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Chelsea have been drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 stage. Paying the price for finishing second behind Roma in the group phase, the Blues - who were victorious in the competition in the 2011/12 campaign - face a two-legged affair with the side they beat en route to the final that year. Despite losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, the Catalan giants sailed through the group stage and are the current La Liga leaders.

Barca's Coutinho alternative 09.15: Barcelona could turn to Miralem Pjanic as an alternative to Philippe Coutinho. Barca want Coutinho in January but have back up options if Liverpool reject their approaches. Liverpool rejected three offers for Coutinho in the summer and want to hold onto their star man. And Barca could now turn to Juventus ace Pjanic instead. Sturridge ready to leave 07.30: Daniel Sturrridge is ready to move abroad as he looks to get more game time. The Liverpool striker is out in the cold with Jurgen Klopp favouring his ‘Fab Four’ and Dominic Solanke, who started the Merseyside derby. And the Daily Mail claim Sturrridge could move abroad with Valencia and Real Betis monitoring his situation.  The striker, 28, has made just five starts and nine appearances in total in the Premier League, scoring two goals.

Chelsea were paired with Barcelona when the draw for the Round of 16 took place at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland today (Monday). The first leg will take place at home on Tuesday 20 February, kick-off 7.45pm (UK time), and the second leg away is on Wednesday 14 March, kick-off 7.45pm (UK time). We have a big history against Barcelona in the Champions League. Our first meeting in it came in the quarter-finals of the Blues’ maiden season in the competition. Our total of 12 Champions League games against Barca include a pair of two-legged semi-finals, the most recent of which was our famous encounter on the way to winning the trophy in 2012. This season's tie will take Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez back to their former club.  Tickets for the home game will be sold to members on a loyalty points basis, one ticket per member. Full selling information will be published in due course.   The full draw is: Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur Basel v Manchester City Por...

NEYMAR has suggested Kylian Mbappe can become Paris Saint-Germain’s very own Lionel Messi. PSG kept up their 100% record in the Champions League last night with a 4-0 win away at Anderlecht. And both Mbappe and Neymar got on the scoresheet with Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria grabbing the other two. Mbappe scored the opening goal of the night after just three minutes and created history by finding the net. He is now the highest scoring teenager in Champions League history with eight goals - a feat that has never been reached by anyone under the age of 20 in the competition. I hope for Mbappé to be what Messi was for me at Barcelona... he is my friend Neymar And Brazil international Neymar was full of praise for the teenager, claiming he wants to build a similar relationship with the former Monaco star to the bond he had with Messi at Barcelona. "I hope for Mbappé to be what Messi was for me at Barcelona... he is my friend,” Neymar said. Mbappe now has four ...

What was Pique thinking? Although it was a good win for Barcelona,  it was a really poor night for Gerard Pique, who picked up his first ever red card (in 92 appearances) in the Champions League. There was a warning early on when he was yellow carded after just 11 minutes for a cynical foul on Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe. Shortly before half-time he was given his marching orders, after handling the ball over the line from a Gerard Deulofeu cross. Pique went into the game with five yellows from nine matches this season, all of which have been picked up in the first half, and it’s not his first for handball. The defender protested to the officials, but it was absolutely the right call, and it went on to cost Deulofeu as he was substituted at half-time for Javier Macherano. Was Valverde’s half-time substitution the right call? Which brings us neatly on to our second point, was Valverde right to take off Deulofeu for Mascherano at half-time? Deulofeu was actually one of Barc...

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has reportedly been promised a winter move to join Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo. Coutinho failed to complete a high profile move to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window despite huge bids from the Catalan giants but nonetheless, the Brazilian international could still join the Spanish giants in January. Recent reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo state that Liverpool had promised Coutinho a January move to join Barcelona in order to keep the playmaker happy and motivated for the season. However, this alleged promise makes little sense as it will not be in the best interest for both teams involved to complete the transfer as big as this in January due to various reasons. From Barcelona’s point of view, the Brazilian will be cup-tied in the Champions League, which means there will be little value in signing a player they cannot feature in their most important competition. In terms of Liverpool’s perspective, it...

Lionel Messi's 'signing bonus' for staying at Barcelona could be as high as a record-breaking £80million ($149m) and the club hope to have a naming-rights sponsor for the Nou Camp as early as next season to help them pay for it. It is normal for clubs to add a signing-on fee or a renewal bonus in contracts but Messi's - estimated to be between £79m and £85m - is believed to be the highest ever. In a special report in Catalan paper L'Ara this week it was claimed Barcelona's wage bill as a percentage of overall revenue is now at 84 per cent, up to £430m, although Messi's contract sweetener is not included in that figure because it's a bonus payment spread across the years of his new deal and not paid as part of his wage. Barca are hopeful of announcing a new Nike deal next year as they try to further boost revenue to meet the wages and bonuses bill and the Nou Camp could have a sponsor's name added to it for the new season. Work on the 'Ne...

Messi scored a stunning hat-trick to rescue Argentina from World Cup humiliation. The national side risked failing to qualify for the World Cup and needed to beat Ecuador away to secure progression. And Messi rose to the occasion with three goals after Argentina went one down. But the Barcelona star has wasted little time celebrating with his international team-mates. Spanish newspaper Sport  pictured the player arriving at Barcelona Airport late on Wednesday evening. Argentina’s clash with Ecuador only ended around 2.30am UK time on Wednesday morning. Discussing the match, Messi said afterwards: “It was the fear of being knocked out, that would have been crazy for Argentina, for us and for everyone. “Obviously there was the fear, but today we knew how to play. "It was the fear that saved us. We had missed opportunities ourselves. “It was the fear of being left out (of Russia). It would have been crazy, not just for me, I don’t know how I’d have reacted, but...

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba reportedly turned down a move to join Manchester United, and it’s fair to say he’s got a good reason behind his decision. The 28-year-old has established himself as a key figure at the Nou Camp since joining the club from Valencia in 2012, making 208 appearances for the Catalan giants in all competitions. In that time, he’s won three La Liga titles, a Champions League trophy, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup, so he’s enjoyed a pretty decent spell in Catalonia. According to Don Balon , as re-reported by The Epress,  Man Utd were keen on him this past summer with Jose Mourinho looking to address his issues at left-back with the likes of Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind failing to nail down a permanent spot in the line-up. However, not only did Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde shut down the possibility of Alba leaving, but it’s added by Don Balon that the Spanish international himself didn’t want to depart as he preferred ...

Barcelona want Sane. Today we start with a fairly entertaining update from El Gol digital  who write that Barcelona’s latest top target is none other than Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. The Blaugrana are apparently preparing an offer of €120 million for the Germany international next summer. Sane is viewed as being a player capable of ultimately replacing Lionel Messi  but in the meantime would form part of a new-look attack alongside the Argentine and Ousmane Dembele. Barca still want Ozil & so do Manchester United Over at Goal,   the news is that Mesut Ozil remains a top target for both Barcelona and Manchester United. Ozil is interested in joining either club, and seems set to leave Arsenal, with his contract due to expire next summer. Barca are said to be tempted by Ozil as he is a far cheaper option to Philippe Coutinho, although there is apparently still hope he could remain with the Gunners. Valencia increase Ferran Torres’ release claus...

Veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta on Friday signed a lifetime contract with Catalan football giants FC Barcelona, ending the speculation that surrounded his future with the club he joined when he was 12 years old.   "This is a very special day for me, simply because it means I'm staying at my home, where I can continue to dream of achieving great things for this club. It's where I have grown and developed," Iniesta said at a press conference after signing the contract.   "It makes me very happy to know that the club has given me this opportunity. I have always been convinced of my love for Barçelona and I know that I could never be anywhere better then here," he added.   Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, for his part, said "the club has grown through this agreement because after 118 years of history it's the first time we have ever offered a footballer a lifelong contract. This is a reward for Andrés' exceptional career....

La Liga chief Javier Tebas has warned that Barcelona would no longer be able to play in the division should Catalunya vote for independence from Spain at a referendum to be held next month. Catalan citizens will go the polls on 1st October to determine whether the semi-autonomous region secedes from the Spanish nation and goes it alone as a new sovereign country. Yet if that happens, Tebas has stated it will not be possible for clubs from Catalunya to continue playing their football within Spain, warning that Catalans won't be allowed to pick and choose which things they want to be independent from and what they want to keep. "If that process progresses, hopefully not, Catalan clubs could not play in the League," Tebas is gravely quoted as saying by Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo. "Unilateral independence is not  a la carte  and it would not be easy to reach an agreement. Catalan clubs could not play in the league. "I hope that the situation will be...

Barcelona in trouble. Those three words do not go together. The Catalans can cause trouble – a lot of it. But a team with Messi at its core and Suarez in its attack cannot be in trouble. It does not make sense. But, yet it seems that the La Liga powerhouse is in a bit of turmoil. In the past, they have occasionally been stumped. Juventus, Inter and Chelsea’s defence has stopped them in their Champions League tracks. Real Madrid’s resurgence over the last two seasons and Atletico Madrid’s occasional brilliance has ensured that the La Liga trophy is not Barcelona’s long-term possession anymore. But in the past, Barcelona has always known how to move forward from such reverses on the field. However, this time it seems that the trouble has begun off-field and is gradually becoming a threat to what happens on the field. Here, we take a look at three most important reasons why Barcelona and their fans should be worried about the future. Barcelona Risk Losing Key Players in a Year Bo...

Can Barça get a third straight league win before a tough Champions League opener? Will Dembélé hit the ground running? Barcelona  return to action after the international break on Saturday night in Catalonia when they welcome crosstown rivals  Espanyol   to the Camp Nou for what is a historically tough match in the  La Liga calendar. The  Blaugrana  won their first two matches and share first place in the league table with Leganés and Real Sociedad,  and a win on Saturday will be a major boost for the  Blaugrana  in this young season. With the Champions League opener at home against Juventus on Tuesday night, this match wouldn’t have great appeal to Barça fans, but one player will attract all the attention in this match: new signing Ousmane Dembélé, the most expensive transfer in club history who’s coming to replace Neymar and bring amazing skills and incredible potential to the Camp Nou. The 20-year-old is Barça’s biggest hope th...

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho has discussed Philippe Coutinho's unsuccessful attempt to join FC Barcelona in the recent transfer window. After reportedly handing in a transfer request at Liverpool weeks ago, Coutinho was not allowed to leave the Merseyside club for the Catalan giants. However, Ronaldinho believes Barca will try to sign the player again in the future. "Coutinho made it clear that he wanted to join Barcelona this summer – he will be disappointed as it is a dream for players to want to play for Barcelona – but I am sure he will still get that chance," he told the Daily Mirror. "They made it clear how much they wanted him and I am sure that they will come back for him." Despite not yet featuring for Liverpool this season, Coutinho has played twice for Brazil, in their recent 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Do you think Coutinho will still end up moving to Barca in the future? Let us know in the comments section below. 

Barcelona  have confirmed that midfielder Carles Alena has signed his new three-year contract extension and that it contains a release clause of €75 million. The club confirmed they had agreed the extension with Alena all the way back in June, but they have actually managed to get him to pen to paper now and it’s all official. Contract extensions are the talk of Barcelona at the moment with Lionel Messi’s all agreed, apparently, although unlike Alena, the club have yet to actually get him to sign the thing. Andres Iniesta’s is also agreed “in principle” according to Josep Maria Bartomeu, or not at all, according to the player himself.

“This president is a joke,” Neymar wrote on Instagram, firing back at Josep Maria Bartomeu’s criticism of the player and his father. “We committed the mistake of trusting too much in Neymar and his father,” Bartomeu was quoted as saying by  Esporte Interativo ’s Instagram account. Neymar volleyed back with sharp criticism of his own and a series of emojis. Neymar left FC Barcelona  this past summer transfer window, joining Paris Saint-Germain. He claims a rift between him and the president precipitated the transfer. Bartomeu refuses to pay Neymar a loyalty bonus, a matter which could see both parties in court.

Barcelona  have launched one final Philippe Coutinho bid according to Sport.  Now they’re simply awaiting a response from  Liverpool  and their owners. However, the report states that the number doesn’t reach Liverpool’s valuation of Coutinho as it: “does not reach 150 million euros including variables”. Since Barcelona are on a clock, it doesn’t makes much sense to keep bidding beneath the price that Liverpool have set. But yet, here we are, with Barcelona reportedly still offering less than Liverpool are willing to sell for once again. Earlier reports  from Sport suggested that Liverpool were waiting on selling Coutinho until they had a deal in place for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar - a deal that will not happen now. As it has been said before,  Lemar is the man who I most certainly believe should be the player Barcelona move for. But it appears that as the deadline grows closer, Barcelona are still hoping the Brazilian magician makes his way to...

According to sport,  on Saturday, a meeting between Philippe Coutinho’s representatives and Liverpool directors took place. Coutinho’s entourage proposed that Liverpool give into the player’s demands. But Liverpool rejected that proposal. But nonetheless, they made a decision that will be beneficial for Barca. They decided to open negotiations for Coutinho. Another report  said that Barcelona will offer around €160 million for Coutinho. But before accepting the offer, Liverpool will attempt to sign Renato Sanches. Once they have the disgruntled youngster tied down, they will accept the offer, paving the way for Barcelona to finalise the deal. The Sanches deal may be in place after he was left out of the Bayern squad travelling to Bremen.

FC Barcelona’s match against Deportivo Alavés saw the Catalan side win by two goals from the best player in their history: Lionel Messi. The Argentine missed a penalty in the match but made up for actions by netting in the winner for the match. Not that goals justify his performance because they never have to. Messi’s game has seen him become one of the best play makers in the world. The days of Xavi and Iniesta dominating the center midfield are over. The seasons since the formers departure and the latter’s decline has seen Messi continually drop from his forward role into the midfield in order to create chances. It is only two games into the season, but Messi has again become Barcelona’s most important player. Now more than ever, however, he is full of responsibility that he cannot share. Suarez, one of the top three strikers in the world, is out injured. Neymar has departed to PSG and his replacement has not arrived. Dembélé will have to wait to make his debut for Barcelon...

Liverpool  should sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona before it’s too late, Garth Crooks argues. The Brazilian is desperately wanted at the Nou Camp but, despite the player handing in a transfer request, the Reds have thus far been adamant he won’t leave Anfield. Barcelona have made three bids for Coutinho, the most recent of which was in the region of £114million. Crooks argues that considering the playmaker was signed for £8.5m, the offer is too good to refuse. In addition, Sadio Mane is emerging as the new talisman at Liverpool and the signing of Mohamed Salah would ease Coutinho’s departure. ‘With Mane looking so impressive at the moment it makes you wonder why Liverpool are deliberating over Coutinho’s proposed move to Barcelona,’ Crooks said to the BBC. ‘It seems to me that Mane is the perfect replacement to take over from the Brazilian as Liverpool’s main man, never mind that £100m-plus is simply too good to turn down for any player, never mind one who only cost yo...

Ousmane Dembele officially begins life as a Barcelona yesterday has  undertakes his medical and is presented to the world and the club’s Twitter account as already gone into overdrive dubbing it #DembeleDay. But they are right to get excited and so should we, as Barcelona fans can now look forward to the skills the tricky winger will add to the front line. At the young age of just 20, Dembélé showcased exactly what he could do in the Bundesliga last year, scoring six goals and creating 63 chances for Borussia Dortmund. Six goals may not sound a lot, but Opta neatly highlight below just how much potential this boy has. But it is not just goals that Dembélé will bring, it is assists too, and that is exactly what is needed, particularly following the departure of Neymar. Replacing the Brazilian is all but impossible but one of the young French star’s main assets last season was his relationship with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In fact, Dembélé provided 10 assists fo...