Raúl de Tomás at Rayo Vallecano: A Crossroads for the Striker’s Future

Raúl de Tomás has officially returned to Rayo Vallecano for the current preseason, but the striker’s future remains uncertain as he does not currently feature in the plans of head coach Beñat San José. Despite holding a contract with the Madrid-based club until 2027, the international forward has yet to join his teammates in training nine days into the preseason, signaling a potential departure from the Vallecas side.

A Career Stalled After Failed Qatar Stint

The return of De Tomás follows a challenging loan spell at Al-Wakrah in Qatar. Seeking to regain form and confidence after falling out of favor under former coach Iñigo Pérez, the striker joined the Qatari club last year. The move did not yield the desired results; De Tomás recorded only three goals across 13 official appearances, starting just three times and logging 431 minutes of play.

His tenure in Qatar was effectively cut short by injury earlier in 2026. The contract was officially rescinded in February, leaving the player without competitive match experience for more than six months. His last appearance on the pitch occurred on January 7, 2026, in a brief 22-minute outing against Al-Arabi.

Struggling for Continuity in Vallecas

Since his high-profile return to Rayo Vallecano in 2022—a move that saw him arrive from Espanyol for a reported fee nearing ten million euros—De Tomás has struggled to replicate the form of his prolific first spell with the club. Between 2017 and 2019, he was a cornerstone of the attack, scoring 38 goals in 66 matches. However, his second stint has been defined by sporadic availability and fluctuating performance levels.

The statistical decline is evident across his three most recent seasons:

• 2022/23: 19 matches played, 4 goals scored.
• 2023/24: 28 matches played, 2 goals scored.
• 2024/25: 3 matches played, following a two-and-a-half-month absence attributed by the club to an unspecified “common illness.”

In total, the forward has managed only 50 appearances over the last three campaigns, a stark contrast to his earlier impact in the Spanish capital. With Beñat San José now tasked with shaping the squad for the upcoming season, the club appears to be prioritizing other options, casting doubt on whether De Tomás will remain part of the project as the transfer window progresses.

The Path Ahead

As the preseason continues, the lack of participation in group training sessions remains the most significant indicator of the striker’s standing within the current hierarchy. With over six months of inactivity, the club faces a difficult decision regarding the player’s future, balancing his significant remaining contract duration against the need for a productive, available attacking unit.

Rayo Vallecano officials have yet to provide a formal update on a potential transfer or a reintegration plan for the player. For now, the status of the former Spain international remains one of the most closely watched developments at the club, with further clarity expected as the squad prepares for upcoming friendly fixtures.