Concern over the fine print of Stuani's contract at Girona

GIRONAAfter a very turbulent course, Girona is facing the summer with a lot of work in the offices. Counting arrivals, departures, returning loan players, and those ending their commitments, it's easy to see around twenty moves, a common number at Montilivi. What few suspected is that one of them will feature Cristhian Stuani. The Uruguayan, who will turn 39 in October, has a contract until 2026. But the fine print is tricky, because the club owes the player a "debt." The player himself didn't vouch for his continued service, despite assuring that his intention is none other than to stay at the club. The one who acknowledged the problem was Quique Cárcel, the sporting director, who also hopes Stuani won't leave Girona. Both parties are already negotiating an extension that would allow the Girona number 7 to return to the club.

Last week, Stuani raised alarm bells on the podcast Montiliving"I don't know if I'll continue. I don't like to talk about it, because it's a sensitive subject and I respect the club a lot. The only thing I can say is that I've always prioritized Girona and I always will. I want to be here and Girona knows that, but there are things that don't depend on me, they depend on whoever is going to decide when they go nowhere. We signed until 2026, but it's not my place to talk about a personal contract; it's confidential." After the surprise, journalists asked him again if he could be free on June 30th, and his answer ended up scaring everyone: "I can't say that."

Stuani arrived in the summer of 2017 with a three-year contract, until 2020. But this document has been amended three times, given the importance of his position. In 2019, when the club secured his contract despite relegation to the Second Division, it extended it by a year, until 2023. Throughout this time, both parties have made a significant effort: the club, presenting him with a high contract to retain him, and the player, rejecting higher offers. play-off With Girona in a fragile position due to the pandemic and squeezed by budget cuts, the latest renewal (so far) came: the contract was extended by three years, until 2026, lowering his salary per season and deferring a significant portion over the remaining years, a move that lowered the salary cap.

This deferral is the real deal. Because, having reached the final year of his contract, practically the entire player's salary is debt accumulated by the club in previous seasons, from the time when he played in the Second Division with a First Division salary. The contract also details a salary for the new season, but it's symbolic and doesn't stand on its own; however, this explains why it's being extended until 2026. And the fact that his current salary, leaving aside the debt, is so poor is convincing enough to be the reason why they're working to update the Uruguayan's terms.

"Ethically, he's free"

In the press conference to review the season, Quique Cárcel cleared the air. "If we're talking about Stuani, we're talking about possibly the most important player in Girona's history. He deserves tremendous respect. I don't want to get into irrelevant matters, but Girona wants him to stay, and we've made him an offer to do so." The sporting director held nothing back. "His contract says it ends next year, but when we were in the Second Division, a debt was deferred because otherwise he would have left. The debt still exists. Theoretically, he's right when he says he doesn't have a contract, because ethically, he's free."

If a new contract renewal is agreed upon, the player could retire to Montilivi. "Given his age, we assure him he'll get another year with us, and if he meets certain conditions, he'd still have a second. We want him to finish his career at Girona." It's a shared desire. All you need to do is check the facts or go to the newspaper archives and find the Uruguayan's words. "It would be a dream to retire at Girona. Through the good times and the tough ones, I've been here, putting my chest out to stop the bullets. I have immense affection for the club." Eight years, 289 matches, and 141 goals are testament to that.