Valencia coach Marcelino has confirmed that the club will exercise their option to buy on-loan Inter Milan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.
President Anil Murthy told fans on Monday that they would strengthen the squad after clinching at least a fourth-placed La Liga finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
“Valencia will sign Kondogbia,” Marcelino told Cadena Ser, with reports suggesting they will pay €25 million for the 25-year-old France international.
However, Marcelino suggested that leading scorer Rodrigo could leave if the right offer came in.
The Spain international is under contract until 2022 but has been linked with Atletico Madrid, with Valencia reportedly considering Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas as a replacement.
The 27-year-old Rodrigo is in contention for a place in Spain’s World Cup squad after scoring 16 goals and setting up five more in 35 league appearances.
“Rodrigo has a contract with Valencia and he is a very important player, but the market will dictate what will happen with him,” Marcelino said.
“If a club comes and satisfies the interest of the player and the club considers that it’s financially irrefutable, then he will have to leave.”
Marcelino said he would like winger Goncalo Guedes, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, to remain at the club.
Guedes’ father recently said his son would like to stay, but Marcelino said: “It depends on PSG.
“They own his rights and they have to evaluate what they want to do with the player. Once that happens, Valencia will look to see if it can have him next season.”
The former Villarreal coach said he would be targeting Champions League qualification again next season, adding: “Valencia is a team that has to be in the high positions of the standings.
“The top three spots in La Liga are unattainable. Whoever finishes fourth is the one that wins La Liga of the rest.”
Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for ESPN FC.
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