Football Espana

The magnitude of Barcelona’s salary limit struggles remains unclear, but certainly it is not a healthy situation. After Ilkay Gundogan was encouraged to leave for Manchester City this week in order to save money, it seems the Blaugrana will look to sell one of two defenders they had been planning to keep.

According to Sport, selling one of Eric Garcia or Andreas Christensen is one of Deco’s tasks in the final days of the transfer window in order to increase their spending capacity. The former is allegedly more open to an exit than at the start of the summer. While Newcastle United were pursuing him at the start of the summer, their own financial fair play issues have ruled them out of the race.

Pedri might take Ferran's spot in the starting XI, but besides that, Flick isn't considering any changes from the lineup used against Valencia. @scapde_45

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 22, 2024

Barcelona want at least €25m for Christensen, and the Catalan paper credit Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur with interest in the former Chelsea man. The Danish defender has two years left on his deal, and thus a sale makes sense for Barcelona if they do not intend on renewing his contract – his camp are testing the market.

Meanwhile Garcia is keen to stay and fight for his chances, Barcelona may tell him that he will receive little game time, knowing that Girona remain interested in him. He spent last year on loan there, but Barcelona would want a transfer for the 23-year-old. There has also been talk of the Blaugrana moving for a right-back in the last week of the window. If that is the case, then Jules Kounde could return to central defence.

Reports at the start of the summer claimed that Garcia could return to Girona for €15-20m, although Quique Carcel is yet to make a move for him. Recent information is that Barcelona are still looking to bring in a left winger, in particular Juventus’ Federico Chiesa, and there is no doubt they have a couple too many options in central defence, although the same could be said of their attack.

Christensen has been consistently good at the back for Barcelona, and provided solid performances since his arrival. Garcia’s form has been less consistent, but he is coming off his best season yet for Girona, and an Olympic gold medal with Spain. He is also five years Christensen’s junior.

It’s been a rather quiet summer so far for Espanyol, who had only closed two signings before this week. That numbered doubled on Wednesday, with deals completed for a new striker and midfielder.

Alejo Veliz, who was on loan at Sevilla during the second half of last season, has signed on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentine youngster is likely seen as the replacement for Martin Braithwaite, who left last month under a cloud of smoke in order to join Gremio.

✍️ OFICIAL | @alee_veliz s'incorpora a l'#RCDE

— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) August 7, 2024

As well as Veliz, Espanyol have confirmed the arrival of Alex Kral. The former West Ham United and Spartak Moscow central midfielder makes the move from Union Berlin, also on a season-long loan.

✍️ OFICIAL | @alexkralcz, nou jugador de l'#RCDE.

— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) August 7, 2024

Atletico Madrid appear to be closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, as Diego Simeone’s wait for a new midfielder appears to be coming to an end. A fee in the region of €35-40m is almost agreed upon, after which personal terms would need to be sorted – this could be an obstacle, but there is confirmed from within.

However, it won’t be straightforward for Atleti to get their man. Not only could these personal terms be a hiccup, but they’re also expected to receive strong competition for Gallagher’s signature from Tottenham Hotspur. Sky Sports have noted that Chelsea are expecting to receive an offer from their London rivals.

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 JUST IN: There is still a lot of work to be done on the Conor Gallagher deal as Atlético Madrid do not yet have an agreement with the player.

Atleti and Chelsea are close to agreeing on a fee, but Tottenham are expected to make a bid.@SkySportsLyall pic.twitter.com/PmQRK7IfUB

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 31, 2024

Football Insider also say this, as well as reporting that Spurs intend to hijack Atleti’s efforts to sign Gallagher, who has emerged as their leading midfield target over the last couple of weeks.

Atletico Madrid appear to be closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, as Diego Simeone’s wait for a new midfielder appears to be coming to an end. A fee in the region of €35-40m is almost agreed upon, after which personal terms would need to be sorted – this could be an obstacle, but there is confirmed from within.

However, it won’t be straightforward for Atleti to get their man. Not only could these personal terms be a hiccup, but they’re also expected to receive strong competition for Gallagher’s signature from Tottenham Hotspur. Sky Sports have noted that Chelsea are expecting to receive an offer from their London rivals.

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 JUST IN: There is still a lot of work to be done on the Conor Gallagher deal as Atlético Madrid do not yet have an agreement with the player.

Atleti and Chelsea are close to agreeing on a fee, but Tottenham are expected to make a bid.@SkySportsLyall pic.twitter.com/PmQRK7IfUB

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 31, 2024

Football Insider also say this, as well as reporting that Spurs intend to hijack Atleti’s efforts to sign Gallagher, who has emerged as their leading midfield target over the last couple of weeks.

Girona Sporting Director Quique Carcel has been given a tough job this summer to rebuild their side for their first entry into the Champions League. Already they have lost Eric Garcia, Yan Couto and Savio, after their loan deals expired, but the Catalan side are working hard to replace them.

On Monday Girona announced the signing of Bryan Gil on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The 23-year-old returns back to Spain on loan for the third time in three years, after previous spells at Valencia and Sevilla. Gil will likely occupy the left wing role vacated by the brilliant Savio last season.

Girona Sporting Director Quique Carcel has been given a tough job this summer to rebuild their side for their first entry into the Champions League. Already they have lost Eric Garcia, Yan Couto and Savio, after their loan deals expired, but the Catalan side are working hard to replace them.

On Monday Girona announced the signing of Bryan Gil on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The 23-year-old returns back to Spain on loan for the third time in three years, after previous spells at Valencia and Sevilla. Gil will likely occupy the left wing role vacated by the brilliant Savio last season.

Tottenham Hotspur pounced on one of the most promising La Liga talents in 2021 when they signed Bryan Gil from Sevilla for €25m, but the young winger has never quite settled in England. The 23-year-old is believed to be on the verge of a return to Spain on loan.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Gil will return for a third loan after spells at Valencia and back at Sevilla with a switch to Girona. Spurs will then protect their investment by extending his contract for a year but inserting a €15m release clause, allowing Girona, or any other interested side to make an affordable move for him next summer.

🚨⚪️🔴 Bryan Gil to Girona, here we go! Deal agreed for Spanish winger to join on initial loan from Spurs.

Exclusive details: Bryan Gil will extend his contract at #THFC with €15m release clause.

Girona have priority to sign him… or other clubs can do it, up to the player. pic.twitter.com/hfT1DqdJbw

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2024

Romano says the deal will be completed on Monday, as Girona Sporting Director Quique Carcel seeks to give Michel Sanchez ammunition out wide following the exit of Savio Moreira to Manchester City. Gil currently has two years left on his contract, meaning Tottenham will not be backed into a corner by his contract situation next summer regarding a potential sale.

Girona have already been very busy in the transfer market this summer, and they’ve managed to replace numerous departures that have already taken place: Aleix Garcia with Donny van de Beek, Pablo Torre with Gabriel Misehouy, Eric Garcia with Ladislav Krejci, and Artem Dovbyk (who’s close to joining Atletico Madrid) with Abel Ruiz. However, they’ve set to sort a replacement for Savio, who joined Manchester City earlier this month.

That could be about to change. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks are ongoing with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for Bryan Gil. The 23-year-old has identified Girona as his preferred destination, and personal terms have already been finalised between player and club.

🚨🔴⚪️ Understand Bryan Gil has got his heart set on a move to Girona and personal terms have been agreed.

Player’s camp informed Tottenham that Bryan wants to join Girona at all costs.

Negotiations between clubs over deal formula, talks still ongoing. pic.twitter.com/G65V90pqW0

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 26, 2024

Earlier this week, it was reported that Real Betis were set to miss out on one of their ideal targets for the summer transfer window: Giovani Lo Celso. The Copa America-winning midfielder was strongly linked with a move to Aston Villa, where he’d re-unite with Unai Emery, who has been his manager on two previous occasions.

Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo recently commented that Lo Celso was a “remote” target, and the club’s idea would be to launch an offensive later in the summer, once the funds required to do a deal were brought in. Fortunately for Los Verdiblancos, this plan could still be on track.

According to Paul O Keefe, a reliable reporter on Tottenham Hotspur, Lo Celso’s departure is not advanced, meaning that he’s not close to joining Aston Villa. However, it is noted that the Premier League giants are trying to finalise a move away as soon as possible.

Fee for Hojbjerg just just shy of £12 million. One year left and he and the club had agreed he had no future at Spurs. Nothing advanced with Lo Celso but club pushing for him to move on. Meanwhile they are looking to accelerate with 3 potential inbounds.

— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) July 20, 2024

Real Madrid interest in your star youth talent may well be financially beneficial, but will no doubt send a shudder through most clubs these days, given their recent record of recruiting young talent. The latest to show up on their radar is Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore.

As per HITC, via Caught Offside, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are all interested in the 16-year-old. Moore has featured as part of the youth categories for England, catching the eye, but Tottenham are reportedly confident of holding onto Moore.

Operating from the left, Moore has a contract until 2026, and it could well be that his agent is leveraging fresh negotiations. If indeed he is one of the best of his generation, it is likely that Europe’s giants are at least monitoring him. The problem for Spurs will be if Los Blancos try to convince him to move. Most of the youngsters they have recruited of late have been ready for at least the fringes of the first team though.