Leverkusen announce Santiago Arias' return to training
Bayer 04 Leverkusen confirmed on Wednesday that on-loan fullback Santiago Arias was able to return for his first training session six months after suffering a gruesome ankle injury.
While to what extent he was able to train was not revealed, the official twitter account of Germany's red company team released video of 29-year-old Santiago Arias mugging for the camera one of the club's training pitches on Wednesday afternoon.
Arias is a little behind the six-month recovery schedule originally prognosticated when he suffered a ghastly ankle injury in October. With only six fixtures remaining in the current Bundesliga campaign, it remains doubtful that the on-loan Athletico player will be able to build himself up in time to make more than a token appearance.
Furthermore, it's impossible for his obligatory purchase clause to be triggered. Multiple German media sources revealed in autumn 2020 that Arias would have to reach 10 starts to activate a purchase clause totaling approximately €12 million. Naturally, even though this is now impossible, Leverkusen may still seek other arrangements.
For now, the defender is due back in Spain on June 30th.
💪🙏😍 @santiagoarias13 #Bayer04 | #Werkself pic.twitter.com/zb68VIffl9
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) April 14, 2021