Getafe have moved decisively to address a growing shortage in midfield, emerging as frontrunners in the race to sign Villarreal playmaker Ilias Akhomach during the current transfer window.
With injuries and limited depth stretching the squad thin, the Madrid-based club are prioritising reinforcements and have opened advanced discussions with Villarreal over the availability of the Moroccan international.
Akhomach, once regarded as one of Barcelona’s most promising academy graduates, has been made available this month, attracting interest from several La Liga sides.
Alavés are also monitoring the situation, but reports in Spain indicate Getafe are leading the chase and increasingly confident of striking an agreement. Villarreal remain protected by a contract that runs until 2027, giving them leverage as talks continue.
Any decision, however, is expected to be delayed until Akhomach returns from international duty. The 20-year-old is currently representing Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, and neither player nor club are keen to rush negotiations until his tournament commitments are concluded and he is back in Spain.
Getafe’s urgency has been underscored by the stark assessment offered by head coach José Bordalás, who has openly acknowledged the strain on his squad.
Speaking on Friday, Bordalás delivered a candid reflection on his current predicament. “I’m sad, I don’t deserve what’s happening. I’m a coach who’s always been labeled as someone who gets results, but when you sharpen a pencil, it eventually wears down, and we’ve worn it down, there’s no pencil left.
“That’s the reality. I don’t deserve this, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
