LALIGA
LaLiga transfer news: What Barcelona, Real Madrid and the rest need
There are a lot of negotations open with important names such as Suso, Cavani and Willian José but will they move before Friday night as the window closes?
The transfer market is closing in just a couple of days and the rumours continue to mount. Interest, however, doesn't count: either the negotiations have begun or the footballer will spend the next few months at the club he's at now. Time is running out and as managers like to say, until 23:59 on the last day, anything can happen.But here's what each team needs as the window winds down.
Real Madrid
Zidane has tossed the idea of a striker arriving out the window: "No, absolutely not." It was the only position Real Madrid might have needed to strengthen. Reinier arrived and will play with Castilla. Marc Gual has also just signed with Raúl's side. Odriozola moved to Bayern Munich to develop for the future while Brahim and Marino are resisting any move away. Saving a surprise, there will be no further movement.
Barcelona
Barcelona continue to work against the clock to sign a striker. They want to replace the injured Luis Suárez and seem to have given up on Valencia's Rodrigo. Valencia were asking for a significant amount, as you'd expect, and Barcelona are looking elsewhere. Setién needs a number nine before the window closes to arrest their poor performances. They have lost Todibo to Schalke, Carles Pérez to Roma and Carles Aleñá to Real Betis.
See also: Transfer rumours - Barça linked with Willian bid
Sevilla
Monchi has waved goodbye to Dabbur and Chicharito after not living up to expectations. En Nesyri arrived from Leganés and he will partner Luuk de Jong in attack. Lopetegui wanted more though and Suso has arrived from Milan on an initial 18-month loan deal.
Getafe
Getafe have done their homework and won't be rushing around as last second shoppers on the 31st. They have not ruled out signing a defender, however, after Leandro Cabrera moved to Espanyol. Enric Gallego left and Deyverson replaced him and Etebo signed as another option in midfield. They asked for Brahim from Real Madrid but that is practically out of the question.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético have one very glaring problem. They can't score and Edinson Cavani has been picked as the man to fix that problem. The Uruguayan's contract finishes in June but PSG are tough negotiators. They don't want him to leave but have reportedly accepted that he wants to go. They will not allow him to go for €15 million, which was Atlético's offer. Negotiations continue.
Real Sociedad
There have been no movements as of yet but Willian José is still linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Mourinho's side need a striker and are willing to part with €15 million and that's not good enough for Real Sociedad. The Brazilian's release clause is €70 and while they are willing to let him go for less, €15 is considered too low. One of the names mentioned as a replacement should Willian José leave is Mariano. Adnan Januzaj could also leave for Roma before the end of the window.
Valencia
The big question is whether Rodrigo leaves. The striker seemed set to finally leave the club but Barcelona are unwilling to meet Valencia's demands. Anil Murthy is confident they can sign Paco Alcácer for between €25 and €30 million if they do need a last second replacement. They are interested in a right-back and João Cancelo was on the list. They have renewed interest in Florenzi and the Roma winger is close to a loan deal.
Villarreal
Toko Ekambi has left for Lyon, which was a blow for Calleja. Cedric Bakambu was on the agenda from Beijing Guoan as a replacement but they have poured cold water on that deal. Lucas Pérez and Mariano were also mentioned but Paco Alcácer is another name the club like. Another option is Simone Zaza with more reasonable wages and the chance for a loan deal. The search for a striker goes on...
Athletic Club
There will be no movements at San Mamés. The club are happy with their performance in the first half of the year and they are fighting for Europe. They don't see the need to sign anyone in an attempt to climb into the top six. Nobody will leave either saving a big surprise. Cristian George Ganea is the only player to leave and he is on loan at Viitorul Constanța.
Osasuna
The serious injury suffered to Chimy Ávily changed Arrasate's plans. His squad was complete save for the addition of Lato. He lost the team's talisman and they went looking for a goalscorer to replace him, with Enric Gallego arriving on loan from Getafe. Los Rojillos have also snapped up Leganés winger José Arnaiz until the end of the season.
Granada
Diego Martínez's Granada side are funcioning well and if it's not broken, you don't fix it. They added a couple of touches to the squad with the addition of Jesús Vallejo on loan and Foulquier. Adrián Ramos left and that should be it for their movement in January.
Real Betis
Real Betis added significantly to their midfield with the signings of Guido Rodríguez and Carles Aleñá. Guardado and Canales could not shoulder the load after William Carvalho's injury. Kaptoum left for Almería in search of minutes and Ismael left too. After their Copa elimination, Rubi's job was questioned again. Tottenham have given them an economic boost with the signing of Giovani Lo Celso.
Levante
No movements at Levante. Nobody has arrived and nobody has left. Getafe have come knocking for Cabaco but Paco López does not want to lose him. They are just nine points above the drop zone and they want to maintain some level of consistency. And that's what they seem to have achieved.
Alavés
Three arrivals and two departures. Camarasa, Ismael and Roberto have all come into the squad but Garitano has lost Sivera and Wakaso. The central midfielder, in particular, leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the field. JS Suning made an offer that could not be refused. There is also a fear that Lucas Pérez might leave with Villarreal interested. The club are working on attackers and Ljubomir Fejsa might arrive if Pérez leaves.
Eibar
The team were eliminated from the Copa by Badajoz and they are not at all comfortable in the league. Eibar want to refresh their team but the only arrival so far has been Cristóforo for the middle. There won't be any more signings either saving a shock. Mandilibar has confidence in his players despite the lack of results. Quique González could leave before Friday night.
Real Valladolid
Ronaldo has signed Hatem Ben Arfa and Sekou Gassama. The former Almería striker has left for Fuenlabrada on loan. Miguel Ángel Gómez, the sporting director, says they have not made an offer for Reinier and while he didn't rule it out, he also said he didn't see it as a viable transfer.
Real Mallorca
Mallorca continue to look for replacements in the middle of the field and at left-back. Alejandro Pozo came from Sevilla in an effort to stake a claim for the left-back position and he has been earning time in the line-up. They still have not ruled out signing a striker.
Celta Vigo
Bradaric arrived in the middle of the field and Murillo came to solidify the defense. After the departure of Lobotka, they needed an injection of quality at the right level. Santos Borré, the former Atlético Madrid stiker, could be a explosive, late move. They are negotiating with River Plate and Atlético Madrid, who still own 25% of the his rights.
Leganés
The departure of En Nesyri has done them a lot of harm. At the moment, there are no players close to moving to the Madrid suburbs. They are dealing with the possibility that nobody arrives despite losing their most potent attacker. A lot of names have been linked but negotiations are not advanced with any of them. There is concern at the club that someone arrives late and triggers Braithwaite's release clause.
Espanyol
Espanyol can be very satisfied with their business. They signed Getafe defender, Leandro Cabrera, Raúl de Tomas and Adrian Embarba and are the big spenders of the transfer market. RDT has become integral already and is off to a fine start. Puado is the only departure and players like Pipa and Campuzano could look for playing time away from the Cornallá. There is a chance another winger arrives too.