Barcelona are reportedly still in pursuit of 26-year-old Spanish defender Jose Gaya, who could be sold by Valencia if he doesn’t commit his future to them.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona still retain an interest in signing, with a move likely to be launched in next summer’s transfer window. Valencia could be open to the prospect of selling the 26-year-old Spanish international to the Catalan giants if he does not sign a new deal with them by next year.
Jose Gaya spent his formative years at Valencia before making his first-team debut for them in 2012. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength at the Mestalla, establishing himself as one of the best full-backs on show in La Liga while also becoming a full-fledged Spanish international.
The 26-year-old has also been Valencia’s club captain since the onset of the 2020/21 season since the departure of Dani Parejo. Gaya has started the current season strongly, having provided an assist in three games so far. However, his precarious contract situation has kept Barcelona in the hunt for him constantly.
Barcelona hold a long-standing interest in Gaya, having even attempted to sign him this past summer. There were suggestions that the Spaniard himself was keen on joining the Blaugrana, only for a move to fail to materialise.
However, with Alejandro Balde being hailed as a potential long-term successor for Jordi Alba, Barcelona also decided that they could crucially save some money if they chose not to sign a left-back. Now, though, it looks like the Catalan giants retain an interest in the 26-year-old.
A move in next summer’s transfer window could be in the offing, seeing as Alba will be 33 by then. And it now looks like Valencia might finally be forced to sell Gaya to Barcelona, if he does not commit his future to the club by the time the transfer window opens next summer.
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Indeed, Gaya will have entered the final year of his contract ahead of the 2022/23 season, meaning it would give Valencia the final chance of recouping a decent enough sum for him. However, with the better part of ten months left for the transfer window to open next summer, it remains to be seen how Barcelona’s interest in the Spanish international grows.
