LaLiga season preview 2025/26

LaLiga 2025/26 kicks off on Friday August 15th, as the Spanish top flight returns with so much to look forward to heading into the new campaign.

Xabi Alonso takes charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Real Madrid hoping to dethrone last season’s champions Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid are also looking to mount a serious challenge after another busy summer in the transfer market.

Levante, Elche and Real Oviedo are the newly-promoted clubs, with the latter returning to the elite level of Spanish football after a 24-year absence which saw them sink as low as the fourth tier.

Our LaLiga season preview for the 2025/26 campaign will guide you through the ins and outs at every club, as well as their expected strengths and weaknesses and a potential lineup, although there’s still plenty of time for more transfer business to be concluded.

LaLiga 2025/26 season preview – Club-by-club guide

Alaves

• Last season: 15th
• Coach: Chacho Coudet

Mendizorrotza is gearing up for the first full season of Chacho Coudet. The Argentine arrived following the surprise departure of Luis Garcia in December and completed his only real mission which was to secure survival. Alaves lost just seven of their 23 league games under Coudet, but a 43% draw ratio highlighted a difficulty when it came to turning one point into three.

Alaves summer transfers 2025

Alaves have raised some significant funds this summer, notably with the sale of Joaquin Panichelli who impressed on loan at Segunda Division Mirandes, although the forward’s former club River Plate will receive a portion of the €16.5m fee that accompanied his move to Strasbourg. A number of regulars from last term have also departed, with young left-back Youssef Enriquez their biggest addition to date following a €3m switch from Real Madrid, although fellow new arrival Jonny Otto may initially be preferred in the role.

Possible Alaves XI: Sivera – Jonny, Diarra, Garces, Tenaglia – Blanco, Guevara – Aleña, Guridi, Vicente – T. Martinez (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: There’s a clarity to Alaves under Coudet in terms of what they want to do, and they are quite well-organised at the back. Therefore, there’s no need for a revolution in Vitoria this summer as Coudet’s structure was delivering results, but new signings will need to adapt quickly to his methods.

Areas of concern: Scoring goals could be a major problem for Alaves, particularly following the departure of Kike Garcia who was responsible for 34% of their strikes in LaLiga last term. Fresh attacking additions are surely needed before the transfer window shuts, while there’s also the need for more options in central defence following some major departures in that department.

Athletic Club

• Last season: 4th
• Coach: Ernesto Valverde

Despite the heartbreak of a semi-final defeat against Manchester United which denied them a hometown Europa League final, the 2024/25 season was a successful one for Athletic Club. They finished in the top four of LaLiga for the first time in 11 years with their joint-highest-ever points tally. Ernesto Valverde will lead his team into the Champions League in the 2025/26 season as a result, while Los Leones should also be strong top-four contenders again in the league.

Athletic Club summer transfers 2025

The most significant piece of business done by Athletic this summer is the contract renewal of Nico Williams who looked certain to be heading to Barcelona at one point. They’ve also made two major additions, with Jesus Areso joining from Osasuna for €12m, seemingly as the replacement for the now-retired Oscar de Marcos at right-back. They’ve also bolstered their wide options by snapping up Robert Navarro on a free transfer from Mallorca, while Aymeric Laporte is expected to return to his former club in the coming days from Al-Nassr.

Possible Athletic XI: Simon – Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, Areso – Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar – N. Williams, Sancet, I. Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: Athletic have quality across the pitch, with Spain internationals Unai Simon and Dani Vivian the dominant figures at the back as Los Leones finished last season with LaLiga’s best defensive record. They can also count on the brilliance of Nico Williams and the goals of Oihan Sancet who netted 15 times at a rate of one every 109 minutes from midfield last term. Their greatest strength is arguably their ability to feed off the energy of their fans, with Valverde’s high-intensity pressing contributing to a record that has seen no team outside of the “big three” win at San Mames in the league in the last two seasons.

Areas of concern: There were regular cases of a European hangover for Athletic last term and that could be an issue again given they’ll face stiffer opposition in the Champions League this time around. The lack of a top-quality striker also remains a weakness, with neither Maroan Sannadi nor Gorka Guruzeta that convincing in front of goal.

Atletico Madrid

• Last season: 3rd
• Coach: Diego Simeone

After a promising 2024/25 season unravelled in the space of just a few weeks in the spring, Atletico Madrid have looked to address some of the weaker points in their squad this summer. Diego Simeone will be hoping to close the gap to Real Madrid and Barcelona, although as ever, they start as the third-favourites to win LaLiga.

Atletico Madrid summer transfers 2025

Atletico Madrid have spent €153m on new signings this summer, with an even bigger squad overhaul taking place than was the case 12 months ago when they were also very active. Alex Baena is the standout addition, but they’ve also invested heavily in defence with David Hancko, Marc Pubill and Matteo Ruggeri coming in. The sales of Samuel Lino, Arthur Vermeeren, Rodrigo Riquelme and Angel Correa have helped fund their business, while midfield regular Rodrigo De Paul has also departed to join Inter Miami on loan in a deal which includes a mandatory €15m purchase clause.

Possible Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak – Ruggeri, Hancko, Le Normand, Llorente – Baena, Barrios, Cardoso, Simeone – Alvarez, Sorloth (4-4-2)

Strengths: Atleti are hopeful that reuniting Alexander Sorloth with his old Villarreal teammate Baena will be key to getting the best out of the Norwegian, and they can also count on the services of one of the best forwards in the business in the shape of Julian Alvarez. On the surface, they should be a more creative team this term, while still possessing bags of energy, particularly on the right flank with Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone.

Areas of concern: With so many new faces, it may take some time for this Atleti team to click and adapt to the methods of their long-serving boss who is entering his 14th full season in the job. There are also a few doubts about the physicality of the midfield, with a youthful central pairing of Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso likely to start the campaign, while Antoine Griezmann’s sharp decline in the second half of last term is also a worry.

Barcelona

• Last season: 1st
• Coach: Hansi Flick

Having won every domestic trophy on offer in 2024/25, expectations are high heading into the new campaign at Barcelona. Hansi Flick will expect his side to challenge on all fronts again in an important season for the Catalan giants as they return to Camp Nou after two years at the Estadi Olimpic.

Barcelona summer transfers 2025

Still handicapped in terms of what they can do in the transfer market by the club’s financial issues, Barcelona have been restricted to one major permanent addition so far and that’s goalkeeper Joan Garcia who has arrived from local rivals Espanyol. The sales of youngsters Pau Victor, Alex Valle and Pablo Torre have largely funded that move, and while the delicate Marc-Andre ter Stegen situation remains a sticking point, Barca are confident they will be able to register their new keeper. They’ve also brought in Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United to bolster their attacking options.

Possible Barcelona XI: J. Garcia – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – De Jong, Pedri – Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: With 174 goals in all competitions last term, Barcelona boast an immense attacking threat. With Lamine Yamal and Raphinha operating on the flanks, and Pedri pulling the strings from midfield, they should continue to cause problems for every side they come up against, with a settled starting XI that’s unlikely to be too different from last season, apart from a fresh face in goal.

Areas of concern: Robert Lewandowski will turn 37 later this month and it’s questionable whether the striker has another 40-goal season in him. While the versatile Rashford provides some much-needed depth in attack, there are still one or two holes in this squad, particularly in the full-back positions where Barca may have problems again should they lose either Alejandro Balde or Jules Kounde to an injury of any real length.

Celta Vigo

• Last season: 7th
• Coach: Claudio Giraldez

One of the surprise packages in the 2024/25 season, Claudio Giraldez’s youthful Celta Vigo squad clinched Europa League qualification on the final weekend after an excellent campaign. With 30 players getting minutes in LaLiga and only two of those starting more than 30 matches, Giraldez’s ability to rotate and keep delivering results suggests the Galicians should be able to manage the adjustment to the demands of midweek European football.

Celta Vigo summer transfers 2025

Wolves have paid Celta Vigo a combined total of €50m this summer for the services of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Fer Lopez. Given Larsen was already on loan at Molineux last term and Lopez was far from a regular at Balaidos, those departures shouldn’t majorly disrupt things, and there should be more cash to splash over the coming weeks to bolster a squad that has already been boosted by the arrivals of ex-Barca forward Ferran Jutgla and Bayern Munich winger Bryan Zaragoza, who spent last season on loan at Osasuna.

Possible Celta Vigo XI: Radu – M. Alonso, Starfelt, J. Rodriguez – H. Alvarez, Moriba, Beltran, Mingueza – Zaragoza, Aspas – Jutgla (3-4-2-1)

Strengths: With so many B-team players making the step up to the senior squad since Giraldez was promoted to the first-team coaching role in 2024, Celta are well covered in terms of options in virtually every position, a rare luxury for LaLiga bosses outside of the teams at the very top. This is also a versatile squad, with many players capable of operating in more than one role in a system that takes the shape of a 3-4-2-1.

Areas of concern: The natural decline of a now 38-year-old Iago Aspas is something that Giraldez will need to manage, although with a goal contribution every 116 minutes in LaLiga last term, the Celta legend should still have an important role to play. They also had the worst defensive record outside of the bottom five last term, so that’s one area they can certainly improve, although it’s also partly a reflection of Giraldez’s attacking style of play.

Elche

• Last season: 2nd (Segunda Division)
• Coach: Eder Sarabia

After just two years in the Segunda Division, Elche are back in the top flight after an impressive campaign under Eder Sarabia, the former assistant to Quique Setien at Las Palmas, Betis and Barcelona. With a possession-heavy approach, survival will be the only realistic objective for Los Franjiverdes.

Elche summer transfers 2025

Despite winning promotion, Elche have sold two important players from last season, with Nicolas Fernandez Mercau joining New York City, while Nicolas Castro is off to Mexico to play for Toluca. That leaves some holes in midfield that have yet to be fully filled, with several more additions expected. Striker Alvaro Rodriguez is their biggest buy so far, with the 21-year-old making the permanent switch from Real Madrid, after a relatively unsuccessful loan spell at Getafe last term.

Possible Elche XI: Dituro – Petrot, Bigas, Affengruber, A. Nuñez – Mendoza, Neto – Valera, Febas, Josan – A. Rodriguez (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: Having a clear playing style and philosophy under Sarabia will ensure there is no early-season soul-searching at Elche. Even if results are not immediately positive, they are unlikely to panic and will continue to look to play the football that has taken them to this point. A record of just 34 goals conceded in 42 league games last term (the best in the Segunda Division) also suggests they should hold their own at the back in most games.

Areas of concern: On paper, this squad currently looks very light in terms of the quality needed to stay up. While the approach will remain loosely the same, they may struggle to replace Castro and Mercau, although those departures should ensure there are funds available to bolster the squad over the final weeks of the transfer window. If they fail to make the necessary additions, it could be a very long season at the Manuel Martinez Valero.

Espanyol

• Last season: 14th
• Coach: Manolo Gonzalez

Espanyol secured safety on their return to the top flight, largely thanks to a fine run of form in early 2025, although a subsequent run of five straight defeats meant they still needed to beat Las Palmas on the final weekend to stay up. Expectation levels are likely to be similar this term, with survival the number one priority again.

Espanyol summer transfers 2025

Espanyol fans would have been bracing themselves for a really difficult summer, and while the cross-town departure of Joan Garcia will hurt, they look to have had a better-than-expected window overall. Striker Roberto Fernandez, a key January addition, has converted his loan into a permanent switch to the RCDE Stadium, while long-serving Javi Puado finally signed a new five-year deal in July following the expiration of his previous deal. Marko Dmitrovic, Ramon Terrats and Kike Garcia are also good additions capable of making an immediate impact.

Possible Espanyol XI: Dmitrovic – Romero, Cabrera, Calero, El Hilali – Carreras, Lozano, Exposito, Terrats – Puado, R. Fernandez (4-4-2)

Strengths: In complete contrast to the situation 12 months ago, Espanyol now look to have some really good options in attack. Puado and Fernandez should start the campaign, but Kike is fresh from a 13-goal season at Alaves, while Englishman Tyrhys Dolan registered 13 goal contributions for Blackburn in the Championship last season.

Areas of concern: While Dmitrovic is a very capable and experienced keeper, he has really big boots to fill, with Joan Garcia widely viewed as the best number one in the league last term. The Catalans also don’t look to have replaced Marash Kumbulla or Urko Gonzalez de Zarate who have both returned to their parent clubs after impressive loan spells, so the spine of the team may not be quite as strong.

Getafe

• Last season: 13th
• Coach: Pepe Bordalas

Following on from a respectable 13th-place finish, Getafe are gearing up for another season under Pepe Bordalas. This is their ninth in LaLiga since they won promotion under Bordalas in 2017, with the last five all producing bottom-half finishes, although Los Azulones have usually had enough to steer clear of any relegation danger, and that will be the objective again this term.

Getafe summer transfers 2025

The most significant departure from the Coliseum is probably Ramon Terrats following the conclusion of his loan deal, with the 24-year-old adding a much-needed goal threat in the second half of last season. Otherwise, Getafe have not been hit by any major exits, and they’ve made good use of the free agent market, with Abdel Abqar, Yvan Neyou, Javi Muñoz and Kiko Femenia all capable of challenging for starting roles.

Possible Getafe XI: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Djene, Femenia – Coba, Milla, Arambarri, Muñoz – Uche – Mayoral (4-4-1-1)

Strengths: Getafe are strong in the centre of the park, with their most creative player, Luis Milla, forming a solid partnership with Mauro Arambarri, while Neyou is an excellent addition from local rivals Leganes, providing extra competition in that position. With Bordalas at the helm, they can always be relied upon to be tough to break down – they conceded only 39 goals last season, the same number as champions Barcelona and the best record outside the top four.

Areas of concern: Only an abysmal Real Valladolid side scored fewer goals than Getafe last season and if they struggle to keep key striker Borja Mayoral fit again, it’s hard to see them significantly bettering that 34-goal return this time around. If funds allow, they could really do with a fresh addition in the attacking department before the window shuts.

Girona

• Last season: 16th
• Coach: Michel

Girona’s collapse to a 16th-place finish last season was almost as spectacular as their ability to gatecrash the top four in the 2023/24 campaign. They’ll certainly expect to kick on again this term when more will be expected from a host of their summer 2024 signings who have under-performed until this point.

Girona summer transfers 2025

It’s been a quiet summer at Montilivi – at least compared to the whirlwind of the previous one. With no European football this term, the squad and wage bill have been trimmed by the end of loan deals for the likes of Bryan Gil, Arthur Melo, Arnaut Danjuma and Oriol Romeu. The Catalans haven’t made any permanent additions yet, but Thomas Lemar stands out as their most notable loan signing, with the 29-year-old, who once cost €72m, joining from Atletico Madrid. Highly-regarded centre-back Vitor Reis is also expected to arrive on loan from sister club Man City.

Possible Girona XI: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez, A. Martinez – Martin, Herrera – Asprilla, Lemar, Tsygankov – Ruiz (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: While little went right last season, Girona have always tended to be strong on the flanks under Michel. They still have quality in that department with the likes of Miguel Gutierrez, Arnau Martinez and Viktor Tsygankov survivors from their stunning 2023/24 season, although Gutierrez looks to be close to joining Napoli. There’s also surely more to come from 21-year-old winger Yaser Asprilla who cost Los Blanquivermells €18m last August.

Areas of concern: Strikers Abel Ruiz and Bojan Miovski chipped in with a combined total of just six league goals last term, with veteran Cristhian Stuani ultimately coming back in and carrying the team’s threat as relegation was narrowly averted. Michel won’t want to rely so heavily on the Uruguayan this season. An injury-prone squad is also a worry, with Ruiz, Ivan Martin and Donny van de Beek already in danger of missing the start of the campaign.

Levante

• Last season: 1st (Segunda Division)
• Coach: Julian Calero

There will be two Valencia clubs in LaLiga 2025/26, following the promotion of Levante who came up as champions of the Segunda Division. Julian Calero’s side lost just one home game last term, and they’ll need to be tough to beat at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia if they’re to stand a chance of re-establishing themselves in the top flight after three years in the second tier.

Levante summer transfers 2025

Levante have tried to be savvy this summer, with a number of loan additions already completed, while Jon Ander Olasagasti, who featured 22 times last season in LaLiga for Real Sociedad, is perhaps their most notable permanent signing. They’ve generated decent funds by selling Giorgi Kochorashvili to Sporting Lisbon, while there’s also set to be a change in goal after last season’s number one Andres Fernandez moved to Almeria on a free transfer.

Possible Levante XI: Campos – Matturro, Elgezabal, De la Fuente – M. Sanchez, Rey, Olasagasti, Toljan – P. Martinez, Morales – Koyalipou (3-4-2-1)

Strengths: Levante’s last spell in the top tier was largely defined by their ability to strike on the break, and regularly upset some of the bigger clubs. We may see them adopt a similar style this term, with plenty of pace in their team, and much of their attacking threat coming from wide players. The sight of Jose Luis Morales back in LaLiga in a Levante shirt will also certainly bring back some memories, with El Comandante still capable of making an impact.

Areas of concern: Like many of the teams expected to struggle, the absence of a convincing number nine is one area of concern for Levante. Lens loanee Goduine Koyalipou looks the most likely candidate for the role, but he’s unproven at the highest level. Los Granotes are also yet to find a replacement for Fernandez in goal, with that uncertainty unwelcome so soon to the big kick-off.

Mallorca

• Last season: 10th
• Coach: Jagoba Arrasate

Mallorca’s 2024/25 season divided opinion in Palma, with some fans critical of Jagoba Arrasate’s first campaign in the Balearic Islands, while others saw it in a more positive light, as the club secured only their second top-half LaLiga finish in the last 14 years. They certainly feel like an established top-flight club again which represents progress in terms of the bigger picture, although the football has rarely been pretty at Son Moix in recent years.

Mallorca summer transfers 2025

It hasn’t been a particularly busy summer in Palma, but the €5m capture of Pablo Torre from Barcelona is an eye-catching one. If we are to see a more expansive Mallorca this season, the 22-year-old is likely to be central to that transition. Torre’s arrival was largely funded by the sale of Jose Copete to Valencia, while there’ll be disappointment at the departure of promising winger Robert Navarro on a free transfer to Athletic.

Possible Mallorca XI: Roman – Mojica, Valjent, Raillo, Maffeo – Morlanes, S. Costa – Torre, Darder, Asano – Muriqi (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: Mallorca have been well-blessed in terms of goalkeepers in recent years, and that should continue with the talented Leo Roman looking likely to be the first-choice this term. They have a solid spine, one that has not been hit by any major departures, stretching from Martin Valjent and Antonio Raillo in central defence to talisman Vedat Muriqi up front.

Areas of concern: Only 35 goals scored last season in the league highlights where Mallorca’s problems lie. Even following the change in coach in the summer of 2024, they remain somewhat one-dimensional, with a lot of their play going long to Muriqi. Arrasate needs to not only find a way to successfully bed Torre into this side, but also a structure that makes better use of the talented Sergi Darder.

Osasuna

• Last season: 9th
• Coach: Alessio Lisci

On the surface, a 9th-place finish was no disaster for Osasuna last term, with the Pamplona-based side only missing out on European qualification on the final weekend. However, they did win just one out of 18 matches in the middle part of the campaign. Coach Vicente Moreno has since departed, and they’ll now seek fresh direction under the guidance of former Levante and Mirandes boss Alessio Lisci.

Osasuna summer transfers 2025

There have been more departures than arrivals at El Sadar so far, with dangerman Bryan Zaragoza also seeing his loan spell come to an end. Victor Muñoz could potentially take Zaragoza’s place on the left flank following a €5m switch from Real Madrid, while fellow new boy Valentin Rosier is likely to be the first-choice right-back, after Osasuna got good money for Athletic-bound Jesus Areso.

Possible Osasuna XI: Herrera – Bretones, Boyomo, Catena, Rosier – Moncayola, Torre – Muñoz, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: With 38 goals across the last two LaLiga seasons, Ante Budimir is of vital importance to Osasuna. Only Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski could better his 21-goal return last term, and if Lisci’s side can get the service to the Croatian right, Budimir should continue to score at a healthy rate.

Areas of concern: Lisci arrives with a growing reputation as one of Spanish football’s most promising young coaches, but so far hasn’t been heavily backed in the transfer market with only two new faces. With Zaragoza no longer around, this Osasuna squad looks like it might be short on a bit of spark in the final third, with fresh attacking additions surely needed to give the new coach a bit more to work with.

Rayo Vallecano

• Last season: 8th
• Coach: Iñigo Perez

For only the second time in their history, Rayo Vallecano will play European football in the 2025/26 season, following an 8th-place finish in their first full campaign under the guidance of Iñigo Perez. The 37-year-old will need to develop a plan for combining LaLiga and Conference League football this term, as European action comes to Vallecas.

Rayo Vallecano summer transfers 2025

While Rayo have made three signings this summer, Augusto Batalla and Gerard Gumbau were both in Vallecas last season, so former Betis centre-back Luiz Felipe is the only new face and he’s a welcome addition in central defence, not least following the release of Aridane Hernandez and the injury problems of Abdul Mumin. Meanwhile, Raul de Tomas’ miserable second spell at Rayo has been ended, at least temporarily, by a loan move to Al-Wakrah in Qatar.

Possible Rayo Vallecano XI: Batalla – Chavarria, Felipe, Lejeune, Ratiu – U. Lopez, Ciss – A. Garcia, Palazon, De Frutos – Camello (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: Batalla has proven to be an excellent addition in goal for Rayo who are also strong in central defence, with three good options once Mumin is fit again. In an attacking sense, their ability to operate as a unit and push forwards in waves, particularly in home matches, is what tends to make them such difficult opponents as opposed to any single individual, although Isi Palazon remains the player who often makes everything tick.

Areas of concern: It’ll come as no surprise to LaLiga followers to know that Rayo still haven’t addressed their long-standing striker problem, with a new number nine surely the priority over the final weeks of the transfer window. The other major worry is how what remains one of LaLiga’s smallest squads will cope with the demands of potentially playing up to 17 European matches this season.

Real Betis

• Last season: 6th
• Coach: Manuel Pellegrini

The 2024/25 season was one of two halves for Real Betis who were unconvincing until what turned out to be an excellent January transfer window. The additions of Antony and Cucho Hernandez helped spark a great run of form that ultimately delivered a 6th-place finish and a European final. They go again in 2025/26 with 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini still at the helm, although it’ll be a slightly odd season for Beticos, with their home games taking place at La Cartuja, while the Benito Villamarin is redeveloped.

Real Betis summer transfers 2025

There’s rarely a quiet window in the green and white half of Seville, and this one has certainly been no exception. They’ve been able to recoup more than €50m, chiefly thanks to the sales of Johnny Cardoso to Atletico Madrid, and Jesus Rodriguez to Como. Most of that money has been reinvested in new signings, with Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa their most expensive summer purchase. Rodrigo Riquelme is another eye-catching addition from Atleti, while Junior Firpo and goalkeepers Pau Lopez and Alvaro Valles have returned to their old club on free transfers.

Possible Betis XI: Valles – Firpo, Natan, Llorente, Bellerin – Deossa, Fornals – Riquelme, Isco, Lo Celso – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: Isco has been an absolute revelation since joining Betis two years ago, with the former Real Madrid man playing some of the best football of a career that had previously looked to be on a downward spiral. If he stays fit, expect double digits in goals and assists from the 33-year-old, while Cucho Hernandez has all the attributes to be one of LaLiga’s best strikers.

Areas of concern: There are still big holes to fill on the right flank in this Betis squad, with Antony virtually irreplaceable on the wing. The club are still hoping to find a way to fund the Brazilian’s return, but they’ll need to find an alternative solution if not, while they’re also yet to replace right-back Youssouf Sabaly who has joined Qatari side Al-Duhail.

Real Madrid

• Last season: 2nd
• Coach: Xabi Alonso

Following a run to the semi-finals at the Club World Cup, the Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid fully kicks into gear in August. While trophies are always expected at the Bernabeu, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss will initially be focused on implementing a system and style of play that he hopes will see Los Blancos regain their place at the very pinnacle of European football.

Real Madrid summer transfers 2025

There have been four major additions at the Bernabeu this summer, with defensive reinforcements the priority. Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both expected to have big roles to play, potentially as the first-choice wing-backs if Alonso is to opt for a back three. At €62.5m, centre-back Dean Huijsen is Madrid’s most expensive summer addition, while Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono will join the club in a €45m move from River Plate when he turns 18 next week.

Possible Real Madrid XI: Courtois – Huijsen, Tchouameni, Militao – Carreras, Bellingham, Valverde, Alexander-Arnold – Guler – Vinicius, Mbappe (3-4-1-2)

Strengths: In terms of genuine world-class performers, Real Madrid are almost unrivalled in the European game and those players are capable of producing enough moments of individual quality to win just about any football match. In theory, combining those raw ingredients with the sharp mind of the continent’s most highly-rated young coach should be a recipe for success.

Areas of concern: Doubts remain about the Vinicius-Mbappe partnership and whether Alonso will be able to make that work. The absence of a convincing holding midfielder also stands out as an obvious flaw in this squad, particularly in a summer when Martin Zubimendi was available. Big changes in terms of personnel and likely the system in defence may also come with some teething problems.

Real Oviedo

• Last season: 3rd (Segunda Division)
• Coach: Veljko Paunovic

Not since June 2001 have Real Oviedo played a football match in the Spanish top flight, but that will all change on the opening night of LaLiga 2025/26 when they take on Villarreal at the Ceramica. Having watched their team clinch promotion via the play-offs to spark wild celebrations in Asturias, Oviedo fans may still be on cloud nine, and they’re sure to travel in big numbers wherever they go this season.

Real Oviedo summer transfers 2025

Oviedo didn’t know which league they’d be playing in this season until June 21st, but they’ve got down to business quite quickly given that, with seven signings completed. That includes winger Ilyas Chaira who impressed on loan at the Carlos Tartiere last term, while they’ve spent €2m to bring midfielder Luka Ilic to the club from Red Star Belgrade. Salomon Rondon also stands out as something of a coup up front, although it remains to be seen whether the Venezuelan can score goals in LaLiga at the age of 35.

Possible Real Oviedo XI: Escandell – Alhassane, Calvo, Costas, Vidal – Colombatto, Ilic, Sibo – Chaira, Rondon, Hassan (4-3-3)

Strengths: Dani Calvo and David Costas formed one of the best central defensive pairings in the Segunda Division last term, and it’s a fairly settled unit at the back, one which Oviedo fans will be hopeful is capable of making the step up. While Santi Cazorla’s fairytale return to LaLiga at the age of 40 will rightly make the headlines, Chaira may well prove to be their brightest attacking spark.

Areas of concern: Right now, there are many areas where you have to question whether Oviedo really have the kind of quality needed to stay in this league. Scoring goals could be a major issue – only two Oviedo players scored more than four goals in the 2024/25 Segunda Division regular season, and their top scorer Alemão (14) has since left following the expiration of his loan deal.

Real Sociedad

• Last season: 11th
• Coach: Sergio Francisco

It has been a summer of change at the Reale Arena, with Imanol departing after a largely successful seven-year reign, albeit one that ended on the sour note of a bottom-half finish. As was the case with the appointment of Imanol in 2018, Real Sociedad have again looked to their B team for their next coach, with 46-year-old Sergio Francisco taking charge.

Real Sociedad summer transfers 2025

Having generated €70m from the sale of Martin Zubimendi earlier in the summer, Real Sociedad have not exactly rushed into spending that cash, although they did make their first permanent summer buy this week, by taking Goncalo Guedes from Wolves for €4m. Loanee Duje Caleta-Car is a fresh option in central defence, while the squad has been bolstered by the returns of Jon Gorrotxategi and Urko Gonzalez de Zarate from successful loan spells, with the duo likely to be battling for Zubimendi’s old role at the base of the midfield.

Possible Real Sociedad XI: Remiro – S. Gomez, Martin, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Sucic, Gonzalez de Zarate, B. Mendez – Oyarzabal, Oskarsson, Kubo (4-3-3)

Strengths: La Real’s ability to keep churning out young talent is their main strength at club level, and with Sergio Francisco in charge, we’re likely to see a few more graduate from the B team that has just won promotion to the Segunda Division. They can also count on a couple of experienced, dependable performers at each end of the pitch to provide some continuity in the shape of Alex Remiro and Mikel Oyarzabal.

Areas of concern: Following the departures of Robin Le Normand and Mikel Merino last summer, the loss of Zubimendi means the spine of the side that achieved five straight top-six finishes has now been well and truly ripped apart. The new boss has a really tough job on his hands, and he inherits a side that scored less than a goal per game in LaLiga last term.

Sevilla

• Last season: 17th
• Coach: Matias Almeyda

It’s also a new dawn at Sevilla, although there have been plenty of those in recent years. After sacking Garcia Pimienta in April, Sevilla limped to a 17th-place finish under caretaker boss Joaquin Caparros. Argentine Matias Almeyda is the latest man to take on the unenviable task of attempting to reverse the decline of one of Spain’s most historic clubs.

Sevilla summer transfers 2025

It has been a quiet window so far at Sevilla, but that could all change in the coming days, with the anticipated sale of Juanlu Sanchez to Napoli expected to generate in the region of €17m. That may release a limited amount of funds for fresh additions following the signings of Celta Vigo’s Alfon Gonzalez and Gabriel Suazo of Toulouse on free transfers.

Possible Sevilla XI: Nyland – Suazo, Salas, Bade, Carmona – Sow, Agoume – Vargas, Alfon, Lukebakio – Romero (4-2-3-1)

Strengths: Sevilla would likely have been relegated last season were it not for the goals of Dodi Lukebakio who chipped in with 11, despite mostly operating as a winger. It’s imperative that they hold on to the Belgian this month, while centre-back Loic Bade is the other standout star in this squad.

Areas of concern: Like many clubs, Sevilla do not have a dependable striker, with Isaac Romero only netting four times in 31 LaLiga appearances last term, while injury prevented Akor Adams from showing whether he’s the solution in the role. Keeper Orjan Nyland also looked shaky towards the end of last season, and the Andalusians really need to recruit well over the next few weeks, otherwise another difficult campaign looks likely.

Valencia

• Last season: 12th
• Coach: Carlos Corberan

Peter Lim’s unpopular tenure at Valencia rolls into another year, following a 12th-place finish last time around. It could have been much worse than that had Carlos Corberan not come in to resurrect a struggling team’s fortunes in the second half of the season. With Los Che operating on a limited budget again in a summer which has seen confirmation of their plans to ultimately move to the Nou Mestalla, expectation levels won’t be much greater heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

Valencia summer transfers 2025

Young defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Yarek Gasiorowski have both departed Mestalla, and with star goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili now a Liverpool player, Corberan will be forced to rebuild his backline ahead of LaLiga 2025/26. Highly-rated Julen Agirrezabala has arrived on loan from Athletic Club and should finally get a long run of league games in goal. Valencia still have holes to fill in defence though, while Enzo Barrenechea’s loan has also come to an end. They do at least look to have done a good piece of business by signing Dani Raba on a free transfer from the recently relegated Leganes.

Possible Valencia XI: Agirrezabala – Gaya, Diakhaby, Tarrega, Foulquier – D. Lopez, Guerra, Pepelu, Rioja – Raba, Duro (4-4-2)

Strengths: Even without Barrenechea, Valencia still have good options in central midfield where Javi Guerra continues to develop, while Pepelu will be hoping to get back to the high standards he set during his first season at the club. They should also be strong on the left flank with club captain Jose Luis Gaya and Diego Lopez who registered 13 goal contributions in LaLiga last term – the joint-most in the squad (along with forward Hugo Duro).

Areas of concern: Mosquera will be almost impossible to replace in defence, and it’s hard not to see Valencia conceding more goals this season unless they can make one or two significant additions at the back in the coming weeks. There are also doubts as to whether Corberan can continue to work his magic over the course of a full season, and it’s worth noting that not since 2018 (under Marcelino) has the club started and ended a calendar year with the same coach – a testament to the unique challenges this job poses.

Villarreal

• Last season: 5th
• Coach: Marcelino

Over at the Estadi de la Ceramica, they are gearing up for another crack at the Champions League following a 5th-place finish. Villarreal weren’t in Europe at all during the 2024/25 season, so if their league form isn’t to suffer, they will need to do a good job of adapting to the considerable demands of playing in midweek against some of the continent’s best teams over the next few months.

Villarreal summer transfers 2025

Despite the carrot of Champions League football, Villarreal have still lost a couple of their better players, most notably Alex Baena to Atletico. It’s also a sign of the times that Thierno Barry has foregone the opportunity to test himself in Europe’s top club competition to join Everton, who haven’t finished higher than 10th in the Premier League in any of the past six seasons. The Yellow Submarine have spent €36m themselves, with talented youngster Alberto Moleiro likely to take Baena’s role in this side. Fresh defensive options come in the shape of Rafa Marin and Santiago Mouriño, while Thomas Partey will likely start in midfield should he complete what would be a highly controversial move to the Ceramica, given the 32-year-old is currently facing rape charges in the UK.

Possible Villarreal XI: Junior – Cardona, Marin, Foyth, Navarro – Parejo, Comesaña – Pino, Moleiro, Pepe – A. Perez

Strengths: Villarreal were LaLiga’s third-highest scorers last season and they should be able to count on Ayoze Perez to offer a consistent goal threat up top again, with the Spain international averaging a goal every 104 minutes so far in yellow. Baena will unquestionably be missed, but there are many other creative threats in this team, with full-back Sergi Cardona registering seven assists in LaLiga 2024/25, more than any other defender.

Areas of concern: While they have improved in 2025, Villarreal still don’t possess the kind of defensive solidity that you might associate with a Marcelino team. With Barry gone and Champions League football to manage, the injury-prone nature of both Perez and fellow forward Gerard Moreno is also a worry, with Ayoze already a doubt for the season opener.

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