Valencia sporting director Rufete has attempted to explain the club’s decision to release Jonas, and discussed some of Los Che’s other transfers.
Jonas was released on a free transfer before the transfer deadline passed as the club had been unable to find a buyer and needed to free up space in their squad.
But eyebrows were raised that Valencia were willing to let a 10-goal forward out of the club for free, and Rufete admitted in an interview with AS that people are right to be surprised.
“It’s understandable that people see it that way. It’s logical,” he conceded.
“We tried to sell the players who were saleable and Jonas was one of them. He was the only one we couldn’t sell.
“We had opportunities to sell for a price but the player wasn’t interested. For example, Mexico.
“The handicap is that when a player has a year on his contract, he has the upper hand.”
It was a busy summer at Mestalla with a new Coach, potential new owner and a multitude of transfers, while Rufete pointed to a signing made in January as one of the most important.
“We explained what happened with Nico Otamdendi. For us he is an essential piece for this year,” he continued.
“In fact he is the first piece and that’s why we signed him in January. He is a player we consider essential.
“Lose sleep over Jeremy Mathieu? We got €20m, he didn’t speak badly of the club and he nearly stayed.
“It’s true that his case was different to that of Juan Bernat, because he had only a year on his contract and had a player like Gaya behind him.”
Valencia’s summer was complicated by the situation with Peter Lim, who still hasn’t completed his takeover of the club but was instrumental in the loan signing of Alvaro Negredo.
“There was uncertainty over the sales process. We weren’t sure what would happen,” Rufete admitted.
“The President emphasised we had to continue with the project and that sooner or later Peter Lim would be clarified.
“Relationship with Jorge Mendes? Very good. We’ve talked a lot, as with other agents. He has players here and he has helped us.”
