<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>New Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o are free to leave the club. "With the technical secretary we are forming a squad and Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto'o are not in our minds," said Guardiola, a former Barcelona skipper. He confirmed that his priority was to buy a striker to partner Thierry Henry. But he ruled any possibility of making a bid for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked to Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid. The departures of Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto'o from the Nou Camp will be of particular interest in England and Italy. Midfielder Deco could join his Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea next season or Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, while Ronaldinho has been linked with AC Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City. Cameroon striker Eto'o has also been linked with a move to Milan, but has admirers in the Premier League, with Tottenham thought to be leading the chase. Guardiola, who succeeds Frank Rijkaard as boss of the Catalan club, hinted that he would have retained Ronaldinho if the Brazilian had shown an improved attitude. "If he had the desire, if he felt he could once again become the player he once was, maybe we could think about it," said Guardiola. "But the situation has deteriorated and the solution is to build a strong dressing room." The imminent exit of the Brazilian and the recent departure of Giovani dos Santos to Spurs means Barcelona will be short of options on the left flank, but Guardiola said a bid for Ronaldo was out of the question. "I wouldn't make space for him in the team, even though I think he is a very good player," said Guardiola. "We will look at the possibility of bringing in a winger, but if we don't that's fine. The priority is a number nine, we need one to complement Henry and Bojan [Krkic]. I want the three to feel like first-team starters." Guardiola, 37, won six league titles in 11 seasons as a midfielder with Barcelona but has never held a senior coaching position. Barcelona finished third in La Liga last season and were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage during a trophy-less campaign.</div> [Source] [Tuesday, June 16, 2008]
I don't think England. I think Deco will stay in mainland Europe too. Eto'o will most likely come to the EPL.
I'm interested to see who they bring in. When were the last time Henry, Messi and their hold overs have logged 40 games in a campaign? -Petey
Considering that Barça has more cash to spend then any other club and will get a huge payoff for three players in the foreseen future, I don't think they'll have much to worry about. Only one thing to know - Many players want to play for FC Barcelona.
Of course everyone wants to play there. Having Messi and Bojan will not hurt them and whoever they get will only improve them. And don't forget Henry who will have a better season. (if he's healthy)
