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All the latest LaLiga news in one place!
Diego Simeone insists he has no plans of selling Diego Costa amid interest from China
Diego Costa has been struggling with a foot injury and remains sidelined. He endured a difficult start to the campaign, scoring just once in the first 11 games of the season. With several reports claiming that Tianjin Quanjian is interested in taking the Spanish striker to China, Diego Simeone has played down all rumours in a news conference.
The 30-year-old is going through a lean patch and has only scored twice this season. Costa looks a shadow of the striker he was at Chelsea and has struggled for form after moving to Spain. After joining Atletico Madrid, Costa scored 3 goals in 15 LaLiga appearances in the 2017/18 season. His injury toll has also risen and it was widely speculated that his time in Spain is up.
The Atletico Madrid manager has, however, played down such suggestions.
"I hope, wish for and need Diego Costa in February, no doubt about it, and I believe he will be there."
Diego Simeone also said that he looks forward to the challenge of claiming one of the top spots in the LaLiga by the end of the season.
He said,
"I think that Atletico fans fully appreciate what we're doing and the job the players have been doing for several years now, but of course the demand now increased,"
"We have new responsibilities and need to be self-critical. We have to be demanding of ourselves. We've had four draws away [in a row in the league], so we need to improve to give a solution to what the fans demand.
"I'm the most self-critical, with myself first of all, and as I said, being in second place now is not good for Atletico."
Jorge Mendes says Ronaldo does not regret moving to Juventus from Real Madrid
There have been several claims as of late that Cristiano Ronaldo regrets deciding to move away from Real Madrid and joining Serie A giants Juventus.
Ronaldo's recent attacks at Real Madrid have been twisted to suggest that the Portuguese superstar is frustrated about his decision. However, Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has now put those rumours to rest.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is very happy at Juventus,” Mendes said.
“He was also happy at Man Utd and at Real Madrid.
“He was the part of their histories - he is an example for all the children & the best player in history.”
Ronaldo spoke highly of Juventus recently and said that the team feels more like a family.
"It isn't right to name someone specific but I can say that this is the best group in which I've played,
Ronaldo recently praised Juventus, insisting they were more of a family to him than Real Madrid were.
"It isn't right to name someone specific but I can say that this is the best group in which I've played.
"Here, we are a squad, elsewhere, some players feel bigger than the others. Instead, here, everyone is on the same level, they are humble and want to win.
"If [Paulo] Dybala or [Mario] Mandzukic don't score, they are still happy and you see them smile.
"For me, it is beautiful, to feel that difference. Also at Madrid they are humble, but here I feel that sense more.
"It's very different to Madrid, here it is more of a family."
Alvaro Morata to Barcelona to go through on one condition
Alvaro Morata can put an end to his miserable spell in the Premier League and secure a move to Barcelona if he is willing to become a squad player, according to Alejandro Moreno of ESPN FC (via Daily Star).
The ESPN pundit also claims that Denis Suarez will be joining Chelsea. Meanwhile, Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has said that Morata will be welcome at the Camp Nou.
Alba said,
"Morata is a player that I appreciate a lot, he has been a top player for many years," he said on Thursday.
"At the end, it's the club's [decision] if they want to sign him or not, as with any other player.
"If the rumours are true, he would be very welcome, as all the new players [are]."
Speaking about Morata's potential move to Barcelona, Moreno said,
"Barcelona would be taking him at a discount.
"And it would have to be under his knowledge and acceptance of the fact that he’s going to be what he was at Real Madrid and what he was at Juventus, which is a second-choice striker.
“Maybe that’s his best role. I still think this is a miss.”
Isco all set for an explosive Real Madrid exit
Out of favour Real Madrid superstar Isco is all set to move out of the Santiago Bernabeu, according to Goal.
Isco was recently booed throughout the game by the Bernabeu faithful and the midfielder didn't take kindly to their reaction. After being a regular starter under former Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui, Isco has fallen down the pecking order after Solari took over at the helm.
Isco and his representatives were reportedly denied a meeting with Florentino Perez and the club has raised questions over Isco's attitude. The report further claims that Los Blancos will be ready to let him leave in January if Isco publicly requests for a transfer.
