Superdeporte: Gameiro gives thumbs-up to Valencia move

Valencian newspaper Superdeporte reported Monday that Atlético Madrid forward Kévin Gameiro has signed off on a move to Valencia. Los Che are set to start negotiations with his current club as they zero in on a replacement for Simone Zaza, who is likely to return to Serie A this summer.

The report states that Gameiro has already agreed personal terms with Valencia, and in the “next few days” Marcelino’s side will open talks with Atlético. Superdeporte claim to have gotten in touch with an Atleti representative, who has denied any firm interest in the striker. AS have a similar report, saying that negotiations with Gameiro’s agents are at an advanced stage.

The 31-year-old reportedly wanted to go to Mestalla back in 2011 but he moved to Paris Saint-Germain instead, where he spent two unhappy seasons before his arrival at Sevilla. Atlético bought the former French international in 2016 for €32 million plus incentives.

There’s little to no chance los colchoneros will recoup that fee, but the club will probably take €20m for the four-time Europa League winner if they can score it. Gameiro started next to compatriot Antoine Griezmann for much of 2016/17 but found himself named as a substitute from the get-go in 2017/18. Despite a season which saw him net five game-winning goals in LaLiga and a further two in the Europa League, Gameiro’s opportunities were limited, as Ángel Correa and Diego Costa were ahead of him in the pecking order.