Looking through the window
The Spanish transfer window is open as of August 4 and will run until October 5 . It means that, with the new LaLiga season scheduled to get underway on September 12 , we’ll have a run over of around three weeks or so when the wheeler-dealing will be going on as results are coming in, with all the added pressures that may put on panic purchases. Some of the big clubs in LaLiga are already positioning themselves with either declarations of intent or, perhaps, feints to deceive rivals.
In the capital Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has suggested that with finances stretched from the consequences of the pandemic, Los Blancos are unlikely to be making any major moves in the market during this window. It’s an entirely logical stance of course, and seemingly financially prudent, but it’s difficult to recall a transfer window when such concerns guided the actions of Real Madrid. This might be the first one, of course, as these are unusual times, but until 5 October arrives with Zidane content not to have any additions, I’ll reserve judgement on that one.
Talking of Zidane’s present squad, talk surrounding Eden Hazard suggests that last summer’s big signing has been less than happy with his first term in Spain. Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has suggested that Hazard may be struggling with the burden of being a star in the team, with all the pressures that brings with it. The Belgian gave weight to the assessment by admitting that last term was “the worst season of my career individually”. Zidane – and indeed Perez, not to mention Hazard himself – will be looking for an improved level of performance in the new season. Another under par term may well see Hazard’s time in Madrid curtailed.
One player who may be on the way out of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu during this window is left back Sergio Reguilon. Another former Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti who won the Champions League for Los Blancos back in 2013-14, and now bosses Everton in the Premier League is thought to have made a bid of around £18million for the 23-year-old defender, in an attempt to push the Toffees to the front of a queue of three other interested English clubs.
Another 23-year-old player thought by many to be on the way out of Madrid and settling in England has poured a little cold water on such theories. Dani Ceballos celebrated his first trophy in England when Arsenal lifted the FA Cup, defeating Chelsea 2-1 at an empty Wembley last weekend, but if Gunners fans thought the victory might encourage the midfielder to pen a permanent deal, such hopes may need to be tempered a little at least. Currently on loan from Los Blancos, apparently Ceballos has been in touch with his parent club expressing a desire to return to the Spanish capital. Although the door isn’t closed on a permanent move to North London, neither is the one leading back to Madrid.
If the Perez statement is more smoke and mirrors, than a clear statement of fact, the one position that Zidane is surely looking at is a striker. Luka Jovic will surely be eased out of the door in the window, leaving Karim Benzema as the sole established central striker. It’s a situation screaming with potential problems. Described by teammate Raphael Varane as the “complete number nine”, Benzema was the star turn for Los Blancos this season with 26 goals recorded across 47 games in all competitions. Now 32 though, any significant injury to the French striker could leave Zidane in a quandary. Unless, Perez brings another striker in, should the unthinkable happen, Zidane will not be a happy boy.
Talking of Varane, any forestalling of action during in this window has not prevented Real Madrid planning ahead, and Monaco defender Benoît Badiashile has been identified as one for the future. Labelled, somewhat unfairly as the ‘new Raphael Varane’ – no pressure there then – the teenager is earning rave notices in Ligue 1 and also apparently attracting the attention of Manchester
United. Next summer may well see a bit of a bidding war to obtain his services.
Over in Catalunya, the Barcelona president has also been making unexpected and, some would say, surprising statements about the club’s intentions. Many, including yours truly, were accepting the inevitable consequence of Barça’s poor season and surrender of the league title to be the end of Quique Setién’s tenure with the club. President Josep Maria Bartomeu has suggested however that this will not the case. The coach has already been assured of his position for the completion of the Blaugrana’s Champions League campaign, with the implication that this will continue into the new season. Some however, may not be overly convinced.
Former Spurs and Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino may well be clearing the ground for a return to the city. A couple of years down the line from stating that he would never coach at the Camp Nou, the Argentine is deploying a little reverse gear and backtracking. He seemingly opened the door to an invitation from Barcelona by publicly expressing regret for showing the club “disrespect” back in 2018. Don’t get too comfortable in that chair Señor Setién.
Perhaps in tune with Perez, Bartomeu has also suggested that big money buys are not happening in this window. The annual rumours of Neymar returning to Catalunya have fallen strangely silent, with the president suggesting an imminent move for the Brazilian is “unfeasible” and that talks to secure the services of Lautaro Martinez have come to a halt. With any new coach arriving at the Camp Nou likely to expect new additions to a seemingly stale squad, perhaps the transfer inactivity is the path to redemption for Setién.
One person who Bartomeu is adamant will not be leaving the club, is club talisman Leo Messi, with the president insisting that the player will retire at the Camp Nou – cue huge sighs of relief from the amasses Cules. A number of Barça players are likely to be shipping out over the next couple of months though. Despite Samuel Umtiti declaring that he is not interested in leaving, Barcelona have apparently made it clear to the French defender that he no longer figures in the club’s plans and they are looking to sell him.
The sorry saga of Martin Braithwaite seems to be heading for the inevitable conclusion. Signed under hugely controversial circumstances from Leganés in a move that condemned the Madrid club to relegation, after featuring in just 11 league games and scoring one goal, the ‘emergency’ signing is now deemed surplus to requirements. Barcelona are also apparently prepared to listen to offers for Ousmane Dembélé, although what they get offered for the player who cost around €105 million plus a reported €40 million add-ons, when signed from Borussia Dortmund is unlikely to look like anything remotely resembling a return on investment.
With the resumption of the Champions League and Europa League there’ll be plenty of events to chew over next week, plus a few more transfer stories of course. Stay cool in the heat mis amigos.
¡Hasta la próxima semana!