Barcelona are set to rebuild their team under new manager Ronald Koeman and are targeting Valencia left-back Jose Gaya as one of their many prospective signings. Gaya has come through the ranks at the Spanish club and made his debut for the senior team way back in 2012.
As per Sport, Barca have shortlisted three players, one of whom is Jose Gaya. The report says that signing Gaya will be a difficult task as he is the only player that the Spanish club, Valencia, have not put up for sale in this transfer window. His release clause is currently set at a whopping €50 million.
Gaya still has three years remaining on his current deal at Valencia. The Spaniard has made over 220 appearances for his current club, becoming a key part of the side over the last few seasons. The 25-year-old has played for his national team on 7 occasions.
Jose Gaya to Barcelona: Right move by the club?
Jose Gaya is one of the most talented players in his position in the world, which is why Valencia are desperate to keep him. The left-back is an all-round player who can not only offer solidity defensively but also prove to be a threat in attack. The Spaniard is a quick and clever player, who likes to drive forward with the ball, play quick one-twos, and create chances with low crosses from wide areas.
Gaya likes to play early balls over the top to the attackers from the left-wing and join in on the attack at every opportunity. Barcelona need to find a long-term replacement for the under-performing Jordi Alba, who was also signed from Valencia back in 2012. Alba needs strong competition in the left-back slot to up his game, and Gaya could give manager Ronald Koeman more options in that position.
Barcelona signed young left-back Junior Firpo last year, but he, like several players that Barca have recruited in recent years, has failed to impress. Gaya, unlike Firpo, is a senior international and has vast experience of playing in La Liga and delivering consistently good performances. He could be a tremendous signing for Barcelona and go on to even replace Jordi Alba in the starting XI in the near future.
Jose Gaya is young, experienced, and plays the kind of football that Barca fans love, and would be a good fit in the side.
It is clear that the side needs fresh legs and ideas and given the brand of football Barcelona crave to resume playing, a strong fullback is as important as a new midfielder of an attacker.
