FC Barcelona News: 24 May 2011; Barcelona Travel to London Today, Several Players Sign With New Clubs

Ash cloud forces Barca change | ESPN
The Spanish champions were due to head to England on Thursday for this weekend's Wembley showpiece against Manchester United, but have opted to arrive two days ahead of schedule. A Barca statement read: ''To avoid possible disruption due to ash from the volcano Grimsvotn, the Barca first team will travel to London today at 2200hrs.''

Guardiola: "It’s desire that makes you European Champions" | FCBarcelona
Beyond tactics, absentees and precedents, Pep Guardiola believes that the key to the game this Saturday is going to be his players’ attitude- win or lose, Guardiola wants his players to be fully aware of what is at stake: "I want them to be conscious of what we are playing for. Many of the players have won lots of things and to win, you have to do lots of things right.

Messi: "it’ll be a different final from Rome" | FCBarcelona
The Argentinean opened the Open Media Day press conferences by insisting the Rome final shouldn’t be taken as a pointer to this Saturday’s game: "we are up against a great team in a game that will be completely different. I don’t know if United are stronger than two years ago, but I am clear that this will be a very even final".

Barcelona delay talks with Sporting Gijon over transfer of Jose Angel - report | Goal
The Camp Nou giants are ready to pay in the region of €4 million for the Spanish under-21 star, who will be offered a four-year contract subject to the completion of a medical. It's not yet clear whether Barcelona will farm the defender out on loan after securing his services or whether he will be included in the first-team.

First session to focus on Wembley | FCBarcelona
Carles Puyol and Gaby Milito both missed the trip to Malaga and stayed behind to train as they worked on their recovery from injury, but tonight they trained virtually normally with the rest of the squad, doing the same exercises and taking part in the final practice match.

Jose Mourinho sets a bad example to children - Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff | Goal
Cruyff criticised Mourinho's showman style, but acknowledged his winning attitude. "As a coach he is one thing - he has had a lot of success. He is the greatest exponent at his club and I don't like the way he expresses himself," the Dutchman told Marca. "It's not what he says, it's how he says it. There are times when he is not a good example to children."

Jose planning Real stay | Sky Sports
Mourinho has been mentioned as a possible contender to return to Stamford Bridge following Ancelotti's sacking on Sunday. However Mourinho, speaking for the first time since being handed a five-match touchline ban by Uefa earlier this month, has indicated that he plans to stay at Real Madrid next season.

Real sign former youth star Callejon | Eurosport
Real Madrid made a third addition to their squad for next season when they agreed to sign former youth team forward Jose Callejon back from Liga rivals Espanyol on a five-year contract. The 24-year-old, a former Spanish U21 international, moved to Espanyol at the end of the 2007/08 season and made 97 appearances for the Barcelona-based club, scoring 10 goals.

Aguero asks to leave Atletico Madrid | ESPN
Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that he wants to leave the club and has asked the Rojiblancos to consider offers for him. Aguero, 22, has been one of Atletico's star performers since moving to the Vicente Calderon from Independiente in 2006 but has now expressed his desire to leave the club after five seasons.

Maradona's Al Wasl eye Forlan | Sky Sports
Diego Maradona's new side Al Wasl have claimed they are working on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan. Maradona is looking to strengthen the seven-times UAE league winners when he takes over next month. And Forlan has been mooted as a potential target, with the Uruguayan expected to leave Atletico in the summer.

De Gea deal looks imminent | Sky Sports
Reports in Spain suggest that Manchester United will announce the signing of Atletico Madrid's David De Gea next week. Madrid sources claim the deal is worth €21million (£18.3million) with additional add-ons.

Emery signs one-year Valencia extension | ESPN
Unai Emery has agreed a new one-year deal to remain as Valencia coach after taking Valencia back into the Champions League. Emery guided Valencia to a comfortable third place finish this season, more than 20 points adrift of Barcelona and Real Madrid, but nine points clear of Villarreal.

Espanyol land Albin | Eurosport
Espanyol have beaten Newcastle to the signature of Getafe forward Juan Albin. Espanyol have also signed another Uruguayan, international U21 midfielder Adrian Luna, from Defensor Sporting Club. Both players have agreed five-year deals.

Aitor Ocio extends Athletic stay | LFP
Athletic Club defender Aitor Ocio extended his contract with the Bilbao-based club by a further year on Monday. Ocio will remain with Athletic until June 30th 2012.

Sevilla strengthen with double signing | Eurosport
Sevilla have bolstered their squad for next season by signing former Germany international Piotr Trochowski from Hamburg SV and Manu del Moral from La Liga rivals Getafe. Midfielder Trochowski, 27, has agreed a four-year deal and forward Del Moral, also 27, has signed for five seasons, Sevilla said on their website.

Tamudo set to quit La Real | LFP
Real Sociedad striker Raúl Tamudo revealed that he is likely to leave the Basque club before the pre-season. "A couple of weeks ago I was told that it would be difficult for me to continue here," he told reporters on Monday.

Lotina bids farewell to Deportivo | ESPN
Lotina, 53, took over Depor in 2007 and led the club to top-10 finishes - ninth, seventh and 10th - in his three previous seasons in charge, but has now left the former La Liga champions, informing fans in an open letter.

Esteban pens new Almería deal | LFP
Almería goalkeeper Esteban Andrés Suárez signed a two-year contract extension with the club on Monday. The player told journalists, "I am thrilled to be continuing with Almería; my family is settled here and even though I haven't had the chance to play very often, I have always received confidence from the club and affection from the fans."

Join Barca Blaugranes and become members of our website and participate in our chat room on the front page. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow me on Twitter @bcernensek