The Silly Season started off with a bang and then went into hiding as Euro 2008 took over our footballing world.  Now that the Euro tournament is over, let’s review the Top Ten Monetary Signings thus far in La Liga.

1. Dani Alves from Sevilla to Barçelona - $48M USD

The best Right Back in the world? Possbly, well, most definitely in the top 3. Dani Alves has been itching for a move to a big team, the elite of Europe, for the last two years. He is a fantastic addition to the team. Alves brings defensive and attacking acumen, a dangerous combination. His free kicks are sublime. He can most definitely fit in the Cruyff/Barca style quite nicely. He’s young, only 24 years old and he is lightning fast. Gianluca Zambrotta will not be missed. But is the price tag a bit much? This is the most expensive defensive signing ever! Good to see that Sevilla’s President Jose Maria Del Nido, also known as the Scrooge of La Liga, is still raking in the profits and standing firm on his exorbitant prices. But if you can get a player of this caliber, I say go for it. Barça has the money and this addition will greatly enhance the team’s current renovation project. Pep Guardiola means business. Look out.

2. Martin Caceres from Villarreal to Barçelona - $25M USD

Barça in da house agin. The Uruguayan Defender had a solid season last year at Recreativo Huelva. Who? Recre, a team that missed relegation by the skin of their teeth. A team that let in 60 goals last year. Caceres was on loan from Villarreal during the 2007-8 season and actually never played for the Yellow Submarines. Previous to his loan, he played at Defensor in Uruguay. The Central Defender is only 21 years old and Txiki Bergiristain and company must see some vast potential in the player. The club needs more depth in defense, as the first teams get older and older and are quite injury prone. But $25M, hmmmm? Good business by the Villarreal, for sure.

3. Jonas Gutierrez from Mallorca to Newcastle - $23M USD

Mallorca is in desperate need of money. Their parent company has filed for bankruptcy and there is a fire sale in the Balearics, for the right price. Jonas aka Spiderman has been wanting to leave for at least two years and has talked up England big time (Liverpool, Portsmouth, etc.). But Newcastle? Jonas is an out and out winger, pacy, but with a slight body. The type of slender body that is not quite suited to the Prem nor the Geordie club’s style of play, in my opinion. Last season, the player was not a happy camper, a bit of a diva, and was benched due to his attitude from time to time. I know that Mallorca and Velez Sarsfield (his former club) are not particularly happy with the transfer particulars. But I am sure that will be sorted out by the big bucks of the Prem. I am feeling good about the transfer all things considered. Not really sure if this is a good fit for the player and team. The jury is still out.

4. Seydou Keita from Sevilla to Barçelona - $21M USD

Aw Barça again in the market, this time for a quality hard tacking, Defensive Midfielder. Obviously Pep, Txiki, and fans of La Liga, feel that the midfield has been a problem defensively. Seydou is of the same ilk as Yaya Toure. Only difference is the age factor. Seydou is a little older at 28. The Malian International had a very good year with Sevilla which included his first taste of Champions League football. A fantastic addition for Barça once again. A little pricey, but you are dealing with the devil in Seville. All in all, money well spent.

5. Felipe Melo from Almeria to Fiorentina - $18M USD

Smaller clubs like Almeria, desperately need to find diamonds in the rough or unknowns and turn them around to make a windfall when they sell them to bigger teams, like La Viola. Melo had a very good year at the small Andalusian club. Almeria play a fast paced, attacking game and Melo was a key part of creating plays and advancing the attack. The Brasilian, previous to his year at Almeria, spent a season and a half or so, at Racing Santander. The Midfielder is only 24 years old and will get his first taste of European glory in Italy. Nice bit of business for both parties.

6. Deco - from Barça to Chelsea - $16M USD

Whodathunk? What a major change for Chelsea football club! Felipao aka Big Phil is going to change the team’s style of play around Deco. That is what you need to do, when you bring in someone like Deco. If Felipao is successful with this grand shift, no longer will we sing “Boring, Boring, Chelsea.” Maybe this is a good thing? Only time will tell. Is the price a bit cheap for someone of the caliber of Deco? Well he is 30 years old and moving to a very physical league. Honestly, I feel that Pep Guardiola and company just wanted him out of Catalunya and this was the best price on the market, given his age, their desparate situation, and his known Diva antics. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the Ronaldhino and Eto’o auction.

7. Ezequiel Garay - from Racing Santander to Real Madrid - $15M USD

One for the future, according to Bernd Schuster. Madrid picked up one of the hottest, most versatile players around. Garay can play as a Center Back, Sweeper, and Right Back. The Argentine International is only 21 years old and had a stellar year at El Sardinero, which unfortunately ended in injury. Real Madrid has agreed to loan him back to Racing for one more season, probably a contingency of the sale, so we will not see him in a Madrid shirt until 2009-10. But you know how those things can change. Good to see Madrid continuing on their youth mantra.

8. Johnny Heitinga from Ajax to Atletico de Madrid - $15M USD

One of the biggest problems with Atleti last season, was their leaky defense. Sure, it made for some great goal fests, but supporters were worried about Los Colchoneros’ European potency. So Vasco Aguirre went straight to work and made one of the earliest purchases of the silly season with the Dutch Defender. He’s only 24 and he can play Full Back, Central Defender and Defensive Mid, which is a nicety. I was not too impressed with his “super” sub showing at Euro 2008, but let’s give him time. Plus, working alongside Tomas Ujfalusi should really help his game.

9. Gianluca Zambrotta from Barça to AC Milan - $13M USD

I know his wife didn’t settle well in Spain, but how can a World Cup winning Right Back become utter crap in games? Talk about lack of motivation. Was he abducted by aliens? There are some players that should never leave their homeland to play abroad. Zambo is on top of the list. At 31 years of age, Barça made some nice coinage on the Italian. I am not sure if he will be back to his pacy self on the wings, as he is getting a little long in the tooth. But being back on terra firma may do wonders for the guy. Ya never know.

10. Koffi Romaric from Le Mans to Sevilla - 12M USD

Le Mans stuck to their guns and was able to get beacoup bucks out of President Del Nido. Touche! According to Monchi, Sevilla’s sporting director, the Ivorian Midfielder is better than Keita (who they sold to Barça for a ton - see above). The 25 year old is able to operate in defense as well as attack. He is a notable play maker as well. So versatility once again is the key. A nice piece of business for one so young. Monchi’s scouts are top notch and still showing their class. Incredible!

*In Summary

So what does this tell us about Summer 2008, thus far? Barça, once again, is a big time player in the market this year. The Catalans will do whatever it takes to reclaim La Liga and European glory. Sevilla, as always, is making every single penny count. Is the Nervion, the best buisness model in La Liga? Real Madrid is lying in waiting for the big merchandising extravaganza, as they are ready to break the bank one more time. (Please say it isn’t so). La Liga teams are still trying to rip off Prem teams when they can (ahem Newcastle and perhaps Chelsea). Aleti seems to be rather happy with their squad. Why does that scare me? And a good bit of business by some of the lower lights in La Primera, IE Mallorca and UD Almeria.

Next week it’s time to review some of the top free transfers to date in La Liga.

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Ciao y Gracias.