Transfer recap: Top La Liga signings you may have missed this summer

Continuing our series of transfers that might have slipped under your radar in the current window, we switch from Italy to Spain and look at three newcomers to La Liga to have arrived from overseas.

William Carvalho (Real Betis)

That’s right, William Carvalho has finally left Sporting, but not for Arsenal, as the gossip columns have reported since gossip columns began. The fact that the Portugal international has ended up at Betis highlights that his career hasn’t quite panned out the way many felt it would but his signing is still a statement of intent from the Spanish outfit. The 26-year-old averaged the second most passes per game in Liga NOS last season (64.4) and will anchor Quique Setien’s midfield.

Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia)

While in general it was a very progressive season for Lyon’s young squad, one player that perhaps took a backwards step was Diakhaby, so a move this summer was perhaps not entirely surprising. The destination is an intriguing one, however, with Valencia taking a gamble on the 21-year-old centre-back after a frustrating campaign in France, starting just eight league games. He’s more than competent in passing out from the back, boasting an 88.3% pass accuracy last season, and offers a strong aerial presence in both boxes.

Karl Toko Ekambi (Villarreal)

Following the end of Carlos Bacca’s loan spell Villarreal were in need of attacking reinforcements and while the return of Gerard Moreno from Espanyol bolsters the ranks, Ekambi’s arrival from Angers has received less fan fare. The 25-year-old enjoyed a real breakout season in Ligue 1 last time out and while he can play wide on the left a move into a centre-forward role got the best of the Cameroon international’s pace. With a direct hand in 23 goals last season (17 goals, 6 assists), it will be interesting to see how effectively the forward makes the transition to Spanish game.