Tsygankov refuses to play as Girona crisis deepens

Girona faces a retention crisis in the final weeks of the summer transfer window, with half a dozen players eyeing the exit door. Tsygankov stands out among them, his defiance laid bare in the opening league match against Leganés.

The Ukrainian winger, who requested a free transfer at the start of summer with the club demanding a minimum of €10 million, refused to participate in the league debut. According to MARCA, after being included in the squad, Tsygankov declined to change into kit and sat in the stands alongside other outcasts like Ounahi and Van de Beek.

A departure increasingly out of reach

Manager Quique Álvarez publicly exposed the situation, laying bare a conflict that now leaves the Ukrainian in a dead end. His act of indiscipline further strains a squad already dealing with multiple departures.

Beyond Tsygankov, Girona negotiates the exits of Arnau Martínez (advanced agreement with Valencia), Alex Moreno (targeted by Rayo Vallecano), and Iván Martín, who has received top-flight offers. Uncertainty surrounds a team that has just been relegated and is fighting to keep its core intact.