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Villarreal's Santi Comesana 'turned down deadline-day move to Bournemouth'

By Ben Sully | 27 February 2024

Villarreal's Comesana 'turned down deadline-day move to Bournemouth'

Bournemouth were reportedly unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Villarreal midfielder Santi Comesana in the winter transfer window.

Villarreal midfielder Santi Comesana reportedly rejected the chance to join Bournemouth in January.

The 27-year-old joined Villarreal on a free transfer last summer after spending seven years in Vallecas with Rayo Vallecano.

Comesana spent three of those seven years playing under current Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who built his managerial reputation with Los Franjirrojos.

During his time playing under Iraola, Comesana helped Rayo win promotion to La Liga and achieve back-to-back 11th-placed finishes.

Despite only joining Villarreal ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, Comesana was seemingly a target for Bournemouth in the recent winter transfer window.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola before the match on January 21, 2024 © Reuters

According to AS, Comesana turned down the opportunity to complete a switch to the Premier League and reunite with his former manager.

Prior to the January window, the former Rayo man had started just five of his first 11 La Liga appearances for the Yellow Submarine.

After failing to nail down a starting place in the first half of the season, Villarreal gave Comesana the chance to decide whether he wanted to accept Bournemouth's proposal, which reportedly arrived on the final day of the transfer window.

Comesana ultimately rebuffed Bournemouth's proposal and decided to stay in Spain and fight for his place in the Villarreal side.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on November 4, 2023 © Reuters

The midfielder has indicated his decision by forcing his way into Marcelino's plans to start each of Villarreal's last seven La Liga matches.

He netted his first league goals for the club at the weekend, scoring a brace in Friday's 3-1 away win over Real Sociedad.

Although Bournemouth were unable to secure Comesana's signature, they managed to prise one player away from La Liga before the transfer market slammed shut on February 1.

The Cherries signed Turkish striker Enes Unal from Getafe on a loan deal until the end of the season, with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met.