Jose Gaya is reportedly keen on joining Barcelona, who have been handed a major boost in pursuit of the €20 million-rated Valencia defender.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Jose Gaya has taken a definitive call on his future. The Spanish international is determined to leave Valencia to join Barcelona in next summer’s transfer window, with Los Che demanding €20 million to part with him.
Jose Gaya has come leaps and bounds since breaking into the first-team setup at Valencia in 2012. In the decade that has passed since the 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best full-backs in La Liga. At the same time, he has been a pivotal figure for Los Che, even becoming the club captain at the onset of the 2020/21 season.
To date, the Spanish international has made 275 appearances for Valencia, chipping in with eight goals and 33 assists in the process. However, the La Liga club is in a precarious position over Gaya’s long-term future, as he will enter the final year of his contract next summer. Such a situation has alerted several European bigwigs, including Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona makes a world of sense, considering Jose Gaya has endured a considerable dip in performance levels in the last few years. With the Spanish international well into his thirties, it behoves Barcelona to lay down a succession plan for the veteran defender.
To that end, Alejandro Balde could be an in-house solution for Barcelona, especially with keeping their dire financial situation in mind. However, Balde is yet to completely settle into the first-team environs, which is why the Blaugrana need to sign a left-back sooner or later, making Gaya a viable target.
Recent reports have also indicated that Barcelona and Gaya have initiated discussions over a possible move in next summer’s transfer window. Now, the La Liga heavyweights have been handed a major boost in pursuit of the Spanish international, who is ready to leave Valencia. Signing him will not cost a bomb either, with Los Che demanding €20 million to sell him.
What also keeps Barcelona in good stead in pursuit of Gaya is his eagerness to be a part of Xavi Hernandez’s project, as per El Nacional. And while Real Madrid are also interested in signing him, Gaya is determined to join Barcelona. So, it remains to be seen if a €20 million deal sees the light of the day.