Elche CF is prioritizing the renewal of four players whose contracts expired on June 30: Pedro Bigas, Gerard Gumbau, Helibelton Palacios, and Josan Ferrandez.
With Bigas, the club acted quickly and secured an extension for two additional seasons. The negotiations with the other three are more complex, and no decisive breakthrough is expected in the near term.
Pedro Bigas will fight for promotion
Both Gumbau and Palacios have asked for time to consider their options and are eager to decide soon so they can continue playing next season. Palacios, a Colombian right-back, has drawn attention from clubs in South America and Europe as he considers where to take his career next. His recent performances helped keep him on Elche’s radar as a potential renewal candidate.
Palacios: “My wish is to continue in Europe, let’s see what kind of door will open”
Josan’s situation is likewise delicate, though his aim remains to stay with Elche. Discussions between Elche’s sports commission and the federation have begun, with representation from the Crevillente player involved. Positions are still somewhat distant, and Elche awaits a counteroffer from the player’s representative. Josan is among the lower-paid players on the current roster, and like many teammates last summer, his salary did not rise. He hopes to continue in the green jersey for a seventh consecutive season, but not at any price. He will turn 34 this December and knows this could be one of his last chances to secure a strong contract.
Josan contributed to a season that saw Elche finish well in the league, despite a pair of injuries between December and January. He appeared in 25 games and was versatile, operating as a right-back, a winger, or an attacking winger. In the final days of the season, several outlets listed him in the starting XI for LaLiga Santander, a sign of his value to the team. The coach approved his renewal based on those performances.
Beccacece: “Today we invited Josan to continue at Elche”
Josan is an athlete who prioritizes physical conditioning, preparation, and nutrition. He remains convinced that he still has years of high-level football ahead and does not want to waste them. His desire is to stay with Elche as long as the club values his contribution.
His contract expires and his release is planned for June 30. Several Second Division clubs have shown interest, including Cartagena and Real Zaragoza, offering higher sums and longer deals than Elche’s initial proposal. Crevillente, a nearby club, is a destination he dislikes because it would keep him too close to home.
Negotiations are ongoing. A first contact has occurred, and for a deal to happen, Elche will need to refine its offer. Both sides believe a balance can be found for a player loved by the fans who feels deeply connected to the club, though the path to agreement remains challenging.