Another Villarreal 'bombazo': Roberto Soriano deal is done

It seems like just 2 or 3 days ago--well, it was-- that Roberto Soriano's name started being mentioned as a possible Villarreal target.  No protracted negotiations here, Villarreal have swooped and signed 25 year-old Italian midfielder Roberto Soriano.

He comes from Sampdoria, where he has played since they obtained him from the Bayern Munich youth system in 2009.  He can play any of the midfield positions, is comfortable with either foot, and is the sort of box-to-box midfielder Villarreal needs.

This scouting report from FourFourTwo in 2015 says he needs to score more goals; he's done that in 2015-16, netting eight times for the Genoa side. Squawka have a nice article about him, too.

And for those of you who play FIFA16, here are all those numbers you so love.

Couple of things to note: Soriano's star has risen quickly in last couple of years; Transfermarkt put his value at €1.6m in late 2014, but in July 16 it was €14m.  Last summer he was linked with both Milan and Napoli, and in fact Napoli tried to sign him for €13m plus Zuniga, but weren't able to complete the deal by the deadline.

He mostly played in the center of midfield for Samp but EPM says he will initially be seeing playing time on the right wing.  We'll see, but he sounds like a player who will fit nicely into the type of style Marcelino wants to play.

The big surprise--in Italy, for sure--is that after being pursued by Napoli, Milan, Inter....it's Villarreal who have obtained his services.  I suspect that has a lot to do with our ability and willingness to pay cash on the nail.

Pato, now Roberto Soriano....probably this signing means no Sansone, more because of the price tag than anything else.  Januzaj plays mostly on the right, but since both he and Roberto can play anywhere in midfield I'm not so sure I'd rule him out, especially on a loan deal.  Ghezzal is mostly a rightwinger too, but if we've learned anything the last few days it's that we should not be surprised to be surprised.

Sr. Lizarraga reports Roberto should start training next week sometime.  On we go!