Unai Núñez joins Valencia, Agirrezabala’s future uncertain after injury | OneFootball

Valencia’s squad features two with Athletic roots, Unai Núñez and Julen Agirrezabala. Núñez has arrived in the winter window and is yet to debut, Agirrezabala had the gloves until a hamstring injury. According to El Correo, both cases are in sharp focus.

Núñez, 29, signed to bolster a defence under strain. Registration lagged when Italy’s federation sent Verona’s papers late, leaving him waiting two hours at Manises airport, and he will wear number 4 for six months. A Serie A ever-present with 18 games, he says he is ready to step in.

Celta hold his rights to 2027 and were uneasy about a La Liga loan, yet the move went through. Verona had a 5 million option that Valencia do not. Valencia needed centre-backs immediately, and he brings La Liga know-how and 235 senior appearances. Athletic did not pursue him this winter despite shortages at centre-back.

Agirrezabala is on loan with a 10 million non-mandatory option at season’s end and there have been no formal talks. The report suggests Valencia are unlikely to reach that fee under Peter Lim, with recent peak outlays near 5 million for Özkacar, Pepelu and Sadiq.

The goalkeeper left to become a nailed-on starter after four years behind Unai Simón, and he still wants first-team football. He sustained a left hamstring injury in the 4-1 loss at Celta, with about two months out expected, so he will miss Athletic. Earlier he faced them in La Liga, Valencia won 2-0 and Valverde praised his display.

Source: El Correo