Valencia manager Javi Gracia has confirmed Etienne Capoue has asked to leave Watford but insists that does not mean he is on the way to the Mestalla.
The Frenchman is one of several big names looking to leave Vicarage Road this summer following the Hornets relegation to the Championship.
A move to Valencia, and a potential reunion with Gracia, has been mooted for several weeks, with it believed the new Valencia boss is keen to add Capoue to his midfield after seeing several high profile players leave in this window.
The two clubs have been working on a deal, but the Spanish side’s lack of money and Watford’s determination to take some sort of fee has held things up.
That saw Capoue hand in a transfer request this week to push things along and try to get a deal over the line before the end of the window.
Gracia has now confirmed the Watford midfielder has handed in that request but made it clear that doesn’t mean Valencia are at the front of the queue.
“We have already talked about that (Capoue) in recent press conferences,” AS report him saying.
“I am not aware of moments of possible negotiations. I am not aware of all those things. I am confident that players will come and I will have it until the last day.
“He is a player who has asked to leave that situation, like other players in the squad. But it does not mean that Valencia has exclusivity either.
“With the quality of that player, surely he has other options. I spoke with some players so that they could join and help the club.
“I took that step with the intention of helping, but for a while now I have not spoken with any player and I no longer think I will.”
Capoue is unlikely to be the only exit from Vicarage Road this summer and one who is looking very likely to depart is Luis Suarez.
The striker enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Real Zaragoza last season and has suitors all around Europe, particularly in Spain.
One of those interested in him is Granada, and according to AS, they are continuing to press to secure his signature.
The newspaper states that they consider the Colombian a ‘millionaire slice’ and the move ‘seduces’ him as he knows he will be important, something Watford can’t guarantee.
The Hornet’s owner Gino Pozzo is proving to be ‘tough’ in negotiations, though, demanding at least €15m if they are to sanction a sale.
That is an ‘exorbitant amount’ in the current climate so Granada ‘continue to press’ and hope that they can get him in before the transfer window closes on October 5th.
