How Have La Liga’s Ten Biggest Transfers of Summer 2022 Fared?

We all know that Spain’s top division is not spending at the same rate as in the past. Not only are the big two having to cut their cloth according to their new financial situations, but that means there is less money trickling down to the rest of the league. Value has never been so important. We are three quarters of the way through the season with all to play for at the top and the bottom. There are still many betting deals on offer from sites such as oddschecker, which compares odds and free deals across multiple sites. The outcomes are still up in the air, and so betting is still very much on the cards.  

Now is the perfect time to see how those transfers have played out, and if they have returned on the investment the clubs shelled out for them. 

The list only includes those players who were transferred in during the Summer of 2022 and whose fees have been announced. Any player whose fee was undisclosed has not been included. 

Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco to Real Madrid – €80M

Aurelien Tchouameni took by far the biggest fee paid in Spain last summer and, more notably, he was the only player Real Madrid paid a fee for. This is an indication of just how important modern coaches see the position of defensive midfielder. In years gone by, the biggest transfers would almost always be spent on the so-called glamour positions. The fact the France international bucked the trend is good for football and for Real Madrid. 

However, all has not gone according to plan for the 23-year-old and, although Madrid will give him time, he will need to start reproducing his early season form, week in week out, if he is to successfully fill Casemiro’s boots. 

Raphinha from Leeds to Barcelona – €58M

Raphinha, Barcelona’s biggest transfer of the three they paid money, for has experienced a similar story to that of their arch rival’s. Eight goals and nine assists is not a bad return, but reports suggest all is not well in his camp. The test of goal scorers and playmakers is that they are able to make it happen in big games and close games, where their contribution makes the difference between one and three points.  

The signs are that the Brazilian is starting to do that, most markedly in the recent games against Athletic Club, Valencia and Real Betis. He need to keep up that form to prove his worth. 

Jules Kounde from Sevilla to Barcelona – €50M

Despite few shaky moments in La Liga of late, Kounde has played well for Barcelona for the most part. Providing a strong and quick defender that is hard to beat, he has been a major part of the best defence in La Liga, although there is a sense that there is even more to come.

The Frenchman should be given some leeway, as he has spent most of his time at Barcelona playing out of position, but for a club of its size to take an exit from the Europa League is always going to attract criticism towards the players. Against Manchester United was probably his worst performance in what has been a solid first season so far.

Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich to Barcelona – €45M

Caption: Barcelona welcomed three big money signings to Camp Nou last summer 

This had all the hallmarks of a classic Barcelona transfer, though on further inspection, they have bought one of the world’s best strikers in the twilight of his career. That said, the Polish international is La Liga’s top goal scorer, with 15 to his name at the time of writing, four clear of his nearest rival, and that’s with his recent injury issues. 

Tanguy Nianzou from Bayern Munich to Sevilla €16M

Despite their spending in the summer, Sevilla have had a very poor season and it has been tough for the French central defender. The former PSG and Bayern player joined the Andalusian side in a bid to revive his career, and more importantly get minutes on the pitch, something he struggled doing for both the French and German giants. Nianzou has certainly got minutes, but he will hope that his side manage to avoid relegation to allow his career to flourish. 

Marcao from Galatasaray to Sevilla €15M

Bought as a center back partner for Nianzou, the Brazilian has been unlucky with injuries. A thigh muscle rupture in the first week of November has meant Marcao has missed the majority of the season. He is hopefully back early April. Whether or not he is able to get back up to speed and gel with the rest of the defense could be a deciding factor in which league Sevilla will be playing in next season. 

Brais Mendez from Celta Vigo to Real Sociedad – €14m

A Champions League place is the goal for Real Sociedad, and Brais Mendez has been one of the reasons that it is looking a distinct possibility. The Spanish attacking midfielder has weighed in with seven goals and three assists in his league appearances. 

Luiz Henrique from Fluminense to Real Betis – €13M

Real Sociedad’s biggest rivals for that Champions League spot are Betis, who will be hoping to go one better than their fifth-place finish last time out. Luiz Henrique was one of three players bought in the summer to help them achieve that goal. The Brazilian winger has shown flashes of very good form, without setting the world on fire. 

Mohamed-Ali Cho from Angers to Real Sociedad – €12m

The fourth Frenchman on the list (although Cho is also eligible to play for England), the young striker has not had the game time he would have hoped for as he has been plagued by injuries. He is back fully fit now, so before long he will be hoping to get on the scoresheet for the first time with the club. 

Willian José from Real Sociedad to Betis – €8.5m

In a team that has struggled for goals, the Brazilian striker would have hoped to have made a bigger impact for his club. His nineteen appearances, mainly coming off the bench, have seen him score just one goal. Last season, he managed nine from 32 appearances, as well as four assists. 

Final words

Transfers are rarely, if ever a guaranteed investment, and the top ten from last summer have certainly been a mixed bag. Lewandowski was probably the least risky of the lot, and has also probably been the biggest success. Most of the others were seen as transfers to not only help the team now or in the near to mid-future, but were also made with one eye on their future value. Even if the clubs were to sell in the summer, especially to the EPL, it is likely they will at least recoup the money spent on all of the above.