Coached by Portuguese Pedro Martins, Al Gharafa is set to secure Joselu, with crucial assistance from Real Madrid. After a successful loan spell from Espanyol, Real Madrid exercised the 1.5 million euros purchase option for the 34-year-old forward, only to facilitate his move to Qatar.
Coached by Portuguese Pedro Martins, Al Gharafa is determined to secure Joselu for the next season.
To achieve this, the Qatari club is receiving crucial assistance from Real Madrid, the Spanish club where the forward played on loan from Espanyol.
The Catalan club, recently promoted to LaLiga, confirmed on Thursday that the European and Spanish champions have exercised the purchase option included in the 34-year-old forward's loan, which was set to expire on Sunday, paying 1.5 million euros to sign him permanently.
According to the newspaper As, this transaction is merely a way for the "Merengue" giant to facilitate Joselu's move to Qatar, with Al Gharafa paying the exact same amount for the services of the Spanish international, who is currently playing in Euro 2024 and is expected to receive a much higher contract than he had in Madrid.
Joselu was an unlikely hero in Real Madrid's journey to winning their 15th Champions League title last season, scoring twice against Bayern in the second leg of the semifinals. In total, he scored 18 goals and provided three assists in 49 matches played in the 2023/24 season.
The move is seen as beneficial for all parties involved. Real Madrid, by securing the 1.5 million euros from Al Gharafa, manages to streamline the transfer process for Joselu while ensuring he gets a lucrative opportunity in Qatar. For Joselu, this move promises a significant increase in his salary, offering him financial stability and a new challenge in his career.
Al Gharafa, on the other hand, gains a seasoned striker who has demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages. Under the guidance of Pedro Martins, Joselu is expected to bring his European experience and goal-scoring prowess to the Qatari club, helping them compete at a higher level domestically and potentially in Asian competitions.
Fans of Al Gharafa are eagerly anticipating Joselu's arrival, hopeful that his presence will strengthen their squad and lead to successful campaigns. Meanwhile, Real Madrid supporters appreciate his contributions during his brief but impactful stint, particularly his memorable performance in the Champions League.
As the deal progresses, Joselu's move to Al Gharafa is poised to be one of the notable transfers of the summer, highlighting the increasing trend of European players exploring opportunities in the Middle Eastern football leagues.
