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La Liga, Spain’s elite football division, has always been praised for its beautiful football, passionate fans, and ability to sign the best talent in the world. Despite the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid – occasionally interrupted when Atletico Madrid assemble a side that disrupts La Liga betting – there are a plethora of top sides around Spain that ensure the league is always entertaining.
As we look ahead to a new La Liga season, the likes of Girona, who will be playing in the Champions League this term, as well as Sevilla, Real Betis, and several others, all look to strengthen their squads in the hopes of challenging Madrid and Barca.
In this article, we assess Spain’s top flight and some of the biggest deals in the summer transfer window so far. Read on to find out more.
Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid
The biggest transfer in world football in the last five years, Kylian Mbappe is finally a Real Madrid player. The Frenchman had been linked with the current La Liga and Champions League holders for some time now but was finally unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in front of a sellout crowd upon the expiry of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
In Mbappe, Madrid have another versatile attacker who can occupy space out wide and is a recognised striker, something Carlo Ancelotti had lacked after the departure of Karim Benzema. The 25-year-old’s hunger to win silverware from the start will make Madrid favourites for the title once again this season.
Robin Le Normand – Real Sociedad to Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone has stepped up his pursuit of a first La Liga title since 2021 with several big signings this summer. Robin Le Normand improves the defence, having impressed alongside Aymeric Laporte in Spain’s Euro 2024 success, and now makes the step up from San Sebastián to the Spanish capital.
Le Normand was born in France and came through the ranks with Brest before moving to Real Sociedad in 2016. His 43 appearances last season helped his side to a sixth-place finish and earn a €32 million move.
Alexander Sørloth – Villarreal to Atlético Madrid
Atleti continued to splash the cash by signing centre-forward Alexander Sørloth from Villarreal for €30 million. The Norwegian has been a perennial goal scorer in La Liga throughout the last few years, becoming something of a journeyman with four clubs in five seasons.
The new number nine scored 23 goals last season at the Estadio de la Cerámica, with Simeone finding an alternative for Memphis Depay, who left the Colchoneros after just 12 months.
Álvaro Djalo – Braga to Athletic Bilbao
Exciting winger Álvaro Djalo has joined Athletic Bilbao after impressing in Portugal with Braga. Athletic are paying €15 million plus €5 million in add-ons for Djalo’s services, with the 24-year-old complimenting Nico Williams on the opposite flank, with the Spaniard expected to stay at the Basque side despite rumours of a move to Barcelona.
Djalo’s versatility allows him to play through the middle as well as out wide, averaging 6.14 dribbles per 90 last term in Liga Portuguese, bettered only by Bruma and Ángel Di María. The move gives Athletic greater depth under Ernesto Valverde as they look to break into La Liga’s top four.
