Loan plus purchase option
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has found Borja Iglesias as a replacement for the long-term injured Victor Boniface. The 31-year-old Spaniard is moving from Real Betis to the “Werkself” on loan for a rumored fee of 1.5 million euros until the end of the season, which also reportedly secured a purchase option worth 8 million euros in line with the market value.
With a view to a signing in the winter, sports director Simon Rolfes said in the Transfermarkt interview: “We are looking closely and will certainly not sign anyone for actionistic reasons.” It therefore has to be a player “who gives us sporting opportunities for the second series, but at the same time “It also fuels the team spirit and doesn’t thwart it.” Originally there was talk that a variable offensive force could come. Rolfes recently emphasized that they were “not necessarily looking on the nine”. Now the choice fell on the classic striker type Iglesias.
“With his footballing profile, Borja Iglesias can fill the gap left by Victor’s absence,” explained Rolfes. “He is physically strong, holds a lot of balls, is confident in combinations, doesn’t shy away from a tackle and has a good goal finisher. With him we have the necessary attack options to continue our successful path.”
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The attacker has played for Real Betis since 2019, which signed him from Espanyol Barcelona for a fee of 28 million euros, making him the second most expensive purchase in the club’s history. Iglesias played 181 games for the Andalusians and contributed 52 goals and twelve assists. He made his debut for the Spanish national team in September 2022, but has since lost a lot of importance in coach Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis team. While there were 15 goals in 35 LaLiga games last season, Iglesias is only used as a substitute this season and has failed to score in eleven appearances. As a result, its market value fell by 17 million euros last year.
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