Manchester City will reportedly look to sign 26-year-old Spanish midfielder from La Liga club Pepelu in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Football Transfers, Pepelu is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Premier League champions are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the January transfer window after losing Rodri to a season-ending injury. So, the 26-year-old Valencia midfielder has emerged as a target for the Citizens.
Who is Pepelu?
Jose Luis Garcia Vaya, better known as Pepelu, has established himself as one of the most underrated midfielders in La Liga since joining Valencia from Levante in July 2023. A native of Denia, the Spaniard spent his formative years in his homeland, starting his youth career in his hometown before graduating from the youth division at Levante.
The 26-year-old has taken time to rise in prominence but has not looked back since joining Valencia, rising in prominence in the last 18 months. The midfielder has turned out over 50 times thus far for Los Che while chipping in with ten goals and three assists.
Meanwhile, Pepelu’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Reports ahead of the summer transfer window linked him with FC Barcelona, with Manchester City joining the race to secure the services of the Spanish midfielder.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Manchester City’s interest in Pepelu is understandable. The Premier League champions have been scouring the market for a midfielder ahead of the January transfer window after losing Rodri to a season-ending knee injury. The Ballon d’Or winner’s absence has been critical to Manchester City’s form, with the Premier League champions going seven games without a victory before returning to winning ways earlier this week.
So, several candidates, including Alan Varela, have emerged on Manchester City’s radar, with the Valencia midfielder also a viable target. The Premier League club’s scouts have “conducted data analysis and watched video footage of various matches featuring the 26-year-old”.
The Premier League champions view the option of securing Pepelu’s services in the January transfer window as “smart and cost effective”. While the Spanish midfielder has a release clause worth €100 million in his contract, Manchester City will hope to secure a deal for a lower sum.