Valencia plan to sign a centre-back and keep Iker Córdoba | OneFootball

Ron Gourlay and Carlos Corberán are reshaping the defence, aiming to add a centre-back on loan while keeping Iker Córdoba with the first team. The plan is framed by caution over the recoveries of Mouctar Diakhaby and Copete.

According to AS, Cenk Ozkacar returns from Germany but is not in the plans, and the intention in mid June is for him to leave before any new centre-back arrives. He remains under contract until 2028.

With Justin De Haas signed and Ozkacar back from loan, Valencia currently have five centre-backs on the books, De Haas, Ozkacar, César Tárrega, Copete and Diakhaby. The club do not want to add a sixth until Ozkacar’s situation is resolved.

The preference is a loan, and it is early for clubs to accept that type of deal. Unai Nuñez fits the profile and can cover right-back, but with two years left on his Vigo contract it is complicated for Celta to consider a departure at this stage.

Córdoba will do pre-season with the senior squad and the initial idea is for him to stay at least until January. He played 24 matches for Mirándes last season and is the staff’s wildcard while the returns of Diakhaby and Copete are assessed in practice rather than on paper. Both are working through the summer to be available to Corberán as soon as possible, though past injuries and planned timelines still weigh on decisions.

Source: AS