Zaragoza pursues Jesús de Miguel but falls behind in transfer race

Real Zaragoza have reactivated their interest in Jesús de Miguel, Tenerife's striker, to strengthen their attack in Primera RFEF. According to Sport, the Aragonese club made a verbal proposal around €175,000, though the final fee could range between that figure and €200,000.

The problem for Zaragoza is that they are trailing in a highly competitive market battle. The Madrid-born forward, who was the top scorer with Castellón last season in the bronze category, has three other more consolidated options in Primera RFEF: Ibiza, Huesca and Mirandés, whose offers are already more advanced. Additionally, there are possibilities abroad that could tempt him.

The decisive week

The week starting Monday will be crucial for De Miguel's future. After overcoming pubic problems that hampered him throughout pre-season, the striker has already been training normally for two weeks and appears to be fully recovered. Zaragoza will look to take the definitive step, although De Miguel is still reluctant to drop from Segunda División. The player has known for some time about the interest from Lalo Arantegui and Ibai Gómez, Zaragoza's sporting directors, and shows willingness to join the whites if Tenerife accepts the deal.

De Miguel scored 11 goals and provided 7 assists in his first season on the island, proving instrumental in Tenerife's return to Segunda. The club signed him from Castellón a year ago for €75,000 plus another €75,000 in bonuses. As an alternative, Zaragoza have Joaquín Delgado, Oviedo's forward, in their pocket, though the player prefers the jump to professional football and has firmer options in Portugal and Poland.