Guido Rodríguez a priority target for Valencia | OneFootball

Valencia are working to sign Guido Rodríguez from West Ham, with the 2022 World Cup winner keen on Mestalla, according to Superdeporte. With another World Cup approaching, Valencia could offer him a route back to regular starts in the Spanish league. There is no agreement yet with West Ham.

Rodríguez, 32, has played 177 minutes in the Premier League, nine in the FA Cup and 86 in the EFL Cup. Limited minutes led Valencia’s chief executive of football, Ron Gourlay, to check on his situation in the summer, but the pivot role went to Baptiste Santamaría.

Rodríguez fits the profile requested by Corberán after Santamaría struggled to adapt. The Argentine is stronger at wide ball recoveries and high pressing, the Frenchman is more positional. Valencia have sought an Enzo Barrenechea-type, mindful Rodríguez is past his peak.

For months Valencia prioritised a centre-back, with midfield to be addressed once Sadiq arrived. His arrival had been targeted for Celta de Vigo and the centre-back for Getafe, but neither happened then. The striker did arrive for Elche, and Valencia are now very close to completing Rodríguez on loan while working on the centre-back to finish their three winter objectives.

Rodríguez became a mainstay at Real Betis after joining from Club América in January 2020. Under Manuel Pellegrini he anchored a side that returned regularly to Europe, and he was central to the 2022 Copa del Rey win. He also faced Valencia in that final.

Source: Superdeporte