La Liga's Relegated Players Who Could Be Summer Transfer Bargains
With Real Madrid crowned La Liga champions on the penultimate matchday and the top-four race swiftly emerging into a no contest, the main source of drama during the final round of fixtures came at the foot of the table.
Although the fates of Espanyol and Mallorca were already sealed, Leganes still had a fighting chance of survival and despite picking up a point against Los Blancos on matchday 38, Celta Vigo's stalemate at Los Periquitos resigned Javier Aguirre's savvy Pepineros to the second-tier too.
Thus, let the auctions begin! There's plenty of talent in the three relegated sides and with the financial implications of COVID-19 combining with the thought of second-tier football, plenty of players will be available for cut-price deals this summer.
Here's six players that clubs in Spain and across Europe should be taking a good look at...
Raul de Tomas
A large chunk of Espanyol's €40m January spending spree was splurged on Benfica forward Raul de Tomas who, despite scoring four times, failed to galvanise a Periquitos unit that finished seventh in La Liga in 2018/19.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed success in Spain and would be a smart bit of business for clubs in need of a bit of attacking thrust. 'RDT', as he's more commonly known, provides a focal point despite his not-so target man-like build, and adds dynamism as well as an admirable work-ethic out of possession.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Espanyol's club-record signing on the move once more this summer, with Los Periquitos set to demand a fee in the region of what they paid for him in the last window (£20m).
Wu Lei
It was a pretty indifferent season for the man dubbed the 'Chinese Maradona', as he scored just four times in La Liga during a torrid Espanyol campaign.
The 28-year-old earned plaudits for playing a crucial role in Espanyol's admirable charge into Europe in his debut season but ultimately failed to meet expectations this time around and now, a switch away from Catalonia seems necessary for Wu at this point in his career.
The crafty and clinical China international has reportedly been offered to several clubs, including Watford and Wolves - the latter being owned by Chinese investment firm Fosun - while plenty have speculated that a move to Serie A or the Bundesliga may be the better option for Wu rather than the intricate demands of the Premier League.
Oscar Rodriguez
While he may not technically be a Leganes player - he was on loan from Real Madrid for the 19/20 campaign - it's hard to envisage Rodriguez being apart of Zinedine Zidane's plans going forward.
The 22-year-old is set to be available for transfer this summer which poses the question: Who wants to sign one of the best free-kick takers in Europe?
Rodriguez's four strikes from dead-ball situations last term placed him just behind Lionel Messi in the free-kick table - with each of them mightily impressive. We're not talking deflections and goalkeeping errors, these were strikes of the utmost quality.
Nevertheless, Rodriguez's nine La Liga goals saw him emerge as the protagonist to this defensively astute but usually toothless Leganes side, following the January departures of Youssef En-Nesyri and Martin Braithwaite to Sevilla and Barcelona respectively.
It's no surprise that Wolves and Milan are already on Real's case regarding the signing of the 22-year-old this summer.
Cucho Hernandez
Another player who enjoyed a loan spell away from their parent club last season, Cucho Hernandez - who spent the 2019/20 campaign at Mallorca - may well return to Watford with his side in the Championship.
Thus, there may be scope for the 21-year-old to stay at Vicarage Road and weave his way into the first-team picture.
Nevertheless, an impressive campaign last time out - where he largely played second-fiddle to the supremely gifted Takefuso Kubo - means Cucho is set to garner a fair bit of interest this summer.
The versatile Colombian was deployed in a plethora of roles by Vicente Moreno, as he finished the campaign with five goals and an assist. He remains an exciting talent, although his career hasn't quite taken off in the way it was expected when he burst onto the scene as a maverick teenager.
Marc Roca
Certainly the most recognisable name on this list, Roca seemed destined for a move away from Catalonia this summer no matter what division Espanyol were strutting their stuff in next season.
The Spaniard often serves as a deep-lying playmaker for Los Periquitos, where he can play as part of a double pivot or all alone at the base of midfield. While technically gifted, he's also blessed with the requisite defensive nous to perform his function as a holding midfielder effectively. He's also capable of playing a little further forward and having a say in the second and third phases.
Nevertheless, it's Roca all-roundedness and ability to anticipate danger which has seen him held in such high regard.
The 23-year-old is another who's been touted as a potential future Milan signing, where he'll compete with Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer for a spot in Stefano Pioli's double pivot. However,I Rossoneri will be looking to broker a deal for a more generous fee than his €40m release clause.
Ante Budimir
The leading scorer among the relegated sides with an impressive 13 La Liga strikes, target man Budimir enjoyed a pretty prolific campaign on the Balearics.
While there are certainly holes in the Croatian's game, there's no disputing his aerial ability and capacity to hold-up play. He's impressive at what he does, although his tenacity and aggression mean he often finds himself in the referee's book.
Nevertheless, you could envisage 29-year-old Budimir serving as a back-up to a superiorly gifted striker, with his profile an intriguing one for potentially some decent European sides. A return to Italy - where he spent four years of his career at Crotone and Sampdoria - may be on the cards as well.