Sporting Gijon will not have Justin Smith next season. The Espanyol midfielder, who defended the rojiblanca shirt last season, will play for Eldense, a team recently promoted to Segunda. The operation has been closed with a series of clauses, such as a buyback option and a percentage for the 'perico' club in a future sale. Sporting Gijon wanted to acquire the player's property, but failed to reach an agreement with Espanyol. Justin Smith played 36 games with Sporting, 21 of them as a starter. The 23-year-old player finished the course with notable numbers for what was his first real season in professional football. Espanyol has started the summer with 27 professional players and needs to lighten the squad to make signings within the restructuring planned by Monchi. Sporting Gijon handled specific numbers for this operation, without being open to entering a bidding war for the player. As time goes on, the 'perico' club has given priority to accelerating the chapter of exits, without interest in prolonging negotiations. Espanyol meets its double objective if this transfer is confirmed, including a possible buyback option, in addition to the percentage of a future sale. The midfielder's stage in Gijon ends after playing a year on loan. A season of extremes, with phases in which he was a protagonist and others, intermediate, in which he counted less. So, Sporting Gijon will have to look for another midfielder to strengthen their squad. The Gijon club is clear that it needs to strengthen its team for the next season. But, for now, the priority is to find a replacement for Justin Smith. Sporting Gijon has a few days to find the right player. The transfer of Justin Smith to Eldense is a blow to Sporting Gijon, which wanted him on their squad. Espanyol has won this battle, but Sporting Gijon will have to keep fighting to strengthen their team.