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In recent years, La Liga has experienced somewhat of a downfall on the continental stage. With both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo departing the Spanish top-flight in the span of three years, La Liga has encountered a serious dip in viewership. Nevertheless, with two of the biggest clubs on the planet at its center, the Spanish top-tier still has the pulling power to attract some of the biggest names in football.
The most interesting new signings in La Liga
In comparison to other top European leagues, La Liga turned out to be penny-pinchers in the summer transfer window of 2021. The Spanish top-flight registered the lowest net expenditure among all the elite leagues, recording just €486 million in transfer transactions. However, some interesting names still jumped ships to join Spanish sides this season.
Atletico Madrid staged a coup while acquiring the duo of Rodrigo De Paul and Matheus Cunha, shelling out a combined fee of €65 million. On the other side of Madrid, Real managed to secure the highly sought-after Eduardo Camavinga for a nominal fee of €31 million. Cash-strapped Barcelona indulged in numerous free transfers, signing the likes of Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia without spending a single dime. Rafa Mir to Sevilla and Arnaut Danjuma to Villarreal were some other notable incomings to La Liga.
Considering the alterations that Spanish clubs have made this term, there has been a huge shift in the dynamic of their valuation. Following the departures of La Liga mainstays like Messi and Raphael Varane, a new set of players appear on the list of footballers with the highest market value right now.
With a total worth of €755 million, let's take a look at the most valuable La Liga XI (3-4-3) at the moment:
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (€70m, Atletico Madrid)
The most obvious inclusion on this eleven, Jan Oblak is easily one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet. The big Slovenian joined Diego Simeone's fortress in the summer of 2014, effectively replacing the outgoing Thibaut Courtois. Fast forward seven years and Oblak has clearly surpassed his predecessor at Atletico Madrid.
Winner of a joint-record five Zamora trophies, the 28-year-old goalkeeper has made 234 La Liga appearances for Los Rojiblancos, keeping a mind-boggling 125 clean sheets along the way.
Center-back: Jules Kounde (€60m, Sevilla)
A relatively fresh face in La Liga, Jules Kounde's meteoric rise to prominence has been well documented by scouts all across the continent. Part of a Sevilla side that conceded the third-least goals in La Liga last season, Kounde is arguably the most prized asset in that formidable backline.
Due to his consistent performances, the French international has been linked with a big-money move to Chelsea. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old defender continues to remain in La Liga and deservedly makes the list.
Center-back: José María Giménez (€60m, Atletico Madrid)
The Uruguayan centre-half has been criminally underrated throughout his Atletico Madrid career. Having played alongside the evergreen Diego Godin at both the club as well as on the international stage, Giménez has learned all the tricks to rock-solid defending.
The 26-year-old centre-back has been with Atletico for eight years now and has played a crucial role in the club's transitional period. Giménez is now a seasoned defender himself, leading the backline for the reigning La Liga champions.
Centre-back: David Alaba (€55m, Real Madrid)
The former Bayern Munich superstar recently joined La Liga giants Real Madrid on a free transfer, yet skims his way into the league's most valuable eleven. Signed up on a weekly wage of around €435,000, David Alaba is a dependable defender who is equally adept in playing at the center as well as on the left.
Following the combined departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, the 29-year-old Austria international is a welcome addition to both Real Madrid and La Liga.
Also read: Most valuable Premier League XI at the moment (September 2021)
Right wing-back: Marcos Llorente (€80m, Atletico Madrid)
Proving to be a surprise package for Atletico Madrid, Marcos Llorente was signed by Diego Simeone in 2019 from eternal La Liga rivals Real Madrid. The Spaniard has seen a massive increase in his value ever since he swapped the Bernabeu for Wanda Metropolitano.
Llorente is widely known for his versatility, with his unique capability to play as a central midfielder and a right-back. The 26-year-old Spaniard has even clawed his way into the national setup, becoming a regular under Luis Enrique for Spain.
Central midfield: Frenkie de Jong (€90m, Barcelona)
Rated at a whopping €90m, Frenkie de Jong is by far the most valuable player in La Liga right now. And deservedly so, since De Jong's presence has been instrumental for Barcelona. The Dutch midfielder has played a vital role in keeping the Blaugrana competitive in these turbulent times.
At 24, De Jong possesses a kind of maturity that far exceeds his young age. One of the most complete midfielders of this era, the versatile playmaker, has the potential to become a bona fide La Liga and Barcelona legend in the coming years.
Central midfield: Pedri (€80m, Barcelona)
Another La Liga gem currently plying his trade at Camp Nou is Pedro González López, or as he is fondly called, Pedri. The 18-year-old Spaniard has taken the world by storm, exploding onto the scene in his debut campaign at Barcelona.
To put things into perspective, Pedri was playing in the second tier of Spanish football just one year back. At the time of writing, he is the favorite to take home the 2021 Golden Boy award.
A generational talent, the Spanish prodigy has shot to prominence in a single season, exuding the consistency of a seasoned veteran. Already deemed undroppable by Barcelona, La Liga have their next superstar in the making in Pedri.
Left wing-back: Ferland Mendy (€50m, Real Madrid)
French talent Ferland Mendy comfortably slides into the left-back slot. Purchased during Real Madrid's infamous €350 million spending spree of 2019, Mendy has arguably been the most impressive of the lot.
In his two seasons at the Bernabeu, the France international has managed to make 70 appearances, phasing out the aging Marcelo in the process. While Mendy is yet to play under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, he remains one of the most valuable players in La Liga.
Also read: Ranking 5 clubs with the best transfer window in La Liga
Right wing: Joao Felix (€80m, Atletico Madrid)
Purchased in 2019 for €127.2 million by reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, Joao Felix is the second-most expensive teenager in club football, behind only Kylian Mbappe. The Portuguese superstar was bought by the club in an attempt to replace Antoine Griezmann.
So far, Felix has managed a respectable tally of 19 goals and nine assists at Atletico. While his numbers haven't been extraordinary, to say the least, Felix has displayed his class on multiple occasions. With his potential, the 21-year-old can easily become La Liga's most valuable player in the coming years.
Striker: Antoine Griezmann (€60m, Atletico Madrid)
World Cup-winner Antoine Griezmann stiffly scrapes his way into this eleven. Ever since his ill-fated move to Barcelona, the Frenchman's stock has taken a huge nosedive. To put things in perspective, his valuation in 2018 stood at a massive €150m, almost three times more than his current market rate.
As of now, the Atletico Madrid loanee is yet to open his scoring this season. With budding La Liga strikers like Youssef En-Nesyri and Alexander Isak constantly proving their worth, Griezmann might just find himself omitted from the most valuable eleven in the coming years.
But if Griezmann does end up rekindling his best form at Atletico, the La Liga champions have a serious player on their hands. The Frenchman will also be desperately hoping for an upturn in fortunes after leaving Barcelona.
Left wing: Mikel Oyarzabal (€70m, Real Sociedad)
The only player outside the traditional top four La Liga sides to make an appearance here, Mikel Oyarzabal has been a top contributor for many years now. The Real Sociedad prodigy has been with his boyhood club for five seasons and is finally getting the recognition his talent deserves. A versatile attacker, Oyarzabal is capable of playing on either flank with equal proficiency.
In 245 games for Los Txuri-Urdin, the 19-time capped Spanish international has managed to rack up 65 goals and 45 assists. Aged 24, Oyarzabal is yet to hit his peak years, which could see him become one of the best offensive players in La Liga.
Also read: Predicting dark horses to win Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A (2021-22)
