Akhomach closes door on Espanyol move
Villarreal coach Íñigo Pérez trusts the Moroccan winger and rules out a departure to the Catalan side.
Ilias Akhomach's move to Espanyol is off the table. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Moroccan winger was one of the top targets in Espanyol's extreme flank operation, alongside Bryan Zaragoza. But the uncertainty surrounding his future is now resolved.
Íñigo's confidence
MD has learned that Villarreal has communicated to Ilias that he is in the club's plans for this season. Coach Íñigo Pérez, who already backed him during his time at Rayo Vallecano—where Akhomach featured in the Conference League final and recovered from a serious knee injury sustained in late 2024—is giving him another chance at the yellow submarine. The winger has already earned minutes in early fixtures, showing good form in the win over Galatasaray (1-2) and in the league opener against Racing (1-1).
The winger, who came through Barcelona's academy, will compete for a starting spot on the right flank with Nicolas Pépé. Espanyol, meanwhile, will need to find alternatives elsewhere in the market after missing out on this opportunity.
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