Wolves finally relented and allowed Fer López to return to Celta Vigo this week. The Spanish side had been very confident of the return ahead of the January market.
That confidence verged on cockiness and a very favourable deal was expected from the Premier League club. Indeed, as far as Celta Vigo were concerned, Wolves were set to continue to pay a chunk of Fer López’s salary whilst on loan.
At the beginning of January, the player himself encouraged that confidence via social media. The 21-year-old posted an image of himself wearing Celta’s kit on social media, and used Kanye West’s Homecoming track in the background.
That was on January 2nd, and the confirmation was expected to be just a few days away.
Wolves understandably decided they didn’t want to play the game by Celta Vigo’s rules. Since then Jorge Mendes has been working to find a way around the impasse. Subsequently, Celta Vigo are set to pay more than they wanted and Fer López himself will take a wage cut.
The loan will last until the end of the season, at least initially. Inevitably there’s been Spanish chatter about whether the transfer to Wolves was the wrong decision in the first place.
Fer López had other options, but Celta Vigo went for the biggest payday, and the player himself pushed for the Wolves move.
Why Wolves move wasn’t a waste of time
Now the youngster has insisted those who believe it was all a waste of time are incorrect.
Speaking to Celta Vigo’s official channels, and via Mundo Deportivo, he explained: “I know for sure that I didn’t waste my time there. Physically, all the players in that league are athletes, so training and competing with them helps you improve. Furthermore, the club also demands a lot from you in terms of physical conditioning. In that sense, I’ve taken a step forward.”
Celta Vigo are seventh in La Liga and have a good chance of qualifying for Europe. This loan transfer is seen as a boost for that objective.
“I’m very happy to be back home, and I hope I can get started as soon as possible because I’m really eager. I’m very excited and want to help the team as much as possible.”
