The winter transfer window closed on January 31. Clubs with unfilled licenses and free slots in La Liga can add late arrivals if the players are unemployed and not currently tied to any team. This is the situation at Elche CF, which still has two open roster spots.
Elche closes the market with the signing of Nteka and the departure of Domingos Quina
In this context, there is no immediate plan to recruit a veteran to help toward the end of the season or to prepare for the next, whether in the first or second division. Player agents are exploring options for unemployed players, and the Franciverde foundation’s sports commission is keeping an eye out for interesting opportunities.
Elche announced on Wednesday that Senegalese midfielder Pape Cheikh attended a training session to be evaluated by coach Pablo Machín and his staff. The player had been without a club since terminating his contract with Aris Thessaloniki in Greece in December.
Diop, born in Senegal, moved to Spain at a young age and holds dual citizenship. He is 25 years old and was once regarded as one of the club’s brightest talents. As a youngster, he trained with the Spain national youth teams, including the under-19 and under-21 squads, during his early years at Celta and then attracted attention from European clubs.
His career later took him to the United States in the 2017-2018 season with Olympique Lyon, before returning to Celta on loan a couple of seasons later. He subsequently played for Dijon in France’s top division. After ending his contract with Olympique Lyonnais, he signed a two-year deal with Aris in Greece, where he appeared in ten league matches and four Conference League fixtures.
Last December, after six months in Greek football, he agreed to terminate his contract and wait for an opportunity in Spain as a free agent. Elche’s option emerged, and the club’s sporting director and coach will now decide whether to pursue him, a decision that must be approved by the club owner. The potential move would be guided by the needs of the squad and the availability of a suitable slot.
The midfielder primarily operates in front of the defense. In the current Elche setup, there is room for a player in that position, with Omar Mascarell as a core option. Raúl Guti and Gerard Gumbau can also cover there, although Gumbau recently played in the final minutes of the last match against Villarreal. The club’s plan involved exploring a trade that could involve Tete Morente moving to Málaga in exchange for N’Diaye, broadening tactical choices for Machín.
So far, only one notable offer has appeared for the Senegalese player, who will undergo a test with Elche in the next training session. If he regains the form he showed in his early days at Celta and his initial year with Olympique Lyon, he could fit into Elche’s plan. All eyes remain on the decision, with the coaching staff and the sporting director assessing whether his profile aligns with the team’s needs and the league’s demands.