Zaragoza are finalising several interesting transfer deals in the closing hours of the summer 2011 transfer market.
The Aragonese have agreed terms to sign Espanyol striker Luis Garcia on a three-year deal, and surprisingly on a free transfer after he terminated his Periquitos contract, whilst President Agapito Iglesias has also found a way to finance a €2.5m deal for Sporting CP’s Helder Postiga.
In administration and with debts of €110m, Zaragoza came under fire earlier this transfer window when they announced an €8.6m deal for Benfica’s Roberto Jimenez, only to confirm a majority of it was financed by a legal third party investment. The details of funding Postiga’s deal have yet to be confirmed.
Garcia missed Espanyol’s training sessions yesterday and today, with the club announcing it was the result of receiving seven stitches after a shaving accident. He was expected to stay at the club despite his contract expiring next summer, as the Catalans had just lost Daniel Pablo Osvaldo to Roma. He has captained Espanyol and expressed a desire to remain at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat.
Zaragoza are also close to finalising a part-ownership deal for Porto’s Miguel Lopes. Los Blanquillos are offering €1m for 50% of the player’s contract, whilst any move to La Romareda would see the club pick up his €300,000 salary.
The Aragonese club have also spent all day in talks with Getafe over a possible swap deal between creative-midfielder Angel Lafita and the Madrid side’s forward Adrian Colunga.
Lafita has expressed a desire to leave Zaragoza this summer and has been linked with a number of clubs, and it is thought both players are reportedly happy with the exchange, as 26-year-old Colunga has struggled to break into the Getafe first XI and now finds himself down the pecking order in Madrid after the arrival of Dani Guiza. It would be a return to Zaragoza for Colunga, who spent a very successful six-month loan spell at the club in helping them avoid relegation in 2010-11.
A sticking point in this move is that where ordinarily it would be an even-priced swap not involving any fees, Getafe could push for something in light of still being owed €2m for the July 2009 transfer of Ikechukwu Uche, who incidentally, has just transferred twice today – first to Villarreal permanently, and then on to Granada on loan.
Zaragoza are also returning to interest in Sevilla’s Ndri Romaric. The midfielder almost joined the club a year ago, and is thought to be weighing up a potential 12-month loan deal. However, Espanyol have also made an enquiry, whilst the player’s agent has confirmed he has offers from Spain and abroad to consider.
UPDATE: Espanyol have signed Romaric.
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