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La Liga: Top transfers in the summer window

La Liga is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world, let alone Europe. Despite being dominated by the ‘big three’ of Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid, it’s where the majority of players dream of playing, among some of the greatest stars of all-time.

It was a busy transfer window ahead of the 2019-20 season which kicked off last weekend and here we round up the top three signings in La Liga. But before we do, find all the available La Liga betting markets and odds here: https://www.paddypower.com/football/spanish-la-liga.

1. João Félix – Atlético Madrid (£113.4m)

João Félix is only 19-years-old, but he’s already made quite the name for himself. On joining Atléti, not only did he become the fourth most expensive transfer ever, but the £113m that the Spanish giants paid for him rank him as the second most expensive teenager in transfer history. Atléti were lucky to sign Félix, with several clubs on his radar, following a very successful debut season in the Primeira Liga for Benfica.

Félix fired in 15 goals from 26 league appearances, scoring a total of 20 goals in all competitions. Among his achievements from last season, Félix became the youngest player to score in the Lisbon derby (as Benfica drew with Sporting CP 1-1); and he scored a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

It wasn’t an entirely successful debut in La Liga for Félix– although Atléti beat Getafe 1-0 and Félix won a penalty (which former Chelsea man, Alvaro Morata failed to convert), he didn’t get on the scoresheet and was substituted after the hour mark with a muscle strain.

 

2. Antoine Griezmann – Barcelona (£108m)

Antoine Griezmann needs no introduction to La Liga. The 29-year-old is in his tenth season of Spain’s top-flight and has amassed 134 league goals in 321 appearances for Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid.

Among his accolades during his time in the capital, Griezmann won the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and the Supercopa de España. However, it wasn’t an entirely successful five seasons with Atléti, as Griezmann often found himself amidst transfer speculation and at the end of the 2016-17 season, the club received a transfer ban, with Griezmann then opting to extend his contract by a year, despite a potential exit on the cards.

Last weekend’s debut was one to forget for the striker, as Barcelona were beaten in their opening game away to Athletic Bilbao; with Lionel Messi out injured andGriezmann’s strike partner Luis Suarez leaving the pitchwith a knock. Manager Ernesto Valverde wasn’t exactly complimentary in his post-match interview of Griezmann’s performance: “We expect a lot from all the players and he has to look to get in the game more.”

 

3. Eden Hazard – Real Madrid (£90m)

Considered one of the best players in the world, Hazard’s departure from Chelsea was surely a given, regardless of their two-window transfer embargo. Los Blancos were the favourites for his signature prior to his Europa League final farewell and it was only a matter of time that the news was confirmed.

During his time at the West London club, Hazard achieved honours in all major competitions, bar the Champions League – with two Premier League titles in addition to FA Cup and League Cup medals, as well as two wins in the Europa League, most recently last season’s all-English final. The word ‘legend’ gets thrown about in football somewhat, but there’s no doubting that the Belgian has gone down in Chelsea folklore. He sits eighth in the table for all-time appearances with 245 and third in terms of goals with 85 (behind Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba).

Hazard is yet to make his La Liga debut, suffering a thigh strain ahead of Real’s 3-1 win away at Celta Vigo. However, it has been reported that he will miss the next two games and return to action after the international break.

 

Completing the top 10

4. Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona (£67.5m)

5. Luka Jovic – Real Madrid (£54m)

6. Éder Militão – Real Madrid (£45m)

7. Ferland Mendy – Real Madrid (£43.2m)

8. Rodrygo – Real Madrid (£40.5m)

9. Jasper Cillessen – Valencia (£31.5m)

10. Marcos Llorente – Atlético Madrid (£27m)