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Girona are trying to complete a major homecoming as they step up their plans to fight their way back to Spain’s top division. The Catalan side have reportedly set their sights on former Barcelona youth talent Unai Hernandez, who is currently going through a difficult phase in Saudi Arabia.

Montilivi club planning rescue move

Girona have moved into the closing phase of their pre-season preparations for the new LaLiga Hypermotion season with plenty of concerns still unresolved. After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Nastic in their final summer friendly, Quique Alvarez’s team go into the competitive campaign having managed only one win throughout their entire preparation schedule.

According to reports from Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiya, the answer could lie in the return of a player who knows the club extremely well. Al-Ittihad are currently assessing a formal offer from Girona to take Hernandez on loan for the full season.

Financial obstacles and loan format

The structure of the move remains the main issue for everyone involved, especially because of the high salaries currently being paid to players in the Middle East. The proposal sent from Montilivi would see Girona take on only a limited share of the midfielder’s sizeable wages, while Al-Ittihad would be expected to pay the rest of his salary.

For Hernandez, such a transfer would offer an opportunity to rediscover the level that once made him one of Catalonia’s most exciting young prospects. The Malgrat de Mar-born player is believed to be attracted by the possibility of feeling important again in his home region.

From La Masia to Jeddah

Hernandez’s career route has been packed with major moves over the last few seasons. Before attracting attention with his switch to Barcelona, the attacking midfielder had spent his early development years in Girona’s academy. In 2022, he took the important next step to La Masia, where he eventually became a key part of the Barca Atletic setup.

His rise was impressive enough for Al-Ittihad to make a firm move for him in January 2025. The Saudi club paid Barcelona a fee of €4.5 million, along with several performance-based add-ons, to sign one of La Masia’s standout talents. But life in Jeddah has proved difficult, and the midfielder was later sent on an internal loan to fellow Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab.

Girona seek key promotion lift

Now the club where he first developed is prepared to throw him a lifeline. Girona see Hernandez not only as a gifted young player, but also as someone who understands the club’s identity and the scale of the challenge ahead. At 21, he has the technical ability to control matches in the second division, and his familiarity with Spanish football means he would need little or no time to settle in.

With the transfer window still open, Alvarez is eager to add more creativity in the final third. Girona have carried a heavy creative load during pre-season, and Hernandez’s quality between the lines could provide the missing element. As the club gets ready for its league opener, the hope is that an agreement can be reached quickly to bring the local talent back to where his journey began, potentially changing the direction of their entire promotion push.