Villarreal roundup, May 25

Quick notes:

Manu Trigueros, who played in pain most of the last six weeks of the season, has had his sports hernia operated on in Germany. He should be ready for most of the preseason.

Rodri Hernandez officially left Villarreal (actually, the transfer is official June 30). We should get €24-25m from his sale when you include the variables (which should be easily attained). That would make him the most expensive sale if you consider only players who spent time in our cantera (Rodri, 25m; Santi Cazorla, 23m; Musacchio, 18m). Rodri is not part of the official World Cup squad but was one of the players added for the friendly in Vila-real against Switzerland.

Dani Raba may not be available for the second leg of Villarreal B’s playoff tomorrow—he has an ankle injury. I have not seen the team list for this one yet, so don’t know if he’s on it.

I’m not going to say it’s done until it’s announced, but the French press has said Toko Ekambi is indeed joining Villarreal. Hoffenheim offered €20m, we offered only €18m (though some reports have us matching the 20, which seems reasonable), and so Angers has agreed to let Ekambi join us. SCO Angers, in case you are unaware, only has a budget of around €30-35m/year so selling a player for €18-20m is indeed hitting the jackpot—even if Ligue Un survival will be tougher now.

And Sara Monforte, a native of Castellón, has signed to become the new coach of our Feminina A, the top Villarreal women’s side. Ms. Monfrte has just retired after a 19-year career with various clubs including Levante, Valencia, Villarreal and Zaragoza, and was capped by Spain 11 times.

After a slow start, the Feminina A finished 8th in their 12-team regional group, and hopes to improve on that next year. Welcome, Sara!