Regarding Saidu, Real Zaragoza's head of football operations acknowledged that “there were options” for the player to leave. However, the move had to take place under satisfactory conditions. From a sporting perspective, Arantegui believes the team would have been weakened by the transfer.
“We are here to win promotion and we had to build the strongest and most powerful team possible. Saidu is young and will have more opportunities. He has to help us on the pitch, and we believe that, in order to fight with more resources, it was best for him to stay here,” Real Zaragoza's sporting director summed up.
THE WINTER WINDOW
He answered negatively when asked whether he was already looking ahead to the winter window, but acknowledged that his duty is to “work week by week and day by day across different markets”. The aim is to “be prepared for any eventuality” at Real Zaragoza.
“It is impossible for all 23 players to be happy in January. We will be ready and working to have options in every position. Hopefully, we will not have to bring anyone in during January, as that would be a good sign, but we are prepared,” Lalo Arantegui acknowledged.
SATISFIED
The sporting director acknowledged that he had not deviated from the proposed objective: a small squad with two players per position while leaving room for the academy. In addition, the human element is “important” at Real Zaragoza. Overall, Lalo Arantegui is “satisfied because the priority options have arrived”.
“There was nothing else to strengthen. We have completed what we wanted. A large squad prevents opportunities for the reserve team. This is what we wanted to create, starting from a blank sheet,” Real Zaragoza's sporting director concluded.
