La Liga Leaks: Negredo close to Premier League return + Chelsea ‘want Turan’

As you’d expect a lot of column inches are dedicated to Portugal’s triumph at Euro 2016 but in amongst those, there are a few rumours doing the rounds. In case you were wondering about the severity of Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury, the initial word is that he hasn’t torn his knee ligaments. He’s expected to be out for at least four weeks.

In both Superdeporte and Plaza Deportiva they confirm Alvaro Negredo is very close to a move back to England - with Middlesborough! The Spanish international left the glitz and glamour of the Premier League for the sun and sandy beaches in Valencia two years ago but is set to make a sensational return with Aitor Karanka’s side.

It hasn’t gone to plan for Negredo in La Liga. He arrived with an enhanced reputation after scoring an impressive 23 goals in his first - and only - season for Manchester City. Tasked with being the head of the new Valencia project, it felt like he never recovered from his initial ankle injury and then later his confidence took a knock. Negredo managed just 18 goals in 74 appearances throughout his latest spell in La Liga.

The hope for Boro fans will be that new surroundings will spur him back into life. He could be joined by teammate Antonio Barragan, who Karanka has asked about during negotiations for Negredo. No word yet on what type of deal is being mooted for the right-back but in the case of Negredo, Boro want a loan with an option to buy whereas Valencia would prefer a permanent switch.

According to SPORT Chelsea have asked about the availability of Arda Turan. The Turkish international has endured a horrible year of football that culminated with him being booed by his own supporters for Turkey at Euro 2016. Barcelona are willing to cut their losses on the player in order to raise funds for their own summer spending.

Chelsea were actually very close to signing Turan from Atletico Madrid in 2015 having agreed personal terms and a fee with the cub, before Barcelona swooped in and convinced the player to stay in Spain. He’s struggled to nail down a starting spot after six months waiting to be registered whereas at Chelsea he’d been seen as a key member of the squad. Arsenal, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are also said to be interested in the Turkish international.

One of the brightest prospects in Real Madrid’s academy, Borja Mayoral, is set to move to Wolfsburg on loan according to MARCA. The young starlet doesn’t want to spend another season with Castilla after they failed to gain promotion to newly-named LaLiga2. He scored 15 goals in 29 appearances for them in the league as well as eight goals in seven during the UEFA Youth League.

Wolfsburg, for their part, aren’t willing to just loan Mayoral and then return him to Real Madrid. The options on the table include a loan deal with an option to buy or for Wolfsburg to sign the player permanently this summer but for Madrid to retain a buy-back clause, similar to what happened with Dani Carvajal at Bayer Leverkusen. AS go one further and suggest a move for Mayoral could open the door for Ricardo Rodriguez to join Madrid.

Other news and rumours:

- Jesus Vallejo, another of Real Madrid’s key youth prospects, is also fixed to play a season in the Bundesliga. He will join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. (MARCA)

- Antonio Sanabria should finally join Real Betis today. Gustavo Poyet confirmed to a Spanish radio station that the move was practically done after he’d personally called the player to convince him to make the switch. (Estadio Deportivo)

- Joaquin Correa is the latest name to join Sevilla’s yearly rebuilding project. The young midfielder will arrive from Sampdoria for around €13m. (ABC Sevilla)

- Atletico Madrid are close to signing Argentinian goalkeeper Axel Werner. At 20 years old he is expected to be loaned out to another La Liga side next season. (MARCA)

- Sergio Rico has rejected the chance to join an unnamed Premier League side and has no intentions of leaving Sevilla. (ABC Sevilla)