La Liga
La Liga: Best Transfers Of Summer 2018
With the 2018/2019 La Liga Summer Transfer Market officially closed, here is a look at the top 15 acquisitions. Club Atletico de Madrid have been the busiest with 4 of the 15 signings belonging to the ‘Rojiblancos’.
Current champions Barcelona also had a busy summer. The Catalan club made numerous additions to midfield, covering for the loss of club legend Andres Iniesta. Other clubs with notable signings include Valencia, Sevilla, Real Betis and of course Real Madrid.
Below are the top 15 in order of their price tags.
1. Thomas Lemar (Atlético de Madrid)
The French left-winger made his move from AS Monaco for €70 mil. Lemar’s arrival to the current Europa and Super Cup Champions will surely intimidate defenses in La Liga 18/19. The World Cup winner will provide an extra angle in an already dangerous attack beside Antoine Greizman and Diego Costa. Atletico may very well be the team to beat in La Liga 18-19.
2. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid CF)
The 26-year-old made his way to the Spanish capital in a deal that included €35 mil plus Mateo Kovacic (€30mil) heading to Chelsea on loan. Despite facing the difficult task of replacing Keylor Navas, the tall Croatian is a huge addition for the current champions of Europe. Courtois led his nation to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia where he won the golden glove.
3. Malcom (FC Barcelona)
The extremely talented Brazilian was snatched up by the Spanish giants before almost signing for AS Roma. The 21-year old’s price tag of €41 mil speaks of what the Catalans expect from him. The right winger’s powerful left foot shot will terrorize La Liga defenders in 2018-2019 and his pre-season goal versus Boca Juniors is evidence of why Barca sought Malcom.
4. Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia CF)
Considered by most to be the future of Portugal, Guedes joins Valencia on a permanent transfer from PSG. €40 mil was the fee paid by the Spanish club to secure the young left winger. An exception dribbler, the 21-year old will continue where he left off last season while on loan at Valencia. That includes, quick feet, providing assists for Rodrigo and/or scoring himself.
5. Clément Lenglet (FC Barcelona)
The French center back took the train from Sevilla over to the current La Liga and Copa del Rey champions for €35.90 mil. Lenglet will serve as backup to Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti in the Catalan’s squad. The 23-year-old adds good depth to what was already the second-best defense in La Liga last season. Should he settle in well, the defender could have a bright future in Barcelona as a long term Pique replacement.
6. Arthur (FC Barcelona)
€31 mil brought 22-year-old Arthur to the Spanish champions from Brazilian club Gremio. The promising center midfielder helps to fill the void left by Andres Iniesta. Arthur should thrive in midfield with the help of countrymen Coutinho and Rafinha. In the rare case of Messi’s absence, coach Ernesto Valverde will also rely on Arthur to create magic in attack.
7. Geoffrey Kondogbia (Valencia CF)
After spending last season on loan with Valencia from Internazionale, the Spanish club made the Frenchman’s move permanent in May for €30 mil. The central midfielder signed a four-year contract and will help Valencia compete in their return to the UEFA Champions League as well as domestically. Kondogbia can also play as a centre back and a left back and is familiar with La Liga after a previous stint with Sevilla in 12/13.
8. Álvaro Odriozola (Real Madrid CF)
The Basque defender signed for Real Madrid from boyhood club Real Sociedad for €30 mil in July. An able backup for Dani Carvajal, Odriozola was one of the first signings made by new coach Julen Lopetegui. The 22-year-old Spaniard provides much needed depth in his position for his new club since Achraf Hakimi’s move to Germany on loan.
9. William Carvalho (Real Betis)
The Andalusian club signed Carvalho from Sporting CP for €25 mil after a nightmare season saw the Portuguese club spiral out of control. As a result, Betis have a skilled defensive midfielder to partner Andres Guardado. The 26-year old signing has Portuguese and Angolan citizenship but has always represented the former, which he did at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
10. Rodri (Atlético de Madrid)
Another in-country move see’s Rodri cross over to Atletico de Madrid from Villareal for €25 mil. Very few signings have been considered so perfect. The 22-year-old Spaniard will replace former club captain Gabi Fernandez who ‘retired’ and moved to Al Sadd SC in Qatar. Like his predecessor, Rodri is a product of the club’s own youth system and will fulfill the defensive midfielder’s role in way fellow midfielders Koke and Saul cannot.
11. Mariano Diaz (Real Madrid)
Re-joining his boyhood club, Mariano signed for Real for €22 mil from Olympique Lyon. The Dominican and Spanish striker almost signed for Sevilla, but Madrid exercised first rights. The 25-year-old brings a different type of striker to the 13-time UCL Champions and complements current number nine Karim Benzema. Diaz is the last piece of the puzzle for the club after his emotional presentation on the final day of the transfer market.
12. Santiago Arias (Atlético de Madrid)
The Colombian right back was the Dutch Eredivisie Player of The Year last season with PSV Eindhoven. Atletico secured the services of Arias for €18 mil after starting right back Vrsaljko left for Italy. Arias is a solid defender with natural attacking ability joining a defensive system under coach Diego Simeone. The experienced 26-year-old is first choice for his country and participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia exiting in the knockout rounds.
13. Michy Batshuayi (Valencia CF)
Valencia get Batshuayi on a season long loan from London club Chealsea FC. The center forward’s loan included a €3 mil fee as the club tries to improve on last seasons fourth placed finish. The Belgian adds depth to an attack that includes fellow loanee Denis Cheryshev, Rodrigo Moreno, new-comer Kevin Gameiro and Gonçalo Guedes. Coach Marcelino will feel confident in the club’s squad on their return to Champion’s League football.
14. Gelson Martins (Atlético de Madrid)
Valued at €35 mil, Martins came to the Spanish capital on a free transfer with Atletico benefiting majorly from Sporting SC’s in-house problems. The amount of attacking talent for the Europa league champions this season is astounding. On the right wing, Martins will complement fellow new-comer Lemar who will operate on the left. The 23-year-old represented Portugal in the 2018 World Cup and can also serve as a right back.
15. Andre Silva (Sevilla FC)
The Portuguese joined the Andalusians on loan from AC Milan and hit the ground running. Scoring a hattrick in his first La Liga match and becoming joint top scorer. At only 22 years of age, Silva already has 26 senior international appearances having debuted in 2015. The striker should surpass his 10 goals from last season in Italy and seems likely to replace one of Luis Muriel, Ben Yedder or Nolito in the squad.
