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The 2019 summer transfer window is gearing up to be one of the busiest in history, as multiple marquee deals have been lined up as clubs attempt to strengthen their squads ahead of next season.
When a transfer is completed, it usually has multiple ripple effects across the board and could trigger other transfers, as the buying club might need to sell off other players to counterbalance the amounts expended and avoid falling foul of FFP rules while selling clubs would have to dip into their transfer purse to replace the departed player.
La Liga is one of the biggest and most watched leagues in the world, with mega-clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid drawing in followers running into their hundreds of millions around the world.
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These three aforementioned clubs have been among the busiest in the current market, as they seek to build in preparation for next season. As expected, their new arrivals would have consequent effects and some players might not be plying their trade n Spain's top division next season. In this piece, we shall be having a rundown of five top players who might not depart La Liga this summer.
#5 Marcelo
Ever since making his Real Madrid debut in 2007, Marcelo has played his way into being considered among the best full-backs to ever don the famous all white of Los Blancos.
The 31-year-old has played a major role in all the successes enjoyed by the Spanish giants in the last decade, proving an integral member of the squads which won four Champions League trophies in five years including three consecutively.
Bar a brief period where Jose Mourinho preferred Fabio Coentrao, the Brazilian international has largely been the starting left-back for Real Madrid and rightly so as his bombarding runs forward and exquisite crossing proved an integral part of Real Madrid's attacking armory.
However, all that changed last season as the Rio de Janeiro native struggled horribly for form and was at fault for a number of goals conceded by Real Madrid.
He consequently lost his starting position to Sergi Reguilon and the arrival of French international Ferland Mendy from Lyon further puts Marcelo's position under threat and there are indications that he could depart the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Juventus had earlier shown interest in his services, as his close relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo could trigger a move to Juventus for Marcelo this summer.
#4 Antoine Griezmann
Having set the transfer rumors spinning when he stated that after five seasons with Atletico, he had come to the end of his time at the club, Antoine Griezmann became one of the most talked about topics in the tabloids.
Barcelona had shown interest in his services last summer but rather shockingly the World Cup winner turned them down preferring to sign a contract extension with Simeone's men instead.
It was expected that the Blaugrana would come back for him and Atletico chief Enrique Cerezo stated that Barcelona would be Griezmann's next destination. However, his counterpart at Barcelona came out to categorically deny this statement by stating that Barcelona are yet to contact Atleti for Griezmann's services.
Reports emanating from Barcelona's camp indicate that marquee players including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez do not want the French international, preferring a return for former teammate Neymar.
In the event that his Barcelona move does not go through, it is highly likely that Griezmann would not remain in La Liga, with the player himself stating that he is unsure if he would remain in Spain next season.
Manchester United and PSG are among the clubs interested in Griezmann and if he does depart La Liga, it would bring an end to a highly successful 10-year stay in Spain's top flight wherein he distinguished himself as one of the best forwards in the world.
#3 Philippe Coutinho
When Barcelona paid a club record fee for Philippe Coutinho in January 2018, they were expecting to sign a player who had shown much promise at Liverpool and believed he would be the long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta in midfield.
The Brazilian international started well enough to lay credence to this school of thought, scoring 10 goals and creating 5 assists from 22 matches to help the club win the domestic double despite only having a half season with the Catalans.
However, the 26-year-old has failed to build on from that and was arguably the most underperforming Barcelona player in the just-concluded season.
The former Liverpool man scored just 11 goals from 53 matches for Barcelona in 2018/2019 and looked a player short of confidence and was the subject of numerous boos by the Nou Camp faithful.
Coutinho is seemingly fed up with the situation and has reportedly demanded a transfer out of the club.
If he is to depart Nou Camp less than two years after his celebrated arrival, he would have no shortage of suitors with PSG, Manchester United and Liverpool all said to be interested.
#2 Gareth Bale
Despite winning a whopping 13 major trophies and scoring 102 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid, there are many who believe Gareth Bale has not done enough at the Bernabeu ever since his world record arrival in the summer of 2013.
A number of factors have played a role in this negative perception including injuries, while his lack of Spanish speaking abilities after seven years is said to not sit well with either his teammates or the fans.
For many years, the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo was given as an excuse for Bale's underperformance, as the Portuguese icon was the undoubted star of the side and everyone else had to play second fiddle.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's departure last summer paved the way for Bale to become the star of the show, but he failed spectacularly, scoring just 14 goals from 42 appearances in all competitions as Real Madrid failed spectacularly in 2018/2019.
Zinedine Zidane has not hidden his disappointment in Gareth Bale and has explicitly stated that the Welshman has no place in his future plans and it is expected that the 29-year-old would depart Real Madrid this summer.
Manchester United and Inter Milan are reportedly set to battle it out for his services while a return to Tottenham has also been mooted.
#1 Rodri
Rodri is a 22-year-old footballer who plays as a holding midfielder for Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
He arrived at the Wanda Metropolitano from Villareal last summer and went on to star in 34 league appearances scoring three goals to help Diego Simeone's side to a second-place finish in La Liga.
He had earlier starred for Atletico's youth side but was released in 2013 for lacking physical strength but Rodri has arrived for his second homecoming with a bang.
His displays at the base of midfield were so impressive that he established himself as a regular in the Spanish national team and caught the eye of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
While Manchester City might seem invincible, a major problem facing the team is the future replacement of Fernandinho, as the Brazilian international at 34 is rapidly approaching the end of his career.
Pep Guardiola has reportedly identified Rodri as the former Shakhtar man's replacement and has lined up a move for him this summer.
Atletico Madrid's signing of Fernando Llorente from Real Madrid further lays credence to the belief that Rodri could be Man City bound.
