Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Puyol fit for the first derby

Carles Puyol is completely recovered from a tough injury that kept him from playing during three months. That's good news for Guardiola, who is focused in using his best men to beat Real Madrid.

Josep Guardiola is taking the whole squad to Madrid, even those players that cannot be in this match: Mascherano, Abidal and Bojan.

Several top players offered to candidates

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that several players have in the past days and weeks been offered to Barcelona presidential candidates and to directors who are still part of the board, while candidates on the other hand are also sounding out players.

The players who are being linked with a possible move to Barcelona this summer are: Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan) and Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid).

Read more:
Torres not willing to negotiate with candidates
Candidates are trying to interfere in transfer talks
Rosell linked with Valencia winger Mata

Benedito denies talks with Mascherano

In a comment on social networking website Facebook, Barcelona presidential candidate Agustí Benedito has denied that he has been in contact with Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano (25): "It has been published that we are talking with Mascherano. This is not true. I will not enter this game. I've denied the news as soon as I've heard about it. I hope this won't happen again."

British tabloid News Of The World claimed last weekend that Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez fears that Mascherano will be used by candidates to attract votes in Barcelona's presidential elections next year, with Benedito and Sandro Rossell reportedly planning to make the signing of the Argentinian a key election promise. The Spanish coach would therefore hope to renew the contract of Mascherano, that expires in 2012, as soon as possible.

Read more:
Rosell sounding out Fernando Torres
Cesc gives his ok to presidential candidates
Barcelona wants to tie down Ribery before elections