There maybe 8 games to go of the current season, but it’s not stopped Espanyol marching on with next seasons plans with five new development players secured, and two first team players.
Joining from Celta Vigo is young French fullback Kassoum Outtara and young Spanish striker Ferri. This deal was agreed some weeks ago with Espanyol’s number 1 Flekken heading the other way. ”Flekken is likely to rise in the English updates, however we’ve a lot of faith in young French stopper Chevalier, so felt it was important to give him his chance next season. We’ve paid quite a lot here for two relatively inexperienced kids, but we have to believe in our scouting and hope it works out eventually.”
Heading out also is captain Verratti, who was always going to be a steady the ship player. He is off to Chelsea with another young frenchman in Diarra arriving in exchange. Again on the face of it, this is a massive gamble losing a 93 for an 84. ”this is one of those that either works out or don’t, we have never beeb afraid to rock the market and pay big to secure players of interest. Diarra is raw, still a teenager and could turn into a top player with the right luck. We’ve took long term view on this , and hopefully it bares fruits”
Also arriving will be Arne Engels, a season after he signed for Espanyol . “Its felt like waiting forever given he was secured last season, however the 3 transfer rule prevented him moving in the close season. Thankfully he has continued to develop and could be a top player, and will add further competition in the development squad in midfield.”
Mane yesterday agreed a shock move to Manchester City, when it was agreed talented FB Mazraoui would move to Spain with exciting Swede Hugo Larsson. “Sometimes and offer arrives which is too good to say no. In Mane’s case it was exactly that. Larsson is one of the standout teenagers in world football right now, with scouts flocking from every shore to try and steel him from frankfurt. We just had to bring him here and believe pound for pound he could be the best signing I’ve ever made since arriving at Espanyol. Its a bold statement but one I’m happy to stand by. Getting Mazraoui top, which I didn’t look too much into, is one hell of a bonus and we will review now the option of selling a FB or CB”
last night with the eye on a short term replacement for Mane , Espanyol swooped for Terrier beating off competition to land him. Oroz, Tyukavin and Gomez head to Sao Paolo. “In normal circumstances I’d not of paid Oroz on his own for Terrier, so know we’ve vastly overpaid . However I’ve always said winning comes first and we have to service first team and youth team. Mane going , left a big void out wide rating wise, so a little like Cavani last season, the rating meant more to us than the value.”
“We are pretty much there for next season now, I will look to add an 89 or so CM over the next week or two, and it’s likely to be an aging one or Saudi one. We will look for value , if it means cashing a major young asset in. However we are relaxed with updates still due for a number of our players which may take away the need to roll the dice. We have genuine options in every position so won’t be doing too many Oroz style deals to plug gaps”
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