The January transfer window is upon us again, and with the usual excitement and disappointment afflicting the footballing community all throughout the famed winter negotiations, 2015 is bound to kick off in as unpredictable style as ever.
With the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona currently housing the most grandeur, illustrious and expensive names on the planet at the minute, the ‘Galacticos’ style spending that has become synonymous with Spanish football has painted all future La Liga deals in an exciting light.
Now that Angel di Maria and Diego Costa have already moved from the sensation of the Spanish league, who will be the next big names to follow suit and make a name for themselves this January?
Sami Khedira
Whilst Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has been quick to dispel any rumours linking his German international with a move away from the Bernabeu this January, Sami Khedira remains hot property this month.
As his sublime performances in the World Cup displayed, most notably in the 7-1 semi-final destruction of Brazil, Khedira is more than a mere defensive midfielder. The half-Tunisian enforcer is a box-to-box man who works in tandem with his partner in the middle of the park. Madrid’s no. 6 can tackle, pass and score good goals all with ease, but his turn of pace may be a problem if Khedria finds himself in the Premier League next year.
This has seemingly not put Arsenal off however, as the transfer saga linking them to the German international continues to do the rounds. Khedira would certainly suit Wenger’s side, but a potentially lofty wage packet and recent interest from Bayern Munich may prove enough for the Gunners to look elsewhere.
Miranda
Despite not making it to the World Cup finals with his native Brazil in the summer, Miranda remains one of the only Brazilian players on the planet to be able to hold his head up high in 2015.
The Atletico Madrid defender certainly should have been part of Scolari’s plans early this year, as his performances for Simeone’s plucky side have been nothing short of fantastic in this season and the last. Miranda is strong and powerful, but he is also fast enough to make up for any mistake or unpredictable attacker that may come his way.
Since Louis van Gaal’s summer spending didn’t exactly fix Manchester United’s complex problems at the back, despite the many several millions that were thrown at him, Miranda could now prove the perfect antidote to cure the defensive woes at Old Trafford. He has the Champions League experience to prove an asset for United, and could easily move to the Premier League if Atletico’s form fails to live up to the sensation of their last campaign.
Mario Suarez
Another Atletico name to attract interest from the Premier League comes in the form of Mario Suarez. Whilst he bares the same name as another notorious Suarez who used to play in England, Mario is a Spanish midfielder who is an overall much calmer prospect.
Although Suarez has all the characteristics of a quality defensive midfielder, he has failed to tie down a guaranteed first team place in Diego Simeone’s set up, and has subsequently played the role of a substitute more often than not. That said, Suarez is a determined runner with impressive vision across the pitch.
Now at the age of 27, his time is slowly beginning to run out if he wants to become a first team regular at Atletico. For that reason, a move to the Premier League could suit the Spanish midfielder, with Arsenal again reported to be in the midst of landing his signature. If the likes of Sami Khedira remain available for the Gunners however, perhaps this proposed move will have to take a back seat.
Isco
Once costing the current Champions League holders a reported total of £20 million, Isco was previously considered to be the new face of Spanish football, who would go on to solidify their dominance on the international scene.
With that all in the past however, the silky 22-year-old has failed to establish himself at Real Madrid, and could likely move on as a result. Isco is still touted as a potential world beater however. He moves the ball with maximum grace, whilst also possessing the ability to score screamers that fans simply don’t see coming. His position may be one of luxury, but when the Madrid no. 23 really gets going, Isco can certainly prove to be worth it.
As of yet though, that simply hasn’t happened. His future at Madrid seems in doubt with their constant ‘Galacticos’ style spending every year, so with both Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly interested in the young Spaniard, Isco could be on his way out of the Bernabeu sooner rather than later.
Paco Alcacer
Valencia’s 21-year-old new striker is soon becoming the latest young sensation of Spanish football. He has been making steady progress with the the historic La Liga club, and has rightly seen his stock rise as a result.
Alcacer, or ‘Paco’ as he is more commonly referred to among the Mestalla Stadium faithful, has the ability to seemingly finish when the chance just doesn’t look on. Whilst he is still largely considered a rough diamond in need of a lot more hard work on the training ground, Paco’s composure in front of goal has impressed fans of Spanish football and has even earned the young man a recent call up to the Spanish national side.
Although both Chelsea and Arsenal have expressed a recent interest in Paco Alcacer, with the Emirates in particular seeming a suitable new home for the young talent, Tottenham Hotspur have apparently stepped up their game and become the front runners to land the signature of Valencia’s star man.
If he turn out anything like Roberto Soldado however, perhaps Spurs should remain vigilant on this one.