Two more reinforcements. They are the ones who will surely arrive in the ranks of Real Zaragoza to finish outlining the squad led by Ibai Gómez. This has been confirmed by the Blanquillo sporting director, Lalo Arantegui, in the presentation of Joaquín Delgado and Peter Ademo where, in addition, he has pointed out the positions that remain to be consolidated with two signings that the Aragonese club wants to close as soon as possible: a central defender and a right-back.
«I stand by what I said from day one, there will be two players per position. Obviously the departure of Francho upsets us a bit because the right-back was covered and makes us go to the market now,» said Lalo Arantegui, who confirmed that in the next few days Hugo Carrillo will probably leave the club at the same time that «a centre-back will come to play as a centre-back and a right-back who will be exclusively a right-back«.
In this way, the sporting director has admitted that the selected centre-back is at the expense of his club of origin giving the go-ahead to the operation and although he has not said a name, the chosen one is Rubén Iranzo who is waiting for Valencia to authorise his departure from the ché team. In addition, Arantegui acknowledged that Real Zaragoza are considering two possible options for the right-back. «I assure you and I hope that for the first matchday they will do a whole week of training with the team,» remarked Lalo Arantegui who wants to close both signings before the end of this week.
Although the club’s intention is to practically close the squad with these two additions, Real Zaragoza will continue to be attentive to possible opportunities in the market: «The squad will be practically closed, but we will be open to the fact that if any type of possibility arises with a player that cannot be said no, the club is prepared to be able to face it. As long as the coaching staff sees that he is a player who can contribute to us in some facet and that on an economic level it is not crazy».
THE HOMEGROWN PLAYERS AND THE DEPARTURES
On the other hand, the sporting director also highlighted the role that the academy players are playing this preseason in a situation that can help the first team. «The commitment to the academy is real. To incorporate more players they must overcome what we already have and what is coming below because we must make room for them,» said Arantegui while remarking that the squad must be added to «the incorporation of homegrown players».
Finally, and although he has not confirmed that they will take place, the sporting director has not closed the door to possible departures either. «It will depend a lot on the market and the example is that of Francho who we counted on who was going to be here with us all season. This changes in 24 hours, at the moment if you ask me now I tell you no, but if tomorrow an offer arrives that we do not know today, the player’s will is to leave and the conditions they offer are those that the club thinks are the market value, well,» Arantegui transmitted.
