The close of the transfer market, even in the less hectic winter window, always offers deals on the horn. Yesterday was no less, the last day for the teams to strengthen their squads for the end of the season. The Spanish League, lately more exits than entrances, with most clubs financially suffocated, yesterday said goodbye to Bryan Zaragoza (22 years old), one of the revelations at the start of this season.
Granada, penultimate in the standings and six points away from salvation, agreed to advance the departure of the speedy winger, in the form of a transfer, 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 club from Nassar agreed in December with the Bavarians for the transfer of the Málaga player next summer. The German giant, less prolific in his country than in other seasons, second in the Bundesliga and out of the Cup, knocked on Granada’s door early due to the physical problems of winger Kingsley Coman, out until in April due to a knee injury.
“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 when he arrived in Munich. The emergence this year of the Málaga player, who made his debut with the Spanish national team in October, reached its zenith on the ninth day of the League, when he scored a brace in the draw against Barça (2-2). But in the following 12 games his performance has stagnated, with only one goal in the Granada’s only victory in this stretch, against Cadiz (2-0). A few hours before his departure to Bayern was announced, Granada covered the loss of the Andalusian with winger Facundo Pellistri, on loan from Manchester United and with Alabès. The Uruguayan is one of the nine additions this winter from a Granada that dreams of staying.
The end of the market did not only have the Nazarites as protagonists. The last operations were, above all, a dance of forwards. Betis transferred Juanmi to Cadiz and confirmed the sale of Luiz Henrique to Botafogo. With the Brazilian’s money, 20 million between fixed and variable, the Betics signed the Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals, from West Ham, and the ram Chimy Ávila, from Osasuna. The Argentine will replace Borja Iglesias, loaned to Bayer Leverkusen. On the other hand, Valencia did not get the transfer of Rafa Mir from Sevilla, but they did get center forward Alejo Véliz, from Tottenham, on loan. Villarreal also strengthened yesterday with winger Bertrand Traoré, who arrives on a free transfer from Aston Villa. For its part, Getafe got rid of two new ones. Choco Lozano went on loan to Almeria, while Enes Ünal is heading to the Premier League. The Turk signed with Bournemouth d’Iraola on loan but with a mandatory purchase option of around 16 million, one of the highest figures agreed by the Madrid players in a transfer.
