LaLiga Transfer Talk: Is Robert Lewandowski heading to the MLS? And is Antoine Griezmann set for Atletico exit?

As Spain’s elite teams prepare for the opening of the January transfer window, we look at some of the biggest transfer talk from LaLiga.

LaLiga Transfer Talk

Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona to Chicago Fire

One of the most gifted and celebrated strikers to ever grace the beautiful game could be the next big name to make the transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS).

Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, to name just a few select players, have all made the journey across the Atlantic Ocean over to America.

What do all of those players have in common? They have all played for Barcelona. In Alba and Busquets’ cases, they directly moved from Barcelona to Inter Miami in the MLS. So could Lewandowski be the next big name to make the move?

Poland’s all-time record goalscorer hasn’t yet celebrated success on the international front. Back on the domestic scene, the former Znicz Pruszkow, Lech Poznan, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund striker has always been best friends with the back of the net whenever he has gone.

Barcelona are currently stacked in the striking department, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, and Ferran Torres all competing with Lewandowski for a starting place on manager Hansi Flick’s team sheet.

With it appearing that fellow MLS side Inter Miami can’t move for Lewandowski despite open DP slot, the gateway now appears open for Chicago Fire to make a move for the star-striker next month.

Marc-André ter Stegen from Barcelona to Tottenham

Another player who could be heading out of the Nou Camp gates as recently as next month could be ter Stegen.

The current club captain at Barcelona, the German has only made a single appearance this season due to a problematic back injury. That appearance came in the Round of 32 Copa del Rey win over lower league opposition Guadalajara.

Ter Stegen has been restricted to multiple prolonged trips to the treatment room after only playing nine matches last season, primarily to a patellar tendon rupture.

In his continuous absence, Barca ventured into the summer transfer market to sign Joan García for just over £20million from fellow LaLiga outfit Espanyol. García has since transformed himself into the club’s new number one, leaving ter Stegen pondering his options.

This could lead to a move to the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur reported front-runners for his esteemed signature. With it not being a quietly kept top secret plan that Spurs are actively looking to replace current first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, ter Stegen might fancy a move to a league he has never played in before.

Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid to Galatasaray

A potential move that will certainly raise eyebrows at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano will be if Griezmann departs Atlético Madrid in the January transfer window.

Griezmann has participated in all 17 LaLiga matches in the 2025/26 campaign, in addition to appearing on the pitch in all six Champions League phase matches. However, only six goals in those 23 aforementioned appearances are certainly nowhere near the world-class calibre everyone knows the Frenchman possesses in the final third.

Over 200 goals in an Atlético jersey, alongside over 90 assists, would make any potential departure absolutely devastating for everyone associated within the club. However, Galatasaray aren’t strangers to splashing the cash on new players.

Okan Buruk’s side spent just over £65million on Victor Osimhen’s signature from Napoli, £26.3million on right-back Wilfried Singo, and £24million on new goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır et al. With money appearing not to be an issue at all for the Süper Lig side, a move could therefore be happening.