Elche CF has had its first offer for RCD Espanyol defender Rubén Sánchez rejected in the final hours of the transfer window. The Spanish second division club tabled a bid of approximately €500,000 for the 25-year-old right-back, but Espanyol turned it down as they hold out for a fee close to €1 million.
The deal is now at a standstill with the market closing in just two days. Espanyol's sporting director general Monchi stated that "as of today the best option that satisfies them and also us has not been found". The player, under contract with the Barcelona club until 2027, was made available for transfer at the end of July. Manager Manolo González made it clear last Friday he does not count on Sánchez, calling it a "sporting, technical decision, nothing more needs to be read into it".
Why does Espanyol want one million for Rubén Sánchez?
Espanyol's high valuation of Rubén Sánchez is based on his status as a youth academy product and his performances in the final stretch of last season. The 25-year-old defender earned a starting spot towards the end of the campaign, starting in four of the last five matchdays. His versatility to play as a right-back or in more advanced wide roles adds to his profile. The Barcelona club believes that, in a market where homegrown players are scarce, his price should be around one million euros. If a sale does not materialise before September 1st, Monchi has said Sánchez will be "another player in the squad", though his role under González appears limited.
What offers has the player received so far?
Prior to Elche's interest, the player was very close to joining Greek side PAOK Salonica, managed by Italian Alessio Lisci. The Greek club had reached an initial agreement with Espanyol and offered €400,000 for the transfer. They even committed to increasing the offer to €600,000 if they qualified for European competition. However, PAOK's elimination in the Conference League preliminary round by Norway's Brann (3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 first leg) ended the deal. The offer now presented by Elche CF, superior to PAOK's initial bid, has been the next to arrive but also failed to convince Espanyol's sporting direction.
How would Sánchez fit into the Elche squad?
The potential signing of Rubén Sánchez would address a sporting need for Elche, who are facing a difficult start to the La Liga season. The team is 19th in the standings, with just one point from three games and a record of zero wins, one draw and two losses. Their next fixture is a home match against 12th-placed Real Sociedad on September 7th, as listed on our fixtures page. With three goals scored and nine conceded (-6 goal difference), the defence is an area requiring reinforcement. Sánchez would bring top-flight experience and versatility to a right flank the coaching staff is looking to strengthen. Fans can track the squad's composition on our squad page.
What will happen in the next 72 hours?
The outcome of this operation will be known in less than 72 hours, when the transfer window slams shut. Elche CF must decide whether to improve their initial offer to meet Espanyol's €1 million demand or to look for alternatives in another position. The Ilicitano club, who are six points behind leaders Atlético Madrid, urgently need points to climb out of the relegation zone. Every decision in this late market could have a direct impact on the battle for survival, the status of which can be checked on the standings page. The window is closing and the ball is now in Elche's court.
