RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid have reached an agreement for the loan of striker Joselu Mato, who will play for the Whites next season, according to La Vanguardia, in exchange for half a million euros. A mandatory purchase option of 1.5 million by Real Madrid has been included in the operation, since the Galician has a contract with Espanyol until 2025.
Joselu, who had a clause in his contract whereby he could go out on loan in the event of Espanyol’s relegation, scored 16 goals in LaLiga last season and ended up proclaiming himself Zarra in addition to achieving international status during his time as a parakeet. The operation, of interest to all three parties at all levels, is part of the good relationship between clubs, which was already evident a few months ago with the incorporation of our current coach Luis García from the Madrid club.
The club has thanked Joselu “for his work during this campaign and wishes him the best of luck this coming season”. With the departure of Joselu, Espanyol loses a goal, but also releases a very important salary that makes them positive in the financial fair play required by the League. This means that the club can already recruit players to try for promotion next season and, more importantly, it is not forced to sell any player, which will allow it to be more demanding in the event of a possible exit.
In addition, Joselu’s last weeks at the club have caused a lot of division among the fans. In the last game he was whistled by a part of the Cornellà stands. With his departure, the entity avoids a new conflict like the one experienced in the past with Raúl de Tomás.
However, Espanyol must now look for a guarantee substitute that allows them to recover the category first. To do this, the first step is to find a replacement for Domingo Catoira, dismissed this week as sports director. So far it has been Luis García who has recommended names to the general management, but there will be no incorporations until they are agreed with the new head of the club’s technical area.
