Revolution on the Horizon at Elche Following Promotion

Elche is still basking in the glory of their promotion achieved last Sunday in A Coruña, but the club's management faces a hectic summer ahead with plenty of work to do.

More than half of Elche's squad, including their coach Eder Sarabia, have contracts that expire with the club on June 30, leaving their future with the team uncertain.

The club's owner, Christian Bragarnik, admitted during the promotion celebrations that one of the club's main goals is to secure the continuation of the coach and captain, Josan Ferrández. Talks for their renewal have already begun, and it is expected that agreements will be reached without issue.

In addition to the veteran Crevillentino, twelve other players are also nearing the end of their contracts. Among them are the first team's two goalkeepers, Miguel San Román and Matías Dituro, the latter being the least scored against in the competition, as well as defenders Álex Martín, Mario Gaspar, and José Salinas, who are also in the final days of their contracts.

The most notable case is that of Salinas, a homegrown player who rejected the renewal offer from Elche and is expected to join Espanyol, with his move to the club already considered a done deal for several weeks.

Veteran Pedro Bigas also has a contract ending in June, but he has a renewal clause for reaching a certain number of matches, which he has surpassed. However, the club has yet to officially announce his continuation, although it is assumed internally.

Midfielder Gerard Hernández, who had limited involvement, will return to his original club, Villarreal, after having few opportunities. Forward Sory Kaba and winger Pejiño will return to UD Las Palmas following their respective loans, as will Uruguayan Agustín Álvarez, who was on loan from Italian side Sassuolo.

Germán Valera, a winter market addition, is on loan from Valencia, although Elche does not hide its desire to acquire the player permanently. Forwards Óscar Plano and Elbasan Rashani also have contracts ending in June.

Besides these potential departures, the club is also concerned about the future of the highly sought-after Nico Fernández Mercau. The Argentine forward, who has two more years on his contract, received a significant offer during the winter market, valued at over eight million euros by Elche's owner, Christian Bragarnik, who refused to negotiate the player's exit.

However, he recently admitted that it would be difficult to retain the player next season, although the recent promotion to the top division might have changed the situation, as it presents a great showcase.