The Hard Tackle takes a look at the latest transfer news surrounding La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid as the summer window looms.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are facing a summer of reckoning, with squads needing a major rejig in the upcoming transfer window after what was a disappointing 2020/21 campaign for both La Liga heavyweights.
Barcelona have already kickstarted their transfer activity for the summer bringing in three new players in the form of Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal. Real Madrid, meanwhile, sorted their managerial situation out following the exit of Zinedine Zidane, welcoming back Carlo Ancelotti for a second stint at the Bernabeu.
Under the Italian, the Merengues are finalising several transfer targets, one of whom is Bayern Munich prodigy Jamal Musiala. While there are expected to be a number of incomings at both Barcelona and Real Madrid, there will be quite a few outgoings as well this summer. So, without much ado, let’s delve into the latest transfer happenings surrounding the La Liga rivals.
Real Madrid handed boost in Robert Lewandowski pursuit
Robert Lewandowski, without a doubt, is one of the best strikers in the game currently. Coming on the back of a record-breaking season with Bayern Munich, Spanish publication AS claims that the Poland international is ready for a change in his career, potentially handing Real Madrid a boost in his pursuit.
Speaking to Canal+ recently, the 32-year-old said, “I still have an open mind, and I feel good at Bayern, Munich is a wonderful city and it’s a massive club. I have, however always had curiosity to pick up a new language and experience a new culture but I don’t know if that is something that will happen during my playing career or later in life.”
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for Lewandowski, and with the Polish international now hinting at a potential switch, Carlo Ancelotti could make a swoop for his former ward this summer.
Barcelona offer Antoine Griezmann to Juventus
Moving across to Barcelona, while Real Madrid are plotting to sign a superstar, the Catalans are working on offloading a superstar of their own in Antoine Griezmann as president Joan Laporta eyes an overhaul. However, it is claimed by Calciomercato that Laporta does not see the French international as part of the plans going forward despite him showing improvements towards the end of the last season.
To that end, Barcelona are keen on offloading him and have proposed his signing to Serie A giants Juventus, with the Bianconeri likely to consider the offer if they don’t have to pay a large sum or if it is a loan deal. However, any move would have to wait until the future of Cristiano Ronaldo is resolved. In case the Portuguese does not leave, it is unlikely that the Italian giants will launch a move.
So, as things stand, Barcelona are keen on getting rid of Griezmann and are hoping to offload him to Juventus. The Blaugrana are now carefully watching the developments surrounding Ronaldo.
Barcelona offer Junior Firpo in Alessio Romagnoli deal
A separate report from Calciomercato offers a fresh update on Barcelona’s pursuit of AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli. The Rossoneri captain is seemingly headed for an exit this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, having fallen behind Fikayo Tomori at the club during the second half of the last season.
Barcelona are among the clubs that are keen on signing the Italian defender. And in order to make the transfer happen, the Catalans are now willing to offer out-of-favour defender Junior Firpo as part of a potential part-exchange deal. The left-back has struggled for game-time since arriving from Real Betis in 2019, and with the Catalans keen on bringing in a new player in his position, his future at Camp Nou is non-existent.
AC Milan have been long interested in his services, and with Barcelona now keen on Romagnoli, there is a good chance that a swap deal could be engineered this summer that could prove beneficial to all parties involved.
Barcelona plot another part-swap deal for Lorenzo Pellegrini
It seems like free transfers, bargain deals, and swap arrangements are the way going forward for Barcelona this summer as the Catalans are lining up another potential player exchange involving AS Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and defender Clement Lenglet, as reported by Tutto Mercato Web.
Having lost out to PSG in the race to sign Georginio Wijnaldum, Barcelona have set their sights on Pellegrini, who is coming on the back of an excellent season with Roma. In fact, recent reports have indicated that the Cules are already readying an offer for the Italian international. And it seems like the proposal that they are preparing would see Lenglet move to Stadio Olimpico, with the midfielder arriving at Camp Nou.
Lenglet had a sub-par 2020/21 season, and it has been claimed that Barcelona are open to letting him leave this summer. However, it now remains to be seen if the Catalans’ attempts at player swaps do come to fruition this summer.
