The onset of the 2019-20 La Liga season has also brought new player to its shores. While some switched fulfilling their childhood dreams of playing under their idols, for some it was the beginning of a completely new tangent in their lives. All in all, the summer transfer window was exciting, to say the least as we saw some big names making the moves to some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Here we look at the top signings in the summer transfer window that are tipped to surpass the expectations of their managers and fans alike in Spain.
Joao Felix
(Benfica to Atletico Madrid)
The teen prodigy from Portugal, Joao Felix has made his move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid and will be now playing under the supervision of Argentinian coach Diego Simeone. Felix rose through Porto’s youth ranks and has the goods to play as a winger or an attacking midfielder.
He has the speed and the age to outrun some of the world’s best defenders which were evident on his debut for Atletico in La Liga. Patience is the key with Felix as the €126 million wonder might just come through.
Antoine Griezmann
(Atletico Madrid to Barcelona)
World Cup winner in 2018 and the leading man for Simeone in Spain’s La Liga, Antoine Griezmann’s move to Barcelona didn’t sit well with Atletico’s fans. Although swaying towards the Catalan giants, Griezmann has been brought in to fill in for the faltering pace of Luis Suarez.
The Frenchman has made a strong start with the Blaugrana in the domestic campaign and might just be the key to help them propel towards a sixth European title. To procure his services, Barcelona shelled out €120 million to drive him to Camp Nou.
Eden Hazard
(Chelsea to Real Madrid)
Eden Hazard to Real Madrid had been speculated for a long time with Zinedine Zidane showering praise for the Belgian at every given instance. Chelsea were reluctant at first but finally gave in after receiving €100 million from the Spanish giants.
Hazard will fit perfectly at the Santiago Bernabeu as he can take the role on an offensive front which the Los Blancos have been lacking since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Also, it was time for Real’s president Florentino Perez to bring back the Galactico era back to the Bernabeu.
Frenkie De Jong
(Ajax to Barcelona)
The Catalonians paid €75 million to get one of the hottest properties in world football at present to bring him to Camp Nou. Despite a stellar season with Ajax in the Netherlands, his notable performance against Barcelona’s arch-nemesis Real Madrid was the highlight of what was about to come.
Ernesto Valverde was pleased that the versatile midfielder will don the colours of the Blaugrana in the 2019-20 campaign.
Nabil Fekir (Lyon to Real Betis)
Real Betis swooped just in time to bring Lyon’s Nabil Fekir to Spain, otherwise, Liverpool were up and running to get the French international to Anfield. Fekir possesses the ability to play both as a forward or an attacking midfielder, switching roles at ease.
Betis had to offer €19.75 million and the Frenchman is already up and running, having scored two goals in his first three domestic appearances in the league.
Feature image courtesy: AFP/ Gabriel Bouys
