Racing Santander move to keep Peio Canales as Higuera vows to fight | OneFootball

Racing Santander have begun plotting a return to Spain’s top flight after 14 years, and keeping Athletic’s Peio Canales is a priority. The Barrika-born midfielder has been on loan this season and, despite his age, has become integral.

“Tenemos que convencer al jugador de que no va a estar en ningún sitio mejor que aquí”. “Lo vamos a luchar, seguro”, said president Manolo Higuera on El partidazo de Cope.

Canales will return to Athletic on 30 June when his loan ends. He heads back to Lezama more mature than a year ago, his market value up from one million euros to eight million. This season he has produced his best attacking numbers, involved in 13 goals, five of them his.

Terzic will have him from day one, with fierce competition in attacking midfield and the centre of the pitch. Athletic already have eight midfielders, with Canales it would be nine. Racing are alive to that, and Higuera added: “Tenemos que convencer a Terzic de que tiene muchos jugadores en esa posición”.

Racing’s plan is to extend the youngster’s loan for one more year and to pair him with Sergio Canales. All signs point to Sergio returning home from Mexico, 16 years after leaving for Real Madrid. Peio Canales has impressed the dressing room and supporters, who urged him to stay during Sunday’s promotion party at El Sardinero.

Source: El Correo