Elche showed specific interest in Eibar's 24-year-old Spanish center-back, Marco Moreno, during the final stages of the winter transfer window, as their need for a defender increased following Diaby's departure to Granada. The club submitted an offer of approximately 1.5 million euros that also included a percentage of a future sale for Eibar. However, Eibar maintained their decision not to sell. They viewed Moreno as a key and fundamental player for the team, and his departure would have weakened their defense for the second half of the season. Eibar's sporting director, César Palacios, commented that Moreno is an important player in whom the club invested during the summer and that losing a player with his profile would have been very damaging. Despite the transfer not being completed, Elche still intends to sign the player, as Moreno is highly rated by Sarabia. Elche plans to make another attempt in the summer, when the circumstances may be more favorable for all parties involved. Moreno has made 22 appearances in LaLiga2 this season, has a contract until June 2027, and his current market value on Transfermarkt is €700k. He has previously received one cap for Spain's U17 team and has also been linked with Gent.