Which player are Barcelona set to sign next this winter? Can a Real Madrid academy prospect take a big step forward in 2024? And who will West Ham end up signing in the attack?
Here are the latest transfer rumors and news around world football.
Barcelona expected to sign Bergvall
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona’s bid of 10 million euros for Lucas Bergvall (seven million fixed, three million additional in add-ons) is expected to be officially accepted by Swedish club Djurgarden next week.
Barcelona have an impressive group of young, homegrown players, to which they added top young Brazilian forward Vitor Roque this winter. Bergvall can be confirmed as a signing in January but would not join until the 2024/25 season.
A Swedish youth international, Bergvall is one of the most highly-rated center midfield prospects in world football.
Barça’s Joan Laporta and Deco are prioritizing getting young prospects in the door early, just as rivals Real Madrid have done to great success.
The 17-year-old is immensely promising and a potentially massive steal at 10 million euros.
Real Madrid loan Peter to Valencia
Meanwhile, LaLiga rivals Real Madrid are making big moves in their own right on the prospect front, except they are developing prospects by giving them to other major clubs in the Spanish top flight.
Valencia are the fallen giants in the league, but the Bats did save themselves from relegation and have been able to produce great young players.
For example, Madrid striker Hugo Duro has found great success in the lovely east coast city at the striker position, and Los Merengues are hoping Peter Federico Gonzalez can do the same.
A standout prospect in the 2021/22 season when given a few opportunities, Peter is a left-footed right winger who will be joining Valencia on loan with an option to buy, per Fabrizio Romano.
Real Madrid have made this move before in the past, including buy-back clauses in case that top young player explodes. Let’s see if they leave the door open for Peter, who is a promising player at a scarce position on the right wing.
West Ham to go for Jota over Osman
Per a report from The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, West Ham are pulling out of the deal for top young winger prospect Ibrahim Osman, who had been linked to the Hammers for weeks as a priority target.
West Ham have been dealing with a rash of attacking injuries, so while they have viewed Osman as too expensive, they are not giving up on signing a winger at all.
Steinberg says the club is now moving to Saudi Pro League standout Jota of Al-Ittihad, formerly a star for Celtic, in the winter transfer window. For financial reasons, Steinberg calls the move “very complicated”.
West Ham don’t need to be desperate or overpay, but some veteran, goal-scoring help on the wings in Jota could be a big boost as David Moyes’ side push hard for a return to European football in 2024/25.
Former editor of The Real Champs and Old Juve, covering Real Madrid and Juventus
