FC Barcelona: News: 1 August 2011: Afellay out for 5 weeks, Puyol's getting better, and Pep played for Charity

AFP: Barca's Afellay sidelined for 4-5 weeks

"The thigh injury to Ibrahim Afellay was confirmed this morning, with club doctors predicting a four to five week lay-off for the Dutch winger," the club said in a statement on its website. He will miss the Spanish Supercup against arch-rivals Real Madrid on August 14 and 17, and the European Supercup against Porto on August 26.

Puyol: "I‘m feeling better every day" | FCBarcelona.cat
Carles Puyol has no problems with his knee and told reporters he is feeling "better", but after a six month period dogged by injuries, he’s not prepared to put a date on his return.

Football and entertainment with Kobe Bryant and Guardiola | FCBarcelona.cat
One of the joys of charity games is often seeing things that would never happen in a normal game, such as both teams wearing Barça shirts, an NBA star on the pitch or the return of a football legend –Pep Guardiola. Kobe Bryant wore the number 24 shirt and even kept his sunglasses on throughout the game. In his defence, his size is maybe not really suited to football, though he did score a goal….unfortunately it was an own goal.

Adriano to rejoin squad on Monday | FCBarcelona.cat

Pep Guardiola will have the first of his South American players who have been playing in the Copa America back on Monday when Adriano meets up with the rest of the squad in Miami. Adriano didn’t figure in a single game during the tournament, which means he is the first of the South Americans to return to the squad.

Barcelona to offer £36m for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas | Mail Online

Barcelona are set to make their latest offer to Arsenal in an effort to bring the long-running transfer saga of Cesc Fabregas to an end. The proposed deal will be worth £36million – a fixed bid of £26m with £10m of add-ons based on appearances and the club’s success after Fabregas’s return to the Nou Camp. The move is being handled by Barca president Sandro Rosell, who left the club’s tour of the United States on Sunday.

Canales to seal Los Che loan | Sky Sports

Valencia are close to signing Real Madrid's Spain Under-21 international midfielder Sergio Canales on loan. Los Che president Manuel Llorente has revealed that negotiations between the two sides are ongoing. Canales, 20, played just ten games at Madrid last season following a €6million move from Racing Santander last summer and the club are willing to loan him out to rivals Valencia.

Betis hand out Real education versus Havant and Waterlooville - PortmsouthSport

The Hawks were handed a footballing lesson by Spanish maestros Real Betis on a historic evening for the club. The newly-promoted La Liga side battered Shaun Gale’s side 7-0 at West Leigh Park. Betis delivered a masterclass in passing and movement in what proved a real learning experience for their opponents.

Mikel Arteta offered Spanish lifeline as Villarreal prepare bid - People.co.uk

MIKEL ARTETA will be offered a return to Spain with VILLARREAL preparing an £8million bid. The La Liga outfit are on the hunt for a player who will organise their midfield following the £16m departure to Malaga of Santi Cazorla. And after missing out on Real Madrid ace Sergio Canales, who has joined Valencia on loan, coach Juan Carlos Garrido has turned his attentions to Everton star Arteta.

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