Yes, we know Michu was only £2million but he’s gone now, so let us help you find the next wave of stars. After Michu’s remarkable bargain success in the Premier League, there’s no doubt that many Premier League clubs will be looking to La Liga this summer in hope of a cut-price deal or two. Levante winger Ruben Garcia today expressed his openness to an Arsenal move, and although Gunners fans may not have heard of the youngster - read more here - it is transfers like this that tend to get football supporters more excited than any other. So where to look in the off-season? Real Madrid and Barcelona won’t be giving up many of their stars, that’s for sure, but with the financial situations of many Primera División sides getting worse and the taxman knocking on the door, quick fire sales could strengthen the Premier League this summer.
Inigo Martinez – £30 million
The 21-year-old defender has established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga this season with his uncompromising, consistent displays, and a Spain call-up is now not far away. Real Sociedad’s rapid rise up the table has not only been due to their exciting attack, but solid defence too - at the heart of that has been Martinez. The young Spaniard has given strikers up and down Spain some of their toughest games, as he marshals them with physical strength and intelligence. He’s dominant aerially, provides excellent coverage and is extremely talented when moving out of defence. The bonus that comes with Martinez is that he can mix up his styles from smooth to rough.
Not frightened of putting his boot or head in where it matters, he shows aspects of Carles Puyol’s game and many are tipping him to succeed the Barcelona man at the heart of Spain’s defence in the future. As with many modern centre-backs these days, Martinez is excellent as the first outlet in attack and can distribute the ball efficiently into advanced zones.
The only genuine concern regarding his game has been his lack of pace, and potential to get caught out while defending with a high-line. With his on field intelligence and positional ability improving all the time however, it will become less of an issue.
Potential clubs: Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal
Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) – £6.5 million
A fiery striker with a gift for creating and scoring goals, Iago Aspas would be a fantastic signing for most clubs in the Premier League. 10 goals in his first La Liga season has shown the confident nature the Spaniard possesses, but many are forgetting another dimension to his game.
Aspas has also been the best creative outlet at Celta this season, weighing in with 6 assists and playing a vital role in all approach play duties. Aspas is someone who can add variation to the attack, dropping off deep to initiate play while also moving into the channels and holding up the ball. The 25-year-old has pace, skill and impressive movement off the ball especially.
His style at times is reminiscent of David Villa in his pomp at Valencia. There is a darker side to Aspas though, and with his sort fuse is known to get in the faces of opponents and officials. He’s certainly one of those classic players you’d love to have on your team, but despise when an opponent.
Potential clubs: Chelsea, Liverpool and Swansea have all taken a close look, but don’t rule out the likes of Arsenal and Southampton.
Potential clubs: Chelsea, Liverpool and Swansea have all taken a close look, but don’t rule out the likes of Arsenal and Southampton.
A fiery striker with a gift for creating and scoring goals, Iago Aspas would be a fantastic signing for most clubs in the Premier League. 10 goals in his first La Liga season has shown the confident nature the Spaniard possesses, but many are forgetting another dimension to his game.
Aspas has also been the best creative outlet at Celta this season, weighing in with 6 assists and playing a vital role in all approach play duties. Aspas is someone who can add variation to the attack, dropping off deep to initiate play while also moving into the channels and holding up the ball. The 25-year-old has pace, skill and impressive movement off the ball especially.
His style at times is reminiscent of David Villa in his pomp at Valencia. There is a darker side to Aspas though, and with his sort fuse is known to get in the faces of opponents and officials. He’s certainly one of those classic players you’d love to have on your team, but despise when an opponent.
Potential clubs: Chelsea, Liverpool and Swansea have all taken a close look, but don’t rule out the likes of Arsenal and Southampton.
Potential clubs: Chelsea, Liverpool and Swansea have all taken a close look, but don’t rule out the likes of Arsenal and Southampton.
Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad) – £30 million
A superstar in the making? Perhaps. Antoine Griezmann is now playing a pivotal role in Champions League chasing Real Sociedad’s side. It’s been a patchy season in some regards for the Frenchman, who can dip in and out form with seemingly ease, but he does evidently possess masses and masses of talent. Recently he’s found more consistency, and with is bagging goals and assists.
With the potential there it’s no surprise many expect him to be a top player in the future, and it will be a question of who can get the best out of him.
Griezmann can play various roles, but insisting he’s more comfortable in the middle as an attacking midfielder.
he still provides a threat from the wide areas he’s’ more regularly played in. Pace, technique, a blistering change of direction and an eye for goal there is no doubt he can be a threat from multiple areas. There’s a fearless streak running through him too, and no opponent no matter how big is a target for his direct style.
Potential clubs: Any club aiming to sign a star player, and it appears Spurs are most interested.
With Valencia’s need to sell existing there will be interest in many of their players, and a French international could be of mass appeal.
Adil Rami has had a mixed time in Spain since joining the club, but there are aspects of his game that would appeal to many clubs. Rami’s quick across the ground, tough in the tackle and imposes himself on opponents with his sheer physical power.
The issue with Rami has been with his concentration, with him switching off in games at key moments. The focus isn’t always there but if put in the right defensive system and handed continuity, could be a central defender operating at the top level.
Potential clubs: Spurs and Arsenal are possibilities while Manchester United have often been linked.
A product of La Masia, Roberto Trashorras is a central midfielder possessing immense technical ability and vision on the field, able to open up teams with his fine range of passing. He’s shown this past season at Rayo Vallecano he can operate in an unfancied team and take them to the next level with his quality. He’s also able to provide quality from dead ball situations.
Potential clubs: Promoted teams could do a lot worse than snap up this stylish midfielder.
Riki’s a physical player able to hold off defenders, back in, and do all the dirty work you expect from a lone striker. Unorthodox may be, but he can be a handful on his day and make sure defenders aren’t given an easy ride.
Potential clubs: Anyone looking to add power and presence to their attack, or promoted clubs.
A player who would provide instant quality to any team, bringing his ability and experience to the table. Jeremy Toulalan’s a top class defensive midfielder who would be able to move into the first team immediately and offer security to the defensive system.
Toulalan’s perhaps an underrated player because of his understated duties, but what he can provide could be the difference in a team remaining mid table and mixing it up at the top.
The 27-year-old provides excellent coverage in deep areas, intercepting play and putting in key tackles. The most impressive asset though is from a positional point of view, with the clever Frenchman rarely, if ever, caught out.
Potential clubs: Arsene Wenger should certainly make a move for his countryman.
The Premier League has missed some Balkan brilliance since the departure of Luka Modric, so why not bring in a player who has outshone the former Spurs man in La Liga this season?
Ivan Rakitic has been playing the best football of his career at Sevilla this season, providing an energetic, intelligent and influential threat in attacking midfield.
Rakitic has shown his ability to operate effectively coming off the wing and taking hold of central midfield with his excellent reading of the game. Few players get through more running in game too, and with the balance of work rate and technique it makes the Croatian a real threat.
Potential clubs: Fulham and West Ham were interested in January, so we could see a revival of that.
A sensation in La Liga this season who has become one of the most sought after players in European football, and watching him play it’s easy to see why. It’s hard to believe he’s only 20 years old, such is the confidence and ability the Frenchman plays with. The physical aspect of his game is the most notable, and because of this comparisons with Yaya Toure exist.
Kondogbia channels the same powerful running as the Manchester City man, with flashes of skill and elegance. He’s most comfortable roaming forward however, with the ball at his feet looking to play passes into more creative players. His final ball needs work and he can often dwell on the ball, but other than that his improvement has been rapid.
The box-to-box style he possesses is rare these days and with it a team would be handed a real dimension and versatility.
otential clubs: Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been mentioned.
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