Espanyol want to sign Lucas Vazquez on a permanent basis this summer but can’t get the €2m needed to take him from Real Madrid.
Lucas is on loan at Cornella-El Prat for the season and has been an important part of Sergio Gonzales’ team, to the point there is talk of a Spain call-up, Marca reports.
Espanyol recognise Lucas’ worth and have informally told Madrid they will exercise the option in the loan deal to sign him full-time, but can’t get together the money.
An initial payment of €1m would be due this summer, with a further €1m next year, but Espanyol are focused on repaying their debt to the Treasury and, as such, have nothing left over for Lucas or any other mooted signing.
The club has until May 30 to make their intentions official and Madrid would install a €4m buyback clause in the deal, but if the Catalans can’t free up the finances, they stand to miss out on the 23-year-old winger.
