La Liga clubs' winter transfer window spending sees tenfold increase

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From Philippe Coutinho to Alexis Sanchez, Gab Marcotti assesses the notable transfers in January and which clubs profited most.

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La Liga clubs spent a total of €280 million (£245m) in the winter transfer window -- 10 times more than last year, according to El Pais.

The amount was second only to the Premier League clubs' €455m on 38 players, also a significant increase on the €276m spent 12 months ago.

The previous La Liga winter window record was €63m in 2009, when Real Madrid spent €27m to sign Klaas Jan-Huntelaar from Ajax.

However, this year Madrid were the only club in the Spanish top flight not to make a move in the winter window.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, first and second in La Liga, spent a combined €216m, 76 percent of this year's total.

Barca paid an initial €120m to sign long-time target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, although that fee could reach €160m based on add-ons.

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They also signed Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina from Palmeiras for €11.8m, while Atletico were the first club to make a move in the window when Diego Costa arrived from Chelsea for €65m.

Athletic Bilbao paid a club record €32m for Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez after selling Aymeric Laporte to Manchester City -- but Marca reported that of 52 La Liga moves in the transfer market, 69 percent were free transfers.

Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for ESPN FC.

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Source: espn.co.uk