The Spanish Football League competition for the 2022-2023 season kicks off this weekend as the conflict between defending champions Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are determined to topple their traditional rivals with a great summer transfer period, reignites.
Agence France-Presse highlights five of the biggest transfers this summer in La Liga:
* Aurelian Chuamini – Monaco to Real Madrid for 80 million euros ($81.6 million) plus 20 million euros in possible bonuses.
It has always been reported that Real Madrid wanted to include Frenchman Paul Pogba, but the result was the inclusion of his compatriot Chuamini, who represents the future of the French midfielder, along with his new teammate Eduardo Camavinga.
22-year-old Chuamini moved to the European champions from the national team of the French Principality for about 100 million euros. He signed a six-year contract after two and a half years at Monaco.
Chwamini, whose father is a pharmacist, began his career in Bordeaux, France. Last year, he took part in his first international match for France and has since made 12 appearances for his country. He will help lighten the load on Madrid’s veteran midfield trio of Brazil’s Casemiro, Germany’s Toni Kroos and Croatia’s Luka Modric.
* Robert Lewandowski – from Bayern Munich to Barcelona for 45 million euros, plus five million euros in surcharges.
Barcelona have done an admirable job in the transfer market of late, given the massive debt that has paralyzed the club in recent years. President Joan Laporta oversaw a quick sale of Barcelona’s current and future assets to enable them to immediately strengthen the team, including the sale of 25 percent of local television rights for a quarter of a century to a US investment fund.
Blaugrana have secured five notable deals led by Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, winner of the FIFA Player of the Year award for 2020 and 2021. The 34-year-old moved to Barcelona from Bayern for 50 million euros. Leva signed a five-year contract.
Barcelona included the striker, who scored 344 goals in eight years at Bayern, in their quest to win their first league title since 2019 and their first Champions League title since 2015. Barcelona will need to ensure that their new contracts are registered in accordance with financial transparency rules. , as the Spanish league has complicated financial control rules.
* Jules Conde – from Seville to Barcelona for 50 million euros plus 10 million bonuses.
It was clear Barcelona’s defense was what needed to be strengthened the most after the end of last season as the Catalan side signed Andreas Christensen from Chelsea before making another big deal by signing Condé from rivals in the Spanish league. Seville”.
The 23-year-old French centre-back, who played for Choumini at Bordeaux, has signed a five-year contract at Camp Nou after three impressive seasons with the Andalusian side. His arrival could hasten the removal of seasoned defender Gerard Piqué from manager Xavi Hernandez’s plans for the first team.
Isco from Real Madrid to Sevilla on a free deal.
After his contract expired after nine seasons at Real Madrid, Isco returned to his native Andalusia to join Sevilla for two years. The 30-year-old former Málaga midfielder won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, but by last season his influence had waned to the point where he never started on his way to the last European title, starting in just three matches. European championship. League matches.
However, Isco is looking to regain the momentum of his career at Sevilla, who finished fourth last season and are in need of more opportunities, especially as he prepares for the Champions League. The player intends to restore the trust that coach Julen Lopetegui gave him when he said: “I want to show him that he did nothing wrong.”
However, this summer Sevilla desperately needed to strengthen their ranks in the defensive line after the transfer of Brazilian Diego Carlos to Aston Villa, as well as the departure of Conde.
*Axel Witsel from Borussia Dortmund to Atlético Madrid on a free deal.
The 33-year-old Belgian international joins Atlético on a one-season contract after four years in Germany. Witsel should be well-prepared to take on the challenge with Argentine manager Diego Simeone’s side as he bolsters Atlético’s midfield, which has witnessed the departure of Mexican Héctor Herrera to MLS. What’s notable is Witsel’s involvement in central defense in the preseason.
It will be a big challenge for Atlético to compete for the Spanish title as usual after the loss of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who has returned to his homeland.
