Real Madrid and Barcelona are all set for another eventful transfer window this summer after an outstanding season which saw them win the Champions League and La Liga respectively. Los Blancos are looking to complete another world record transfer and Barcelona are looking to make up for their transfer mistakes as well as improve their back four.
Here are some of the major La Liga stories/transfer news from the last 24 hours.
Samuel Umtiti agrees terms with Barcelona
French defender Samuel Umtiti is closing in on a move to the Spanish champions FC Barcelona.
The 22 year old centre back is a target for several Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea, but the player prefers a move to La Liga and Barcelona in particular.
The Lyon defender is expected to cost around 30 million Euros and will partner Gerard Pique at the heart of Luis Enrique’s defence. Argentine defender Javier Mascherano has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou.
Umtiti is currently one of the best young defenders in Europe and could develop into a world class player under the tutelage of Enrique.
Barcelona agree Neymar settlement
Barcelona have confirmed that the club will pay a fine of 4.3 million pounds due to an error in tax planning during the transfer of Brazilian superstar Neymar.
The Brazilian’s transfer from Santos is seen as undervalued and the Catalan giants will have to compensate for that with a hefty fine now.
Club President Josep Bartomeu said: “It was better to accept this pact than continue on with the uncertainty that has dragged on for a long time over the Neymar case”.
Neymar will be a part of Brazil’s Olympic squad after agreeing to sit out the Copa America Centenario this summer. The Barcelona forward was a huge miss for his country as they crashed out of the competition in its group stages.
Neymar scored 31 goals for the Spanish champions last season.
Juventus will demand cash plus Toni Kroos for Paul Pogba
According to the well connected Spanish daily Marca, Juventus will demand for a cash plus player deal when Real Madrid come calling for Paul Pogba.
The French midfielder is expected to leave the Italian champions this summer and Juventus will look to get the best deal possible in case they are forced to sell their best player. He has also been linked with a return to Manchester United.
Marca are claiming that Juventus will ask for Toni Kroos and a fee of 95 million pounds for Pogba.
The German midfielder is a world class footballer and offering him along with a world record fee would be a ridiculously bad deal for Los Blancos. It is highly unlikely that they will agree to such demands.
Real Madrid will be hoping that Pogba and his agent can put some pressure on the Italians so they can sign the player for less.
The likes of Isco and Kovacic could also be included in a deal as the duo have struggled for playing time at Bernabeu.