LaLiga president Javier Tebas says it is ‘very unlikely’ that Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe will sign for Real Madrid or Barcelona this summer… but leaves the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo’s return
- Javier Tebas said Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe’s signings were unrealistic
- The LaLiga president said he ‘wished they could come’ but it was ‘very unlikely’
- He was far more optimistic about Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential Madrid return
- Tebas said fans could be back for the second Copa del Rey final of the season
LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes the chances of Spain’s top clubs signing Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe this summer are slim in light of the ongoing economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
‘It is very unlikely that these players can be in LaLiga,’ Tebas said.
‘I wish they could come, but we have to be realistic. I don’t think either of these two players will be [signed this summer].’
It is ‘very unlikely’ Erling Haaland (pictured) and Kylian Mbappe will go to Spain this summer
The LaLiga president said Mbappe and Haaland were not realistic options for Spain’s big two
Real Madrid have made no secret of wanting to sign either Mbappe or Haaland. And the Norwegian is wanted by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
But Barcelona have a short-term debt crisis and Real Madrid are yet to negotiate a squad-wide wage cut to avoid €90million losses for this season.
Asked about the possible return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, Tebas was far more upbeat.
‘He continues to make a difference. He is still a genius and a star and he is a man made in Madrid so it would be nice,’ he said.
The LaLiga president was more optimistic about Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential Madrid return
Tebas also said the second Copa del Rey final of the season could be played in front of fans
LaLiga has a projected net fall in income because of coronavirus of €1billion and clubs have had to lay off non-playing staff and negotiate pay-cuts with their squads.
But Tebas was optimistic that the second Spanish Cup final of the season will be played in front of fans.
The Copa del Rey from last season is due to take place behind closed doors on April 3 between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. But 14 days later this season’s final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will go ahead and Tebas said: ‘If the circumstances are right then yes (we could play it in front of supporters).
‘We are already prepared for that. We have been here for a year, we have learned, and we hope that in the third week of April we can begin to have a percentage of spectators in stadiums.’
