Atletico Madrid

Despite having not scored more than 10 league goals in a season since 2014-15 (his first with Real Madrid), Colombian attacker James Rodriguez remains one of the game’s most recognizable and beloved footballers. The 28-year-old’s playmaking ability is world class (he dropped 13 assists during his first season on loan at Bayern Munich), and although he’s been deemed surplus to requirements by Zinedine Zidane, the likes of Atlético and Napoli are desperate to sign the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner.

The Premier League isn’t the only competition with deep pockets. La Liga has smashed its transfer spending record just two weeks into the summer transfer window, having already spent $1.13 billion. The previous record of $1 billion was set in 2018, with high potential players such as Thomas Lemar, Malcolm and Vinicius Junior all being sold for over 40 million to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, respectively.

Barcelona activated Atlético Madrid’s release clause for Antoine Griezmann worth $135 million (€120 million) and signed him to a five-year contract with a release clause of $900 million, announcing the signing on Friday. The Griezmann transfer fee is the fourth-highest of all time behind only Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and João Felix, but Atlético thinks it should be higher.

On Wednesday, July 31, the only friendly worth watching takes place at Orlando City Stadium in Florida — it’s the 2019 MLS All-Star Game, pitting the best of MLS against Spanish giant Atlético Madrid. What’s flying under the radar is that one day before the big game, there’s going to be an All-Star Skills Challenge. 

This used to be a regular feature of MLS All-Star weekend, but for some reason I’ll never understand, they put an end to it. Here’s a brief recap.

After a late season collapse that included that historic beatdown from Liverpool in the Champions League semis and defeat to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, FC Barcelona has dusted itself off and is now looking forward to its 120th season in existence with relish. 

Last Friday, a substantial crowd at the Camp Nou welcomed new signing Frenkie de Jong from Ajax. The 22-year-old cost $84 million, and he’ll instantly slot into Barça’s midfield three alongside Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. 

Manchester City looks to be wrapping up its first signing of the summer.

With a few players that are starting to age, Pep Guardiola has been looking for immediate replacements. Fernandinho, arguably one of City’s most important players in the past few years, is 34 years old. While he still has a lot to give for Manchester City, he isn’t as young and spry as he used to be.

It appears 27-year-old superstar Neymar has spent enough time away from Leo Messi and Barcelona.

Reports have surfaced that Neymar has made it clear he wants to go back to Barcelona and that he never should have left in the first place. 

This comes less than a day after Messi told the team he would prefer the return of Neymar over the potential addition of French star Antoine Griezmann.

With the transfer of French star Antione Griezmann appearing imminent, Barcelona boss Josep Maria Bartomeu has denied any contact whatsoever. 

This comes just days after reports of Atletico president Gil Marin claiming the club has known of some sort of transfer since March.

Other reports came out saying it was a done deal.