Rayo Vallecano have announced the signing of Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas, a player Arsenal were reportedly interested in recruiting in the January transfer window.
The La Liga side confirmed the signing on their official website with Tomas returning to his former club on a long-term contract in a deal that only cost Rayo a reported £7m, a steal given that earlier reports in the year had quoted Arsenal at a reported £60m for the Spanish international.
The 27-year-old attacker was one of the best forwards in Spain last season with Tomas bagging 17 goals in the top-flight as interest from all over Europe came in from the then Espanyol striker, however, it was Rayo, of all clubs, who have won the race for the forward’s signature.
Labelled by Breaking The Lines as an ‘unorthodox’ striker’ given his size and his style of movement in the attacking third, Tomas was linked with a move to Arsenal in January as a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, though as now know, the Gunners failed to sign the Spaniard or even a striker all together in the winter window.
With Arsenal going on to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City and to renew Eddie Nketiah’s contract, it makes sense why the north London side didn’t reignite their efforts to bring Tomas to north London this summer, though there was still Premier League interest in the La Liga star.
Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bayern Munich were all reportedly linked with Tomas, as were Fulham when the forward’s price tag dropped way below Espanyol’s £60m valuation, yet it was Rayo, of all sides, who won the race for the striker in a deal that could be one of the best of the season.
Rayo Vallecano have landed a bargain signing in Spanish star Tomas
Tomas was one of the best strikers in La Liga last season and one of Europe’s breakout stars despite hitting the prime of his career, and for Rayo, they’ve landed quite the bargain considering Arsenal were once quoted £60m for the Spanish international.
With Tomas moving to a former club, as well, there’s a strong chance that the attacker can guide Rayo to an impressive finish in the Spanish top-flight this season, and for the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle, they will be fuming that they missed out on a bargain £7m signing for a striker as potent as the La Liga star.
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