La Liga boasts some of the best talent in the world, so I’ve picked out a few superstars that have seemingly slipped under the radar of Europe’s top clubs.
Just how Michael Laudrup found Michu for Swansea, a bit of scouting in Spain can lead to the picking up of some serious talent for a great price, prices start from just £2m (Miguel Michu) for elusive strikers. There are many undiscovered hidden gems in La Liga and with just one page to air my thoughts, apologies if your favourite isn’t mentioned, here are my top three available La Liga youngsters…
Nelson Oliveira – Deportivo La Coruna (21 years old)
Oliviera had a few brief appearances for Portugal in the Euro’s last year, and has since been loaned to Deportivo La Coruna, who are currently struggling at the bottom of La Liga having lost five on the trott, still six points adrift from safety.
Having been loaned from SL Benefica, it looks like the Portuguese league contenders are trying to aid his development process to bolster their chances of yet another league trophy next time round. Standing at 186cm, Oliviera is a striker who not only possesses aerial ability but also has a skilful touch on the ball. If they act fast, a host of Premier League clubs could swoop in and pick him up for a reasonable price, estimates say in the region of just £8m from the portugese outfit Benfica.
Iker Munian – Athletic Club de Bilbao (20 years old)
Munian has been vital in Athletic de Bilbao’s fight to stay in La Liga, playing almost every match Bilbao have faced in the league this season. Munian is a skilful winger with pace, and is extremely highly-rated by officials at the club, there is no-one more praising than manager Bielsa describing how he ‘has shown extreme potential’ to reporters.
Munian could be available for the right price, somewhere in the region of just £5-6m, having yet to fulfil his potential, and teams could do a lot worse than to recruit the Spanish starlet youngster playmaker.
Thibaut Courtois – Atletico Madrid (20 years old)
The 20-year-old goalkeeper currently on loan from Chelsea to La Liga title contenders Atletico Madrid. With Courtois’ first-team chances at Chelsea severely restricted due to the delightful form of Petr Cech, the Spanish stopper is likely to be available on loan again next year, with a preference, the Belgium admitted on radio, to a premier league outfit. However, Chelsea may be tempted to part with the former Genk keeper should the offer be big enough.
Reports suggest this figure lies in the realm of about £8m. Chelsea have also claimed to have offered the promising youngster to Atletico on a permanent basis with £40m in an elusive swap deal for star Colombian Radamel Falcao, but reports claim this offer was rejected by Simeone just days after it was made. Look out for this young talent in the future.
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