Elche is clear that the summer signing market It will be long, both for arrivals and for exits. The good season freshly finished, with the promotion to the First Division, has put in the showcase to various Franjiverdes soccer players. One of them was already evolving, but his 2024-2025 has revalued him, despite an injury that stopped him at his best: Nico Fernández Mercau.
The Argentine, who arrived at Elche as a side or lane and currently stands out more in an offensive position, with freedom of movements in the scheme of Eder Sarabiahas been one of the most prominent players of the Ilicitano team. At the individual level, it was possibly the best, without too many doubt, until it was injured in early February and was two months off. Then he returned, not at the same level, but being one of the untouchables in the final stretch of the championship.
6 goals and 8 assists support Nico's seasonhold in 31 of the 33 league matches that he has played, thus giving his remarkable 2023-2024, in which he won a fixed place in the eleven (40 games, all of the start except one) and the right to carry the number 10 on his back, making a great leap with respect to his first course as Franjiverde, in which he worked a role of revulsive (18 games played, 15 of them. substitute).
The Fernández Mercau who arrived at Elche in September 2022 and suffered a Calvary in his debut against Athletic, on the left side, with Nico Williams Opposite and with hardly any acclimatization time, it is very different from the June Nico 2025. And that is especially noticeable in its market value. Christian Bragarnik He already assured at the close of the last winter market that had rejected an offer of 8 million euros more variable for him. And he implied that in the next window it would be complex to retain him.
Seville and River Plate
The good news for Elche is that The promotion to First Division has revalued the footballer Argentine, strengthening the posture of the Franjiverde club in the negotiations. In fact, Sevilla, with Victor Orta (Sports Director at Martínez Valero a decade ago), he had practically closed his incorporation by some 6 million eurosalways in case the ilicitanos had remained in the Second Division.
Fernández Mercau, during the game against Racing de Ferrol this season / Áxel Álvarez
The situation has changed. First because Elche has risen. And second because Orta no longer commands the sports operations of the Hispanic entity, having been relieved of its position and replaced by Antonio Cordón. In the event that the entity that disputes its matches at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium, maintain its interest in Fernández Mercau must sit at the table to negotiate with Bragarnik.
And the value of Nico has doubled. In principle, Elche does not seem willing to listen to offers below 12 million euros. The interest of more clubs has already arrived at Buenos Aires, among them, from their country, that of River Plateone of the greats of South American football. Marcelo Gallardo, technician of the historic entity, sees him as one of the players who cover the hole that the young man will leave in August Mastantontransferred to Real Madrid for 63 million euros.
The offer that has leaked from Argentina by Fernández Mercau is 10 million euros. Elche wants to press to, in case of selling one of its best players, doing it for the highest possible amount. To Bragarnik, as a couple of summers have already demonstrated with Lucas BoyéHe doesn't mind hurrying deadlines. Nor would the inclusion of variables and percentages of future sales be seen with bad eyes, as already happened with the current Granada striker. River, meanwhile, is now focused on its participation in the Club World Cup. And he has money in cash to spend, that's undeniable.
Nico Fernández Mercau waves a Elche flag during the celebration of the ascent / Áxel Álvarez
The sale of Fernández Mercau, if it ends up, possibly lengthened during the summer. The footballer also wants to tree the different options that may arise, in Spanish football, in the rest of Europe and, without ruling out any variable, in other latitudes. With 25 years he is facing the option of taking the next step in his career. In Elche they would be delighted that he was one of the leaders in First (the fans have demonstrated it in recent months), but they are aware that offers will not be missing. It will be a matter of choosing the best for all parties.
Subscribe to continue reading
