Barca threaten United’s bid for Atletico’s Koke

FC Barcelona are threatening to stop Manchester United’s bid for Spanish midfielder Koke according to reports in Spanish newspapers. The 22 year old is on the Red Devils’ radar as they start their rebuilding program under Louis van Gaal. However, the Catalans are set to make a counter offer which would be less than Koke’s €60m release clause – More on Atlético Madrid midfielder Koke

Barcelona also interested in Man Utd target Mehdi Benatia

Barcelona could gazump Manchester United’s plans to bring Roma defender Mehdi Benatia to Old Trafford in the summer. The 26 year old Moroccan international has impressed at Roma but looks set to leave in the summer. More on Mehdi Benatia

“I’m ready” says Barca keeper Victor Valdes

Victor Valdés has tweeted that he is now ready for action. The Barca stopper took to Twitter to announce that he is ready with a great little video clip, which can be seen here to show the fans that his injury is in the past. Valdés tore his calf muscle in the friendly between Spain and South Africa last month and had to be carried off the pitch. Read more here

Barca through to the last 16 of La Copa del Rey

Barcelona didn’t disappoint last night at the Camp Nou and got through to the last 16 of La Copa del Rey by beating minnows Cartagena by 3 goals to nil. Goals came from pedro, Tello and Neymar and the Brazilian is the only Azulgrana to have scored in all competitions this season. More on this second leg match of La Copa del Rey

Barca to meet Man City in last 16

We now know the draw of the last 16 for the Champions League and Barcelona has been drawn against new kids on the block Manchester City. Arsenal FC have drawn ex Barca coach Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich with Atlético Madrid paired with Italian giants A.C Milan. The first leg of the matches will take place in February 2014. More on the last 16 draw

Barca needs a leader to guide them

Much is being said and written about the bad patch the Blaugrana club is going through lately along with its possible causes and ways to overcome it. Barcelona FC Blog have a quick look into the possible reasons and ways to overcome the sticky situation the club now finds itself in. Atlético Madrid are on equal points and Real Madrid are just 3 points behind the Catalans. More on this here

Florentino Pérez opens the doors up for Sergio Ramos exit

According to Spanish sports paper Marca, journalist José Ramón de la Morena said on his radio program “El Larguero” on Cadena Ser, that Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez told defender Sergio Ramos that he would accept an offer of around 60 million euros for him if he were to receive offers from outside. More on Sergio Ramos

Ajax exploited Barcelona’s weaknesses

The Catalan giants came away from the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday night after losing to an Ajax team that had them on the ropes for the first half of the match. The Dutchmen only eased off after Veltman was red carded for bringing down a man in the box. However, with the Dutch team down to ten men, Barcelona was still unable to unlock the door to the Ajax defense. More on Ajax and Barcelona