Barcelona news LIVE updates: Pique expects Man Utd deal, Real Madrid claim, Messi stunner
BARCELONA are set to take to the field tonight as they aim to dodge a Copa del Rey upset against Espanyol. Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest from the Nou Camp.
David De Gea: It's a dream to play for Manchester United
Messi knows Modric plans
14.35: Barcelona star Lionel Messi has reportedly been told by Ivan Rakitic that Luka Modric is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Diario Gol claim Rakitic is close with Modric - the two play together for Croatia - and it appears he has told Barcelona’s No 10 of his compatriots intentions.
Madrid is supposedly unhappy with life at the Bernabeu and, should things fail to improve, he is ready to jump ship.
Messi has Griezmann worries
10:50: Barcelona star Lionel Messi is worried about Antoine Griezmann's possible arrival.
The forward feels that, should the striker sign, he may struggle for game time.
Gallacher to Liverpool
09.10: Liverpool have had a £200,000 bid for Falkirk defender Tony Gallacher accepted, according to the Scottish Sun.
Gallacher spent a week training with the Reds this month, and the report says he impressed, prompting Klopp to sanction the six-figure deal.
The Reds are said to have seen off competition for his signature from Manchester United, while he was also linked to Barcelona last year.
Speaking about Barca’s interest, he said: “At first everyone wants a bit of you and people are promising you everything.
“The most surreal one was the link to Barcelona. My pal texted me it at first and I thought he was kidding.
“My agent had to calm me down a bit and peel me off the walls.”
Barcelona could sign more players
08:30: Barcelona could sign more players this month despite the arrivals of Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina.
"I'm happy with the team we have but until the transfer market is over nothing is out of the question," Ernesto Valverde said.
"Not just for us but for every team. Things could change.
"I don't know what's going to happen between now and the end of the window but in principle I am happy with the squad I have.”
Pique expects Man Utd transfer
07:45: Barcelona defender Gerard Pique expects Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea to join Real Madrid.
Don Balon say the Spaniard, who is close to De Gea, has been told the player is already looking for a house in the capital.
Real are set to replace Keylor Navas at the end of the current campaign.
And Kiko Casilla is also set to be shown the door.
Coutinho learns Real Madrid news
07:25: Philippe Coutinho has reportedly learned that Neymar will join Real Madrid this summer.
Neymar only left Barcelona for PSG in August, in a £200million deal that sent shockwaves reverberating around the football world.
But Don Balon say the Brazil international is likely to be strutting his stuff at the Bernabeu next term.
And fellow Samba star Coutinho has reportedly learned of the information through his close friend.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Messi learns of two transfers
07:05: Lionel Messi has learned Barcelona want to sign Antoine Griezmann and Arthur Melo in the summer.
That's according to Diario Gol.
Barca have already shown their financial might by landing Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho in recent months.
And Messi expects another busy transfer window at the end of the campaign, despite their excellent season so far.
Good morning
06:45: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's LIVE Barcelona news blog.
The La Liga giants will be aiming to dodge a Real Madrid-esque situation when they face Espanyol in the Copa del Rey this evening.
In the meantime, however, there are updates on Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
So stay tuned for all the latest from the Nou Camp.