Valencia’s old transfer headache returns to block their plans | OneFootball

Valencia can cash in on prized talent, yet still struggle to shift unwanted or high-earning players, a pattern reinforced by the latest window.

According to Superdeporte, Dani Raba was told months ago he was not in Carlos Corberán's plans, yet he stays after the club failed to find a move, his salary limiting Segunda options. Interest surfaced but no firm offers, so he could now see minutes until Umar Sadiq or Diego López return, with only Harvey Elliott added in attack.

André Almeida's case exemplified it. Deemed surplus and omitted against Deportivo while talks progressed, he rejected Swansea as he wanted to remain in Spain, with Celta also explored. He finally left late, loaned to Racing de Santander until June 2027 without option, freeing salary.

When buyers knock, Valencia sell. In 2020 they moved on leading names and made no signings, a cull that left Javi Gracia wanting to resign and facing a hefty release demand.

Since then they have sold Gonçalo Guedes to Wolves and Carlos Soler to PSG, with €30 million for Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024. In 2025/26 Cristhian Mosquera joined Arsenal for €15 million. This summer they chose not to cash in, so Javi Guerra stays at least until the next window, the fourth under Ron Gourlay.

Baptiste Santamaría agreed to terminate his final year less than 12 months after arriving from Rennes on a bonus-based deal, having played 22 games. Cenk Özkacar was sold to Trabzonspor, while Eray Cömert and Thierry Rendall departed at contract end, the latter joining Venezia.

Negotiating power drops once a player is deemed expendable. Arnaut Danjuma attracted interest but no concrete bids, though he is featuring for Corberán thanks to his versatility. Financial Fair Play constraints magnify the stakes, with the club finishing the window close to its limit. Decisions also loom on contracts for Mouctar Diakhaby, Dimitri Foulquier and captain José Gayà, and on Sergi Canós, who is injured and unregistered, plus Luis Rioja.

Source: Superdeporte

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