CESC. GOODBYE ARSENAL, HELLO BARÇA.

The defeat against Manchester made him take his decision: on June 30 he will leave.

Fàbregas will do whatever he can to come back to Camp Nou.

Everyone supporting Ibra.

Laporta: “They can’t stand that we are the best team” (meaning Madrid press)

HE WILL RENEW FOR LIFE

Piqué could sign a contract which would last until 2016

Today he turns 23

Blaugrana icon. The club wants him to be the cantera’s and commitment image.

Laporta: They are trying to get us nervous” ( Madrid press)

The world’s most expensive team.

Catalan sports paper, Sport, reports that Pep Guardiola took Zlatan Ibrahimovic to a restaurant recently, to discuss the Swede’s lack of confidence in recent matches.

Two weeks ago, Ibrahimovic spoke at a press conference and said he was unhappy with his recent performances (read more here). He felt, he had to improve and showed a great exercise of self-criticism. In response, Pep Guardiola told a journalists gathered at a press conference that he absolutely disagrees with the Swede:

“He is very demanding of himself. He is playing much better than people think he is and gives us a lot. I’ll talk to him and explain” said Guardiola.

A few days later, Pep was seen alongside Ibrahimovic after training, where they dined at a local restaurant. Reportedly, they were discussing how things were going, as was the case when Pep held a similar talk with Henry last season. Before that, Guardiola has held talks with both Messi and Iniesta, which has proven to have an extraordinary effect on the players ever since.

So far, the only person Pep has held a “pep-talks” with this season, was Gerard Pique, post Christmas break, when the centre half was suffering from an unexplained lowering of his blood pressure (read more here).Guardiola advised Pique to stay on the bench for a couple of days, and now he is back to his dynamic best.

Guardiola do not want to change the Swede’s behavior, nor cause a reaction from him, but make sure that he doesn’t get distracted from his on-field duties, even though he isn’t scoring goals on a consistent basis as he did at the start of the season. Ibrahimovic has not recorded a goal in 2010.

Guardiola’s intention is that Ibrahimovic does not panic, and that he is aware about the importance of his participation in the general play, as he was not only signed for his scoring abilities, but also to help the team in the buildup and to hold the ball up when necessary.

In numerous games this season, Ibrahimovic has been instrumental with his assists, such as Valladolid most recently, where he put the ball on the platter for Messi to score, and delaying his midfield position to second-line peers by occupying the spaces behind defenders.

At the dinner, Guardiola wanted to thank the big Swede for his effort so far in his first year at the club, and asked for patience and to show a deaf ear towards criticisms. The coach knows that Zlatan is a player who demands a lot and who has that innate selflessness that makes him different from the other number nine’s in the world.

“It’s not an offside, but its understandable if they (madrid based media) call it as one, afterall they have to sell papers. What’s funny though, is that there was no mention of Ibra’s denied penalty claim”

FC Barcelona player Xavi hernandez takes a dig at the Madrid press who were speculating that Pedro was offside for his goal against Sporting, while he was speaking to ‘The Hatrick’ program on TV3.

Portuguese club SL Benfica have confirmed on their official website that they have reached an agreement with FC Barcelona over the termination of the one year loan deal of their Brazilian starlet Keirrison de Souza Carneiro (20).

Keirrison is thus free to sign for Fiorentina after he clears the medical test.

Barcelona’s Brazilian striker Keirrison (20), spoke with Fiorentina’s official website over his impending loan move and expressed his views:

“Fiorentina have always been following me ever since I was playing in Coritiba. When my agent told me that there was a possibility of joining Fiorentina, I immediately said yes because I wanted to play for those who have always valued me. For me it is the best choice possible.”

“My Idols? Pele and Romario, but the former I could only see him on TV, while Romario I could view him live. I grew up seeing his matches and trying to be like him. Romario has scored some very beautiful goals, but his specialty was his first touch. His football was simple and so is mine. My quality? When I’m in the area I try not to think much, I try to finish the move as quickly as possible. As a kid, I worked a lot with my father on my technique and aerial ability and that is the reason I am where I am today.”

Keirrison’s agent, Marcos Malaquias, spoke with Italian sports site globoesporte about the move:

“The proposal of Fiorentina arrived on Saturday night. We were very quick to react. Fortunately Fiorentina and Barcelona have excellent relations. If tomorrow the medical goes well Keirrison will sign for Fiorentina. The player is very happy to play in Italy. “

Barcelona official website has announced that FC Barcelona and Fiorentina have agreed a loan deal that will take Keirrison de Souza to the Italian side until the end of next season. The deal includes an option to buy for 14 million euros though Barça have reserved the right to recover him.

Keirrison will stay with Fiorentina until 30th June 2011 with a price tag of 14 million euros (the amount Barça paid this summer) if the Italians want to make the move permanent. However, Barça have retained the right to bring the player back to Barcelona.

Half a year with Benfica

The 21-year-old Keirrison de Souza, signed a five-year deal with Barça in July 2009. He came with the fame as a prolific goal scorer with Coritiba and Palmeiras. He was immediately loaned out to Benfica, where he has played seven matches (5 in the league, 1 in the Europa league and 1 in the Cup).