Pako Ayestaran admits he wishes he was at Valencia a few years ago, when the club was spending more money, but ‘the facts are what they are.’
Missing out on European football for the coming season has reportedly cut the finances at Mestalla and Andre Gomes’ move to Barcelona has in some quarters been attributed to the club’s need to balance the books, though the Coach insists he isn’t concerned more players could be sold.
“I try to get on with it. I would have liked to be in other circumstances, such as two years ago or last year with what was spent, but we’re at the opposite point. Do I like it? No, but the facts are what they are,” he told AS.
“Every Coach wants to have better players and the more quality and competition, the better. But we have to look at the situation at the club.”
Ayestaran, having also discussed Sevilla target Dani Parejo, was asked about Diego Alves and Shkodran Mustafi, the former one of three goalkeepers on Valencia’s books.
“The idea was that one would leave. The market will decide. One of them wouldn’t be involved a lot but none of them are at that point in their career,” Ayestaran said of Alves, Mat Ryan and Jaume Domenech.
“Of course, Alves has the chance to stay. He has a contract and I don’t think he’s yet given his best. He can take Santiago Canizares’ example, who knew when to train, when to rest. Alves is at that point in his exceptional career and we will try to use him, as long as the market allows.
“But we also appreciate Ryan and we’re convinced we’re well covered in goal, and Jaume provides involvement and identity with the club.
“Mustafi? We’re not counting on him. We will if he stays. But we are looking for a centre-back. A forward? We’ll check the performance of [Paco] Alcacer, [Santi] Mina and Rodrigo [Moreno] and see what the market offers. And we also have [Luis] Nani, who can play in any attacking position but we see him more a wide player than a natural forward.
“[Martin] Montoya and [Cristian] Tello? They would have a place here, because of the level they have shown. We want to bring in players who would add value and in both cases they would be a plus.”
