Valencia Transfer Rumors

Though the transfer window is closed, the rumor mill never stops, and recently a few big stories have come up concerning two of Valencia’s most prized possessions. The first, Ever Banega. Valencia’s problem child looked recently as though he might be falling in line, but news out of the Valencia camp seems to indicate the opposite. It is already confirmed that Banega was late for a training session a few weeks ago, and word is that at the training session the morning of the Barcelona match Banega showed up still tipsy from the night before. These disciplinary issues may have something to do with Gago’s transfer, as the two Argentinean midfielders are close from their time at Boca and on the Argentinean national team. His departure might have put Banega off, and the young midfielder may be acting out as a result. Or another likely possibility is simply that Banega never really got his act together in the first place, and simply did a good job of not getting caught. With these disciplinary missteps rearing their ugly heads again, the rumors of Banega exiting the club have started up again. Word is that Fiorentina are looking to make a bid this summer for the playmaker. What is certain is that should the player depart, he won’t go for cheap. The club played top dollar for Banega to acquire him from Boca, and, despite his disciplinary problems, he remains one of Valencia’s key players. Personally I think these rumors are bunk, but considering Valencia’s economic problems and mounting debt, Banega might be sold for a quick buck.

 

The second player being tossed into the rumor mill is Diego Alves. In the months leading up to the winter window it was Vincente Guaita’s number that looked as though it might be in the shop. The idea of losing a quality, home-grown keeper had Valencia fans in an uproar. The club assured fans that Guaita would be going nowhere in the winter window, but promised nothing for the summer. It appears obvious, now, that the idea of juggling two world-class goalkeepers is impossible. After a season of trying neither Guaita nor Alves wants to play second fiddle to the other, and it appears obvious one of the two will have to leave in the summer. Guaita’s great promise as a young goalkeeper, and his status as a player out of the Valencia youth system make him one of Valencia’s favorite sons causing Valencia President Manuel Llorente to make the statement that clubs should “forget about Vicente (Guaita)” and that “he is Valencian and will remain that way”. Essentially, by making Guaita intransferable, Llorente has issued a “come and get me” for Alves. The rumors for Alves haven’t started yet in full force just yet, but rumors have started about who is going to replace him, and those rumors lean heavily towards Andres Palop. Palop was surprisingly selected over Diego Lopez as starting keeper under new coach Unai Emery, with Emery stating that Palop was in excellent shape. Emery’s opinion surely still carries weight with the Valencia board, having recently been Valencia’s manager, and with Palop also coming out of the Valencia youth academy, he would be a perfect fit for Guaita’s backup. Valencia manager, Ernesto Valverde, has even come out and said that Palop could well provide the kind of experience and influence Guaita needs to become a Spanish national goalkeeper. With Palop’s contract expiring at the end of the season it seems all but a foregone conclusion that Palop is in and Alves is out, it’s just a matter of to who and for how much. Alves could be considered my many as a marquee goalkeeper, and very well could fetch a pretty penny. Hopefully Valencia will profit from Alves’ sale and acquire Palop for free, giving Valencia some much needed cash without sacrificing strength in the goalkeeping core. Amunt!

written by David Wall