The ‘selling club’ tag is a difficult one to shake.
And with three weeks still remaining before the transfer window closes – and amid interest from the likes of Wolves and Newcastle United lingering in one of their key players – fans of the La Liga giants will be counting down the days until September rolls around.
Miguel Angel Corona, Valencia’s sporting director, admitted on Thursday that a £21 million deal to take Javi Guerra to Atletico Madrid had broken down.
Atleti, he claims, had attempted to row back on their signing of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in an attempt to bring in Guerra – allegedly their number one midfield target – instead.
But with Gallagher pretty much done, and seemingly not enough money in the budget for both after investing over £100 million on strikers Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, Guerra remains a Valencia player.
Well, for the time being anyway.
Corona, speaking to Super Deporte and Sport, insists that no one at the Mestalla can be considered unsellable. Certainly not with Valencia battling again with those ‘economic difficulties’ and the desire for ‘sustainability’.
Wolves and Newcastle are keen on Valencia’s Andre Almeida
The director’s comments should also spark the interest of Wolves and Newcastle.
HITC reported on Thursday that Wolverhampton Wanderers were considering a bid for Andre Almeida, a long-time target and Guerra’s midfield partner.
Conversations have also been held with Newcastle about the stylish former Portugal Under 21 international playmaker.
And while Corona insists that no one will be leaving unless an ‘irresistible’ offer arrives, previous reports suggest that Almeida could be available for an affordable £25 million, per Mundo Deportivo.
“We always maintain a balance between the financial and sporting relationship,” Corona explains. “If we understand that (selling a player) will improve us and we can do it, we can do it.
“If it will improve us and it can be done, we will do it.”
Corona does go on to claim that he has ‘rejected three offers for Javi (Guerra)’ and a further two for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The outstanding Georgia international – so impressive during Euro 2024 – was on the radars of Newacstle and Chelsea at the start of the summer.
The Magpies have since brought in Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest, however, while Chelsea snapped up another La Liga-based glovesman in Villarreal’s Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea out of Giorgi Mamardashvili race
“(We are) sad because we didn’t want Jorgensen to leave,” Villarreal’s own director – and Corona’s namesake – Miguel Angel Tena said after selling both the talented shot-stopper and Fulham newbie Jorge Cuenca, via Tribal Football.
“The idea was to have a goalkeeper for many years because one of the things that was difficult for us to get from the academy was a goalkeeper.
“Filip’s will was to take advantage of the opportunity (at Chelsea). He told us that he wanted to leave. After wanting him to stay, we are also people and in this case we have received a transfer.
“I hope he is very successful.”
HITC understands that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also looked at Andre Almeida.
Aston Villa discussed the former Vitoria Guimaraes ace too, though Unai Emery’s side no longer appear to be in the market for a midfielder after landing Ross Barkley, Enzo Barrenechea and the £50 million Amadou Onana.
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