A clear favourite has emerged in the race for the signature of Rayo Vallecano star Andrei Rațiu.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, citing Estadio Deportivo, who point towards Villarreal as the outfit in question.

Rațiu, for his part, is fresh off a brilliant individual campaign on the books of Rayo Vallecano, which saw the Romanian international pique the attentions of a whole host of leading Spanish clubs.

Barcelona, at one point, were named as possessing a keen interest in landing Rațiu with a view to next season.

The Blaugrana, however, have since dropped out of the race for the right-back. And as much has opened the door for a new frontrunner to emerge.

As per MD:

‘Another team from La Liga has taken the lead for Rațiu, according to the newspaper ‘Estadio Deportivo’. It’s Marcelino García Toral’s Villarreal.’

Rațiu actually spent time on the books of Villarreal earlier in his career, with the Yellow Submarine maintaining 50% ownership of the player.

Amid a search for reinforcements at full-back with a view to next season, the brass at La Ceràmica are therefore giving serious consideration to attempting to buy Rayo Vallecano out of their share of the 26-year-old’s rights over the weeks ahead.