Valencia Snub Sassuolo's £5m Bid for Jesús Vázquez
Valencia CF have rejected a €6m approach from Italian side Sassuolo for their homegrown left-back Jesús Vázquez, with Los Che viewing the youngster as key cover for Gayà.
The Italian Serie A outfit have been rebuffed in their attempts to lure away one of Valencia’s academy products, with Los Che standing firm despite potential financial benefits.
No Dice for the Italians
Valencia have given the cold shoulder to Sassuolo after the Italian side tabled a €6 million (approximately £5m) offer for left-back Jesús Vázquez. While some much-needed dosh would certainly come in handy for the cash-strapped Mestalla outfit ahead of the January transfer window, the club has bigger plans for their homegrown talent.
The 22-year-old, who turns 23 next month, is viewed as the natural understudy to club captain José Luis Gayà, providing crucial depth in a position where Valencia can’t afford to be short-staffed. This isn’t the first time Vázquez has attracted interest from abroad, with the club having to fend off approaches nearly every year for the academy graduate.
Why Valencia Are Standing Firm
Despite limited playing time behind the established Gayà, Vázquez’s versatility has made him a valuable squad member. Last season, he managed nearly 1,000 minutes across 24 appearances in La Liga and Copa del Rey competitions. The youngster has impressed successive managers with his ability to operate in multiple positions:
- Traditional left-back in a back four
- Wing-back when playing with five defenders
- Even as a wide midfielder ahead of the full-back
Vázquez’s contract was renewed last summer as part of Valencia’s retention strategy for key players, further highlighting his importance to the club’s plans.
Sassuolo’s Desperate Search
The Italian side’s interest isn’t surprising given their desperate need for left-back reinforcements. They’ve been on the hunt since 22-year-old Edoardo Pieragnolo suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee in late September, ruling him out long-term.
However, Valencia consider the €6 million offer well below their valuation, particularly given Vázquez’s potential and the club’s high hopes for his future. The fact he’s been at Valencia since his youngest academy days (described as ‘since cherub level’ in Spain) only strengthens their resolve to keep him at Mestalla.
While Valencia could do with the readies to fund their January transfer plans, they’re clearly not prepared to let one of their own walk out the door on the cheap. Sassuolo will need to dig much deeper into their pockets if they want to tempt Los Che into a sale.