Meunier out of World Cup as Valencia look to seal right-back deal | OneFootball

Thomas Meunier’s World Cup is over, clearing the path for Valencia to push his signing. According to Superdeporte, the club are set to accelerate the move now the Belgian is free of international duty.

Belgium were knocked out on Friday, losing 2-1 to Spain in the quarter-finals, a result Valencia had been awaiting before stepping up talks.

With Meunier back home, Valencia can schedule a medical and cut the risk of rival bids emerging. The club now see it as time to close the deal.

Meunier is targeted as the fifth addition for 26/27 after Guido Rodríguez, Aliou Dieng, Justin de Haas and Ryunosuke Sato, alongside the renewal of Stole Dimitrievski. Valencia have convinced the right-back on financial and sporting terms, but the hardest part remains finalising it. The mood is optimistic and they view his arrival as a matter of time.

Right-back is the priority following the exits of Thierry Rendall and Renzo Saravia, plus Dimitri Foulquier’s long-term injury. Talks have reached the final stretch after weeks of negotiations during the tournament. If there are no late setbacks, Meunier would join on a free after his Lille contract expired on 30 June, though caution remains with the market open.

Source: Superdeporte