The excellent relations that Martín Presa, president of Rayo Vallecano, maintains with FC Barcelona have allowed Joan Laporta to close today a signing that Barça has been pursuing for months.
It is not a renowned footballer, but one with great performance. Deco has not overlooked his excellent season and has had him as one of his priority targets in terms of signings.
Héctor Fort doesn't quite convince Hansi Flick, who has asked the technical secretariat for a right-back to compete with Jules Koundé and give him rest in rotations.
The chosen one is the Romanian international Andrei Ratiu, a full-fledged 26-year-old wing-back who tirelessly runs up and down the flank. He is the type of player Hansi Flick likes in that position.
5 Million and a Barça Academy Player
In defense, he behaves with strength like a center-back and asserts himself. And when he overlaps, he becomes a winger capable of surprising the opponent with his precise crosses. Today, against Barça in Montjuïc, he will have the opportunity to shine in front of his next team.
Barça has gotten ahead of Atlético de Madrid, Villarreal, and Aston Villa, who were also after him, but Laporta has secured him for Barça. The signing will not be released until the end of the current season.
Ratiu's release clause, whose contract with Rayo ends in 2028, is 25 million euros. But that will not be the amount Barça will pay.
The operation will be closed for 5 million and an academy player from a shortlist that Barça will offer. Among them will be Héctor Fort.
Rayo Asked for 10 Million
Rayo did not go below 10 million, but the inclusion of Fort in the operation has allowed the agreement to be closed satisfactorily.
Ivan Ratiu arrived in Spain at 6 years old, and Villarreal captured him at 15, although he only played in yellow once. He went to Huesca and from there to Rayo. Although Villarreal has always maintained 50% of his rights, so it will receive half of the total amount of the operation.
This season he has played 22 matches with Rayo Vallecano, and in 20 of them as a starter. He has scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists to his teammates.