Girona Sporting Director Carcel on Dovbyk’s transfer: It was important to sell players to show that we are a sales team

Sports Director Girona Quique Carcel commented on the transfer of the Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk V Roma, and also finding a replacement for him.

“The market was very open. At times I thought he might stay, but when Roma got closer to our terms, it became more difficult to keep him. It was important to sell players to demonstrate what we had been saying for years, that we were a sales team. It was a good time to improve the budget.”

“Finding a replacement for Dovbyk was difficult – we were looking for similar profiles. Abel Ruiz was accepted even if Dovbyk stayed. Miovski had two good seasons in terms of goals in a weak league, but so did Dovbyk. We were looking for a player of the right age and energy, and Abel and Miovski fit that bill.”

Let us recall that the Ukrainian spent the last season in Girona. Artem became the top scorer of Primera with 24 goals, and also made 10 assists. Girona sensationally finished in the top 3 and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in history, and the Ukrainian forward was recognized as the best player of the Catalan team in the season.

Dovbyk officially transferred to Roma in early August. Artem became the first Ukrainian in the history of the Wolves. According to previously published information, the transfer cost the Romans 32-33 million euros and 5-6 million in bonus payments. Girona will also receive a certain percentage from the resale of the Ukrainian.

Successful performances for Girona last season helped Dovbyk to be nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

In the 2024/25 season that has just started, Dovbyk has played in all three of Roma’s Serie A matches, failing to score.

The forward may miss the next round match against Genoa due to an injury that prevented him from taking part in the September matches of the Ukrainian national team in the League of Nations.