More Spanish-based players linked with Premier League moves.Premier League clubs have been doing their shopping in La Liga so far this summer, with many of the major signings made by the big title challengers coming from Spanish sides, and the possibility of more to follow.
Read more Chelsea transfer rumours.
Alexis Sanchez was confirmed as an Arsenal player yesterday evening, arriving for a fee in the region of £32m from last season’s runners-up Barcelona, who have also shifted out Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea in a bid to revamp their struggling squad for the new season.
Joining Fabregas at Chelsea is Spanish international striker Diego Costa, who arrives on the back of a superb title-winning season with Atletico Madrid, for whom he scored 36 goals in all competitions last season.
Elsewhere, champions Manchester City have strengthened with the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero from Malaga, while Manchester United have finally got their hands on Ander Herrera, the former Athletic Bilbao playmaker who nearly joined the club last summer.
See below for ten more La Liga stars being linked with Premier League moves this summer.
10) Carlos Bacca (Sevilla)
After an impressive debut season in La Liga with Sevilla, Colombian hot-shot Carlos Bacca has been linked with a £9m move to Everton in recent times. The Toffees are on the lookout for a replacement for loan star Romelu Lukaku upfront, and could move for the prolific 27-year-old this summer, with his impressive displays seeing him finish with a record of 21 goals in all competitions for the Europa League winners. Another promising player from the Spanish top flight who could be a fine addition to the Premier League for next season.
9) Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
Recently linked with Liverpool, Athletic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain has been a top performer in La Liga for some time now and could follow his old team-mate Ander Herrera out of the exit door in this year’s transfer window. Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, and any team that lands him would no doubt be bringing in a real star of the future, with the 21-year-old already having proven himself as a top talent and consistent performer, notching up over 200 first-team appearances for his club already. The Spaniard has also won one cap for his national side, as well as winning the European Under-21 Championship twice.
8) Alex Song (Barcelona)
A player who has been a massive flop in La Liga, Barcelona now look ready to try to offload former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song this summer. Having already bid farewell to big names such as Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, it is understandable that the Catalan giants would also see Song as a player without a future at the Nou Camp, and it could be that a return to England is on the cards for the Cameroon international. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with him, as have a number of clubs from around Europe, and Song may feel he would benefit from returning to the Premier League after finding some of the best form of his career on these shores.
7) Miranda (Atletico Madrid)
A real defensive rock for champions Atletico Madrid last season, Brazilian centre-back Miranda could be a great signing for any Premier League club this summer, with rumours that Chelsea and Manchester United are both looking into signing him. The 29-year-old looks ready-made for the English game with his superb strength and reading of the game at the back, showing that he can hold his own against the very best players in the world.
6) Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Another Atletico Madrid star who could be on his way to Chelsea, Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis has been another key performer for Diego Simeone’s side in their superb title win and run to the Champions League final. With the Blues in need of a replacement for Ashley Cole in that position, Luis looks well equipped to be a Premier League star if he does eventually complete his move to Stamford Bridge. A solid and tough defender, the 28-year-old would surely fit in well in a Jose Mourinho team.
5) Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
A top defensive prospect, Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane is another La Liga-based player being linked with Chelsea this summer as Jose Mourinho looks to revamp his back four. With David Luiz leaving in a £50m move to Paris Saint-Germain, there is room for change at the back and money for the Blues to spend, with Varane rumoured to be one of the club’s top targets. The Frenchman was handed his debut for Real Madrid by Mourinho during his time in charge at the Bernabeu, and remains a favourite of the Portuguese coach. Still only 21 years old, Varane could make a great long-term addition for the club as they eventually face the task of replacing the ageing John Terry.
4) Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid)
A fine attacking midfield player, Arda Turan is another of Atletico Madrid’s stars to be linked with an exit this summer as big clubs around Europe circle. The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with the 27-year-old in the past and could revive their interest in this transfer window, though they may also face competition from La Liga giants Barcelona. With 19 goals and 26 assists in his three seasons in the Spanish capital, it’s clear to see why the Turkish international is one of the most wanted transfer targets in Europe.
3) Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)
A superb young talent, French winger Antoine Griezmann showed a touch of Cristiano Ronaldo with his performances for Real Sociedad in 2013/14, scoring 20 goals from the flanks in all competitions to attract interest from a number of top European sides. As well as being chased by Ligue 1 big spenders Paris Saint-Germain, some of the big names in the Premier League have also been linked with a move for the 23-year-old, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool among his biggest admirers as they eye new attacking midfield players in this year’s transfer window.
2) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
After rejecting Real Madrid’s latest offer of a new contract, German midfielder Sami Khedira could be heading to the Premier League after the small matter of this Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina. Arsenal are currently thought to be his biggest admirers as they look to make another raid on Real after signing Khedira’s international team-mate Mesut Ozil last summer, and he would be another great purchase. Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with the former Stuttgart man in recent times, meaning England could be his likeliest destination as he seems intent on leaving the Bernabeu.
1) Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Despite being one of Real Madrid’s best players in their Champions League and Copa del Rey-winning season of 2013/14, Argentine winger Angel Di Maria seems to be up for sale this summer as his club chase another ‘Galactico’ signing in the form of AS Monaco and Colombia star James Rodriguez. Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with the talented 26-year-old, who is another La Liga star set to take part in the World Cup final this weekend, and there’s no doubt he would be one of the biggest names in football on the move this summer if he does end up leaving the Bernabeu for the Premier League.