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With under a month left for the transfer window to slam shut, clubs are in a tizzy as they attempt to get deals for top targets over the line. Real Madrid and Barcelona have both stumbled in the pursuit of their main targets but they are set to battle it out in the coming days for a player who starred in the World Cup and things could get pretty ugly.
Meanwhile, the likes of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla have quietly gone about signing top-quality players and have assembled squads capable of pulling off quite an upset or two.
On that note, here is a look at all the news and rumours involving La Liga the past 24 hours:
Tottenham interested in Celta Vigo midfielder
Tottenham have been quite lethargic in the transfer window season, failing to bring in a single high-profile signing. However, that looks set to change as they have set their sights on Celta Vigo midfielder Stanislav Lobotka. Lobotka has a £31m release clause in his contract which Spurs are willing to activate. Lobotka, who featured in all of Celta's games last season, will be the perfect replacement for Mousa Dembele, who is rumoured to be close to an exit.
Atletico Madrid stars return to training
World Cup stars Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez have finally returned to training at Atletico after a successful campaign in Russia. Griezmann starred for France, scoring in the final, but his Atletico future was under a cloud until he signed a contract extension to ease the fears of the fans.
Malaga close in on West Ham midfielder
Reports in Spanish outlet AS suggest that Malaga are close to completing a loan move for West Ham attacking midfielder Sead Haksabanovic. Haksabanovic did not feature for the Hammers often last season and is not a part of manager Manuel Pellegrini's plans going forward. He has reportedly arrived in Spain for a medical ahead of his move.
Barcelona
Barcelona agree personal terms with Paul Pogba
In what could be the deal of the summer, Barcelona it appears have agreed personal terms with Paul Pogba ahead of a potential €110m move. According to reports, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has met with the Barcelona board and thrashed out terms of the contract. Pogba's relationship with Jose Mourinho has deteriorated to such an extent that he wants to force a move away from the club and Barcelona it seems are close to landing his signature. However, with just three days left for the Premier League transfer window to shut, Manchester United are unlikely to be able to find a replacement in time and it remains to be seen if they sanction his move or not.
Real Madrid to hijack deal for Pogba?
Don Balon, famous for their outlandish claims, are at it yet again, suggesting that Florentino Perez is keen on hijacking Barcelona's move for Paul Pogba. As mentioned earlier, Pogba has reportedly agreed terms with Barcelona but with Real Madrid now in the picture, it remains to be seen which club he chooses. Perez has failed to sign a replacement for Ronaldo thus far but that might change very soon if he is successful in his pursuit of Pogba.
Barcelona agree deal to sell Yerry Mina
According to Sport, Barcelona have finally agreed a deal for the sale of Colombian defender Yerry Mina to Everton. Mina is set to move to the Merseyside club on a five-year deal and will cost them a fee in the region of €32 million, finally concluding the saga that began just after the end of the World Cup. Mina was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United as well but it now appears he is set to follow Lucas Digne to Everton.
Vidal thrilled at prospect of lining up with Messi
New signing Arturo Vidal is excited at the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi, terming it a dream.
"It is a dream. I hope to achieve my objectives. I am here to win all the trophies available and I will give everything on the pitch to achieve this. A lot of fight, lots of passion, helping the team at all times, and making sure the team always wins.
"Winning everything. During the three-year contract, I hope we can win everything we play for. I am excited to play with Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets… they are all great players," he exclaimed while speaking as a Barcelona player for the first time.
Vidal completed a move from Bayern Munich for €20 million.
Real Madrid
Madrid told to cough up £225 million for Eden Hazard
Real Madrid have been chasing a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo ever since he moved to Juventus earlier this summer, identifying Eden Hazard as the man to replace the Portuguese. However, according to reports in Daily Express, they will have to part with a whopping £225 million if they are to sign the Belgian. Chelsea were initially unwilling to even consider offloading Hazard, but considering the fact the player is keen on moving to Spain, they have softened their stance and are looking to recoup as much as they can for the 27-year-old.
Luka Modric's 'secret agreement' to leave Madrid
According to Diario Gol via Gazzetta Dello Sport, Luka Modric has an agreement with Florentino Perez to leave the club this summer. Perez had initially claimed Modric would only be sold for his release clause worth around €750m, but it has emerged that that was simply a tactic to raise Modric's price tag with both parties aware that he will indeed be leaving the club this summer. Real Madrid are prepared to entertain lower bids as well.
Madrid to turn to Pjanic if Modric leaves
Real Madrid it seems are resigned to the fact that their playmaker Luka Modric could be on his way to Inter this summer and have identified Miralem Pjanic as the man to replace him at the Bernabeu. However, Pjanic is valued at around £90 million which could prove to be a stumbling block in Madrid's pursuit of the Juventus midfielder.
Real Madrid reject Bournemouth bid
According to Marca, Real Madrid have rejected a €5m bid from Bournemouth for young defender Sergio Lopez. Lopez travelled with Madrid's squad for their preseason and is considered by the Madrid board as a future prospect. However, with Dani Carvajal cementing his spot in the side coupled with the arrival of Alvaro Odriozola, Lopez is unlikely to get much game time and could look for a move away.
