Diomande, the 140 million gamble
La Liga is back this weekend. Opta has picked nine players to watch over the 2026-27 season. The most expensive one leads the way.
Yan Diomande was named Bundesliga rookie of the year after a season of 12 goals and eight assists with RB Leipzig. Only Lamine Yamal, with 27 attacking involvements, did better among under-24s across Europe’s big five leagues. Real Madrid could pay up to 140 million euros for the Ivorian. His 7.7 dribbles attempted per 90 minutes was the best figure in the German top flight last season.
Yeremay and Ure, two very different paths
Yeremay Hernandez is stepping into the top tier at 23. Since Deportivo La Coruna went up in 2024, the left winger has produced 41 attacking involvements in Spain’s second division, the fourth-highest total in the league. Across those two seasons, his 6.7 dribbles attempted per 90 minutes is the best rate in the division among players with 1,500 minutes or more.
Robbie Ure has taken the long road. A Rangers academy product, he had spells at Anderlecht and then Sirius in Sweden, where the 22-year-old Scottish striker had scored 15 goals in 15 Allsvenskan matches before his move, three more than anyone else. Sevilla paid around 6.5 million euros. The Andalusian club has flirted with relegation in each of the last three seasons.
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The promoted sides are backing their main men
Racing Santander are back in La Liga after 14 years away. Gustavo Puerta played a huge part in that. The Colombian posted 4.1 progressive carries of more than 10 metres per 90 minutes, the second-best total among midfielders in the league, before heading to the 2026 World Cup with his national team.
Malaga have gone from the third division to the top flight in just over two years. Chupe, 21, scored 25 goals and set up six more in 45 matches, playoffs included. His 19 non-penalty goals came from only 13.1 expected goals, a hot streak that raises the obvious question: can he keep it up?
Barcelona raid the Premier League
Anthony Gordon has left Newcastle for Barcelona for 80 million euros. His 2025-26 season was the most productive of his career, with 17 goals in all competitions. In the Champions League, his 10 goals are the record for an Englishman playing for an English club in a single campaign. Top speed of 36.3 km/h and 25.8 sprints per match: nobody in the Premier League did better among players with more than 1,500 minutes.
Javi Rodriguez at Celta, Cala at Espanyol and Buba Sangare at Elche complete Opta’s list.
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