Cenk Özkacar next in Valencia clear-out as he seeks exit solution | OneFootball

According to Superdeporte, Valencia’s clear-out has stirred, with Baptiste Santamaría due in Greece on Sunday to join PAOK Salonika. The club are confident departures could continue next week with Cenk Özkacar, who is not in Carlos Corberán’s plans and has two years left on his deal.

The Türkiye international centre-back has long known his status, spending last season on loan at Cologne and playing 25 Bundesliga matches. Back for pre-season, nothing has changed. His agents, and the ex-Olympique Lyonnais defender himself, are working on a move.

His exit is more complex than Santamaría’s. The French midfielder had only one year remaining and cost little, with add-ons that could have reached 2 million never triggered. Player and club quickly agreed to terminate.

Özkacar has been a far bigger investment. In June 2023 Valencia exercised a 5 million option and extended him to June 2028, after an initial loan that cost 0.5 million. With 24 months left, a contract termination would be expensive, so a transfer is preferred, though another loan is not ruled out if talks drag, as when Cologne took him. After 25/26 they did not activate a clause worth around 2 million.

Valencia at least have the player’s cooperation. After medicals on Friday, he indicated they are waiting and that when something does not work for both sides they will look for a solution. He will not travel on Monday to the short pre-season camp in Girona, staying in Valencia to fast-track a club for 2026/27.

Source: Superdeporte