Valencia are stepping up interest in Barcelona’s Alen Halilovic and Atletico Madrid striker Borja Baston, on loan at Eibar.
AS reports sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has been given the go-ahead by owner Peter Lim to open talks with the respective parties, Borja having been prolific while on loan at Ipurua this season and Halilovic having impressed at Sporting Gijon.
Borja is said to have an array of offers to choose from, though, with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton named as making approaches, and clubs in the Bundesliga on the radar as well.
Atletico could also choose to keep Borja, particularly if they’re unable to make summer signings due to a looming FIFA embargo.
Borja’s contract expires in 2017, however, and Valencia and Atletico are on good terms, as evidenced in the smooth process that took Guilherme Siqueira to Mestalla in January, shortly after Pitarch, a former Atleti employee, was hired by Los Che.
Halilovic is similarly in-demand but Valencia are considered to be at the front of the queue. Barca are asking for €6m plus the right to re-sign the Croatia starlet, who has agreed to the transfer already. Valencia now need to accept the terms laid down by Barca.
