Football Espana

After missing out on Leny Yoro, and with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba now into their thirties, it is no surprise that Real Madrid are looking at options to strengthen their defence ahead of next summer. It could have a major impact on Tottenham Hotspur’s plans, as they look to maintain one of their stars.

While he still has three years remaining on his contract, there has been talk that Tottenham are looking to hand Cristian Romero a new contract. The World Cup-winner is one of two central defenders that has been revealed to be on Real Madrid’s shortlist, with rumours about their interest in Romero appearing several times over recent months.

According to Fabrizio Romano on his Daily Briefing, Spurs are yet to initiate any contacts with Romero’s camp over a new deal, although he does not rule out that happening over the ‘next few months’. Romano did confirm that Tottenham were keen to hold onto him long-term.

Either way, Real Madrid will likely be a topic. If there is genuine interest from Los Blancos, then that will no doubt be leveraged by Romero’s agent during negotiations. On the other hand, Real Madrid do appear to be evaluating their options in central defence, and there are few better than Romero currently. They have tended to invest big in younger players, although Romero, 26, still has plenty of years left at the top.

Fermin Lopez has had a whirlwind 15 months. Last summer, he was promoted to the Barcelona first team after impressing during pre-season, and in his first campaign in professional football, he was one of the standout performers in Xavi Hernandez’s side. His year got even better when he helped Spain win Euro 2024 and played a key role in winning the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.

This season has seen Fermin make three substitute appearances, as Barcelona have looked to manage his minutes after a busy summer. It could have been even more hectic, as Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign him during the transfer window.

Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, offered a lot of money for Fermín López last summer, but the club refused selling him. @MigRico

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 14, 2024

As reported by Relevo, both club and player rejected the enquiry, as they are keen to continue their relationship. On top of this, Barcelona are already working on offering a new contract to the 21-year-old, which would be richly deserved.

On the final day of the summer transfer window, Real Betis finalised the signing of Giovani Lo Celso, who returns to the club following a five-year absence. Los Verdiblancos managed to close an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur, although they had to use Johnny Cardoso to do so.

It’s been reported in recent days that Spurs have a buy option for Cardoso, which allows them to sign the American midfielder for lower than Betis’ asking price would typically be. Angel Haro, president of the Andalusian club, has confirmed these reports (via MD).

“Johnny is a player who not only interests Tottenham, but many other teams. Within the operation of Gio (Lo Celso) they asked us for an option to buy for a value that, for us, was important and interesting. We did give them that option.”

According to the report, the value of this clause is €25m. It is only active for next summer, and if it is triggered by Spurs, Betis would have money to spend – money that could be used on Vitor Roque.

Images: Jules Koundé arriving for national duty. @equipedefrance 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/txYbXBynbO

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 2, 2024

Betis have got Roque on loan for this season, while they also have the option to extend this agreement by an additional 12 months. On top of this, they have two buy clauses: one worth €25m (only available next summer) and the other is valued at €27.5m (active in summer of 2026).

Real Betis had an interesting end to the summer transfer window. Nabil Fekir’s late move to Al-Jazira Club opened the door for incomings, and ultimately, Giovani Lo Celso ended up returning from Tottenham Hotspur, five years after he left for the Premier League side.

Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo was a busy man last week, and he spoke (via Marca) on Fekir’s exit, which came as a surprise to many supporters.

“In the last days of the transfer window, Nabil’s entourage gave us a proposal. After talking to him, he also made us see that his cycle at Betis was coming to an end. All parties considered that the best thing to do was to accept that proposal, and for Nabil to leave.”

As part of the deal to bring Lo Celso back to the Benito Villamarin, it was revealed that Betis had agreed a special clause with Spurs, allowing them the opportunity to sign Johnny Cardoso at a fixed price next summer. Fajardo gave a coy response when quizzed on this topic.

“He has played an important role for his rights for the future. Leaving next summer? It would depend on Tottenham and other proposals that came in.”

Finally, Fajardo also spoke on Betis’ failed pursuit of Dani Ceballos. The 28-year-old midfielder was pursued in wake of Fekir’s departure, but ultimately, a deal could not be agreed with Real Madrid.

“He was a real option in the last hours of the market. Today Dani has a contract with Real Madrid and we wish him the best, but hopefully in the future we can give everything so that he can return home.”

Giovani Lo Celso returned to Real Betis on Friday, signing a three-year deal upon arriving from Tottenham Hotspur. As part of the agreement between the two clubs, it was revealed that the Premier League side will have a special clause for Johnny Cardoso’s, one of Los Verdiblancos’ highest-value players.

Johnny joined Betis from Internacional in January in a deal worth €6m, and during his time in La Liga, the USMNT pivot has shown himself to be a fine player. AC Milan were one of the clubs to make an offer for the 22-year-old, but it was turned down.

Relevo have revealed the details of Spurs’ “Johnny clause”. It is worth in the region of €25-30m, so Betis would have to accept this amount if it is paid. Furthermore, the clause is open active next summer – it cannot be activated before, and if it not touched by September 2025, it disappears forever.

Tottenham Hotspur went into a negotiation with Real Betis looking to sell one player, and have come out with part of another. Giovani Lo Celso will move back to Seville on transfer deadline day, but the compensation received by Spurs has taken on a curious form.

Lo Celso was Betis’ top target after missing out on Dani Ceballos, and they were desperate to get a deal over the line with Tottenham Hotspur. However they were keen not to pay a fee, and will end up fronting just his salary for a three-year deal with the Argentina international, who has an option for a further year.

Matteo Moretto has explained to Football España that instead of a fee, Spurs will have an option to buy USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who arrived at the club in January for €6m. If they do not want to buy him, they will still have the chance to make money on the 22-year-old, instead retaining a sell-on fee percentage.

Cardoso has looked impressive in the early going, and is a defensive midfielder primarily concerned with holding the defence together, and recovering the ball high up the pitch. He is competent on the ball, and possesses a vicious shot – just months after arriving, he was already being tipped for a big-money move this summer.

Real Betis are desperate to bring in a creative presence before the end of the summer transfer window, and it looks as if they are not going to have the funds to bring in Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid. They are turning their attention to another former midfielder of theirs.

Betis have submitted a final offer for Ceballos, but they are not hopeful of it being accepted, and as such, have opened talks with Tottenham Hotspur for Giovani Lo Celso again. Like Ceballos, Lo Celso has been perenially linked with a return to the Benito Villamarin in recent summers, but like Ceballos, the finances could get in the way.

Despite the Argentina international having just a year left on his deal, Spurs are demanding around €15m for his signature. Betis have made a first offer of around €6m for Lo Celso though. Marca say that Betis are awaiting a response, with Aston Villa also linked to Lo Celso.

Manuel Pellegrini does have Isco and Pablo Fornals at his disposal but with another season in Europe, will no doubt be keen to have plenty of depth available. Additionally, and in comparison to the departing Nabil Fekir, Lo Celso and Ceballos can play deeper in midfield with Isco ahead of them.

Nabil Fekir has been linked with a move away from Real Betis for most of the summer. However, it had appeared that he would be remaining at the club until 2025 at the earliest, having been named as one of the captains before the start of the season. However, it’s now almost certain that he will be moving on.

As reported by Relevo, Fekir is on his way to Paris to finalising his exit. He will negotiate with Al-Jazira Club, and the assumption is that a deal will be closed before the summer transfer window closes in Spain on Friday.

Fekir’s departure will free up funds and salary space to pursue a sufficient replacement. The report notes that Giovani Lo Celso and Dani Ceballos, two former Betis players, are the favourites to return to the club before the end of the week.

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