10 New Transfers to Keep an Eye On in La Liga and Ligue 1

Greetings friends,

This edition was originally planned to focus solely on 🇪🇸 La Liga. But with a few major leagues kicking off next week, we thought why not speed things up? So 🇫🇷 Ligue 1 joins the party. 🎯

Two leagues, one newsletter. Double the fun. Let’s dive in!

🇦🇷 Thiago Almada → Botafogo to Atletico Madrid 21 million € 💶

We wrote about Thiago Almada multiple times in the Dead Ball Digest last season, especially when searching for a Kevin De Bruyne doppelgänger. 👉Click here to read that piece. After winning the Brazilian Série A and Copa Libertadores with Botafogo, Almada was loaned to Lyon, part of the same multi-club ownership network as Botafogo. He made his debut on the European stage with this six-month loan agreement.

At the end of the season Lyon was dealing with relegation worries and serious financial problems, so right in the middle of all this chaos, Atlético Madrid stepped in and started negotiations with Botafogo. Several other clubs, including Benfica and Zenit, expressed interest in Almada. However, his preference for working with fellow Argentine Diego Simeone and playing alongside national team teammates made Atlético Madrid the natural choice. The transfer process was also eased by his connection to citizen Ángel Correa, as both players are represented by the same agent, Agustín Jiménez.

Almada's flair and creativity may add fresh dynamic to Atlético's rebuilding. He is really good at finding his teammates with incisive passes that break down defenses and create clear chances. As Antoine Griezmann gets closer to the end of his career, investing in Almada feels like more than a smart move for Atletico Madrid. It's a well-prepared long-term vision. Almada isn’t just another signing; he’s likely to have a big impact in La Liga this season.

Figure 1: Thiago Almada’s long-range progressive passes (20+ meters) in Lyon’s 2024-25 campaign

🇸🇰 David Hancko → Feyenoord to Atlético Madrid 26 million € 💶

David Hancko was expected to join Al-Nassr FC in a deal worth €35 million (potentially rising to €40m with bonuses). He even travelled to Austria to join their pre-season camp, but the Saudi club cancelled the transfer at the last minute, because of a “change in management.” Feyenoord's side described the situation a scandal. Later, again Atlético Madrid quickly took advantage of the situation, and secured the deal without delay.

In terms of playing style, Hancko ticks all the boxes for a modern defender: progressive passing, ball-carrying ability, and positional versatility. He can line up as a left centre-back in a back three or operate as a left-back in a back four, offering valuable versatility for Simeone’s defensive formation.He is a natural leader who captained Feyenoord and made 119 consecutive starts, missing just a few matches in three seasons. This consistency tells us a lot about his strength and discipline. His strong work ethic and dedication make him tailor-made for Simeone’s methodology.

What makes this transfer even more intriguing is Simeone’s desire to modernise the team’s build-up from the back. Hancko's left foot and smooth ball distribution may play an important role in this transition. At 27, he’s in his prime. With silverware in the Netherlands (Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, Johan Cruyff Shield), a great performance for Slovakia at Euro 2024, and now a chance to play in competitive La Liga & Champions League football, Hancko possesses the qualities to rise into Europe's elite centre-back ranks.

Figure 2: David Hancko’s Touch Heatmap and Progressive Passes Over 30 Meters from Defence, 2024-25 Eredivisie Season Stats

🇪🇸 Álex Baena → Villarreal FC to Atlético Madrid 42 million € 💶

One of La Liga's most influential players, Álex Baena, has joined Atlético Madrid from Villarreal for €45 million plus bonuses, below his €55 million release clause. He’s taken over the No.10 shirt left by Ángel Correa, which is a statement of how highly the club rates him.

Alex Baena brings a unique combination of creativity and tactical flexibility. He is a right-footed attacker who can be deployed wide on the left. Whenever needed, he is also capable of playing in the centre or on the right wing. He fits into multiple roles depending on Simeone’s setup, whether it’s the left-sided midfield spot in a 4-4-2, an advanced role in a 3-5-2, or even as a second striker. In the 2024-25 La Liga season, Álex Baena has showcased impressive stats, including:

🔹 93rd percentile for goals (0.24 per 90)

🔹 98th percentile for assists (0.31 per 90)

🔹 94th percentile for npxG (0.22 per 90)

🔹 90th percentile for progressive carries (3.16 per 90)

🔹 99th percentile for key passes (3.29 per 90)

🔹 97th percentile for crosses (7.18 per 90)

🔹 87th percentile for progressive passes (6.55 per 90)

Now at the peak of his abilities, Baena brings a creative solution and final-third precision that can strengthen Atlético’s attacking trio of Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Thiago Almada. His vision and delivery could fill the creative gap Atlético Madrid has struggled with in recent seasons. With his versatility, Baena has the potential to become a key player for Atlético Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League. Atlético Madrid has signed the local league’s top-performing assist specialist, and we expect to see important contributions from him throughout the season.

Figure 3: Alex Baena Pass Target Heatmap and Created Big Chances, SCA & Through Balls

🇪🇸 Álvaro Carreras → Benfica to Real Madrid 50 million € 💶

It’s rare for a 22-year-old defender to join Real Madrid carrying so much expectation. Álvaro Carreras has earned the reputation during his performances at Benfica, where he combined composure, athleticism, and tactical intelligence. Last season, in Benfica’s Champions League tie against Barcelona, he even gave Lamine Yamal a tough night to prove his quality. The 186-cm Alvaro Carreras possesses size, strength, and stamina, a modern full-back built for duels and distance. He’s solid in the air and relentless in pushing forward. With strength and constant dynamism, he covers the entire line while keeping his intensity up.

In pre-season friendlies, Xabi Alonso tried possession-based, structured build-up from the back, and aggressive pressing to win the ball back quickly. Sure, it will take some time for Real Madrid to fully adopt this new system. In this transition, Carreras will be a key player, fitting well into both 3-4-1-2 and 4-3-3 systems, and capable of supporting the build-up and transitional phases smoothly.

Areas for development include his experience and defensive consistency. Carreras has limited experience to top leagues such as the Premier League or La Liga. While he performed well at Benfica for 18 months, the demanding environment at Real Madrid will challenge his consistency. Though strong in one-on-one duels, he sometimes struggles with positioning against quick wingers. Having seen how Xabi Alonso has helped players reach new heights before, we’re confident he’ll guide Carreras’ growth, turning him into an elite player soon.

Figure 4: Alvaro Carreras Take-On Heatmap, Interceptions & Key Passes, 2024-25 Primeira Liga

🇪🇸🇳🇱 Dejan Huijsen → Bournemouth to Real Madrid 50 million € 💶

Dean Huijsen’s rise over the past year is a story that can inspire many young players. Bournemouth signed him from Juventus for just £12.8 million and sold him about a year later for around €50 million, making the transfer highly lucrative.

Let’s start with the necessary question: Why did Juventus let go of a talent like Huijsen? As part of Juventus’s fresh commitment to developing young talent, Huijsen was one of the key players. In 2021, he was signed from Malaga to play for the Juventus Next Gen Under-23 team, a third-tier team. During that period, several young players, including Kenan Yıldız, Enzo Barrenechea, Matias Soule, and Samuel Illing, were promoted to the first team. After his promotion, Huijsen played a few games under Allegri but he was then loaned to AS Roma for the rest of the season. At the time, Roma's coach Jose Mourinho, referred to Huijsen as one of the brightest prospects in European football at his position. Following season, Thiago Motta’s arrival at Juventus and a €200m transfer spree to fund, Juventus sold Huijsen for a solid profit. Tiago Pinto, who had already joined Bournemouth after his time as Roma’s sporting director and knew Huijsen well, played a key role in shaping the transfer, this is a perfect example of how connections in football influence deals.

Dean Huijsen's first weeks in the Premier League were not so impressive, but an injury to Argentinian Marcos Senesi provided him with an opportunity to shine. His brilliant performance against Tottenham Hotspur marked the beginning of a remarkable season. Huijsen's defensive skills, including high passing accuracy, strong duels, and aerial dominance, have made him a key player. He is exceptional at interceptions, clearances, and progressive passes, meeting today's football demands. His 2024-2025 Premier League statistics highlight his talent.

🔹96th percentile for interceptions (1.89 per 90)

🔹96th percentile for clearances (7.34 per 90)

🔹85th percentile for progressive passes (4.89 per 90)

🔹96th percentile for long passes completed (6.71 per 90)

Dean Huijsen’s journey is a remarkable story of growth. Under Xabi Alonso’s new era at Real Madrid, he has the potential to become a star and win praise for his role in the club’s evolving system.

Figure 5: Dean Huijsen Touch Map and Pass Distribution into Attacking Third 2024-25 Premier League Season

🇧🇷 Igor Paixão → Feyenoord to Marseille 30 million € 💶

Igor Paixão transferred from Coritiba to Feyenoord three years ago and primarily played as a left winger in formations such as 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and occasionally 4-1-4-1. The Brazilian player is known for his quickness and flair, especially in one-on-one situations. Most of the time, using his agility, he can beat defenders and create space in the final third. Over the past three seasons, he has shown a lot of improvement, particularly in his off-ball movement and defensive contributions. In the 2024/25 season, he was named Dutch Player of the Year after scoring 18 goals and providing 14 assists.

Under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille play high-intensity, possession-based football with a focus on attacking flair and pressing. Paixão’s energy and ability to take on defenders and create chances are in line with Roberto De Zerbi’s demand for dynamic wingers. This tactical approach, characterised by quick transitions, positional switches, and aggressive pressing, is tailor-made for a player like Igor Paixão. His dynamic capabilities and quick feet allow him to take on defenders in tight spaces, which is crucial for breaking down compact, low-block defences.

Speaking about the potential challenges and adaptation, while Paixão’s strengths align well with De Zerbi’s system, there are areas where he may need to adapt:

• Physicality: Ligue 1 is more physically demanding than the Eredivisie.

• Tactical Discipline: De Zerbi’s system requires precise positional awareness, especially during the build-up play. Paixão’s occasional tendency to over-dribble or take risks in dangerous areas will need refinement to meet Marseille’s standards.

All things considered, Paixão might struggle in the first months, but he’s got the skills to get past those hurdles. Watching him alongside Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Marseille’s formation this Ligue 1 season should be really exciting.

Figure 6: Key Attacking Metrics and Touch Heatmap for Igor Paixão Eredivisie 2024-25

🇦🇷 Joaquin Panichelli → Alaves to Strasbourg 16.50 million € 💶

Joaquín Panichelli is a product of River Plate’s youth system, but he struggled for first-team opportunities, which led to his move to Alavés in 2023. A knee injury early in his Alavés career delayed his progress. However, his loan at Mirandés gave him a massive boost, with consistent starts and a prolific scoring record.

In the 2024-25 season in Segunda División (La Liga 2), he scored 21 goals and provided 8 assists to help his team, Mirandes, reach the Play-off final against Real Oviedo. Although Mirandes won the first leg 1-0, they lost the second leg 3-1 and missed their chance to gain promotion to La Liga. While many know the story from Real Oviedo's perspective, with Santi Cazorla lifting the trophy and a cool story apart, Panichelli was on the losing side of the story. And we love these stories, they remind us why football moves us beyond the scores.

With a season like that, Panichelli naturally caught the attention of Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, kicking off a fresh chapter in his career. We knew Strasbourg was smart with investing in young talent across Europe and South America, but seeing how deeply they scout even in second divisions really opened our eyes. Panichelli is likely to be used as a backup to Emanuel Emegha, but his versatility allows him to compete for a starting role or play alongside Emegha in a two-striker system. Manager Liam Rosenior plays a high-energy, attacking style with a focus on structured build-ups, which could make Panichelli the target man in this system. His physicality and link-up play also strengthen Strasbourg’s attacking options such as Dilane Bakwa, Diego Moreira and Kendry Páez. We believe that Panichelli will give Strasbourg's lineup more flavour.

Figure 7: Joaquín Panichelli Attacking Stats (2024-25 Season | U23 Players with 15+ 90s | Top 14 Global Leagues)

🇧🇷 Otávio Ataíde da Silva → Porto to Paris FC 17 million € 💶

Recently promoted Ligue 1 side Paris FC made Otávio their record signing, with a fee of €17 million and up to €3 million in performance-related bonuses, potentially reaching €20 million. Otávio is a left-footed centre-back with excellent positional sense and anticipation. He is good at winning duels, and his strength makes him a formidable opponent in physical battles. His transition from Flamengo’s youth system to European football was smooth. First loaned at Famalicão in 2023, and during that time, he showed his potential, leading to Porto’s €12.3 million investment. His ball-playing ability supports Paris FC’s aim to build from the back, and it will be crucial in their first Ligue 1 season against possession-heavy teams.

The transfer is part of a broader recruitment strategy following Paris FC’s promotion to Ligue 1. The club spent €35 million in the summer window, including €9.5 million on Nhoa Sangui, €7 million on Moses Simon, and €1.5 million on Thibault De Smet. Otávio’s signing reflects their intention to build a competitive squad capable of avoiding relegation and potentially targeting mid-table or European qualification. President François Ferracci targeted young, high-potential players with European experience. Otávio, at 23, fits this profile, having already played 45 matches for Porto. Ferracci stated, “He’s a defender with a profile we didn’t have, with great potential and strong qualities.”

Otávio’s arrival strengthens Paris FC’s defense, filling a crucial role for the club’s first season in Ligue 1 after 46 years. His experience and physicality could help them to reach their goals. In such a tough league, starting with securing the backline is a smart move. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Paris FC’s transfers and their progress throughout the season.

Figure 8: Otávio’s Touch Heatmap, Aerial Duels & Clearances, 2024-25 Primeira Liga

🇦🇹 Samson Baidoo → Salzburg to Lens 8 million € 💶

Samson Baidoo, is an Austrian-Ghanaian centre-back who joined Red Bull Academy at Salzburg when he was 14 years old in 2018. His youth career included spells at Post SV Graz and Grazer AK before joining FC Liefering and later Salzburg, where he made 42 appearances last season. As a 1.90m defender, he is a physically dominant and solid defender. Baidoo has 11 caps and 1 goal for Austria U21 and debuted for Austria's senior team in 2023, and remains eligible for Ghana.

Baidoo is known for his strength, aggressive dueling, and goal-scoring threat from set pieces, he is well-rounded in key defensive metrics, ranking in the 95th percentile for successful take-ons (0.58 per 90), 96th percentile for tackles (2.48 per 90), and 90th percentile for interceptions (1.61 per 90) among center-backs in the Big 5 leagues, UCL, and UEL over the past year. RC Lens' signing of Baidoo represents their ambition to strengthen their defence for a push toward European qualification this season.

🇫🇷 Paul Pogba → to Monaco Free Agent

Dramatic and surprising, Paul Pogba's transfer to Monaco was unexpected. After a four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months, no one expected him to return to football. For Monaco, a club that prioritises youth development and its academy, the transfer seemed counterintuitive. With young talents like Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Soungoutou Magassa, George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa, and Lamine Camara, Pogba's signing did not seem to make sense. However, the transfer addressed a deep need for an experienced, mature leader in the squad, potentially marking Pogba's final chapter as well. The emotional signing video, where Pogba shed tears and expressed gratitude, added a special touch to the transfer.

While no one expects Pogba to replicate Juventus' prime days, glimpses of his brilliance could inspire Monaco and many football fans next season. To see what that glimpse looks like, we need to dig deep into Paul Pogba’s data. However, it’s a puzzle wrapped in a mystery. In his last two seasons back in the Bianconeri (2022–2024) before the “Ban”, he logged just 1.8 full 90s in Serie A. For a player once regarded as one of football’s most complete midfielders, that means almost three years of football lost. So, what can we expect? To answer that, we looked back, not at the last few seasons, but at his Manchester United years (2017–2022), where his output was largely average to below-average compared to elite midfielders. We condensed five seasons, 107 full 90s, into a single average touch heatmap, with his assists and goals pinpointed across the pitch.

The data still shows flashes of class. His five-season percentile ranks for:

• Goals + Assists

• npxG + xAG

• Progressive Passes

• Passes into the Penalty Area

…are all above the 80th percentile compared to midfielders across the top 14 leagues we track. His dominance in central zones and knack for threading low-probability, defence-breaking assists remain hallmarks of his game.

As we discussed for Monaco, a club built on youth and academy graduates, Pogba’s arrival is a curveball. He’s not just another signing; he’s a potential on-field leader whose influence could ripple beyond his minutes.

Whether this chapter becomes a triumphant comeback or a quiet fade will depend on fitness, opportunity, and that intangible spark. But the numbers hint that, if he can channel even a fraction of his prime self, we might just witness a “phoenix rise in red and white”.

Figure 9: Paul Pogba Touch Map, Assists, and Goals (Premier League 2017-2022)

Full-time whistle here, see you in the next league lineup!

Next stop: 🇩🇪 Bundesliga and 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Premier League.