As has become the custom in the Espanyol offices, the last day of the market was once again very intense. Once again the blue and white fan had to wait until the last minute to see results. Although on this occasion the sports management, led by Domingo Catoira, has been able to correct the mistakes of the summer with two additions that should provide immediate performance. In total, there have been four arrivals. The already announced César Montes and Pierre-Gabriel were joined yesterday by Denis Suárez and José Gragera. It cannot be compared with the investment in De Tomás, Embarba and Cabrera in 2020, but it is a very profitable market.
Catoira's mission was to improve the squad at the lowest possible cost. It was not easy to satisfy Diego Martínez with those premises. But the four additions meet the criteria demanded by the club and coach, although the arrival of an extreme remains in the must.
The first to be announced yesterday was Denis Suárez (29 years old), in Barcelona since Sunday. The Galician's departure has been quite an odyssey due to the confrontation he had with the president of Celta, Carlos Mouriño. Only the intermediation of Luis Campos, advisor to the Vigo club, softened the leader, who complicated the operation until the last minute. First, by increasing the proposed starting amounts (Espanyol will pay 200,000 euros, but that amount will triple in case of permanence), and then, trying to get the player to forgive the last monthly payment owed by Celta. Be that as it may, the player remained firm in his desire to sign for Espanyol, where he will only be for the next six months. "I'm coming where I wanted to and I couldn't be happier for this opportunity that Espanyol is giving me. My gratitude will be seen on the field, ”he assured.
The last to arrive was José Gragera (22 years old), who traveled to Barcelona yesterday afternoon to pass the medical examination and sign his contract until 2028. In the case of the Asturian, the negotiations were extended due to the interest of Sporting de Gijón to retain a percentage of the player's rights. Finally, Espanyol buys 70% in exchange for 2.8 million and will be able to acquire another 15% before June 2025 in exchange for a million and a half more.
In total, Espanyol has invested 11 million euros, more than double the five it spent in the summer to bring in Edu Expósito and Álvaro Fernández, as well as others on loan. In the departures chapter, Pol Lozano went to Granada until the end of the course and Lecomte signed for Montpellier. Finally, the negotiations with Almería to sign Pacheco did not come to fruition, and Diego Martínez will be able to count on only two goalkeepers in the first team.
