La Liga Lowdown's Friday transfer roundup (13/01)
Another Friday means another transfer roundup of all the new players signed by LaLiga clubs in the past week. If you haven’t been able to keep up for whatever reason, we’ll make it easy for you.
In fact, it’s also been quite easy for us given there’s only been one new confirmed transfer this week in LaLiga! For that reason, we’ll also take some time to look into some of the most surprising departures, which brings up the question: Is LaLiga struggling to retain and attract talent? (We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments section).
January signings
January 11th - José Ángel Carmona (20) - Sevilla to Elche, Loan (option to buy).
The only incoming transfer of that week comes from a club in urgent need of a change in dynamic. After 16 matches Elche only have 4 points (all draws) and have conceded 34 goals. More than any other club by far. So it’s no wonder they’ve looked into improving their backline.
Carmona has shown room for potential this season at Sevilla, but you can tell he still lacks a lot of experience in the top flight and that many aspects of his game require development. So it does seem a bit surprising that Elche have taken a risk with him given their situation. As surprising as the fact that Sevilla have agreed to include an option to buy him.
January departures
January 11th - João Félix (23) - Atlético de Madrid to Chelsea, Loan.
The biggest LaLiga departure of the week has to be João Félix’s move to London for around 8 million euros. His awful relationship with Diego Pablo Simeone made the situation unbearable and he was desperate for a move.
But before being loaned he did renew until 2027, which makes you think that maybe he plans on returning in the future… if Simeone leaves next summer? In any case, now Atleti will need to scope the market for another striker and some news outlets are linking them to Memphis Depay. We’ll have to wait and see.
January 11th - Àlex Moreno (29) - Betis to Aston Villa, €15 million.
Another significant departure for LaLiga with one of the best left-backs of the competition moving to the Premier League. He was already close to leaving to Nottingham Forest last summer, but no agreement was reached.
Clearly Moreno was looking forward to experiencing the Premier League and now with Unai Emery wanting to replace Lucas Digne, there was a perfect excuse for him to move on after some very good years at Betis.
January 12th - Lago Junior (32) - Mallorca to Málaga, Free.
Not much to say here, given Lago Junior was barely playing with Javier Aguirre. The player clearly wanted an opportunity somewhere else, whereas Málaga are in dire need of players that can help generate and score goals given they’ve only managed 20 points in 22 games. Junior’s experience should prove useful in their hopes of avoiding relegation.
January 12th - Antonio Blanco (22) - Real Madrid to Alavés, Free.
After it was agreed to interrupt Blanco’s loan at Cádiz where he barely played 4 matches so far this season (3 in LaLiga and 1 in the Copa del Rey), he’s accepted to move down to Segunda División in order to have more participation. Something that also appealed to Real Madrid.
It was agreed with Cádiz that he wouldn’t be allowed to go to another LaLiga team in the relegation battle, so all parties are happy with the outcome.