Thomas Vermaelen and Sergio Busquets to plug the gap in the short term.
"I see [Vermaelen] playing well," he said.
"He competes well and is strong when he goes up in the air.
"[Playing Busquets at centre-back] is one of the solutions we thought of for is there is any problem [at centre-back]."
Barca fear nobody in the Champions League
03.00: Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde insists his side do not fear anybody in the Champions League.
Barca progressed to the last 16 as group winners by beating Sporting Lisbon 2-0 last night.
Paco Alcacer opened the scoring before Jeremy Mathieu put through his own net to ensure Valverde’s side finished in top spot.
Despite being seeded going into the knockout stage draw on Monday, the La Liga giants could still face Chelsea or Bayern Munich in the next round.
But the prospect of such a difficult opposition does not intimidate Valverde.
"We don't know what could happen in the draw," Valverde said.
“We will accept any opponent.
"In the Copa del Rey we've been paired with Celta Vigo, which is a tough team."
Messi absence explained
01:00 Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has lifted the lid on Lionel Messi’s absence from the starting line-up last night.
The Argentine was benched for the third time this season during Barca’s 2-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon.
It was the second successive Champions League match that Messi started as a substitute.
But Rakitic insists he is only being rested and there is no deeper underlying issue.
"Sometimes he must rest,” Rakitic said.
“Playing with him is always special and when it takes 20 or 25 minutes to completely change the game and the pace, it's good that he's fine in every game and he has to take good care of him.
“The truth is that he is happy, the important thing is that he is with us and that we have him on our side.”
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Lionel Messi was benched against Sporting Lisbon.
Tuesday December 5
Barcelona beat Sporting
21:49: Barcelona beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 at home in their final Champions League group game.
Lionel Messi was rested for the match with Barca already through to the knockout stages.
Pace Alcacer bagged the opener for a much-changed Barcelona XI on 59 minutes.
And a Jeremy Mathieu own goal against his former club in stoppage time earned Barca the 2-0 result.
Danny Rose to Barcelona
15:55: Barcelona want to sign Danny Rose.
Spanish outlet GOL Digital claim the Nou Camp club are interested in the Tottenham defender.
Manchester United are eyeing a £50million swoop for Rose.
Were he to move for that fee Leeds United - his former club - could earn as much as £5m from their 10 per cent sell-on clause.
The Red Devils are expected to bid for Rose in January but the report says Barcelona could make a rival offer.
The Nou Camp club still have plenty of cash in the bank after selling Neymar to PSG in the summer.
Lionel Messi dropped
18:45: Lionel Messi is out of Barcelona’s starting XI to face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League tonight.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde appears to have rested Messi along with a number of his top stars.
Indeed, of the 11 men who started the La Liga tie with Celta Vigo, only Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic survive the cull.
Valverde has made the changes in order to give his first-team stars a rest, knowing Barca have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League.
He is also wary of Barca’s upcoming fixtures, with games against Villarreal, Deportivo and Real Madrid on the horizon before Christmas.
Barcelona: Cillessen, Semedo, Pique, Rakitic, D. Suarez, L. Suarez, Alcacer, Digne, Gomes, Vidal, Vermaelen.
Subs: Ter Stegen, Sergio, Messi, Paulinho, Deulofeu, J.Alba, S.Roberto.
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Barcelona Transfer News: Leon Goretzka has sent Barcelona a message ahead of the transfer window
Hazard chances
18:35: Barcelona are 6/1 to sign Eden Hazard, according to the bookmakers.
Chelsea star Hazard is wanted at Real Madrid.
The Bernabeu club are said to be eyeing a summer swoop for the forward.
But BetStars reckon Barca are still in with a chance of landing the Belgium international.
They have Barca at 6/1 to get him, with Real at 3/1.
Messi wants Barca to drop Coutinho
18:05: Barcelona star Lionel Messi wants the club to sign a defender instead of Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.
Barcelona are expected to launch an assault on Liverpool star Coutinho when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
However, Spanish website Diario Gol claim Messi has blocked a deal for Coutinho.
And that is because the 30-year-old feels Barcelona would be better-suited spending their money on a defender in the wake of Samuel Umtiti’s injury.
Though Barcelona have Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Thomas Vermaelen on their books, Messi wants more.
And Barcelona could now try and sign Ajax prodigy Matthijs de Ligt.
Goretzka plea…
18:00: Leon Goretzka has sent Barcelona a message about his future.
Goretzka, 22, is being tracked by Manchester United and Arsenal as well as the Catalan giants.
And the Schalke star is keen on a move to the Nou Camp at the end of his contract in the summer.
Don Balon claim the 22-year-old has sent Barca a message to be patient and wait for him until the end of the season.
Messi to City? No chance says Pep
17:55: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola put his head in his hands when asked a question about Lionel Messi during a press conference today.
A report claimed City made the Barcelona star a big-money offer before he signed his new contract at the Nou Camp recently.
Guardiola has repeatedly rubbished stories linking City with Messi throughout his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
"Never was going to happen," said Guardiola, shrugging incredulously. "I didn't speak with him but if he wanted to leave he wouldn't have signed the contract. It's not true."