With the transfer season winding down Barca are set to complete Pep Guardiola's squad with one last signing. A left-sided striker as a direct replacement for Ronaldinho.

The three names shortlisted are Robin Van Persie of Arsenal, Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St. Petersburg and Rodrigo Palacio of Boca Juniors.

Of the three Palacio's name has been mentioned quite often in the last couple of seasons even before Ronaldinho left the club. In the case of Arshavin, Tottenham Hotspur has left the race to sign him, as a deal collapsed due to Zenit's high price tag. Barca could now swoop for the talented Russian but it will cost them. Robin Van Persie is the least likely to arrive at the Nou Camp as he is one of Arsene Wenger's key players.

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In other reports Robinho has made his intentions clear about where he wants to play this coming season.

In an interview with EFE news agency, Robinho said,

"I dream of playing in the Premier League. Chelsea have a great squad, a great team, and they've made an offer that's great for both me and Real Madrid.

"I have nothing against my current team, to whom I'm very grateful, but at this point my goal is to leave here and I hope that everything will be resolved as soon as possible."

I have to say, I really don't blame Robinho for his comments, I know he said he has nothing against his current club but really and truly I believe he wants to leave due to Madrid's treatment of him over the summer, with the whole Cristino Ronaldo saga.

I don't understand how Real Madrid could not have their key player on the top of their priority list. Any wise team would secure the services of their best and then seek to sign others, but Madrid is a club who constantly makes stupid mistakes and they will pay for it this season, especially if Robinho leaves Madrid.

With all this said I tip Barca to win the Liga due to Madrid's incompetence over the summer and also because of Barca's wonderful overhaul. FORCA BARCA!!!!

If Robinho does go to Chelsea, I predict Chelsea to win the Premier League title, HANDS DOWN!!!

Russian club Zenit St Petersburg has dropped the price of their talisman Andrei Arshavin.

Zenit were initially asking around 26 million euros for the player, but after both Barca and Tottenham dropped interest because of the high price tag, the club has now decided to drop the price. However the price is thought to be dropped primarily because of Arshavin going on strike and Zenit's poor performance in the league thus far.

Zenit has played 17 league games this season and sits in seventh place, 11 points behind league leaders Rubin Kazin. Club coach Dick Advocaat has indicated that Arshavin's case is affecting the performances of the team.

Arshavin himself expects everything to be settled this week and has stated that where he will move depends on one million dollars.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has stated that Arshavin is just one of the options considered as a replacement for Ronaldinho on the left side of attack, while Tottenham Hotspur coach, Juande Ramos, has been interested in the player throughout the transfer season and sees the player as the replacement for Robbie Keane who recently transfered to Liverpool.

Where will Arshavin go? Only time will tell.

Okay guys, negotiations between David Silva and Valencia over a new contract have apparently stalled and Barca are said to be keeping tabs on the situation, with the possibility of launching a bid when they return from their pre-season in the United States.

The bid could be made as early as Monday, with a figure of 25 million euros plus bonuses being quoted.

Valencia could very well entertain the offer given the current financial issues at the club, but one must wonder if they are willing to sell to one of their rivals.

I know many Barca fans would love to see Silva in our ranks and I share the same view, however I kind of want him to stay at Valencia to maintain some balance throughout the league, but regardless of what happens he indeed would be a good signing for the Blaugrana and a decent replacement for Ronaldinho on the left side of the midfield.

With Barcelona's squad near completion( I say near completion because of the uncertainty of Eto'o's future) it's time to pick who you think should be the starting XI, and what formation should be used. If you want, include a striker who could possibly replace Eto'o if he leaves.

Squad Members:

Goalkeepers
Victor Valdes, Jorquera, Pinto

Defenders
Abidal, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Cáceres, Sylvinho, Milito, Marquez

Midfielders
Xavi, Iniesta, Yaya Toure, Keita, Hleb, Crosas

Strikers
Messi, Eto'o, Henry, Bojan, Gudjohnsen

My Starting XI and Formation{4-1-3-2}

-----------------------------------------Valdes-------------------------------
---Alves------------Marquez---------------------Puyol-------------------Abidal------
--------------------------------------Yaya Toure-------------------------
------------Iniesta----------------------Xavi-------------------Hleb------------------
---------------------------Messi-----------------Eto'o-------------------------------

Finally! Oleguer Presas has been sold. To me his sale has been long overdue due to the many defensive arrivals this summer and Oleguer's clumsy tendencies. Oleguer never looked to me like a defender who was up to Barca's standards and I'm glad to see him go.

According to reports Ajax and Barcelona have agreed to a transfer fee of 3 million euros for the player, and if the Amsterdam club qualifies for the Champions League in one of the next three seasons, an extra 2.25 million will be paid. Oleguer is the Dutch club's fourth singing of the summer.

In other news Eto'o is being linked with a move to Lyon that includes Benzema coming to Barca in a swap deal. Lyon president, Jean Michel Aulas is apparently very keen on bringing the Cameroon international to France, as the club is looking to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the Champions League. However this sounds like just another rumor, as Benzema is a prized possession at Lyon, but who knows, Eto'o is more prolific than the Algerian-Kabyle descendant, and Lyon as well as Barca could be tempted.

To cap off my post, I just want to give some hope to the Barca fans out there like myself, who want to see Eto'o stay at the Nou Camp. After Barca's thrashing of yet another Scottish side, this time running out victorious over Dundee United 5-1 in their second preseaon match, where Messi scored a hat-trick, President Joan Laporta was full of praise for Eto'o, commending him for his attitude and for just being a great player. When asked by the media if Eto'o would stay, the president sunned the question and raced away in a hurry according to reports. Seems like Laporta might be having second thoughts about offloading Eto'o, but only time will tell what the future holds.

Pep Guardiola is said to be a fan of David Trezeguet and subsequently the Frenchman has emerged as Barca's top target.

Barcelona was linked with Turin player earlier during the transfer season, but seemed to drop their interest due to Juventus' reluctance to sell the man who scored 20 goals last season and finished second of the top scorers in Italy.

Fresh reports have emerged that Barca is still interested in the player, and are ready to offer a fee in the region of 25 million euros.

Juventus could be tempted by such an offer because of Trezeguet's age, 30, and because of the striking options available with Del Piero, Amauri, Iaquinta and Giovinco.

Trezeguet has said that his desire to stay with the Old Lady and win something with the club he has been a player for since 2000. However it has been said that he has contacted good friend Thierry Henry, and asked him about Spanish football and life in the country.

With Eto'o still at Barcelona though, it's hard to see Barca making a move for Trezeguet. Let's wait and see what happens.

Samuel Eto'o having been told that he is not in new coach, Pep Guardiola's plans is finding it difficult to exit from the Nou Camp.

Due to Eto'o's high wage demands to interested parties, said to be in the region 8.5 to 10 million euros, and Barca's valuation of the star of about 30 million euros, Eto'o is finding it very difficult to move on.

Questions have been arising about how serious Barca really is about letting the Cameroon international go, because of their high asking price for the player.

Eto'o has made it no secret that his preference is to stay at the Catalan club, and really is making no effort to leave for any club which he has no interest in joining.

Pep too has also recently said that finding a new striker is not an urgent matter because of the options available too him, including Eto'o.

Now Real Madrid, who Eto'o played for during his youth years is being once again linked with the versatile striker. Madrid coach Bernd Schuster, is said to be keen on brining Eto'o to the capital as a backup should Van Nistelroy or Raul get injured.

However due to Eto'o being very pro-Barca, and his high profile as a striker I personally don't see him playing as backup to anyone, therefore I deem this move as highly unlikely.

I, like many Barca fans, am clinging on to hope, and praying for an Eto'o stay.

Barcelona are apparently ready to step up their chase for Didier Drogba, and are set to offer Chelsea 25 million euros for the powerful Ivorian.

Drogba is said to be unsettled at the Bridge and keen on a move ever since the departure of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea. Reports yesterday suggested that Drogba had agreed to personal terms with Barca, on a contract that would bring him to the Nou Camp for 3 years.

Of course money is not an issue for Chelsea and they can offer Drogba an improved contract to see him stay at the club, but at 30, Drogba's ambition is most likely to try his trade in either Spain or Italy.

Due to Pep Guardiola's interest in the star, the player's heart seems set on a move to La Liga. Luiz Felipe Scolari has publicly stated that he would like Drogba to stay at Chelsea, but it is rumored that if a suitable replacement is found he will let the striker leave.

With Eto'o out of favor at Barca, if I were Chelsea I would accept a swap deal. Eto'o is younger and even better than Drogba, a deal with both players going opposite directions in my opinion is as good as it gets for Chelsea.

If Drogba does leave, he will follow Claude Makelele through the exit door as Paris St Germain reached a deal for the retired French International yesterday.

Reports suggest that Barca are close to signing Didier Drogba from Chelsea. Drogba has pulled out of Chelsea's pre-season tour to the Far East due injury, and Barca are said to continue their interest by making a solid offer for the Ivorian. Drogba is said to be unsettled and looking for a way out of Chelsea within the next 10 days.

Barca are also said to be interested in Dimitar Berbatov and a possible swap deal could be on the cards with Rafa Marquez moving Tottenham.

Then there's Emmanuel Adebayor, who Barca have apparently lost interest in due to Arsenal unwillingness to sell the player. However with Samuel Eto'o likely to be sold in the coming weeks, Barca could use the funds to offer more for the player and tempt Arsenal to sell.

Personally I think Drogba would be a good signing, he is a crunch-time striker, he almost always scores when it's most important, however I don't know if he would fit into the Barca system, because Barca plays a completely different style to that of Chelsea. Dimitar Berbatov on the other hand I could definitely picture in the Barca system because of his delicate touch and skillful finishes. Adebayor too, I think would fit well as Arsenal plays a similar style to that of Barca.

So who do you think would be the perfect replacement if or when Eto'o leaves?

With a new era about to take place at Barcelona, I think it's only fitting to pay tribute to the Barca of the last era, where Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco, Giuly and Larrson formed the most fearsome attacking partnership anywhere in Europe.
Take a look back with me at Barca's memorable Champions League triumph in the 05/06 season, from the group stages all the way to the final in France, at the Stade de France, where Barca reigned victorious over Arseanl with a 2 - 1 victory.
Though many of our stars are gone, the pass brings hope for the future and a sign of new things to come, it's now all up to Messi, Henry, Bojan, and new signings Dani Alves, Pique, Keita, and Caceres. FORCA BARCA!!!!