FC Barcelona News: 29 April 2012; Barça Look To Return To Winning Ways Against Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander Relegated

Puyol: "Tito is the best news" | FC Barcelona
Puyol confirmed that the players "wanted Pep to continue" but on learning of his decision and the reasons behind it, he explained: "The fact that Tito will be the manager is the best news we could get. He’s the continuation of a project and has the support of all the players".

Squad named for Rayo clash | FC Barcelona
Josep Guardiola has announced a squad of 19 players to make the trip to Madrid for the match against Rayo this Sunday. It includes the 16 fit members of the first team squad (Fontàs, Villa, Abidal, Piqué and Xavi are all out injured) plus Montoya, Bartra and Tello from Barça B. The manager will have to leave one player out of the final squad before the match.

Valencia's Jordi Alba to be Tito Vilanova's first signing at Barcelona - report - Goal.com
Alba is believed to be the Catalans' preferred choice due to his familiarity with the club, and it is rumoured that the player has already agreed to a move, with only details over the transfer fee to be ironed out. Barcelona are reportedly willing to acquire him this summer, rather than waiting to take him on a free transfer when his contract runs out in 2013.

Neymar is the best player in the world because when Messi plays badly, he plays really badly, claims Clodoaldo - Goal.com
Brazil legend Clodoaldo has declared Neymar the best player in the world, arguing that even when he is not at his best, the Santos forward still contributes greatly to his team's cause - unlike Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid close in on La Liga title - Yahoo! Eurosport
Karim Benzema struck twice as Real Madrid moved to within touching distance of their first Liga title since 2008 after a 3-0 win over Sevilla at the Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo gave Los Blancos a 19th-minute lead when he cut on to his right foot and drilled in his 43rd league goal of the season.

Fenerbahce pull out of race for Real Madrid's Diarra - report - Goal.com
The Istanbul giants initially saw the former Arsenal man as the perfect addition to their midfield, but the trainer believes that the France international does not represent value for money as the combination of his high wages plus a transfer fee will hurt the Yellow Canaries' financial position.

Real Madrid join race for Biglia - report - Goal.com
Lucas Biglia could be on his way out of Anderlecht at the end of the 2011-12 campaign as Real Madrid are believed to be keen on signing the holding midfielder this summer, AS reports. The Santiago Bernabeu side are in the market for reinforcements in the centre of the pitch as Lassana Diarra is expected to depart the club, and they supposedly see the 26-year-old as the perfect replacement.

Sociedad send Racing down - Yahoo! Eurosport
Cash-strapped Racing Santander, cast adrift at the bottom of La Liga, were relegated to the second division after losing 3-0 at Real Sociedad. French winger Antoine Griezmann scored twice and set up a third goal for Imanol Agirretxe as Sociedad gained a measure of revenge over the north-coast rivals who had helped condemn them to the drop in 2007.