La Liga Lowdown's Friday transfer round-up (20/01/23)
We’re back with our weekly transfer round-up and the operative word here is intriguing. There’s been a few eyebrows raised, not least at Girona’s coup, while others have been describing their transfer business with a shrug.
Here’s all you need to know about the big deals in Spain this past week.
January Signings
January 13th - Gonzalo Villar (24) - Roma to Getafe, Loan
A quick scroll down the replies on Twitter to this announcement will tell you that this move has divided opinion in Getafe.
In theory, the talented offensive midfielder with an eye for a pass should suit Getafe down to the ground. Villar spent the first half of the season on loan at Sampdoria, making 16 appearances, although with little (by which we mean zero) direct goal contribution.
However he also spent the second half of last season at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, playing just ten times under Quique Sánchez Flores, for a total of 291 minutes. He did give one sumptuous assist for Borja Mayoral, but it did seem as if Flores was not his biggest advocate. As one detractor said, ‘he’ll make an excellent option for the interior left zone of the bench’.
It remains to be seen whether he is more of Flores or an (owner) Ángel Torres signing.
January 15th - Abner Vinícius (22) - Atletico Paranaense to Real Betis, €5m
Abner has big shoes to fill as he theoretically takes the place of Álex Moreno, now at Aston Villa. Of the four signings Real Betis have made that have cost money under Manuel Pellegrini, three have been Brazilians and it shows a clear trend from Los Verdiblancos.
Luiz Henrique isn’t working out too badly and the hope is that they once again have the raw talent there to turn into an excellent addition. Abner is not a novice though either, having made 143 senior appearances back in Brazil. Tall, quick, with a rangy stride, the running might be a little different in style, but there is enough there to suggest he can operate in the same places as Moreno.
Possessing a decent cross, the suggestion is that he is a little more able offensively than defensively, but that tends to be the norm with many full-backs these days. As he adapts to life in Spain, he’ll have Juan Miranda to compete with.
January 17th - Viktor Tsygankov (25) - Dynamo Kiev to Girona, €5m
A stellar signing. It wasn’t long ago that the Ukraine international was linked with moves to the Premier League and a fee of €30m+. Running out of contract in the summer, Tsygankov was available on a cheaper deal than he would have been, but for Girona to get his signature is an impressive feat nonetheless.
Strictly left-footed, Tsygankov comes off the right side to cut inside and release passes, shots and crosses. While Girona are not short of technicians (see Aleix García), Tsygankov represents more experience and pedigree.
Already well across the half-century mark for European appearances, with 43 Ukraine caps to his name. 94 goals and 64 assists in 236 Dynamo appearances explain just how much of a threat Tsygankov can be if used correctly. He might never have made the jump to a bigger league, but there is certainly enough there to suggest he has the quality.
Girona already possess the joint-third best attack in the league, and so to add a player that arguably lifts the technical ceiling of the team is a good sign as they seek to survive. Christhian Stuani likes this.
January 17th - Lucas Ocampos (28) - Ajax to Sevilla, termination of loan
Well, this is awkward. Ocampos was meant to be some version of depth after Antony left Ajax, but things did not work out under former Barcelona Assistant Alfred Schreuder.
Playing just 114 minutes in his time there, he looked out of place and so returns to see if he can be of use to Sevilla, and in theory Jorge Sampaoli. Ocampos was said to be struggling with Julen Lopetegui at the start of the season, and so his departure should ease his return.
It’s been a while, but the best Ocampos can drag Sevilla through games. For such a low cost, it makes sense that Sevilla are trying what they can to spark a reaction. Ocampos should be more of a ‘forward’ out wide than an attacking midfielder designated to the flank.
January 18th - Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel (24) - FSV Mainz to Espanyol, Loan with option to buy
The French right-back made it into the under-21 French side. Starting off at Saint-Etienne, before moving to AS Monaco as a youngster, Pierre-Gabriel was a regular for Stade Brestois for the last two seasons, but hasn’t managed to tie down a spot for RC Strasbourg in the first half of the campaign.
The talent is clearly there, but the worry must be that this is just another stop on his journeyman duties. On the upside, Óscar Gil and Aleix Vidal have been inconsistent at best in a defence that has shown little capacity to hold onto clean sheets. It allows Pierre-Gabriel to come in and hopefully make an impact immediately.
January 19th - Dennis Hadzikakunic (24) - Rostov to Real Mallorca, Loan
Spending most of his recent years dotting between Malmo and Rostov, Hadzikakunic is exactly what Javier Aguirre likes from his central defenders.
At just 24, he already has 19 caps to his name for Bosnia. Closer to 6’3 than 6’2 (191cm), this intimidating physical defender will replace the outgoing Franco Russo at an affordable cost. He will have a shot at winning his place in the side.
January 19th - Darwin Machís (29) - Juarez to Real Valladolid, Free, rising to €1.5m bonuses
Another familiar face. The Venezuelan has played just 11 times since leaving Granada in the summer, before returning to La Liga . There is some suspicion that comes down to an open court case ongoing in Spain.
From a Valladolid perspective, Machís is solid addition. The criticism is usually that La Pucela don’t have difference-makers up front and although Machís is inconsistent, he does have that quality. He should also add a degree of pace for Pacheta to work with. At such little cost, this is a no-brainer.
That’s all for the past 7 days. Remember if you missed anything from last week’s round-up or our first, they are just a click away.