Transfer Talk: Next on the List

After completing the contract renewals of both Xavi and Busquets, the Barca board will now move on to the next few players: Victor Valdes, Rafael Marquez, Samuel Eto'o, and Carles Puyol. All four of them have contracts that expire in June of 2010; and so, starting with Valdes, new contracts will be made up for them all.

Apparently there are some complicatons with the negotiations for Victor Valdes so far; while Victor's father and agent both have agreed to the general details proposed by the club, the two sides still haven't been able to agree on, of course, the question of the keeper's salary. Barca acknowledges that a raise is in order, however, the price asked is still too steep for their liking. Reportedly though, this is nothing major and a common ground will be reached in time. We sure hope so—keeping Victor is an important factor in the balance of hottness on the club.

As for Rafa and Puyol, the two have assured the club of their desire to stay with Barca till the end of their respective footballing careers. That, at least, is something to be thankful for.

Then there's the issue of Samuel Eto'o. For some strange reason, Samu has stated that he doesn't want to begin any renewal transactions until the coming summer, as he does not outrule a transfer. What we would like to know is, what's up with that? What, is he not satisfied on Barca? Does he not like being top scorer, main striker, second-highest paid player? You make us laugh, Samu. Truly, this is the joke of the century. Barca is where you belong, love, and Barca is where you'll stay.
Elsewhere: In relation to the coming transfer window, Pep and Txiki are reported to meet next week to dicuss Barca's squad for 2009-2010. The main points of focus are signing players for three distinct positions:
-A goalkeeper, to create some competition for Valdes as well as for backup, considering the possible departure of Jorquera.
-A left back, becuase the club is in need of one with Sylvinho nearing retirement and Abidal's future with the club uncertain.
-A left winger (the spectacular David Silva being a big possibility!) as niether Henry nor Iniesta are naturally wingers, Henry being more of a central forward and Iniesta more at home in midfield.
We think that looking into these transfers is a wonderful thing; although Barca's perfect right now and are playing wonderfully already, Pep is looking ahead at what the club will need later on. He has foresight, a term Frank Rijkaard would not understand—just as Pep wouldn't understand old Frankie's belief that a winning squad is everlasting.