Inside Spain is a weekly installment brought to you by Football España, giving you an insight into all the top stories coming out of the rich and intense climates of La Liga and beyond.
As the time for New Year’s resolutions approaches, clubs are also hoping to sort out their transfer plans for the upcoming winter and summer markets. While it doesn’t look like there will be too much action in January in Spain, there will be movement in the summer.
Real Madrid, despite their major injury crisis at central defense, have reportedly altered their transfer plans and are no longer actively looking for a central defender. Their priorities are a central midfielder and a right-back, who is on the move both accounts are bad news for Liverpool.
River Plate star Franco Mastantuono was linked with Manchester United and Manchester City (as well as Barcelona) earlier this year, but just six months ago he appeared to be on his way to Real Madrid . Well, the whites have done it he abandoned that career also, open a door for someone else.
“Vinicius is suffering from racism in Spain, but how many people are saying it’s Vinicius’ fault? Can you imagine that? A young man is suffering from racism and we’re saying that his behavior encourages racism… It’s unbelievable.”
??Lilian Thuram pic.twitter.com/i4wSPud6oW
— Football Spain (@footballespana_) December 26, 2024
Barcelona do not plan to go through this open door, but they have enough to face it alone. In February, they will discuss Robert Lewandowski’s future with him, and in the summer the board told sporting director Deco to bring in 80 million euros in sales. It is no small task.
However, there is good news at Can Barca as they await the court’s decision on Dani Olmo’s registration. The Catalan giants feel they have it convinced Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah to sign for them The deal isn’t done yet, but Tah’s decision has apparently been made.
On the coast of Valencia, Los Che are in the middle of a crisis. At the bottom of the table, with club legend Ruben Baraja sacked, West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberan has been brought in to save him. Valencia paid €2.4m to bring Corberan away from the Midlands, but his appointment has not been met with much enthusiasm.
Corberan was announced more or less as the clock struck midnight on Christmas Day, but Celta Vigo fans were much happier with their gift. Legendary striker Iago Aspas, 37, has extended his contract for a further season until 2026 – this season he has 9 goals in 13 starts. Another former Liverpool pupil could also return to La Liga action in January, with Real Betis apparently in talks for Arthur Melo to join from Juventus.
