Valencia in for Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias

Valencia will activate the €28m release clause of Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias if they fail to land Maxi Gomez, report Marca.

The negotiations for Celta Vigo striker Gomez have become protracted and Iglesias has now emerged as a genuine alternative.

The 26-year-old only joined the Catalan club last summer in a €10m deal from Celta Vigo and he netted 20 goals in 43 appearances in his debut season.

Iglesias has also been strongly linked to a move to Real Betis, who are in the market for a new striker but are not said to be in a position to activate the release clause.

He starred under Espanyol boss Rubi, who has subsequently been appointed at Betis and who could prove instrumental in any such deal being processed.

Everton have also been extensively linked to the in-form striker although in February, he was cited as saying by Diario AS: “I see myself here and there is no reason to think otherwise, I am happy and I have a contract.”

The Galician native netted 23 goals for Real Zaragoza last season on a loan spell while the prior campaign he grabbed 34 goals for Celta’s B team.

However, Espanyol would be powerless to stop Iglesias leaving if his release clause was met and there are greater financial rewards for the player available at the clubs interested.

He is now said to be open to joining Betis, who have already signed striker Juanmi from Real Sociedad and sold Sergio Leon to Levante, but the club must first sell other players.

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