Celta eye Brais Méndez return as Matarazzo sidelines Real Sociedad playmaker | OneFootball

Celta are exploring a move to bring Brais Méndez back from Real Sociedad after the Galician’s minutes dwindled under coach Matarazzo. The attacking midfielder is leaning towards an exit from Anoeta after spending the final weeks on the fringes.

According to AS, Méndez has been placed on the transfer list and Garcés hopes to capitalise. The player is enthusiastic about a return, having already pushed to come back last summer.

Méndez left home in July 2022 to join Real Sociedad at 25, a step forward both sportingly and financially. He signed a major deal with a European-qualifying side and moved away from the jeers that had stung at Balaídos.

In San Sebastián he settled quickly, starred in Europe, reached the Champions League and lifted the Copa del Rey a few months ago, though he did not play a minute in the final. Matarazzo arrived in January, used him at first then froze him out, and Méndez also sat out the semi-final tie and five of the last six league fixtures when little was at stake.

Marián Mouriño sounded out a reunion a year ago and Claudio Giráldez kept asking, but Real Sociedad would not open the door. Méndez has two years left on his deal, to June 2028, and a valuation of 12 million euros, according to Transfermarkt, which is likely to dip in the end-of-season update. At 29 he is well placed for a Vigo return, with the chance to play in Europe and to join Iago Aspas in his last dance strong incentives.

Source: AS