As I wrote last week, there may still be plenty to play for in La Liga this term but the summer speculation has long started.
For the Spanish top flight rarely sleeps and is rarely quiet and this year is no exception.
The La Liga highlights keep on coming of course – the latest being a four goal haul for Girona’s Valentín Castellanos against Real Madrid, albeit a Real side whose main focus lies elsewhere with Barcelona champions elect.
That should not detract, incidentally, from the fine achievement of Castellanos who has become the first player in more than 75 years to score four goals in a La Liga game against Madrid – in December 1947, Esteban Echaverria netted five for Real Oviedo.
Yet away from the football where the battle for the final European berths and the bid to beat the drop remains too close to call – take a look at the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds when you get a chance – the transfer rumours are gaining more momentum with each passing week.
Barcelona are reportedly looking to generate €100 million from player sales this summer which could see a handful of first team squad members move on.
Indeed, it appears highly likely at least one forward will be sold.
With Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele deemed as indispensable, it would leave the choice between Raphinha, Ferran Torres and talented youngster Ansu Fati.
Newcastle United and Arsenal are reportedly keen to bring Raphinha back to England, just 12 months after he left Leeds United.
Chelsea are also said to hold an interest in signing the Brazilian they wanted last summer before he opted for Catalonia.
It’s not certain though as Barca value Raphinha’s contribution to the first team, although their financial situation could dictate whether he is sold.
And what of another ex-Premier League man?
Eden Hazard’s time at the Bernabeu may well be coming to an end.
The Belgian’s contract expires at the end of next season, but there is a possibility he will depart this summer.
The former wing wizard at Chelsea is also being linked with a return to England and, again, their new found wealth means Newcastle are reportedly interested in ending his underwhelming stay in the Spanish capital.
I mentioned last week that one to watch could well be Canada and Lille star Jonathan David who is in fine form in Ligue 1, equalling Kylian Mbappe at the top of the goalscoring charts and linked with a move to Spain.
David has 23 goals and four assists in 34 appearances so far this term, going stride for stride with Mbappe, despite the fact Lille are in fifth and have netted 18 goals fewer than the French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Canadian forward is joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 with 20 goals.
Madrid may go into the market for another striker and it could be David, although whether he would get regular football, certainly for the next 12 months, remains to be seen as, while a few niggles have been picked up along the way, age is proving to be no barrier for reigning world player of the year Karim Benzema.
Across the city, Caglar Soyuncu is reportedly on the verge of signing a pre-contract agreement to join Atletico Madrid after falling out of favour at Leicester.
The Turkey international joined the Foxes for £20 million in 2018 and adapted well but that has not been maintained and it’s been reported the 26 year-old will depart summer after agreeing a pre-contract agreement.
One young player linked with a move to Barcelona on an increasing basis
is Fabricio Diaz.
The Uruguayan is currently tied to Liverpool Montevideo and plays as a midfielder but has attracted much attention following his performances at the recent under-20 championship where he netted five goals and notched two assists in eight matches, helping the South Americans reach the final where they lost to Brazil.
Transfer speculation will no doubt increase between now and the end of the season – and that’s before the window is even open.
My advice to those La Liga fans: watch this space!
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