El Rayo has experienced its calmest winter market in the last decade. The franjirrojo club has only undertaken one operation: the signing of Miguel Ángel Guerrero, a forward from Nottingham Forest who will play on loan at Vallecas until the end of the season. The 30-year-old from Toledo arrives to prop up the attack, something that the coaching staff had been demanding from the previous window. There have been no more reinforcements or departures. Moreover, because there have not even been rumors or too many names of candidates for that position have transpired.
This has been a placid January if we compare it, without going any further, with that of last year, when the Madrid entity carried out three additions —From Frutos, Isi and Qasmi— and had three casualties “Embarba, Piovaccari, and Abdoulaye.” Although the serious injuries of Alberto García and Ulloa led the arrivals of Santamaría and Juan Villar, but outside that period, at the end of November and February respectively.
Even more busy was the winter market of 18-19. With the team in First and immersed in relegation places, the reaction was sought by the signings of Mario Suárez, Di Santo, Uche Agbo and Catena. In addition, Dorado, Alex Alegría, José León and Lass were released. Eight movements, the same ones they made in 17-18, when the new additions to Armenteros, Majeed, Elustondo and Baby and casualties to Montiel and Lass – granted – and the termination of Trashorras and Rat.
However, we would find the record in the 11-12 campaign. By then, the Rayo de Sandoval was reinforced with Diego Costa – key in achieving permanence thanks to his ten goals and five assists in 16 games—, Armenteros, Pulido and Joel and opened the door to Susaeta, Koke, Rafa García, Botelho and Jordi Figueras. By contrast, the other most unemployed January dates from the 14-15 years Miku arrived and Lass and Jonathan Pereira left. 10-11 —With the departure of Lucas Pérez and Borja Gómez to Karpaty.