Right-back Andrei Ratiu is pushing for a departure from Rayo Vallecano before the transfer window closes. The 28-year-old Romanian, who did not play a single minute in the 5-2 loss to FC Barcelona, is seeking a transfer to advance his career.
Ratiu was on the bench at Spotify Camp Nou but was not in a position to enter the pitch. His desire to leave has intensified in recent hours, with Premier League side Fulham as his primary target. However, Rayo Vallecano, who sit 18th in La Liga with just one point from three games, have only a few hours left to manage a potential exit.
What offers has Rayo received for Ratiu?
The first formal offer for the defender came from Nottingham Forest. The English club tabled a proposal of 25 million euros, but the Rayo board did not respond to it. Faced with the lack of response, Nottingham Forest completed the signing of Daniel Muñoz, leaving Ratiu in limbo.
The lack of communication has been a constant problem for the player. Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa "doesn't even answer Ratiu's calls." This situation has generated significant frustration for the full-back, who sees the transfer window closing without clarity on his future. For any transfer to be viable, an interested club must deposit the 25 million euros with LaLiga, the release clause in his contract.
How does this affect Iraola's squad?
The potential departure of Ratiu comes at a difficult time for Rayo. The team is on a poor run of form, with a recent record of loss, draw, and loss (LDL). Their offensive and defensive balance is also negative, with 4 goals scored and 8 conceded after the first three league matches. This leaves them 8 points behind leaders Barcelona.
The squad already has several key absences, as can be verified on our injuries page. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla and midfielder Jozhua Vertrouwd are currently sidelined, reducing the manager's options. Losing a starting full-back like Ratiu without a clear replacement just hours before the deadline would add more pressure to a defense that has already conceded eight goals. You can check the full lineup in the squad section.
What is Rayo's next fixture?
Regardless of the Ratiu situation's outcome, Rayo Vallecano must quickly focus on the competition. Their next match is at home on September 5, 2026, against Racing Santander. The Cantabrian side sits tenth in the table, making it a tough challenge for a Rayo team urgently needing their first three points. All fixture information is available in our fixtures section.
The franjirrojo team will defend their home ground at the Estadio de Vallecas against a rival in better form. The current standings, which can be followed on the league table, show the need for an immediate reaction. The match against Racing Santander is scheduled for Saturday, September 5.
