At 9am yesterday you would not have thought with two games to go, that Espanyol would sell two of their main stars in Busquets and Brozovic. However by early evening both had agreed moves elsewhere, as the manager continues to cull on what was once a very aging squad.

Brozovic will move to Arsenal in a move which sees the Espanyol bag a 91 rated 24 year old defender in Joe Gomez, and versatile midfielder Saul.

“top defenders are so hard to get, especially young ones which can walk straight into a division 1 side. In Gomez we have someone who can play rightback and centre back, and has his best years ahead of him. I’m delighted he will join in the close season. Brozovic is an excellent player, but at 29 is he going to go up in value?. Saul Niguez can play across the midfield, and although his career has somewhat stalled, he is still only 27. To get him and Gomez for Brozovic is excellent business”

The ink was not dry, when Man City came calling for Busquets. Their initial offer was countered, and an agreement came very soon after for club captain Busquets to depart. Darwin Nunez was a major pull in this deal, whilst Barco and Paolo two very talented youngsters was a bonus. “You never want to part with your best players, but how long can Busquets keep going? The offer was too good to pass on, Nunez is hot property and at 22 the best is yet to come with him. We have lost Alberto and Aguero in the last week, bringing Morata in and Nunez will more than fill the void. In Barco and Paolo, we are signing potential. Only time will tell if they fulfil that and if they do, then this deal could be the steal of the century”