So, let’s begin with the big news: Gavi has finally been registered as a Barcelona player in La Liga.
What’s this, I hear you say.
Surely the young midfielder already was – after all, he managed 49 appearances in all competitions, including 30 starts last term, chipping in with three goals and seven assists along the way.
And surely the talented young midfielder had agreed a long-term contract extension some time ago?
Well yes, but the financial problems at the Catalan club actually meant the deal could not be registered – until now!
With his youth contract due to expire this summer, Gavi agreed a long-term extension with Barcelona last September but his deal could not be made official due to the club’s financial concerns, which saw them banned from increasing their salary without first reducing it.
The financial farce Barcelona faced this time a year ago has been well documented in these pages when I suggested the only way the club could break back into the big time was by juggling the financial balls.
That is exactly what it did and the prestige of a first league title in four years will now see an increase in profile and sponsorship opportunities, as well as an extra €8.93 million in TV money.
Meanwhile, the club will once again be a top seed in the Champions League next season, which will affect its TV share, earning 40%, an extra 10% more than the league runners-up.
So, matters look a little healthier and this week’s news will be welcomed by manager Xavi Hernandez who relied heavily on the 18 year-old in the recently ended campaign. That Gavi now has a contract which runs until the summer of 2026, and reportedly contains a release clause of a staggering €1 billion, is one piece of good news.
The bigger picture remains, however, and while the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will undoubtedly help lower the wage bill this summer, a handful of others may have to be sold given there is still a reported €200 million gap between the club and the permitted salary limit.
Of course, they will wish to strengthen and two men they are being linked with are midfield aces Ilkay Gundogan and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat.
Manchester City captain Gundogan has reportedly given the green light to move to Catalonia if finances allow. That possibility was given a helping hand when it was revealed today that City have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign a potential replacement in Mateo Kovacic.
Xavi has identified the pivot position as the utmost priority after long-serving stalwart Busquets announced his departure.
There is a suggestion a team-mate of Gundogan could join him in Spain with Barca supposedly well placed to sign Joao Cancelo.
Efforts were made to sign him on loan in the winter but the move fell through as Cancelo ended up joining Bayern Munich.
With the Bavarians opting against triggering the €70 million purchase option on him, the right-back is back at Man City, where he has no future following the falling out with manager Pep Guardiola.
Just like at Barca, there’s rarely a quiet summer at Real Madrid who have already brought in Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund and, interestingly, Joselu on loan.
With superstar Karim Benzema having said his fond farewells following a career of La Liga highlights, the 33 year-old Spain international may seem an odd signing but it does make sense to bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
He found the net 16 times in La Liga for Espanyol last season and is actually no stranger to the Spanish capital.
Between 2010 and 2012, Joselu netted 40 goals in 73 outings for their B team and also made two appearances for Jose Mourinho’s first team during that time, scoring during an 8-1 win against Almeria.
One suspects a major deal for a striker though is still yet to come.
What happens in that regard could determine who the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds make favourites for next season.
Elsewhere, one club may struggle to keep hold of its top young talent.
Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga appears as if he will be on the move with club president Carlos Mourino declaring as much in April. Since then, he has been one of the most courted names in the transfer market.
Chelsea have been repeatedly associated to the €40m-rated midfielder, although he has also been linked with a number of English Premier League clubs.
One club not hanging around after securing survival a few weeks ago is Getafe.
They have made their second signing of the summer, exercising a buy option on Portu. The versatile wide player joins permanently from Real Sociedad after spending last season on loan in Madrid. This comes after Omar Alderete’s move from Hertha Berlin was also made permanent.
Portu will sign a three-year deal with Los Azulones, where he made 37 appearances last term, helping to keep them up on a dramatic final day.
The flags and goal nets have barely been put away on the 2022-23 campaign but La Liga is already looking ahead.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
