Guillem Balague picks 15 La Liga signings to keep an eye on

The new La Liga season is right around the corner and while Luis Suarez’s ominous shadow overawes almost everything, he is not the only important acquisition into Spanish football.

On Revista all season we will be assessing the big clubs’ new recruits and analysing how Suarez can play with Leo Messi and how James Rodriguez compliments Cristiano Ronaldo.

But for now, let’s cast an eye over 15 under-the-radar transfers that might actually have a similar impact to Suarez or Rodriguez.

Jonathan dos Santos – Villarreal

Jonathan dos Santos has signed a five-year deal with Villarreal for a figure thought to be around two million Euros, where the defensive midfielder, who has been at Barcelona for the past five years and made 81 appearances for the B side and 14 for the first team, will team up with his brother Giovanni. 

Victor Ruiz – Villarreal

He has moved down the road from Valencia to Villarreal to play alongside Mateo Musacchio, who the Yellow Submarines want to give a new contract. Ruiz is the same type of player and a similar age, but is he as good? Possibly not, but both together is a fascinating prospect.

Rodrigo – Valencia

At just 23 years old, the Brazilian Rodrigo Moreno Machado moves to Valencia on a one-year loan deal from Benfica. Previously on loan at Bolton, Rodrigo has scored 27 times in 67 appearances for Benfica and, if he settles, could be a coup for Valencia.

Iago Aspas – Sevilla

Iago Aspas failed at Liverpool. He did not adapt to the club, the city or the football. He now has a lot to prove with this one-year loan deal, with the possibility of a three-year option to follow. Perennial sellers of top talents, Sevilla have a good track record in spotting unfulfilled talent and, for Aspas, the only way at the moment is up. It could be a great deal if he accepts the challenge offered by Unai Emery – ‘do you want to be the player you were, do you accept the challenge to even get better?’. Let’s see…

Denis Suarez - Sevilla

For a while he was touted as a future star for Barcelona when he joined their B team via Celta Vigo and the Man City academy. With an embarrassment of midfield riches at the Camp Nou, he now has a chance to prove just how good he can be as he goes on loan to a Sevilla side who will be hoping he can provide something similar to the form previously displayed by Ivan Rakitic, at least offensively. He showed against Real Madrid in Cardiff that he has class and an eye for passing.

Gerard Deulofeu - Sevilla

Everton manager Roberto Martinez would have loved to have kept Gerard Deulofeu on loan at the club for another year, and even Gerard and his family were happy to stay, but Barcelona wanted the midfielder back. Luis Enrique, however, has decided that he’s not yet ready for Barcelona first-team duty and the beneficiaries of the decision will be Sevilla where he has been loaned for the season. Gerard has to be humble, to listen, to work harder without the ball, or this train will pass and leave him at the station.

Jonathan Pereira – Rayo Vallecano

On his day Pereira can, with his incredible speed, be a nightmare to play against. Paco Jemez at Rayo Vallecano will be hoping he can do a job for him following this one-year loan deal from Villareal.