THURSDAY'S closing of the Premier League window should focus the minds of those involved in some of this summer’s longest-running and most complex transfer sagas.
A theme of the rumour mills has been Spain’s biggest clubs looking to offload some very highly paid players on huge contracts which still have many years to run, while as usual, La Liga can be a useful market for English sides looking to splash their extra TV cash.
Here are five names sure to be in the headlines over the coming days as potential deals go down to the line.
1. Gareth Bale
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has been very open that he would prefer not to see Gareth Bale around the Bernabeu ever again. Blancos president Florentino Perez has also been finally persuaded that the Welshman should leave, even if the idea of allowing a €101 million signing leave on a free transfer to China was eventually too embarrassing to consider.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has blocked Gareth Bale's move to China as he believes the Welshman is too valuable a player to let go on the cheap, according to The Telegraph pic.twitter.com/mggZF4fvO9
— Goal (@goal) July 28, 2019
Although Bale has been studiously quiet all summer, his agent Jonathan Barnett has made it clear that his client is not happy with how he is being treated. All sides appears to be involved in a high stakes and inflated egos poker game – with Barnett knowing that Madrid are currently on the hook for around €100 million over the three remaining years of his client’s current contract.
The 30-year-old starting the 2019/20 season on the Bernabeu bench remains the most likely outcome at this point. But any top English club bringing a solution to the impasse should really be listened to.
2 Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona have been trying all summer to offload Philippe Coutinho back to England, so far sticking to an asking price of around £90 million, without any firm signs of success.
Speculation of interest from former club Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have briefly flared then died down. Arsenal were the latest to be linked last weekend until Gunners manager Unai Emery admitted to liking the player but not to have any interest in signing him.
Arsenal are targeting Philipe Coutinho on loan, according to Spanish reports. #afc pic.twitter.com/DR9zp6DCKD
— Antonio (@AlHeatAFC) August 3, 2019
The possibility has now been floated of Coutinho moving on a season-long loan deal, with Barca even paying a part of his salary, to try and unblock the situation. Again some creativity will be required to resolve matters, but the Brazilian remaining in limbo going into the new season suits none of those involved.
Phillip Coutinho Transfer Odds
3 Giovanni Lo Celso
Earlier this summer it seemed Giovanni Lo Celso was all but certain to leave Real Betis for Tottenham for around €60 million, but weeks have passed and no deal has yet been done.
Local reports in Andalusia last weekend said Betis had pulled out of negotiations having grown frustrated at Tottenham’s attitude and lack of serious offers for a player who provided 16 goals and six assists in 46 games last season as a midfielder or false nine.
Me waiting for Lo Celso to join #thfc #locelso pic.twitter.com/3RXmtvHngd
— Luke English (@englishluke22) August 2, 2019
Lo Celso then travelled to Morocco with the Verdiblanco squad for Sunday’s friendly in Casablanca, albeit without togging out. Betis have already signed Nabil Fekir from Lyon as a presumed replacement, and also want more cash to sign striker Borja Iglesias from Espanyol.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy might be just running down the clock to his own advantage. But a late surprise should not be ruled out. Especially if Madrid do not prise Paul Pogba from United.
4. Vitolo
Atletico Madrid’s Vitolo could be an under the radar bargain for a Premier League club looking for a direct and experienced option on the right-wing.
Vitolo has had an injury-interrupted time since joining Atletico from Sevilla for €36 million two summers ago, and by the end of last season, it seemed clear that his time at the Wanda was over.
Vitolo makes it 7….yup I said 7… Real Madrid 1-7 #AtleticoMadrid pic.twitter.com/orgOaBnozj
— The Sportz Zone (@SportzGlobal) July 27, 2019
But the Canary Islander, 29, has since been in excellent form in pre-season, including a fine solo goal in Atletico’s 7-3 International Champions Cup victory humiliation of Real Madrid. He admitted last week that he was aiming to show Diego Simeone he deserved another chance, although his future could be elsewhere.
With his fitness issues now looking behind him, Vitolo needs to play regularly most of all to regain the form which saw him hit four goals in six appearances for Spain during World Cup 2018 qualifying. A bid of around €20 million would likely get a deal done.
5. Marc Roca
Any Premier League club needing a new young ball-playing holding midfielder should really be looking at Espanyol’s Marc Roca.
Roca is a similar type player to new Manchester City signing Rodrigo Hernandez, and arguably a better and more positive passer of the ball. Rodri’s decision not to play in this summer’s European Under-21 championships gave the Catalan a chance to shine as the holding midfielder as Spain won the trophy.
Marc Roca meándose a Busquets https://t.co/2VGClHhFuw
— ́ (@dannylh21) August 2, 2019
All of Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Barca, Madrid and Paris Saint Germain have previously been linked with Roca. Bayern Munich made an approach earlier this summer but offered just €18 million for a player with a €40 million release clause. Espanyol’s Chinese owners should really be looking to raise that clause asap if it is not already too late.
