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We’re deep into an unusual summer that has seen two LaLiga clubs in competitive action in the United States, and two separate transfer windows to take place. There was already some significant movement before the Club World Cup, and some major deals have been completed involving LaLiga clubs over the past fortnight.
Seven players have already joined Spanish top-flight clubs for fees of €10m or more, with the division’s total summer spend standing at €267m as of Sunday July 13th 2025.
The most expensive LaLiga signings so far this summer
Dean Huijsen – Bournemouth to Real Madrid (€62.5m)
The most expensive summer transfer so far involving a player joining a LaLiga club is the €62.5m deal that saw Dean Huijsen join Real Madrid from Bournemouth. It was completed in time for the 20-year-old to feature at the Club World Cup where he was a regular until a sending off in the quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund ensured he’d miss the semi-final defeat to PSG.
With Real Madrid’s other central defenders struggling in the tournament, Huijsen looks nailed on to be a starter for Xabi Alonso when the new campaign begins in August. The Amsterdam-born youngster has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past 12 months, with an assured Spain debut in March contributing to the big investment Los Blancos have made in the defender.
Franco Mastantuono – River Plate to Real Madrid (€45m)
After a bitterly disappointing 2024/25 season, it’s no surprise to see Real Madrid making some big moves in the transfer market as they look to give Alonso as much help as possible in terms of getting things moving in the right direction again.
They’ve also splashed out a cool €45m on Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono. At just 17, this is clearly a signing that is geared more towards the future than the present, and Mastantuono won’t be able to move to Madrid until he turns 18 next month.
However, he has already caught the eye for River Plate as a talented midfield player with an eye for goal, and he averaged 3.3 shots per game at the Club World Cup.
Alex Baena – Villarreal to Atletico Madrid (€42m)
The biggest deal involving two LaLiga clubs so far this summer is the transfer of Alex Baena from Villarreal to Atletico Madrid. The 23-year-old has been one of the standout midfielders in the Spanish top flight over the past two years, with his return of 23 assists over that timeframe more than any other LaLiga player has managed.
Baena has tended to operate on the left of a midfield four for Villarreal, whilst frequently cutting inside and operating as more of an attack-minded central midfielder. In theory, that should make him a good fit for a Diego Simeone team, with the Atleti boss struggling to settle on a single solution on the left of his midfield.
Joan Garcia – Espanyol to Barcelona (€25m)
Surely the most controversial transfer this summer has been Joan Garcia’s cross-city move from Espanyol to their big Catalan rivals FC Barcelona. The 24-year-old was widely acknowledged as one of the best goalkeepers in LaLiga last term, with the Espanyol academy graduate finally realising his early promise at the highest level.
This will be a sore one as far as Pericos are concerned, with Garcia likely to be in for a slightly frosty reception when he returns to the RCDE Stadium next season. His arrival at Camp Nou means Barca have secured the services of one of Europe’s most highly rated young keepers, and it also raises significant doubts about Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future at the club.
Matteo Ruggeri – Atalanta to Atletico Madrid (€17m)
Atletico Madrid’s bid to strengthen on the left flank has also seen them sign Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta for €17m.
The 23-year-old mostly featured as a left-sided wing-back last season for the Italian club, but could also drop back to left-back if Simeone opts to continue with a 4-4-2 system. Ruggeri was involved for Italy at the Euro U21 Championship this summer.
Alberto Moleiro – Las Palmas to Villarreal (€16m)
Villarreal have moved quickly to spend some of the Baena cash, with Alberto Moleiro arriving from recently relegated Las Palmas for €16m.
Moleiro could be a direct replacement for Baena, although there are perhaps doubts as to whether he has the defensive discipline to slot into exactly the same role as the Spain international. Either way, it’s an exciting move for the 21-year-old who will get to show what he can do on the Champions League stage next term.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool to Real Madrid (€10m)
After months of speculation, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s switch to Real Madrid was finally confirmed before the end of last season, sparking an angry response from much of the Liverpool fanbase towards their one-time local hero.
The move ended up being a €10m transfer to allow the England international a chance to play in the Club World Cup, but Real Madrid will see that as a very small price to pay for one of the most talented full-backs of his generation. Alexander-Arnold has already shown what an impact he can make with his passing and crossing ability, and will be hoping to silence the critics who question his defensive capabilities.
Natan – Napoli to Real Betis (€9m)
Despite missing out on Champions League qualification to Villarreal, Real Betis have a Europa League campaign to look forward to, and they’ve already been busy in the transfer market.
Their biggest signing so far has been the €9m purchase of Natan from Napoli, although the centre-back was on loan at the Benito Villamarin last term, so he won’t feel like a fresh addition as such.
Rodrigo Riquelme – Atletico Madrid to Real Betis (€8m)
That’s not the case with Rodrigo Riquelme who has joined Real Betis from Atletico Madrid in an €8m transfer. The 25-year-old didn’t get much game-time at the Estadio Metropolitano last season, and ought to be quite a natural fit for Manuel Pellegrini’s style of play.
Betis fans will be excited to see Riquelme in green and white, although there’ll be a tinge of sadness in that his arrival has largely come about as a result of the €22.5m sale of their homegrown young winger Jesus Rodriguez to Como.
Roberto Fernandez – Braga to Espanyol (€6.2m)
Espanyol’s loan addition of Roberto Fernandez from Braga would prove to be one of the best signings in the January window. The striker settled quickly and was a clear upgrade on Manolo Gonzalez’s other options, with his six-goal return contributing significantly to Espanyol’s ultimate survival.
In a challenging summer for the Catalan club, the €6.2m permanent capture of Fernandez is certainly a ray of light for Espanyol fans heading into the new campaign.
Ilaix Moriba – RB Leipzig to Celta Vigo (€6m)
Celta Vigo have also turned a loanee into a permanent signing, with Ilaix Moriba completing a €6m transfer from RB Leipzig.
The midfielder has also had loan spells at Valencia and Getafe since leaving Barcelona in 2021, and has penned a four-year deal at Balaidos.
Ferran Jutgla – Club Brugge to Celta Vigo (€5m)
Celta have signed another former Barca player by adding striker Ferran Jutgla from Club Brugge for €5m.
The 26-year-old scored twice in 12 Champions League appearances last term as Brugge reached the round-of-16, and he’s likely to have a big role to play for Claudio Giraldez as he prepares his team for Europa League action.
Víctor Muñoz – Real Madrid to Osasuna (€5m)
There has been a change in the dugout at El Sadar, with Vicente Moreno departing after just one season to be replaced by Alessio Lisci. The former Mirandes boss has a good record when it comes to developing young players, and he’ll be hoping to work his magic on 22-year-old Victor Muñoz who has joined Osasuna from Real Madrid for €5m.
Muñoz appeared twice for Los Blancos in LaLiga in May, but has little experience of elite-level football, having mostly featured for Real Madrid Castilla in the lower leagues until this point.
All fees quoted on this page are via transfermarkt.
