Lionel Messi is seemingly one big step toward leaving France after Paris Saint-Germain slapped him with a two-week suspension after an unauthorised trip. However, is his much-touted return to La Liga and Barcelona still on the cards amid the Argentine superstar’s links with Saudi Arabia?
Barca are planning more non-Messi moves for the summer, as are the two Madrid clubs. Meanwhile, a couple of the top La Liga youngsters have caught the eye of the top clubs in Europe.
Read on below as SBOTOP lists down the latest news and updates in and around La Liga as the summer transfer window nears.
Messi’s PSG future more in doubt
Will Lionel Messi be on the move? That is the big question of the summer as the World Cup winner’s future remains undecided.
But it is increasingly looking like Messi will be parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain as his relationship with the club has soured. PSG have suspended Messi for two weeks after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and are now expected to not offer him a new contract.
That should come as welcome news for Barcelona, who are hoping to bring the club legend back next season. Although, the Argentine has also been linked with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal as well as MLS club Inter Miami.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned that Messi returning to Barcelona would be “very complicated” due to the club’s financial situation. So while Messi’s time at PSG is potentially coming to an end, he may yet end up somewhere other than Barcelona.
Barca plotting other non-Messi moves
Messi is far from the only move Barcelona are planning this summer. They are also looking to sign another striker to back up Robert Lewandowski. They are reportedly eyeing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who just left the club last summer to join Chelsea. They have also been linked with Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, who is out of contract in the summer.
Barcelona have also been reportedly targeting Bayern Munich right-back Benjamin Pavard and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, but recent reports have cast some doubt on those deals. Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco has also been consistently linked with a move to the Camp Nou as his future at the Metropolitano looks uncertain.
And in terms of departures, Ansu Fati could potentially be on the way out as he reportedly grows frustrated with a lack of playing time.
Real Madrid attacking reinforcements, potential sales
Real Madrid have work to do in the summer transfer market after their meek title defence this year, and they seem to have some big moves lined up if recent reports are to be believed.
Los Blancos have been strongly linked with Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, which would undoubtedly cost upwards of 100 million pounds.
To help finance a move, there are suggestions that Real Madrid may opt to sell their marquee signing last summer, Aurelien Tchouameni. The French midfielder has had an underwhelming debut season at the Bernabeu, with his form dipping since the World Cup. But while Tchouameni has struggled, it would still be a major surprise if Madrid move on from him so soon.
Real are also reportedly set to move on from another Frenchman in full-back Ferland Mendy. The 27-year-old has struggled to lock down the left-back spot over his four years at the club and has made just 15 La Liga appearances this season amid more injury issues.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is played well at full-back in recent weeks, while Fran Garcia of Rayo Vallecano has been linked with a return to Real.
And for attacking reinforcements, Real are reportedly keen on Chelsea forward Kai Havertz as an alternative to reigning (but ageing) Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema. The 23-year-old German has just seven Premier League goals in 30 appearances this season as Chelsea have struggled to score all season long.
Atletico Madrid eyeing new additions
Atletico Madrid have already begun their summer transfer business as they’ve sealed a move for Leicester City centre-back Caglar Soyuncu.
The Turkish defender, who is out of contract in the summer, has signed a pre-contract agreement that will reportedly tie him to the Los Rojiblancos for four years.
Meanwhile, right-back Matt Doherty looks set to move back to the Premier League, with his old club Wolves and Crystal Palace linked. The 31-year-old moved to Madrid in January after his contract with Tottenham was terminated, but he has struggled for playing time in Spain, as he’s made just one appearance in La Liga.
Atleti are also reportedly keen on South Korean winger Lee Kang-In. The 22-year-old has produced plenty of La Liga 2023 highlights with Mallorca, scoring six goals and delivering four assists in 31 games.
La Liga youngsters on big clubs’ radars
A couple of La Liga’s up-and-coming stars could be getting big moves this summer.
Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Europe and has attracted the interest of several top clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old Veiga has scored nine goals with four assists in 30 La Liga games for Celta as they’ve defied the La Liga 2023 odds for most of the season.
Meanwhile, Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah is reportedly being scouted by Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea. The 20-year-old American international has developed into a top-tier ball progressor this season and appears ready to take a major step up in his career.
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