Álvaro Núñez reveals deadline day drama: 'Deal looked dead an hour before signing'
Celta's new versatile defender Álvaro Núñez opens up about his nail-biting January transfer from Elche that went down to the final minutes of the window.
New Celta Vigo signing Álvaro Núñez has lifted the lid on his dramatic January transfer, revealing the deal nearly collapsed with just an hour to go before the window slammed shut.
Deadline day drama
The versatile defender, who joined from Elche, was officially presented to the media on Tuesday, eight days after completing his move to the Galician club. During the presentation, Núñez described the absolute madness of his transfer saga:
“It was a crazy January. I’d never experienced leaving a club mid-season before and honestly, I had a terrible time with all the stress. Everything was finally completed with just 10 minutes to spare before the deadline.”
In what sounds like proper deadline day chaos, Núñez revealed the deal appeared dead in the water with just an hour remaining:
“An hour before, it seemed the transfer had completely fallen through. We even told the lawyer it was off, but asked him to prepare the contracts anyway just in case it came back to life.”
The nail-biting finish left its mark, with Núñez admitting he fell ill the following day from the sheer tension of it all.
Versatility a key factor
Celta’s Director of Football, Marco Garcés, made it clear why they pushed so hard to sign the 26-year-old, highlighting his tactical flexibility:
“He gives us everything Claudio Giráldez wants in terms of versatility, dynamism, and multi-functionality. He can play in several positions, which perfectly aligns with our culture.”
Núñez himself confirmed his adaptability, noting he can operate:
- As a right wing-back
- On the left flank
- As a third centre-back
- Even in midfield when required
Injury management
The new signing addressed concerns about a pubic injury he’s been carrying, explaining it’s a long-term issue that hasn’t typically prevented him from playing:
“I’ve been dealing with it for years. It’s limited me at times but rarely stopped me completely. I had to pause in January because it coincided with an ankle sprain which aggravated the condition.”
He assured fans that surgery isn’t on the cards and that the club has already established a recovery plan to help him return to full fitness.
First impressions
Despite the transfer drama and fitness concerns, Núñez is clearly buzzing about his new surroundings. After watching his new teammates from the stands, he was blown away by the atmosphere:
“I was absolutely gobsmacked by the fans singing the anthem. The truth is, I’ve found a fantastic group here with a really close relationship between everyone.”