Barcelona looking to extend Ter Stegen contract

The Camp Nou side have added the goalkeeper to the list of players who deserve an immediate contract extension

Barcelona have their eyes set firmly on the future, with president Josep Maria Bartomeu looking to extend the contract of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 

The Spanish champions were busy before the transfer window closed last week, bringing in several high-quality players to improve the squad's depth.

Barca have since stated their next intentions are to extend the contracts of the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic in the coming months.

And now Bartomeu has added Ter Stegen to the list, despite the 24-year-old Germany international still with three years left on his deal at Camp Nou.

"[Ter Stegen] is a fundamental piece in the future of Barcelona," Bartomeu told RAC1.

"Rakitic, Suarez and Messi, he is a lynchpin and our commitment to him is strong."

RUMOURS: Real Madrid eye Donnarumma

Milan's 17-year-old goalkeeper has been likened to Gianluigi Buffon, and Los Blancos are reportedly interested in bringing him to the Bernabeu

Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has emerged as a transfer target for Real Madrid, according to Sport.

The 17-year-old custodian, who has established himself as the Rossoneri's No.1 despite his tender age, became Italy's youngest player since 1911 when he made his debut against France this week.

And the Spanish publication believe Madrid president Florentino Perez is a big fan of the man who has been nicknamed the 'heir to [Gianluigi] Buffon'.

Manager Zinedine Zidane wants his 18-year-old son Luca to be Keylor Navas' successor at the Santiago Bernabeu, however.

RUMOURS: Kane to become Spurs' highest paid player

The England international will see his wage more than double when he signs a new contract, while Christian Eriksen is also to due for a pay increase

Harry Kane could become Tottenham Hotspur's highest paid player as he has entered talks over a new contract with the club, The Mirror reports.

The England international signed a new deal with Spurs in February, which ties him to the club until 2021.

However, he is poised to commit to the club once more, with a massive wage increase coming his way. 

The newspaper reports that he will see his £50,000-a-week wage rise to £120,000. Including bonuses, he could earn £7.5 million per year.

Meanwhile, it is said Christian Eriksen will also pen a new deal to take his wage up to £70,000 each week.

Barcelona sign Ronaldinho... again!

It has come to light that the Brazilian, who earned hero status at Camp Nou after helping the Blaugrana return to their former glory, will work with the club once more...

Ronaldinho is back at Barcelona! But don't get too excited, fans, as it is in a non-playing role...

The Brazilian, 36, is teaming up with the club he helped return to its former glory between 2003 and 2008 to act as an ambassador.

Barcelona are opening a new office in New York, USA, to enhance their growth internationally on 6 September, which has brought about them re-signing Ronaldinho.

The Catalan giants will certainly prove to be a hit in the States if Ronaldinho is good an ambassador as he was with his feet back in his heydey at Camp Nou...

'Bad player, wonderful hater!' - Balotelli hits back at Carragher

The former Liverpool defender criticised the Italian after he joined Nice from the Reds earlier this week, and the striker took to Twitter to respond

Mario Balotelli has slammed 'bad player' Jamie Carragher after the ex-Liverpool defender poked fun at the Italian striker's move to Nice.

Balotelli joined the Ligue 1 outfit from the Reds earlier this week after a miserable two years on the books at Anfield.

Carragher quipped that Nice had paid over the odds by signing Balotelli on a free transfer, but the former Manchester City and Milan striker has hit back at the Sky Sports pundit.

"Jamie Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater," the 26-year-old wrote on Twitter. "Who cares."

Jamie Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater @Carra23 ,who cares.pic.twitter.com/onbY0WUgOc

 Carragher has been critical of Balotelli in the past, telling the Daily Mail in March: "I can’t believe we signed Mario Balotelli! The thing with Balotelli is everyone always says it’s the off-the-field antics, but I wouldn’t care if he was doing it on the pitch. 

"People tell me he’s got talent but I can’t remember him having a good game."

OFFICIAL: Balotelli leaves Liverpool for Nice on permanent deal

The Italian forward's nightmarish spell with the Merseysiders is finally over after discussions on deadline day led to a move to Ligue 1 on a permanent deal

Liverpool and Mario Balotelli have finally ended their malfunctioning association, with the striker signing for Nice on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old was only due to be out of contract next summer, but the Reds pushed to get him off the books completely 737 days after taking a £16 million gamble on the Italian.

The Ligue 1 side had originally slated a season-long loan for Balotelli, but negotiations continued well into deadline day for a more permanent solution, which was agreed after he passed a medical. 

Nice ousted FC Sion and Palermo to acquire the talented yet troubled forward. He will train for the first time with his new team-mates on Thursday morning, before being officially unveiled on Friday.

Club president Jean-Pierre Rivere, the driving force behind the deal, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Mario.

“We hope that Nice, in a family atmosphere, will help him rediscover his joy for the game. 

“We both know that nothing will be easy, but with the desire and support of all our fans, we’ll help him to flourish and bring his talent to the service of the team.”

Negotiations over a transfer had not been straightforward since Balotelli travelled to the south-east coast of France for talks last week.

An initial consultation with Rivere and senior officials following the Europa League draw proved obstructive to an agreement.

The three-time Serie A winner gave off the impression that Nice would be lucky to have him, rather than displaying a willingness to recalibrate his career at the club.

However, a follow-up meeting on Saturday morning proved more productive. There was also a separate gathering with the coaching staff to determine their thoughts on working with Balotelli. 

Manager Lucien Favre needed some convincing, but a vote was held in the affirmative to push on with proceedings.