Valencia have made it clear that they have no intention of letting Javi Guerra, with Manchester United reportedly scouting the La Liga starlet.
Alongside Benfica’s Joao Neves and Royal Antwerp wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren, 20-year-old Javi Guerra appears to be high on Manchester United’s midfield shortlist, the Red Devils seemingly putting plans in place for an overhaul heading into 2024 with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro both the wrong side of 30 and starting to look every bit their age.
Guerra, capped twice by Spain at U21 level, is certainly more Eriksen than he is the second coming of Casemiro. A playmaker rather than a destroyer, Guerra has three goals and one assist from just six La Liga starts this term, the diamond sparkling amidst Valencia’s treasure trove of young gems.
“We are fully aware that we have a player with enormous potential for the future and the ability to perform at a good level now,” Valencia’s sporting director, Miguel Angel Corona, tells the Daily Mail.
“That is why the club have decisively moved him up to the first team in recent months. It is not in our plans to sell him to any club.”
Manchester United eye Valencia ace Javi Guerra
Actions speak far louder than words, however, and if there is one thing we have learned about Valencia during the Peter Lim era, it’s that Los Che are very much a ‘selling club’.
According to Marca, Manchester United and Newcastle are among those watching Guerra closely, and there is a quiet confidence that Valencia may be tempted into accepting offers far lower the midfielder’s £87 million release clause.
“Our future plans involve continuing to give him the appropriate condition so that he is able to develop his full potential under Ruben Baraja,” Corona adds. “Become an important player and continue to build a Valencia team of the immediate future around players like him.
“For us, the emergence of Javi Guerra has not been a surprise.”
£87 million release clause in Guerra’s contract
Guerra was outstanding in Valencia’s recent 3-0 hammering of Atletico Madrid, legend-turned-coach Baraja hailing the vast improvements he has made with regards to his finishing and his defensive output.
‘We have been aware of what he is capable of for a long time. We have been helping him and demanding more from him every step of the way, from youth level to the elite,” explains Corona.
“He has to continue working in this way. We have to be cautious when making assessments about his level or how far he will be able to go, as he is a young player and has a long way ahead of him.
“But only he, with his day-to-day work, will determine where his limit is.”
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