Cast your mind back to January. Arsenal, having grown tired of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang making headlines for all the wrong reasons, were in the market for a new number nine. But, as the Gunners would discover, a combination of that so-called ‘Premier League tax’ – plus the precariousness of the winter window – can have rather expensive repercussions for a transfer target’s market value.
“Arsenal called for Raul de Tomas,” Espanyol director Jose Maria Duran admitted at the time. “But we didn’t even want to talk. We won’t let him go now, no way.
“His release clause is 75m euros (£60m).”
Espanyol’s reticence was certainly understandable. Though sitting pretty in mid-table, this was no time for complacency. A sudden drop-off in form and the foul stench of the relegation may would soon be hanging over Espanyol heads. A drop-off that quite possibly would have accompanied the sale of a striker who, come June, would have scored more goals than anyone else in the division bar Karim Benzema, Iago Aspas and Vinicius Junior.
Arsenal were quoted £60 million for Raul de Tomas
It was always likely then that ‘RDT’ would be available for a reduced fee at the season’s end. When Espanyol were safe from the drop. And when they had ample time to secure a replacement.
His eye-watering wages, meanwhile, plus a disagreement with new head coach Diego Martinez, meant a summer departure felt inevitable for some time; De Tomas’ future overshadowing Espanyol’s pre-season preparations.
But accepting a reduced fee is one thing. Selling De Tomas for an initial £7 million – with four years remaining on his contract – was an altogether more surprising development. As was his eventual return to Rayo Vallecano on deadline day. For whatever reason, the likes of Sevilla and Real Sociedad – to name but two sides in need of a reliable penalty-box presence – left one of La Liga’s, let’s say, smaller clubs with a free run at a man who finished on the Golden Boot podium just a couple of months ago.
Rayo Vallecano, AS claim, will pay just £7 million up front. Because his transfer did not take place before the September 1st deadline, however, De Tomas is unavailable until January; his World Cup hopes going up in smoke.
One things for certain, however; De Tomas is definitely worth the money. And chances are he’ll be worth the wait too.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
