Window shut, problem open: Joselu back on Valencia’s striker agenda | OneFootball

Valencia ended the window with the number nine issue unresolved, and Umar Sadiq’s hamstring injury has made it urgent. According to La Colina De Nervion, free agent Joselu Mato has returned to the shortlist.

They drew 0-0 with Celta, lost 0-1 to Betis, then were beaten 3-1 at Deportivo de La Coruña. That leaves one point from nine, one goal scored and four conceded. Sadiq hit the only goal, at Riazor.

Corberán now loses Sadiq for an estimated eight to 10 weeks with a right hamstring injury. Valencia will navigate the coming months without one of their recognised centre-forwards.

Hugo Duro becomes the primary specialist up front. Harvey Elliott arrived on loan from Liverpool on deadline day, although he operates between midfield and attack rather than as an out-and-out striker.

Valencia had tried to add another forward before the deadline. A loan for Birmingham City’s Marvin Ducksch until season’s end advanced but collapsed late. Joselu was already being explored in late August and is unattached after leaving Al-Gharafa.

The 36-year-old scored nine in 22 matches for the Qatari side in 2025/26. His last season in Spain was 2023/24 with Real Madrid, delivering 18 goals in 49 games, 10 in LaLiga.

Eintracht Frankfurt are also working on him, the main obstacle to a Mestalla move. Germany is familiar ground given previous spells with Eintracht in 2013/14, plus Hoffenheim and Hannover. The window closed on 1 September, the search for a number nine did not.

Source: La Colina De Nervion

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