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'Thank you Barca; thank you everyone' - Vilanova's letter to fans

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has written an open letter expressing his gratitude to the club's directors, players and fans.

The Catalan outfit called a press conference on Friday to announce the 44-year-old would be unable to fulfill his duties in a coaching capacity ahead of the season following a relapse of his cancer. 

And Vilanova, who will now reprise his battle against parotid gland cancer, delivered his heartfelt appreciation after leading Barcelona to their 22nd Liga title during his sole season in charge.

"Thank you Barca; thank you everyone," he wrote. 

"After five wonderful years as part of a team that has made dreams come true as a coach, the time has come to face a change in my professional life and to devote forces to continue the process of the disease that I was diagnosed a year and a half ago.

"In the opinion of the doctors and due to the treatment I have to follow, I can't spend the time that a team like Barcelona would require as first coach to do my tasks, but I will keep on working very close to this club I love so much.

"It is not easy to leave this very special group of players, fellow staff and friends with whom I shared many memorable experiences. I'll be eternally grateful for everything you have given to me and I have shown." 

READ MORE HERE

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PSG eye 'dream' Cristiano Ronaldo signing

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed that he could easily land his "dream signing" Cristiano Ronaldo on account of his "very good relationship" with Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez. 

The Ligue 1 champions have been regularly linked with a move for the Portuguese superstar and the Qatari businessman insists that a deal is not beyond the realms of possibility.

"I know he has two years left on his contract with Real Madrid," Al-Khelaifi is quoted as saying by AS. "But I have a very good relationship with Florentino. If I want my dream of signing Cristiano to be met, I'll call [Perez]."

Read More Here

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Neymar and Messi will not clash, insists Sandro Rosell

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has dismissed any suggestions that new signing Neymar may struggle to play alongside Lionel Messi.

Former Blaugrana coach Johan Cruyff had suggested Messi should be sold given that the two South American stars would clash at Camp Nou, but Rosell has rubbished any such notion, adding that the club did well to land the ex-Santos forward before his stunning displays in June.

"As some say, we were lucky to sign Neymar before the Confederations Cup," the 49-year-old told Sport.es. "Let's just say lucky, yes.

"All good people understand these situations. And these [Messi and Neymar] are two good people."

For More News About Barcelona, As Well As Video Gallery, See Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/fc-barcelona/

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Andres Iniesta targets Barcelona renewal

The attacking midfielder is keen to remain at his current club until the end of his career and is ready to ink a new deal. 

Andres Iniesta is keen to sign a contract extension with Barcelona as he has the ambition to retire at Camp Nou.

The Spain international's existing deal runs until the summer of 2015, but he is ready to commit his future to the Blaugrana as soon as possible. 

"It is my dream to end my career at Barcelona. Nothing has changed in that regard. We will see how it all unfolds, but I do not expect any problems with my contract renewal," Iniesta told Sport. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/andres-iniesta-lujan/

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Giggs: Thiago is a 'Big Talent'

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has labelled Thiago as a "big talent" but remained coy over reports linking the Barcelona player with a move to Old Trafford. 

"I've seen him in several games," Giggs told Marca.

"He's a good player. But there's always a lot of speculation with United and good players. We'll see if it happens in the end, but he's a big talent."

Giggs went on to praise Spain's dominant national side, and believes their Under-21s triumph over Italy in the European Championship this month demonstrates that the country's run at the top could be extended for a number of years. Read More Here http://tinyurl.com/lvpvttq 

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Gerard Pique: Barca must strive to keep Thiago

Gerard Pique has called on Barcelona to "convince" wantaway midfielder Thiago Alcantara that his future lies at Camp Nou.

The 22-year-old had been linked with a move away from the Spanish champion in recent months, and his fine performances at the European Under-21 Championship - including a hat trick in Friday's 4-2 final victory over Italy - has prompted a sudden surge in speculation. 

Yet his Barca teammate has urged the club to do everything it possibly can to keep Thiago in Catalunya, although he appeared to remind the Italy-born ace that his predecessors also had to wait their turn before establishing themselves in the first team.

"There is a possibility that he can go, but we have to convince him that the best place for him is the club [Barcelona]," Pique told reporters. "The players currently in starting positions were patient [for their turn] and have since marked an era."

Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/gerard-piqu%C3%A9/

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Edinson Cavani admits to Real Madrid 'dream'

The Uruguay international has spoken of his desire to wear the jersey of los Blancos before repeating that he will make a decision on his future after the Confederations Cup. 

Napoli star Edinson Cavani has once more admitted that a transfer to Real Madrid would be a dream come true, as he continues to flirt with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. 

"I am very calm about my future. Madrid are a great club and every player dreams of playing there," Cavani told Cadena COPE.

The Uruguay international's mother recently revealed that Cavani is in talks with Manchester City as well as Madrid, while Chelsea recently had a formal offer turned down by Napoli. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/edinson-cavani/

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Liverpool to tell Luis Suarez to stop flirting with Real Madrid

Angry Liverpool will deliver a put-up-or-shut-up ultimatum to loose-lipped star Luis Suarez.

Weary of the unsettled striker's almost daily public pronouncements on his future, the Anfield giants will now lay down the law and demand he put in an official transfer request if he remains determined to leave.

The Uruguay international - currently on Confederations Cup duty in Brazil -  has turned what promises to be this summer's biggest transfer saga into a near farce by offering regular, spectacularly unsubtle, hints that he is desperate to move to Real Madrid. 

Yet there is genuine bafflement within Anfield about the reasoning behind his comments, following the latest outburst in which he suggested he has lacked backing in England, and he would "give his heart and soul" to Real. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/liverpool-fc/

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Fernando Torres to Barcelona?

It might be the biggest surprise of the football summer transfers or just another baseless rumor, but reports in Spain suggest that FC Barcelona are interested in Chelsea striker Fernando Torres. 

It seems that Torres is not a part of Jose Morinho's plans in Chelsea, and therefore the Catalan giants are willing to make a 20 million Euro bid for the Spanish striker. For more news see here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/

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Robert Lewandowski to Manchester United?

MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have been handed a boost after Borussia Dormund dramatically blocked Robert Lewandowski's exit to Bayern Munich. 

David Moyes’ hopes of landing Lewandowski looked finished after Bayern tabled a stunning £160,000-a-week offer. 

But United could yet get their man after Dortmund insisted Poland goal-machine is NOT up for grabs to their German rivals.

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also understood to be interested in the hotshot — if he fails to land Edinson Cavani from Napoli. 

And Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “Robert Lewandowski will definitely not be transferred to Bayern in 2013. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/robert-lewandowski/

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Stephan El Shaarawy to Manchester City?

Manchester City have reportedly made a €40m (£34m) bid for AC Milan youngster Stephan El Shaarwy according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

El Shaarawy was the Rossoneri’s top scorer in the first half of last season but hit a dry patch following the signing of Mario Balotelli. 

Gazzetta claims Milan could give in to City’s “pressing” and let El Shaarawy leave the club. The same report linked Kevin Prince Boateng with a move to Chelsea and fellow forward Robinho with Brazilian side Santos.

El Shaarawy, who alongside club-mate Mario Balotelli played for Italy in a scoreless draw against the Czech Republic on Friday, finished the season with 16 goals in 37 games. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/stephan-el-shaarawy/

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NBA Finals Preview – San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat

The NBA Finals stage will be taking place this week between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. 

The Miami Heat won 66 games in the regular season and have the home-court advantage. The San Antonio Spurs had an excellent season and did extremely well in the playoffs and suffered just two losses in 14 games, both to the Golden State Warriors. 

Unsurprisingly Miami Heat are the favourites to win with odds of 5/12, the best odds available on San Antonio Spurs are 11/5. Miami has LeBron James on team, he is widely considered the best player in the world and he will take home his second straight finals MVP having already secured his fourth regular-season MVP award in the last five years. Read The Rest Of the Preview Here http://www.onlinecasinoarchives.com/sports/2013/06/05/nba-finals-preview-san-antonio-spurs-miami-heat/

For more news about the NBA check out HappyPunter's new NBA page http://www.happypunter.com/sports/nba/

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Jose Mourinho in Chelsea - "It was an easy decision"

Jose Mourinho is back at Chelsea FC. Chelsea TV broadcast the first interview with Jose Mourinho after he was appointed manager yesterday. 

"I'm very happy. I had to prepare myself not to be too emotional for my arrival at the club but obviously I'm very happy."

"It was an easy decision. I met the boss, the owner, and I think within five minutes after some short and pragmatic questions we decided straight away. I asked the boss do you want me back, and the boss asked me do you want to come back, and in a couple of minutes the decision was made."

"I enjoy being in different countries, in different football cultures, and I think it's important for my evolution as a manager and a football coach, and Chelsea Football Club got important trophies after that and had important moments in the history of the club. Now we are back together and we are getting together at a great moment for us both, so I think we are ready to marry again and be happy and successful." 

Read More News About Chelsea Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/chelsea-fc/

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Mario Gomez to Napoli?

With the Neymar saga complete the transfer mongers have shifted their sights to Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez. Bild is reporting the German striker is on his way to Napoli, which means Edinson Cavani is most probably leaving. In terms of dominoes this is a big one, with Cavani looking to get some of that Falcao money.

In all competitions this season Gomez recorded 23 goals on 33 shots on target in 18 starts. Croatian Mario Mandzukic ate into his playing time, making the man with the best button in the whole world an expendable piece for the treble winners. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/mario-gomez-garcia/

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Transfer Rumors: Liverpool In Race For striker David Villa

FC Barcelona striker David Villa has previously been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham, but it seems as though Liverpool FC are joining the race for the Spanish striker’s signature. 

According to the Guardian, Liverpool’s boss Brendan Rodgers is interested in Sevilla’s Jesús Navas and Luis Alberto, but also covets Villa. Luis Suarez is rumored to be looking for the closest exit out of Anfield, and if the controversial striker is sold, Villa would seem as a decent replacement. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/david-villa/ 

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Manchester United no longer football's most valuable brand

An annual study from leading brand valuation agency, Brand Finance which ranks the world's biggest football clubs by their brand value has placed Bayern München ahead of Manchester United to become the world's most valuable football club brand.

Impressive financials and a growing international reputation for quality football has seen Bayern's brand value hit $860m, demoting United to second place. 

Despite United's legions of international fans and reclamation of the Premier League title, a truncated European campaign and an uncertain future following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure sees the club’s brand value fall 2%. United’s loss of the top spot may prove temporary but to reclaim the title David Moyes must rapidly prove he can sustain his predecessor’s success. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/manchester-united-fc/

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Eric Abidal planning Ligue 1 return

Eric Abidal's agent has revealed the France international defender hopes to return to Ligue 1 this summer with his Barcelona career drawing to a close. Abidal, 33, is out of contract in Catalonia and, after six years at the Camp Nou, sees the French top flight as the ideal environment to see out the remainder of his career having forged his reputation at Lille and Lyon. 

"He's mulling over his future, but today Ligue 1 is the solution which is favourite," Abidal's representative, David Venditelli, told Le Parisien. Read More Here http://www.happypunter.com/sports/%C3%89ric-abidal/