Osasuna's sporting director, Braulio Vázquez, has outlined the difficulties the club faces in the player transfer market. In statements on Thursday, Vázquez said the situation is "very complicated" due to the high fees demanded by other clubs.
The Navarrese club faces this scenario after a solid start to the season, sitting fifth in the La Liga table with seven points from two wins and a draw. The team has scored three goals and conceded only one, leaving them two points behind leaders Barcelona. This positive start is tempered by the current absences of Aimar Oroz, Jorge Herrando, and Valentin Rosier, details available on the injuries page.
Why is it so hard for Osasuna to sign players?
Braulio Vázquez detailed that several transfer deals that seemed close ultimately fell through due to financial demands. The director expressed moderate satisfaction with the current squad's possibilities, though he acknowledged that manager Luis Miguel Ramis would always prefer better players. The club's philosophy, however, remains focused on the primary objective of survival, far from other ambitions.
Vázquez identified up to twelve or thirteen teams fighting against relegation this season. In his analysis, he considered five or six La Liga squads to be weaker than Osasuna's. He also stressed the importance of valuing every point after last season's difficulties. The immediate schedule, which includes a trip to Real Sociedad on January 3rd, can be checked in the fixtures section.
What is the future of Ante Budimir at the club?
A key issue in medium-term planning is the situation of Croatian striker Ante Budimir. Aged 35 and with a contract ending this season, Vázquez described him as a legend and an example for Osasuna. "I don't know if he will stay," the sporting director admitted regarding a possible renewal, adding that the year after his departure will be very complicated for the team.
The potential exit of such an important figure underscores the need for shrewd market management, a challenge the Navarrese club finds increasingly tough. The current squad, despite its limitations, has shown its competitiveness in the early matchdays, as reflected in the standings.
How does the title fight and relegation battle look?
From Pamplona's perspective, the fight for the championship seems a two-horse race. Braulio Vázquez opined that Real Madrid and Barcelona could battle for the title with tallies around one hundred points. This forecast contrasts with Osasuna's more immediate reality of securing its top-flight status.
The director insisted the season will be long and that every match is a final. With a group that has shown defensive solidity, the goal is to maintain the positive line and accumulate points before the next winter transfer window opens. The next test will be against Real Sociedad, eleventh in the table, on January 3rd, 2027.
