Barcelona youngster explains why he chose to leave Arsenal

Marcus McGuane left Arsenal to join Barcelona because he was “getting frustrated by a lack of opportunities”.

McGuane moved to Barcelona in the January transfer window, having been with Arsenal since he was five years old.

The midfielder moved up through the youth ranks with the club, but only ever made two first-team appearances – both as a second-half substitute in the Europa League this season.

He has featured heavily in La Liga 2 for Barca, and became the first Englishman to represent the club in 29 years when he featured in the Catalan Super Cup final victory over Espanyol earlier in the week.

The 19-year-old explains that he felt he had to leave north London after failing to break through.

“I was getting frustrated by a lack of opportunities,” he told the Daily Mail. “It is good to train but I did not want my performance to plateau and stay at the same level. This step made sense.”

On whether Arsene Wenger ever promised him any opportunities, he replied: “I didn’t have any conversations with him.

“I thought if I kept working hard, I would get opportunities. It didn’t come.

“There’s no grudge but I felt the best thing was to find another way. If you want to be at a place to develop and get first-team football, maybe you have to look elsewhere than Arsenal.

“Before English footballers were less adventurous. Now we see opportunities elsewhere.”

Read more: http://www.football365.com/news/barcelona-youngster-explains-why-he-chose-to-leave-arsenal

Real Madrid told how much they will have to pay for Neymar - but the PSG star could be eyeing a Barcelona return

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both monitoring Neymar’s situation.

Neymar, it appears, remains firmly on Real Madrid’s radar and are said to not be put off by the €400m it will cost to make PSG cave in – but they have company.

Reports in Spain have surfaced that the Brazilian – constantly linked with the back-to-back European champions since his plane landed in Paris – could still move to the Bernabéu, despite the denials.

Spanish newspaper AS has revealed that Neymar’s father has informed Real Madrid that Los Blancos can sign the wantaway Brazilian for €400million – a sum only Madrid and a select few others would even consider.

Talks between the two parties are said to have already taken place in Paris.

This morning, however, it is also claimed that fed up Neymar “offered himself” back to Barcelona before injury ended his season.

The world’s most expensive player has seemingly not settled in the French capital following his astonishing £198m move in August 2017.

Injuries and the club’s failure to produce in the Champions League could turn his time at the Stade De France into purely a pitstop.

Not going to plan: PSG wanted Neymar to propel them to Champions League glory – but they’re out and he is injured

Though it transpires there could be a tug-of-war between the Catalan giants with former club Barcelona said to be considering their options.

Respected Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo suggest Neymar wants a stunning return to Camp Nou with the La Liga leaders.

They say he “allegedly asked important people” at his former club how a summer return to Barca could be arranged, despite leaving under a cloud and year-and-a-half ago.

PSG’s master plan seems to be falling flat with the club unable to make the quarter finals of the Champions League after losing 5-2 to Real Madrid over two legs.

Last season they self destructed, throwing away a huge advantage before blowing it in the second game at Barcelona to tumble out in humiliating fashion in one of the best matches ever played.

Manager Unai Emery appears to be on the brink and has come under fire from one of his own players after attacker Julian Draxler went public following his exclusion from the last 16 tie on Tuesday night.

Read more: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/real-madrid-still-want-neymar-despite-staggering-psg-demands-now-got-heart-set-sensational-barcelona-return-114719261.html

Barcelona's Denis Suarez out for three weeks with groin injury

Barcelona have confirmed that Denis Suarez will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a groin injury.

Denis, 24, picked up the knock in the first half of Wednesday's Catalan Super Cup win against Espanyol and was replaced by Barca B's Christian Rivera.

The former Villarreal and Sevilla midfielder was making his first appearance since Jan. 17 and just his third start of the calendar year.

None of those starts were in La Liga, though, with his only minutes in Spain's top flight in 2018 coming in stoppage time of Barca's 4-2 win against Real Sociedad at the beginning of January.

Denis Suarez of FC Barcelona scores his team's fourth goal during a Copa del Rey win against Murcia. 

Coach Ernesto Valverde has not even called him up for the last five league matches, and he was an unused substitute in the Champions League draw with Chelsea.

However, he looked set to return to the squad for this weekend's game against Malaga with captain Andres Iniesta missing with a hamstring injury.

Barca have not confirmed how long Iniesta will be missing for and remain hopeful of having him available in some capacity for Wednesday's second leg against Chelsea at Camp Nou.

Denis was one of Barca's better players against Espanyol before being forced off in the 43rd minute after a challenge from Didac Vila, who also had to be taken off.

In total, he has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and providing six assists.

Read more: http://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3412491/barcelonas-denis-suarez-out-for-three-weeks-with-groin-injury

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho in constant talks with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti

Manchester United attempt to sign Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona

Manchester United’s efforts to sign a central defender this summer are very much on the move, according to a report from Catalan newspaper Sport this morning.

Jose Mourinho has been calling Samuel Umtiti on a regular basis to try and convince him to sign for Manchester United.

Umtiti, who is enjoying an excellent season at Barcelona, is playing both sides of the equation and could well sign a new contract at the Camp Nou.

The front page of Sport on Friday morning

The front page of Sport on Friday morning

Samuel Umtiti has two options

Sport confirm that whether Samuel Umtiti stays at Barcelona next season is a “great unknown”.

Manchester United tried to sign the French centre back in the January window. The Red Devils are willing to pay Umtiti’s release clause of 60 million euros.

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United would pay Umtiti nine million euros per season. The French defender is currently on four million euros a year at the La Liga giants.

Meetings have been held by Samuel Umtiti’s brother and representative Yannick Umtiti with Manchester United.

In addition, Manchester United regularly have scouts at Barcelona matches watching Umtiti.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 15: Paul Pogba of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on January 15, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Pogba & Martial also trying to convince Umtiti

Besides the regular calls from Jose Mourinho, Sport also reveal that French international team mates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are also trying to convince Umtiti to join Manchester United.

Umtiti meanwhile, has informed Barcelona of the salary increase offered by Manchester United.

This comes just a year and a half after Umtiti signed for Barcelona from Lyon for 25 million euros.

Were Umtiti to receive nine million euros per season, he would be one of the best paid players at Barcelona.

The La Liga leaders are keen to tie down Umtiti before the World Cup to a new contract as they fear his current market value will increase at Russia 2018.

Intriguingly, Sport add that Jose Mourinho has no qualms about calling up Barcelona players. Something Pep Guardiola would never do, despite being a former coach of the La Liga giants.

Read more: https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/transfers/manchester-united-boss-jose-mourinho-samuel-umtiti/

What Neymar told former Barcelona teammates before PSG's Champions League exit

There are many who accused Neymar of chasing the cash when he decided to leave Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

At Barcelona he was guaranteed major trophies and the chance to win the Champions League every season. As PSG showed this week, they’re still some way off Europe’s elite sides.

But it was also thought that Neymar wanted to exit Lionel Messi’s shadow at the Camp Nou; to become the centrepiece of a side he could carry to Champions League glory.

And, in a way, he’s done that. Neymar has been fantastic for PSG.

Having overcome some early teething problems with Edinson Cavani, the 26-year-old has netted 28 goals in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side.

Read more: http://www.givemesport.com/1271595-what-neymar-told-former-barcelona-teammates-before-psgs-champions-league-exit?autoplay=on

Manchester United to take advantage of PSG’s European woes by signing £88m superstar

Manchester United could be set to sign PSG star Marco Verratti during the summer as the player is reconsidering his future with the French giants after being eliminated during the last-16 stage of the Champions League by Real Madrid this week. (Don Balon h/t Teamtalk)

Jose Mourinho has always been a fan of the Italian but he has always seemingly been out of reach and even rejected the advances of Barcelona last summer so that he could remain in France.

PSG signalled their intentions to be a major force in Europe this season by spending more than £350million in order to sign Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

However, despite their heavy spending, they have once again failed to launch a serious challenge for Europe’s elite competition and they have done nothing to remove their tag of under-achievers which many people believe that they are.

Mourinho is desperate to strengthen our midfield during the summer given that Michael Carrick is set to retire while the futures of Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera are all the subject of speculation.

Verratti is a quality midfielder who will add quality to our side and it now appears that Mourinho could offer him an exit from his European misery.

Verratti’s frustrations were on display on Tuesday night during the second leg of his sides’ Champions League last-16 clash against Madrid as he went on to receive a red-card at the Parc des Princes and it now appears that he is exploring the possibility of leaving PSG.

He is also managed by Mino Raiola who helped engineer the moves of Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the past.

PSG reportedly value Verratti at around £88million but reports from France suggest that they could ask us to include Anthony Martial in a deal which will see the 25-year-old Verratti arrive at Old Trafford in the summer.

But if any deal includes Martial, Mourinho will simply rule out as he cannot afford to lose our star Frenchman. Yes, we need quality midfielders in summer and Verratti ideally fits the bill to play in the Premier League.

The Italian is a stylish midfielder, keeps the ability to dictate the tempo of the game from the base of midfield. We need to fill in Carrick’s boot at the end of the season and there could be no better midfielder than Verratti to do that.

Read more: http://weallfollowunited.com/2018/03/09/manchester-united-to-take-advantage-of-psgs-european-woes-by-signing-88m-superstar/

Match Report: Paris Saint Germain 1 – Real Madrid 2: Los Blancos Go Through

Real Madrid have advanced to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League after comfortably seeing off the threat of French champions Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday  evening. The Parc des Princes was silenced after Los Blancos secured a 2-1 success on the night, and a 5-2 success on aggregate.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his excellent form from the first leg, as he scored the opening goal here too. His two goals at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg were crucial in Real Madrid’s progression and he made sure he shined brightly on the big stage yet again.

PSG really made it difficult for themselves by having strong tackling midfielder Marco Verratti sent off for 2 bookable offences. Zinedine Zidane seemed to win the tactical battle too, leaving Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale on the bench, instead using a counter-attacking game plan.

Ronaldo opened the scoring on 51 minutes after a boring first half, netting his 12th goal in this season’s Champions League. An error from Dani Alves allowed Lucas Vasquez to cross and find Ronaldo who headed home. Then came Verratti’s sending off, though PSG did equalise after that. Edinson Cavani scored a lucky equaliser when a clearance bounced off him and into the net.

PSG’s hopes were ended soon after though as Real scored a scrappy goal of their own. Casemiro’s effort hit PSG defender Marquinhos and went in, as Real secured their place in the next round.

Los Blancos could actually have won by more on the night, as the woodwork was hit twice. Marco Asensio was one of the best players on the pitch and was unlucky not to score, while Vazquez hit the post from a Gareth Bale cut back.

The draw for the quarter finals takes place on Friday 16th March at 11:00 GMT from the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Read more: http://www.realmadridnews.com/match-report-paris-saint-germain-1-real-madrid-2-los-blancos-go-through-27735?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+realmadridnewscom+%28Realmadridnews.com%29