Messi wants Barcelona to sign €70M star, Real Madrid eye €50M Manchester City target and more La Liga news – 31st December 2018

All the latest LaLiga news in one place!

Isco confirms he's staying at Madrid

Isco has put an end to all the exit rumours and revealed that he is not planning to leave Real Madrid any time soon. Rumours suggested that he was set to leave Bernabeu in January after being isolated from the matchday squad by Santiago Solari.

The Spanish midfielder told Deportes Cuatro, “I’m very excited about the new year. I’m not going to go in the winter market, I’m very happy, of course, I want to continue with Madrid to continue winning titles.”

Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for Isco. The 26-year-old has had a topsy-turvy time at Bernabeu – he started off with a bang but it all came crashing under Zidane. He was back in the team under Lopetegui but now again, Solari has opted to leave him out of the squad.

Castro unsure of Atletico Madrid future

Jonny Castro, on loan from Atletico Madrid, has been playing regularly at Wolverhampton but his future is still in doubt. The defender was asked if he has had any conversation with the Spanish side about his future but he revealed that he has no idea about where he will be playing next season.

“It has been an incredible year and with many memories to savour, but we have to live in the present and I want to continue growing as a footballer,” Jonny has been quoted by El Desmarque.

“No one from Atlético has told me anything, I have my head here (at Wolves) but I am working hard to arrive in the summer and try to stay (at Atleti). I've seen the news about Lucas, but he's still an Atleti player and he contributes a lot there, it will be difficult for him to leave the club,” added the defender.

Al Ain v Real Madrid: Final - FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018

Real Madrid eye Junior Firpo

Real Madrid are looking to sign a long-term replacement for Marcelo and have made a list of players according to reports. AS report that Los Blancos are ready to activate Junior Firpo's release clause and secure his signing.

The Real Betis defender has a release clause of €50 million and Florentino Perez is keen on signing him. However, Betis are looking to get him tied down to a new contract and his release clause is bound to increase.

Moreover, Madrid are not the only side interested in signing the Spanish full-back. The Mirror claim that Pep Guardiola is also keeping an eye on him and is keen on getting him as a backup for Benjamin Mendy.

Mendy has been injured for 70% of the time ever since he joined from AS Monaco last season and the Cityzens have had to play make-shift left-backs for a long time. Guardiola wants a solid option on the left flank and is keen on Firpo.

Get him to Barcelona!

Messi wants Milan Škriniar at Camp Nou

Lionel Messi always wants the best for Barcelona and has made another big decision for the club as per reports in Don Balon. The Argentine has asked the club to scrap plans to sign De Ligt from Ajax and focus on signing a better centre-back.

The Spanish publication reports that Milan Škriniar is Messi's prefered choice and wants Barcelona to get him at any cost. He has reportedly been slapped with a €70 million price tag by Inter Milan and the Catalan side was linked with him before.

Pep Guardiola back at Camp Nou?

Barcelona might have a new headache if reports in The Independent are to be believed. Ernesto Valverde is looking to leave the club in the summer and the club are now looking for his replacements.

Ernesto Valverde is thinking of leaving #Barcelona at the end of the season. The Catalan side are looking to bring back Pep Guardiola from #ManCity.

— Agent Córdoba (@AgentCordoba) December 31, 2018

Twitter ITK, Agent Cordoba, who has got several past claims correct has also reported the same. He has also added that the Catalan side are looking to bring Manchester City's Pep Guardiola back to the club.