La Liga Transfer News: Real Madrid sign Lyon defender; Atletico Madrid CEO confirms Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona and more

La Liga giants Real Madrid are spending big in this summer’s transfer window. Club president Florentino Perez has already signed Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo and Eden Hazard surpassing a massive €250m in spending. 

Back-to-back La Liga champions Barcelona, on the other hand, are also prying for big names in the market. Lionel Messi and co ended their season on a disappointing note after missing out on the opportunity to win their first Champions League trophy since 2015 whilst also losing the Copa Del Rey final to Valencia. 

However, the capture of Ajax’s 22-year old midfielder Frenkie de Jong has lifted fans’ spirits for next season. Barcelona are also heavily linked with the Dutchman’s national teammate and teenage sensation Matthijs de Ligt. Here, we cover all the latest transfer stories and rumours surrounding La Liga. 

Real Madrid sign Lyon left-back Ferland Mendy in €48m deal

Real Madrid continue their huge summer shopping spree as they confirmed the €48m transfer of Olympique Lyonnaise left-back Ferland Mendy in a six-year deal. 

The Frenchman was a regular starter for Lyon in his two seasons at the club after signing from Le Havre in 2017. The Ligue 2 club has also produced other world-class talents such as Riyad Mahrez and Benjamin Mendy. 

Real Madrid endured a difficult season following their three consecutive Champions League triumphs. Zinedine Zidane’s men finished third in La Liga and crashed out of Europe in the Round of 16 at the hands of Ajax.

The club’s huge summer rebuild is already raising rival fans’ eyebrows, especially the big-money moves of Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for €65m and Eden Hazard from Chelsea for an initial €100m.  

The addition of Ferland Mendy gives Marcelo much-needed competition in the form of a world-class backup. The 24-year old received his first international call-up for France in November, and has gone onto appear four times for the World Champions. 

France coach Didier Deschamps recently praised the Frenchman’s transfer to the Spanish heavyweights. “He has enjoyed a meteoric progression. Two years ago he was in Ligue 2 and now he will play for Real Madrid”, he said.

Atletico Madrid chief confirms Antoine Griezmann is joining Barcelona

In an interview with Radio Estadio, Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin spilled the beans regarding Antoine Griezmann‘s much-speculated future. The La Liga superstar has been heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou.

But recent reports suggested that the Frenchman was lured by Paris Saint-Germain following Barcelona’s fading interest. However, Marin all but confirmed Griezmann’s transfer to the La Liga champions. 

“I know exactly where he’s going to play. I’ve known since March. In Barcelona. There are players who feel they are greater than the squad, we have to form a group of men”, he claimed. 

Antoine Griezmann recently announced his exit from Atletico Madrid after five years at the club. Los Rojiblancos are going through a summer exodus after Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez and Juanfran all decided to depart at the end of the season. 

Griezmann’s arrival will mean that he could potentially partner Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi up-front in what would be a dream front-three. Philipe Coutinho has not lived up to his price-tag since joining from Liverpool and Ousmane Dembele was hit with a series of injuries which severely hampered his playing time. 

Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta confesses Rodri interest

Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri is Manchester City’s number one transfer target for this summer. The Premier League champions are desperate to sign a defensive midfielder as cover for their veteran Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho. 

Pep Guardiola is a great admirer of Rodri and has told City to trigger the Spaniard’s £62.5million release clause. Last week, the 22-year old demanded the media to give him more “space” to decide upon his future. 

Guardiola’s right-hand man Mikel Arteta compared Rodri to Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets. “Rodri closely resembles what Busquets is”, he said. “Few people read the game alone. Those who anticipate scenarios, who are mentally stable and who can be a coach in the field — like Xabi Alonso or Xavi Hernandez.”

Manchester City are vary of German champions Bayern Munich and neighbours Manchester United, who are also interested in Rodri. However, City are favourites to land the talented midfielder because of his liking for Guardiola’s style of play.