Real Oviedo is struggling to offload Serbian winger Luka Ilic in the final days of the transfer window. The club is trying to sever ties with the player, one of their most expensive signings last campaign, to free up salary space and make a final attacking addition.
The team's current standing adds pressure to the operation. Real Oviedo sits 14th in the Segunda División, with 4 points from three games following a win, a draw, and a loss. Their next fixture is a home match against Burgos on September 6th, a key game to try and climb the standings.
Why did the Ilic signing not work out?
Luka Ilic arrived at Real Oviedo last summer from Red Star Belgrade, a Champions League-experienced player signed for a fee around two million euros. However, the player never settled into the project. The departure of the manager who signed him, Veljko Paunovic, shortly after his arrival, hindered his adaptation. His successor, Luis Carrión, did not consider him for a significant role, and the subsequent arrival of Juan Antonio Anquela did not improve his situation either.
An injury at a time when he could have had more opportunities ultimately removed him from the sporting plans for good. Ilic, whose salary is among the highest in the squad, has not trained with the group for weeks. The coach recently urged empathy with Ilic, putting himself in the shoes of the player but also the club, acknowledging the difficult situation for both parties.
What is Real Oviedo looking for in the market?
The club's objective is clear: they need a winger. Precisely the position occupied by Ilic. The need to reinforce the attack is evident after a league start with only one goal scored and one conceded, leaving a zero goal difference. The team is three points behind leaders Granada CF and requires more attacking power to aim for higher positions. You can check the team's detailed performance on our stats page.
Freeing up Ilic's high salary is the essential first step to being able to make that final signing. The club has made efforts throughout the summer to find an exit for the Serbian, but so far no offer has satisfied the interests of either Real Oviedo or the player himself.
What is the current state of the negotiation?
With less than two days until the market closes, Ilic remains a Real Oviedo player. He is not part of the coach's or the board's plans, but his contract is still valid. The investment made, one of the club's most substantial in recent markets, has not yielded the expected return, an economic burden that persisted even after relegation to the Second Division last season.
Time is running out for both sides. Real Oviedo needs that squad place and that freed-up money for their final operation, while Ilic seeks a destination where he can rediscover his football. The club's current full squad is available to view on the squad page. The outcome of this story will be decided before the transfer deadline passes, with the match against Burgos at the Carlos Tartiere as the immediate next sporting objective.
