Pablo Fornals to Villarreal: OFFICIAL

Pablo Fornals has returned home, in a manner of speaking. The Malaga midfielder, born in Castellón and a member of Villarreal youth teams in his early days before moving to his hometown side, has paid his recission clause and has joined Villarreal, signing a five-year deal.

Apparently his recission clause will be around €30m; if he turns out to be the player we think he can be, that’ll get renegotiated upward.

At the same time, Villarreal have given Jonathan dos Santos a little more time before reporting for duty, so many are thinking he will be leaving...though no firm destinations yet, and Jona has seemed quite happy in Vila-real (especially now he has a Spanish girlfriend). So we’ll see.

Fornals is being compared to Santi Cazorla in his style of play and his potential. That seems pretty awesome. He’ll be presented officially tomorrow.

Benvingut, Pablo! Welcome!