A number of reports today appear to leave the future of Barcelona President Joan Laporta up in the air. According to the Barcelona website, the club reported the club is in an excellent financial situation, but a Reuters story on ESPN Soccernet suggests Laporta, who faces a club confidence vote on Sunday, could get the axe after the team's disappointing results since winning the League and the European Championship in 2006.
While the club has increased its revenues by $29.9 million Cdn over last year and by $296 million over the past five years. The club also reported net income of $16.1 million in the past year.
With a healthy balance sheet, why would Barcelona consider sacking Laporta? I would suggest with that Barcelona club members demand more that just money in the bank. Yes Laporta has replaced manager Frank Rijkaard with popular former player Pep Guardiola, who has in turn pledged to ship Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o out for next season. Recent purchases like Daniel Alves and sales such as Deco moving to Chelsea are also a sign things are changing in Barcelona.
But La Liga is changing and Barcelona may not be adapting quickly enough. Many top players are choosing to play in England, rival Real Madrid has abandoned its Galactico policy and won two titles running as a result, while teams like Athletico Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal have become genuine contenders in a league that is much more competitive than when Barca last hoisted a cup.
Even in Europe, where Barcelona have remained competitive, they have fared poorly against the top English opposition. In order for Laporta to be voted out on Sunday, 10 per cent of voting club members must turn out and vote two-thirds in favour of dumping the boss. If Laporta does indeed take the fall, recent changes in Catalonia could just be the beginning of a larger revolution at the club.
Transfer Rumours
Despite leaving England and flourishing in Turkey at Fenerbahce last year, Colin Kazim-Richards, otherwise known as Kazim-Kazim on the Turkish national side, may be headed to Manchester City, reports The Telegraph. The article suggests a bid of 4 million pounds may be required to lure the player back to Britain.
Wigan manager Steve Bruce wants to reunite with Birmingham City midfielder Olivier Kapo, according to The Mirror, in a deal that could cost 3.5 million pounds along with defender Ryan Taylor heading to St. Andrews in a part exchange.
Several sources are reporting that Arsenal are interested in acquiring the services of Obafemi Maritins from Newcastle United. Martins told The Sun:
“Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it’ll be no.”
With Adebayor rumoured to be on the way out, Martins could be had for less than half the 30 million pounds Arsenal have set as the value for their prolific striker.
And finally, multiple sources have disgruntled Liverpool striker Peter Crouch moving to Portsmouth for a fee of 10 million pounds. The lanky England international played 37 games for Pompey between July 2001 and March 2002, when he was sold to Aston Villa by Harry Redknapp, who was just starting his first stint at Fratton Park. According to an article in The Guardian, Crouch prefers Portsmouth to Tottenham, who were looking for Crouch to be a makeweight in a potential swap for Robbie Keane.
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