President of Seria A side comfirm he wants to sign Barcelona star Messi

Italian side Sampdoria have emerged as a suitor for Barcelona star Lionel Messi after the club’s president Massimo Ferrero admitted he was eyeing up a ‘dream’ transfer for the Argentine ace.

 Since taking over Sampdoria in June 2014, Ferrero has focused his attentions on making the Serie A side a powerhouse in Italy, as well as in Europe, again after the club’s success in the 1980s and early 1990s.

 And Ferrero, 63, believes that Messi would help in that aim – despite the Barca man having a contract at the Catalan giants until 2018 and a whopping buyout clause of nearly £185million.

 ‘I want to be at the heart of a great Sampdoria again,’ Ferrero told Sky Sport 24.

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Gerard Pique praises Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi as the defender looks to overtake Real Madrid at the top of La Liga

Gerard Pique has paid tribute to his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi as the defender eyes a surge to the top of La Liga in the second half of the season.

 Luis Enrique's side are second in the Spanish league, four points behind Real Madrid, while they are also contending for the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

 And Pique raved about Messi's talents in a season where the Argentina striker has already netted 30 times in 32 games and backs him to lead the club into first.

 Gerard Pique (right) described Barcelona team-mate and striker Lionel Messi (left) as 'a great hero' 

'It’s easy playing alongside him, for he is a great hero,' Pique said on Barcelona's website.

'Our understanding is getting better and better on the field.'

Barcelona could have an opportunity to dislodge Madrid at the top of La Liga on when they play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

 The Spanish league leaders face a difficult fixture away to defending champions and city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday, meaning if they drop points, Barcelona will know they could whittle down the difference should they beat Bilbao.

 But Pique refused to be drawn on how much attention the squad will be paying to the Madrid derby.

'We just have to keep the same level, keep getting results in the league try to put pressure on Madrid, the leaders, so they drop points,' Pique said. 'We have to keep picking up three points.'

Barcelona could change Camp Nou name in new deal with Qatar Airways

Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium may incorporate Qatar Airways into its name as part of a future sponsorship deal.

 The airline’s chief executive officer, Akbar al-Baker, said: “Everything is a possibility for our company, we’re open to surprises and one of these could be connected to the name of Camp Nou.

Qatar Airways and Barcelona have the same values. It is possible that our name is added to Camp Nou.” Last month the Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, cast doubt on an extension to the current €165m (£123.2m) five-year deal with Qatar Sports Investments by saying that social and political issues in Qatar had led to a rethink.

 “We will look at other options – we are obliged to do that,” he said. “It ends in 2016. We are sensitive to the current situation in Qatar, which has changed since four years ago. Now there are social and political aspects which were not there when we signed.

” However, speaking at the Qatar Airways event , Javier Faus, Barcelona’s vice-president, said he expected the partnership to continue. “We need a new sponsor, we have zero problems with Qatar, so it will be a quick decision,” he said.

 Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, was recently caught on camera admitting that the Bernabéu could be renamed the Abu Dhabi Bernabéu. Staff and agencies

Rodgers compares Coutinho to Suarez

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has compared Philippe Coutinho to Luis Suarez after the Brazilian fired his side into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Coutinho scored a thunderous stoppage-time winner from the edge of the box to seal a 2-1 win in Liverpool's fourth round replay at Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday.

 A contentious Eidur Gudjohnsen penalty gave Bolton the lead shortly before the hour mark, and it was not until the last 10 minutes of the game - after Neil Danns had seen red for the hosts - that Liverpool found a way in the game.

 After Raheem Sterling had pulled the visitors level, Coutinho wrapped up the win in stoppage.

And Rodgers was in awe of his 22-year-old playmaker, who signed a new long-term deal at the club earlier this week, comparing him to departed striker Suarez, who left for Barcelona during the close-season.

 "You would pay money to watch the kid," claimed Rodgers. "He is a great role model for lots of technical players in this country.

 "Luis Suarez grew and grew in this team and I can see Coutinho the same way, although he might not be as prolific.

 "Signing a new deal shows he is really committed to Liverpool and his development.

"He will become world class in the next couple of years."

Arsenal, United, Liverpool and Chelsea receive HUGE BOOST as Reus RULES OUT Barcelona move

The German international, 25, is a target for Catalan giants, and according to reports, Barca boss Luis Enrique is a big admirer of the pacy forward.

 However, the La Liga giants look set to miss out on the former Borussia Monchengladbach star.

 In a recent interview, Reus addressed the reports linking him with a move to the Nou Camp, and claimed he couldn't occupy a role in Enrique's star studded team.

 He said: “Where would I play at a club where the attack is made up of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar?

” Reus' latest comments will be a huge boost to Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. 

The English quartet have been tracking the German for the past year, and are believed to be interested in luring him to the Premier League this summer.

Barcelona forward Pedro may leave at end of season due to club’s lack of continuity

During a recent press conference, Barcelona forward Pedro expressed that while he is focused on helping the La Liga side until the end of the season, the 27-year-old may leave La Blaugrana due to a lack of continuity at the club.

The Spain international was regularly called on by manager Luis Enrique at the start of the season. But with the emergence of Munir El Haddadi, and since Luis Suarez became eligible for competition, Pedro has found it difficult to earn a spot in the manager’s starting eleven.

 “I don’t know. For now, I’m happy at the club, but you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” the Spanish forward said. “I’m calm, with my mind set on the club until the end of the season and then we’ll see what happens after that.

” When asked if he would like more playing time, Pedro responded: “Not having continuity makes things complicated. It’s tough, but what I try to do is help out as much as possible.

” In 22 matches since Suarez return from his FIFA-imposed ban, Pedro has appeared 21 times, making only seven starts and fourteen appearances as a substitute – with the majority of his starts coming in Barcelona’s non-La Liga fixtures.

Even though the Spain international seems to be struggling with his new role under Luis Enrique, he remains positive about the club as a whole.

 “The years go by, but at Barcelona there is always the same philosophy,” Pedro continued. “It’s a style that has been there for many years despite the coming and going of different managers.

” The forward went on to say that his style of play has continued under Enrique’s leadership, and he doesn’t feel the manager wants him to change.

Pedro has been with Barcelona since 2004 when he joined the youth team as a 17 year old. He’s made 186 appearances for La Blaugrana since his call-up to the first team in 2008, and has scored 56 goals.

The 27-year-old has also been a Spain international since 2010, helping La Roja win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.