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Christmas has come and gone, and La Liga managers up and down the country will want their club chairmen to answer their wishes come the January transfer window.
In today's La Liga news and transfer roundup, we look at the world-class striker that Real and Barcelona are chasing, while more details are revealed regarding former Barcelona player Neymar's release clause.
There are also some reports that are suggesting that Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde could leave his job at the end of this season.
All this and more in today's La Liga news and transfer roundup:
#1 Neymar release clause details revealed
There have been constant reports over the last few months or so that Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar, who moved to the French club from Barcelona in 2017, in a record transfer deal, could be on the move again.
Reports have suggested that Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, while Real Madrid are also interested in the Brazilian. Spain's AS are reporting that the Brazilian's camp have been constantly kept in contact with Barcelona regarding Neymar's return, according to a close source.
The same AS report states that Neymar's contract with PSG has a release clause, which can be triggered in the 2020 transfer window. His release clause will be €160 million, and any club that puts in a bid for that amount can have contract negotiations with the player.
#2 Barcelona star prays for Neymar's return
Barcelona's Arthur, who was signed to the Catalan team earlier this year for around €40 million from Brazilian side Gremio, is "praying" for his compatriot's return to the Nou Camp. Arthur said that Neymar is a friend and someone he admires a lot and wants to seem him return to Barcelona.
"I personally am praying for him to come because he is a star, it is indisputable, and I think that the better players the team have, the better. Personally, I am doing a lot of work to get him back, but he has his life, he knows what he's doing and I don't know how deep those negotiations are, if there are options for him to come or not. But he is a personal friend and a professional that I admire a lot and would be very happy if he could come back here," said Arthur.
#3 Barcelona join Real Madrid in pursuit of Harry Kane
Harry Kane is possibly one of the best strikers in the world, having scored consistently for Tottenham in the Premier League, and also had a great World Cup with England.
The striker, who has already scored 15 goals in the season in all competitions, is tracked by a host of top clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid. But Express are now reporting that Kane is a target for La Liga champions Barcelona, who are looking for a star striker to replace Luis Suarez in their team.
With Mauricio Pochettino's future as Tottenham manager uncertain, as he is on the shortlist of Real Madrid and Manchester United to be their next manager, the futures of Spurs' top players, including Kane, Dele Alli, and Christian Eriksen is up in the air.
At just 25 years of age, Kane's future is bright and it is quite certain that even a heavy investment can be recouped by clubs considering that he has a long career ahead of him.
#4 Lucas Hernandez transfer update
Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez is set to move to Bayern Munich with the German club ready to trigger Frenchman's €80 million release clause. Now, Marca are reporting that the Spanish club will do everything in their power to sell the player in the summer transfer window rather than the January transfer window.
The report suggests that Atletico's Miguel Angel Gil Marin, the chief executive of the club, personally spoke to Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, with the Spanish management asking the Bayern management to trigger the release clause in the summer rather than in January.
22-year-old Hernandez has been with Atletico since the age of 11, but is all set to move to Germany and Bayern Munich. The versatile defender can play at the heart of the defence as well as at left-back, and has represented France in international football.
#5 Ernesto Valverde to quit Barcelona?
Spanish newspaper Marca have reported that Barcelona's manager Ernesto Valverde has not agreed to a new contract at the Catalan side with his two-year contract expiring at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Barcelona and Valverde do have an option to trigger a clause which will add another year to his contract, but the two parties haven't discussed about it yet. The report states that Barca are willing to give their manager time to decide if he wants to stay another year, but they will need a definite answer by February.
Valverde and Barca's board did have a meeting last week, but that was regarding the signing of a new defender, which could have possibly been the deal to bring Jeison Murillo, who signed on loan till the end of the season.
Valverde led the Catalan side to the league title and the Copa del Rey in his first year in charge of the club, while Barcelona are top of La Liga at the end of 2018, 3 points ahead of the second-place side, Atletico Madrid.
