Recent reports had surfaced linking Deportivo Alaves defender Santiago Mourinho with a potential transfer to Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow. These rumors suggested that initial contact had been made between the two clubs regarding the availability of the 23-year-old Uruguayan defender.
However, Deportivo Alaves has now provided a clear and rather definitive response to these transfer speculations. Sergio Fernández, the club`s Sports Director, addressed the matter directly when questioned about the possibility of Mourinho moving to Spartak.
Fernández stated unequivocally, “There is no possibility of Mourinho`s transfer to Spartak.” He then clarified the specific, and seemingly insurmountable, condition under which a transfer *could* occur: “Only if they pay 25 million euros – the buyout clause stipulated in the contract.”
This declared price point sets a remarkably high barrier. To place the €25 million figure into context, the widely recognized player valuation portal Transfermarkt currently estimates Santiago Mourinho`s market value at approximately €3 million. The figure demanded by Alaves represents a stark contrast, standing at more than eight times his estimated value.
Santiago Mourinho, capable of playing both as a central defender and a right-back, joined Alaves in the summer of 2024 from Atletico Madrid, although he did not make a senior competitive appearance for the Madrid club. In the current 2024/25 season for Alaves, he has featured in 27 matches across competitions, contributing one assist and receiving eight yellow cards.
Given the considerable disparity between Alaves`s firm asking price – tied directly to the player`s release clause – and his current market valuation, a transfer to Spartak Moscow at the stated €25 million figure appears highly improbable. This effectively serves as a decisive statement from Alaves, likely putting an end to the recent speculation surrounding Santiago Mourinho`s immediate future at the club and his potential move to Russia.
