Ruben Baraja, the Valencia coach, is gearing his side up for their first LaLiga game of the season.
Los Ches face Spanish giants Barcelona in their opening game of the season.
But Baraja’s preparations are somewhat being distracted by speculation around two of his key men.
Javi Guerra, the left-back seen by many as the next Jordi Alba, had been believed to be on his way to Atletico Madrid.
Highly rated, the 21-year-old would be a major loss to Valencia but that deal seems to have now collapsed.
Another player linked with a move away from the club is Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Georgia number 1 is said to have been subject of a transfer bid from Liverpool.
It’s even believed that everything is in place for Mamardashvili to move to Bournemouth on loan before joining Liverpool.
With two high profile players seemingly out of the door, Ruben Baraja was asked to comment on those situations in his press conference ahead of the clash with Barca.
Speaking to journalists earlier today, Baraja provided a big statement on the potential Giorgi Mamardashvili transfer to Liverpool situation.
In his comments, Ruben Baraja seems to suggest that there was a deal agreed between the clubs for Javi Guerra, but not one so far for Giorgi Mamardashvili.
“Javi Guerra was almost defined, he was about to travel and there was an agreement between clubs,” the Valencia coach said.
“I’m not aware of Giorgi being in the same situation.
“Tomorrow we will count on him as one more.”
Later in his conference, Baraja was asked again about the Mamardashvili situation and seemed to double down on the fact that there’s no agreement between the clubs.
“It’s very simple. He is our player and as long as there is no other different situation I am not going to evaluate anything.
“I’m not going to enter into hypotheses.
“Giorgi is a Valencia player and is ready to participate.
“When the market is open, clubs buy players, transfer…
“I am focused on tomorrow’s game, he is here, he is ready to participate.
“We cannot talk about situations that have not yet occurred.”
It seems as if Ruben Baraja was extra keen to emphasise that there is no agreement between the clubs.
With Liverpool playing Ipswich Town tomorrow and Valencia playing Barcelona, it seems that Giorgi Mamardashvili will almost certainly be starting the new campaign playing in LaLiga rather than the English Premier League.
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