Open Thread: August 18, 2021

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

End of the road for Madrid and Odegaard?

Fabrizio Romano reported that talks are at the final stages. Ødegaard will re-join Arsenal on a permanent deal. The fee will be decided in the “next few hours”, but it is believed to be in the region of 40 million euros. His contract with the gunners will run until June 2026. It is unclear at this time if there will be a buy back clause or not.

El Larguero: Mbappe to remain at PSG for another year.

Spanish radio sports program El Larguero reported that Mbappe is convinced that his future is at Real Madrid but he will have to remain at PSG for another year. Sources from the PSG dressing room assure that Leonardo has told them that Mbappé is staying. Mbappé has also told his closest circle of the locker room that this year he will stay.

Five years of Marco Asensio.

The club put out a montage of the some of the winger’s best moments. Let’s reminiscence.

ICYMI: Churros y Tácticas Podcast - Breaking down the opening weekend of La Liga PLUS Laporta’s presser.

Kiyan Sobhani and Diego Lorijn are back to discuss a range of topics from Joan Laporta’s press conference about Barcelona’s financial situation to the Spanish media’s reaction to Real Madrid’s win over Alaves. Give it a listen.