LaLiga Santander clubs have been freshening up their squad over the summer months. The top-flight teams have made more than 150 signings, with records broken along the way and some of the very best players in world football landing in Spain.
Here we run through the standout deadline day moves, the biggest transfers of the window and who reinforced the most.
WHICH MOVES STOOD OUT ON DEADLINE DAY?
Javier Hernández to Sevilla
Excitement all round at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán as Sevilla brought in Mexican striker Javier Hernández from West Ham United on the final day of the window. Having spent the 2014/15 season at Real Madrid, he already knows the league and brings a wealth of experience with him.
Jason and Kenedy to Getafe
Getafe have been looking to strengthen in the wide positions and have done so with the loan acquisitions of Jason from Valencia and Kenedy from Chelsea. The Spaniard and Brazilian add some welcome talent and depth to the squad as Getafe look to campaign on both domestic and international (Europa League) fronts this season.
Alphonse Areola to Real Madrid
Real Madrid have a new backup goalkeeper. Keylor Navas has left for Paris Saint-Germain, with France international Alphonse Areola has moved in the opposite direction. The 26-year-old already has LaLiga experience, having previously played on loan for Villarreal in the 2015/16 season.
Thierry Correia to Valencia
Portuguese right-back Thierry Correia joined Valencia from Sporting CP on a five-year deal. Known for his versatility, the 20-year-old’s arrival is timely as regular full-back Cristiano Piccini is currently out with an injury.
Rafinha to RC Celta
It’s been a summer of homecomings for Celta after tempting home former academy products Santi Mina (from Valencia) and Denis Suarez (Barcelona). They’ve now added another player from the Celta family, Barcelona‘s Rafinha, who returns to Abanca Balaidos where he spent the 2013/14 season on loan. His father Mazinho also played for Celta, so this move is a special one for fans in Spain’s northwest.
WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST DEALS OF THE SUMMER?
Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona
Barcelona revealed that they’d be signing Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong as early as January. The player dazzled for Ajax during their impressive Champions League run – being named Champions League Midfielder of the Year along the way – and is clearly one of the best midfield prospects to emerge in world football in recent years.
Eden Hazard to Real Madrid
The former Premier League Player of the Season now plies his trade in LaLiga Santander. Real Madrid made Hazard their blockbuster signing of the summer, presenting him in front of a packed Santiago Bernabéu. Injury has prevented him from making his debut as yet, but big things are expected of the Belgian.
Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona
Barcelona signed one of the best attacking players in world football by bringing in Antoine Griezmann from rivals Atlético de Madrid. The French World Cup winner was Atleti’s top scorer in each of the past five seasons and will now line up alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez to form a front line that will give defenders nightmares.
João Félix to Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone explained that Atleti would try to replace Griezmann by signing a young player who could blossom into a top-class superstar. The youngster they identified was Benfica‘s João Félix, who quickly whipped up excitement amongst Atleti fans with his performances in pre-season. A jaw-dropping dribble in the 19-year-old’s LaLiga Santander debut against Getafe caught the attention too, while he scored his first official goal for the club in the third week against Eibar.
WHICH CLUBS STRENGTHENED THE MOST?
Sevilla and their 13 signings
With sporting director Monchi back at the club, Sevilla have been the busiest team this summer; the revolving door at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán has hardly stopped spinning. In total, they’ve made 13 acquisitions by bringing in Diego Carlos (Nantes), Jules Koundé (Bordeaux), Sergio Reguilón (Real Madrid), Moanes Dabbur (RB Salzburg), Joan Jordán (Eibar), Fernando (Galatasaray), Nemanja Gudelj (Guangzhou Evergrande), Óliver Torres (Porto), Rony Lopes (Monaco), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Lucas Ocampos (O. Marseille), Javier Hernández (West Ham) and Bono (Girona).
Real Sociedad‘s attacking reinforcements
La Real significantly bolstered their attacking by signing young Scandinavian talents Martin Ödegaard and Alexander Isak as well as the most experienced Portu. They’ve also added goalkeeper Alex Remiro, left-back Nacho Monreal and centre-back Modibo Sagnan. A very solid transfer window for the side from San Sebastian.
Atlético de Madrid’s squad revamp
Considering that Atlético Madrid saw Antoine Griezmann, Diego Godín, Lucas Hernández, Rodri, Juanfran and Filipe Luís all leave the Wanda Metropolitano this summer, they won’t complain about the look of their new squad. In addition to future superstar João Félix, they also brought in Mario Hermoso (Espanyol), Felipe (Porto), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Marcos Llorente (Real Madrid), Renan Lodi (Athletico Paranaense) and Hector Herrera (Porto).
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