#frenkie-de-jong

#frenkie-de-jong

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is making progress on a deal to sign Ruben Neves even though coach Xavi Hernandez prefers other targets to the Wolves midfielder, sources have told ESPN.Neves, 26, was of interest to Barca last summer and has emerged as an option once again following Sergio Busquets' announcement that he will leave the Catalan club when his contract expires in the summer.

Frenkie de Jong has had a change of heart and he's now ready to join Man United next summer.For anyone who closely followed the first summer transfer window with Erik ten Hag at the helm, Manchester United were heavily linked with a move to bring in Frenkie de Jong.The Dutchman's plan always felt the same - he wanted to remain at FC Barcelona and force his way into the starting line-up on a consistent basis.

7:54 PM ET



Sam MarsdenBarcelona correspondent



Gerard Pique broke down in tears as he gave an emotional speech after playing his final game at Camp Nou for Barcelona in Saturday's 2-0 win over Almeria.Pique, 35, promised he would be back at the club in some capacity in the future but said that sometimes loving something so much means you have to know when to let go.

Barcelona bounced back from back-to-back defeats to beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.It is a welcome result for Barca after they lost to Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga.Xavi's side defended deep after taking the lead and their discipline earned a narrow advantage to take into the second leg at the Nou Camp on 5 April.

In-form Cody Gakpo scored again as the Netherlands finished top of Group A, ending Qatar's miserable involvement at their home World Cup with a third consecutive defeat.Qatar's dismal showing means they became the first host nation to exit the tournament with three group-stage losses, finishing bottom with no points.

Two late goals from the Netherlands sealed a crucial victory in their World Cup opener against Senegal in Group A.
PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo beat Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to the ball when it was chipped in by Frenkie de Jong to nod the Dutch in front with six minutes remaining.Substitute Davy Klaasen then pounced on a rebound from Memphis Depay's shot to add a second deep into stoppage-time to confirm the success.

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United's Europa League victory over Barcelona shows they "can beat anyone."United added Barcelona to a list of statement wins this season that already includes Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Thursday.- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) -Europa League draw round-of-16 draw: Date, time, seeds
Ten Hag's team are still in four competitions this season, and the Dutchman insists they won't fear anyone they might face between now and May.

In what Barça Blaugranes termed " another meek Champions League surrender", Bayern Munich coasted past FC Barcelona like they were a middling Bundesliga team - and not one with lofty Champions League ambitions of their own.How did the German media take it?Well, how the Spanish media received it might be the better question for this one - but we'll look at Germany's Bild for now:


     Managers in focus: as much as this was vindication for Julian Nagelsmann's project at Bayern, this result throws Barça coach Xavi's position up in the air.