Real Madrid and Barcelona look ready to battle it out to bring young phenom Erling Haaland to La Liga. The two Spanish superpowers have been linked with the Borussia Dortmund striker for some time now, and Haaland’s recent comments have only poured more fuel to the fire.
Elsewhere, title challengers Sevilla are starting to get involved in some business this transfer window, with potentially big incomings and outgoings being touted.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard looks determined to prolong his stay in Madrid despite his lack of playing time this season.
Read on below as SBOTOP rounds up all the biggest and latest La Liga transfer news.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have eyes on Haaland
Real Madrid and Barcelona appear to be locked in another battle to sign a superstar player; this time, it’s Erling Haaland.
The Borussia Dortmund striker made waves with his recent comments claiming the club was pressuring him into deciding about his future sooner rather than later.
“The last six months I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund, but now the club has started to press me into making a decision,” Haaland said. “All I want to do is play football. But they press me … about my future, so that means I have to make a decision soon.”
Real and Barca are two of the biggest contenders to land Haaland, although they face competition from other European giants such as Manchester City, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Madrid have been strongly linked with PSG’s Kylian Mbappe in recent months, but they could still move for Haaland, especially amid the latest news that PSG are growing more optimistic that Mbappe and they can come to terms on a new contract.
Meanwhile, Barcelona still appear confident in signing Haaland despite their financial difficulties coupled with the fact that they just signed striker Ferran Torres from Manchester City for a massive fee.
Barcelona, Sevilla in the market for Martial
Aside from Haaland, Barcelona also have their eyes on a possible loan for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, who is looking for a way out of Old Trafford this January.
Barca face stiff competition from fellow La Liga side Sevilla, as well as Italian giants Juventus. Manchester United are reportedly asking for Martial’s full salary to be covered, as well as a loan fee, to agree on a deal.
Martial could be a potential replacement for fellow Frenchman Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona. Dembele’s contract is expiring in the summer and has yet to agree to a new deal.
Dembele’s agent claims Barca have threatened not to play his client for the remainder of the season if he does not come to terms on a deal, so the relationship between the two sides does not appear to be on good terms.
As for Sevilla, they could use Martial to help strengthen their La Liga title challenge. They are currently five points back of leaders Real Madrid, although they have a game in hand.
Sevilla have Lucas Ocampos, Papu Gomez, and Munir El-Haddadi as options on the wing. Erik Lamela has been injury-prone, while struggling Suso has yet to score this season.
Sevilla defender wants Newcastle move
Sevilla might also be on the market for a new centre-back, with Diego Carlos reportedly asking to leave the club and join Newcastle United.
The Brazilian defender has already agreed to personal terms on a five-year contract with the Premier League club, but Sevilla are standing firm with their valuation of over €35 million to sell the defender.
Newcastle have already landed right-back Kieran Trippier from reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid during this window as they look to bolster their defence to avoid relegation.
The 28-year-old Diego Carlos has spent the past three seasons at Sevilla. He’s started 19 of the team’s 20 La Liga matches this season, scoring two goals.
Diego Carlos has been a key contributor in Sevilla’s excellent defence this season. The Rojiblancos have conceded just 13 goals thus far, by far the best defensive record in La Liga.
Sevilla’s La Liga 2022 odds of winning the title are unlikely to take a massive hit with Diego Carlos’ departure, but they could find it tough to replace such an integral part of their league-leading defence.
Eden Hazard wants Real Madrid stay despite lack of playing time
Eden Hazard is another La Liga player who has been linked with a move to newly rich Newcastle, but the Real Madrid star has reportedly snubbed a move to Tyneside and wants to stay at the Bernabeu despite his lack of playing time.
Hazard, who has had an injury-plagued time since his €100 million move to Madrid in 2019, has made only 13 La Liga appearances this season, and just six have been starts. He has also failed to make too many La Liga 2022 highlights as he is yet to score a goal and has only one assist.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
