Nuno Santo has confirmed that Joao Pereira and Bruno Zuculini will leave Valencia before the end of January.
The Portugal international has been demoted to Los Che’s third-choice right-back under his compatriot this season, while the Manchester City loanee has failed to break into the side’s midfield.
“We’ve had time to analyse the decisions we’ve made,” the Coach said at a Press conference ahead of Valencia’s encounter with Sevilla on Sunday.
“We’ve let two players leave in Robert, who wanted more minutes [and joined Granada], and Carles Gil, whom we received an offer for [from Aston Villa].
“We introduced Enzo [Perez to the team] and decided that two players from the B team [Tropi and Salva Ruiz] will permanently train with the first team.
“We’ve also decided to let two more players leave. One [Pereira] is a player who technically isn’t ours anymore, but we have nothing against his professionalism.
“In the face of the second round [of the season], those who are with us are whom I believe can provide us with many things.
“The other is a natural departure in Bruno [Zuculini], who will seek what’s best for his career. He belongs to another club, and Manchester City must decide where he goes.”
Looking forward to this weekend’s crunch duel with their rivals for a Champions League spot, Nuno felt the match was not necessarily decisive but still important in the context of their season.
“We’re not obsessed with signings,” he added.
“I’m very sure that the players we have will enter the second round with a clear mind, that with hard work we will compete until the end.
“We want to be in the Champions League. All the players here know that.
“It’s an important game but not decisive. We’re only preparing to win. Our only ambition is to get the three points. We have to be at our best.
“We have an extra [thing in our favour], playing at Mestalla. I’m calling out all Valencia fans because we need them.”
