The transfer window closes this Thursday at 23:59, and Elche CF, spearheaded by Christian Bragarnik, mounted a late bid to sign Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. The Moroccan winger, who rose through several youth ranks, has been the subject of intense speculation as clubs in La Liga vied for his services.
The promises of a move to Valladolid, under Robert Pacheta, were overshadowed by a surge from Osasuna, who emerged as serious contenders. At one point, it seemed a deal could be sealed and the player might wear red for Pamplona. Agreements in principle circulated, with Barcelona and Osasuna being assured that negotiations would culminate in a transfer to their colors.
However, in a twist that kept everyone on their toes, Elche stepped into the fray with the Franjiverde group’s lead investor ready to commit substantial funds to acquire the young talent. From a very young age, Ezzalzouli had harbored a dream of representing his hometown club, Elche, a city he arrived in from Morocco with his family when he was seven. The Elche representatives followed his development closely, and the sentimental pull toward the club where he spent his formative years could influence his final decision away from Osasuna.
Late Tuesday evening, a lengthy discussion between Bragarnik and Ezzalzouli’s representatives stretched into the early hours. If Barcelona, Elche, and the player’s advisors can finalize the terms, a settlement could be reached and announced on the day itself.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, born December 17, 2001, in Beni Mellal, Morocco, moved to Elche’s district Carrús at age seven. He began in the club’s youth setup before advancing to Elche Promesas and eventually joining Hercules. At 18, he joined Herculaneum, where he debuted and established himself as a standout in Segunda B. About a year ago, Ramon Plans scouted him and facilitated a transfer from Barcelona for two million euros to join the reserve team.
Barça’s financial struggles delayed a full integration into the first team, allowing the player to debut earlier than anticipated under Koeman. Last season he appeared in ten league matches, scoring once. This preseason, he trained under Xavi, who faced a crowded frontline involving Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati’s recovery, Dembele, and Ferrán Torres, limiting immediate first-team opportunities despite his clear potential.
Barcelona currently holds a contract through 2026 and intends for him to continue his development in the top flight, a path that could benefit both the player and the club.
Ezzalzouli can operate on either wing, a profile that aligns with the preferences of coach Francisco and the Elche sports commission. Elche initially believed a substantial loan investment would be needed to secure him, but Bragarnik is prepared to push through a direct recruitment, with Elche’s majority shareholder determined to outbid Valladolid and Osasuna for his services in the race to safeguard their league status.
Names like Lucas Boyé and Mojica also feature in the ongoing dialogue, but no concrete action is expected at Elche beyond finalizing the Abde deal on Sunday. The possibility of adding a defender, though, has not been dismissed.
The prospect of parting ways with Lucas Boyé and Mojica has cooled in recent hours, with indications pointing toward their continued presence in Elche’s squad. Sevilla, meanwhile, showed interest in a striker but reportedly did not meet the minimum €15 million asking price set by Bragarnik. Denmark’s Kasper Dolberg was linked to Seville as an alternative, arriving in the city recently.
Regardless of the developments, executives at Martínez Valero have not ruled out last-minute surprises in these closing hours. The transfer bell is about to ring, and Elche remains relatively calm, trusting that its two key assets, Boyé and Mojica, will stay put unless a major, unexpected move materializes. Any decision to sign Abde or a defender could significantly sharpen the squad for the remainder of the season.
The window’s final moments promise real drama, and Elche is positioned to respond quickly to any opportunity. The club’s leadership has shown a willingness to go further in the market to strengthen the squad, while other teams monitor developments with growing anticipation. The outcome will hinge on whether the last-minute negotiations yield a clear path to registration before the deadline, and whether the competing clubs can finalize terms that satisfy all parties involved.
The transfer window is set to close this Thursday at 23:59, and Elche stands ready to pursue a bold, last-minute move that could reshape their season and potentially alter the balance of power in the race for La Liga stability.