Gago Loaned to Velez

The transfer window has officially closed and, unfortunately for many VCF fans, the news is in that Fernando Gago has departed the club. Hours before the transfer window closed, Valencia announced that Gago will be leaving for the remainder of the season on loan at Velez Sarsfield in his native Argentina. The only details about the loan move are that it will be for the rest of the season. Presumably there was no loan fee involved and there is no future fee to purchase the player when the season is over.

This comes as unwelcome news for a couple of reasons. Foremost in many VCF fans’ minds is Gago’s undoubted potential. Gago’s played well at every club he’s been at, only to be forced out by younger and more talented players. At one point, Gago was a worldclass player, and one of the premier defensive midfielders in the game. His inability to reach these heights at the Mestalla is surely to be a disappointment for Valencia supporters. The other glaring issue is squad depth. Depth for Gago’s position is fairly slim. Albelda is the only out and out defensive midfielder in the team other than Gago. Tino Costa and Victor Ruiz have improvised the role well, so there is hope in that department. The issue with that is Ruiz is the only back-up to Ricardo Costa and Adil Rami, so if either of them get injured he would be forced out of midfield to cover their position. Tino Costa, too, presents a problem in that he is much more valuable in a playmaking position and, considering how much he’s already played this season, making him work overtime by filling him in multiple positions might overload the player. With Albelda’s age, fitness, and injury problems a looming issue, Gago’s departure only creates more uncertainty for rotation in the midfield. 

There is some good to be found for Valencia fans in this story, though, and that is that there is no future buyout clause in the loan deal for Gago. This means that, despite Gago’s form, Velez cannot permanently sign him at any given point during the loan. They could, however, negotiate a full transfer when the loan is up, but if Gago finds his form again in Argentina I doubt he will go cheap, which could well dissuade Velez. With the threat of losing a quality player no longer looming, this loan move could provides Gago and Valencia with some needed time apart. If reports are to be believed, Gago was all but fed up with Valencia management and growing weary of playing for the club. His poor attitude might explain his poor form, so time apart from the club could well allow both parties to cool their heads. If Gago can find his form and return to Valencia with a fresh start in mind, a successful relationship could yet flourish. Amunt!

written by David Wall