Real Madrid will sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Fran Garcia at the end of the season, as confirmed by coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday. The club had considered bringing in the defender during the January transfer window due to Ferland Mendy’s thigh injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. However, they ultimately decided to wait. Ancelotti explained, “It could have been an option, but we thought that Mendy’s injury could be short. We also thought it would be good for Fran Garcia to stay at Rayo to keep progressing and gaining experience.”
Rayo president Raul Martin Presa also confirmed that a deal had been reached in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, although neither club has made an official announcement yet. “Fran Garcia will go to Real Madrid at the end of the season; we reached a deal,” Presa stated. He added that Madrid’s intervention prevented Garcia from signing with German side Bayer Leverkusen during the winter window.
Despite having several injured full-backs, including Mendy, which has led to midfielder Eduardo Camavinga playing out of position on the left, Madrid opted to wait until the end of the season to sign Garcia. Presa praised Real Madrid’s conduct, saying, “The behaviour of Real Madrid is that of a very noble club. Out of respect for Rayo and so as not to harm us, they behaved in a gentlemanly fashion.” Garcia, 23, developed in Real Madrid’s academy before moving to Rayo in 2020 on loan, making the transfer permanent the following year.
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