Deportivo push for Juan Jesus as departures get priority

Deportivo are racing against the clock with just three days left in the transfer window, trying to trim the squad with players they no longer count on. At the same time, the club is looking for a final boost at left-back/left-sided centre-back by pursuing a senior left-footed centre-back. As Sport notes, the deal has turned difficult due to quota and salary cap constraints, so everything is being worked on at speed.

Deadline narrows options

The main names being considered are Juan Jesus (currently free agent), Lilian Brassier (from Stade Rennais) and Nathan Zézé (from NEOM). However, Sport says Deportivo cannot make any deal final until they manage to move on players including José Ángel, Charlie Patiño or Dani Barcia—the window is closing, and registration room is the biggest bottleneck.

Sport also says Brassier has been in talks for days with Eintracht Frankfurt, with every sign pointing to a move to the Bundesliga for a fee in the €10–12m range—figures Deportivo feel they cannot afford late in the process.

Juan Jesus becomes the next push

The most realistic route appears to be Juan Jesus. According to the journalist Fabrizio Romano (as cited by Sport), the 35-year-old Brazilian has an agreement with Venezia to sign for one season, with an option for another. Even so, Sport adds that Deportivo—and also Udinese—have tried to bring him in.

The third option, Nathan Zézé, would be a loan from NEOM. Before any signing can be completed, Sport lists several potential exits: Dani Barcia (Tenerife, Las Palmas, Córdoba and Utrecht), Charlie Patiño (Bochum or Ceuta) and José Ángel (Cádiz or Ceuta).

Deportivo are also working on the departure of Eric Puerto to Penafiel, but first they need to create space. Meanwhile, the club has already added Leo Román, Ede Bright, Angeliño, Lorenzo Amatucci, Teun Gijselhart, Adama Traoré, Jonathan Asp-Jensen and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Álex Petxarroman, Mohamed Bouldini and Diego Gómez have left as well as several others whose contracts or loans ended without a purchase option.