Barcelona starlet Arthur among top five La Liga summer transfers so far

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  • Arthur

    More than two months have passed since the transfer window did what it does best and slammed shut.

    That may not be enough time to erect statues or get the pitchforks out from the garage, but by now we can form opinions about moves without completely jerking our knees.

    Below are the best five summer buys – so far – from La Liga. For the worst, give this link a click.

    GIOVANI LO CELSO

    Real Betis v AC Milan - UEFA Europa League - Group F

    PSG’s thoughts must have been of a self-destructive nature when they let go of Giovani Lo Celso over the summer.

    A lack of numbers – and sheer fight – in midfield has seen them swamped against European competition already this year, and their loss is very much Real Betis’ gain.

    Lo Celso is a sinuous, silk-cut playmaker who has no problem turning into a man of steel off the ball, and Barcelona found out about all this and more when the Argentine masterminded a stunning 4-3 victory at the Nou Camp.

    Betis, who have supplemented Lo Celso with another superb midfield capture in  master patroller William Carvalho, need only part with €25 million to make his signing permanent next summer.

    After three goals and two assists in his last five games, we’d say that’s a safe investment.

    STAT ATTACK: 17 tackles so far in the Europa League as an attacking midfielder.

    ANDRE SILVA

    Andre Silva Real

    Silva’s horror season at AC Milan would have punctured the belief of the most cocksure of goal-getters, which makes it doubly impressive how he has responded with Sevilla.

    The 23-year-old took until March to score his first league goal for the Rossoneri. As for Los Rojiblancos, he hit a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano on his debut.

    What’s most promising about that record is the fact that Silva, who arrived with a €35m option to purchase, is hardly a typical No.9. He starts attacks from deep and often applies the finish with one of his well-timed runs into the box.

    It remains to be seen how Silva, Wissam Ben Yedder and fellow summer signing Quincy Promes – who has struggled for form – will mesh in the long-term. With Sevilla in second, a point behind Barca, Silva and Co could just be getting going.

    STAT ATTACK: 7 goals in first seven La Liga games, joint-fastest with Ibrahimovic

    ARTHUR

    FBL-LIGA-BARCELONA-ARTHUR

    Arthur was very much on the periphery with Barcelona before choosing one of the greatest theatres of football to make his bow.

    Against Tottenham at Wembley, the 22-year-old displayed the type of poise and assuredness that, aside from Sergio Busquets, has not been seen in Blaugrana colours since the era of Xavi.

    While he’s got a few years of catching up to do on that particular Spanish maestro – not to mention 25 trophies – these types of players don’t grow in abundance. Certainly not at La Masia anymore.

    Barca will have to stump up €40m to pay Palmeiras if the Brazilian meets all of his clauses, but that will be a small price to pay if he continues in this manner. He’s already surpassed a positively fuming Arturo Vidal in the eyes of Ernesto Valverde and is fast gaining favour with Brazil under Tite, too.

    STAT ATTACK: 94 per cent pass completion rate, third best in La Liga

    RODRI

    Rodri

    On to another 22-year-old who prefers to go by his first name. If you could stretch Arthur out by half a foot and put a pep more spring in his step, you’d get someone resembling Rodri.

    Rodri was initially rejected by Atletico Madrid, before being coaxed back by the club who abandoned him to replace a retiring legend in Gabi. Villarreal decided to charge them just €25m for the privilege.

    He couldn’t have landed back in a better situation. Alongside Saul – who is at the epicentre of Luis Enrique’s plans for Spain – and Koke, Rodri is at the heart of a potential La Roja powerbase for years to come.

    He’s certainly earned it too. Rodri’s voracious work ethic is perfect for a demanding Diego Simeone’s 4-4-2, while his unhurried passing prowess also fits like a silk glove with Spain.

    STAT ATTACK: 00 games lost in which Rodri has started for Atletico (all comps).

    JONATHAN CALLERI

    JonathanCalleriAlavesMadrid (1)

    West Ham have signed 40 plus strikers during their decade under the Gold and Sullivan ownership, most of whom were – and remain – woeful. For a while Jonathan Calleri was a sorry footnote. Now he is an outstanding exception.

    After escaping the Hammers with just one goal from 15 appearances to his name, Calleri moved to Las Palmas, where he performed well but failed to keep up.

    That was just the start of his La Liga story. With plucky Deportivo Alaves, Calleri has not only hit the nosebleed-inducing heights of fourth place by the second international break, but is making the opposition dizzy too.

    As the tip of the spear Calleri wins an eye-popping six aerial duels a game on average in La Liga, and has bagged three goals to date.

    Bizarrely the Argentine has been farmed out on loan by Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado for the best part of three years, but there’ll be a slew of suitors looking to lock in his signature if he keeps this up.

    STAT ATTACK: 04 – Calleri has helped inspire Alaves to fourth place in La Liga.

    15 11 FIVE BEST LA LIGA

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