Valencia transfer window analysis - what have Valencia done and what do they need to do this summer?

In: Cenk Ozkacar (Olympique Lyon), Pepelu (Levante)

Loan returns: Koba Koinkredi (Real Oviedo), Uros Racic (Braga), Jorge Saenz (Leganes)

Out: Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Nico Gonzalez (Barcelona), Samuel Lino (Atletico Madrid), Justin Kluivert (Roma), Iago Herrerin (libre), Toni Lato (Real Mallorca)

Summary so far: Cenk’s loan deal was made permanent, in a decent if not great signing. There will be plenty of criticism for Meriton, but credit where it is due, the signing of Pepelu looks like a good one. At 24, Pepelu was one of the standout players for Levante in Segunda last season, and a reason they came so close to promotion. Lauded for his all-round game, he obviously has to convert those performances from Segunda to Primera, but looks an excellent addition.

Ilaix and Nico have been useful at times, but Pepelu’s arrival will probably help fans to forget about them. Lato’s exit sees one of their favourite Paterna sons head off, but it was a move that everyone will give their blessing in light of Jose Luis Gaya’s continued domination of the left flank.

Loanees Lino and Kluivert will be missed though. Lino was one of the few Valencia players capable of making defenders think twice with the ball at his feet, while Kluivert’s tireless running in behind and persistence became a key part of their attack. Both ended with six goals, making them Valencia’s top scorers, and hinting where the next section is going.

The talents expected to raise money this summer which have been mentioned so far are Yunus Musah and Giorgi Mamardashvili. The latter in particular would be a major loss. Clawing Valencia through several key moments, they won’t be able to replace him with a player of the same quality in all likelihood.

Key Need: Valen