MADRID, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s declarations that he will not be playing football in Spain’s Premier League this season have not only come as a huge setback to his prospective buyers Real Madrid, but have highlighted just how slow the transfer market has been in the country over the summer.

    The celebration of the European Championships in June were always going to mean that most major transfers involving European players would be delayed until the beginning of July.

    Nevertheless, that does not explain the lack of big money deals in the Premier League. It rather has to be put down to the current economic crisis in Spain.

    Only three sides: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Valladolid have been quick to move in the transfer market.

    The Champions League qualifiers next week spurred both Atletico and Barca into action. Atletico signed defenders John Heitinga and Tomas Ujfalusi, midfielder Paulo Assuncao, striker Florent Simana Pongolle and goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.

    Knowing they needed to improve on a poor recent season, Barcelona landed midfielder Seydou Keita and full back Dani Alves from Sevilla, defender Gerard Pique from Manchester United, Martin Caceres from Recreativo Huelva and Alexander Hleb from Arsenal.

    Pep Guardiola’s side are still looking to sign a striker. But the rehabilitation of Samuel Eto’o in the squad could mean they decide not to sell the Cameroun international and not buy anyone else.

    Finally Villarreal continued the excellent organization they have shown in recent years by moving quickly to sign Joseba Llorente, Ariel Ibagaza and Edmilson, among others, as they aim to once again punch above their weight.

    However, these three are the exceptions to the rule. Real Madrid’s infatuation with Cristiano Ronaldo means their only signing to date is Rafael Van der Vaart, whom they swooped for after Wesley Sneijder suffered a serious knee injury.

    Their persecution of Ronaldo means Madrid have now probably lost the chance to get striker David Villa from Valencia. Eith Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy both over 30, it could leave them with weaknesses in attack.

    Likewise Valencia have hardly moved in the transfer market, although that is down to a summer of internal chaos, which saw President Juan Soler sell up after a long boardroom struggle. Valencia were poor last year. But their only two new faces to date are players returning after loan spells.

    As usual Sevilla have also signed well. But they had to after losing Alves and Keita to Barcelona, while Athletic Bilbao, with their limited market, also made their three signings of low-budget local players before the end of July.

    Elsewhere, however, there is a feeling that money is short: Mallorca have failed to cover for the departure of Dani Guiza to Turkey. Racing Santander face a debut in Europe with a much weaker squad than the one which finished an incredible sixth last season, while Almeria, another surprise of last year, are making do with cast offs from other clubs.

    As for the remaining sides in the Premier League, the motto is "the cheaper the better and if the player comes on a free transfer, then better still."

    The cash outlay of clubs such as Deportivo la Coruna, Valladolid, Recreativo Huelva, Osasuna as well as newly promoted sides Numancia, Malagaand Sporting Gijon, only reflects the economic crisis currently gripping the country.

    Spanish clubs currently owe a total of 607 million euros in unpaid taxes, while several such as Sporting, Real Sociedad and Levante are currently being run by administrators because of ever mounting debts. All of that has had an effect.

    Last season saw the Premier League split into two, with six or seven sides challenging for major honors far ahead of the remaining12. The forthcoming campaign promises to be no different.