Valencia focuses on Joan Martínez to bolster its defense

Valencia CF

Defense has become one of the priorities for the Valencia heading into the new season. With the injuries of Copete and Diakhaby, and the departure of Cenk still pending, the club is working to find a center-back who will expand the options for Carlos Corberán before the start of the campaign.

One of the names that has emerged in recent hours is Joan Martínez, the Alginet center-back, just 18 years old, who belongs to Real Madrid and is regarded as one of the promises of La Fábrica. Despite having overcome a serious knee injury, his progress has convinced at Valdebebas and he has already been part of first-team call-ups both with Xabi Alonso and previously with Álvaro Arbeloa.

The formula being studied involves a loan with an option to buy, although Real Madrid would retain part of his economic rights in order to maintain control over the player's future, a strategy commonly used with several of its academy prospects.

Corberán had been hoping to have a much more defined squad before the start of pre-season, but the pace of the market is delaying both arrivals and departures. With a week to go before it kicks off, the team still needs reinforcements in several positions.

In the heart of the back line, César Tárrega and the newly arrived De Hass are the only players who start with a guaranteed spot. A possible arrival of Joan Martínez would provide more options for a defense that needs bodies and would allow the Valencia to sign a player with room to grow and experience in the dynamics of Madrid's first team.

For now, talks are in a very early stage and there are no definitive developments, although the interest from the Valencia side is genuine and the deal remains on the table as the market continues to move.