AMONG the closest observers of this summer's Copa America will be scouts and sporting directors of clubs looking for bargains or hidden gems, as well as fans wondering whether the players linked with their team are really worth the money being asked.
So here are six better and lesser known La Liga players who could well use a good showing in Brazil as the springboard to a big transfer ahead of next season.
Philippe Coutinho – Barcelona and Brazil
Whether Philippe Coutinho deserved to be scapegoated for Barcelona’s Champions League collapse at Anfield is a moot point. He was; and moving him on now seems to be a big priority for many at the Camp Nou.
Coutinho had a decent World Cup 2018 with Brazil, often in a deeper playmaking role, and the 27-year-old remains central to Selecao coach Tite’s plans. A goal and assist in the pre-tournament stroll against Honduras led teammate Thiago Silva to call him the team’s most important available player [with Neymar injured].
If Coutinho can deal with the pressure, and drive Brazil to victory on home soil, it could persuade Premier League suitors that he is worth the €100 million or so Barca are asking.
James Rodriguez – Colombia and Real Madrid
A prime example of a player’s fine showing at an international tournament spring-boarding a huge money move was James Rodriguez’s summer 2014 – when he top scored at the World Cup and then joined Real Madrid for €80 million.
The five years since have been a rollercoaster ride for James, who is now due to return to Madrid after two so-so years on loan at Bayern Munich. Still just 27, he is likely to again be the attacking fulcrum for Carlos Quieroz’s Colombia side, who as always are rated by some as a dark horse to lift the trophy.
So it looks like an ideal chance for James to remind potential suitors [reportedly including Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal] that he retains the talent and application to succeed at the highest level.
Maxi Gomez – Celta Vigo and Uruguay
It was not always easy as Celta battled relegation last year, but old-style centre-forward Gomez continued his development with a hugely important 13 goals in 35 La Liga games.
✍️ #avfc are interested in signing Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez [Alan Nixon] pic.twitter.com/xyiiHAOLGv
— thevillazone (@thevillazone) June 10, 2019
Getting past Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Cristhian Stuani at international level has not been easy for the 22-year-old, but he started last weekend’s warm-up against Panama and scored a second senior Albiceleste goal.
Valencia, Aston Villa, West Ham, Tottenham and Liverpool have all been mentioned as possible destinations for the confident finisher, whose €50 million release clause is not totally implausible. Especially if he can take advantage of fitness issues around 30-somethings Suarez and Cavani, and fire his country deep into the tournament.
Filipe Luis – Brazil and Atletico Madrid
Out of contract at Atletico Madrid just like long-term teammates Diego Godin and Juanfran Torres, Filipe Luis has yet to definitively end his connection with the rojiblanco club.
Atlético Madrid left-back Filipe Luís has denied in a statement to 'Fox Sports', that he has closed his signing for Flamengo, which has again unleashed rumours about a possible move to Barcelona. [sport] pic.twitter.com/6ol0fqbOAY
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 10, 2019
It still looks almost certain that the 33-year-old will be moving on, and this summer’s Copa America finally gives him a chance to star for Brazil at a major tournament, after various disappointments due to injury and misfortune through the years.
Filipe has said he will not confirm his next club until the finals are over, and his form through an injury-hit 2018/19 was not up to previous high standards. Still, a good showing in a successful host team would surely broaden his options for the last few years of his career.
Guillermo Maripan – Alaves and Chile
Alaves and Chile centre-half Guillermo Maripan did so well for surprise package Alaves last season that he was named in the LaLiga best XI by at least one highly respected online publication.
The 25-year-old was a relatively late developer, and did not secure a place in Chile’s first choice XI until about 12 months ago. But he’s been ever present ever since, as one of the new players brought in by coach Reinaldo Rueda to freshen up an aging squad with unmatched experience in this tournament. His power at set-pieces has also brought two goals in his first 14 caps.
Should Chile pull off a historic third straight Copa America triumph, more clubs could join names like Atletico Madrid, Rubin Kazan and West Ham in the chase for a player who looks excellent value at around €20 million.
Akram Afif – Villarreal and Qatar
Qatar’s guest status at the tournament still seems weird, but it gives a chance to see how the World Cup 2022 hosts hold up in such a competitive environment.
Steady progress in their home continent culminated in a young Qatar side winning a first AFC Asian Cup earlier this year, shocking reigning champions Japan [also at the Copa America this summer] 3-1 in the final in Abu Dhabi.
Man of the match in that game was forward Akram Afif, who came through the Aspire Academy and is on Villarreal’s books, although last season he played his club football alongside Xavi Hernandez at Al-Sadd. If the skillful and creative 22-year-old can make a mark on a second tournament, he might get another chance back at Villarreal, or perhaps another European club.
