Nicolas Otamendi to join Valencia CF?

Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi who currently plays for FC Porto is on the verge of signing a contract with Valencia CF and joining the ranks of Valencia CF.

The management wants a better defense, which has been pointed as one of the weakest links in the team and so they are trying to bring Nicolas Otamendi to Valencia CF and solidify and strengthen the defense. 

Manchester United is said to be interested in the player as well, but they are a bit cash strapped at the moment after the signing of former Valencia CF player Juan Mata to their ranks for over 40 million euros. 

It is said that Nicolas Otamendi prefers Valencia CF since he is to almost certainly get guaranteed time and the football is similar to the one played in Portugal, so the transition would be easier for him.

We'll have to wait and see though, I do think he is going to be a strong reinforcement if he arrives in Valencia CF.

Banega and Canales on the exit door

Ever Banega and Sergio Canales are on the exit door and Canales is said to be hours away from leaving and joining Real Sociedad, while Ever Banega has few clubs bidding for him that want his services, while Valencia CF is looking for offers in the region of 10 to 12 million euros for him.

Its been reported that Inter Milan, AC Milan, BVB, Napoli and few English teams are interested in acquiring the services of Ever Banega and that the biggest obstacle is Valencia's preferred price of 12 million for him.

Sergio Canales hasn't lived up to his reputation and I suspect the two major injuries he had one after another had a major part in it, and he hasn't paid off and was going down the pecking order, so him leaving the club is only natural.

Ever Banega on the other hand has been hot and cold in his plays, amazing 6 months, usually followed by a big injury and then a miserable 6 months, then booming to form again and having several good months, before another big injury and then another period of mediocre performances.

He hasn't paid off for Valencia CF either, he had his chances, he did very good in periods, but never really achieved consistency and the necessary dependency that is required of a very good player.

If a team reaches the 12 million asking price I expect the club will sell him immediately, if not I think they might sell him for a lower price as well, though they will try and get 12 million euros and not rush selling him.

Official: Seydou Keita joins Valencia CF

Former Barcelona FC midfielder Seydou Keita has joined Valencia CF on a 6 months deal. This is a full permanent deal, not a loan, its just that the deal is for only 6 months with the option for Valencia CF to extend the deal to 1 more year.

The player will need to undergo a medical examination before the deal is seal though and he comes to Valencia CF as a free agent.

I have no idea what the deal is, since Seydou Keita hasn't been playing professional football for 1 year since he left a Chinese team he was playing for, so I have no idea at 34 years old if he even has good stamina.

Postiga, Pabon and Guardado loaned out

The duo of Postiga and Guardado have been loaned out until the end of the season at which point all clubs have options to purchase the players. Pabon has been loaned out for 1 year and a half

Helder Postiga has been loaned out to Lazio until the end of the season, after which Lazio have an option to purchase the player for 3 million euros.

Andres Guardado has been loaned out to Bayern Leverkusen until the end of the season at which point they will have the option to purchase Guardado for 7 million euros.

Dorlan Pabon has been loaned out for year and a half to Sao Paulo, I believe without the option of purchase, though the loan is very long, so he is as good as sold at this point.

Official: Eduardo Vargas Signed and Presented

Eduardo Vargas has been presented today at the Mestalla thus officially confirming the completion of the loan deal from Napoli. The 24-year old Chilean striker is only Valencia's second signing of the January Transfer Window after 19 year old Ruben Vezo. Pizzi asked for this player by name so he must have some sort of big plans for him and really believes in his potential. The loan deal is in the range of 500,000 euros including an option to buy for some 7-8 million according to some sources. Vargas has already started training with the first team and should be available for next week's match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

In other news, Pabon has sought a way out in anticipation of the arrival of Vargas and the lack of playing time. Thus, he will be loaned to Sao Paulo of Brazil for some year and a half period. Sergio Canales has been the target of many rumors recently too with Everton and Southampton battling for his signature. The fans don't want a young talent to leave the club and neither does Pizzi, but Canales wants regular playing time. In addition, the club is still looking at bringing in another striker in the last days of the transfer market with names like Pavlo Osvaldo, Iago Aspas and Mauro Icardi appearing to be the most likely.

Eduardo Vargas deal just about done!!!

Reports in Spain state that Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas is on his way to Valencia. Valencia have been looking to strengthen the attack this winter transfer window and new coach Pizzi asked specifically for Eduardo Vargas. The deal is a loan end of the year for a fee of $500,000 including a purchase option. This will be Valencia's second signing this transfer window if it goes through. Other interested teams where Sao Paulo and Santos of Brazil but the player insists on Valencia. The signing might be announced as early as tomorrow should the reports be true.

Other good news is that the club is working on getting another striker in addition to Vargas. There is mention of the possibility that it might be 19-year old Mauro Icardo of Inter Milan.

Whatever the additions may be, the position of "striker" on the team will be impacted. With two new strikers, Jonas, Postiga, Alcacer and Pabon, there are too many forwards. Even if we count Jonas and Pabon as CAM and winger respectively, there are still too many. There are already reports that Pabon is seeking a way out already.

The anticipation of the club being purchased soon cause a hord of transfer rumours for Valencia. Now there is also talks of a new center-back (finally!!). In addition to Ruben Vezo who was already brought in, Benefica's Ezequiel Garay is the top target for the center-back position. However, this bid may require the club being purchased first.

Transfer Market 2014

As you all should know the transfer market has begun about a week and a bit now. While there is lots of speculations surrounding Valencia players, I wanted to get enough content before I actually started writing this. So here goes.

I wrote earlier about Portuguese youth Ruben Vezo signing a deal earlier in 2013. As such he is the first player to join Valencia in this transfer window. With Ricardo Costa and Mathieu both injured in the last game against Celta Vigo, which ended in a 2-1 loss for Valencia, Ruben Vezo might get his first start alongside Victor Ruiz against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday's Copa del Rey game.

Here is an overview of potential players arrival and departure. These are only speculations.

Possible Departures:
     

1) Sergio Canales: The attacking midfilder/winger has expressed his desire to leave to get more playing time. After his multiple injuries last year, the player has not fully settled or established himself in the squad. When he was given a chance by new coach Pizzi, this past weekend against Celta Vigo, the results were far from impressive. I thought he was a good prospect when he first arrived, he is talent but I don't see him getting back to what he was before.
         Offer: N/A
         Interested Parties: Real Betis

    

2) Daniel Parejo: This is just pure speculation and I doubt this will actually go through. Parejo has taken advantage of the misfortune of other midfielders and has established himself in the team. He is starting every game and doing his job well: keeping the ball and making great passes.
         Offer: N/A
         Interested Parties: Napoli, Everton

     

3) Ever Banega: Another midfielder who is linked out of the club. Having impressed in the pre-season, he blew his chances after giving away the ball so much and trying to dribble the entire opposing team by himself. He should've cemented himself as the star player after Soldado's departure but failed to do so and at times became more of a liability. A host of European giants are interested in his signature though which could be in our favor.
         Offer: Currently valued at 15 million euros (a lot less than the upwards of 20 million he was before). However, he could become part of an interesting trade. Read further for more details ;)
         Interested Parties: Manchester United, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli, Fiorentina, Roma

You may notice that all of the departure section is midfielders. If one of them leaves it might not be a huge problem since Elche loanee Carles Gil is returning to Valencia at the end of the season. However, the problem remains on whether the midfield can hold its own for the remainder of the season. Other name that should be mentioned is that Juan Bernat rejected a move to Inter Milan and said he wants to continue with the club for a long time (good for him!)

Possible Arrivals:
The biggest area needing improvement right now in Valencia CF is the strike force. Between Jonas, Postiga, Alcacer and Pabon there is a lack of goals. Pizzi caught on to this and requested a new striker and there have been a lot of speculation. Here are the top ones.


1) Eduardo Vargas: 24-year old Chilean striker has fallen out of favor plays in Napoli now plays in Gremio (Brazilian Club) on loan. This striker tops the list since Pizzi requested him by name. His transfer is a bit complicated though as Napoli want to recover the 14 million or so euros invested in him. If he arrives it will be through a loan deal. Known for his speed and dribbling.
       Price: Loan Deal, Valencia want to loan him for the remainder of the season for half a million euros.

2) Vinicius Araujo: 20 year-old Brazilian forward. A great prospect in South America with his skill-level comparable with Neymar's at that age. If his skill is as good as they say, it will not go unnoticed and lots of the European Giants will try to claim his signature. As such a bid for him would be more probable if Peter Lim, TPG or QIA succeed in purchasing the club. As of now, a loan deal is the only way he can be signed but even that is unlikely since the player himself wants to establish himself in the Cruzerio first team.
      Price: N/A

3) Felipe Caicedo: 25-year old Ecuadorean striker currently playing in Lokomotiv Moscow. The player seeks a return to Spain where he played a season with Malaga and then Levante after arriving from Manchester City. He signed a five year contract with Lokomotiv but has finished about 3 years and the club might be reluctant to let him leave. Known for his strength and power.
      Price: about 7 million euros

4) Javier Hernandez: Here is a surprise. The 25-year old Mexican striker has been linked with Valencia time and time again but a move never seemed in the cards since the player is valued beyond what Valencia could afford. Even having connections with his fellow Mexican International Andres Guardado on the team wasn't enough to bring him in. The striker has down the pecking order at Old Trafford behind Wayne Rooney, Van Persie and Danny Welbeck is being used too now. His role at Manchester United has been that of a "super-sub" so far,  like Nelson Valdez was last year in Valencia, only a lot better. So why is he on the list when Valencia can't afford him? Well recently there have been talks of a trade: Manchester United's out of favor striker for Valencia's out of favor midfielder Ever Banega. Sounds like a great deal to me. I'm sure Valencia might have to put in a bit more cash but overall great deal for me.
        Price: Ever Banega plus the difference in their values.

Well that's all of them. Other names that should be mentioned are Edin Dzeko but that bid has apparently failed and Lisandro Lopez of Lyon but at 30-years old I don't see the club bringing him in.

Well I hope you enjoyed the current overview of this year's transfer window. If the purchase of the club does go through there will be more transfers to discuss.

Feel free to let us know what you think :)
AMUNT VALENCIA