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Hello and welcome to the LaLiga transfer roundup. It's deadline day in the Premier League transfer window and you don't need me to tell you that what happens in England is almost certain to have an effect on the rest of Europe.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top LaLiga transfer news of the day.
Real Madrid the only team in talks with PSG over Neymar
According to the latest reports, Real Madrid are in talks to sign Neymar Jr. from Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian has reportedly made it clear to the PSG top brass that he wants to leave the club this summer. He has his heart set on a return to Barcelona. However, Barcelona and PSG remain far from reaching any sortof agreement.
In addition to that, Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner said that they are not currently moving for Neymar. He said,
"As of today, there's no Neymar case, as the president said, and it's complicated.
"We are passive actors. We know he's not happy in Paris and it's a situation that needs to be resolved in Paris.
"We haven't spoken to them. There is a lot of respect between the clubs and if there is a Neymar case one day, we'll talk.
"Today, at this time, it's ruled out."
Zinedine Zidane has been overseeing a massive squad overhaul at Real Madrid after finishing 19 points behind eternal rivals Barcelona in the LaLiga last season. They signed Eden Hazard from Chelsea, Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ferland Mendy from Olympique Lyon and Rodrygo from Santos.
Zizou reportedly remains heavily interested in Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba despite Florentino Perez not being sold on the idea of bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Neymar deal is more attractive to Perez and he has previously tried and failed to sign Neymar on two occasions.
Neymar enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona and if Real Madrid are able to sign him this summer, it will be quite a statement of intent.
Coutinho will leave Barcelona, but not foTottenham
Latest reports claim that Philippe Coutinho is certain to leave Barcelona before the end of the summer transfer window. However, he is not eyeing a return to the Premier League and chances of that changing are almost non-existent as the clock runs down on the Premier League transfer deadline day.
Coutinho's sale is imperative to Barcelona's plans of re-signing Neymar Jr. from Paris Saint-Germain. They currently do not have any other unsettled players in their squad that can fetch as much money as Coutinho can.
Coutinho knows that he has not adapted well to the LaLiga since joining Barcelona's as their most expensive player. The competition for a berth in Ernesto Valverde's starting lineup will grow further intense next season with the fresh signings and Coutinho will have to join another club if he wants to play more minutes.
Juventus and Bayern Munich are aware and are monitoring the situation.
Valverde offers update on Neymar, Coutinho situations
Speaking to the press after Barcelona's 2-1 win over Napoli in a pre-season game, Ernesto Valverde insisted that he is counting on Coutinho as the midfielder continues to be linked with a move away from the club.
On being quizzed about Coutinho's situation, Valverde said,
"Of course I am counting on him. We don't know what's going to happen, but he's with us.
"He didn't play today because, like Arthur [Melo] and [Arturo] Vidal, they've only had two training sessions. The plan is the same: to bring them in little by little [after the Copa America]. We will see if on Saturday he can play some minutes.
"The idea is the same with him as everyone else. We count on him, of course."
On being asked about Neymar, he said,
"The last time I came to this stadium, I had to answer a load of questions about Neymar,"
"Two years later, it's the same again; it's like it's following me. I don't know what's going to happen."
Toni Kroos says he had agreed to join Manchester United before Real Madrid showed up
Toni Kroos has now revealed that he came real close to signing for Manchester United in the summer of 2014 before he was ultimately signed by Real Madrid. Kroos says that he had a pleasant meeting with Manchester United and was convinced about joining them before Real Madrid stepped in.
He said,
"I knew that Manchester [United] loved me and that [David] Moyes supported the signing completely," he told GQ.
"We had a very pleasant afternoon. We spoke a lot about United's plan and he convinced me.
"In the end, we verbally agreed to it. I'm not someone who thinks about what could have been.
"Yes, it was close. I was almost a Manchester United player, but it didn't happen."
He went on to take a sly dig at Manchester United. He said,
"I can say one thing with certainty. At Manchester United I wouldn't have won the Champions League three times."
Ouch.
Paulo Dybala could yet be sold, Ronaldo wants Rodriguez as replacement
Paulo Dybala has been reportedly told that he has no place in Maurizio Sarri's plans for the upcoming season. He has already seen talks break down with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur over wage demands and confusion over image rights.
Similar to Dybala's plight at Juventus, James Rodriguez is spending his days on the periphery at Real Madrid. James Rodriguez has been provided no assurances over his future at Real Madrid after having rejoined the Blancos after a 2-year loan spell at Bayern Munich.
However, things may yet work out favourably for the Colombian international as he shares a good friendship with Juventus spearhead Cristiano Ronaldo from their time together at Real Madrid. Ronaldo has told the Old Lady that he would like to see James Rodriguez join from Real Madrid as a replacement for Paulo Dybala should the latter leave the club this summer.
