Ghana youth midfielder Michael Anaba will stay with relegated Spanish side Elche despite mounting interest from other clubs, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.
Anaba has returned to the cash-strapped side for pre-season after they were forcibly relegated as a result its failure to meet its obligation with the country's treasury and for breaking financial fair-play regulations.
Elche had finished last season in mid-table, but the Spanish Football League later relegated the club for the breaches in its rules, adding that it was not the first time the club had committed these breaches.
The decision means Elche will play in the Liga Adelante second division next season with the Ghanaian expected to be at the centre of their revival.
Anaba, a former Kotoko star, was initially billed to sign for a new club but doesn’t appear he will move after the club was left with only 19 players, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.
The club is keen to hang onto the former Ghana youth midfielder, who has been restricted to the youth team in the past two years.
Elche have 15 days to appeal, but given the firmness of the resolution any appeal looks likely to fail.
The club estimates that relegation could cost them up to 79 million euros in lost TV deals and sponsorship over the coming seasons.