The UD Almería CEO explained at a press conference: 'We also need the money now for expenditure on the Stadium and the Sport Complex’, while stressing: 'Good players can be signed for a lower price’
UD Almería CEO Mohamed El Assy held a press conference to assess the Club’s recent summer transfer window and discuss a number of issues surrounding the current situation. As is customary, he spent 45 minutes answering all the questions put to him by the media.
Asked about the arrivals and departures within the squad, and whether the Club had spent less this season than in previous campaigns, he explained: ‘We've to meet structural costs for the Stadium and the Sports Complex, so we need to allocate money to these projects. We were signing players at high prices, but we realised we could bring in good players for less. We’re very happy with the signings we’ve made under this new strategy.’
The UD Almería CEO went on to underline that the current squad has everything required to compete for the Club’s objective: promotion to the Primera division.
Despite this, UD Almería will continue with its philosophy of developing and selling players. ‘Since we arrived, we've been 8th or 9th in the sales rankings, including clubs from both the first and second divisions,’ he said, before adding: ‘We need to maintain those figures and reduce our expenditure in order to make savings in the budget and continue with our strategy of improving the Club.’
In Mohamed El Assy’s view, the failure to secure promotion last season, together with the relatively limited parachute payments provided by LaLiga, has led the Club’s management to explore different approaches.
On the financial situation, El Assy was keen to make it clear: 'This change in our financial and transfer-market strategy helps us achieve our objective. Promotion would solve everything. Last season we didn’t have the luck, but we came very close. With this new scenario in the top tier, together with improved commercial opportunities and increased revenue from the new infrastructure, all these financial issues will be resolved.’
Mohamed El Assy also wanted to reassure the fans: ‘I’d like to tell the fans that there is nothing to worry about because we have the support of the members of the Board, although our job is to ensure that we don’t have to depend on them through player sales and sponsorship deals. We've never failed to make a payment to employees, suppliers or other clubs.’
The Club CEO was also asked about Sergio Arribas and explained: ‘The global transfer market hasn’t been particularly strong this season, perhaps because of financial difficulties. Arribas attracted interest from a great many clubs, but the final offer never arrived for different reasons.’
When asked whether the player could leave during the January transfer window, he replied: ‘We have a financial valuation of him, and the player himself is aware of it. We’re not going to go looking for anyone. We’ll see what happens.’ He was clear about the importance of the midfielder: ‘With him, we’ll be much stronger, but without him the squad is also great and we’ll be ready to fight for our objective.’
With the UD Almería Stadium currently undergoing the second phase of its redevelopment, El Assy was also asked about the progress of the Sports Complex project. ‘The municipal licence will be in place in January. We're ready and the financing is in place,’ he explained, meaning work will begin as soon as all the bureaucratic procedures have been completed. The Club is eagerly awaiting the relevant permits.
Mohamed El Assy also had words of praise for Club President Mohamed Al Khereiji: ‘He remains very enthusiastic and continues to help, as do other investors such as Mr Naif and Cristiano Ronaldo. There's commercial support and he'll continue coming to matches to support the team. We're very grateful for his help.’
During the 45-minute press conference former head coach Rubi’s departure was also discussed. The UD Almería Managing Director explained: ‘He had signed for 2 seasons, with a third optional season in the event of promotion to the top flight. He's a historic head coach for UD Almería. We worked together for 4 years and have an excellent relationship. I wish him all the best and we thank him for everything he did for us.’