Soldado joins La Liga exodus

Valencia CF on Thursday announced an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Spain striker Roberto Soldado in a 30-million-euro deal. The latest dip of the Premier League into the bargain bucket of La Liga brings the Spanish top flight's transfer revenue this summer to almost 400 million euros, with nearly 150 million euros in income spread around the 20 Primera División clubs. It is an unprecedented talent drain fired by the economic crisis and the lure of English football, which is generally regarded as faster-paced, more competitive and better supported than its Spanish counterpart. Certainly, the sight of away stands full to the rafters with traveling fans will be a novelty for the Liga imports.

Soldado's acquisition by Spurs was the most expensive of the summer so far in Liga-Premier League business but other clubs have also taken advantage of the willingness of Spanish sides to part with players in an effort to balance the books. Manchester City signed Jesús Navas and Álvaro Negredo from Sevilla for a combined fee of 45 million euros; enough to keep the Andalusian club's head above the turbulent financial surf, but smashing it face-first into the sand in competitive terms.

Valencia has always needed to sell to keep the bailiffs at bay but the loss of Soldado will significantly weaken its position next season. In 135 games for the club he scored 83 goals, knocking in 30 last season in his most prolific term to date. It will take quite a bit of market savvy for Valencia president Amadeo Salvo to replace that sort of return, and reports of a move for Portugal striker Hélder Póstiga will be little balm to the bruised pride of the Mestalla faithful. Póstiga's biggest season return was 19 at Porto a decade ago. Tottenham fans may remember his one goal for the club in 24 appearances, but nobody in Valencia will, although he did knock in 14 for Zaragoza last year, his second-highest season strike rate.

This situation is set to grow steadily worse as other divisions circle over La Liga's brightest talents. Spanish clubs cannot match the wages on offer elsewhere and, although the paying punter may have little empathy, soccer is a short career. Soldado stands to earn treble his Valencia pay check in North London, while the most extravagant sale of the summer, Radamel Falcao, chose the roubles of newly promoted Monaco over Champions League competition with Atlético, or a glamor move to Real. The 60-million-euro transfer allowed Atlético to reinforce, but with more restraint than is habitual.

But it is not just established international stars who are fleeing La Liga. Spain under-20 captain José Campaña chose a relegation battle with Crystal Palace over a new contract at Sevilla while Celta's Iago Aspas preferred the Liverpool bench to replacing Soldado at Valencia. Barcelona defender Marc Muniesa moved to Stoke and club and international teammate Gerard Deulofeu joined Everton on loan. Both recently won the under-21 European Championship with La Rojita. After a whirlwind season, Real Betis bade farewell to Alejandro Pozuelo and José Cañas (Swansea) and goalkeeping revelation Adrián (West Ham).

Of course, La Liga can still attract the big guns and in Neymar, Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo possesses the three most recognizable players in the world. Unfortunately for the other 18 teams, only Barcelona and Real Madrid can afford to buy star quality, while everybody else must sell.

Successful exports such as Michu at Swansea, David Silva at Manchester City and Juan Mata at Chelsea blazed a trail for Liga players and lent the league a reputation for providing reliable, dedicated and skillful players at a decent price. English talent comes at a much higher premium.

As Spain wallows in the mire of recession and its soccer clubs feel the cool blade of austerity on their throats, at least the country has something other than contagion to offer its European neighbors. But the cost to La Liga is already apparent in a lack of genuine competition that has metastasized from worrying to terminal this summer.