It may only be early July but you could fill a newspaper a day with all the speculation linking players to La Liga – particularly as far as the big two are concerned.
For the rumours never cease when it comes to Barcelona and Real Madrid and I get the impression that is just how the Spanish clubs like it.
That is because their owners believe, rightly or wrongly, that they are the two greatest clubs on planet earth and who was it that famously once said ‘there’s only one thing worse than being talked about… and that’s not being talked about!’
Both clubs have made their first moves fairly early this summer with the arrivals of Jude Bellingham (19) and Ilkay Gundogan (32) capturing the attention for very different reasons.
Yet while one club seems intent on building for the future – Real also signed Aurelién Tchouaméni last summer – Barca seem intent on the here and now.
Think back to last term and Robert Lewandowski whose goals fired them to the title.
Of course, after a barren spell (by their standards) and financial worries, perhaps a quick fix was understandable.
And when you have two young talents such as Gavi and Pedri in your ranks, perhaps it makes sense to bring in seasoned, experienced talents to help their development.
Either way, the differing stage of both clubs’ development makes La Liga highlights and next season’s title race an intriguing prospect.
While Bellingham has captured the imagination, Real’s other major arrival so far has caused surprise and, in some cases, consternation.
With superstar Karim Benzema having said his fond farewells, 33 year-old Spain international Joselu.may seem an odd signing, even on loan, but it does make sense to bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
He found the net 16 times in La Liga for Espanyol last season and is actually no stranger to the Spanish capital.
Between 2010 and 2012, Joselu netted 40 goals in 73 outings for their B team and also made two appearances for Jose Mourinho’s first team during that time, scoring during an 8-1 win against Almeria.
It also appears Real have pipped their arch rivals to a Turkish teenage sensation.
Arda Guler’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few weeks, with the 18 year-old having recently been linked with several top clubs across European football.
Barca had seemed in pole position to sign him but he now seems poised to join their El Clasico rivals.
Guler’s club, Fenerbahce, are reportedly very angry about this decision. Their President, Ali Koc, would have preferred the Turkish international to join Barcelona, as it would have meant that he would have remained at the club for next season and then move to Spain next summer. This was because they believed he would not be registered by LaLiga now due to their financial issues.
Ultimately, though, it appears it is the Bernabeu where Guler will be heading and the deal could be completed very shortly after a fee was agreed with Fenerbahce on Wednesday.
Elsewhere across the city, it’s been a productive few days for Atletico Madrid.
After confirming Javi Galan as their first addition on Monday, they have since completed the signing of ex-Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu and have now followed that up with a deal for Cesar Azpilicueta.
Chelsea will allow their captain to leave for free as a gesture of gratitude. He will sign a one-year contract, with the option for a further year also included, boosting manager Diego Simeone in his search for defensive reinforcements.
Of course, there remains a feeling there could yet be one big summer move which will turn the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds well and truly on their head.
I write this only hours after the president of Paris St German said Kylian Mbappé must sign a new contract if he wants to stay as the French champions will not let him leave for free next year.
Mbappé sent a letter to PSG last month stating he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024.
And on the day the club sacked Christophe Galtier and replaced him with the former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique, the message from the Parisians was clear.
PSG will surely now allow Mbappé to run down the final year of his contract and be unable to recoup any of the €180 million they spent in 2017 to sign him from AS Monaco.
Mbappé has finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer in the last five seasons.
Real, you sense, are waiting in the wings.
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