Barcelona have begun their La Liga title defence with a decent set of results, two wins and a draw, while Real Madrid have started with a perfect three.
The El Clasico pair will battle it out for the big prize according to the early-season La Liga 2025 betting odds, and they are both already in the top four, separated by Athletic Club and Villarreal. It will take time for the table to settle, but a fast start is always a huge benefit, and the league’s big clubs are hoping that their new recruits can hit the ground running.
There have been some big summer signings, with Marcus Rashford making the La Liga 2025 news following his switch from Manchester United. If he can recapture his form from a couple of years ago, it could turn out to be a shrewd signing for the Blaugrana.
And there has been plenty of activity elsewhere. Now that the summer transfer window has finally slammed shut, let’s take a look at the SBOTOP picks of four signings which we believe represent superb value for the buyers.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid
Valued at a cool €75 million, the 26-year-old Trent is surely the snip of the summer for Los Blancos, who shaved €65 million off his value as his contract at Anfield neared its end.
With 34 caps for England and 239 appearances for the Reds, the versatile star has experience in bagfuls and is still approaching the peak of his career. Trent is a good mate of Real’s Jude Bellingham, and there was little doubt he was on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the deal was confirmed very early in the window.
A full-back with superb delivery, Trent can also play in midfield, and he is of the calibre Los Blancos need to help them wrestle the title back from Catalonia. He has agreed a five-year deal, having been in discussions with the Madrid giants since January when Liverpool rejected the first approach.
His old team met Arsenal in a Premier League shootout last Sunday and, while a 1-0 win lifted Arne Slot’s Reds to the top of the table, Trent will be sadly missed on Merseyside as he begins life in sunny Spain.
Robert Navarro, Athletic Bilbao
23-year-old forward Navarro has arrived in Bilbao on a five-year deal after leaving RCD Mallorca on a free transfer, and it’s a signing which could send the pulses racing in the Basque region. A former academy player at Real Sociedad, Navarro has played 89 matches over the past three seasons at Mallorca, while also playing in the Europa League, where he scored twice.
Operating as an attacking midfielder or a winger, he impressed at Mallorca last term, and his former club knew they would struggle to keep hold of him. On arriving in Bilbao, Athletic’s new star said: “It’s an important step in my career. The club is growing in all areas, and I like that a lot because it shows a lot of ambition.
Albert Moleiro, Villarreal
Another attacking midfielder with a big future has taken a step up as 21-year-old Moleiro has joined Villarreal following Las Palmas’ relegation to the Segunda Division. He was a popular figure at the Island club after coming through their academy and, valued at €25 million, Moleiro is good value to Villarreal, who had to move quickly to beat the competition for his signature.
A forward with flair, vision, and an attacking philosophy, Moleiro fits the Villarreal mould perfectly, and he’s a player who can get the fans off their seats.
The Yellow Submarine has made a solid start to the new campaign and sits third in the early La Liga table with seven points from three games. Moleiro has agreed a five-year deal at a club where he can display his talent to a wider European audience.
Junior Firpo, Real Betis
Verdiblancos fans have welcomed an old friend back to Betis as 29-year-old academy product Junior Firpo has returned to the club on a free transfer from Leeds United. The Dominican star played 35 times for Betis in 2018-19 before securing a move to Barcelona, where things didn’t really work out for the flying wing-back.
Four seasons in Leeds made him a fan favourite at Elland Road. But, on promotion to the Premier League, the Yorkshire side has decided to overhaul its squad, and that is Los Verdiblancos’ gain.
Firpo is in his prime. With a three-year deal signed, he can make himself at home back where his career began.
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