Without Núñez, Haaland Or Mbappé, La Liga Has A Headache

With news that Uruguayan forward Darwin Núñez is close to signing a long-term, potentially record-breaking deal (Spanish) with Premier League giant Liverpool, there comes one key implication for Spain. La Liga will lack a young standout striker joining one of its top teams in this transfer window.

Núñez has never looked like joining Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, or any other Spanish side worthy of landing him. The rangy South American’s prolific strike rate in the Champions League and Portuguese top-flight with Benfica has placed him alongside Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé as one of the best up-and-coming goal-scorers in Europe.

Major forward additions to the best teams will boost the Premier League’s brand, especially given how close the eventual winner Manchester City and Liverpool ran each other last term. Haaland, and potentially Núñez, will only add to the intrigue next time. In keeping Mbappé, Ligue 1 still has some of the most valuable stars on the market, albeit most of them for a dominant ensemble in Paris. Over in Germany, Senegal icon Sadio Mané is a potential addition to the Bundesliga. It’s comparatively uneventful in Spain and Italy, though. At least for the moment.

With the summer transfer window just nudging open, it’s early days. Yet, while there is no shortage of talent available, missing out on these stars leaves La Liga and, presumably, its president Javier Tebas with some concern, given how much they would have boosted the division.

Tebas has already expressed his reservations about Mbappé’s stay, doubting the financial legitimacy of his lucrative new deal. In one sense, though, Tebas is making a rod for his own back. By wanting Spain’s clubs’ to demonstrate solvency and enforcing tight restrictions on Barcelona, for example, La Liga’s pull in attracting the best players is somewhat weakened, especially when competing against the strength of PSG and its affluent Qatari ownership.

Of course, La Liga still boasts the best and most valuable team in Europe in Real. And with matches resuming in two months, there will be more incomings and outgoings in the coming weeks. Above all, it will be interesting to see what Barcelona and Atlético Madrid can muster this window to close the gap on their rival. They will need to, as Real has already marched on from a position of strength, finalizing a move for Aurelién Tchouameni from Monaco to supplement a midfield that still includes the unstoppable Luka Modric.

Yet, in the forward areas, things look much the same. It’s hard to see Los Blancos replacing Karim Benzema at this juncture, given his 27 league goals haul during the last term, a tally that won the Pichichi award by ten strikes. He was also the top scorer in the Champions League.

There could be twists and turns at Barcelona, however. If the Catalans sell Frenkie de Jong—whom reports have linked to Manchester United and a reunion with coach and compatriot Erik ten Hag—for a high sum, that could influence what happens next. Barcelona cannot spend freely, but such a move would strengthen its hand in recruiting a statement signing. Another attacking player driving attention is Robert Lewandowski, whose long Bayern career seems to be over. The Blaugrana is among those interested in the 33-year-old.

One thing is for sure. Although there are high-profile names on the market, some of whom will be linking up with new clubs in Spain, the youthful, speedy, prolific forwards tipped for greatness look set for England and the Premier League. La Liga may suffer from this reality just a little—as a spectacle, at least.