Eden Hazard at Arsenal? Dani Ceballos pulling the strings at Crystal Palace? Unai Simon between the sticks at Tottenham? Here are ten La Liga players who could be gracing the Premier League stage in 2022/23.
Memphis Depay – Barcelona
How times have changed. Only a few months ago, Depay was Barcelona’s only A-list attacker. These days, he’s little more than a highly-paid extra, pushed into the background by the January signings of Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang.
Still one of Europe’s finest forwards, SuperDeporte claim that Arsenal, Everton and nouveau-riche Newcastle could offer the former Manchester United benchwarmer a second stab at English football.
Luka Jovic – Real Madrid
If any footballer needs a fresh start, it’s Luka Jovic. The Serbian striker has barely kicked a ball in anger since joining Real Madrid for a staggering £62 million in 2019. Jovic hit rock bottom in March too, left out of the squad entirely for a La Liga clash with Mallorca despite the injury-enforced absence of Karim Benzema.
Jovic, linked with Arsenal and Everton amongst others, is still just 24. And it’s only three of years since he scored 27 goals during a wonderful breakthrough season at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Dani Ceballos – Real Madrid
Like Jovic, Ceballos is barely getting a look in at the Santiago Bernabeu. The former Arsenal loanee has played just 61 minutes of La Liga football all season long.
According to Sport, Crystal Palace are looking to rescue the silky Spain international from his Madrid malaise with just over 12 months left on his contract.
Sergino Dest – Barcelona
When Barcelona signed a talented young right-back from Ajax in the summer of 2020, Dest probably didn’t expect that he’d soon be pushed towards the Camp Nou exit by, erm, a talented young right-back from Ajax.
Barcelona’s interest in Noussair Mazraoui has cast Dest’s future in serious doubt. Mundo Deportivo believe the jet-heeled American international could be offered to Leeds United as part of the deal that would see Raphinha move in the other direction.
Unai Simon – Athletic Club
Like Kepa Arrizabalaga, Unai Simon has risen through the ranks at Athletic to become a regular between the sticks for the Spanish national team. Like Kepa, he also has a penchant for high-profile blunders.
Not that a series of mistakes – remember Croatia at Euro 2020? – have put off Tottenham Hotspur. Marca claim that Spurs see Simon as a potential Hugo Lloris replacement.
Marco Asensio – Real Madrid
One of the most naturally talented footballers of his generation, Asensio has put those injury issues behind him while scoring 10 goals in all competitions this term, including a mesmerising hat-trick against Real Mallorca.
A sudden return to form will not be enough to save Asensio’s Los Blancos career, however, with Real looking to raise funds for both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. According to The Mirror, the 2017 Champions League final goalscorer has been offered to Tottenham Hotspur while Arsenal have made an offer of their own (Mediaset).
Raul de Tomas – Espanyol
A few months ago, Spain boss Luis Enrique hailed De Tomas’ work-rate and his willingness to press from the front. Two attributes Mikel Arteta also demands from his number nines.
Espanyol’s sporting director confirmed that Arsenal ‘called’ for a man known as ‘RDT’ in January, before pointing to a prohibitive £60 million release clause. It is likely that Espanyol would be more included to consider offers now, with another season of La Liga football all-but guaranteed.
Arnaut Danjuma – Villarreal
From the Championship one season to the brink of the Champions League semi-finals the next. It’s been quite some 12 months for Danjuma. And his winning goal against Bayern Munich last week epitomised the Dutchman’s tendency to step up on the biggest of occasions.
Newcastle want the former Bournemouth talisman, via The Mirror, while Liverpool see him as a potential Sadio Mane replacement (Goal).
Alexander Isak – Real Sociedad
A tally of five goals in 26 games is not exactly what you’d expect from a striker valued at around £75 million. But Isak’s struggles at shot-shy Real Sociedad have not put off his many, many suitors.
Arsenal are still interested but face a battle with Liverpool and Manchester giants City and United (Mirror).
Goncalo Guedes – Wolves
Barely a window goes by without Guedes being linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers. And this year is no different. According to Estadio Deportivo, Wolves have sounded out a prancing Portugal international playing arguably the best football of his career at the Mestalla.
Guedes, as you might have guessed, is a Jorge Mendes client.
Eden Hazard – Real Madrid
Now, the tendency was to scoff with derision when reports linking Eden Hazard with a move to Arsenal reared their head a couple of weeks ago. But maybe there’s more to this than meets the eye.
The rumour has now been reported in a number of different publications, across Europe. FootMercato even claim that Arsenal held talks with Real Madrid regarding a potential loan deal for the one-time Chelsea superstar last week.
Don’t rule it out just yet.
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