Mohamed El Assy: Turki Alalshikh invests more than the Club earns

UD Almería Managing Director Mohamed El Assy has reflected on the latest news ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 season, answering questions from the journalists during a press conference after the one heald to officially present new head coach Vicente Moreno.

The Rojiblancos' CEO stressed: 'All of us who are part of the Club have to be grateful to Turki Alalshikh and satisfied that he's at UD Almería because he invests more than the Club earns with regard to new players, infrastructures, donations…' 

Mohamed El Assy addressed all the issues that were raised:

Transfers: 'We already have young players with a bright future ahead. Now we're looking for footballers with experience like Édgar González. We have to reinforce the positions of César de la Hoz and Portillo, who won't continue, as well as a goalkeeper with experience in Primera Division so intra-squad competition makes Fernando Martínez and Diego Mariño even better.'  

Vicente Moreno's deal: 'It has a clause of one more season if the objective is achieved, which is securing top-flight survival. Getting relegated to Segunda División is not in our plans, so he'll remain with us.'

El Bilal Touré: 'We're negotiating the best for the Club and for him. If any club offers what we ask for, he'll leave. Otherwise, he'll stay. Contacts are more advanced than last season with Sadiq, so we won't have to wait until the very last minute.' 

Luis Suárez: 'It's been said that some clubs have shown interest in signing him, but he's told me that he wants to cast now roots in a place because he's tired of loans and transfers. He feels very comfortable in Almería and he wants to succeed here.'

Marciano: 'We're aware of the interest shown by Atlético de Madrid and we're open to making things easy to the players, but always for the economic value stipulated by the Club.'

Olivera, Appiah…: 'We've received 5 offers for Olivera. He left on loan so that he could pick match minutes and he's certainly standing out, which is what we look for when we have our players on loan. We'll look at the best. Appiah hasn't had the same luck, but there are also some clubs interested in him as in the other players who have also been loaned.'

Season ticket campaign: 'We're in the same numbers as a year ago. There's demand and 50% renewals in the North and South stands despite complaints. The online renewals are still open. It'll also be possible to do so in person as from Monday. We're happy.'

New North and South stands: 'The change is due to technical issues to gain time for the second phase of the Stadium remodelling works.'