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With the transfer deadline inching closer, innumerable rumours and gossip are making the rounds with regard to La Liga and as expected, the most heavily linked clubs are Real Madrid and Barcelona.
On that note, let us take a look at the latest happenings in the sensational transfer market.
Celta Vigo sign Rayo's Fran Beltran
Celta Vigo have completed the signing of highly-rated Rayo Vallecano midfielder Fran Beltran. The 19-year-old midfielder was crucial to Rayo’s promotion last term, and losing him so close to the start of the new season will definitely be a devastating blow.
The Galician club is thought to have paid €8m for the central midfielder’s services and it has been confirmed that he signed a five-year contract.
The move has also enraged Rayo Vallecano's president Raul Martin Presa, who hit out at Celta owing to the way they handled the operation.
"This morning Fran Beltran and [Celta Vigo's sporting director] Felipe Minambres have gone to the Spanish FA to deposit the player's buy-out figure," Presa told the media after Luis Advincula's presentation.
"Maybe Celta could have called us, but although we always try to respect other clubs, they have decided that the best way was not to warn us and pay the clause."
Atletico Madrid interested in Michy Batshuayi
As per reports from Marca, Atletico Madrid are considering a loan move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi after their pursuit of Nikola Kalinic was dealt a blow with Milan’s new owners reluctant to make the agreement with Los Colchoneros.
Olivier Giroud is another option on Atletico's radar but as things stand, Batshuayi appears to be a better target given he is more likely to be available on loan. Under former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte he was barely used, and the 24-year-old could be attracted by the prospect of more game time at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Barcelona
Barcelona in hot pursuit of Paul Pogba
Yesterday, reports from Tuttosport claimed that Barca’s new technical director Eric Abidal and Paul Pogba met secretly in Beverly Hills and also held talks regarding a move this summer. Nevertheless, the rumoured transfer has gained some serious traction and it is being claimed that the deal could materialize before the transfer window closes.
The eye-watering amount required to fund the sensational move is also not a problem for La Blaugrana as they have saved money by not signing Antoine Griezmann, who was tipped to join for £88 million this summer. [READ MORE]
Watford close in on Paco Alcácer
According to Lluis Miguelsanz of Marca, Watford are hoping to sign Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer on a two-year loan deal with a compulsory option to buy. The Catalan giants signed Alcacer from Valencia for €30 million in 2016, but he has since failed to establish himself at the Camp Nou.
Yerry Mina becomes Manchester United's No 1 target
Jose Mourinho is currently scouring the transfer market for a top-quality centre-back and reports suggest that Barcelona's Yerry Mina has emerged as United's No 1 target after the Red Devils failed to sign Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld.
United view the Colombian starlet as a cheaper and viable option and believe that they can clinch a deal with La Blaugrana for a fee worth £35 million.
Real Madrid
Julen Lopetegui weighing up a move for Anthony Martial
Following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Los Blancos, the Spanish giants have been linked with a host of transfer targets. Lately, Manchester United's Anthony Martial has surfaced as a replacement for Portuguese megastar, understands the Spanish publication Ok Diario.
The stated move could be buoyed by the Frenchman's fractious relationship with Jose Mourinho, which explains why the Portuguese tactician offered him to Real Madrid.
Uncertainty looms over Luka Modric's future
In the past few days, reports about Luka Modric leaving Real Madrid have caught fire, with Inter Milan in pole position to scoop up the ageing Croat after they made contact with his agents. The Italian outlet Calcio Mercato has now claimed that Modric, who is currently on holiday in Sardinia, is set to meet Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to hold talks about his future.
All the same, it remains intriguing to see whether Real Madrid will accept Modric’s request to leave after having already lost Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
Mateo Kovacic snubs Manchester United
Mateo Kovacic is keen to leave Real Madrid before the transfer deadline due to the dearth of game time at Santiago Bernabeu, but is not interested in joining Manchester United, reports Marca.
If the aforementioned report is to be believed, the Red Devils were willing to fork out €60 million (£53 million) in a bid to secure his services but the 24-year-old has given them the brush-off because he sees them as "a bad stylistic fit".
