La Liga transfers: Spotlight on the intriguing moves this summer
The transfer window has slammed shut and while you know all about the deals that brought the likes of Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic to Barcelona, here we look at five interesting moves elsewhere in La Liga.
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Juanfran – Real Betis to Deportivo La Coruña (Loan, without option to buy)
Deportivo La Coruña were desperate for deals on Deadline Day, and their most important signing just barely materialised. Juanfran was heading to Watford of England’s Championship on Monday afternoon, but a swift change of the deal saw him end up in Galicia. Juanfran was outstanding in Real Betis’ relegation year, offering high energy and commitment down the right hand side in either a full-back or winger role. At 25-years-old the product of Real Madrid’s La Fábrica shows good awareness of his defensive responsibilities but also drive and dynamism in attacking flurries. Another bonus is that he can also be used as a defensive midfielder, but keep him wide and watch him fly.
Emiliano Insúa – Atletico Madrid to Rayo Vallecano (Loan, without option to buy)
It seems to have been forgotten just how brilliant Emiliano Insúa was at Sporting CP before his ill-fated move to Atletico Madrid. Insúa simply couldn’t break into a set in stone Atleti XI, a problem similarly experienced by Toby Alderweireld, Oliver Torres, Josuha Guilavogui and others. Filipe Luís owned the left-back slot to Insúa’s detriment, but the talent of the Argentinian will surely be utilised at Rayo. A lot of Paco Jémez’s style is based on width, and how his full-backs overlap and contribute to attacks but also show strong recovery speed when facing counter attacks. Insúa is a significant leap in quality over Rayo’s previous full-back personnel, and is poised to recapture the form that he enjoyed in Portugal.
Álvaro Negredo – Man City to Valencia (Loan, with €28m obligatory buying option)
Nuno Espírito Santo promised the Valencia fans a ‘bomb’ of a signing. The 29-year-old was indeed that, arriving on loan with an obligatory €28m clause. Though both Rodrigo and Paco Alcácer have started well, they are simply stretching their wings. Negredo knows the league inside-out, and will provide sheer muscle, experience and of course, goals, for Valencia. Some are saying this signing assures Valencia’s return to Champions League football, and while that may be optimistic to say the least at this stage, it does have a degree of substance. Negredo’s able to boast 102 goals in the 209 games he’s played to date in Spanish football, a figure to be respected. The ruthlessness he shows in front of goal will be a point of learning for the young duo too, and Valencia can now finally say they have an attacking line to be envied.
José Cañas Swansea – Swansea to Espanyol (Free)
David López’s loss was an unexpected, and shattering, blow to Espanyol’s season at this early stage. The defensive midfielder was highly competitive, tough, and energetic. So, how do you replace him? With a player who is a carbon copy of course. Cañas stock in La Liga is still high, after some sensational performances with Real Betis in which he even outshone Beñat during a fine European qualification season. Cañas is tenacious like López, providing the grit Espanyol needs in their counter attacking system. He can win the ball back, and distribute it efficiently to the more creative minds. An astute signing if there ever was one.
Fede Vico – Anderlecht to Cordoba (Loan, without option to buy)
One out of leftfield, but one not to be ignored. Fede Vico’s move from Córdoba to Anderlecht was a bizarre one at the time, and it simply hasn’t come to fruition. Now Fede is back, and the player many dubbed an Isco clone is out to show he can still offer up electric performances. Still only 20, Fede is an asset coming from wide, through the middle or as an out and out striker. He possesses sublime control, and can slalom challenges with the best of them. His spark could be exactly what Cordoba needs to maintain their La Liga status.
