The new La Liga season is just two weeks away and Spain’s elite football teams are returning to training, but there will be a whole lot of action to come off the field before a competitive ball is kicked.
Head coaches at every club are looking to strengthen their squads while keeping hold of their prize assets and, once again, this week’s La Liga 2020 news has been dominated by the rumours surrounding Lionel Messi’s possible move to Manchester City, though matters took a turn for the worse today for Barcelona’s star man.
The Argentine had hoped to enforce a release clause in his contract, meaning he could leave the Camp Nou on a free transfer, but this expired at the end of June while the 2019/20 season was still being played. And today La Liga has ruled that his 700m Euro release clause will have to be paid if he is to leave the club he has served for 20 years. The official statement reads: “La Liga will not approve a request to be de-registered as a player, unless the amount in the release clause has been paid.”
The ruling came after Messi failed to report for coronavirus testing at Barcelona’s training ground this morning, and that means he will be noticeably absent when new head coach Ronald Koeman takes charge of his first training session on Monday. It looks like Barca are ready to play hard ball and test the resolve of Manchester City, who remain the favourites to sign Messi, firstly because he wants to join up with former boss Pep Guardiola and, secondly, because the Sky Blues have the money to make this happen.
Apparently, Pep has been on holiday with his family this week…in Barcelona.
If Messi’s move to Manchester comes off, the Blaugrana will need to move quickly for a replacement, though City have ruled out a swap deal involving any of Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez or Bernardo Silva. But there could be some traction in the suggestion that Liverpool forward Sadio Mane could be on his way the Camp Nou. The Senegalese striker is said to be excited by the prospect of a move to join the Blaugrana, and the Reds are reported to be ready to listen to offers in excess of £90m. That won’t be a problem for Barca if they do land a windfall from a Messi move.
Away from the Catalonian soap opera there are rumoured to be more players planning to hop over from La Liga to the Premier League. Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton are keen to pursue a move for Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez and new boys Leeds United have already secured the services of winger Rodrigo, having paid Valencia a club record £27m for the Spain international.
Capped 22 times and with eight goals for his country the 29 year old will be a big asset to the Yorkshire club as they aim to settle back into England’s top flight.
In terms of incomings to the Spanish League, over in Madrid Los Blancos are at the head of the queue to sign Ajax star Donny van de Beek. Manchester United have been keen to take the 23 year old Netherlands international to Old Trafford, but the player has today said that Real Madrid is his preferred option. Los Blancos are keen on the move too, so advanced negotiations are about to get underway.
The pre-season La Liga 2020 betting odds have already installed the champions as odds on favourites to retain their title, and this is the type of signing which could give them the edge over Barcelona. And with an eye on the future head coach Zinedine Zidane is looking back to his homeland with a view to signing Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga. The 17-year-old Angolan scored a stunning individual goal as Rennes beat Montepellier in Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash and he would be a superb addition to the Real squad.
Meanwhile, across the road at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico Madrid are rumoured to be interested in signing unwanted Barca striker Luis Suarez, after Ronald Koeman made it clear to the Uruguayan he was not required at the Camp Nou.
Here at SBOTOP we recently picked out Antoine Griezmann as one of the big signings from last summer which have fallen rather flat. But I’d dare to suggest that if the 33 year old Suarez went the other way, from Barca to Los Rojiblancos, he’d turn out to be great value for money.
Ronald Koeman has had a baptism of fire as Barca boss, in terms of dealing with players, and he could stand or fall by the events of the next two weeks.
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