La Liga facing possible exodus of stars to the Premier League
The likes of Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrara all made big-money moves from Spain to England in the summer. They have all settled in well at their new clubs, prompting the question if any more La Liga stars are heading to the Premier League in January?
Paco Alcacer
The 21-year-old striker is being linked with Tottenham after making a brilliant start to the season for Valencia and Spain.
He has scored in each of his country’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against FYR Macedonia, Slovakia and Luxembourg this season as well as finding the net four times for Los Che.
Spurs are keen to offload Roberto Soldado while Emmanuel Adebayor appears to be disillusioned with life at White Hart Lane, so Mauricio Pochettino is eyeing up a move for Alcacer who would be available for around £15million due to a release clause in his Valencia deal.
Aymeric Laporte
Manchester United and Arsenal are both interested in signing the Athletic Bilbao defender who has been his club’s first-choice left-back since the beginning of last season.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has represented his country at Under-17 through to Under-21 levels and his Bilbao contract is due to expire at the end of next season, although he does have a release clause in the deal.
Asier Illarramendi
Real Madrid’s defensive midfielder is believed to be keen to leave the Bernabeu after becoming disillusioned with his lack of first-team opportunities under Carlo Ancelotti, alerting Liverpool’s interest.
After being a regular starter for Real Sociedad in 2012/13, helping the club finish fourth in La Liga and qualifying for the Champions League, he has found it difficult to break into Ancelotti’s side of big-name stars.
Brendan Rodgers presided over a disastrous summer of recruitment at Anfield and is keen to land Illarramendi as he attempts to improve his reputation and lift the Reds up the Premier League table.
Gerard Pique
Barcelona manager Luis Enrqiue is struggling to keep his squad together. Dani Alves has already said this is his last season with the club while Gerard Pique is now being linked with a Nou Camp exit.
Chelsea are said to be interested in signing the 27-year-old defender although he may prefer to rejoin Manchester United. Pique left Old Trafford in the summer of 2008 after featuring in just 12 Premier League matches for the club.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
Arsenal are believed to be willing to pay the £23.5million buy-out clause in Grzegorz Krychowiak’s contract that would bring the 24-year-old Sevilla star to the Premier League.
The Gunners need a defensive midfielder and the Poland international would appear to fit the bill. Sevilla, who are among the favourites to secure a top-four finish this season in the La Liga betting, may also be keen to make a big profit on a player they bought from Reims for just £4million in the summer.
Sami Khedira
Arsenal and Chelsea were both linked with the Real Madrid midfielder in the summer and the Gunners are expected to revive their interest in the player in January.
The 27-year-old Germany international has struggled with injuries in the last 12 months but was superb at the World Cup, helping his country lift the trophy with a string of brilliant displays.