Summer spending spree is already under way.
If the past few days are anything to go by, it could be a busy summer of transfers in LaLiga.
The ink is barely dry on the final match reports of the season, the Champions League final has not yet kicked off, but there is plenty of activity in the transfer market, including a flurry of communicados oficiales on Friday from LaLiga clubs.
First and foremost, the biggest story of the week was who would not be touching down in Spain to put pen to paper. Leo Messi decided to move Stateside and join Inter Miami, a club without history but with firm guarantees. Precisely the opposite is true of Barcelona right now. Joan Laporta and Xavi had repeatedly talked up the prospect of his fairytale return after two unwanted years in Paris. But it was not to be. Even as LaLiga were reportedly ready to accept the viability plan, Messi did not want to take the risk of being burnt as he was two summers ago. Read more on the fallout here.
Across the Clásico divide, Real Madrid are still coming to terms with life without their talisman, Karim Benzema, who has already started life in Saudi Arabia. His departure, along with Eden Hazard, Mariano Díaz and Marco Asensio leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s side incredibly light in attack, necessitating investment this summer. Harry Kane, Kai Havertz and Roberto Firmino have all been strongly linked, although it is fair to say that historically, players signed from Spurs perform a lot better in Madrid than those from Chelsea (sorry, Eden).
Where they have already made moves is at full back and in midfield. Fran García’s return was confirmed on Friday, and Borussia Dortmund have already announced the sale of Jude Bellingham. Fran García had a brilliant season at Rayo, bombing down the left flank and playing all but 12 minutes of the season. With him and Vini Jr sharing a flank, opposition right backs are in for a torrid time next season. Alternatively, his attacking thrust may allow Vini to drift into more central areas in the gaps now vacated by Benzema.
Bellingham will also add energy and drive to a midfield which is already transitioning well away from the iconic trio of Kroos-Modrić-Casemiro. Eduardo Camavinga arrived in 2021, Aurélien Tchouaméni in 2022 and now Bellingham in 2023. The Englishman already has vast experience under his belt despite his young age; no player has made more Bundesliga appearances as a teenager than him.
Osasuna are preparing for life in Europe (pending any UEFA ban) by acquiring Alejandro Catena from Rayo. The centre-back is another high-performing, dependable defender over recent seasons, and looks like a smart pick-up. However, it does raise the question as to whether he will compliment David García, or serve as his replacement, amid long-term interest in the captain from other clubs.
Real Sociedad have also addressed a problem position by signing Hamari Traoré from Rennes. La Real had to play much of the season with makeshift right-backs, so this is a shrewd signing as they prepare for the Champions League.
Similarly, Valencia and Sevilla have moved to make loan deals permanent on their impressive central defenders, Cenk Özkacar and Loïc Badé respectively.
Rayo are the team to be worried about so far. Having already lost coach Andoni Iraola, losing Fran and Catena together is a blow. At least it has happened early, giving them plenty of time to replace them. But first they must secure their new coach.
Only a third of the way through June, there is a lot of transfer window road ahead, so expect plenty of twists, turns, and maybe a few emergency stops.