In

Joe Gomez, Saul Niguez, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, Alvaro Morata, Marcos Poalo, Esequiel Barco, Oihan Sancet, Schouten,

Out

Brozovic, Ndidi, Raphinha, Alberto, Trincao, Fernandez ,Nunez, Under, Aguero (retired), Bouanga, Sanchez, Torres

Glen Mullan's ethos of building a good youth set up is already beginning to take shape at Espanyol. Other the coming weeks we will review some of the youngsters he is tipping to make an impact.

REDA KHADRA

Khadra came through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund, and is of Lebanese descent. During his time there he helped Dortmund win both the under 17 and under 19 Bundesliga. Khadra despite predominantly being a wide player, contributed a number of goals during his time in the youth set up, before being snapped up by English Premier league side Brighton.

Khadra has already made his debut at Premier League level as a substitute but an injury soon after ruled him out for the rest of his first season.

After impressing Blackburn in a pre season friendly, Rovers made the move to sign the flying winger on loan for the season to fill the void of another teen sensation Harvey Elliott who returned to his parent club liverpool after a very successful season at Blackburn.

Khadra has had initially bide his time to get regurlar starts at Blackburn however in the last couple of months has become a regurlar. During that period he has become a lethal weapon with his unbelievable pace and close ball control. Chipping in with 3 goals and 5 assist already, his involvement has coincided with Blackburn marching up the table to second place in the Championship.

Strengths- Tony Mowbray states "he's the fastest player he's ever coached" . Khadra covers the ground quickly and is equally at home on either wing, or playing down the middle. His dribbling skills are exceptional, as is his ability to put dangerous balls into the box at pace. He has an eye for goal, and has shown that can be from 25 yards or 5 yards.

Weaknesses - He is not the tallest player and prefers the ball into feet or into space as he offers no aieral threat. He needs to get his head up more, as sometimes he will beat 4 or 5 players but fails to then pass when the opportunity is on. He is still young and can be pushed off the ball in high physical games.

CONCLUSION - Khadra has come through a good education at youth level, and is already standing out in the Championship which is historically physical and demanding. As with Harvey Elliott, he is showing all the attributes to step up to Premiership football and be a real threat. Currently valued at £200k by transfer market, that value in real time terms is soaring. Brighton have pulled off a blinder securing him. Khadra has the potential to become an international player, and certainly head up to the 87/88 mark on SM within a couple of seasons if he can maintain regurlar games. Other clubs will be taking notice of the progress he is making and Espanyol see him as a long term prospect.

"I'm fortunate as a Blackburn Supporter that I see Reda play week in week out. He is currently keeping Dolan out the team, who himself has been a revelation, and also Leighton Clarkson who has returned to Liverpool due to struggling to break into the rovers side. His understanding with Brereton Diaz has been the Catalyst of rovers march into automatic promotion contenders. In a 50/50 foot race no one has been able to live with his pace. He is an excellent talent, who will go on to bigger and better things. I picked him up straight away for Espanyol and note that he only appears to have come to the attention of Dan at Juventus with him on his shortlist. Given Dan's eye for young talent, thats a positive sign. He has at present just a 68 rating, and i'm looking fowards to the rises and seeing how far he can go. I recall watching Jude Bellingham play as a 16 year old in one of his first games for Birmingham. You could see he was going all the way to the top, Harvey Elliott is similar, and now I put Khadra in that bracket as a serious young player to watch"

s

There is still one game to go for 8th place Espanyol in Division 1, but its the camp that never sleeps, and today the club finalised more transfers.

We review the new look line up.

Handonovic- 92 rated Goalkeeper. Now really very much a veteran but the manager has stated he will be the clubs number 1 until he retires. Espanyol have brought in two keepers for the future in Frenchman Bernardoni who has already had plus 1 since signing, and Brazilian Brenno who the manager likes. "We've two long term improvers for once Handonovic hangs his gloves up and don't forsee us going back into the market for another keeper. We are a division 1 side with a solid 92 keeper.

Joe Gomez 91 RIghtback - Gomez will join from Arsenal and replace veteran D'ambrosio 88 rated at Fullback. The team has been looking for a long term solution since Trippier departed. With Gomez's inclusion in the back four the team is already stronger. Gomez joins from Arsenal as Part of the Brozovic departure, with Saul Niguez the other half of the deal its superb business for the Spanish club. "Gomez is unlucky he plays for Liverpool, they have so many talented defenders, and prior to his injury he was in the side and the England set up. He is just 24, can also cover at Centre back, it was a no brainer for us to bring him in"

Jordi Alba 92 Left back - Alba has been the subject of some enquiries but will remain at Espanyol. He was not downgraded in the Spanish update, and with a 92 rating is still one of the games best left backs. "I'm surprised he was not snapped up when we was hawking him around, things change and now he wont be sold"

Bonucci 92 Centre back - Like Alba, the italian veteran looked surplus to requirements but a combination of poor offers has seen a rethink and he will captain the side as a solid 92 rated centre back next season

Martinez - 90 Centre back - The Spanish international was one of two players Mullan aquired when parting with Trippier. At 30 he has lots of miles in the tank and has built a good understanding with Bonucci.

Mikel Merino 91 Centre mid - SInce returning to Spain the 25 year old has been a revelation. Espanyol had been tracking him a couple of weeks, and today made their move once Ndidi's sale was confirmed. Also rated 91 and comfortable defensive or offensive, it is thought he will be Ndidi's direct replacement. Going out as part of the deal is Brazilian winger Raphinha and Enzo Fernandez. "We could of waited a couple of days for the update but this is a great deal for both clubs. Trying to replace quality like Ndidi or Busquets is difficult, but i think we've chosen well. He has not finished improving and at 25 will become part of the furniture in our first 11."

Fernandinho 91 centre mid - The veteran joined as a squad player earlier this season and has been utilised in both midfield and centre back. He is not getting younger but has become a vital member of the engine room "Its his performances and versatility which has given us more confidence in parting with players. We will need to manage his age and body, but he is a key player for us"

Oyarzabal 92 rated attacking midfielder - This was a deal the Manager was desperate to do. A world class player who is getting better and better. Negotiations were hard, with it looking at times that it was not going to happen. Ndidi moves on with recently signed Nunez. Its a big price but with Aguero retiring he adds goals, assist and becomes easily the teams best player. "You look where we were 20 games ago our options in attacking midfield was Di Maria and Aspas, fast forward 20 games and we've traded our way to now have one of the worlds hottest properties, i'm really excited by this deal"

Saul Niguez 92 Midfielder- The other part of the Brozovic departure needs some love irl. His move to Chelsea has yet to work out, but lets remember he is still only 27, and can play nearly anywhere in Midfielder. Two years Brozovic junior but rated the same, he still has time on his side to rediscover form, get a decent move and maintain his rating. "We got 2 x 90 plus players for one. Broz is 29, and was one of three players we recieved when Koke left. To now get two players with good ratings is unbelievable business for us, his versatility will be vital for us next season"

Fekir- 91 winger - Fekir has been a revelation since joining as the other part of koke's departure. His assist will be critical and if he can control his discipline and stay on the pitch, could be the clubs key man next season. "He is still only 28 and has been excellent since we brought him in, there has been interest from other clubs for him, but its very much a not for sale sign against Fekir"

Morata - 91 striker - When it was confirmed Aguero would retire the devastation within the camp cannot be underestimated. There was no plausible back up, with the clubs impressive youth too far away at this stage of impacting the first team. "We scoured every cranny and had 10s of knock backs to buy a striker. In the end the breakthrough came with Southampton wanting three of our starlets. We were a little backed into a corner with the retirement and we've paid big to bring a striker with a chequered history. Alberto was our jewel, but along with Trincao and Torres players which I brought to the club, we've parted ways and have a division 1 capable striker. He has big shoes to fill but hopefully being back in Spain we can get the goals I know he's capable of"

Wiegl 90 Defender/midfielder- joins from Sao Paulo for quite s hefty fee, given the clubs player of the year Sarabia and Under have moved in the opposite direction. "He's only 26, can cover defence and midfield and gives us more legs long term in defence when Bonucci hangs his boots up. We had to halt negotiations with other clubs that could of brought a minimum 93 midfielder in as under was part of a 2 for 1 on the midfielder. However Sao Paulo agreed a deal quicker and although we've given a lot both who have left would not now make our best 11"

youths

Marcos Paulo 80 joins from Man City as part of the Busquets deal

Esequiel Barco 85 also joins as part of the Busquets deal.

Oihan Sancet 85 joins as part of Ndidi sale from Chelsea

Alvaro Bastida 75 joins from Cadiz

"i'm excited by the new crop of youngsters given the few we've had to part with. We've managed to keep hold of the likes of Rodri Sanchez too and have a number of players who will just get better and better from our youngsters. We will start the new seasin with a stronger starting 11 than the one that ends this season, whilst more importantly we've significantly reduced the age of the squad.

the likes of Aspas, Herrera, Di Maria, Alonso, and Matip have all moved on. However when I reel off Oyarzabal, Niguez, Martinez, Gomez, Morata, Merino, Fekir, I strongly believe we are going in the right direction"

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"