Tottenham transfer rumours: Could this Real Madrid product be on his way to Spurs?
Reports in Italy claim that Spurs have earmarked Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero as a target ahead of the summer, with Andre Villas-Boas said to be a fan of the former Villarreal man. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more on the Real Madrid academy product.
Name: Borja Valero Iglesias
Date of birth: 12 January, 1985
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
Club: Fiorentina
Position: Midfielder
Honours: Spanish Player of the Year (2010), UEFA U19 Championship (2004)
International appearances: 1 (Spain)
What's the latest?
The Italian press claim that Andre Villas Boas has sent scouts to watch Borja Valero in action with Fiorentina on four occasions this season, and after glowing reports every time, the chances of Spurs making a move for the Spaniard are on the increase. While there has been no formal approach to Fiorentina from the North London side, the midfielder has publicly shot down reported interest from Real Madrid, so Tottenham could pass unchallenged in a bid to convince them to sell.
Did you know?
1) Valero is a product of Real Madrid's youth academy and, after making his mark with the C team, he was promoted to reserve side Real Madrid Castilla ahead of their second division campaign in 2005/06. Though he eventually made his senior Madrid debuts in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League in 2006, in a story similar to fellow Madrid products Roberto Soldado and Juan Mata, he was sold off to another club before he could make a true mark on the first team, joining Real Mallorca in 2007.
2) The midfielder was a runaway success at Mallorca, and scored some crucial goals in 2007/08 for the islanders. The first allowed them to draw with his former team Real Madrid in April, while the second was part of a 3-2 victory over Barcelona in May. Despite their best attempts to resist, Mallorca sold him to West Bromwich Albion at the second time of asking for around £5m in the summer of 2008.
3) Valero had a decent season at West Brom, but couldn't prevent the side from being relegated in 2009, and as a result returned to Mallorca on loan in order to continue playing in the top flight. After another strong season in Spain that included adding Valencia, Villarreal and Mallorca to his list of goal-scoring scalps, resulting in Mallorca only narrowly missing out on Champions League football to Sevilla, he was voted the winner of the Don Balon prize for the best Spanish player in his native country.
4) Mallorca's uncertain financial situation meant Valero was on the move yet again in 2010, with Manuel Pellegrini's Villarreal signing him on an initial season-long loan with the understanding that it would be converted into a permanent deal within a year. Valero became a key player for the Yellow Submarine, playing 49 games for them in all competitions, and as a result, was handed his first and only Spain cap to date on June 2011 against the U.S.A.
5) After two seasons at El Madrigal with Villarreal, relegation for the Yellow Submarine in 2012 forced them to sell off many of their top earners, and Valero moved on to Fiorentina as a result. He made his debut for the Viola on August 25th against Udinese, and scored his first goal in a 3-1 away victory over Milan in November, strolling through defenders in the penalty area then rifling a shot under Christian Abbiati. He has currently made 31 appearances in Fiorentina's push for a top three finish.
He says
“I'm really happy in Florence. Real Madrid? No, I'm fine here with my family. I have a lot of room to improve, it's my first season here, [coach] Montella wants us to continue playing the type of football we're producing, and we can still do more.”
Video evidence
Spurs fans, would Valero be a strong addition to your squad? Let us know below...