From a line-leading striker to a Real Madrid midfielder with plenty more to offer, Simon Harrison picks out eight potential Spanish league bargains
Jefferson Lerma (Levante)
When Levante found themselves relegated to the second division three seasons ago, the fact that Lerma stayed put was a surprise. The Colombian midfielder has been an impressive talent for many years, sitting at the base of midfield offering a blend of physical and technical abilities, knitting passages of play together to help his team to play out from the back.
The 23-year-old’s performances for Colombia over the last year will have done his stock no harm at all, and Lerma isa easily talented enough to slot into a possession-orientated side in the Premier League.
Would suit: Bournemouth
Martin Montoya (Valencia)
Once a Barcelona player, Montoya initially struggled to find a home after leaving the Camp Nou in 2015. Loan spells at Inter and Real Betis didn’t go to plan, and eventually led to the right-back moving permanently to Valencia in 2016.
Montoya packs pace and a good right foot, and his style of play lends itself to getting forward and influencing things in the final third. Mistakes have crept in defensively, but a Premier League club could still nab a bargain for themselves – especially as the 27-year-old will be motivated to prove any doubters wrong.
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Would suit: Southampton
Yerry Mina (Barcelona)
Mina’s stock has never been higher. His three goals for Colombia during the World Cup caught attentions, especially given Barcelona's conundrum in balancing their non-EU contingent. Quick and strong in the air, Mina is tough for strikers to beat for pace, but his distribution stands out too.
The 23-year-old centre-back is content to look after the ball and then look to switch play or break lines with adventurous passes forward. Given that Barça brought him in for such a cheap price (€11.8m) last summer, a juicy profit might be too much to ignore. He only played five La Liga matches last season, and admitted this summer: "When I saw that I wasn't even on the bench, that I wasn't even being considered, I started to train alone at home. It is tough to watch your team-mates and see the matches on TV."
Would suit: Everton
Gabriel Pires (Leganes)
It's hard to put Gabriel into any kind of box. The Brazilian played a range of central midfield roles under manager Asier Garitano last season, offering robustness alongside creativity. He's physical enough to hold his own and protect possession, but also has some nice flicks and tricks to unlock a defence.
The 24-year-old displays good tactical awareness and is a versatile player capable of performing a number of roles in central midfield. Gabriel is a dream for a coach who likes to tinker, and his release clause of €20m is certainly a tempting one to trigger.
Would suit: Newcastle
Samu Castillejo (Villarreal)
Mentality is the only question mark that stands between Castillejo being a good player and a great one. The 23-year-old Villarreal man can feature as either a winger or creative midfielder and is armed with a good change of pace and a box of tricks.
On his day, Castillejo can be a difference-maker and provide plenty of entertainment, but those days are slightly too rare at present. With a release clause of around €20m, however, the Spaniard is well worth the gamble. Skilful and pacy, Villarreal's frustrating talent is consistent end product away from being a fine player.
Would suit: Watford
Fabian Schar (Deportivo La Coruna)
Deportivo were relegated from La Liga last season, but they still boast some quality individuals. Schar joined the Galician club on a cut-price deal last summer, and Depor are in no position to reject sizeable fees or ignore the chance to offload some high earners.
Last season, Schar featured at centre-back and showed the quality that he offers in possession. The 26-year-old Switzerland international is unafraid to drive out from defence on the ball and take risks, as well as being a solid aerial presence and competitive physically. Reports suggest he could be available for as little as £3.5m – music to Magpie ears.
Would suit: Bournemouth, Newcastle
Marcos Llorente (Real Madrid)
The minimal amount of first-team football that Llorente got for Real Madrid last season was understandable, and yet at the same time a travesty. Behind the likes of Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Mateo Kovacic in the pecking order, the 23-year-old was unable to force his way into the picture despite a fabulous 2016/17 campaign on loan at Alaves.
Llorente was part of the Spain side that got to the final of the 2017 Under-21 Euros, and features at the base of midfield. He knits everything together when building out from the back, and is a brilliant screen for a defence. Tthere are few players on the market who could rival him for stamina.
A bullish striker who offers an aerial presence and powerful finishing, Willian is not complete or a finished product. Yet the 26-year-old – who was called up to the Brazil squad for the first time earlier this year – can play with his back to goal, works hard and is a battering ram who can unsettle opposition defences. Individual brilliance is more likely to come with a rocket of a shot than anything cute or intricate.
Willian has been the main goalscorer at Real Sociedad for two seasons, since a long-term injury to Imanol Agirretxe hasn't provided the striker with too much in the way of competition. He is undoubtedly capable of holding his own leading a line in the Premier League, and it feels as though he needs a new challenge to push him on to the next level.
