IT'S speculation season once again with another January window upon us. To get the ball rolling, here are five La Liga stars who could be joining a Premier League club near you any day now.
1) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Everton could be the busiest Premier League club during the transfer window, given owner Farhad Moshiri has presumably promised Carlo Ancelotti something special to get the multiple Champions League winning manager to Goodison Park.
Speculation has quickly centred on Real Madrid’s lesser seen galactico James Rodriguez as the type of signature signing which would show Moshiri’s ambition. Especially given Ancelotti has previously worked with the Colombian at Madrid and Bayern Munich, and tried to sign him last summer for Napoli.
Despite barely featuring for Madrid since a painful 0-1 loss at RCD Mallorca in October, the 28-year-old would not come cheap. But the allure of working again with a coach who clearly values him could be tempting. It would also close a circle as David Moyes was apparently close to signing the then teenager for Everton back in 2010, only for work permit issues to intervene.
2) Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid)
After shining as Monaco beat Tottenham and Manchester City on their way to the Champions League semi-finals in 2017, Thomas Lemar seemed to have his pick of Premier League clubs. Liverpool and Arsenal were among those then chasing hardest for a player who finished that season with 14 goals and 18 assists, plus a Ligue 1 winners’ medal.
Staying another year at Monaco, then choosing Atletico Madrid in summer 2018, has not gone well. Diego Simeone’s tactical and physical demands appear to have drained all the creativity and spark out of his game. The 24-year-old has shown character and persistence in trying to fit in, but his confidence looks shot. Zero goals or assists in 21 appearances so far this season is not a good look.
Another nothing performance from Thomas Lemar for Atletico.
A once promising player now looks worse and worse. So difficult to understand why he’s been this bad.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) December 22, 2019
Atletico’s directors will not enjoy admitting their €80 million mistake, but at some point they will have to cut their losses. Simeone badly needs another goalscorer this January, and funds must be raised from somewhere. Still just 24, Lemar has time on his side and is clearly a gifted player. If he could just find the right platform to show it.
3) Arturo Vidal (Barcelona)
Even though Barcelona have loaned La Masia formed youngster Carles Alena to Real Betis already, there could be another midfield exit this January due to Arturo Vidal’s increasingly awkward situation at the Camp Nou. Vidal was already in pretty much open rebellion against coach Ernesto Valverde’s selection policy [of not choosing him often enough in the XI]. And his advisors have now opened legal proceedings against the Catalan club to claim €2.4 million they say is owed in extra image rights income.
32 now, the former Juventus and Bayern Munich midfielder does not lack for experience, and might jump at one final challenge [and pay-day] in England. Not perhaps refined enough for some purists at the Camp Nou, he is undeniably effective – as shown by five goals in just 524 La Liga minutes so far this season.
Although Inter Milan appear best placed to take advantage of the situation, Vidal could be a useful shock option for a Premier League side looking for extra character and drive in their midfield. That he shares an agent with his Chile international colleague Alexis Sanchez may or may not make it easier for supposedly interested party Manchester United to do a deal.
4) Ezequiel Garay (Valencia)
Valencia’s ability to battle their way to big results, despite all the turmoil off the pitch at the club, has been super impressive this season. And the defensive pillar most responsible for scorelines like the 1-0 Champions League victory at Chelsea in September has been centre-back Ezequiel Garay.
A Valencia team of the decade is almost impossible. Too few players have been at the club long enough, and performed well enough over time, to deserve such an honor.
Only thing I could say is the obvious; my team would have Parejo and Gayá in it. Garay as well.
— Hans Kristian Lange (@mulu83) December 30, 2019
Los Che coach Albert Celades and Mestalla’s fans would be angry to lose the Argentina international, who himself seems to be open to extending a contract which ends in June, but not to the pay-cut which has been proposed to make that happen. And the only real voice which counts is club owner Peter Lim, whose right-hand man Anil Murthy has admitted that some sales will happen to balance the books.
33 now, Garay would not be a long term option, but any club looking to pick up a tough and experienced centre-back should be taking a look.
5) Antonio Puertas (Granada)
Among the surprise stars as Granada spent the first half of the campaign riding in the Primera Division table has been attacking midfielder Antonio Puertas. Three goals in his first seven La Liga games announced the 27-year-old, while his first ever top level assist came in September’s 2-0 victory over Barca.
Out of contract in June, Puertas and his advisors will be looking to make good on that super impression, and Sevilla and Real Betis have already apparently been in touch. The Andalusian could be an interesting option for Premier League teams looking to add physicality and directness in wide areas.
