La Liga returnees Granada have announced the loan signing of Real Madrid centre back Jesús Vallejo for the 2023-24 season.
Vallejo, who made four appearances in all competitions for los Blancos last season, playing just 88 minutes of football, is returning to Andalusia in search of more first team opportunities.
Returning, because the 26-year-old spent two seasons on loan at Granada from 2019-21, making 51 appearances. In both those campaigns, los Nazaríes finished in the top half, before suffering a downturn in form which resulted in relegation in 2022.
Looking to strengthen their defence after promotion last season, the arrival of a Real defender hungry to prove himself seems ideal business for Granada.
Since signing for Real Madrid in 2015, Vallejo has made just 31 appearances for the Spanish giants, having been loaned back to his first club, Real Zaragoza, and then to Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolverhampton Wanderers before his first spell at Granada.
Failure to make an impact in the last two years in the capital and willingness to send him on loan again shows he has not forced his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. With Álvaro Odriozola expected to depart for Real Sociedad, Vallejo’s departure is part of a wider trimming of Ancelotti’s defence taking place this summer.
With his current contract expiring in 2025, Real may look to finally sell the surplus defender next summer.
Anthony Tomas | GSFN
