Samed Bazdar and Peter Ademo to miss Real Zaragoza preseason start

ZARAGOZA — Samed Bazdar will not be present when Real Zaragoza kicks off its preseason this Thursday, as previously reported by this newspaper and later confirmed by the club.

The Bosnian international is currently on vacation in Novi Pazar, his hometown in Serbia, following Bosnia's elimination from the World Cup on July 2 against host nation the United States.

Permission Granted for Late Return

Bazdar has received permission from the club to miss the start of preseason due to his late finish to the season — a common arrangement for international players. According to the club, he is expected to return on July 23.

He will miss:

• Medical and physical tests scheduled for Thursday and Friday
• Monday's first on-pitch session under head coach Ibai Gómez

Transfer Situation

Bazdar is one of two guaranteed departures remaining in the transfer window, as sporting director Lalo Arantegui announced in his last press conference. Both the Bosnia international and Adrián Liso are expected to leave due to their cachet and market value.

However, Arantegui has repeatedly stated that he will not give away any player and that, while they remain at the club, they must join preseason normally. Liso will be present, but Bazdar is absent due to World Cup commitments.

Peter Ademo will also be absent, as he finalizes bureaucratic procedures before arriving in the Aragonese capital.

Rejected Offers

Real Zaragoza has already turned down two offers for the striker this summer:

• Sturm Graz (Austria): Proposed a loan with no payment and a voluntary purchase option of approximately €1 million

Real Zaragoza paid a total of €3 million to Partizan Belgrade for Bazdar's transfer, in two installments, and aims to at least recover that investment or come very close to those figures.

The club's primary goal is a permanent transfer, though given its weaker negotiating position — being in Primera RFEF and needing to offload the player — it is also open to a loan with a mandatory purchase option or easily achievable objectives.

World Cup Impact

Bazdar played 30 minutes against Canada in Bosnia's World Cup debut and did not feature again — neither against Switzerland, Qatar, nor in the elimination match against the United States. Nevertheless, his participation in the world's most prestigious tournament has increased his cachet, market value, and salary, which is now slightly above the maximum parameters Zaragoza is using in its Primera RFEF offers.

Manolache and Monzón to Join Preseason

Except for Bazdar and Ademo, all players on Real Zaragoza's payroll will begin preseason this Thursday with medical and physical tests. Two reserve team players will also spend the summer with the first-team dynamic:

• Marcos Manolache — Deportivo Aragón goalkeeper with high expectations, serving as third goalkeeper alongside Westerveld and Peña
• Diego Monzón — Midfielder and Ecuador youth international, recently renewed through 2029

Both are from the 2008 generation.

Additional Reserve Prospects

Next week, depending on Ibai Gómez's needs, other reserve team prospects — including Vadillo, Tobajas, Jorge Franco, or Ratón — could train with the first team. They may also attend the Boltaña training camp, which begins Sunday, July 26, and culminates on August 1 with a friendly against Iván Martínez's UD Barbastro in the Huesca town.

Source: El Periódico de Aragón