Tag: Spain

Vinicius Jr, 21, has agreed to sign an extension of his deal with Los Blancos at the end of the season.

Vinicius’ current deal with the Spanish giants expires in 2024 which gives the club enough time to discuss a contract renewal.

However, his great form has seen interest in him grow and Madrid have now made headway in talks to extend his deal, with Vinicius agreeing to put pen to paper on a new deal in the summer.

The young Brazil international has finally come into his own at the Santiago Bernabeu following his transfer to the club three-and-a-half seasons ago for €40 million. Madrid are looking to keep him for longer with the hopes of seeing him transform into a world beater and a potential Ballon d’Or candidate to further embellish their rich history.

Reports claim that Madrid wants Vinicius to focus on his football this season, while they prepare the groundwork for the contract renewal and signing talks in the summer.

New contract will come with pay rise for Vinicius

The former Flamengo youngster is Madrid’s second highest goalscorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions, and is third in the standings for the 2021/22 Pichichi race with 10 goals. He is also Los Blancos’ highest assist maker in all competitions with nine.

The winger is one of the lowest earners at the club with his €3.2 million per annum salary. Wages will be a key part of discussions between Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid in the summer as Madrid are aware that Vinicius can’t continue to stay in that wage range.

His transfer value has also seen a significant increase, according to the CIES Football Observatory who placed him as the world’s most valuable player worth €166.4 million.

However, it remains to be seen how much Los Blancos are willing to offer the Brazil international, as they’re also focused on signing Kylian Mbappe and are weighing up the option to sign Erling Haaland.

Both players will place a huge financial burden on the club and a significant increase for Vinicius’ salary could upset the club’s budget balance.

Madrid not dependent on Vinicius Jr, says Ancelotti

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has come out to debunk claims that the club is dependent on Vinicius Jr to create anything in the attack.

The winger is responsible for most of Madrid’s forays into the opponent box this season, leading the stats at the club for the most progressive runs into the opponent’s box.

The 33-time LaLiga champions face Valencia on Saturday and in the press conference ahead of the game, Ancelotti was asked if Vinicius, who is currently sidelined with a slight injury, is the player who the club is most dependent on.

The Italian said: “You can’t say there has been Vinícius dependence at Real Madrid. He did very well in the first half of the season and helped us win matches, but so did Benzema, Militão and everyone.

“To speak this way about one player seems too much, but he has been very important. His dribbling and his role in the counter-attacking has been important, as well as his goals. He is back now and we’re all happy to have him back.”

Dani Alves is finally ready to delight the Barcelona fan base once again after being successfully registered for Spanish and European competitions and making his second debut for the club.

The 38-year-old right back made his first appearance following his return to Barcelona after six years amassing trophies from all around the world in Barcelona’s Copa Del Rey tie away at Linares Deportivo.

Barcelona went into the tie as defending champions and were faced with an early exit after Linares scored through Hugo Diaz in the 19th minute.

The Catalans fought back in the second half to a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Jutgla to progress into the round of 16.

Barca had several players out due to COVID-19 and injuries, but manager Xavi Hernandez’s makeshift side managed to leave Andalusia with their dignity intact, with Dani Alves playing a key role.

The 38-year-old Brazilian started the game as a winger to become the oldest player to feature for Barcelona in a competitive match, surpassing Jose Manuel Pinto by 54 days.

Dani Alves rolls back the years with incredible numbers

Fans were delighted by the return of Alves, who the club has failed to effectively replace since he left Camp Nou six years ago.

The former Sevilla man dropped a defensive and attacking masterclass to show the youngsters that he was not back in the side to ride along.

Dani Alves created seven chances for his teammates – three more than anyone else on the pitch for both clubs – including two big chances. Alves also completed the three dribbles he attempted while having a pass accuracy of 83%.

The veteran right-back also won three free-kicks and made three tackles while conceding only one foul.

Sergiño Dest is Barcelona’s only right back at the moment and is set for some competition with the veteran, who has also promised to help the young American become the best he can be while at the club.

Dest is currently the subject of transfer speculation as well and with Alves turning up the way he did, the American could be on his way out after just one full season at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona is a special gift, says Alves

Alves was happy to speak to the press after the game and waxed lyrical about how happy he was to be representing the Catalan giants again.

“I’m really happy. A film’s going through my mind. After everything that’s happened, to play another official game for Barcelona is such a special gift for me,” he said.

“I was enjoying myself playing with my teammates and competing alongside them. It’s a feeling that we represent. We need to instill this in the team. We know there are more surprises all the time in the Copa del Rey. We need to keep improving as a team.

“We need to have that spirit to compete, that spirit that we can do it. We need to be mentally strong. I think in the end coming through, the goals came for us, and that’s what we need.”

Alves could make his second LaLiga debut on Saturday with Dest still out due to injuries and COVID-19 complications.

Barcelona’s club record signing Philippe Coutinho is set for a Camp Nou exit after a tumultuous four years at the club.

Sky Sports reports that the Brazilian will be returning to the Premier 6this weekend, with six clubs including Aston Villa vying for his signature.

Coutinho’s former midfield partner at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard is now in the Villans’ dugout and has reportedly placed a call to the midfielder to convince him to join the club.

Aston Villa have also been reported to have approached Barcelona who signed the midfielder for a club record £146 million, to inquire about what it’ll take to sign him.

However, despite the efforts made to sign him so far, Villa’s management are likely not going to go into any bidding war with the other clubs who are interested in the midfielder.

Coutinho wants an ambitious sporting project in a team where he can play regularly as he eyes a spot in Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad.

The 29-year-old, who is also attracting interest from teams abroad, will decide his next club before this weekend.

Clubs interested in Coutinho

Barcelona have chosen to count their losses on the midfielder who was once seen as Andres Iniesta’s replacement at Camp Nou.

He was, at the time, a perfect fit for the Catalan club’s famed tiki-taka triangular football style but coaches never quite knew how best to incorporate him into a new-look Barcelona that was starting to take shape.

After several changes in the dugout and many experimental styles to find what can work again at the club, he is now deemed surplus to requirements.

Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian is now working in collaboration with Barcelona, who want to offload the player in order to make space for new signing Ferran Torres, to find a new home for the Brazil international.

The Brazilian’s wage demands are a significant part of whatever deal they can find and it remains to be seen if Aston Villa can handle it despite Steven Gerrard personally demanding for the player.

Everton and Tottenham are also interested, with the latter having reportedly readied a €20 million deal for the player as Antonio Conte seeks to rebuild the Spurs squad.

No club is in pole position to sign Coutinho, according to reporter

Sky Sports News‘ Kaveh Solhekol, who reported the latest on Coutinho, also noted that no club is being ruled out by Barcelona at this point.

“There are lots of clubs interested in signing Coutinho, including six Premier League clubs, as well as clubs abroad,” Solhekol said.

“But he wants to come back to England and to return to the Premier League.

“I’m told no club is in pole position at the moment to sign him.

“I don’t think he knows where he’s going, but he’s got lots of options and his representatives are speaking to different clubs.

“We’ve seen his move to Barcelona hasn’t worked out, it’s been very stop-start. He wants to go somewhere where he can settle and play regularly.”

Kieran Trippier, 31, was the last man to leave the pitch as he waved and greeted the home fans after Atlético de Madrid opened their 2022 calendar with a win over Rayo Vallecano.

The Englishman joined Los Rojiblancos from Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 and played a key part in the side’s 2020 LaLiga title win, even earning a place on the LaLiga team of the season.

As an Atlético player, he has also become a key figure in the Three Lions of England setup, more than he was while at Tottenham.

Trippier has been the subject of rumours of a transfer back to the Premier League since helping Atlético win LaLiga last season. He almost joined Manchester United, but for the €25 million valuation by the Spanish giants which United we’re unwilling to match.

The right back has also made no secret of his desire to return to the Premier League but continues to be professional while donning the Atlético kit.

But after his actions at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, it seems like Trippier has played his last game for the club following a reported bid for his signature from Newcastle United.

Newcastle determined to make Trippier first winter signing

The newly rich Premier League side managed by former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe have targeted Kieran Trippier as their first signing for what should be a busy January window at St. James’ Park.

Howe worked with Trippier when he was manager at Burnley before the right back moved to Spurs. He is said to be the driving force behind Newcastle going after Trippier.

The Magpies reportedly submitted a formal bid to Atlético for Trippier on January 1 and the defender’s actions after the Rayo Vallecano game could very well mean that he is on his way out of Spain and back to the Premier League.

Trippier’s family made some sacrifices as they left their lives in England behind to settle abroad with him as he tried to be part of a winning project and get his career back on track.

Having done that with silverware to boot, the 31-year-old is ready to return to England and resettle his family in their home country.

“I know what I have come here to do and I’ve done it,” Trippier told Sportsmail in an interview last year. “I would love to play in the Premier League again.”

Atlético want Trippier to stay, says Diego Simeone

The manager was quizzed about Trippier’s actions after the game and the whole situation surrounding his continuity at the Spanish capital club.

“As I said the other day, it always depends on the footballer to [determine] what can happen.

“We want him and hope he stays with us but it is clear today that when a player wants to leave he can’t be retained.

“You can’t hold on to anyone in life if they don’t want to stay.”

A young Atlético fan demonstrated the club’s love for the Englishman during the game.

The young fan displayed a homemade sign asking the 31-year-old to stay.

Unfortunately, it may not make a difference but it shows how much Trippier is loved by many at the Wanda Metropolitano and how difficult his exit would be taken.

Real Madrid are always looking to make signings and, as a result, have become one of the biggest buying clubs in world football.

While sources claim that the club’s January will be silent, there is still some news available to the public on potential departures and arrivals and here are two of the latest.

West Ham want Mariano Diaz

West Ham United have reportedly entered the race to sign Mariano Diaz to bolster their attack as the 2021/22 Premier League season gets into its busiest period.

El Nacional claim that the 28-year-old, who is also on the radars of Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla is a key January target for the Hammers who are currently fifth in the league and looking to break into the top four for the first time in decades.

Mariano has not had the return he envisaged when he signed for Real Madrid for a second stint in 2018. The Dominican famously took Cristiano Ronaldo’s number 7 jersey on his return after the departure of Los Blancos’ all time leading goalscorer for Juventus.

Mariano left Real Madrid for Olympique Lyonnais in 2017 after six years of almost no opportunities to showcase his talents. In one season, he convinced Los Blancos to sign him again.

After a good start in his second stint, he has since gone back to being a peripheral player and has even had the number 7 jersey which he demanded on his re-signing taken from him and given to Eden Hazard, another whose future at the Santiago Bernabeu is in doubt.

West Ham, however, will have to contend with Sevilla who have reportedly made proactive moves for Mariano’s signature and have gotten a response from Madrid.

The reports also state that Madrid are demanding €20 million for the striker.

If he leaves in January, Mariano will have made only 65 appearances for Los Blancos in his two spells and have scored 11 goals in total.

Madrid to battle Manchester City for new Brazilian talent

“New talent” does not quite describe Weslley Patati, who is already a phenomenon in Brazil.

Patati is yet to make his senior debut for Santos, yet the club values the 18-year-old at €100 million, which is a clear indication of his talents and the caliber of clubs looking into prying the youngster away from Brazil to Europe.

Real Madrid are the latest club to join the race for Patati and along with Premier League giants Manchester City, are the only clubs with the financial muscle to negotiate any sort of deal for the forward.

Spanish outlet Defensa Central reports that both clubs are currently vying for Patati who has a €100 million release clause in his contract with Santos.

Madrid seem to have the upper hand, however, as Patati has revealed in the past that he wishes to emulate another Santos-trained Brazilian starlet, Rodrygo Goes, in joining Real Madrid.

Rodrygo, 20, joined Los Blancos in 2019 as an 18-year old for €45 million and has impressed in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It remains to be seen if the Spanish giants would be willing to pay €100 million to Santos for Patati, however.

The winter transfer window is officially open and here is the latest news from cash strapped FC Barcelona.

Completed deals

Barcelona have been linked with a number of players despite being in a financial mess.

The club recorded billions of Euros in losses and debts in Jose Maria Bartomeu’s tenure as president and are currently facing their toughest period yet.

Joan Laporta, however, has managed to tie down key youngsters to new contracts with improved wages, while also signing Dani Alves and Ferran Torres for free and €55 million respectively ahead of the January window.

Both players will now be registered as January signings as Xavi Hernandez continues his squad rebuild.

Rumoured deals and contacts

Torres was one of a few Manchester City stars linked with a switch to the Camp Nou. Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva were also rumoured to be in the sights of Barcelona.

Sterling is reportedly learning Spanish from former teammate Torres who is now at Barcelona, and it has been claimed that the England international is preparing for a move to Barcelona.

Fresh reports now claim that another City player, Aymeric Laporte, who is valued at €65 million, is the club’s latest target as Xavi seeks to pair him with his former City teammate, Eric Garcia.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani as well as Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are also rumoured to be on Barcelona’s radar. The strikers are touted as replacements for Sergio Aguero who had to retire due to health issues after just four matches for Barcelona.

Xavi, however, is thought to be on the lookout for a midfielder to replace Busquets who Xavi wants to ease out of the starting 11.

As a result, the club have reportedly established contact with Swiss midfielder Dennis Zakaria who will not be renewing his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach as announced by the German Bundesliga club.

Ajax Amsterdam right-back, Noussair Mazraoui, is also a target and the club is reportedly working on signing him this January. His signing could be key to helping Barcelona sign the most sought-after player in football at the moment, Erling Haaland.

Potential departures

The club’s financial situation has reportedly led to them putting all but Pedri, Ansu Fati, and a few others on the transfer shortlist.

Philippe Coutinho and Sergiño Dest especially are two players whose futures at Camp Nou beyond January are currently in doubt.

The Brazilian is wanted by a number of clubs including Arsenal, Newcastle United and Everton in the Premier League, and Inter Milan in the Serie A, according to rumours.

Dest is attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and most recently, Juventus according to rumours.

Clement Lenglet could also be on his way out this January with both Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur strongly interested in the 26-year-old per confirmed reports. However, Xavi would welcome the opportunity to keep Lenglet for longer at the Camp Nou as he considers the defender a key squad player.