​Two records set by Blaugranes in World Cup semi-finals signal a strong Barcelona footprint as FC Barcelona remains prominently represented among the four hopeful teams pursuing the global title. Laia Aleixandri continues her recovery journey with Barça after undergoing right ACL surgery last February; her return to action is progressing well as she works through the rehabilitation process.
In other news, Adeyemi is no longer training with Borussia Dortmund. Mundo Deportivo reports that the German club confirmed the forward and Kjell Wätjen did not participate in the medical tests this Sunday because they are currently in talks with other clubs and were granted exemption due to those ongoing discussions.
From a development and youth perspective, a champion for Flick has emerged. Mundo Deportivo notes that Xavi Espart, who won the Under-19 European Championship, will be at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday to begin training with the FC Barcelona first team. Espart accomplished his goal of preparing for the tournament by getting into peak shape, performed exceptionally, and leveraged that momentum to join the preseason squad.
On the transfer front, Arsenal is pressing to seal the signing of Julián Álvarez. The Independent reports that the London club views an opportunity to finalize a deal quickly and is prioritizing the Argentine forward, while ruling out further attention to Barcola as it concentrates its efforts on Álvarez. This development highlights Arsenal’s urgent strategy to bolster their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season and positions Julián Álvarez as a primary target in their pursuit of a swift agreement.