Ranking the 5 biggest outgoing transfers from La Liga this summer

#3 Raphael Varane (Real Madrid to Manchester United) - €40 million

Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League

One of the biggest outgoings in La Liga this summer was the exit of Raphael Varane, who joined Manchester United from Real Madrid for €40 million.

The French centre-back joined the La Liga giants in 2011 and has since become an integral part of the Los Blancos defense alongside Sergio Ramos. He made 360 appearances over a decade-long spell at the club, winning several major trophies including three La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.

With the 28-year-old seemingly interested in taking up a new challenge, he decided to leave La Liga and join the Red Devils in the Premier League.

Varane has been touted as the perfect partner for Harry Maguire, with his pace and intelligent positioning proving to be a big help for the Englishman. The defender has had a decent start at Old Trafford so far although he has been out with injury since the return from the international break. Unfortunately for Manchester United, his unavailability has coincided with a poor run of form.

#2 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid to PSG) - Free

Real Madrid v Atalanta - UEFA Champions League Round Of 16 Leg Two

The third Real Madrid player on this list and arguably the biggest of the lot, Sergio Ramos' departure came as a surprise to everyone. The Spaniard decided to leave Real Madrid after contract disputes with club president Florentino Perez.

One of the greatest centre-backs in La Liga and football history, Ramos joined Real Madrid in 2005 and immediately became the backbone of the Los Blancos defense. The defender made a total of 671 appearances for the La Liga giants, winning five La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

He also scored a massive 101 goals and registered 49 assists during that time, which included several crucial goals. His late equalizer in the Champions League final against rivals Atletico Madrid, which helped Los Blancos win La Decima, will forever be etched in the memory of the supporters.

There were rumors that Ramos would stay in La Liga and return to former club Sevilla. Instead, it was PSG who managed to pursue him to join them in Ligue 1 this summer.

Ramos is yet to make his debut for PSG this season due to a calf-injury that he picked up at the back end of May last season.

#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona to PSG) - Free

Paris Saint-Germain v RB Leipzig: Group A - UEFA Champions League

If Ramos' departure in the summer was a dent in La Liga's global appeal, Lionel Messi's exit came as a massive blow for both Barcelona and the Spanish top-flight.

After Messi's Copa America triumph with Argentina, it was widely expected that the six-time Ballon d'Or would renew his contract with Barcelona. But the Catalans' dire financial conditions along with La Liga's wage cap meant they could not renew Messi's contract, despite the forward agreeing to take a 50 per cent wage-cut.

As such, PSG swooped in and signed the 34-year-old on a free transfer, linking him up with the likes of Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.

Messi had spent nearly 21 years with the Catalan side and 17 years playing for Barcelona's senior-team. He made 779 appearances during that time, registering a staggering 672 goals and 301 assists in the process.

He won 35 trophies during his time with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, while also finishing as La Liga's top scorer on eight occasions. His six Ballon d'Ors during that time is a perfect testament to his abilities.