Barcelona have a huge target on their backs in the upcoming 2025-26 La Liga campaign. Hansi Flick’s men are aware of this, which is why they continue to seek reinforcements, despite already having a stacked squad.
The only notable move they’ve made this summer so far is the acquisition of Joan Garcia from Espanyol. This means that the Blaugrana are likely to move on from Marc-André ter Stegen as their first-choice goalkeeper, and Wojciech Szczesny will be the backup.
Real Madrid have also been busy with their phones, intending to back their new manager, Xabi Alonso. And according to the preseason La Liga 2025 odds, Los Blancos are the closest challengers to Barcelona. Atletico Madrid are also expected to contend for the Spanish top-flight crown. Meanwhile, Real Betis plan to outdo their sixth-place finish last term by retooling their roster.
Check out the latest La Liga 2025 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Barcelona reportedly eyeing Bundesliga star
After missing out on Nico Williams, who signed a new long-term deal with Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona are reportedly pivoting towards Xavi Simons, as Hansi Flick needs another playmaker. According to local reports, the Blaugrana have met with Simons’ camp about a summer move.
Just six months after he was signed permanently by RB Leipzig following an initial loan spell, the 22-year-old Dutchman is eyeing a move away from the Red Bull Arena. Simons graduated from La Masia before moving to PSG in 2019. Last season, he notched 11 goals and eight assists in 33 matches for RB Leipzig.
RB Leipzig are expected to demand around €70 million for Simons, making it difficult for Barcelona to secure the permanent deal due to their financial constraints.
Besides Simons, the Blaugrana are also interested in Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz. They reportedly want to sign Rashford via loan, while Liverpool aren’t willing to let Diaz go on a cheap. The Reds recently rejected Bayern Munich’s €67.5 million offer for the Colombian forward, and Barcelona are unlikely to outbid the Bundesliga champions.
Barcelona must sell several players to fund their new summer signings, and Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo have emerged as possible candidates to depart.
Real Madrid plan to further beef up their backline
One of the reasons Real Madrid lost the La Liga title to Barcelona last term is their lack of backline depth. When Eder Militao and David Alaba went down with injuries, then-head coach Carlo Ancelotti played Raul Asencio more than he should, and Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga had to play out of their natural positions out of necessity from time to time.
Militao and Alaba are fitter, but Los Blancos cannot afford to take the risk of running them down to the ground, so it’s no surprise they’re after another high-profile centre-back, namely Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, after having acquired Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth earlier this offseason.
Konate is approaching the final year of his contract with Liverpool, so the Reds are open to selling him before he leaves on a free next summer. Of course, Real Madrid prefer to wait for Konate next year, similar to what happened to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kylian Mbappe.
However, if there’s an opportunity to get Konate now, Real Madrid can take it, but at the right price. According to local reports, Los Blancos will not pay more than €25 million for the 26-year-old Frenchman, while Liverpool have slapped a €50 million price tag on him.
Furthermore, as mentioned before, Real Madrid are also keen on adding another forward and a central midfielder, especially with Rodrygo having one foot out the door.
Real Betis have been busy too
Following their sixth-place finish in La Liga last season, Real Betis have been busy in the summer transfer window. So far this offseason, Manuel Pellegrini’s side sold Johnny Cardoso, Alex Collado, Juanmi, Jesus Rodriguez, Youssouf Sabaly, and Rui Silva, while acquiring Natan and Rodrigo Riquelme for €17 million only, and Nobel Mendy, Sergio, and Junior Firpo via free transfers.
According to El Chiringuito, Los Verdiblancos are keen on signing Gonzalo Petit from Nacional. The 18-year-old striker registered 12 goals and four assists in 34 matches last season. He also scored two goals in eight international appearances for Uruguay’s U-20 team. They are also reportedly interested in prying 19-year-old defencive midfielder Gabriel Moscardo away from PSG.
Reuniting with Antony remains a big priority for Real Betis after the Brazilian winger played well for them during his short loan stint. However, they have so far failed to agree on a fee with Manchester United to make the arrangement permanent. Newcastle United, Brighton, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen have been linked with the 25-year-old.
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