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More Rayo Vallecano news. And a loan report. (21st January, 2018)

Given that I said I would cover more Rayo news on this blog...

Click here for transfer news as of 13th January, involving ex-Rayo player Armenteros, Mehdi Lacen, Youssef En-Nesyri, and more.

But wait - there is more!
  • Gorka Elustondo has signed for the club. A piece on him is already up.

  • Edit: Abdulmajeed Al Sulayhim has also signed - a piece on the deal will also be up in the coming days.

  • 24-year-old Bruno Pittón, of Unión Santa Fe, is an Argentine left-back who has recently been linked to Rayo by the Argentine media. Seems unlikely, given that Raț is still in limbo at the club. Not to mention that Sergio Akieme hasn't got a look-in due to Álex Moreno. And don't forget that Javi Noblejas is out on loan at Córdoba.

  • Joni Montiel's playing time has been limited, and is looking for a way out. Loan deals involving Segunda B clubs are rumored, with Fuenlabrada and Ponferradina reportedly interested.



Rayo loan report

If Sergio Akieme can't get a look-in at Rayo, Javi Noblejas can't do the same at Córdoba. The 24-year-old has played just 17 minutes - in a 4-1 defeat to Tenerife, he came on for fellow left-back Víctor Mena. And Mena is a B team player. Dani Pinillos has been rock solid in that position - however, he has just moved to Barnsley, and have so far not yet signed a replacement. Which means Javi could get his chance to shine after all.

Another left-back, Johan Mojica, is on loan at Girona. He has been at the club since January 2017, has helped them to promotion, and is consolidating himself as a La Liga player. Four assists to his credit already, in 17 appearances, speak of a bright future ahead. Girona, can we swap Mojica for Raț?

Sadly, Mojica may not play for Rayo again. But Nacho Monsalve might, and he's fourth-choice center-back behind Sergio González, Diego Jiménez, and Julio Rodríguez (interestingly, also a former Barnsley player) at Recreativo in the Segunda B. He previously has only played in the Tercera, save for the 2014-15 season at Atlético Madrid B, and 90 minutes in La Liga with the first team in a 5-1 defeat of Real Betis. So seven games, six as a starter, is actually not that bad for a substitute. In fact, he was actually getting a good run of games, starting six consecutive games between the 11th jornada and the 16th. However, in the 16th game of the season, he was given a red card and a five-game ban for insulting the referee.

He has now served that ban, and will undoubtedly be looking to add to his appearances tally, rather than his disciplinary record of four yellows and one red.

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