La Liga 2011-12

[Arn]

Barcelona to announce signings of Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas & Udinese's Alexis Sanchez on Friday - report
The highly-rated duo have been linked with a switch to Barcelona in recent weeks and could finalise expensive moves to the La Liga champions in just two days' time

Barcelona plan to announce the arrivals of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez before the weekend, according to a report from Ona FM.

The Catalan club have been tracking the duo for several weeks now, but their reluctance to meet the players' price-tags have so far prevented a deal from happening.

However, Spanish sources suggest that significant progress in the negotiations has been made in the last days, which could see both Fabregas and Sanchez seal switches to Barcelona in the next 48 hours.

After having an initial offer of €30 million for Fabregas rejected by Arsenal, Barcelona reportedly decided to up the stakes and add in €5m more, and it is believed the Premier League side have agreed with the new proposal.

Meanwhile, the Champions League holders appeared to have strong competition from Manchester City for Sanchez's signature, but with the Citizens deciding not to follow up their interest in the Chilean, the road is now clear for the La Liga champions to land the 22-year-old.

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[Arn]

Hector Cuper has signed a one-year deal to coach Spanish club Racing Santander, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old tactician returns to Spain following his time with Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.

A statement on Santander's official website reads:

"Hector Cuper will be the new Racing Santander coach during the 2011-12 season. He has signed a contract and will be flanked by assistant coach Jose Carlos Fandagushi, and Angel Puebla who will be the athletic coach."

Cuper decided to leave Aris in January following a run of poor results, but he is back to Spanish management following spells with Mallorca, Valencia, and Betis.

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[danperkins]

If they gulf between Barca/Madrid & rest of the league wasn't enough already, next season is just going to plain embarrassing for every other club. It's ridiculous.

[Gibbo]

In a few years Malaga will up there no doubt.

[Arn]

In a few years Malaga will up there no doubt.

and Getafe.

They will need to get into the CL first then they can start to sign top class players.

[Chris]

Quite funny really, Barcelona might sign Fabregas and Sanchez yet you could argue it wont improve their team!! Fabregas isnt better than Iniesta or Xavi and Sanchez might not fill as well as Pedro or Villa do.

Just shows how ridiculously good they are, and clever to strengthen from a position of strength.

If their two best players got injured they could still field, Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Villa, Sanchez. Not bad that!

[red g]

why did they bother to come out with we will only spend 40million euros this summer?

it will probably cost no far off that for each one of them.

[Skrtelmania]

I really dont get why there trying to spend so much on Fabregas now.

Surely they could wait a year or 2 and get him cheaper with his contract running out. I know they need to beef up there squad a bit but they just dont need him now and Arsenal are going to get massive money.

Pisses me off, no logic to it.

[Chris]

Xavi is 32 next season, theres been increasing worries about his injuries, last year was his lowest amount of league starts in years (though he still started plenty), he's better than Keita who gets lot of games and they're strengthening from a position of strength. Great move in my opinion.

[The_weatherman]

Xavi is 32 next season, theres been increasing worries about his injuries, last year was his lowest amount of league starts in years (though he still started plenty), he's better than Keita who gets lot of games and they're strengthening from a position of strength. Great move in my opinion.

I think Fabregas will get plenty of game time, Xavi needs more rotation but Iniesta does need that as well IMO. Add Thigao into the mix and they look very good indeed. I think Sanchez will take Villa's place later in the season.

[Skrtelmania]

Hmmm maybe but they could wait at least one more season IMO.

Am happy that he'll be going there just pissed off with them paying an absolute premium to Arsenal. £35-40m FFS to the club who stole him off them when he was little.

He should have done the honourable thing and seen his contract run down a bit, £15 - £20m would be sweet.

[Kenneth]

Hmmm maybe but they could wait at least one more season IMO.

Am happy that he'll be going there just pissed off with them paying an absolute premium to Arsenal. £35-40m FFS to the club who stole him off them when he was little.

He should have done the honourable thing and seen his contract run down a bit, £15 - £20m would be sweet.

Looks like Barca have some kind of agreement with Arsenal to vastly over pay for their players.

[The_weatherman]

Looks like Barca have some kind of agreement with Arsenal to vastly over pay for their players.

I don't think 35 million is too much for Fabregas tbh, his purchase might even prolong the carreers of Xavi and Iniesta in the long run.

[lfcred]

Just when you thought that Barca couldn't get anybetter!!! 2 incredible signings if they pull them off!! I think they will both fit in straight away too!! Scary!!

[Shaggy]

Barca start away at Malaga, should be some game that.