The 25-year-old winger remains under contract with the German club until 2029, but returned to Spain after Espanyol put together a deal that Monchi described as complicated to negotiate.
The sporting director told Cadena SER that the number of parties involved made the operation difficult, although Zaragoza himself did not require much convincing.
“The operation itself was complicated because we had to bring together a lot of interests, but when it came to convincing the player, it was easy,” Monchi said.
Zaragoza wanted to return to Spain and Monchi believes the winger feels particularly comfortable playing in his home country.
“I think he wanted to return to Spain. He knows that Spain is where he has his most natural environment to perform,” he added.
Monchi also praised the conversations with Manolo, which helped Espanyol progress with the move.
“I think little by little we are seeing the Bryan Zaragoza that we want,” he said.
There was, however, an immediate issue for Espanyol to address after the winger arrived.
“He did arrive with a significant physical deficit, but we are convinced that he wants to find his ideal place in Barcelona and at Espanyol, and we believe he can be a player who gives us a lot.”
Zaragoza's arrival gives Espanyol an attacking option with previous experience in Spain and Germany, while the loan provides him with another opportunity to establish himself after his spell away from his homeland.
For Monchi, persuading the player was never the major obstacle. The bigger challenge was bringing together the different interests required to make the transfer possible.
The Espanyol sporting director now believes the club are beginning to see the player they expected to sign, with Zaragoza continuing to work towards full fitness and a more influential role.