Who doesn’t love a transfer rumour?
Come on admit, we all do however, this summer looks set to be a window of epic proportions with a host of names being banded around.
Some rumours are just that, but a number have been gathering some pace for awhile now and have quickly gone from being an opinion piece in the newspaper, to a genuine target for the clubs in question.
With Barcelona running away with the league but boasting an aging squad and Real Madrid with Zinedine Zidane back at the helm and in need of a refresh, there is opportunity galore across Spain’s top flight (as Getafe are proving).
So, as the summer transfer window draws ever nearer, we look at some of the La Liga transfer stories that are making the headlines ahead of what has the potential to be a record-breaking spending session for Spain’s top twenty clubs.
Swap deal – Philippe Coutinho & Marcus Rashford
It may be only hours since Ole Gunner Solskjær was handed the permanent reins at Manchester United, but time waits for no man in football as the baby-faced assassin is finding out.
Already he is faced with interest from Barcelona for star stiker Marcus Rashford although this is no simple register of interest.
Ever since Philippe Coutinho’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona last season for a whopping £105 million, it seems the Brazilian has struggled to settle into life at the Camp Nou and now he has announced he wants out.
Manchester United have expressed an interest in the 26-year-old however no doubt their thought plan did not involve Rashford going the other way.
United would be loathe to let one of their hottest prospect leave but Barca would need a replacement should Coutinho leave.
Expect this one to rumble on as much depends on whether Rashford’s head could be turned by the Barcelona juggernaut.
Eden Hazard to Real Madrid
This rumour has been rumbling on for so long its no longer a rumour, rather a matter of time.
Hazard has made it clear that he wants to play under Zinedine Zidane, Zidane needs creativity in attacking midfield and both want to help Real Madrid rise to the top again.
The sticking point is Chelsea and this transfer ban which puts them in a position where any outgoings cannot be replaced, and the Belgium is clearly the Blues best player by some margin.
However, player power is strong these days and few expect the 28-year-old to be pulling on a Chelsea shirt when next season rolls around in August.
Neymar/Adrian Rabiot – Real Madrid
The fact that any major transfer dealing this summer looks solely to come from Real Madrid and Barcelona speaks volume of the pairs needed to strengthen this summer.
Los Blancos expect to be busy this summer as along with Eden Hazard, the club has also moved ahead in the pecking order for PSG midfield Adrian Rabiot as the 23-year-old has put in a string of impressive performances for PSG and France over the last 12 months.
However, perhaps the biggest story involves former Barcelona attacker Neymar and his desire to join Real Madrid.
After taking the decision to leave the comfort of the Camp Nou for PSG, it seems Neymar has spied an opportunity to be the main man in Madrid (something he could never achieve with Messi sticking around at Barca).
The Brazilian keeps referencing Real Madrid as a desired destination and if Real can find the cash for Rabiot, Hazard, and Neymar, they would prove to be quite formidable once again.
Only time will tell what will happen this summer, but if these rumours come true, then expect to see La Liga clubs break their own transfer window record.
