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da dobrowin： The two biggest deals so far in Spain’s top-tier this summer have seen Antoine Griezmann join Barcelona from Atletico Madrid, whilst Eden Hazard has switched Chelsea for Atletico’s rivals Real. But what does the rest of the transfer window have in store? Today’s La Liga transfer roundup discusses Barcelona’s interest in Junior Firpo, the future of Gareth Bale and Malcom’s potential departure from the Camp Nou.
Barca edge closer to Firpo
Report: AS is reporting that the departure of Pep Segura as Barcelona’s sporting manager will facilitate Junior Firpo’s rumoured transfer from Real Betis to the Blaugrana. The 58-year-old was said to not be a big fan of the Spain U21 international. Barca are hoping that the deal can be completed this week so that the defender can travel to the USA with the squad on Monday.
Verdict: There has been a fair amount of talk linking Firpo to the Catalan club, and so this deal looks likely to go through. It appears to be more a question of when rather than if. Barcelona have plenty of talent and a plethora of quality all over the pitch, apart from at left-back. Jordi Alba is currently Ernesto Valverde’s only option there, so Firpo’s arrival would be a welcome addition to the squad. At just 22 years of age, he could one day replace Alba as Barca’s first choice on the left side of the defence, and his ability to play left-midfield shows a certain versatility, although it is questionable how much use that will be considering the current manager favours a 4-3-3 with two wingers rather than wide midfielders.
How likely is the deal? 8/10
Real “reopen the track” to Tottenham for Bale
Report: As per Tuesday’s print edition of Sport (via Sport Witness), Real Madrid have “reopened the track” for Gareth Bale’s potential switch to Tottenham. The Wales international was close to a move to Jiangsu Suning, but Florentino Perez’s financial demands scuppered the deal.
Verdict: Bale is almost certain to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, especially considering that Zinedine Zidane has made it so blatantly clear that he does not want the winger at the club. Whilst a return to Tottenham would make sense from a sentimental point of view, financially, it doesn’t seem viable. The 30-year-old currently earns £300,000 a week at Los Merengues and will reportedly not take a pay-cut to leave. Tottenham, meanwhile, only have one player that takes in £200,000 or more every seven days in Harry Kane. Spurs would need to break their wage structure to take him back, and that does not seem like something Daniel Levy would be willing to do. Real, therefore, would likely need to subsidise the former Southampton man’s move to London.
How likely is the deal? 4/10
Zenit in swoop for Malcom
Report: According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Barcelona are close to reaching an agreement with Zenit St Petersburg for the sale of Malcom. Talks between the two clubs are ongoing, with Javier Ribalta, the Russian team’s sporting director, apparently already in Catalonia to complete the deal.
Verdict: What a disappointing 12 months it has been for Malcom. His performances in 2017/18 for Bordeaux were so impressive – he scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in 35 Ligue 1 games – that several clubs declared an interest in him last summer, and Barcelona were so desperate to sign him that they even hijacked the 22-year-old’s move to AS Roma. But he barely got a look in during the last campaign, and made just 24 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga outfit. He has been linked with Everton and Arsenal amongst others so far this summer, so an eventual switch to Russia would be rather anticlimactic. It also seems to be a waste of his ability – surely there is a club from Europe’s top five leagues that would be happy to take him? For Zenit, this signing would be a coup, so kudos to them for putting themselves in a position to make it happen.
How likely is the deal? 7.5/10
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