Valencia and Monaco have been negotiating over defender Aymen Abdennour and Los Che’s Champions League place means they can afford him, reports say.
Monaco were beaten on aggregate by Valencia but talks regarding the centre-back had already started, Super Deporte claims, as Valencia look for a way to replace Nicolas Otamendi.
Otamendi last week moved to Manchester City and with Monaco looking to sell the want-away Abdennour, Valencia have entered the frame.
It’s said that Monaco engaged the services of Jorge Mendes to help sell Abdennour, who has made clear his desire to leave the Ligue 1 club.
Mendes and Valencia owner Peter Lim last week met to discuss the status of the squad, particularly the options in the centre of defence.
The report notes that Mendes could use his good relationship with both clubs to facilitate a loan deal with the option of a permanent transfer.
But one reporter is quoted as saying Abdennour is close to moving to Mestalla after negotiations earlier in the week.
Super Deporte acknowledge that if Valencia hadn’t reached the Champions League group stage, they wouldn’t have been able to afford the Tunisia international.
Coach Nuno Santo, meanwhile, admitted new signings were likely following the play-off victory, but didn’t mention any specific names.
