SPAIN
The market was slow in Spain this year with clubs spending below 30 million euros on new players, less than half the amount they splashed out at the same point last season.
The slow down is in large part due to the fact that habitual big-spenders Real Madrid are happy with their present squad because of their nine-point lead at the top of the table.
Last season Real spent some 36 million euros (26.9 million pounds) on Argentine duo Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain and Brazilian fullback Marcelo, this season they have spent nothing.
Barcelona's only new recruit is goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto who has been drafted in from second division Celta Vigo for 500,000 euros until the end of the season to cover for injured reserve keeper Albert Jorquera.
The Primera Ligas biggest spenders have been Ronald Koeman's trouble-torn Valencia who coughed up 18 million euros to bring Argentine youngster Ever Banega from Boca Juniors and two million on another midfielder Hedwiges Maduro from Ajax.
Espanyol brought in Brazilian striker Ewerthon on a loan deal to boost their attack after leading scorer Raul Tamudo broke his hand, while Athletic Bilbao signed 37-year-old keeper Armando from second division Cadiz.
Photograph: Ever Banega
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