Cue the start of summer transfer news and rumours. The rumoured transfer of Stole Dimitrievski to Olympique de Marseille is not likely to proceed because the Spanish club does not intend to sell their goalkeeper and is close to activating a clause extending the Macedonian's contract until 2028. Dimitrievski is set to receive 500,000 euros as a result of this action, which could permanently end Olympique de Marseille's pursuit.
Guido Rodriguez finally signed a 2-year deal with Valencia with an option for a third year. At 32-yo, this was probably he final big footie deal, and will strengthen the Valencia midfield.
Incoming transfers are Justin de Haas, CB from Famalicao, MF Aliou Dieng from $andbox Al-Ahly, and resigning GK Dmitrievski. They have also agreed with FC Tokyo on winger Ryunosuke Sato.
Thomas Meunier, a 34-yo Belgian RB, is expected to transfer to Valencia from LOSC Lille. Despite his age, he is on the Belgium WC squad.
The $harks are circling. Ajax Amsterdam are said to be interested in Pepelu given they just hired Spaniard Michel as their trainer. And Barcelona are talking to Javi Guerra's father (agent) about a move to their bench. Sell them and we stare relegation in the face all season long methinks.
Valencia have submitted an offer to Dutch club FC Volendam for their 22-yo GK Kayne van Oevelen (1.99m). He is valued at between €2m-3m so the CHEAP price tickles Meriton's funnybone. He would probably be second choice behind Dmitrievski but would certainly get minutes in the Copa Del Rey and when Dmit gets injured.
Valencia have off-loaded midfielder Baptiste Sanatmaria to PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece. Not in Corberan's plans, the player likely won't earn Valencia any transfer fee money.
Sunderland snatched Thomas Meunier out from under Valencia's reach so now they are looking for another RB prospect. The name being bandied is Frenchman Will Mikelbrencis, who is now a free agent having completed his contract with Germany's Hamburger SV and is available for FREE, Peter Lim's favorite type of player.
I miss the Valencia of 2000-2004, what a team that was. Hoping they will ascend back to glory in the future.
Yeah, hope is a fragile thing when you have a cheapskate owner. I think some other group would have to buy Valencia and invest in a better group of players. Even in pre-season, this particular group plays well in one match, and then poorly in another. Consistency is missing.
Valencia are now looking at Oleksandr Saputin to be Dmitrievski's backup at GK. Saputin is a 1.97m tall Ukrainian (22 yo) currently with Zorya Lugansk.
Finally caught a Valencia pre-season match. They played two Championship sides this week, beating Derby County 2-1 and drawing with Stoke City today (1-1). Danjuma scored all three goals. Today he was set up by a Javi Guerra, who made a run into the box (after getting a pass from RB Monferrer) and then cut it back for Danjuma to shoot in. Unfortunately, at the other end, the young Monferrer (from B squad) headed a cross into his own goal for Stoke's marker. Starting lineup today against Stoke: Dimitrievski Monferrer, Tarrega, De Haas, Gaya Rodriguez, Ugrinic Rioja, Guerra, Sato Danjuma Second half saw a bunch of subs including Raba >> Sato Otorbi >> Rioja Duro >> Guerra (with Danjuma moving into Guerra's spot) Vasquez >> Gaya Almeida >> Danjuma Dieng >> Ugrinic Cordoba (?) >> De Haas And a couple of subs whose names I didn't catch.
Valencia lost their final pre-season "friendly" at home against Newcastle Untied, 1-2. They outplayed Newcastle in the first half, leading 1-0 on a long-range strike from Ugrinic. But then at 36', Gaya decided he needed to take out a Newcastle player with a studs-up challenge and get the straight red card. Starting lineup: Dimitrievski Vasquez, Tarrega, De Haas, Gaya Rodriguez, Pepelu Ugrinic, Guerra, Sato Duro Lots of second half subs. Nice to see Diakhaby back on the pitch again. Still need a new RB. Vasquez needs to back up Gaya for when he (1) gets injured, or (2) gets sent off for a straight red.