Camuñas reveals Valencia pre-agreement collapsed after presidency change in 2009 | OneFootball

Javier Camuñas says a 2009 move to Valencia collapsed after a presidency change during the club’s financial crisis.

"I had a pre-agreement with Valencia because Unai Emery wanted me," Camuñas said, speaking on the Los Fulanos podcast.

He places it in the summer of 2009, when Valencia expected a major sale to fund signings, and says a four-year deal was agreed. He adds the club intended to sell David Villa or David Silva.

Vicente Soriano resigned on four June 2009 and Manuel Llorente took charge days later, with the club burdened by a 547 million euro debt and a planned 92.4 million capital increase.

According to Camuñas, Llorente vowed neither to sell nor sign, ending the move. Soon after, he confirmed Villa would stay despite a 45 million euro bid from Chelsea.

Villa later joined Barcelona for 40 million. Camuñas says the proposed Valencia contract was lucrative.

Fresh from 10 La Liga goals with Recreativo in 2008-09, he drew interest from Mallorca, Espanyol, who offered four years, and Racing de Santander.

With Valencia cashing in on Albiol instead, Osasuna stepped in late August 2009, signing him from Recreativo for just under 1.5 million on a three-year deal, option of a fourth, with a 6 million release clause.

He says Osasuna’s guarantees made it the right call. He became important in Pamplona, playing 67 league games from 2009 to 2011, before joining Villarreal.

Source: Superdeporte

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