The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Madrid

Real Madrid and Barcelona have splashed out almost 200 million euros to bankroll their title aspirations but it's the cut- price Jose Antonio Reyes who aims to shine as the new La Liga campaign gets underway this weekend.

Champions Real have led the way with an estimated 120 million euros (160 million dollars) outlay on eight new players including Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze, Dutch winger Arjen Robben and Brazilian defender Pepe.

Barcelona have spent 70 million on the likes of French striker Thierry Henry, defensive compatriot Eric Abidal and Argentine defender Gabriel Milito.

Atletico Madrid, determined to feature alongside Seville and Valencia as contenders, have also spent a similar sum.

But as the new season begins one man for who Real would not open the chequebook will be seeking to trip up the club who spurned him.

It was thanks to Reyes' two goals in the final minutes of the season that Real pinched the championship from under Barcelona's noses but the hierarchy at the Bernabeu would not pay the 12 million euros Arsenal wanted for the Spanish international winger.

Instead, he joined Atletico after Real offered just half the asking price.

Now Reyes plans to derail his old teammates.

"I knew one day I would eventually wear Atletico's colours and they are the ones who really rated me and pushed for me to come," said Reyes.

Of his return to the Bernabeu, this time wearing red and white, he said: "It will be a special game to make my debut for Atletico in the Bernabeu stadium."

Looking to help Reyes in his ambitions are Uruguay striker and former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, who has signed from Villarreal, as well as midfielder Luis Garcia, newly recruited from Liverpool, and rising Argentinian star Sergio "Kun" Aguero.

With Valencia adding Real veteran Ivan Helguera and German international keeper Timo Hildebrand to shore up their defence, and Seville bolstering their back four with Khalid Boulahrouz from Chelsea, this season could become a five- team race.

It may not necessarily bode well, however, for the Spanish national side that Real and Barca have primarily gone Dutch, French and Latin American in their transfer market delvings.

Real will have Robben feeding Ruud Van Nistelrooy with Royston Drenthe and Wesley Sneijder pulling midfield strings while Barca, who traditionally are the more Dutch-influenced of the two, will have Frank Rijkaard looking for his third Liga title at the Nou Camp helm.

Real coach Bernd Schuster, one of a select band to have played for Real, Barca and Aletico, has tried to load the pressure onto the Catalan club, insisting it will take time for his new team to setle and making his rivals the title favourites.

"It will be very hard to reach the summit, but we are going to get to a good level - even if that risks taking time as I have realised we had to change many things in the players' mentality," said the German, who is glad the 'galactico' era of David Beckham and company is over.

Barca will look to get off the mark with three points at Racing Santander, who have spent nothing this summer.

"Good players can always play together," insisted Rijkaard when asked how he would fit the Frenchman into an atack already containing Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Leo Messi.

UEFA Cup winners Seville open their campaign against Schuster's former side Getafe, now coached by Dane Michael Laudrup and the side they beat in the Spanish Cup final.

Seville coach Juande Ramos is still on board despite reports of an approach from English Premiership early strugglers Totenham.

Valencia open their season at home to neighbours Villarreal, who ended last season strongly.