Ok, so we are still a way off the start of the new Premier League season, but the opening day fixtures are now out. See the full list of top-flight games and the early match betting.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists that Barcelona’s big-money bid for Zlatan Ibrahimovic should not be compared to Real Madrid’s massive spending spree this summer.

Laporta has been vocal in his criticism of Real for spending over €200million in the close season to bring in the likes of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul Albiol and Karim Benzema.

However, Catalan outfit look set to unveil a marquee signing of their own with the news that Inter’s Ibrahimovic is poised to join a swap deal that will see Samuel Eto’o join the Italian champions.

Last season’s treble winners have agreed a fee of €45million with Inter for Ibrahimovic with Samuel Eto’o being offered in exchange while Barca midfielder Alexander Hleb will also move to the San Siro on loan.

“It’s a different sort of deal, because it’s based around different financial amounts, which are fairly reasonable,” he said.

“And because it also involved the sale and the loan deal of a player that we were working on before this deal.

“It’s not an expensive deal. It’s come about from talent and hard work.”

Laporta also admitted that the club had decided to sell Eto’o before he had even spoken with Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti.

“As a result of a conversation that I had with Eto’o before my meeting with Moratti, we understood that it was time to look for a team for him and 24 hours later the possibility of going to Inter came up,” he added.

“Eto’o will go to a club where they will also treat him with respect.”

The Barca chief is confident the deal will proceed refused and played down fears that Eto’o might turn down the chance of a move to Serie A.

“It’s a scenario that we’re not contemplating at the moment,” he stated.

“We have come to an agreement with Inter about the fee and we are waiting for Inter to come to an agreement with Eto’o and us with Ibrahimovic.

“I talked to Eto’o after the meeting with Moratti that night and then Inter talked with his agent and (Jose) Mourinho talked to Eto’o.”

Ok, so we are still a way off the start of the new Premier League season, but the opening day fixtures are now out. See the full list of top-flight games and the early match betting.

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