Valencia Line Up Striking Options
Valencia are in need of a striker; the club may have financial issues but they know that they will not be able to compete in the Liga BBVA with Chori Dominguez as their only recognised front man following the sales of David Villa and Nikola Zigic and the board are willing to spend a bit of money in order to get a proven goalscorer in as the club attempts to remain competitive despite it’s problems. A shortlist has quickly been drawn up consisting of a few interesting names.
The most interesting name on the list is that of former Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Hamburg man is reportedly fed up of life with the German club despite only having played for them for half a season and Valencia are eager to give him another chance. van Nistelrooy was highly prolific for Real and still has goals in him as he showed this season but he’s also turning 34 in just over a month and would represent a short term signing, something a club with money issues shouldn’t be looking at. Nevertheless, some in the media are claiming a deal’s already done although Valencia have moved to rubbish the claims for the time being.
Also on the rumoured shortlist are Spanish pair Roberto Soldado and Aritz Aduriz. Soldado has had a good season with Getafe this past year, becoming their highest La Liga scorer ever in the process and he would definitely be a good call as for who should replace Villa at the Mestalla. The problem is Getafe’s asking price which is believed to be around the 12 million euro mark which would definitely be too steep for Los Ches. Mallorca front man Aduriz would give them a big strong forward for a reasonable price as Mallorca have financial troubles of their own and would have to cash in but Aduriz is far from a prolific forward and Valencia would need such from him, particularly if other key players leave before the end of the transfer window.
Rounding off the shortlist is French striker Kevin Gameiro. The 23 year old Lorient striker scored 19 goals last season and was even on the brink of a debut in the French national side. Gameiro would be a risky signing as he could fail to adapt like countryman Karim Benzema did when he moved to Spain but if he were to succeed then Valencia could easily pull off a coup with his signing.
The choice as to who’d be the best signing is simple with Soldado the standout candidate. Unfortunately his asking fee is too high and it could easily be that van Nistelrooy becomes the man Valencia rely on to get their goals in the upcoming season.