Barcelona want to sign Fabregas and Robinho

[Bender]

1.Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has not ruled out swooping for Cesc Fabregas in the January transfer window.

The Catalan giants have made no secret of their admiration for the Spain international in the past and have admitted that they are keen to bring the midfielder back to the Nou Camp.

Fabregas came through the ranks at Barca but switched to Arsenal in summer 2003 with the belief that first-team chances would be easier to come by in London.

With Barca set to be without midfielders Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita when the African Cup of Nations begin in January Begiristain reveals that the club could delve into the transfer market to boost their squad.

"He's a player who fits the Barca profile," he said of Fabregas to Sport.

"He was born suckling on football here and one day he will end up playing at the Camp Nou. I am sure.

"There are options for us to strengthen (the squad) yes.

"We will see if any of our defenders can play in central midfield. It's an option. Depending on that, we could look to buy a forward."
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2.Barcelona are refusing to rule out a big-money offer for Manchester City's Robinho when the transfer window opens in January.

The Brazil superstar has been consistently linked with a Liga return ever since his surprise £32.5million switch from Real Madrid in September 2008.

Robinho is currently on the sidelines after injuring his ankle on international duty and he could find it difficult to make a swift return to Mark Hughes' starting XI.
Blistering form

Craig Bellamy has been in blistering form in his absence along with Carlos Tevez, while Emmanuel Adebayor is back and playing again for City following suspension.

Barca's sporting director Txiki Begiristain has refused to confirm the club's intentions in the New Year, but highlights that the forward would be eligible to be registered for them in the UEFA Champions League.

"He's a very interesting player and can play in the Champions League," Begiristain told Sport

[Baracus]

So they won't have any money for Masch nor will they need him.

[Bender]

Manchester City forward Robinho has declared his interest in joining Barcelona.

"Of course, I would like to play at Barcelona, who wouldn't?" he was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo. "They're an incredible team. I've played against them and I know their quality."

[saj]

I hope they find the money for Masch.

[MrMichael]

I hope they find the money for Masch.

I hope they don't, he bucks his ideas up and starts playing like the beast we know he can be.

[saj]

I hope they don't, he bucks his ideas up and starts playing like the beast we know he can be.

Yeah but is he ever going to play like the beast again when deep down he wants a move to Spain? His form so far indicates no as he's probably sulking because he never got his move to Spain. He's a mercenary.

[Baracus]

Yeah but is he ever going to play like the beast again when deep down he wants a move to Spain? His form so far indicates no as he's probably sulking because he never got his move to Spain. He's a mercenary.

Explaination please

[Exiled_red]

Yeah but is he ever going to play like the beast again when deep down he wants a move to Spain? His form so far indicates no as he's probably sulking because he never got his move to Spain. He's a mercenary.

But there is the alternative view that if he wants a move he should play out of his skin to justify it and stop Barca looking elsewhere.

For the record I don't want him to go, I want him to stay and play like we know he can

[saj]

But there is the alternative view that if he wants a move he should play out of his skin to justify it and stop Barca looking elsewhere.

For the record I don't want him to go, I want him to stay and play like we know he can

The fact is, he is a sulk. He had problems with his teammates when he was playing in Brazil and supposedly (can't remember where I read this - it was either on this forum or on a Ballague style blog) is not well liked by the players at Liverpool. He appatently thinks he's the big man at the club - he's not.

Before the start of the season I said that the title would be ours to lose if we kept both Masch and Alonso. One's gone, the others sulking. If Aquilani can stay Injury free and play to his potential, then I couldn't care if he stayed. Masch is replaceable - a lot of people have already stated that. Cattermole could have been a good English signing for us - we'll see how good Cattermole plays tomorrow. It appears Sunderland have bagged themselves a bargain.

[Tee]

LMFAO that Cattermole is being compared to Mascher. Cattermole has it all to prove and Masch has been arguably the best defensive midefielder in world football for the last 2 years. And you say get rid? Suck his lan.

[dww]

Yeah but is he ever going to play like the beast again when deep down he wants a move to Spain? His form so far indicates no as he's probably sulking because he never got his move to Spain. He's a mercenary.

If there is any lesson from modern football it is all but a select few players are mercenaries.

I'm not sure he has been as universally bad as people make out. He had a few bad games early on but has been pretty good recently. There is a problem in that more is being asked of him in the absence of Alonso and while other players are struggling to adapt to that loss.

It is more of a worry for me that both the last two seasons he has started slowly. I'm not sure that without a much improved squad we can afford to allow people to take time to get up to speed. If he does genuinely want away then I think he will be gone next summer either way.

[JohnDoe]

LMFAO that Cattermole is being compared to Mascher. Cattermole has it all to prove and Masch has been arguably the best defensive midefielder in world football for the last 2 years. And you say get rid? Suck his lan.

Cattermole is a very good player, the gap between them isn't as big as you make out.

[Ben_Itez]

I quite like Cattermole as a player but i think his biggest problem is his lack of pace and mobility. He's still young and could go on to be a very good player but he's nowhere near as good as an on form Mascherano presently.

[saj]

LMFAO that Cattermole is being compared to Mascher. Cattermole has it all to prove and Masch has been arguably the best defensive midefielder in world football for the last 2 years. And you say get rid? Suck his lan.

Tee I love you like a brother but honestly, most people Liverpool fans would agree with you as they have Liverpool Tinted glasses. Cattermole is a very good defensive midfielder and the gap between Masch and him is not that big. He only cost Sunderland £6m! Masch for me is way too 1 dimensional. He's great at tackling but what else is he good at? If someone offered £30m, then I wouldn't hesitate in getting rid of him. It's such a shame we got rid of Sissoko, a player who is now linked with with Barcelona for a massive 30 euro's. Masch lacks loyalty - Rafa/Liverpool showed a lot of faith in him by bringing him to Liverpool.

[Jayesh87]

Mascherano showed against Uraguay why he is the best at what he does. He was awesome, a monster on the pitch. Against Chelsea he showed signs of getting back to his old self, whilst away with Argentina he has re-gained his confidence and form imo. Its a shame he only got back today as he won't be 100% after alot of travelling and playing in 2 massive games.

Masch has proven himself in the biggist stage of them all at the World Cup 4 years ago, he has done it for the past couple of seasons for us. Just because he has had a slow start to the season, doesn't mean we should sell especially at a poxy 30 million.

For me its questionable to say Cattermole has been better than Mascher this season and thats with Masc having a bad spell and Catrermole having a purple patch. To compare the 2 players is just mental imo, one is the captain of Argentina and described by the greatist player to play the game as the most important player in Argentina and the other is someone who had a good Under 21's championship in the summer and a decent start to the season.

If anything it should be Cattermole v Lucas debate and even then i would still pick Lucas ahead of him.

Anyways i can see Robinho joining Barca in Jan and Cesc joining them after the world cup. The Momo link to Barca is just common sense tells you that Barca wouldn't go near him with his passing ability and playing style. They would need someone more disiplined like Masch to cover for the full backs (esp Dani Alves) as they bomb forward.

Goodnight & god bless.