Villarreal to play Wolves in August: N’Diaye in yellow again, more rumors

Villarreal are going to play a preseason friendly against Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) on August 4 at Molineux. That’s bostin! Hope some of our UK-based readers can make it.

Alfred N’Diaye is NOT going to be purchased by Wolves, and is returning to Villarreal, according to AS. Remember that he was purchased largely because Marcelino thought he could make him into a central defender; Calleja has not seen him so, especially with Bruno’s future in doubt, it makes sense for him to join us for preseason, unless we get a purchase offer right away (unlikely).

As far as can be ascertained, Gerard Moreno from Espanyol to Villarreal is definitely on, though as yet unnanounced—supposedly Espanyol may want the sale to ‘go through’ in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Espanyol’s sporting director has said only that “keeping him will be very difficult”, though.

Rumors in France that Stade Rennes have offered more money to Angers than we have for Karl Toko Ekambi, but Ekambi still wants to go to Villarreal. Supposedly everything is agreed except a few details, so....

Carlos Bacca still hopes to play for us, but there is a big difference between €8m, which we have offered, and €15.5m, which Milan wants. The situation is complicated by Milan now being investigated by UEFA for Financial Fair Play infractions, and the continued questions swirling around their Chinese owner, who may— or may not— be who he says he is and may—or may not—have any money to speak of. Bacca IS in the final Colombia squad for the WC, so doubtless Milan will wait until after the competition and hope other offers come in.

That hasn’t stopped other rumors from starting: Sergi Enrich from Eibar? Not too likely. Loren Moron from Betis? Even less likely. Both of these sound like rumors started by agents to get improved deals for their clients, especially the last one.

More names being thrown out: Lucas Martinez Quarta (River Plate), 22 year-old centerback. Same sort of profile as Alan Franco, I think, so makes sense if one is interesting us, the other might be too. (Or at least that someone would think so)