Vertonghen will actually be available cheap if you compare to what they are quoting for Thiago Silva and David Luiz. Hummels is a cheap buy even at 30 mio in my opining given his young age and calm attitude but he cannot speak Spanish and that may be a hurdle.

In terms of Bale the ball is pretty much in his court. Now Tottenham is out of CL. Bale craves for CL and said he might leave if Tottenham failed to qualify this summer. If Harry Redknapp and Spurs chairman dont hang on to his tits and he declares he deserves to do what he want with them we still might see him at Camp Nou.

As for a forward, it is almost an after thought once Barca has got Alba/Bale and Silva/Vertonghen. That leaves a decent enough amount to get Adrian (Atletico)/Isco (Malaga)/Nilamar (Villareal). I like none of the three but it seems Rosell has got all his eggs in Neymar's hair nest. So Barca has got to put up with some make do forwards.

Milan has a brilliant transfer policy. They always get who they want, cheap. Somehow if you enter into a transfer negotiation with AC Milan you will be the one loosing more than gaining. I am sure every club will admit to this who has had past experience. So if Barcelona tries to get Thiago Silva I fear they may end up giving Messi+10 mio to Milan for him. I just hope Rosell makes it a point that no one except Afellay, Keita, Adriano, Tello, Cuenca, Pedro and Dos Santos is available in a player+cash deal. Hopefully they wont end up giving away more than 2 of them in exchange for Thiago Silva.

Barca is said to have 35 mio for transfer kitty this summer sans sale of players. I think sale of Keita and Tello is on the cards. They could earn 20-22 mio from those sales and have around a budget of 55 mio this summer. Alba-10 mio, Vertonghen-10 to 15 mio and probably Neymar for 40 mio.

I didn't see anything wrong with the game. Barcelona played extremely well. Only thing missing is finishing. If Barcelona had taken all their chances it would have been 2-1 or 3-1 in our favour. Too bad Tello or Xavi didn't do it as did Fabregas and Alexis in the last match. What Barcelona needs are two things next season. Improvements in the attacking third and central/left defensive cover. Whatever happens this season I don't belive there is anything to hold grudge against this team. It just bad luck and own fault of not having taken the chances. I am sure with 2 buy's Barca will be very strong next season, 1) Cavani/Neymar 2) Hummels/Silva.

6) Rick becomes a Man/Woman?

Atletico will beat Real Madrid the day,
1) Guatemala becomes a world super power.
2) Israel and Palestine stop bombing each other to Mars.
3) Justin Biebar becomes a Man.
4) Pele says-"Maradona is the best player in the world ever".
5) Indian Premier League becomes the best football league in the world.

I think any one of this is still possible but with only 40 odd years left in my life, I am starting to have doubts.

Not quite the same you know.

Past and statistics may have some significance in football but it is a lot less than present circumstances and it's demand. Granted that gives hope to us cules in the Madrid Derby but the situation demands with only 7 rounds remaining Madrid just like Barca will give their all. It is in that context that we need to judge who can hold candle to the star power of Dive Maria, Penaldo, Wigcelo and Fish eyes.

They are a formidable team who by hook or by crook know to get a win and only teams that have the will power and quality to stand upto their face are Barca and Athletic abr some exceptional circumstances as was yesterday. You should not expect it to happen everyday though it has happened 3 times in last 5 matches. By the way the most common words in sentence of a biased madridista are-"Conspiracy, Refrees, UEFA (even when one is talking about Liga), Platini's maternal relations with Barcelona and Busquet's messing with Pepe's head and causing delirium".

To say the truth I believe after the classico the toughest game for Barca would be away game to Levante. They are in inspired form and have it in them to stop Barca in their stride. They have been brilliant in counter attack as well with plenty of long balls which is the exact weakness of this Barca team. There is a reason why they are currently 4th in the league and they know how to grow savanna grasslands on their pitch as well makes them a tough nut to crack.

The only games in which Madrid may drop points are as LastTango said above are Barca and Athletic. I am myself amazed at how the game ended 0-0. It was effectively replay of the Barcelona v/s Sevilla game in Camp Nou earlier this season (minus the chances created by Valencia). But Guaita was in Varas mode yesterday. Nothing could beat him. I somehow doubt Atletico has that kind of organization at the back to keep Madrid away for 90 min.

Although they themselves can score there is a high probability that they will get outscored with weak backline. So for a sensible Barca fan it would be prudent to keep hopes on Clasico and Athletic game and hope Barcelona doesn't drop anymore points which given their schedule is achievable bar the clasico.