Inside Spain: Barcelona wrap up highly coveted signing, Real Madrid change transfer plans and Valencia drama

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.

As the time for New Year’s Resolutions approaches, clubs are also hoping to resolve their transfer plans for the coming winter and summer markets. While it does not appear there will be too much action January Spain-side, there is movement coming in the summer.

Real Madrid, despite their major injury crisis in central defence, have reportedly altered their transfer plans, and are no longer actively looking for a central defender. Their priorities are a central midfielder and a right-back, which on both counts is bad news for Liverpool.

River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono was linked with Manchester United and Manchester City (as well as Barcelona) earlier this year, but as little as six months ago, it appeared that he was well on his way to Real Madrid. However Los Blancos have now dropped out of that race too, opening a door for someone else.

Barcelona have no plans to go through that open door though, but they have enough to contend with on their own. In February, they are set to discuss Robert Lewandowski’s future with him, and in the summer, the board have told Sporting Director Deco to bring in €80m in sales. No small task.

However there is some good news in Can Barca, as they await a decision from the courts on Dani Olmo’s registration. The Catalan giants feel they have convinced Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah to sign for them. The deal is not yet done, but Tah’s decision has been made seemingly.

Down the coast in Valencia, Los Che are in full crisis mode. Bottom of the table, with club legend Ruben Baraja sacked, West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberan has been brought in to save him. Valencia paid €2.4m to get Corberan out of the Midlands, but his appointment has not been met with much enthusiasm.

Corberan was more or less announced as the clock struck midnight for Christmas Day, but Celta Vigo fans were much happier with their gift. Now legendary striker Iago Aspas, 37, has extended his contract for another season until 2026 – he has 9 goal contributions in 13 starts this season. Another former Liverpool alumni could be back in action in La Liga in January too, with Real Betis seemingly in talks for Arthur Melo to join from Juventus.