The closing of the transfer market, even in the least bustling winter window, always brings operations on the horn. It was no less this Thursday, the last day for the teams to reinforce their squads for the outcome of the season. The Spanish League, lately more of an exit door than an entrance, with most of its clubs financially suffocated, said goodbye this Thursday to Bryan Zaragoza (22 years old), one of the revelations at the beginning of this season.
Granada, penultimate in the standings and six points from safety, agreed to advance the departure of the fast winger, in the form of a loan, to Bayern Munich for an amount between five and six million euros. A figure that will be added to the 12 million fixed plus three in variables that the Nasrid club agreed in December with the Bavarians for the transfer of the Malaga native next summer.
The German giant, less full in his country than in other campaigns, second in the Bundesliga and dropped from the Cup, knocked on Granada’s door early due to the physical problems of winger Kingsley Coman, out until April due to an injury in the knee.
“I’m going to Bayern to continue growing in one of the biggest clubs. I am very grateful to Granada for the wonderful time we shared. I will never forget it,” said Zaragoza upon his arrival in Munich. The emergence this year of the one from Málaga, who debuted with the Spanish team in October, reached its zenith on the ninth matchday of the League, when he scored a double in the draw against Barça (2-2). But in the next 12 games his performance stagnated, with only one goal in the Granadans’ only victory in this stretch, against Cádiz (2-0).
A few hours before announcing his departure to Bayern, Granada covered the loss of the Andalusian with winger Facundo Pellistri, on loan from Manchester United and with a past at Alavés. The Uruguayan is one of the nine additions this winter for a Granada team that dreams of permanence. The end of the market not only had the Nasrids as protagonists.
The last operations were, above all, a dance of forwards. Betis loaned Juanmi to Cádiz and confirmed the sale of Luiz Henrique to Botafogo. With the Brazilian’s money, 20 million between fixed and variables, the Betis signed the Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals, from West Ham, and the striker Chimy Ávila, from Osasuna. The Argentine will replace Borja Iglesias, on loan to Bayer Leverkusen.
On the other hand, Valencia did not obtain the loan of Rafa Mir from Sevilla, who did obtain center forward Alejo Véliz from Tottenham on loan. Villarreal was also reinforced on the last day with winger Bertrand Traoré, who arrives free from Aston Villa. For its part, Getafe got rid of two nines. Choco Lozano went on loan to Almería, while Enes Ünal headed to the Premier. The Turk signed with Iraola’s Bournemouth on loan but with a mandatory purchase option of 16 million, one of the highest figures agreed by the Azulones in a transfer
