REPORT: CanMNT FW Cyle Larin to stay at Real Valladolid if La Liga survival is assured
The equation is simple for Cyle Larin this upcoming weekend - help Real Valladolid secure survival in the La Liga relegation battle, and he'll secure a permanent move to the club for the 2023-2024 season, per reports from TSN.
Cyle Larin will seal a permanent deal to Spain if Real Valladolid avoid relegation Sunday. Sources tell @TSN_Sports Valladolid would pay $2.1 million CAD buyout clause to Club Brugge. Five other La Liga teams are keeping an eye on Larin Sunday, too
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) June 1, 2023
More: https://t.co/fCj1Zs8UaO
Having joined Valladolid on loan from Club Brugge in January, Larin has scored eight goals and added three assists in 18 La Liga games for the club since his arrival. Despite joining halfway through the campaign, his goal total leads the team in league play, and is tied for first in all competitions, while his assist total ties him for second on the team in both league play and in all competitions.
Because of that, he's been crucial in Valladolid's quest to stay in La Liga, as they try to stay up after earning promotion from Spain's Segunda Division last season.
It's been a turbulent few months for the Spanish outfit, as they fired manager Pacheta for Paulo Pezzolano in April, after they endured a run of seven games with just one win leading up to that dismissal. Yet, through that, Larin has been remarkably consistent with his performances, never going more than three games without a goal contribution.
As a result, he's quickly become a fan favourite at the club, with fans coining the term "Larinismo" to describe his red-hot form and their appreciation of his efforts, while club president Ronaldo has praised his performances.
Huge goal from Cyle Larin, who has just scored against La Liga champions, Barcelona, from the spot to put them up 2-0 in a huge game for Real Valladolid's relegation hopes
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 23, 2023
Larin now has 10 goal contributions (8G/2A) in La Liga this year#CanMNTpic.twitter.com/Rhk7ICxfjw
To keep him at the club, however, Valladolid face a huge task this upcoming weekend in the final matchday of the 2022-2023 La Liga campaign.
There, they play Getafe at home in a crucial match, as they currently sit in the relegation zone in 18th place with 39 points, just one point off safety.
With a victory, they'd assure survival, as they'd leapfrog Getafe's point total of 41. If they lose, however, they'd be guaranteed relegation.
Of course, a draw could also be enough for them, as they could tie either Celta Vigo or Almería (who sit at 40 points) if both or either of those sides lose, which would lead to the use of a tiebreaker.
In La Liga, that's head-to-head points and then goal difference, either between two teams if there's a tie, or through total points and then goal difference in head-to-head meetings between all sides in the event of a three-way tie.
As it stands, Valladolid beat Celta Vigo once and lost to them once for an aggregate score of 4-4, and beat Almería once and drew them once for an aggregate score of 1-0.
Therefore, if there was a two-way tie with Celta Vigo, they'd lose out on their total goal difference (the next tiebreaker), while they'd win if there was a two-way tie with Almería given that they won the head-to-head battle. Then, if there was a three-way tie between them, the order would be 1) Valladolid 2) Almería 3) Celta Vigo, given that Valladolid claimed seven points in meetings between the two teams, while Almería had five and Celta Vigo four.
For context, Celta Vigo hosts champions Barcelona in their last match, while Almería visits an already-relegation Espanyol.
As for Larin, however, his future should be assured no matter what happens in this match. Even if Valladolid loses and he heads back to Brugge, he'll have no shortage of suitors given his fantastic play in his first stint in a top-five league, with TSN's report noting that five La Liga teams alone are keeping an eye on him, a list that would likely grow if he were to return to Brugge.
What a deal for Valladolid if they are able to stay up. It’s also nice to know that no matter what happens there will be clubs in La Liga looking to sign Larin. I mean how could there not be? He’s been incredible since joining in January, 8 goals in 18 appearances!🇨🇦 https://t.co/Y1QDqGVu5o
— Josh Deming (@tv_jjd) June 1, 2023
After a nightmare first half of the season for Brugge, where he featured just 13 times for a total of just under 400 minutes, scoring only one goal, this has been a perfect second half of the season for the 28-year-old Canadian.
The all-time leading Canadian Men's National Team goalscorer with 28 goals, his strong club form will see him want to add to his record tally this summer when Canada chases their first trophy in 23 years at the Concacaf Nations League finals and Gold Cup, with Larin likely to be central to those efforts up front.
