Valencia flag
Valencia flag
Valencia have moved decisively to protect one of their most exciting academy graduates, confirming a new long term deal for a teenage winger whose rapid rise had attracted serious attention from Anfield in recent weeks.
The Spanish club announced on Friday that they had triggered the extension option in the 19 year old’s contract, tying him to Mestalla until June 2031 and doubling his release clause from €30 million to €60 million, with Spanish news agency EFE also reporting that the agreement includes an increase in his wages.
The timing is no coincidence, because reports in Spain claimed Liverpool had informed both Valencia and the player’s representatives last week that they were prepared to pay the €30 million clause in full, with Newcastle United also credited with an interest, and the club responded by acting before Andoni Iraola’s side could make that move.
David Otorbi, the Valencia born winger of Nigerian descent, who represents Spain at Under 18 level, has made 14 official appearances for the first team, scoring his first senior goal against Racing Santander on the eighth matchday of the LaLiga season.
His progress suffered a cruel setback recently, when his first start under Javier Aguirre ended in tears inside 14 minutes against Villarreal after a muscle injury to his right thigh, yet Valencia’s decision to commit to him while he recovers says plenty about how highly he is regarded, with the club describing the renewal as a bet on both the present and the future.
Speaking to VCF Media Radio after putting pen to paper, Otorbi reflected on the years of work required to reach this point and the far greater challenge of establishing himself among the senior squad.
“Making your debut is ‘easy’, but sticking around is a different story; you have to make the most of your opportunities by training as hard as you can and showing the coach that you are motivated,” he said.
He also credited Aguirre for the confidence shown in him since the Mexican’s arrival, explaining that the coach has brought energy and fighting spirit to the group while urging the squad to stay calm during what he admitted is a difficult period for the club.
The extension is also the first notable piece of business under sporting director Braulio Vázquez, and it effectively closes the door on any cut price move, since Liverpool would now need to pay double what they were reportedly willing to offer only days ago.
For Liverpool, the appeal of a quick, fearless winger who has already broken into a LaLiga first team as a teenager is easy to understand, but with Valencia now holding every card and the player speaking so openly about repaying the club’s faith, any future approach will require patience as well as a far bigger budget.
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