Alvaro Negredo is the latest striker to be linked with a move to Middlesbrough, with reports coming out of Spain this week stating that approaches have been made.
Valencia are keen to get rid of the player, and they’re not exactly being patient. When Negredo arrived on loan from Manchester City he did so with a compulsory purchase option, which was activated last summer.
Even before the loan season was over Valencia regretted the contract due to the player’s fitness issues, patchy form, high wages, and issues with the manager. Nevertheless, Valencia still had to hand over just under €30m.
Now they want to get whatever they can for the 30 year old. First stop was obviously China, and whilst a move there and a big transfer fee suited Valencia, it did not suit Negredo, who turned it down.
Valencia’s change of heart isn’t the player’s fault, and he’d argue that his woes at the club haven’t been all his fault either… and he’d have a pretty good point.
Super Deporte say that Middlesbrough have been in some kind of talks to sign Negredo, but he’d prefer to stay in Spain. The Seville press say he’s been offered to former club Sevilla, but there’s nothing advanced in that regard.
Valencia may be willing to listen to offers on a loan basis if they can’t secure a permanent transfer, and Espanyol are named as an interested club.
With Valencia ready to pack Negredo’s suitcases and dump him at the airport, Middlesbrough may well increasingly look attractive.
Of course it’s not Spain, where Negredo wants to remain for family reasons, but it’s not too far away.
