La Liga Transfer Update : Part 1 (Merida, Villa, Adriano, de Guzman)

Fran Merida (From Arsenal to Atletico Madrid, Free)

From the Barca youth system to North London, the youngster proved to have all the technical ability you would expect from a Spanish central midfielder. Remind you of anyone? Arsenal are now staring at the prospect of losing both Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida in the same season after the latter refused a contract extension last year. The ex-Barca man has now finds himself in Madrid (the red half) in a bid to fast-track his progress to the pinnacle of both domestic and international football. There are few better places for a young midfielder to hone his skills then Arsenal or indeed Barcelona but Merida joins the likes of Jose Jurado, Ignacio Camacho, David de Gea, Sergio Asenjo, Raul Garcia, Eduardo Salvio, Leandro Cabrera and German Pacheco in a side full of gifted young talents with a point to prove. It's an excited time to be an Atletico fan.

Adriano (From Sevilla to Barcelona, £7.9m)

Adriano has become the 5th Brazilian in a prodominantley Spanish squad (Henrique, Keirrison, Maxwell and Alves are the other 4 Brazilians). He is the opitome of a utility player able to play on either flank in defense or midfield. "The truth is that I began my career at Curitiba as a left-back and that is where I can best show off my virtues. I feel most comfortable on the left, but I am accustomed to playing in other positions without too much problem." Clearly Barcelona have no midfield problems and Guardiola has suggested that Adriano was bought primarily as cover for the left side of defense; "Abidal can play as centre-back, that's why we preferred to sign Adriano. Besides, we also have some stars coming."

David Villa (From Valencia to Barcelona, £33.2m)

Here is one of those stars. Valencia's financial troubles were well documented and this signing was always on the cards. Barcelona look to have capitalised by signing one of the worlds best players at a more than reasonable fee (just £5m more than they received for Yaya Toure!). The biggest question marks are now over the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic - recent reports linking the sharp-elbowed Swede with AC Milan of all clubs. Barca fans are now staring at the prospect of a Pedro-Villa-Messi front 3 - an attack that can literally shred any defence to pieces, especially when supposted by the likes of Iniesta and Xavi.

Jonathan de Guzman (From Feyenoord to Mallorca, Free)

After running out of contract, de Guzman entertained the idea of coming to the Premier League before settling on cash-strapped Mallorca. The 22-year-old has had his fair share of injuries and was once one of Europe's highest rated playmakers. He will once again have a chance to build his reputation at a club where his services are desperately needed in a midfield lacking creativity.