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La Liga is well known for being a league that produces great talent – Premier League clubs are perhaps the best at taking these talents for themselves. Here are my top five La Liga players that will be available on a free transfer this summer.
Raul Garcia
Despite scoring 12 goals from 14 starts, the Atletico Madrid utility man still doesn’t seem to have done enough to merit a new contract. Garcia can play either in midfield or as a centre forward. His best attribute is his heading and he is the main target from set pieces and crosses whenever he plays. Only 27-years-old, it is strange that the Madrid side have not signed him on for a contract extension, especially considering how useful he has been for them.
A product of Barcelona‘s famed ‘La Masia’ academy, the Spanish right-back has been working to take Dani Alves‘ place in the starting XI this season. A solid defender, he has made 16 interceptions and 25 clearances in his 10 league appearances. Montoya is also capable of going forward and whipping crosses into the area. Tata Martino seems to have confidence in the 22-year-old, but the guarantee of first team football at a different club must be something to think about if Montoya wants to develop.
Javi Guerra
11 goals in 20 La Liga appearances means that Guerra sits fourth in the Spanish league’s goal-scoring chart. His current club, Real Valladolid, seem destined for relegation but Guerra’s impact has provided a glimmer of hope that they can stay up. Guerra has not signed a new contract yet, but he knows how to find the back of the net and could be brilliant for a mid-table side. At 31, his peak years are perhaps behind him but the striker still has a few years left to offer.
Patrick Ebert
Another Valladolid player who will be available for free in the summer, Ebert has been expected to sign for Atletico in the last two transfer windows. With no deal being announced by either club or player and with his contract expiring in five months, clubs should be lining up to acquire him. The 26-year-old is pacey and a handful for defenders with his aggressive, direct approach. He is known for his set piece deliveries and would be a fine signing for any club who can keep his sometimes fiery temper in check.
The Barcelona keeper announced at the beginning of the season that he would be letting his contract expire so that he could move on to other challenges. Recent speculation has seen Valdes linked with both Monaco and Manchester City. A top keeper, every club should be aiming to sign him. The three-time Champions League winner is the commander behind the defence as well as being an agile shot-stopper. Although the La Masia product is likely to demand high wages, Valdes would definitely be worth the cost.
