La Liga Leaks: Laporte and Iborra PL-bound? Denis Suarez’s future & Valencia set to lose stars

Without doubt the biggest story of the week comes from Basque publication EiTB Kirolak and their exclusive on Aymeric Laporte moving to Manchester City. Apparently the English club has informed Athletic and the player himself of their intention to match the €50m buyout clause, making Laporte the third £30m+ centre back signing in as many seasons.

Laporte responded to the claims by saying they were “unfounded and inaccurate” but stopped short of ruling out a move this summer, saying: “In my mind I’m only thinking about being useful to my club and my teammates in order to reach our maximum objectives this season.” He later goes on to add that due to his deep respect for the club, they would be the first to know of any potential move.

Laporte himself has been linked with a move to fellow La Liga side Barcelona but last week their attention appeared to switch to PSG pair Thiago Silva and Marquinhos. However but both deals have hit snags according to Mundo Deportivo. The French club’s owner, Nasser Al Khelaifi, doesn’t want to sell any of his best players this summer as they look to life after Zlatan Ibrahimovic. This means Barcelona could move for the aforementioned Laporte but €50m, when they want to renew 5-6 key players’ contracts, might be beyond them.

Denis Suarez stole the headlines last Thursday when he had one of his best displays in a Villarreal shirt against Liverpool in the Europa League semi-final, igniting further interest from England in signing the Spanish winger. MARCA say old club Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs all want him on their books for next season.

It seems rather silly though as Barcelona will active their buyback clause - just €3m - for Suarez this summer. He’s been earmarked as a back-up option for the ‘MSN’ strike force and while the player knows his chances of dislodging either of those three are slim, he’s been assured that he will get playing time at Los Cules. And if by next January that isn’t the case, he could still be sold on for more than the €3m it will cost them this summer.

Everyone seems to have forgotten the transfer ban hanging over Real Madrid but speculation continues as to who they will sign this summer. A popular name is that of Borussia Dortmund striker Patrick Aubameyang, who spoke to Cadena SER radio on Monday night. He reiterated that it had always been “a dream” of his to play in Spain and preferred Madrid to Barcelona, admitting he slightly favours Real over Atletico. Although interestingly he does think Diego Simeone’s men would win a potential all-Spain Champions League final.

Dortmund are set to lose Mats Hummels to arch rivals Bayern Munich so would demand nearly €100m for Aubameyang, which seems unlikely when Real can re-sign Alvaro Morata for less than half of that. The Spanish striker appears set to return home to Madrid as Juventus themselves begin to look at alternatives such as Edison Cavani at PSG.

According to Estadio Deportivo, Sevilla’s goalkeeper Sergio Rico is Barcelona’s number one target if they sell Marc-Andre ter Stegen this summer. Liverpool are said to hold a strong interest in the German while also being impressed by Rico’s performances, and he could prove to be an alternative for The Reds if ter Stegen decides to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona.

Former Malaga striker Juanmi Jimenez, currently on the books of Southampton, is being strongly linked with a return to Spain. Real Betis, as well as Real Sociedad, are keen to bring the striker back to La Liga this summer as he’s struggled to settle in England. “There have been talks with both his club and the player. Let’s see if anything comes from them,” is what La Real president Jokin Aperribay had to say when asked about Juanmi.

Sticking with Estadio Deportivo, there’s growing interest in Sevilla’s Vicente Iborra from England. The powerful midfielder who can double up as an emergency striker has long since been rumoured to trade La Liga for the Premier League but it seems this summer could finally be the time he makes the plunge. Unai Emery doesn’t want to lose him but knows the financial might of English clubs could sway it. West Brom, West Ham and Southampton are all willing to pay around €10m for his services.

Over in Valencia both Superdeporte and Plaza Deportiva believe Andre Gomes’ future was discussed in recent meetings between club owner Peter Lim and his staff. The asking price is €65m if Juventus want to make the Portuguese international one of their star signings this summer. There also remains strong interest from England, notably from Manchester United and Chelsea – the latter of which had a bid rejected in January 2015.

Although it appears Juventus won’t be content with just Andre this summer as they also want star centre back Shkodran Mustafi. Juve actually tried to sign him back in 2014 but the German international chose Valencia instead. With the cost of securing both men likely to be in excess of €100m, players could be thrown into the deal – Roberto Pereyra being a possibility.

One player who is certain to leave Los Che this summer is Sofiane Feghouli. The Algerian winger’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign and despite talk of a move to the Premier League or Serie A, it appears Turkey will be his next destination. Turkish media claim he has agreed to join Fenerbahce.