La Liga
Rafael Benitez could raid for £50m attacker if Everton star joins Real Madrid – report
Everton boss Rafael Benitez could look to sign Newcastle United attacker Allan Saint-Maximin if Richarlison makes the switch to Real Madrid this summer, The Mirror reports. The Toffees are yet to make any new signings, and there is uncertainty whether Richarlison and James Rodriguez could stay after manager Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Madrid. Ancelotti has urged Madrid’s hierarchy to move for Richarlison, and it is reported that Benitez has identified Saint-Maximin as a potential replacement for the Brazilian. The Magpies value him at £60 million, but the Toffees believe they could prise him away for around £50m. They could secure a similar fee through Richarlison’s sale. Sportslens view: Richarlison was far from his best for the Toffees last term but still registered seven goals and three...
Report: Liverpool need to increase opening bid by £25m to sign ‘exquisite’ league winner
Liverpool have had an opening bid worth €40 million (£35 million) for Saul Niguez rejected by Atletico Madrid according to a report from Mundo Deportivo. Atleti are ready to sell the Spaniard to the Reds, as covered on Sportslens earlier this week (Click here to read more). It seems as though the fee for the 26-year-old could be a big sticking point, however. Jurgen Klopp has allegedly convinced FSG to make an opening £35 million offer for the Atletico Madrid ace. Liverpool have allegedly made an opening offer for Saul – breton-realvall210522_np5BZ PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx The La Liga giants want closer to £60 million according to a recent report from The Times. Liverpool keen to get Saul signed up The energetic midfielder would be a tremendous addition to Klopp...
Manchester City legend Kun Aguero to play backup role at Barcelona
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero will play a backup role at Barcelona next term. The striker spent 11 trophy-laden years in Manchester, winning the Premier League five times and the FA Cup once. He is fourth in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts with 184 strikes in 275 appearances. The ‘perfect’ combined England and Italy Euro 2020 XI Despite his incredible record, Barca have warned Aguero that he could spend a significant amount of time on the bench next season. That’s according to Spanish outlet AS (via Daily Mail), who claim that the Argentinian has already accepted the role. Barca are worried about Aguero’s fitness after he was limited to 12 top flight appearances in 2020/21. He suffered with a knee injury at the start of the campaign, a hamstring problem in November an...
€25m-rated star wants to leave Barcelona, feels ‘disrespected’ by contract offer – report
Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba is eyeing a move away from the club after feeling disrespected by the contract offer on the table, Marca reports. The 18-year-old made his breakthrough with the Catalan giants last season, registering one goal and three assists from just 536 minutes in the Spanish La Liga. He has now entered the final year of his contract. Talks over an extension have completely stalled with the club’s offer being well below his expectations. The club have offered him a salary similar to some academy graduates, who are yet to make their debuts or don’t have much chance of playing next term. Moriba has been left angry and disrespected by the proposal. His refusal to sign the extension has seen the club demote him to the B team. There has been no renewed offer on the table, ...
Barcelona ‘almost certain’ to sell €60m-rated star if Lionel Messi signs a new contract – report
Barcelona will sanction the sale of Antoine Griezmann if Lionel Messi extends his contract with the club, reputed Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez claims. The Blaugrana are facing a financial crisis and need to lower their wage bill by another €175 million to register new players. Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and Emerson were announced as new arrivals, and they can’t be registered until the wage bill is within La Liga’s salary cap. Meanwhile, the club also can’t afford a new contract for Messi, who is now a free agent. They need to recoup wages from player sales before they can extend his stay. Several high-profile players including Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho and Miralem Pjanic have been tipped to head for the exit door this month. It is now reported that a contr...
Sergio Ramos turned down Premier League move before joining PSG
Sergio Ramos rejected the advances of Premier League duo Manchester City and Arsenal before signing for Paris Saint-Germain, reports Goal. Ramos has been one of the very best defenders of the current generation over his 16-year spell with Real Madrid. At the Spanish giants, he scored over 100 goals from centre-back and won 11 major trophies, including four Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles. In addition, he has also won three major honours on the international stage with Spain. Ramos with one of his four Champions Leagues This summer, the 35-year-old’s time at the Bernabeu came to an end following the expiry of his contract. There was no lack of interest in his signature, with several top clubs looking to snag a world-class defender on a free transfer. And, after loads of speculatio...
Barcelona leave out €25m-rated youngster from pre-season duty amid contract stand-off – report
Barcelona have yet to renew the contract of highly-rated midfielder Ilaix Moriba, reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero claims. The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the best young talents from the La Masia academy, and he made his debut for the club last season. The teenager managed just 536 minutes of playing time in the Spanish La Liga but still impressed with one goal and three assists to his name. The midfielder’s contract with the club expires in June 2022, and the hierarchy have yet to make the breakthrough over a new long-term deal. The Catalan giants start their pre-season campaign tomorrow, and it is reported that Moriba won’t be part of the training group. Sportslens view: The Blaugrana need to reduce their wage bill by a staggering €200 million to register their new sig...
Leicester City ‘most interested’ in signing £240,000-a-week attacker with 64 international caps – report
Leicester City are ‘most interested’ in signing Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho during this summer’s transfer window, Spanish publication Sport reports. The Foxes missed out on the Champions League for a second season running last term after a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the final matchday. Despite this, there has been good progress made, and the club have already shown transfer ambition with the signings of Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumare. They have regularly been linked with Coutinho’s services over the past few months, and it is now reported that they are ‘most interested’ in landing the Brazil international. A permanent transfer does not appear on the cards. A loan deal would be dependent on whether Coutinho accepts a significant pay cut on his £240,00...
Man City targeting Barcelona man as possible Harry Kane alternative
Manchester City are looking at Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann as a possible alternative to Harry Kane, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. Griezmann joined Barcelona for a nine-figure sum back in 2019 from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. He has shown flashes of brilliance since then but has fallen well short of living up to his price tag, scoring 35 goals in 99 appearances in all competitions. Griezmann hasn’t hit the heights of his best days at Barcelona Nonetheless, there is no denying his huge talent. Throughout his years at Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, the 30-year-old established himself as one of the finest players in the world, hitting over 200 goals in all competitions from 2009 to 2019. His spell at Camp Nou could be about to end, with Mundo Deportivo claiming t...
‘Sad reality’, ‘Fraud’: Some Arsenal fans are unhappy with reported interest in Barcelona man
A selection of Arsenal fans have not welcomed the prospect of Barcelona goalkeeper Neto joining the club this summer. The Brazilian was heavily linked with the Gunners in January before they signed Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. Ryan is unlikely to rejoin them this summer, and it has recently been reported that the club are still interested in Neto’s services. His agent Kia Joorabchian is working closely to secure the transfer. Some Gunners supporters are unhappy with proceedings. Twitter reactions: I hate everything that comes after and including, ‘play out from the back’. 😭 — Faris Afiat (@AfiatFaris) July 5, 2021 Onana is the best deal we can get in this position but Edu is twerking for Kia Joorabchian’s clients. This is a sad reality we live in ht...
Barcelona ready to release two stars as they are desperate to keep Messi – report
Barcelona are willing to terminate the contracts of Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic by mutual consent as they look to raise wages to keep Lionel Messi, Mundo Deportivo claims. The La Liga have introduced a salary cap for next season that has reportedly delayed the proposed contract extension for Messi. The club are desperate to keep him, but they will have to lower their wage bill by a staggering €200 million to meet his demands. They recently terminated the contract of Matheus Fernandes and sanctioned the loan exit of Francisco Trincao earlier today. There could be high-profile exits in the coming weeks to free up wages. It is reported that Umtiti and Pjanic are free to leave without any transfer fee. Neither player has accepted the proposal. Umtiti has two years remaining on his co...
Manchester United could swap Paul Pogba to sign €70m-rated transfer target – report
Manchester United could offer Paul Pogba in a swap deal to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane this summer, AS reports. The Red Devils recently reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign long-term target Jadon Sancho. They have agreed to pay around €85 million. They are now likely to focus on signing a new centre-back, with Varane the priority. However, they are not in a position to meet the price tag. After the huge outlay on Sancho, the club can’t afford more than €45m for the World Cup winner. Los Blancos value the centre-back at €70m. Pogba has been a long-term target for Madrid, and it is claimed that the Red Devils could propose a possible swap deal for Varane’s services. Sportslens view: Pogba and Varane have entered the final year of their contracts and...
