10 La Liga stars who could strengthen any EPL team

10. Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)

Moreno in action

Young, dynamic, energetic, and a player whose future looks bright, Alberto Moreno, 21 year old Spain International, plays as a Left back at Sevilla. The young player has already attracted interest from many big clubs.

He started the season on a fantastic note and is improving his game with every minute he’s on the field. Before joining the senior team, Alberto Moreno used to play as a Defensive/Central Midfielder, but manager Unai Emery converted Moreno into a Left back, like he did with Jordi Alba when he was at Valencia.

Real Madrid looked highly likely to get the signature of the youngster but Moreno opted to stay on with Sevilla and sign a long term contract. This has not deterred big spending European clubs to stop and take an interest in the player.

The player is young, and the future looks good. With certain teams in the EPL chasing a new LB, it looks increasingly likely that a bid could be placed in the coming transfer window for Alberto Moreno.

Potential Bidders: Manchester United, Chelsea

9. Ever Banega (Valencia)

Ever Banega during a match

Ever Banega, an Argentinean international, started his career at Boca Juniors and later moved to his current club Valencia CF for around €20mn, on a five and a half year deal. Banega also spent his time with Atlético Madrid during the 2008-09 season on loan.

E. Banega was on the verge of signing for Everton in the BPL in 2009, but due to visa issues, that transfer couldn’t materialise, and Banega stayed on at Valencia. Known for his passing & dribbling skills, Banega plays mainly as a central midfielder.

Ever Banega has so far scored 7 goals for Valencia since joining the club; his agent has come out and said that many clubs are willing to take Banega to their club and also the player himself has insisted on a move to another club. With the current situation and the potential of the player, any club who snaps up this deal would certainly increase their squad strength.

Potential Bidders: Manchester United, Southampton

8. Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad)

Return to a former club on the cards ?

Once a gunner, always a gunner?

Mexican star Carlos Vela, having previously played for Arsenal, and subsequently transferred to Real Sociedad, has not ruled out a transfer to his previous club, Arsenal. Since his transfer to Sociedad, Vela has been consistent in scoring and made a mark for himself in his first season at Real Sociedad.

Carlos Vela first joined Arsenal in 2005, and has scored thrice for Arsenal in 29 appearances that he made for the club till 2012. He was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion as well, but could not succeed. Vela joined Real Sociedad on loan in 2011, and signed for the club on a permanent basis in 2012 and has scored 28 times already for the club.

Vela is a hard working striker, who is not afraid of going deep to get the possession of the ball and move forward. He is a strong, attack minded striker who every club will be willing to offer a contract. Going by his recent form and his willingness to return to his previous club & the Premier League, it would be a good buy for any team looking for an attacker.

Potential Bidders: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool

7. Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann has started the season on a strong note. The young lad possesses a lot of talent, which, if nurtured properly, would make him a world class player in the future. Griezmann has been in good form of late and has given the Champions League chasing team a good start.

Having already scored 9 goals in all competitions so far this season, it only goes on to show the threat posed by this young player when going forward. Griezmann can be used in various positions, as an attacking midfielder or on the wings, though the player has gone on record to say that he is more comfortable playing in the middle of the park, as an attacking midfielder.

Griezmann is known for his pace, quick change of direction, technique and an eye for goal. No matter how big the opponent is, he takes the chance as and when it comes.

His release clause fee might deter a few clubs, but going by his talent, it would be worth it.

Potential Bidders: Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur

6. Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona)

Time for a change of club ?

An exceptional talent, who is finding it difficult to become the first choice at Barcelona, Pedro would be thinking of making a switch. With the World cup coming up in 2014, Pedro would be hoping to be given more chances at Barcelona, but Neymar’s arrival and Alexis Sanchez being in top form of late, the road looks even more difficult for Pedro.

Pedro has played an important part at Barcelona for many years, but it now seems that the time has come for the man to move on to another club. Pedro is a versatile player, and can be used to play at either right wing or left wing. He has the experience of playing in almost all formats of the game and winning it, be it the Champions League or the World cup.

However, the player won’t come cheap and it will have to be seen which club takes the initiative and attains the player’s signature first.

Potential Bidders: Arsenal, Manchester City

5. Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

That’s a fine save

After turning down the offer to sign a contract extension at Barcelona, Victor Valdes is on the lookout for a new challenge in a different league.

Valdes has been associated with Barcelona for 12 years, and has made more than 500 appearances so far for Blaugrana, gaining immense experience in the process. Valdes is not only agile, but also a sweeper, who passes the ball confidently on the floor, be it inside the box or outside it.

Valdes possesses sharp reflexes, which are pretty much visible in the current season. Valdes has been in top form for Barcelona this season, having made crucial saves at important times of the match.

With many EPL clubs looking to sign a new goalkeeper in the coming transfer window, Valdes fits the bill perfectly for a few of them. However, a team with Champions League showing would most probably tempt Valdes into signing a contract.

Potential Bidders: Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal

4. Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)

Star player up for grabs

Xabi Alonso is the next big name that looks set for a move away from Real Madrid. Undoubtedly one of Real Madrid’s key players, he started the season with an injury which kept him side lined for about five months. However, his lengthy injury spell doesn’t seem to have cast any kind of rust in the player’s performance.

Xabi Alonso has played superbly since coming back from injury. With Real Madrid supposedly bringing in a long term replacement for Alonso, it looks increasingly likely that a move away from Bernabéu for the Spaniard could be on the cards.

Alonso is known for his passing game, and the fact that, sometimes he drops very deep and wins the ball from a centre back position and drives forward. With this kind of play, it allows Real Madrid full backs to move higher up the pitch.

His pass accuracy is commendable; even when he is passing the ball in a diagonal direction, it is quite accurate. Fitness has never been a concern for this player. Any team who gets him in their team would only go on to make a strong squad. With the experience at the back of Xabi Alonso, he could take any team to a higher place in the table.

Potential Bidders: Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal

3. Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)

Inigo Martinez vying for the ball with Messi

22 year old Spanish born Inigo Martinez is a Central Defender, and plays for Real Sociedad. Inigo has been quite a revelation, with many consistent and fantastic performances. His club performances are being noticed, and it won’t be long before, he gets a call to represent his country at the international level.

His strength includes his ability to win aerial duels, move out of his position and cover the entire area, and his quick thinking which gives strikers a hard time. His ball distribution has been good throughout the season, and he has improved his pace considerably from last season, which was a cause of concern.

It is being said that he is an ideal replacement for Carles Puyol as and when the defender decides to retires. With age being on his side and possibly a manager who could bring out the best in him, the road ahead looks promising for the young defender.

However, it would really need a lot of money to tempt Real Sociedad into selling one of their star performers.

Potential Bidders: Manchester City, Manchester United

2. Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)

Can he make a switch in the coming transfer window ?

Ander Herrera was on the verge of joining Manchester United on the transfer deadline day this season, but unfortunately, a mix up between his own club and Manchester United resulted in the midfielder having to stay put at his current club Athletic Bilbao. The midfielder has a release clause of around €36mn, which Bilbao maintains, should be met to take away their prized asset.

Ander Herrera is known to get forward with the ball with utmost ease. He is fast, he is tricky and he is creative. Herrera’s passing ability is well known, making key passes at important junctures. He is not afraid to take a shot at goal when the opportunity arises, and has been quite accurate in that aspect of the game as well.

One thing that Herrera needs to work on is his decision making skills. Herrera has attempted a lot of shots from outside the box and has missed several good chances as well, but with the number of games he is playing, it looks certain to be rectified.

Potential Bidders: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema on international duty

Karim Benzema has undoubtedly been one of Real Madrid’s star performers, but having signed Bale, for an astronomical figure, the future for Benzema looks bleak at Real Madrid. After being booed upon by fans during a match against Getafe, Benzema by now must’ve understood that his time at the club is nearing an end.

Benzema is known for his finishing ability. Along with it, Benzema also is a good header of the ball. Whenever required, Benzema drops deep to collect the ball and moves forward with an intention of running through the defences.

The pace of Benzema could also be a factor, which the major clubs would be looking at; Benzema is fast and loses his marker with the quick turns that he makes with the ball at his feet. He is strong and wins most of the aerial duels which makes him dangerous at set pieces as well.

Potential Bidders: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Chelsea