Pulido saga heats up as defender seeks January Almería move
Jorge Pulido has agreed to join Almería on a free transfer in summer, but both player and club want the move to happen this January, leaving Huesca in a tough spot.
Veteran defender Jorge Pulido has reached an agreement with Almería for a summer move, but now wants Huesca to let him leave immediately in the January window.
Transfer standoff brewing
The 34-year-old central defender has already sorted his future by agreeing to join Almería on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Pulido has committed to a two-year deal with the Andalusian outfit.
But here’s where it gets proper interesting. Both Pulido and Almería fancy making this happen straight away rather than waiting six months. The player has formally requested Huesca grant him an early exit as a gesture of goodwill after nine loyal seasons at the club.
Huesca playing hardball
The situation’s turned into a right dog’s dinner with Huesca refusing to let their captain walk without significant compensation. They’re demanding what Almería consider excessive dosh for a player they’ll lose for free in June anyway.
Sources confirm Almería would be willing to splash up to half a million euros to secure Pulido’s immediate arrival – a figure they believe represents a fair deal for all parties involved.
Awkward scenes ahead?
Pulido’s camp fears the situation could turn nasty if Huesca dig their heels in. Once the Huesca faithful get wind that their long-serving captain has already agreed to scarper in the summer, home games could become rather uncomfortable for the defender.
This potential atmosphere could disrupt the team’s harmony for the remainder of the season – something Huesca might want to consider in their negotiations.
Plan B ready
While optimistic about landing their man, Almería aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket:
- Club officials have held multiple conversations with Huesca
- A Plan B central defender is lined up if the January move falls through
- Current defender Aridane appears to be on borrowed time regardless
The situation bears resemblance to Albacete’s handling of Morcillo, though the Castilla-La Mancha club has taken a more pragmatic approach by seeking to maximize their return while facilitating the player’s departure.