Valencia sporting director Francisco Rufete has moved to confirm reports linking Portuguese defender Joao Pereira with a move away from Mestalla.
After new coach Nuno Espirito Santo made it clear that Antonio Barragan would be his first choice right-back, los Che tried to cash in on Pereira in the summer transfer window, but ultimately failed to do so.
And with Valencia having also signed Joao Cancelo from Benfica, the Portuguese defender remains on the transfer list.
Considering that his deal at Mestalla is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, Pereira will either be sold in January or leave on free at the end of the season.
“Will he (Pereira) leave in January? It’s a possibility,” Valencia sporting director Francisco Rufete confirmed to Cadena COPE.
“Will he leave for free in June? Possibly. Certainly. There is no other possibility.”
Joao Pereira, 30, joined Valencia from Sporting Lisbon two years ago and went on to make 55 La Liga appearances for los Che.
Despite starting all three matches for Portugal at the 2014 World Cup and playing full 90 minutes in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania, the defender was not called for the latest Seleccao squad due to lack of first team football.
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