Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo has reportedly emerged as a January target for La Liga club Valencia, with Jose Bardalas reportedly eyeing a loan deal.
According to Fichajes, Valencia are in the market for a new defender in January. It appears Jose Bardalas is keen on shoring up his options in the defensive department, with Jesus Vallejo emerging as one of his three potential targets.
Real Madrid are open to offloading Vallejo in the winter transfer window. However, they are holding out for a fee of €10 million, which is perceived as too high by Valencia. Instead, the La Liga club wants a loan deal at least until the end of the season, with the player himself keen on putting an end to his misery at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A product of the Real Zaragoza youth academy, Vallejo joined Real Madrid back in 2015. He was brought in as a long-term prospect, although the defender soon made his breakthrough in professional football during a loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt. He was one of Bundesliga’s best defenders during the 2016/17 campaign, with many labelling him as Real Madrid’s ideal long-term replacement for Sergio Ramos.
However, during his ongoing six and a half year spell at the the Bernabeu, the 24-year-old has mustered only 21 competitive appearances for Los Blancos. Even with Raphael Varane and Ramos both departing in the summer, the Spaniard has featured in a total of just ten minutes, falling behind David Alaba, Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez in the pecking order.
Vallejo’s role at Real Madrid could dwindle further, with Real Madrid reportedly in the market for Joe Gomez. The Liverpool centre-back is one of many defenders the club is targeting as Carlo Ancelotti looks to shore up his defensive options.
The potential addition of a new defender could pave the way for Vallejo to leave Bernabeu. It should effectively allow Valencia to make a move, although it appears the La Liga could face stiff competition from Premier League side Newcastle United in the pursuit of Vallejo.
The Magpies are also desperate to bulk up their defensive options. And unlike Valencia, they may have no problems shelling out the €10 million to secure the services of the Real Madrid starlet in January.
