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The Premier League transfer window has shut and it will have a major impact on the rest of Europe as the Premier League giants are all known to be big spenders. Despite that, it's business as usual in the transfer window.
Let's take a look at the top LaLiga transfer news, rumours and updates of the day,
Modric will not leave Real Madrid for PSG as part of Neymar swap deal
Barcelona do not seem to be in a position to afford Neymar this summer. Having realized this, Real Madrid have now edged past them and are frontrunners to sign the Brazilian who has reportedly made his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain very clear.
Luka Modric has been linked with a move to PSG ever since news about a potential deal for Neymar broke out. It was being widely speculated that Modric was all set to be used as a makeweight in a swap deal for Neymar.
The rumours gathered momentum as Modric sat out of Real Madrid's pre-season friendly against Red Bull Salzburg this Wednesday. However, we now know that he missed the game due to an ongoing injury concern.
Now, the latest reports in Spain claim that the Croatian will not leave Real Madrid this summer. Luka Modric's camp has made it clear that he will stay with the Blancos beyond this summer. Modric is, in fact, very happy at Real Madrid and raring to go. He is preparing for his 8th season with Los Blancos.
As such, it is not clear what type of a deal Real Madrid are trying to engineer in order to secure the services of Neymar. After having already spent heavily to bring in the likes of Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard, there is no doubt that Real Madrid will not be able to match PSG's valuation of Neymar.
We are expecting Madrid to offer a swap deal, but it is not clear which player they will choose to part with.
Barcelona midfielder Arthur wants Neymar to join and Coutinho to stay
Barcelona's young midfield sensation Arthur Melo has, in an interview, revealed his stance on Neymar and Coutinho's situations. Speaking to the media ahead of the new season, Arthur opined on his compatriots' futures. On the possibility of Neymar joining Barcelona, he said,
"I don't speak to him about his future because I don't want to annoy him too much. Everyone asks him about that and I speak with him about a lot of other things. I don't know if he will come or not, but here we are. Let's see what happens.
:I think me, the fans, the players and the team would want him back because he's an amazing player. I really like playing with him for Brazil and I hope I can enjoy [playing with him] here, too."
About Coutinho, he said,
"It's his choice. He has to speak with his family, he has to be happy [here] to stay [here]. I think he's happy. My desire is for him to stay because he's a top player and a great friend, too. He's been happy.
"He's working hard, as we all are, and I think he has everything [needed] to stay here and to help us a lot."
Real Zaragoza sign Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund
Real Zaragoza has pulled off an absolute coup by signing Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund. The Japanese playmaker has signed a 2-year deal with the Segunda Division side. Kagawa has not been at his best for 2 years. However, the latest move affords him the chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Kagawa reportedly had an offer from Celta Vigo as well. However, the Japanese international was convinced by those in charge of La Romareda. Kagawa will join Zaragoza as Pep Biel's replacement. Biel moved to Copenhagen on a 5-year deal worth €5 million.
Kagawa is expected to take over the no.10 role at the club. He could also be deployed on the wings. The arrival of an acclaimed player such as Kagawa is certain to make Real Zaragoza's fans dream about promotion to the LaLiga again. They haven't played in the Spanish first division since the 2012/13 season.
Liverpool did not sign Coutinho as it would have cost them £100 million
Jurgen Klopp had reiterated time and again that the Reds were not planning on spending much, if at all, in the transfer window. With their former player Philippe Coutinho looking set to depart Barcelona, Liverpool were one of the clubs that he was heavily linked with.
Now it turns out that Liverpool did have the option of signing him. However, they chose not to pursue a deal as they'd have had to spend £100 million in order to sign the Brazilian. The Reds were much more interested in investing that money into contract extensions.
Klopp had repeatedly said that he is not in desperate need of additions or spending heavily in the transfer window just because other teams are. He also insisted that time needs to be given to each team to grow into its best version.
"If you sign a player they ask if it is the right player. Nobody should think we did not look. It is not that we are not negotiating like crazy as well in these times, but finding the right solution is more difficult the better the team gets.”
“Man United had the class of ’92. How long did they stay together? They changed a couple of strikers after [Eric] Cantona got older and brought in Ruud van Nistelrooy or whoever. We are a good team together in a very difficult league with a lot of competitors desperate to get into the position we are in.
