According to AS (h/t Sport Witness), Valencia regret turning down bids for Mouctar Diakhaby last summer. The 23-year-old has an uncertain future at the Mestalla Stadium and has a market value of £15.75m – considerably less than what Wolves and Everton have offered in the past.
AS say Valencia turned down a €40m bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers and €25m from Everton, but Los Che owner Peter Lim believes keeping Diakhaby hasn’t worked out and wants to cash in when the transfer window opens. Whether Everton return for the centre-back remains to be seen, however.
The Frenchman has made 63 appearances in all competitions for Valencia since joining the Liga club from Olympique Lyonnais in 2018, scoring three goals. Diakhaby’s contract at the Mestalla runs until 2023, but he may be on the move sooner.
Carlo Ancelotti is on the hunt for a defender to accompany Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina next season. Lewis Gibson is waiting in the wings for an opportunity and impressed on loan at Fleetwood Town, but the 19-year-old will be loaned out to the Championship instead.
Thiago Silva, Jean-Clair Todibo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marash Kumbulla, Christian Luyindama, Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo have been linked with a move to Everton, so the Merseysiders may have moved on from Diakhaby.