Real Z LLC's previous ownership rejected St. Gallen's offer for Bazdar; deal withdrawn

Previous Ownership Rejected St. Gallen Offer

Before A.GAIN took over last Tuesday by purchasing 75% of Real Z LLC's shares—a stake that will drop to 60% once Jorge Mas and Juan Forcén participate in the €22 million capital increase—the previous ownership rejected St. Gallen 1879's offer for Samed Bazdar. This decision is difficult to explain, as the proposal was close to Real Zaragoza's demands.

According to El Periódico de Aragón, the Swiss club offered up to two million euros. The deal was structured as a paid loan with a highly feasible purchase option (essentially a deferred sale), while retaining 15% of the rights for a future transfer.

Offer No Longer Available

That offer is no longer on the table for Zaragoza, and it will certainly not be revived. St. Gallen has already signed another striker—Swiss player Andrin Hunziker from Basel—and will not add further to their attack.

This possibility, which aligned with the club's aim to recover a significant portion of the investment made in Bazdar, will go no further. Zaragoza paid three million euros for the striker in two installments of 1.5 million each (summer 2024 and summer 2025) to Partizan Belgrade. Given the current market, it will be difficult for such an offer to emerge again.

Current Transfer Situation

Bazdar's departure is decided, and work is underway on several fronts, including by the club. However, Zaragoza has so far rejected three offers:

• St. Gallen (most significant): Rejected by Real Z LLC's ownership through board member Mariano Aguilar, who is close to Real Z LLC in the sports area.
• Sturm Graz (Austria): A loan with a €1 million purchase option.
• AIK Stockholm: An offer that does not meet Zaragoza's demands.

Bazdar will leave, but for now, Zaragoza is rejecting proposals.

St. Gallen: An Ideal Destination

St. Gallen will play in the second qualifying round of the Europa League and is one of Switzerland's top teams. They finished second in the last Super League and are the oldest club in Switzerland and in continental football, founded in 1879. The club was the ideal destination for Bazdar, and the player wanted to go there.

Club's Stance

On July 8, Lalo Arantegui stated regarding Liso and Bazdar: "It makes no sense for them to play in Primera RFEF, but we won't give them away." He later explained that Zaragoza had already rejected two offers for Bazdar and insisted: "The club paid a significant transfer fee for him two years ago, and if a sale happens, it will be because all parties are happy with the agreement, and as of today, not all parties are, so he will have to join and be a player like the others."

Player's Recent Activity

The striker's year ended recently, on Thursday, July 2, when Bosnia and Herzegovina was eliminated from the World Cup by the United States in the round of 16. Bazdar played half an hour against Canada in his national team's debut and did not play again—neither against Switzerland, nor Qatar, nor in the elimination match against the US team.

However, his mere presence in the world's most important tournament has boosted his cachet. That market value and his salary—slightly higher than the maximum parameters Zaragoza is using in its Primera RFEF offers—also make his continuity unfeasible. What makes it truly impossible, however, is the Bosnian's status and cachet as a 14-time international.

Bazdar's Contract and Performance

Bazdar signed a five-year contract upon arriving in summer 2024, meaning he has three years remaining. He had a strong start with the team under Víctor Fernández, performing at his best until November, when a hamstring injury sidelined him for nearly two months.

• Under Ramírez, he began playing out of position as the sole reference in attack.
• Under Gabi, he faced more ostracism, a situation that continued after not leaving last summer.
• Under Sellés, his situation worsened, leading to his departure in January to Jagiellonia.

As a Zaragoza player, Bazdar has appeared in 40 league matches, scoring 5 goals.

Source: El Periódico de Aragón