Drama as transfer deadline nears: Victor Ruiz to Zenit?

In the last day or so Zenit St.Petersburg has made an approach to Villarreal for Victor Ruiz. Word is they have offered €10m, we want €15m, and besides we need to find a centerback who can replace Ruiz at short notice.

Zenit is playing in the Europa League qualifiers today (they take a 3-1 lead to Norway against Ole Gunnar Solksjær’s Molde FK) so it could be whether they raise their offer—and Ruiz’s interest in joining them—will depend on that outcome.

Also it’s being reported we would like to bring Vicente Iborra back to Spain—he’s currently with Leicester City and we are trying to arrange a loan. Iborra is a fine defensive midfielder—he would provide cover for Bruno’s recovery as well as Javi Fuego’s. He’s younger than either, so a loan as a prelude to an eventual sale would not be a bad thing in my book.

Nahuel Leiva has apparently picked up an injury in training so will not be in the squad for the Girona match. I say ‘apparently’ because, interestingly enough, Girona are reported to be intetested in taking him on loan. However, Villarreal has said they are unwilling to send him anywhere until he negotiates a new contract (his current one expires next summer).