From Arnau to Maffeo, how Valencia changed their right-back chase | OneFootball

Valencia's right-back search has dragged into their LaLiga opener week, the club pivoting from Arnau Martínez to Pablo Maffeo. All signs point to the former Mallorca defender arriving, prompting the question of what happened with Arnau.

Valencia moved for Girona's Arnau intending to close swiftly and warned in initial contacts that other options would be activated if talks stalled. According to La Grada de Radioesport, a deal at four million plus add-ons was outlined, which Valencia accepted, and Girona indicated Arnau would not face Leganés in their first match.

Injuries in defence led Quique Álvarez to call him up and start him, a decision that irked Valencia given the injury risk with talks advanced. Discussions resumed on Monday with optimism at Mestalla, and Valencia sent an improved second offer with better fixed terms and key milestones.

Girona then altered the previously set terms, a shift Betis and Marseille are also said to have encountered. After Valencia's second proposal, the conditions changed again once Fulham entered the picture.

Valencia have not fully closed the door on Arnau. The club still want two additions at right-back, but insist the deal will not progress unless the earlier conditions are respected.

The plan for Arnau was clear, yet the first offer arrived late. From Sato's arrival to the move towards Maffeo, 43 days passed without any signing, and Valencia approach their opener still lacking urgent cover at right-back after failing to renew Thierry and with Foulquier injured.

Source: Superdeporte

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”