The midweek news roundup

By: Isaiah | April 3rd, 2007

So there’s apparently something else happening this week in Europe, but my hardened heart cannot recall exactly what it is. There is a little bit of news to cover on the Barcelona front, including the ever-present “saga” of Ronaldinho’s future at the club.

Apparently I failed to notice, somehow, someway, that on Sunday Sevilla drew with Osasuna and now Barcelona have a 2 point advantage at the top of La Liga. It’s probably a good idea for me to keep track of this and not, for whatever reason, misread the scores. Zaragoza and Atletico both drew as well as Valencia and Real Madrid each won. The table has thus broadened a little, with Zaragoza and Atletico slipping dangerously close to losing touch with the top 4 while also allowing Santander and Huelva to remain close to nipping in for UEFA Cup spots.

First, though, to the interesting story brewing about Diogo. Sport is reporting (Spanish - English) that Diogo is now officially owned by Zaragoza and thus is available to Barcelona for the 2007/08 season. Naturally he won’t come cheaply if Barcelona really do want him, but he’s a good player and Barcelona may need a few more experienced players at the back to shore up what has become a somewhat leaky back line. Regardless, the Catalans need a few lessons in how to fight, which Diogo can certainly provide. Anyway, if Real Madrid really is trying to “torpedo” this deal, it might not go through, but there seems to be a lot of intercontinental movement for something that won’t happen; here’s hoping that Barcelona get their man and that he’s not outrageously expensive. I still think there are better targets out there than Diogo, but if Rijkaard thinks he’ll work well within the system, Frank is probably right. It’s interesting that Marca is reporting that Diogo wants to stay in Zaragoza, but to be honest, Diogo himself is quote as saying merely that he doesn’t want to think about transferring to Barcelona as Zaragoza and the blaugrana are playing this coming Saturday (April 7). It’s probably all mind games, but worth thinking about.

It looks like Rafa Marquez is sticking with Barcelona this summer, or at least he wants to, rather than joining up with the Mexican National Team. With La Liga’s long-running schedule, he’ll have to forgo the Gold Cup if he wants to remain with the club through their June schedule. If Barcelona make it to the Copa del Rey final, they’ll have to play it on June 23, which could even keep Marquez out of Copa America, which beings June 24.

Apparently Italian “media sources” are reporting that Luca Toni is also a target of Barcelona, but instead of a straight cash deal, it would involved Thiago Motta going to Fiorentina. (Spanish - English) That, of course, is about as likely and intelligent a move as me winding up at NY Red Bulls…

Until tomorrow.