Finally, the European transfer day deadline has arrived, and the winners and losers are emerging from the summer financial frenzy in La Liga.
The El Clasico duo have dominated the La Liga 2023 news headlines, and they are both still working on deadline day signings. But they have already had a better summer than most of the other big clubs in the Spanish top-flight.
We may see another transfer blockbuster or two before midnight. But already some teams will be happy with their business done, while for others it has been a disappointing window.
Winners
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti’s team has made a perfect start to the 2023/24 campaign with three wins from three, and the latest La Liga 2023 betting odds here at SBOTOP make them the early season favourites to win the title.
And one of the reasons for that has been the electric start of €103 million signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. The young England star has already scored some key goals, including the late winner against Celta Vigo last weekend, and he has settled into the Los Blancos team as if he’s been in Madrid for years.
Bellingham was teed up for his winner against Celta by another summer recruit, Joselu, who looks to be a shrewd signing.
The only matter to resolve is Ancelotti’s search for a replacement for Karim Benzema who went to Al Ittihad, and there may be more drama to come over the next 12 hours.
Yes, the potential move of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain is apparently still on. There have been rumours of a last minute move, and FIFA agent Marco Kirdemir has entered the discussion this morning, saying: “Kylian Mbappe will sign for Real Madrid today, at the last minute. It will be to bomb on the summer.”
Watch this space!
Barcelona
The Blaugrana can be pleased with their business this summer, and they too have made a decent start to the campaign, sitting fourth with seven points and on the shoulders of Los Blancos.
The Catalans have spent the summer balancing their finances, but they have still managed to bring in some world-class quality in centre-back Inigo Martinez and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
They have also picked up a cool €60 million from PSG for the sale of Ousmane Dembele and, like Real Madrid, they could still be active on deadline day having agreed terms to bring Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.
The young Portuguese forward is keen to leave Los Rojiblancos, and his move to Chelsea last year didn’t work out. He has been vocal in his desire to move to Barcelona, and now it looks like Felix is getting his wish.
Barca can’t afford to buy the player, so Atletico have agreed to let him go to Catalonia on loan with his full salary to be paid by the Blaugrana as well as a loan fee €8 million.
As always, Xavi needs to make room in his squad as well as freeing up funds, and it looks like Ansu Fati is heading to the Premier League to join either Brighton or Tottenham.
Real Sociedad
Even though talisman David Silva has retired, the Basque club will be content with their transfer dealings this summer.
Sociedad have brought in wing-back Kieran Tierney on loan from Arsenal and Andre Silva on loan from RB Leipzig, and there is €40 million worth of players right there.
Sociedad have started the campaign with three draws, but I expect them to start picking up wins and climbing the table.
Losers
Sevilla
They had a torrid season last term, and Sevilla have endured a poor start this time around with three defeats leaving them rock bottom.
They have brought some reinforcements in, signing centre-back Loic Bade from Stade Rennes for €12 million, right winger Dodi Lukebakio from Hertha Berlin for €10 million, and midfielder Djibril Sow for €10 million from Eintracht Frankfurt.
These could be good signings in time, but that is not a commodity head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has in abundance, and the loss of Moroccan keeper Bono to Al-Hilal is a serious blow.
Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine has lost a lot of talent this summer with the sale of striker Nicolas Jackson to Chelsea for €37 million, Pau Torres to Aston Villa for €33 million, and Samuel Chukwueze to AC Milan €25 million.
That is a serious set of losses, and time will tell whether the recruitment of striker Alexander Sorloth from RB Leipzig and Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn on a free can soften the blow.
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