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The 2020-21 La Liga season went right down to the wire. Atletico Madrid had to grind out a win on the final day of the season to win their first Spanish top-flight title in seven years. While Real Madrid gave the Rojiblancos a run for their money, Barcelona crashed out of the race due to a severe dip in form in the closing stages of the season.
La Liga giants are trying to improve their squads this summer
Barcelona have strengthened their squad this summer. Real Madrid have also made a couple of valuable additions. Atletico Madrid are active in the transfer market ahead of what promises to be an exciting 2021-22 campaign.
La Liga is once again filled to the brim with exciting players, many of whom are the best in the world in their positions. Naturally, their transfer market valuations will be incredibly high.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the most valuable players in La Liga.
(All stats and values courtesy: Transfermarkt)
#5 Casemiro (Real Madrid) - €70 million
The Real Madrid destroyer Casemiro is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. In recent years, the Brazilian has added a lot more to his game than just recovering and turning over possession. He does not shy away from bombing forward and joining the attack.
He is a colossus in midfield and if Casemiro is having a good day, Real Madrid are likely to eke out a positive result. The Brazilian international is 29-years-old has two years remaining on his current contract with the La Liga giants.
Casemiro was one of Real Madrid's best players in the 2020-21 season and he carried that form into the 2021 Copa America for Brazil. He scored seven goals and six goals from defensive midfield in 46 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid this past season.
#4 Pedri (Barcelona) - €80 million
Barcelona youngster Pedri's stock has risen exponentially over the summer. He had a wonderful 2020-21 season with Barcelona. Despite being just 18-years-old, the diminutive midfielder made 52 appearances for the Catalans across all competitions this past term.
Pedri has already been likened to Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The Spanish midfielder is still a teenager but he already showcases wonderful feet and his skillset is replete with deft touches, flicks and delightful passes.
Pedri was picked as the Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 and was arguably Spain's best player in the continental competition. He is presently valued at €80 million. His current contract with Barcelona expires next summer but the club has the option of extending it by two years which they are certain to exercise.
#3 Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) - €80 million
Joao Felix is yet to justify his €126 million price tag which Atletico Madrid matched in order to secure his services back in July 2019. Felix has offered glimpses of his brilliance over the two seasons he has spent at Atletico Madrid.
In 40 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season, Felix scored 10 goals and provided six assists for the Rojiblancos. He is yet to become a regular starter for Diego Simeone's side. He made just 14 starts in the league and came off the bench on 17 occasions.
Felix current contract runs until 2026 and the 21-year-old has a long way to go. He definitely has the speed, trickery and technical proficiency to go on to become a big player for Atletico Madrid.
#2 Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) - €80 million
Arguably one of the most versatile and creative players in the Spanish top flight, Llorente's evolution under Diego Simeone has been incredible. He can play a number of roles in midfield. He can play in central midfield or do the role of a box-to-box midfielder.
Llorente can also play as a second striker and he even plays at right-back on occasion. He scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions for Atletico Madrid.
The 26-year-old is just about to hit his peak and we could see him improve a lot more in the 2021-22 season. He is currently tied with Atletico Madrid until 2024.
#1 Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona) - €90 million
Barcelona's dynamic midfielder Frenkie De Jong will be at the club for a long time. The Catalans broke the bank to sign him from Ajax in the summer of 2019 for an initial fee worth €75 million.
De Jong has become a crucial part of Barcelona's midfield and was one of their standout performers in the 2020-21 season. He is so versatile and technically sound that he has even played at centre-back on several occasions this past term.
De Jong's spatial awareness and tactical intelligence make him a cut above the rest. He seems to have struck up a good partnership with young Pedri in central midfield and the duo could really flourish playing together.
The Dutchman's current contract with Barcelona runs until 2026 and the Catalans are in no mood to part with him. He is currently the most valuable player in La Liga with a €90 million valuation.
