Bayern Munich has been linked to Espanyol defensive midfielder Marc Roca several times during this transfer window, but it looks like Roca’s release clause could be the issue. According to information from SPOX, the €40 million fee is currently too high for Bayern Munich and Espanyol is still thoroughly unwilling to budge from that number. SPOX labelled Bayern Munich’s plan to acquire Roca as “on hold”:
According to information from SPOX and Goal, the efforts of Munich to acquire the Spanish U-21 European champion are now on hold. The fixed transfer fee of 40 million Euros for the six-man is obviously too high for FC Bayern, especially as Espanyol is not willing to negotiate under any circumstances.
Former Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias was allowed to transfer to Real Betis because the Andalusians withdrew his release clause of 28 million euros. The transfer of Iglesias, officially announced on Wednesday, reduced the Bavarians’ chances of getting Roca even further, as the Catalans are no longer dependent on further income in this transfer period and continue to insist on the 40 million.
There has been much clamor for Roca among Bayern Munich fans, but Espanyol’s stance has been consistent over the past three weeks when we last received word that the Spanish club would not negotiate off of that number.