Barca flavour is desperately sought at Newcastle United as revival exercise continues.


FC Barcelona's Portuguese star, Deco Anderson tops the wish-list produced by Newcastle coach, Kevin Keegan, after the coach made a return to the Magpies technical bench. Deco was on the cards of the English Premiership clubside during last summer's transfer pursuits, and billionaire owner Mike Ashley is ready to wave his cash magic wand and have Keegan's wishes granted, and this promise of cash has spurred Keegan on. The Newcastle wish list includes Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge, Celtic's Scott Brown, Bayern's Daniel van Buyten and Manchester United's Wes Brown among others.


Deco, who is no doubt a great player by any standards, has not been able to tie down a regular place in FC Barcelona due to a combination of injury and other top players in same position, and the Magpies want to cash in on this to succeed in their bid this time after attempts to open talks with the Brazilian born Portuguese international failed to yield result last August. Now the Barca star is back from injury and fully fit, much to the delight of FC Barcelona - and Newcastle United.

After fighting through out the summer to stay in FC Barcelona, Eidur Gudjohnsen is now the star of the show.


Gudjohnsen made headlines over the summer with a combined effort and formidable tag-team with his dad and agent, Arnor. The object of contention was for Guddy to remain in Camp Nou, and in addition, to remain relevant in Barca's plans. The battle to remain at the club was won, but it wasn't too certain if Eidur will ever get to kick a ball through out this season, judging by the array of in-form super stars organised bt the Blaugrana. However, injury has laid off some of the stars, and the former Chelsea star has been given a chance to play, which he has taken with both feet. Arnor Gudjohsen however, looks like he's trying to upgrade his son's ratings and perhaps make a test of Eidur's importance by suggesting the Iceland sharp shooter may leave Barca this winter. Arnor said:

Eidur is perfectly happy with life at the Nou Camp but he is not ruling anything out. I think he will stay at least until the summer but it's up to him. His injury has been a setback for him but he's fought his way back into the team and has been showing some good form. Eidur believes he will play more for Barcelona, but in football you can never be certain.

Guddy jnr still hopes to remain in the scheme of affairs for FC Barcelona even after stars like Thierry Henry return from injury. The Iceland international has been linked to Newcastle United, Manchester City and Manchester united. An outside chance of a move to Celtic of Scotland is still open.

Merida's case finally settled after heated debate.


An independent tribunal in Spain ruled that FC Barcelona will be paid a 3.5 Million Euro compensation for the swoop on Fran Merida by Arsenal FC. Merida had signed a pre-contract agreement with them when he was 14, but quit the Catalan club days before his 16th birthday. He then joined Arsenal as a trainee as soon as he was 16. At 17, Fran Merida made his Arsenal first-team debut last month as a substitute in the 2-0 Carling Cup triumph over Newcastle United. Arsenal has offered to pay the fine, as the Gunners believe the Spanish star has the potential to become like his countryman, Cesc Fabregas, who is making waves at Arsenal after growing up in FC Barcelona youth team.

Last gasp transfer bid for Portuguese star will not come to pass.


FC Barcelona are set to reject a New castle bid for midfielder Deco when the Magpies make on elast bid for the Portuguese star before the season ends or in the January transfer window period. Barca president, Joan Laporta, stated that:

Deco is not leaving Barca. He is here with us and will remain an important plyer to us. He still has his contract with the team and wants to stay on, and we want him to stay on too.

Mike Ashley, the Billionaire who is leading a revolution at Newcastle United after taking over the club, no doubt, wants to make Newcastle a club which will topple the top four in the English premiership, namely Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Liverpool and Arsenal FC. Also with surprising early season perfromances from the likes of Manchester City and ever heard fighting Portsmouth, the compwetition is upped at England and Ashley is eager to prove that his cheque book can match any competition from his rivals. The Magpies tabled a twelve million bid for Deco, but this has not been picked up the Blaugrana as the new season is set to commence with no indications of Deco heading toward England.

Portuguese star returns after spending quality time with his family.


FC Barcelona's star, Deco has returned from Sao Paulo where he left for after flying out of China via England to be with his newly born Baby, David. Deco flew into Spain to resume training with the Blaugrana ahead of the Wednesday encounter with Bayern Munich in Germany, for which Barca will leave Spain for Munich on Tuesday. Deco has been linked with moves to Newcastle United, Inter Milan and a host of other Premiership clubs, but the Portuguese international put to rest the rumours of his exit from Barcelona after saying he was staying in Barca and going no where, a statement supported by president Laporta in a public declaration. Deco wants to be assured of a regualr place in the Catalan's star-studded squad, but this may be difficult as many new players have upped the competition for places in the team and no one can categorically say he is gauranteed a permanent shirt in the super-squad.