Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly closely monitoring Jose Gaya and his situation at Valencia ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to a report by ESPN, Valencia could be forced to sell some of their most valuable players in the summer transfer window due to their vulnerable financial and ownership situation. Jose Gaya is one such player who could be out the exit door at the Mestalla, which has alerted Barcelona and Real Madrid to his potential availability.
Gaya joined the Valencia academy in 2006 and in just six years’ time, he graduated into the first-team setup. Since then, the Spaniard has developed significantly and is now a regular for both club and country. Till date, the 25-year-old has amassed 251 appearances for Los Che, chipping in with 5 goals and 27 assists in those outings.
His progress has attracted a number of top clubs across Europe over the years and ahead of the summer transfer window, Gaya could be an achievable target for the suitors, owing to the situation that Valencia find themselves in currently. This has piqued the interest of Barcelona, Real Madrid and several others over a possible swoop.
Barcelona are expected to enter the market for a left-back this summer, with Gaya identified as one of the targets in recent months. That is because Junior Firpo is tipped to depart Camp Nou at the end of the season. And with Jordi Alba on the wrong side of 30, Barcelona will need a long-term solution for the left side of the defence.
To that end, Juan Bernat had also been viewed as a target, but Barcelona are now being forced to scour for alternatives – one of whom could be Gaya – as the Spanish international is eager to remain at PSG. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have the need to sign a left-back due to the fact that Marcelo is seemingly in the twilight of his career and has endured a dramatic decline in the last two years.
With the Brazilian expected to leave the club in the summer, Zinedine Zidane will be left with Ferland Mendy as the only natural left-back at his disposal. To that end, Gaya could be pursued for a move in the summer transfer window, with several other targets reportedly identified as well.
Examining a possible Real Madrid return for Theo Hernandez: Should Los Blancos go for it?
Apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid, PSG and several Premier League clubs are also tracking Gaya and Valencia’s situation. However, Barcelona could have the advantage in pursuit of the 25-year-old, as former Valencia general manager Mateu Alemany is set to join the Catalan giants as a part of new president Joan Laporta’s team.
Meanwhile, Valencia could demand up to €40 million to part ways with Gaya, who has so far been keen to remain at the Mestalla to solidify his prospects for this summer’s European Championship. It now remains to be seen if Barcelona, Real Madrid and the other suitors are willing to match his valuation or if they can negotiate a lower sum for him.
