NOTE: Transfers are arranged in the country in which the player is moving to and the club they are moving to. This is Part 1 and is focused on Spain's transfers. Part 2 will come out soon based on France's transfers.
Spain:
Atlético Madrid:
Sílvio Pereira: From Braga, €8m
A left back who can also cover at right back, Pereira is tidy in possession and is full of pace and enthusiasm when bombing forward and joining the attack. While he can link up with the midfield in possession, he lacks the ball control and crossing ability to be a full threat forward. A good addition, but not something that would have the Atleti fans drooling in anticipation and will probably not oust Filipe Luís from his starting position.
Miranda: From São Paulo, Free
While most signings from Brazil nowadays are hyped-up youngsters who burden the label of 'Next [insert superstar]', Miranda can be seen as a veteran, despite him being only 26. After an unsuccessful tenure in Sochaux, Miranda returned home to Brazil with São Paulo, and became the epicentre of a championship winning defence, playing at the centre of a back three. Clean in the tackle and composed, he will fight for a starting position at the Vicente Calderón.
Gabi: From Real Zaragoza, €3m
Gabi returns back to Atlético, his first club, but his role would probably be kept by Raúl García in the starting eleven.
Getafe:
Pablo Sarabia: From Real Madrid, €3m
Álvaro Negredo. Juan Manuel Mata. Roberto Soldado. These are just some of the names of Real Madrid players who moved elsewhere in Spain as young players due to a lack of playing time. Pablo Sarabia is no different. An electrifying left winger, Sarabia is the type of player who would often leave defenders on their backsides thanks to his trickery and close ball control. Like a lot of young wingers, he needs to improve his final delivery into the box, but he should prove to be a shroud signing for Getafe, who often turn the unwanted scraps that Real Madrid and other big teams don't want and turn them into great players. Luckily for Real fans, however, is that they have a buy-back clause in his contract, so like Esteban Granero before him, don't be surprised if Sarabia returns to Real Madrid after a spell at Getafe.
Málaga:
Jérémy Toulalan: From Olympique Lyonnais, €10m
Arab-financed Málaga's largest signing, Toulalan, did not have a fantastic season. After being banned from the French national team as part of the disciplinary action against the player's strike at the World Cup and failing to drive Lyon to another league title, Toulalan is looking to reinvigorate his career in the Costa del Sol. Despite his moderately poor season, he still remains as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, protecting the back four. Furthermore, at €10m, he is a good value signing for Málaga and will be fully involved in the club's push for Europe.
Nacho Monreal: From Osasuna, €6m
Monreal is one of the best left backs in Spain and has been a consistent performer for Osasuna. Due to him being only 25, he should feature in any future European competitions Málaga are looking to qualify for.
Isco: From Valencia, €6m
Isco was born and grew up near Málaga, so he would be right at place at home. Definitely one for the future, he will make a few appearances for Málaga, but won't be a starter and has been brought over from Valencia with the future in mind. Isco can play as an attacking midfielder or as a supporting striker and displays a great feel for the game, setting up teammates and has a great first touch. He needs to improve his decision making and is a risky signing for Málaga, but one day the fee of €6m may seem as a great bargain for Málaga. And its not like they are tight on money.
Joaquín: From Valencia, €4.2m
Another Andalusia native snapped up from Valencia, Joaquín, contrary to Isco, is a player who should be a star in the first team from the off. Joaquín, while he may not have fulfilled the promise he showed at Real Betis, is one of the best wingers in Spain and has come off a solid season for Valencia, shouldering some of the attack from the departures of David Silva and David Villa. Joaquín will probably add experience and leadership to a Málaga side which is being created.
Martín Demichelis: From Bayern Munich, €3m
Quite a fall from grace for Demichelis. One year ago Demichelis played in the Champions League Final against Inter, now after being shut out of the Bayern first team, has joined a team for €3m. Strong in the air and a fierce tackler, Demichelis is error-prone and isn't as composed as he could be. Could feature in midfield, especially as Mathijsen and Sánchez have been signed.
Sergio Sánchez: From Sevilla, €2.8m
While Demichelis is error-prone, Sánchez is injury-prone. Despite having never cemented a place in the first team in Sevilla, Sánchez could feature in the Málaga first team, whether at right back or centre back.
Joris Mathijsen: From Hamburg, €1m
A Netherlands starter for only €1m! While he only needs to contend with Heitinga as the best centre back for the Oranje, Mathijsen is a very good signing considering his cheap price tag. A solid if unspectacular season at Hamburg, Mathijsen should slot right into the heart of the Málaga defence.
Ruud van Nistelrooy: From Hamburg, Free
How Málaga's fans must be praying that van Nistelrooy rediscovers his form from his glory Manchester United days. Injuries have held him back in his career post-United, but he is still one of the cleverest foxes in the box and should lead the front line for at least a year for Málaga.
RCD Espanyol:
Héctor Moreno: From AZ Alkmaar, €4m
Part of the Mexican 'Golden Generation', Moreno is a tough, no-frills defender. He tackles with bite and is relentless, challenging for every ball and hustling for possession, but Moreno is often lacking when he is in possession, unable to complete any difficult passes. Also , at 23, expect him to improve at Espanyol and possibly work on his distribution.
Juan Ángel Albín: From Getafe, €3m
Whether playing at left wing or as a supporting striker, Albín will provide goals and assists due to his close ball control and sweet left foot. Should feature in Espanyol's first team and will improve in a few years.
Real Madrid:
Fábio Coentrão: From Benfica, €20m
When he joined Benfica, he was a young tricky left winger, full of skill, but not good enough for the first team. Now, he leaves Benfica as one of the world's best left-backs and one of the best performers in the last world cup to Real Madrid's first team. Reinvented as a left back by Benfica due to his strength, Coentrão still retains the pace and the dribbling prowess he used to have when he played for Rio Ave. Defensively, Coentrão waits for the tackle instead of diving in and in attack he is deadly in the counter-attack, which should be great news for Mourinho's Real.
Nuri Şahin: From Borussia Dortmund, €10m
It seems strange to consider a 22 year old as a veteran. But Şahin is that, having been present in Borussia Dortmund's first team since 2005, when he was the youngest player to play and score in the Bundesliga. The leader and focal point of the young Borussia Dortmund team which swept the Bundesliga, Şahin should play in the first team for Real Madrid due to his clever and precise distribution of the ball, ability to create chances for others and also chip in with his fair share of goals. An upgrade over Sami Khedira, Şahin at €10m is a great buy by Mourinho and the Real staff.
Raphaël Varane: From Lens, €10m
The opposite to Héctor Moreno, Varane is a cool and composed central defender who plays the game as if he is at least 10 years older than his age of 18. Varane has a great understanding of the game, reading the opponents passes and intercepting through balls. He is also comfortable in possession and should eventually develop into a ball-playing centre back. The emergence of Varane into the first team was the only bright part of Lens season which ended in relegation, but Varane will struggle to find playing time at Real Madrid and the best option for him and Real would be for him to be loaned out, possibly back to France, or to a lower La Liga side.
José María Callejón: From Espanyol, €5.5m
Spiky-haired left winger who is dangerous when being fed through by a cutting pass and given space to run in. Callejón has a dangerous left foot and can score from distance; he is also comfortable cutting onto his right foot when letting rip. Came from the Real Madrid youth team and like many others before him left before playing for the first team. Should be a solid back up for Ronaldo/di María.
Hamit Altintop: From Bayern Munich, Free
I don't understand this signing. While he was signed for free and is a very good player and leader, Altintop will never make the Real Madrid first team and Real have enough back up in midfield already.
Sevilla:
Manu del Moral: From Getafe, €3.5m
A speedy striker who can also play on the wing, Manu del Moral is a very good finisher who will contend for a starting spot in the Sevilla first team. A replacement for Luís Fabiano.
Emir Spahić: From Montpellier, €2m
Captain of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spahić is a strong and experienced centre back who can anticipate chances for the other team. A lack of pace may hinder his starting chances for Sevilla, but he should be present in the first team. At €2m, he could be considered a bargain as only last year Montpellier were reportedly demanding £25m for him from Arsenal.
Piot Trochowski: From Hamburg, Free
Trochowski can play at left wing or behind the striker and possess impeccable technique, whether it be at passing, shooting or dribbling. A lack of pace and strength is his major weakness and he can be inconsistent at times. A good pick-up for free.
Valencia:
Daniel Parejo: From Getafe, €6m
Another promising youngster who had to leave Real Madrid for first team football, Alfredo Di Stéfano himself expressed his disgust when Parejo left by boycotting a Castilla match. A very skillful attacking midfielder, Parejo is a person who should contribute for Valencia now and in the future. He replaces Isco, and is a better player than him, although admittedly Parejo is three years older. Has a great first touch and can create chances for others.
Pablo Piatti: From Almería, €8m
Brought in from relegated Almería, Piatti's arrival hints that Juan Manuel Mata may move away, possibly to Liverpool or Arsenal, as they both play as left wingers. An amazing dribbler, Piatti exudes Argentinian skill and poise and should be a good signing for Valencia. Still has time to improve, also.
Diego Alves: From Almería, €3m
One of the best goalkeepers in Spain and has been linked with Real Madrid in the past. A good shot-stopper, Diego Alves is also a good penalty saver. Will probably be in the first team, he could be the best goalkeeper for Valencia since Santiago Cañizares, and all for €3m.
Villareal:
Cristián Zapata: From Udinese, €7m
Zapata is a quick and strong centre back currently representing Colombia in the Copa América. Strong in the air, Zapata can also read the through balls well. He often joins attacks from the centre of defence and is effective due to his pace, but he needs to improve his passing and dribbling ability to be as effective as Lúcio.
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