Sports Burst – Barcelona: Mes que un Mess
Barca’s transfer tangle and a good day for Brazil
Barca’s revolving door spins as Digne heads to Everton
Barcelona’s she-loves-me-she-loves-me-not, mad cap, make-it-up-as-you-go-along transfer policy over the past few seasons continues with more news out of the Camp Nou concerning another departure of a relatively unsuccessful signing.
Luca Digne has been unveiled as a new player by EPL outfit Everton after two underwhelming years at the Camp Nou. This is hot on the heels of Paulinho with the midfielder returning to the Chinese Super League club from whence he came 12-months-ago. The Camp Nou club is now littered with footballers brought in but being flipped after unsuccessful spells – Aleix Vidal, Andre Gomes, Rafinha, Douglas and Arda Turan (technically speaking on loan still).
That list might even include Ousmane Dembele, a footballer brought in a year ago for $133 million in an apparent blind panic after the Neymar departure. It is unsure where the winger is going to fit in now that Malcom has been brought in from Bordeaux for what Barca hope is a vintage signing. And what about Arthur? Is the Brazilian the new Andres Iniesta, the new Ivan Rakitic or the new…er…Arthur?
Head to our special Transfer Tracker show at 12PM ET / 9PM PT where our George D Metellus and Matteo Bonetti will try and make sense of it all.
Vinicius enjoys 24-hour good news bonanza
It’s been a big few days for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior with the Brazilian making his debut for the club in an ICC friendly against Manchester United – a 2-1 defeat for the Spanish outfit – and the footballer being named in a preliminary squad for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies against the USA and El Salvador in September.
Another youngster that is on Real Madrid’s books, Rodrygo, also makes the roster as Tite looks a little to the future.
Indeed, let’s spread the Brazil love as it were as Barcelona’s new Brazilian, Malcom, also had a good day with a goal against the team he was supposed to join, Roma.
However, the ICC clash in Dallas ended up with a 4-2 loss to the Serie A side. “Malcom gives us solutions, getting between the lines, shooting well and he's strong, which makes him difficult to knock off of the ball,” was the positive vibe from Ernesto Valverde on the new signing after the game.
Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for the latest news from both Barcelona and Real Madrid camps as both teams continue their summer tours of the USA.
Thierry Henry in Egypt Pyramid scheme
Elsewhere in the wide, wide world of summer and Thierry Henry has reportedly been offered the role of head coach of Egypt, a position vacated by Hector Cuper after a fairly disappointing World Cup to say the least. The former Arsenal forward is currently the assistant manager of the Belgian national team, who had a considerably better time in Russia.
And in other Egypt / Real Madrid news – yep, you know where this is going – there are reports in England that Real Madrid approached Mohamed Salah to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at the club – and Harry Kane for good measure – but were swatted away with both footballers having signed new deals with their respective clubs instead.
Lazio has been busy on Wednesday and announced the signing of Sevilla’s Joaquin Correa with the Argentine winger joining for a fee of around $20 million from the La Liga side.
Serena suffers career record defeat
Switching to tennis now and the Wimbledon bounce-back for Serena Williams was fairly short-lived.
The US legend battled through to the final in England before losing to Angelique Kerber. However, on Tuesday night Williams suffered the heaviest defeat of her career with a first round knock-out at the Silicon Valley Classic, losing 6-1, 6-0 to Britain’s Johanna Konta.
Williams had previously never failed to win at least two games in any match she has lost since turning professional in 1995. “I wasn't sharp at all in the first set,” admitted Serena who is still on the road to recovery.
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The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.