News Archive

Summer transfers

The transfer window is opening again, and clubs have until the end of August to complete their squads for the new season. As ever though, the first job is to get the coaching staff on board, and over half of last season’s top flight teams have rung in the changes for whatever reason. Luis Enrique’s resignation meant that Barcelona had to find a new boss, and they bring Ernesto Valverde over from Athletic Bilbao. B team coach Cuco Ziganda takes over at the San Mamés stadium, and Sevilla have taken on Celta’s Berizzo to replace Argentina’s Sampaoli, who will be leading his country’s national side from now on. Berizzo himself is replaced by Barça’s assistant coach Unzué, who was actually assistant to Luis Enrique as well in Vigo some years ago. Meanwhile Quique Setién moves from Las Palmas to Betis, with ex Palermo boss De Zerbi substituting him in the Canary Isles, and Marcelino returns to Spain to take over at Valencia from Voro, who gets the push despite being the most successful coach the Ches have had for some time. Alavés have also had to look for a new manager after Pellegrino was signed up by Southampton, Luis Zubeldia coming in there, and changes for all three of the relegated clubs, José Luis Oltra, Diego Martínez and Paco Herrera replacing Tony Adams, Vasiljevic and Rubi at Granada, Osasuna and Sporting respectively.

On the player front the rumours are ramping up, with Ronaldo threatening to leave Spain in the light of the recent attacks on him by the Spanish tax authorities, and James, Morata and others considering their future at Real Madrid. Barcelona are bringing back Deulofeu (to sell him on again?), and have been linked with half a dozen players, but Atlético Madrid can’t do much at the moment as (unlike their cannier neighbours Real) they have not been able to wriggle out of a FIFA transfer ban which means they can’t sign players until the winter. As a result they have lost out on Málaga’s Sandro, who is on his way to Everton, and they may have to make do with players returning from loan, such as Kranevitter and Vietto (but not Theo Hernández, who has signed for the old enemy!). Villarreal are amongst the early movers, paying the buy out clause to keep Andrés, and tying up Rubén Semedo and Enes Ünal, Betis have secured the services of Osasuna striker Sergio León, Levante midfielder Camarasa and ex Barça forward Tello, and Adrián González has joined his dad at Málaga. Still many weeks to go though before the new season begins, and we will be keeping you informed of all the moves as and when they happen. (30.06.16)

Latest transfers detailed below. Colour coding: Green - deals completed, but still not closed, or player on trial; Blue - deals closed now, but will take place at a later date; Red - deals closed but subsequently cancelled.


Date Player (Country) Old club New club Position/Comments
30/06/17 Deulofeu Everton (ENG) / AC Milan (ITA) Barcelona FW Decided to execute €12 Mio buy back clause on last day. Not sure though whether he will be sold on?
30/06/17 Tello Barcelona / Fiorentina (ITA) Betis FW Paying €4 Mio to sign him on 5 year deal. Barça retain part of transfer rights. Has been on loan last few seasons.
30/06/17 Mariano (DOM / SPA) Real Madrid Olympique Lyon (FRA) FW Moving on to get playing time. €8 Mio fee, 5 year contract, and Madrid have right of repurchase.
30/06/17 Enzo Pérez (ARG) Valencia River Plate (ARG) MF Paid €25 Mio for him 2 years ago, and are selling him for €3.5 Mio! Has agreed drop in salary to return to home country.
30/06/17 Alex Alegría Betis Levante FW Young striker moves on one year loan as part of deal to sign Camarasa.
29/06/17 Chichizola (ARG / ITA) Spezia (ITA) Las Palmas GK Ex River Plate keeper has been playing in Italy for 3 years, and signs for one year, with option for three more.
29/06/17 Rubén Pérez Granada Leganés MF Ex Atlético midfielder was about to join Levante, but has agreed instead to renew loan deal at Leganés.
29/06/17 Camarasa Levante / Alavés Betis MF Youth international midfielder was on loan last season, and have agreed €7 Mio fee for 5 year deal.
29/06/17 Isaac Cuenca Granada Hapoel Beer Sheva (ISR) MF Ex Barça winger out of contract and will be leaving Spain again. Signs 2 year contract with Israeli club.
28/06/17 Petros (BZL) Betis Sao Paulo (BZL) MF Decided to rejoin his family in Brazil, and have sold 50% of his rights for €2.5 Mio plus variables.
27/06/17 Sirigu (ITA) Paris St Germain (FRA) / Osasuna Torino (ITA) GK Has agreed to rescind contract at PSG after loans at Sevilla & Osasuna, and replaces Joe Hart at Torino.
27/06/17 Baysse (FRA) Nice (FRA) Málaga MF Took some time before he decided, but have signed defender for 3 years to strengthen defence.
27/06/17 Guillermo Elche Numancia FW Ex Athletic striker moving on again after Elche relegated. Signs for 3 years at Soria based side.
27/06/17 Kenan Kodro (BOS / SPA) Osasuna Mainz (GER) FW Striker turned down offer to stay on, and have agreed e1.75 Mio fee for him to move to Germany.
27/06/17 Eric García Barcelona youth teams Manchester City (ENG) DF Guardiola has paid 1.5 Mio buy out clause for 16 year old defender, who is represented by Carlos Pujol!
25/06/17 Lux (ARG) Deportivo River Plate (ARG) GK Returns to old club 10 years later as free agent, and could go straight in to team for Copa Libertadores.
23/06/17 Diego Llorente Real Madrid / Málaga Real Sociedad DF Málaga wanted him to stay after loan, but Real outbid them with €8 Mio offer. Madrid keep buy-back option.
23/06/17 Pellegrino (ARG) Alavés Southampton (ENG) MG Has refused offer to stay on after a successful season, and has agreed terms to take over at Premier League side.
22/06/17 Rubi Sporting Gijón Huesca MG The merry-go-round continues! Replaced by Herrera and takes over from Anquela who goes to Oviedo...
22/06/17 Luis César Lugo Valladolid MG Experienced manager has accepted offer to replace Paco Herrera. UCAM's Francisco takes over at Lugo in his place.
22/06/17 López Garai Reus Technical staff MG Veteran midfielder hanging up his boots to take up position of team coach after Natxo González left.
22/06/17 Dmitrovic (SER) Alcorcón Eibar GK Emergency signing to replace injured Yoel. Fee around €600K, and signs four year contract.
22/06/17 Tevenet No club Sevilla Atlético MG Was assistant coach at Sevilla 7 years ago, and takes over from Diego Martínez at B team.
22/06/17 Fede Valverde (URU) Real Madrid Castilla Deportivo MF Have agreed one year loan terms for talented youngster, one of the stars of recent U20 World Cup.
21/06/17 Lluís Carreras No club Nàstic MG Takes over from Nano, who decided not to stay on despite saving club from relegation. Previously at Zaragoza.
21/06/17 Yoel Valencia Eibar GK Exercised buy out clause after successful loan, but has just torn knee ligaments and will be out for 6 months!
20/06/17 Hélder Lopes (POR) Las Palmas AEK Athens (GRE) DF Defender decided not to stay on, and rescinded contract to take up offer from Greece.
20/06/17 Atzili (ISR) Granada Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR) MF Hardly played since signing last summer, and has agreed to return back to home country on 4 year contract.
20/06/17 Pelayo Elche Cluj (ROM) MF Was with the club when promoted to 1st division, but has decided to take up offer of 2 year deal after relegation.
20/06/17 Anquela Huesca Oviedo MG Turned down offer to stay after taking team to play-offs, and will be taking over from Hierro in Asturias.
20/06/17 Coentrao (POR) Real Madrid Sporting Lisbon (POR) DF Has 2 years still to run on his contract, but no place in squad after signing of Theo, and will go back home on loan.
17/06/17 Sandro Málaga Everton (ENG) FW Transfer ban prevented Atlético from signing him, so Koeman got in to pay €6 Mio transfer fee clause.
17/06/17 Jordi Mboula Barcelona B Monaco (FRA) FW Another talented youngster flies the nest! Spanish youth international agrees to 5 year deal. Fee +/- €3 Mio.
17/06/17 Luis Zubeldía (ARG) Independiente Medellín (COL) Alavés MG Young coach agrees to leave Colombian club, and will be taking over from Pellegrino, who had resigned.
17/06/17 Ximo Navarro Almería Las Palmas DF Ex Mallorca defender out of contract at Almería, and has agree to join Las Palmas on 3 year deal.
16/06/17 Bongonda (BEL) Celta Trabzonspor (TKY) FW Moves to Turkey on loan deal, with obligatory buy-out clause of €2.75 Mio if he plays 15 or more games.
16/06/17 Yiming Yan (CHN) Shijiazhuang Ever Bright (CHN) Alavés FW Have signed Chinese U19 international, basically for B team. Spent time with Atlétic youth teams.
16/06/17 Antonio Puertas Almería Granada MF Attacking midfielder out of contract, and agrees to three year deal at club where he played for junior teams.
16/06/17 Sergio García Al-Rayyan (QTR) Espanyol FW Ex team captain agreed terms in January to return to old side after 2 years in Qatar, and joins this summer.
14/06/17 Paco Herrera Valladolid Sporting Gijón MG Decided not to keep on Rubi after he failed to save them, and have agreed terms with experienced coach.
14/06/17 Iraizoz Athletic Bilbao Girona GK Veteran keeper has been let go by Athletic, and opts to join newly promoted club rather than Espanyol.
14/06/17 Iván Alejo Alcorcón Eibar MF Another shrewd signing? Have paid €300K for ex Villarreal B winger, who had successful season at Alcorcón.
14/06/17 Joselu Lugo Granada FW 2nd division top scorer joins on free transfer as club start to rebuild team with Spanish players.
12/06/17 Luna Eibar Levante DF Ex Sevilla & Aston Villa full back out of contract at Eibar, and has agreed to join newly promoted side.
12/06/17 Javi Varas Las Palmas Granada GK Out of contract at Las Palmas, and agrees to two year deal at Granada after failing to agree terms at old club.
12/06/17 Berizzo (CHL) Celta Sevilla MG Took some time to agree terms, but Celta coach will be the man to replace Sampaoli after he left for Argentina.
11/06/17 Natxo González Reus Zaragoza MG Known for some time that ex Reus coach would be taking over from Láinez, and club have confirmed 2 year deal.
11/06/17 Héctor Real Sociedad / Granada Alavés DF Left back arrives on loan after 6 month loan at Granada. Will be competiting with Rubén Duarte.
09/06/17 Andrés Porto (POR) Villarreal GK Was on loan last season, and have agreed to pay €2 Mio buy-out clause. Signs four year contract.
07/06/17 Diego Martínez Sevilla Atlético Osasuna MG Had three successful seasons with B team, and signs two year deal to replace Vasiljevic.
06/06/17 Natxo Insa Levante Johor Darul (MYS) MF Veteran midfielder has received offer from Malaysia, and will be cutting short his contract. Fee around €400K?
06/06/17 Rubén Semedo (POR) Sporting Lisbon (POR) Villarreal DF Paying €14 Mio for Portuguese U21 international to replace Musacchio. Sporting keep 20% rights.
05/06/17 Raúl García Alavés Leganés DF Merry-go-round of left backs continues, and will be joining Leganés to replace Adrián Marín.
03/06/17 José Luis Oltra No club Granada MG Have opted for experienced coach to try and take them back up to top flight. Replaces Tony Adams.
31/05/17 Maksimovic (SER) Astana (KAZ) Valencia MF U21 international agreed terms last January to join Ches in July, and has been ostracised by Astana as a result!
31/05/17 Enes Ünal (TKY) Manchester City (ENG) / Twente (HOL) Villarreal FW Young striker on was loan at Twente, and will be signing 5 year deal for fee of €14 Mio with buy-back clause.
31/05/17 Sergio León Osasuna Betis FW Ex Elche striker will be returning to club where he started! Fee set at around €3.5 Mio.
30/05/17 De Zerbi (ITA) Palermo (ITA) Las Palmas MG Taking a punt on young Italian coach to replace Setien, although he needs to sort out contract with Palermo first.
30/05/17 Demirovic (BOS) Red Bull Leipzig (GER) Alavés FW Have signed Bosnian under 21 international, although will probably start season in B team.
30/05/17 Rubén Duarte Espanyol Alavés DF Left back not in Quique's plans, and agrees to move on for reported fee of around €400K. 3 year contract.
30/05/17 Musacchio (ARG) Villarreal AC Milan (ITA) DF Italian club confirmed they have paid €18 Mio for Argentinian international, who signs until 2021.
30/05/17 Valverde Athletic Bilbao
 Barcelona MG The chosen one! Experienced coach takes over at former club after Luis Enrique decided to call it a day!
29/05/17 Unzué Barcelona assistant coach Celta MG Will be taking up first major coaching role after serving as assistant to Luis Enrique. Was at club before.
28/05/17 Quique Setién Las Palmas Betis MG Seems he fell out with everyone at end of a successful season at Las Palmas, and will be taking over at Betis.
28/05/17 Kuko Ziganda Athletic Bilbao B Athletic Bilbao MG Decided to promote B team coach to take over after Valverde poached by Barcelona. Signs for 2 years.
23/05/17 Demichelis (ARG) Málaga Technical staff DF Ex Man City defender hangs up his boots, and will be replacing Weligton on technical staff.
22/05/17 Sylla (SEN) Espanyol Eupen / KAA Gent (BEL) FW Was on loan at Eupen, and have agreed to pay €2.5 Mio buy out clause to then sell him on to Gent.
16/05/17 Maxi Gómez (URU) Defensor Montevideo (URU) Celta FW First signing for Celta. Have agreed to pay €4 Mio for Uruguayan striker, who is joining on 5 year contract.
11/05/17 Marcelino No club Valencia MG Ex Villarreal coach signed on 2 year deal after months on sidelines. Hope he lasts longer than his predecessors!
10/05/17 Adrián González Eibar Málaga MF Has turned down offer to extend contract, and will be joining his father Michel on 3 year deal.