The deadline day sale of Spain defender Nacho Monreal to Arsenal has been a major blow to Malaga and reveals the delicate state of their financial situation, caoch Manuel Pellegrini said on Saturday.
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The 26-year-old left back agreed a long-term-contract with the Premier League club on Thursday, shortly before the January transfer window closed.
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'' Monreal's exit is a very sad moment for the team '', Pellegrini told a news conference, ahead of the visit of Real Zaragoza in La Liga. '' It deprives us of a very important player who performed to the highest standards.
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'' Unfortunately the reality of the club is what it is, and there is no way of hiding it. It was an option that came up at the last minute, and the club thought it was appropriate ''.