LaLiga: One in one out at Barcelona? A summer of change set to sweep through the Nou Camp

With international football continuing to disrupt our weekend plans, there’s plenty of transfer talking going on over in Spain. Most notably up in Barcelona as plans are afoot to strengthen the side ahead of next season. And, despite spending just under €300m in the past six months, it appears Los Cules are still intent on revolutionising their forward line.

For €100m, is Griezmann too good to turn down for Barcelona?

Antoine Griezmann is hardly a new name on Barcelona’s radar – they were warned about an illegal approach by Atletico Madrid last year – but the story seems to be carrying a little more weight these days. There’s an air of inevitability this will be the French forward’s last season working under Diego Simeone. The relationship with the fans is deteriorating and his teammates sound like they’ve given up hope on him sticking around.

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Perhaps the greater question is where does he fit in? Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are already a formidable attacking quartet. Who do you drop to facilitate the arrival of Griezmann? After the first couple of months it seemed like Suarez was the most likely to miss out. However, 21 goals in 25 LaLiga matches suggest there’s life in the old dog yet.

Griezmann would help extend ‘Messi’s era’

Mundo Deportivo dive into the details behind Barcelona’s pending move for Griezmann. The club believe it’s now or never. Griezmann is 27 and about to enter his peak. At €100m, in the current market, they feel it’s a potential ‘steal’. His experience in LaLiga and his desire to win medals all add value to a deal.

The newspaper also suggests Griezmann’s signing would be to prolong the ‘Messi era’ at Barcelona. They don’t specify as to how exactly as we all know Messi doesn’t like to miss any football matches.

It’s also worth remembering that despite all the plaudits for Griezmann he’s only won a Spanish Super Cup during his time at Atletico. Is this the perfect time to choose a club which will add a medal collection worthy of such a talented performer? Was the number ‘7’ left vacant on purpose by Barcelona?

Umtiti refuses to commit his future to Barcelona

Perhaps of greater concern for Barcelona fans isn’t trying to find a spot for Griezmann in the XI but keeping hold of Samuel Umtiti. The commanding Frenchman’s performances this season have been outstanding. Unquestionably he’s the best centre back in the league but his buyout clause doesn’t reflect this. Standing at just €60m, he’s in a strong position when it comes to deciding his future.

This morning SPORT are suggesting there are problems in paradise for Barcelona. Umtiti’s growing list of admirers is something the player’s team are using to put pressure on the club. After seeing Neymar leave last summer for his clause, could the Camp Nou stomach losing another key performer?

Apparently Umtiti wants to sit amongst the likes of Suarez and Iniesta in terms of wages. This is something Barcelona aren’t open to. In fact, the top brass in Catalunya are convinced that these demands are a result of Manchester United’s meddling. Jose Mourinho feels he could build his defence around Umtiti and would pay him far in excess of what Barcelona are willing to.

Barcelona want to sort out Umtiti’s future before the World Cup starts but won’t bow down to his demands. The decision to include a needlessly low buyout clause is coming back to haunt Barcelona but they still have time to convince the Frenchman to stay. Right now though, it doesn’t look likely.

Valencia still hope to secure Guedes deal with PSG

It’s been a season to remember at Mestalla as Marcelino pushes the team towards a Champions League return. One of the key men behind the mini revolution at Valencia is Goncalo Guedes. The PSG wide man, who is on loan at the LaLiga club this season, is rediscovering his best form in Spain. Yet with every strong performance is he pricing himself out of a permanent deal?

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According to Superdeporte Valencia hope to secure a deal around €40m for Guedes. This is the offer they sent before Christmas and one which PSG hasn’t dismissed either. Peter Lim is a close friend of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and feels a deal could mutually benefit both parties. PSG need an injection of cash to avoid UEFA restrictions whilst Guedes’ arrival would be a sign of Valencia’s intent going forward.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi is a businessman first though. He knows that Guedes’ form is good news for his club whether they decide to keep or sell him. With a new coach set to take over in the summer, it could offer Guedes a second chance to succeed in Paris. This would mean a bigger name, such as Angel Di Maria, leaving the club instead.

And if PSG decide to cash in, should Guedes perform well at the World Cup, they could get offers closer to the €60m-€70m mark. There’s no rush on the part of PSG and with good reason. For Valencia fans, they might secretly be hoping that Guedes goes under the radar in Russia. For now all they can do is wait.

“Salah is better than Neymar”

Liverpool fans are slowly remembering what it’s like to be amongst the biggest teams in world football but not be treated like one. It’s a fate which has bestowed Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco to name but a few. When you cause a stir amongst the elite – see: rich – they will do everything in their power to knock you down.

A lot of talk in Spain is about the future of Mohammed Salah who is running the show for Liverpool on a weekly basis. Leading the Golden Boot race in England naturally means Real Madrid will raise their eyebrow out of curiosity just like The Rock.

In his column for AS, Manu Sainz argues Salah would be a better choice than Neymar. “Salah would offer more firepower but Neymar would sell more shirts.” An interesting point but one which matters at Madrid. The value of the club, the brand, is sometimes as important as the success it enjoys on the pitch. But Salah is likely to cost a fraction of what it’d take to get Neymar out of PSG.

If either of those two sign for Real Madrid, you must think that means Gareth Bale is available this summer. Maybe Liverpool should ask for a swap deal?