Valencia Face €28m Midfielder Dilemma Amid Manchester United Interest | OneFootball

Valencia and Javi Guerra: Holding the Line or Losing Ground?

Contract Talks Reveal Strategic Shift at Valencia

Valencia’s negotiations with Javi Guerra are revealing more than contract wrangling. They represent a strategic crossroads for a club that has long been caught between ambition and austerity. Guerra’s rejection of the initial offer sent by CEO of Fútbol Ron Gourlay on July 18, as reported by MARCA, was swift and decisive. Yet, what followed was not a standoff. Unlike the situation involving Mosquera and Arsenal, as confirmed by the club, Guerra “did not ask them to attend to another club.” Instead, Valencia and the midfielder have kept the dialogue open, hinting at mutual recognition of his importance.

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What Valencia Offered and What Guerra Wants

The new contract proposed would run until 2029, extending two more years from his current deal and featuring a salary that would triple in the 2025-26 season, eventually totalling €15 million gross over four years, according to SER Deportivo Valencia. However, the player rejected the proposal. “One of the aspects with which the footballer did not agree was the economic starting point,” though Valencia is reportedly open to adjusting this.

In the background is a club realising Guerra’s growing value, both on and off the pitch. No longer just a promising talent, the Gilet-born midfielder is being positioned as one of the central figures in a rebuilt Valencia. The player, for his part, “has also expressed that he wants Valencia to have a better sporting project than just aspiring to avoid survival year after year.” His request is as much about ambition as it is about remuneration.

Villarreal Clause Complicates Exit Strategy

Valencia’s difficulty lies not only in meeting Guerra’s expectations but also in extracting fair value from the market. Villarreal holds 30% of the player’s economic rights. “For Valencia to receive €20 million in its coffers this summer, the offer had to exceed €28 million.” With Milan’s €16 million plus €4 million proposal rejected, and Manchester United merely making contact, the club is caught in a valuation paradox. The market isn’t willing to meet the asking price, and yet Valencia cannot afford to lose their emerging leader on the cheap.

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Resolution Edging Closer

Despite the public rejection, there are signs of progress. “Those close to the player are neither optimistic nor pessimistic,” a sentence that could equally apply to the mood at Mestalla. The club, according to sources, has “acknowledged that it intends to address the issues the player believes needed improvement,” and those same sources indicate “terms have already emerged under which an agreement will be possible.”

This saga may not stretch much longer. Valencia appear ready to reward both loyalty and leadership, recognising that Guerra is not just a player to retain, but a symbol of their future vision. If they are serious about escaping mid-table mediocrity, investing in Guerra’s continued rise may be the boldest move they can make.

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Expectant Football Fan Perspective

This feels like a club growing up. For years, Valencia have operated like a side more focused on survival than progression, but Guerra standing his ground is a wake-up call. His rejection of a trebling salary shows ambition, not arrogance. He knows his worth, and so should the club.

Valencia need players like him to stay if they want to punch above their financial weight. “He wants Valencia to have a better sporting project than just aspiring to avoid survival year after year.” That speaks volumes. Fans want the same. They don’t just want to beat relegation, they want to dream again.

There’s concern too. The Villarreal clause is a ticking clock, and if clubs like Manchester United are circling, Valencia need to act fast. Milan’s bid was never going to cut it, and unless someone hits €28 million soon, they risk losing both the player and the credibility of their project.

If Guerra stays, Valencia fans should be buzzing. If he goes, it’ll feel like a step back before they’ve even started moving forward.