Barcelona will look to sign Jose Gaya, whose market value is €40 million, in the summer if Valencia cannot survive the drop.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Jose Gaya is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants are closely monitoring Valencia’s situation in the second half of the 2022/23 season. And the Blaugrana will launch the offensive for the Spanish full-back if Los Che cannot survive the drop.
Jose Gaya has been one of the best full-backs in La Liga since breaking into professional football. The 27-year-old is a product of the Valencia CF academy and has risen in stature considerably in the past decade. And he became the club captain when Dani Parejo departed from the Mestalla a few years ago.
The Spanish defender has made over 300 appearances for Valencia, chipping in with nine goals and 38 assists. But Gaya’s long-term future at the Mestalla is up in the air amid Valencia’s precarious situation in La Liga. Such a development has captured the attention of one of his long-term suitors, Barcelona.
The Catalan giants have previously considered signing Gaya without launching the offensive for him. Barcelona most recently contemplated an approach when the Spanish full-back had entered the final year of his contract. But Valencia’s struggles have brought him back on Barcelona’s radar.
Barcelona might enter the market for a left-back in the summer transfer window, even though Xavi Hernandez has three options at his disposal for the position. But Marcos Alonso is on the wrong side of 30 and only a short-term solution for Barcelona. Meanwhile, Jordi Alba is approaching the end of his career.
Recent reports have also suggested that Barcelona might terminate Alba’s contract this year. So it will not be surprising to see the Blaugrana launch the offensive for a left-back. And Gaya is a viable target amid Valencia’s struggles to remain in La Liga.
While Gaya’s market value is €40 million, he will likely be available for a cut-price sum if Valencia cannot survive the drop. But the Catalan giants also have several other left-backs on their radar, including Alejandro Grimaldo. It will be interesting to see if Gaya leaves Valencia anytime soon.
