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Barcelona to appoint Valverde? Deulofeu back at Barca? Isco or Bale in Champions League final?

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague address YOUR La Liga questions

Is Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde the right man for the Barcelona hot seat?
Image: Is Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde the right man for the Barcelona hot seat?

With the hotly-contested La Liga season at an end, thoughts naturally turn to a busy summer of transfer activity in Spain.

With just the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals standing between now and the summer intermission, now presents the perfect time to reflect on a season which saw Real Madrid end their five-year wait to the crowned Spanish champions.

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Here to answer YOUR transfer questions, address any lingering post-season thoughts and to look ahead to the new campaign, Sky Sports' Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague!

Guillem answers YOUR questions!

Who is the best fit for the vacant Barcelona job, and who should his first signings be? (@ghitzshe)

We all think Ernesto Valverde will be the new Barcelona manager - it will be a huge surprise if he isn't, he just fits at so many levels.

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has been linked with a move to Barcelona
Image: Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has been linked with a move to Barcelona

He understands the team has to play well, his teams to date have played well, but he is also a competitive coach as seen when he won leagues with Olympiakos. Given the tools he can make a team go the extra yard to win leagues. He deals with the media well and he has been at the club for two years previously so understands what it means to work there.

It's very difficult for Barcelona, where do they go after winning everything under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique? If Barca had different directors and vision they may well have risked going to for somebody that could take the team back to the essence seen under Pep and Luis Enrique.

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Highlights of Barcelona's 4-2 win over Eibar in La Liga

If Valverde is appointed, they will be going for a safe pair of hands, quality and somebody that knows how to deal with players of the highest calibre, having been one himself. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with Barcelona.

What's the situation with Deulofeu? Will Barca be looking to activate his £10m buyback clause to bring him back in the summer? (@edd279)

There is a decision to be made by the new Barcelona coach, whoever that may be, whether they take up the €12m (£10m) option to re-sign Gerard Deulofeu. Barca are all too aware of the potential Deulofeu has but only if he plays regularly.

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 21:  Gerard Deulofeu of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC at S
Image: Will Barcelona's new head coach sanction Gerard Deulofeu's return to the Camp Nou

He is not a player that comes from the bench and makes a difference, he is not made of that and he loses form quickly. The new manager will have to deal with that but the possibility to sign Deulofeu will be put on his table when he arrives at the Camp Nou.

Is Isco starting to push Gareth Bale out the Real Madrid side? And who will start the Champions League final? (@TomNewland08)

Since Bale got injured Isco has been fantastic, he's played every game and scored two goals and given three assists. He was involved in 14 goals for Real this season and that form has put any doubts over his future to bed, with the Spaniard now expected to sign a new deal at the Bernabeu.

Isco celebrates his crucial away goal against Atletico Madrid
Image: Isco has been crucial in Real Madrid's title run-in, but will be be rewarded with a start in the Champions League final?

Interestingly, he started just nine games in the first half of the season and then nine in the second half. While he hasn't been an ever-present, he has been very important.

He looks good and has the media backing him to start, but, if Bale is fit, I feel he will play. He adds something else. Bale is not just another ordinary player, he is one of the world's best.

Isco's thought process on the pitch is in line with the majority of his team-mates but Bale suits the style of the team even better because hee improves the team in areas where they are most dangerous - pace and counter-attacking, not controlling the game.

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Highlights of Real Madrid’s title-winning 2-0 victory against Malaga in La Liga

Any chance of Sandro returning to Barcelona? And how are Barca planning to replace Andres Iniesta? (@AbhinabaDutta10)

No, there are no plans in place for this move, despite Sandro proving to be very, very useful. With Paco Alcacer already in place, the gap of the fourth striker behind Messi, Neymar and Suarez is already filled.

As Luis Enrique mentioned many times, it is impossible to replace Iniesta so, instead, you have to reinforce a midfield that has players capable of attacking and defending, players Barca are short of at the moment.

Sandro Ramirez has scored 14 goals this season
Image: Sandro Ramirez has really caught the eye for Malaga this season

Before that, though, Barca need to decide how they want to play. Once that has been established then, and only then, can they go and get players. There is a bit of confusion as to what direction Barca should take next, all of which adds to the job Valverde will be tasked with.

What is being said about Atletico's transfer ban? Are they confident of the ban being removed? (@xIX_Crizzle_Xix)

Atletico will hear a resolution on June 1. They are very confident the outcome will be positive and are preparing for next season like any other, which includes potentially signing players. The outcome of their appeal will play a huge part in whether they are able to keep Antoine Griezmann.

Diego  Simeone has expressed his desire to stay at Atletico Madrid
Image: Diego Simeone has confirmed his intention to stay with Atletico, but will be be able to sign players this summer?

What's the plan with Sergi Samper at Barca? Surely he'll be given a chance to prove himself as he looks good back up to Sergio Busquets. (@edd279)

The plan at the moment for Sergi Samper is not to go back to Barcelona. With the acquisition of full-backs high on the agenda, and with that freeing up Sergi Roberto to play in midfield next season, there isn't space for him in the team.

Any news on the future of Dani Ceballos? Will he be staying at Real Betis or moving potentially to Atletico Madrid? (@edd279)

Balague's La Liga review
Balague's La Liga review

Guillem Balague returns for one last time this season to cast his eye back over a campaign which delivered plenty a twist and turn...

Yes, Atletico Madrid want to get Ceballos, and Sandro and Alexandre Lacazette. It remains to be seen whether they get any of those at all, with their FIFA-imposed transfer ban still in place.

Watch Barcelona v Alaves in the Copa del Rey final at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 8.20pm on Saturday.

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