Messi back in training and likely for second leg of Supercup

Leo Messi is back in training and likely for the second leg of the Spanish Supercup final against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening at the Nou Camp. Leo trained with his teammates yesterday after missing the second half of the Supercup and Sunday’s match against Malaga in the league where Barca won 0-1.

Doubtful though is hero Adriano who scored the only goal of the match. More on Messi and Adriano

Real Madrid finally land Gareth Bale for £86MILLION

Real Madrid have finally landed Welshman Gareth Bale in a deal worth a staggering £86MILLION. It was a agreed last night after Daniel Levy finally gave the go ahead for the deal to take place after talks with Florentino perez last week in Madrid.

Tottenham paid just £7m to Southampton for the Welshman 6 years ago and this is a fabulous return on investment for the London club. More on the Bale deal

Barca suffer at La Rosaleda for 1 nil win

Barcelona were made to suffer against Malaga at La Rosaleda last night for a one nil win. Bernd Schuster’s team was full of young players who were disciplined at the back but lacked finesse up front.

Malaga caused a few scares although it was up to Adriano to break the deadlock on the 44th minute with a wonderful strike to make it 1 nil. Match report on the Malaga vs Barca game

Real Madrid prepare to unveil Gareth Bale

By the state of the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, it suggests that a deal with Tottenham’s Gareth Bale is imminent. According to the Daily Mirror a platform has been erected at the stadium as Real Madrid finally prepare themselves for the arrival of 24-year-old Welshman.

Reports suggest that Bale is set for a world record £85 million transfer, with a deal thought to be only hours away from completion.More on the Gareth Bale transfer

I see no problem with Casillas signing for Barca says Santiago Cañizares

Ex Real Madrid and Spain international keeper Santiago Cañizares has dropped a bombshell by stating he sees no problem in fellow stopper Iker Casillas signing for Barca.

“I would see no problem with Iker leaving Real Madrid for Barca,” said Santiago Cañizares in an interview on the radio program ‘The Graderia’ on Cadena SER. More on Santiago Cañizares

Ter Stegen gives nod to Barca as he delays contract renewal

German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who the Catalan club has their eye on for a possible replacement for Victor Valdes, has put the brakes on a contract renewal proposal that Borussia Moenchengladbach has made him.

Talking to Kicker magazine, the young German is in no hurry to renew, which is tantamount to a nod towards Martino’s men. More on Marc Andre Ter Stegen

Barcelona snap up Manchester City starlet Denis Suarez

FC Barcelona have snapped up young Manchester City starlet Denis Suarez for the fee of 1.5M euros. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who is a product of City’s youth program, will now join up with the Barca B team where he will be allowed to sharpen his skills.

Suarez has reportedly signed a four year deal with the Catalan club. More on Barca’s new signing Denis Suarez

Martino to place his bets on a young central defender

In a change of tack, Gerardo Martino is placing all his bets on a young central defender for the Blaugrana club. It’s not actually a change for the coach, as he has insisted all along that the likes of David Luiz or Daniel Agger may not fit in with his project at Barca.

Therefore, the coach will put his trust in Puyol and the young defenders such as Bartra and Bagnack while keeping an eye on a player from a modest team. More on Barca’s defense issues