Espanyol's shock signing could be Madrid's Jese Rodriguez
Espanyol's new project is serious and the club want to surround new manager Quique Sanchez Flores with players capable of moving them up the table. There are talks underway to sign many players, but the big target, the club's priority, is no other than Real Madrid's Jese Rodriguez. Espanyol have asked for a loan deal for one or two seasons, the player himself likes the option and Madrid could give the green light to a deal if they manage to renew him in the coming days. It's close.
The operation is brewing in Madrid. Jese's agent, Gines Carvajal, who also represents Quique Sanchez Flores, is in the process of closing a new deal at the Bernabeu, with the intention of extending the player's terms until 20121. After that, Madrid feel it would be good for the forward to play regular minutes at another club. Jese was seriously injured in 2014 and has not, since then, had continuity. There are no doubts about his quality at Madrid, but they can't give him the desired minutes. Therefore, Espanyol are seen as a good option. The cases of Jose Callejon, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio are proof that players progress at the Pericos and Jese could continue that path.
There could also be an option to buy in the future, while the loan deal could be for two years, as long as the player accepts. His name came up in a meeting held a couple of months ago between the club's new president Chen Yansheng and Florentino Perez, but things have accelerated in recent weeks. Jese's representatives have advised him to accept Espanyol's offer so that his career can progress.
Espanyol have also asked for Kiko Casilla, but everything suggests he will not leave Los Blancos. However, the Barcelona-based club are well positioned in the race for Diego Llorente, who spent this season on loan at Rayo Vallecano, while they're also waiting to see how Asensio's future develops. The midfielder would be open to a return to Cornella, but Madrid may want to keep him, although it's a matter which will be decided in August. Jese's future may be defined before then.
