There was not much Spanish clubs could do during this transfer window

The title of the article could read: The season when Primera lost its dominance. Even before this season and the coronavirus, Liverpool and then Bayern took away La Liga's bragging rights to be called the the best in the world, but the Spaniards tried to stand their ground. It seems that the coronavirus did not hit anyone as hard as the famous La Liga.

After all, the biggest transfer this January was a modest 12 million USD (1.3 billion KSH) that Real Sociedad paid for Carlos Fernandez. All in all, Spanish clubs spent only 26.5 million USD, the least of the top five leagues. For example, West Ham paid a million more for Said Benrahma, even Ajax paid 27 million USD for Sebastian Haller alone, more than all the Spaniards combined. Even the Turkish teams were more generous this winter than the teams from La Liga.

Where did it come from? First things first, the Spaniards earned as much as 343 million USD less than the first estimates said after the outbreak of the pandemic. Furthermore, the rules in the Primera allow clubs to spend on signings a maximum of 25 percent of the budget they set aside for the salaries of the entire playing staff. As everyone hit their limit, no one could bring anyone until they sold. And since the market was sluggish, we could not see any domino effect and therefore we saw very little migration during this transfer window.

A lesson of "how to do football business" was held, again, by Sevilla - one of the few who had money. They still managed to earn some and bring Papu Gomez to "Sanchez Pizjuan". Atletico also did well, Getafe's looks like they have an interesting project in mind. Real, Barcelona, ​​Valencia…they all disappointed the fans to a greater or lesser extent.

It may be better that way. For the sake of comparison, in January 2018, the Spaniards spent as much as 358 million USD on signings. Philipe Coutinho affected that amount the most, and now the Brazilian is one of those who are dragging Barcelona into bankruptcy (which will not happen). Even in 2020, the Spaniards spent 181 million USD, seven times more than now. All experts agree: corona hit La Liga hard. And it will hurt for a long time.

ATLETICO MADRID

The first task was - to get rid of Diego Costa's salary of 10.8 million USD and Atletico succeeded in opening the space for a new striker. They wanted Arkadiusz Milik, but did not want to give Napoli more than 18 million USD, they mentioned Willian Jose, who ended up in Wolverhampton, then Espanyol's Raul de Thomas, but in the end - Atletico did better than the fans could have imagined. After 45 goals in 108 games, Moussa Dembélé arrived from Lyon on a loan worth 1.8 million USD with Atletico's plan to buy him out for 40 million USD in the summer. The French could get an additional 6 million USD in bonuses, plus 10 percent of the next transfer. Diego Simeone, on the other hand, got a player who, when he fits in, which is not very easy at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, will make the team even better than it was. And the current team is top of the table. In large part because Atletico made the move of the season this summer by bringing in Luis Suarez.

Arrived: Moussa Dembélé (Olympique Lyonnais / loan 1.8 million USD with a buyout option for 40 million USD)

Left: Manu Sanchez (Osasuna / loan), Ivan Saponjic (Cadiz / loan), Diego Costa (termination of contract)

BARCELONA

The whole summer saga about Lionel Messi made the fans think they are looking at the worst possible scenario, but they forgot - it can always be worse. And we saw that in January. We entered the transfer window with stories that Manchester City swepper Eric Garcia is the first wish of the Blaugrana, that Ronald Koeman would like to bring Memphis Depay, that Lionel Messi collected more than 600 million USD only in the past four years, eventually we heard that the club is in debt of more than one BILLION USD, which will probably speed up the Argentine's departure in the summer. On the other hand, the new / old member is only Moussa Wagué, who did not even manage at his on loan to PAOK, while Carles Alena went on loan without the right of buyout to Getafe, so they could earn some money from Jean-Clair Todibo. The French stopper went on loan to Nice, which will be able to buy him back for 10.2 million USD at the end of the season, with the total price with bonuses rising to the amount of 18 million USD.

Arrived: Moussa Wagué (returned from a loan (PAOK))

Left: Carlos Alena (Getafe / loan), Jean-Claire Todibo (Nice / loan with buyout option for 10.2 + 7.8 million USD)

REAL MADRID

For the first time, the work of Zinedine Zidane should be re-examined. The main reason is, of course, the lag behind Atletico on the La liga table, the second is that he showed his cruel side, which is why Luka Jović and Martin Odegaard had to leave the club, both on loan, while Isco and Alvaro Odriozola will continue to be more on the bench and in the stands than on the pitch. Takefusa Kubo was brought back from a loan at Villarreal and immediately forwarded to Getafe on another loan. All three remain under contract with Real and when the season is over - Real will collect a modest 5.1 million USD. Even in times of crisis, ridiculously small amount of money for a giant like this, but Real didn't even plan on any extraordinary signing this January - as if they had already came to terms with losing the title? - while, when it comes to newcomers, they mostly dealt with persuading David Alaba to come to Madrid when his contract with Bayern expires in the summer. It seems that they succeeded in that at the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium.

Came: /

Gone: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal / loan 2.4 million USD), Takefusha Kubo (Getafe / loan 1.5 million USD), Luka Jovic (Eintracht / loan 1.2 million USD)

SEVILLA

The days when sports director Monci had to sell half of the team in each transfer window in order to fill the club's treasury are gone. Sevilla is now a financially stable club, one of the few that did not have to sell this January to buy. And again, they did sell, bought probably the most resonant name of all Spanish clubs, earned money and at least at first glance: became stronger than they were. Carlos Fernandez left for 12 million USD and he didn't even have an important role, and then for the team of Julen Lopetegui completely irrelevant Oussama Idrissi - Ajax took him on loan with the buy out option 21.5 million USD. And then the arrival of - Alejandro Papu Gomez!

He may not be at his peak, but he is an ace of the game who is rarely seen, while Sevilla has become a club that is on the list of the most attractive, right behind the richest and greatest. Sevilla is lucky that Atalanta, after Papu's quarrel with coach Gian Pierre Gasperini, did not want to strengthen Serie A rivals, so they even agreed to lower the price from 12 million USD to 6.6 million plus another 3 million in bonuses just so that Gomez would not go to Inter, Milan, Juventus, Roma, Lazio or Fiorentina. Gomez received a salary of 3.6 million USD, he could have chosen more exotic destinations and get more money, but Andalusia and Sevilla? - that is getting more and more difficult to refuse. Sevilla also managed to hold back all the attacks of West Ham to take Youssef En-Nesyri, even though they could have earned more than 35 million USD.

Arrived: Papu Gomez (Atalanta / 6.6 million USD)

Left: Carlos Fernandez (Real Sociedad / 12 million USD), Oussama Idrissi (Ajax / 21.5 million USD buyout option loan)

VILLAREAL

The yellow submarine "broke the ice" this winter with Etienne Capoue, who arrived from Watford for a modest 2.4 million USD, which is more than a good deal for Villarreal. Although they were forced to buy due to an injury to Vicente Iborra, whose knee ligament are heavily injured. They managed to pay and send off Takefusa Kubo, he did not justify the expectations at Madrigal. They had the same intention with 25-year-old striker Dani Raba, but they failed to take him from the payroll, even though he is not in Unai Emery's plans.

Arrived: Etienne Capoue (Watford / 2.4 million USD), Santiago Cáceres (returned from a loan at Mexican America)

Left: Soufiane Chakla (Getafe / loan), Takefusa Kubo (end of loan)

REAL SOCIEDAD

The Basque club should be significantly better than this fall, all because David Silva, Asier Illarramendi and Adnan Januzaj are slowly recovering from injuries, which is no small matter. Willian Jose left San Sebastian, but he has not been satisfied for a long time and has not been at the level when he terrorized his rivals across Spain. Real Sociedad will charge him well, the Brazilian went to Wolverhampton on loan with the buyout option in the amount of 24 million USD. Carlos Fernandez arrived from Sevilla came instead, he played there sporadically, and again, with a price of 12 million USD, he became the most expensive signing in Spain during this winter transfer window. If he finds at least a part of the form he was in at Granada, the fans will have something to hope for. Real Sociedad were also looking for a goalkeeper, the target was Vicente Guaita, but he extended his contract with Crystal Palace, the Eagles gave him an annual gross salary of 5.4 million USD, and Real Sociedad logically gave up.

Arrived: Carlos Fernandez (Sevilla / 12 million USD)

Left: William Jose (Wolverhampton / 24 million USD buyout option loan)

BETIS

In a word - a debacle, and we do not mean that Betis did not bring any new signings although the media in Andalusia (which is so characteristic of them) wrote every now and then about bombastic newcomers. The reality was that the Verdiblancos just wanted to sell unnecessary players to find money so they could pay those who would stay. They even wanted to sell William Carvalho, not because he was bad, but because it was expected that he could bring in profit. But as the offer of 24 million USD did not arrive, they were looking to sell whomever: Juanmi or in the ideal scenario Borja Iglesias - they brought him in 2019 for as much as 33.5 million USD and he is a regular bench warmer. In the end, Antonio Sanabria went to Torino for 8.4 million USD and he was a player that the staff wanted keep. Irony often comes with poverty.

Came: /

Gone: Antonio Sanabria (Turin / 8.4 million USD)

GRANADA

A solid job for another Andalusian club, although Granada did not fulfill what they initially imagined. First, they did not bring in a winger, the potential deal for Rochinha was too complicated, and the ambitious idea regarding Jose Callejon was not realized. Instead, Domingos Quina, a midfielder, arrived from Watford. At left back, they were looking to bring Barça's Junior Firpo and Atletico's Manu Sanchez, but in the end they had to settle for Adrian Marin from Alaves.

Arrived: Domingos Quina (Watford / loan), Adrian Marin (Alaves)

Left: Ramon Azeez (Cartagena / loan)

VALENCIA

After a year without signings, three were packed by Valencia in the space of only 24 hours, but none of them really caused euphoria among the fans, because they all played supporting roles in their clubs this fall. Each of those three players came on loan and no one will probably stay there for next season. Patrick Cutrone is certainly the most resounding signing but he has not scored a goal since July when he played for Fiorentina. All in all, at least they didn't sell out again, they are certainly not a weaker team than this fall, but they didn't scare anyone with the players that arrived.

Arrived: Patrick Cutrone (Wolverhampton / loan), Ferro (Benfica / loan), Christian Oliva (Cagliari / loan), Cristiano Piccini (returned from loan to Atalanta)

Left: Ruben Sobrino (Cadiz / loan)

REST OF THE LEAGUE

It's just not worth writing about everyone. For example, Levante did not bring anyone, and they knew that they would not, because there is no money. New players, although it is not such a rarity, were not brought to San Mames either, primarily because of their policy of bringing only Basques or boys brought up in the Basque Country. Also, Marcelino just came as a manager, so new signings were not even discussed. They lack a stopper cause they only have three, and they were not able to convince Javi Martinez to return this summer.

Alaves was also over their limit before the start of the transfer window, maybe there would have been some money if they had managed to sell Burgui or John Guidetti, but they are not managing to get rid of them since last summer. Kenan Kodro went to Valladolid, but Athletic Bilbao will not be bothered by that. The same is the case with Inigo Cordoba, who was loaned to their neighbors Alaves.

Let's continue, Alaves did not manage to sell Burgui or John Guidetti to anyone - they have been looking for buyers since this summer - so they could not spend too much. They did not bring a replacement for the injured stopper Rodrigo Ely. But they surprised everyone when they brought Facundo Pellistri on loan from Manchester United - the Red Devils paid him over 10 million USD four months ago.

Out of all the clubs from the lower part of the table, Getafe did best, you can say. Takefusa Kubo arrived from Real Madrid on loan, Carles Alena from Barcelona, ​​and stopper Soufiane Chakla from Villarreal, although they initially looked for Almeria's Mathieu Peybernes. Getafe managed to get rid of the salaries of Leandro Chichizola, Jack Harper, Ante Palaversa, Víctor Mollejo and Abdoulay Diaby, which means that they managed to keep their financial stability.

Cadiz is a great mystery, which is not a surprise considering that just before the transfer window, they replaced the sports director Oscar Arias. They asked for the right winger to be a competition to Salvi, then a stopper and the defensive midfielder, but they didn't bring any of that. Instead they intensified the attack with Ruben Sobrino and Ivan Šaponjić. They had previously chased away Nana Mesa, but they left everyone confused with bringing two attackers.

Celta also looked for an attacker and brought one on the last day of the transfer window. Facundo Ferreyra arrived from Benfica, left back Aarón Martín was previously bought, and Augusto Solari from Argentine Racing. Lucas Olaza returned to Boca Juniors, that's why Martin was brought, while Okay Yokuslu went to West Bromwich Albion. All in all, it was not bad, although they did not manage to get David Costas or Jorge Saenz.

Eibar also managed to finalize some minor deals - Aleix Garcia came from Dinamo Bucharest, while salaries of Damian Kądzior and Roberto Olabe are off the club's account. Something they could not do with the salary of Quique González - he is still an Eibar player.

Elche's priority was a left back and they found one in Johan Mojica. They also looked for a midfielder with organizational skills, but they did not find one and gave up. And then, on the last day of the transfer window, a surprise - Paulo Gazzaniga arrived from Tottenham. Elche was one of the few who did not have a money problem.

Huesca chased for a stopper and a winger, the first issue was solved by loaning Denis Vavro from Lazio, while the search for a winger still torments the club. Osasuna patched the hole in the left back position with Manu Sanchez, and they also brought a swepper Jonás Ramalho from Girona. Brandon was sent on loan to Leganes.

In the end, Valladolid was looking for a striker who could score goals immediately after the injury of Marcos Andre, and that is why the already mentioned Kodro arrived, although he is not a guaranteed scorer. Toni Villa and Valdo Rubio were on the transfer list but did not leave the ranks of Valladolid.

LEVANTE:

Arrived: /

Left: /

GETAFE:

Arrived: Takefusa Kubo (Real Madrid / loan), Carles Alena (Barcelona / loan), Soufiane Chakla (Villarreal / loan)

Left: Leandro Chichizola (Cartagena), Ante Palaversa (end of loan at Manchester City), Abdoulay Diaby (end of loan at Sporting), Jack Harper (Villarreal B / end of loan)

ATHLETIC BILBAO:

Arrived: /

Left: Kenad Kodro (Valladolid / loan), Iñigo Cordoba (Alaves / loan)

OSASUNA:

Arrived: Manu Sanchez (Atletico Madrid / loan), Jonás Ramalho (Girona / loan)

Left: Ruben Navas (Cartagena), Brandon (Leganes / loan)

VALLADOLID:

Arrived: Lucas Olaza (Boca Juniors / loan with mandatory buyout for 4.8 million USD), Kenan Kodro (Athletic Bilbao / loan), Stiven Plaza (Trabzon)

Left: /

CADIZ:

Arrived: Ivan Šaponjić (Athletic Bilbao / loan), Ruben Sobrino (Valencia / loan),

Left: Jean-Pierre Rhyner (Emmen / loan), Nano Mesa (Logrones / loan), Alvaro Jimenez (Majorca / loan), Bobby Adekanye (end of loan at Lazio), Sergio Gonzalez (Tenerife / loan), Javi Navarro (returned to youth team)

EIBAR:

Arrived: Aleix Garcia (Dinamo Bucharest)

Left: Damian Kądzior (Alanya / loan), Jose Antonio Martinez (Dallas), Roberto Olabe (Tondela / loan)

ALAVES:

Arrived: Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United / loan), Inigo Cordoba (Athletic Bilbao / loan)

Left: Tomas Tavares (Benfica / end of loan)

HUESCA

Arrived: Denis Vavro (Lazio / loan) Damian Musto (returned from loan at Internacional)

Left: Kelechi Nwakali (Alcorcon / loan)

CELTA:

Arrived: Augusto Solari (Racing Club / 600,000 USD), Aaron Martin (Mainz / loan), Facundo Ferreyra (free agent after parting with Benfica)

Left: Okay Yokuslu (West Bromwich Albion / loan), Lucas Olaza (end of loan atBoca)

ELCHE:

Arrived: Johan Mojica (Girona / loan), Paulo Gazzaniga (Tottenham / loan)

Left: Youssouf Koné (end of loan at Lyon), Diego Rodriguez (end of loan at Defensa y Justicia), Jason Lusumi (termination of contract), Juan Sanchez Mino (termination of contract).