Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.
It could be a painful summer for fans of Spanish football’s beloved (and hated) legends. A number of veterans could be on their way out of La Liga this summer, starting with Luka Modric.
It was reported this week that despite the Croatian being willing to stay on in a reduced role, Real Madrid do not intend to offer him a new deal, meaning he has just one game left at the Santiago Bernabeu potentially. Meanwhile Toni Kroos’ situation is no clearer, with his talks set to take place after the Champions League final. More sad news for Madridistas, star targets Leny Yoro and Alphonso Davies grow more distant as time goes on, if reports coming out of the capital are in good faith.
Sevilla have confirmed that Jesus Navas will leave the club, 20 years after he made his debut, with a four-year hiatus at Manchester City interrupting an entire career spent there. Another tireless 38-year-old, Sergio Ramos also looks to be Major League Soccer-bound, San Diego FC to be precise, unless somebody comes up with a better offer.
Barcelona would very much like somebody to come up with any offer for their players. Recent reports that Bayern Munich will make one for Ronald Araujo suggest that Manchester United should get a move on if they do indeed want him this summer. Elsewhere the Vitor Roque saga rumbles on, Barcelona have been linked to Nico Williams plenty this week, but unless more follow Araujo out the door, it’s hard to see them coming up with his €55m release clause.
You can sign the top scorer in La Liga for less – Artem Dovbyk’s release clause at Girona is just €40m, two million for every goal he has scored. Girona will have to do a stellar job of replacing some of the stars they will lose, and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is being considered.
Granada were relegated over the weekend, Girona and Atletico Madrid have secured top four places, and Athletic Club will finish fifth. It leaves Cadiz fighting for their life at the bottom, and Real Sociedad, Valencia and Real Betis battling it out for Europa League and Conference League spots. If the final two matchdays are looking salacious enough, Eder Militao publicly confirmed a partner swap with Flamengo defender Leo Pereira this week.
