Granada finally offloading Hongla with Aris loan deal nearly done
Granada CF set to resolve their Martin Hongla situation with a loan to Greek side Aris that includes a mandatory €1.3m purchase option, freeing up wage space for winter transfers.
Granada are on the verge of solving their Martin Hongla headache with the Cameroonian midfielder set to join Greek side Aris on loan with a mandatory purchase option.
Deal details emerging
After a frustrating summer where the club failed to move him on, Granada have finally found what appears to be a satisfactory solution for all parties. The loan agreement with Aris includes a mandatory purchase option of €1.3 million, with the deal expected to be officially announced in the coming days.
This arrangement allows the Andalusian outfit to offload a player clearly not in manager Pacheta’s plans while also freeing up one of the highest salary spots in the squad. The club has also shrewdly secured guaranteed income for next summer when the mandatory purchase kicks in.
The move effectively ends Hongla’s second spell at the rojiblancos, where he’s failed to deliver the goods that were expected of him. Bit of a mare, that one.
Relationship breakdown
Pacheta initially attempted to reintegrate Hongla into the squad, but a combination of poor performances and questionable attitude led to the Burgos-born coach dropping him from his plans. The situation reached its breaking point during the first round of the Copa del Rey when Hongla was left out of the squad entirely – a clear point of no return.
The midfielder has barely featured this season, clocking just 256 minutes of playing time. Talk about being frozen out!
Transfer implications
This departure gives Granada valuable wiggle room in the transfer market as they look to strengthen their squad with at least two or three new signings. Their priorities include:
- An attacking player
- A goalkeeper
- Potentially a midfielder
These reinforcements would bolster Pacheta’s options heading into the crucial second half of the season in Segunda División.
For Hongla himself, the Greek adventure offers a chance to revitalize his career after a distinctly underwhelming stint at Los Cármenes. Sometimes you just need a fresh start in this game, and both player and club will hope this solution works out for everyone involved.