Cardiff are currently scouring Europe for upgrades, but maybe they need look no further than La Liga. After all, if they can find a few more like Victor Camarasa lurking on the fringes of Spanish squads, they’ll be laughing.
Spanish imports have undoubtedly enriched the Premier League, with key players at all the Premier League superpowers and pretty much every club benefits from at least one.
VFTN got in touch with FourFourTwo’s Andy Murray to get the inside track on Spain’s best kept secrets for the positions Neil Warnock is targetting.
Right back – Djene Dakonam (Transfermarkt valuation – £13.5m)
Mean Djene, who has attracted interest from Barcelona and Sevilla, likes a tackle and the 26-year-old Togo international is not averse to a dribble either.
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“Strong centre-back who can also play at full back, so perfect for what Warnock wants from his full-backs. Getafe are traditionally a selling club, but he’s vital for them so they might not want to sell in January. Carlos Vigaray (Alaves) is another option. Not in the Alaves team, but highly rated and a decent attacking threat.”
Central midfield – Joan Jordan (Transfermarkt valuation – £7.2m)
Don’t be put off because he shares a name with your granny, Joan Jordan is only 24 and highly rated, with his strengths including passing set pieces, dribbling and shooting.
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“Another having a great season at an unfashionable club. Puts his foot in, like most Cardiff midfielders, but has more quality on the ball and has an eye for a pass. Eibar are having a good season, but the Prem has the budget and they may not be able to resist accepting a good bid, or he the natural increase in wages.”
Centre forward – Roger Marti (Transfermarkt valuation – £7.2m)
Roger Marti, 27, is a finisher in the form of his life, having bagged a brace against Valencia and a goal in a shock win at Real Madrid already this season. Having been prolific in the Spanish second tier, he is now finding his feet amongst the elite.
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“He’s not the biggest, but with eight goals in 13 games so far this season, he can finish. If Warnock continues with Patterson, Marti could be an ideal foil just off the Scot. Has a good touch and links the play well and is in good goalscoring form, albeit this is the first time that’s been the case. Levante were flying but are now starting to fade and are in ninth. May sell to raise funds.”
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