Valencia close to deal for Justin de Haas, summer move most likely | OneFootball

Valencia are close to signing Justin de Haas from Famalicão, with an advanced agreement and optimism the 25-year-old will join. A summer move is seen as most feasible.

Tribuna Deportiva reports that the Portuguese club rejected an offer of more than a million euros on Sunday. The Dutch centre-back is contracted until 30 June 2026.

Valencia have negotiated for months with his camp, edging out rivals, especially in Portugal. If there are no further exits, Ron Gourlay and Lisandro Isei plan to continue the defensive rebuild with De Haas, as a free agent, from July.

They tried to secure him cheaply in January, but the refusal and the need for a defender comfortable on both sides shifted short-term focus to Unai Núñez. Talks with De Haas and Famalicão remain active regardless of timing. Should the defence change before the window shuts, Valencia would try again to bring him in this month, though any deal looks difficult.

Left-footed and 194 cm, he fits the growth profile targeted by Gourlay’s wider scouting. He was named the league’s best defender in September and is his team’s defensive leader. With goalkeeper Lazar Carevic, he underpins a side with nine clean sheets, second only to Porto’s 13. After 18 rounds Famalicão have conceded 14, with only Porto four, Sporting nine, Benfica 11 and Gil Vicente 13 better. He leads his team for passing at 89%, averages close to four successful long balls per game and is a set-piece threat, including a direct free-kick goal in three attempts.

Source: Superdeporte