La Liga Leaks: Mustafi ‘wants to leave’, Gabriel Jesus 'to reject Barca interest, sign for City’

What a difference a year makes, eh? At the end of the 2014/15 season Valencia fans were celebrating a return to the Champions League and a squad full of potential new heroes. Nuno Espirto Santos was the head coach, a relative novice, but he’d managed to stir the ship through immense pressure from Sevilla to the promised land ahead of schedule. This was supposed to be the rebirth of Los Che.

Nicolas Otamendi left but the majority of the squad stayed. However, it never quite felt right. Since then the club has seen the majority of its star players either leave or underperform to the point that you’re unsure if they were actually ever any good in the first place. Throughout all of this turmoil, Shkodran Mustafi has been one of Valencia’s most coveted players. A real gent on and off the pitch, his loveable enthusiasm was respected across the board. You felt he ‘got’ the fans. Now it seems he too wants out.

Plaza Deportiva say Mustafi has had enough. Sky Germany reported late last night that Arsenal were interested in him and could offer up to €40m, including add-ons. The player’s agent, much like Otamendi’s the season before, has been key in drumming up interest. It was him who mentioned a €25m price tag on his client’s head, although Valencia would want more than that.

Mustafi will return to Valencia this morning to pass his preseason medical tests before later joining up with his teammates on tour. In a few days Valencia will actually travel to England, including a trip into London to face Crystal Palace. British fans, scouts and managers alike will be able to see the German international in person. The question for Valencia fans is, will he return?

The financial might of the Premier League has caused both Real Madrid and Barcelona to baulk at some of the fees going for targets they have in common. The latest one appears to be Manchester City’s bid for Gabriel Jesus, a player Barcelona have tracked for a while and actually saw in person already this summer. Robert Fernandez, the Catalan club’s director of football, is actually flying out to South America today but it looks like he won’t be coming back with Jesus.

“My future is nearly decided. My family, my representatives and Palmeiras all know where I want to go,” Gabriel Jesus told the media. “The deal is practically done.” The young striker has scored 15 goals in 19 appearances this season for his club, who currently lead the standings in Brazil, and will join up with Neymar next month to represent his country at the Olympic Games. He isn’t expected to leave Brazil until January at the earliest.

Another 19-year-old from South America is set to sign for Pep Guardiola’s revolution at City, but this one will be playing in La Liga next season. SPORT report that Marlos Moreno, who just won the Copa Libertadores with Nacional, will become a City player over the weekend after the clubs agreed a €9m fee. The player’s agent, Eladio Tamayo, said this: “I’ll travel with him this Saturday to sign a contract with Manchester City and he’ll then go to Deportivo La Coruña on loan.”

Other news and rumours:

- Marco Asensio could earn his place in Zidane’s Real Madrid squad next season if he continues to impress during preseason. (MARCA)

- Jorge Sampaoli has said it would be “a dream” to manage Argentina but that it would be “irresponsible” to leave Sevilla now. (Various)

- Jese Rodriguez is close to joining PSG. The young attacker could join on loan or on a permanent basis. Real Madrid would insist on a buyback clause. (AS)

- Sevilla still want to sign Dani Parejo despite their initial €10m bid being rejected. The player himself has expressed a desire to leave Valencia. (Estadio Deportivo)

- Kevin-Prince Boateng has agreed to join Las Palmas. The Ghanian international will sign a one-year deal with an option of extending it by a further 12 months. (AS)

- Swansea remain in pole position to sign Sevilla’s want away striker Fernando Llorente. (ABC Sevilla)

- Despite signing a new contract it appears Sergi Samper will join Valencia on loan. (Catalunya Radio)

- And he might not be the only new midfielder joining Valencia as reports suggest they’ll make a €9m bid for Las Palmas’ Roque Mesa. (Estadio Deportivo)