 Sánchez was loaned to second division's Real Madrid Castilla in January 2007 and, at the end of the campaign, which ended in relegation, was loaned again, to Racing de Santander in La Liga, appearing significantly as the Cantabrian side achieved a first-ever qualification to the UEFA Cup.In July 2008, Sánchez returned to Espanyol, scoring his first official goal for the club in a 1–1 home draw with Getafe CF on 20 September.He played the entire season on the right flank, as the "Pericos" eventually avoided relegation.