Transfer News: 10 Potential Transfers in La Liga This Summer

Michael CernaCorrespondent IJuly 14, 2012

Transfer News: 10 Potential Transfers in La Liga This Summer

0 of 10

    Oh the joy of summer. Most major football leagues are on break, but the transfer window is open.

    For fans, that usually means a barrage of rumored transfers involving nearly every unhappy, popular player who does not already play for a first-tier club.

    Of course, the vast majority of those rumors are made up and breed false hope for fans. This will not be one of those articles.

    My latest article looked at the 10 biggest transfers that have already been made in La Liga.

    This article will look at 10 more transfers that seem increasingly likely to happen and actually make sense for all parties involved.

    Here are 10 transfers in La Liga for fans to keep an eye out for as the summer transfer window heats up.

10. Gio Dos Santos Returns to Spain

1 of 10

    Story

    Gio dos Santos has stated that he wants to return to Spain with Atletico Madrid, Malaga, and Sevilla all rumored to be interested in acquiring the Mexican international.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Dos Santos has been criminally under-appreciated and misused at Tottenham and sees the change of managers as the perfect opportunity to finally see his way out of England.

    The winger would be a welcome addition to all of these clubs and has spent a few seasons at a number of Spanish clubs.

    Impact—Unknown

    It is hard to rate this move without any certainty that he will even be arriving.

    A La Liga return seems very likely at the moment, but this would not be the first time that such a move has fallen through for the youngster.

9. Afellay to Leave Barcelona

2 of 10

    Story

    According to Goal.com, Ibrahim Afellay is on his way out of Camp Nou. Various teams are rumored to be interested in his services—including Arsenal, Inter, Juventus, and Lille.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Barcelona has tons of wingers, too many even. Afellay's absence last season was felt at the beginning of the season, but the performances of Cristian Tello and Isaac Cuenca lessened the blow a bit.

    Impact—6

    Afellay is a great and very versatile player who makes Barcelona better, but he is not really needed. There are tons of alternatives at the team, including more youth products.

    The impact of his exit will be minimal for La Blaugrana. We saw last season that, while talented, the loss of Afellay can be overcome by Barcelona.

    This is a positive loss for Barcelona. The club can turn a decent profit by selling him now while demand is high.

8. Michu to Leave Madrid

3 of 10

    Story

    A few Premier League sides—including Manchester United and Liverpool—are rumored to be interested in Michu. Atletico Madrid were also rumored to be interested.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Michu would cost less than 10 million euros. Rayo will want to cash in on the midfielder. Revenue is needed for the small club and Michu is their biggest star.

    For Atletico Madrid, more depth is needed at midfield now that Diego seems more and more unlikely to stay in the capital.

    Impact—7

    Michu led all midfielders in goals scored last season and would be a welcome addition to Atletico Madrid.

    If he were signed—which is far from certain—it would likely mean the exit of Raul Garcai, whom the club has been frustrated with and may not be trusted to repeat his performance from the last campaign.

7. Luka Modric to Real Madrid

4 of 10

    Story

    According to Goal.com, Real Madrid are on the verge of completing a long-rumored £35 million deal for the Croatian star.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Modric has been very vocal about his unhappiness for two summers now. Tottenham will look to cash in on him and use the money to reinvest in the team.

    Real Madrid will predictably add another Galactico in part to add depth for the Champions League and possibly to replace Kaka and another midfielder.

    Impact—7

    Modric would be a great signing for Real Madrid, but is not really needed. The midfield will be overloaded even with the potential loss of Lassana Diarra and probably Kaka.

    This could mean the exit of Nuri Sahin despite him wanting to stay at the club. I think Sahin leaving would be a mistake since Real plays in three competitions next season and expect him to stay in the end.

    Modric is great, but too expensive for what Real Madrid needs—which is quality depth in midfield to handle late season competitions. The casualties in the first and youth teams may be too great.

6. Javi Fuego to Malaga

5 of 10

    Story

    Here is another midfielder attached to Malaga. According to Marca.com, Javi Fuego has drawn the attention of Malaga and the southern club will make him one of their first signings this summer.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Rayo Vallecano needs to offload a few players to offset some financial short-comings. Fuego is one of the most marketable players on the team.

    Malaga is in need of a second defensive midfielder to partner Jeremy Toulalan—or at least more depth at the position.

    Impact—7.5

    Fuego would be a solid signing for Malaga and a big loss for Rayo. Last season we saw how important he was to the Madrid-based side when he went down with an injury.

    In my list of the Top 50 Players in La Liga last season, I explained how Fuego was one of the best defensive midfielders in the league. A pairing of Fuego and Toulalan would be a formidable one indeed.

    He would add depth and defensive cover for a back line that is in desperate need of improvement.

5. Borja Valero to Leave Villarreal

6 of 10

    Story

    Borja Valero looks to be on the move and Goal.com reports interest from Malaga. Valero previously tried to push a deal through to Atletico Madrid.

    Why it Makes Sense

    With Villarreal getting relegated, the club needs to lower its wage bill, despite good financial standing. Valero had shown interest in leaving even before the club got sent down so his exit is almost certain.

    Malaga has personal and professional connections to Villarreal and Valero with Santi Cazorla and manager Manuel Pellegrini and the midfielder has shown interest in the project.

    Atletico Madrid was reportedly another desired destination of the midfielder.

    Impact—7.5

    No matter which club he goes to, he would be a solid investment.

    At Malaga, he would be part of one of the league's very best midfield units by sharing the pitch with the likes of Cazorla, Jeremy Toulalan, and Isco.

    With Atletico Madrid, Valero would be a much-needed alternative to Diego who looks to be on his way out after failing to extend his time in Madrid.

4. Sivok to Sevilla

7 of 10

    Story

    According to Goal.com, Sevilla are in talks with Czech defender Tomas Sivok.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Sivok's current deal with Besiktas is expiring and he will not renew. Sevilla has been desperate to find defensive help since Martin Caceres left on a permanent deal to Juventus.

    Impact—8

    Defense is the biggest need for Sevilla and Sivok would be an excellent signing.

    The Czech defender was very impressive in this summer Euros, helping his team to the quarterfinals and earning interest from the Premier League.

    With Diego Lopez also joining the club in June, Sevilla could greatly improve the side with just two moves—assuming Gary Medel stays.

3. Kevin Gameiro to Valencia

8 of 10

    Story

    Goal.com prematurely reported that PSG was selling their striker to Valencia last month. Now the move looks to be completely in a matter of time.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Gameiro has repeatedly stated that he is unhappy at PSG. With the French giants bringing in Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Milan, Gameiro should get his move.

    Valencia is in need of a second striker now that Aduriz has returned to Athletic Club.

    Impact—8

    Roberto Soldado is arguably the best striker in La Liga, but last season showed how weakened the team is without him.

    Adding Gameiro will give the team a reliable and talented striker who can not only spell Soldado, but can start when Soldado needs rest without losing too much quality.

    This would be great for Valencia. Gameiro is a better striker than Aduriz and will give a lot of tactical options to a side that lacked ideas at times last season.

2. Negredo or Bendtner to Malaga

9 of 10

    Story

    Yet another Malaga rumor. The club has not made a move yet, but that will not last all summer.

    A local Malaga newspaper reported that Malaga had completed a deal to bring Alvaro Negredo from Sevilla. The deal later fell through, but may end up happening anyway.

    Goal.com has indicated that Nicklas Bendtner may be an alternative for the Spanish club.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Sevilla are one of the league's more financially stable clubs, but they need to make some money after getting Bryan Rabello and Diego Lopez. Gary Medel and/or Negredo may need to be moved.

    Bendtner is unwanted by Arsene Wenger and is looking for a move overseas.

    For Malaga, getting a top striker is one of the club's primary objectives this summer. Negredo and Bendtner both fill that need—perhaps both if Salomon Rondon is sold for a high price.

    Impact—8.5

    Malaga's defense is the priority, but more depth is needed at striker. Rondon has shown lots of potential, but both Negredo and Bendtner are upgrades for Malaga.

    Getting both could make Malaga one of the best attacking sides in Spain.

1. Valencia to Fill Two Needs at Once

10 of 10

    Story

    Midfielder Bruno Soriano may join Granada's Guilherme Siqueira at Valencia going into next season, according to Goal.com.

    Why it Makes Sense

    Just like Borja Valero, Bruno needs to be offloaded to lower the wage bill at Villarreal.

    Valencia is in great need of improvement at midfield and Bruno would be a great addition. He would slot in next to Ever Banega in central midfield when the latter gets healthy.

    Siqueira had a bit of a breakout season at Granada and was one of the league's best fullbacks. After losing Jordi Alba to Barcelona, Valencia will look for a cheap, but solid replacement.

    Impact—9

    Both of these would be huge moves for Valencia. Jeremy Mathieu is unreliable at the back, but more depth is needed regardless.

    Bruno is one of the more underrated midfielders in La Liga and is an exceptional midfielder. With David Albelda turning 35 this September, a replacement is badly needed.

X