Forés turns down Sporting, opts for Burgos as striker market tightens
Álex Forés turned down Sporting’s offer and signed for Burgos, leaving the Gijón club to resume its search for a forward while the striker market tightens ahead of the new season. The contrast highlights a player’s personal priorities against a club’s urgent recruitment needs.
Forés, who last season fought with Marc Bartra in the Oviedo‑Betis clash, spent the previous campaign on loan at Real Oviedo. His experience in Asturias and a desire to test himself abroad shaped his outlook on future moves.
Sporting had identified the forward as the favourite at Mareo to reinforce the attack, praising his economic viability, permanent‑deal structure and growth potential. The club believed he could arrive on a full‑ownership basis and develop within the squad.
Negotiations began several days earlier, with LA NUEVA ESPAÑA reporting a good rapport between Sporting and Villarreal and an agreed fee of just under half a million euros. Forés reportedly weighed three offers – Sporting’s, Burgos’s and a Portuguese side’s – before deciding.
Álex Forés rejects Sporting, joins Burgos after Villarreal deal
In the end, Forés chose Burgos despite the lower transfer sum, citing the club’s project and his former loan spell at Oviedo as influencing factors. The decision was confirmed as a cold shock at Mareo early yesterday.
Sporting’s president José Riestra expressed confidence earlier, recalling an approach in December and describing Forés as a “sumamente interesante” candidate they hoped to sign soon. Riestra stressed that details and mutual conviction were still pending.
Burgos, having lost Fer Niño to Elche, also needed a striker and initially eyed Jon Karrikaburu before sporting director Miguel Pérez Cuesta (Michu) shifted focus to Forés. The Burgalés side secured the player to fill the attacking void.
Sporting now aims to complete at least one of two planned signings – a forward to replace Dubasin and a centre‑back – before the league opener. The club also monitors the possible departure of Yann Kembo to Huesca in Primera Federación and keeps an eye on centre‑back Andrés Cuenca, whose pre‑season at Como has complicated his return.
Riestra reiterated hope for Andrés Cuenca, noting the club’s familiarity with him and the need for a clear deadline on alternative options. The final weeks of the market are described as crucial and unpredictable, with the desired striker unlikely to feature in Sporting’s first league match.