January is the month when player transfers happen between the different teams. Barcelona signed Aubameyang last year from Arsenal. He had come on as a free transfer agent. However, the total time he spent with Camp Nou was six months. After that, he was sold to another team, Chelsea, for an amount of 12 million EUR in September.
However this year the scene has changed again. Though the 33-year-old striker had not made much impact last year, it seems that Barcelona might be interested in taking him on again. Since he moved to Stamford Bridge he scored only 3 goals in a total of 15 appearances.
Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has refused to speak on his future with Barcelona ahead of the New Year. The Chile international has been used sparingly from the starting lineup at the Blaugrana and there have been claims that he could head through the exit door in January amid his mixed relationship with manager Ernesto Valverde.
Argentina international Lionel Messi has said that Barcelona are still recovering after the shock Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool. The Blaugrana were favourites to reach the final after grabbing a 3-0 advantage at the Camp Nou but they produced a disastrous showing on the road where a 4-0 loss saw the Reds progress in their expense.
Speaking in a rare press conference, Messi said that his team are still recovering from the Champions League setback earlier in the month. He added that the Blaugrana don’t need to apologise for the defeat but rather for the failure to compete during the return leg at Anfield, he said: "We are still recovering from what happened in Liverpool. At least I am.
Valencia manager Marcelino has hailed the game-changing abilities of Lionel Messi during his side’s 2-2 draw against Barcelona on Sunday. The Mestalla outfit appeared primed for a shock win after taking a 2-0 lead within the 32nd minute but they were thereafter pegged back with Lionel Messi scoring a goal in either half to level the proceedings.
Following the game, Marcelino admitted that he is disappointed after witnessing his team drop points despite holding a 2-0 advantage at one stage. He added that Los Che could have sealed the win with a third goal but the ‘extraordinary’ Messi was on hand to deny them a victory which could have enhanced their top four prospects.
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has admitted that he was worried that his knee injury in August would derail his long-term prospects with the Catalan giants. The Uruguay international suffered the problem during the Super Cup defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, and he struggled to recapture his form on his return to the starting lineup.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has urged his teammates to be wary of the threat possessed by Chelsea despite their mixed performances since the turn of the year. The Blues ended a run of back-to-back defeats with victories over West Bromwich Albion and Hull City, and Pique is not taking the game likely with no wins in their previous seven meetings with the Capital outfit.
In a report covered by Four Four Two, Pique admitted that the Catalans have high expectations on their head, and though they go as favourites for the Champions League tie, a poor result against the Blues could turn their worse into one which is not so good.
Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez has a very strict opinion when it comes to signing players who leave Barca for the big contracts (like Bellerin did) only to profess their love for the club and beg for a return as soon as they make it big!
Hector Bellerin is a 22 year old defender who began his playing career in the youth academy of Barcelona but chose to move to Arsenal, where he has a contract with which extends until 2023. Tabloid press have linked the Spanish club with bringing Bellerin back to Camp Nou but Xavi Hernandez on the other hand has a very different opinion about bringing Hector Bellerin back.
"Abidal will form a permanent part of the globetrotting veterans team, as well as collaborating with institutional events... assisting with activities related with the FCBEscola soccer schools.
He will always be fondly remembered here at the Camp Nou and it is with great joy that we can now welcome him back to the club in a permanent capacity."
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is facing pressure at the Etihad. He has previously worked with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, elite teams in Europe. After a big spending budget last summer, he failed to deliver any trophy. He managed to get a top four spot so the team can play Champions League football next year.
The Spanish tactician has said that if he were to finish the way he did this season at City in either Barca or Bayern, he would have lost his job. While at Barcelona, he lifted six titles in a year. He won the Champions League twice and the La Liga twice, aside other titles. In Germany, he delivered the league every year and took the team to the semi-final of the Champions League for the three years he stayed.
Luis Enrique says that there is a good possibility of Barcelona being in the market for some couple of players during the January transfer window.
The club has been decimated by injuries in recent times, while the transfer window freeze upon the club has also affected their chances of improving the squad as they would have liked. Despite being the dominant in the league and Europe, Barcelona are aware that the team has issues with regard to squad strength. The club may struggle to have the same kind of results if they encounter a couple of injuries.
