Nilmar Close to Internacional Return!

Villarreal's most expensive signing ever if I'm not mistaken, at around €9M.

That figure itself is a tribute to Villarreal's shrewdness in the transfer market.

Riquelme, Forlán, Senna, Cazorla, Rossi & co. ... all for under that price.

Nilmar and Rossi were way too good a pairing for Spain's 2nd division. I imagine a lot of their players will have pushed for a move. Surprised Borja Valero hasn't gone yet. On the other hand, Villarreal will desperately need to cut their wage bill. Wouldn't surprise me if Rossi's salary alone amounted to as much as their gate receipts or tv revenue in the 2nd div.




And yep, RIP Preciado - the response across Spain was overwhelming. He was a truly likeable character.

Rossi, is certain to leave too, I think. They should have sold him instead of Cazorla last season, may have kept them up.

The problem with Rossi is that I don't think he'll have any takers right now, as he's still got about 6 months left before returning from his latest ACL injury.

Someone might take a risk and take him on loan during the winter window, which I imagine would be helpful for Villarreal as at least they wouldn't have to cover his wages, but by the time Villarreal are able to sell him on, his value in the transfer market will have plummeted for sure.

It seems opportunistic in hindsight, but I'd definitely have sold Rossi and kept Cazorla. Thier market prices may have been similar at the time, maybe Rossi could have fetched even more, and imo Cazorla was a much bigger influence on the team's overall game and more of what the Yanks call a "franchise player" - more emblematic and, above all, more committed to the club (remember when he snubbed Real Madrid to stay with them?).

I agree.

I don't know what Rossi's wages are, but I know that they will be too much for Villarreal if they are playing in the second tier. His value will decrease, and there are no guarantees that once he has recovered from his injury that he will be the same player again?

Therefore, it'd make sense to probably try and sell Borja Valero.

Though, I still think Rossi will definitely leave in January.