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By: dan_c | June 9th, 2011

Transfer Window

Transfer window open is as wonderful as it is stressful for every football fan. Never do I check my phone for updates more regularly each day, never do I groan and moan and exalt at the suggestion of transfers, 97% of which will never happen, than now. While my teams (me being the type to have a side in pretty much every country in the world. Try me, I’ll have an answer, even for Faroe Islands) in other countries have been efficient and brought in players, Valencia has done little so far, aside from providing added depth to the GK department.

However if speculation is anything to go by, we have some real good deals to look forward to. Here’s a round-up of what I have heard in recent days regarding VCF.

Kevin Gameiro

Looks to be slipping out of the fingers. PSG look in pole position as they have an inflated budget to go with their new Middle-Eastern investors, and they are willing to match Lorient’s asking price and sign him NOW. Personally, I’m a little sad, but at the end of the day, a new goal scorer is not the priority.

Dani Parejo

A great young left back, playing for Getafe, has been heavily linked. Reports suggest that a fee with Getafe has been agreed for the 22 year old. Now we must just negotiate with Real Madrid, who have a buy-back clause in his current contract. I personally rate him. It is clear that we need defensive reinforcements, and young blood to challenge if not replace Bruno and Miguel is more than welcome.

He played in Real Madrid youth, had a season in England with newly promoted to Premier League Queens Park Rangers, and has made 64 appearances for Getafe to date. He does get goals, including scoring 1 against former club Madrid. He has represented Spain at all youth levels, including U21.

I rate him and would love to see him in Los Che colours.

Speaking of which, any news on Valencia’s new kit?

Andres Guardado

Another good young player. He is a full international for Mexico and I was certainly impressed with him at the World Cup last year, although it was his cross that created Mexico’s goal against my beloved Bafana that in the end knocked us out in the group stages. Bastard. And because of his cross a mexican behind me at the Cape Town Fan Park spilt his entire beer on my head. Bastard.

He can operate all the way down the left flank which is certainly useful. He is dangerous going forward, and should come cheap as his current club Deportivo (the sorry souls we sent down) need cash and he only has a year left on his contract. The fact that he is versatile, can help in defence has potential and won’t take too much to get makes him a good signing.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Yet another young player with plenty to offer at wing back, Cesar proved himself to be a great young talent when he debuted for Osasuna as a 17 year old against Real Madrid. He went on to make 99 appearances for Osasuna. Last summer he moved to Marseille, but injuries ruined his chances of excelling in the south of France. He seems keen for a return to Spain, and a bash at playing in the Champions League for the best team outside the Old Firm. Like Parejo, he has represented Spain at every youth level, including U21.

So…pick one I guess. If I had to choose I think I would take Parejo or Guardado.

On a lighter note, check what I found today. The media and tabloids have a reputation for pulling stories out of their asses to fill the columns and sell stories. This story though, is golden, quote courtesy of Goal.com.

The best story of all, however, involves a little known 16-year-old Malian midfielder, Oghenne Sayalongo. The teenager was a sensation at French side Rennes, he had been scouted by Barca but had chosen to sign for Malaga, AS reported on May 27. Sounds plausible, you may think. However, not only was this untrue, but Sayalongo does not exist. The “starlet with an enormous future” had been created by users on an Internet forum and they had even created a false Twitter account for their alter-ego, who wrote enthusiastically about moving to sunny Spain. From the surreal, to the unreal.

So, don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers.

Peace