Girona (foto: Getty Images)
Girona is preparing for the Champions League with potential record signings of Czech defender Ladislav Krejčí and Uruguayan winger Luciano Rodríguez.
After a historic season, Girona is not resting on its laurels, despite securing a spot in the Champions League. Bolstered by funds from the City Group, to which the club belongs, Girona's management aims to strengthen the team for their debut in Europe's premier competition and prove that last season's success was no fluke.
Spanish media reports suggest that Montilivi Stadium is planning to bring in eight to ten players, with the number potentially increasing depending on departures. The first two names linked to Michel's team have been mentioned for weeks, and an agreement is reportedly very close. The players in question are 25-year-old Sparta Prague defender Ladislav Krejčí and 20-year-old Uruguayan winger Luciano Rodríguez from Liverpool (Uruguay).
Girona will have to wait for the arrival of Krejčí due to his participation with the national team at the European Championship in Germany. Meanwhile, Rodríguez was surprisingly left out of coach Marcelo Bielsa's squad for the upcoming Copa América. Girona will need to pay a transfer fee for both players, and both amounts are expected to surpass the club's previous record, set when they paid €8 million to Dnipro for Artem Dovbyk last year.
The price for Krejčí, who can play both as a central defender and a defensive midfielder, is reportedly €12 million, while Rodríguez's transfer fee is mentioned to be €15 million.
The young Uruguayan has already scored seven goals in 19 matches in the domestic league this season. Similarly, Krejčí has been effective in his defensive role for Sparta, tallying 11 goals and seven assists last season.