Real Madrid Transfer News: Jose Luis Gaya Deal Sped Up Amid Arsenal Rumours

An influx of Premier League interest in Valencia starlet Jose Luis Gaya will apparently prompt Real Madrid into expediting the transfer of the exciting defender, as reports claim Arsenal are ready to go “head-to-head” with the European champions to land the player this summer.

According to Manu Sainz of AS, Gaya is Real’s “first choice” to strengthen the left-back slot next season and, after confirming the signing of Porto star Danilo this week, they are hoping to strike a similar deal with Los Che. The piece claims Los Blancos representatives have already held talks with the player’s agency, but there is lingering interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

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The Gunners may be the team most likely to scupper Real’s chances, however. According to Metro (h/t The Telegraph), Arsenal “made a move” for the player in January and, although Valencia were stern in their resolve, the 19-year-old’s reluctance to sign a new deal could prompt them into a £13.6 million sale this summer.

Here’s a look at what all the fuss is about when it comes to the Valencia man:

It’s certainly easy to see why so many of European football’s most illustrious names are interested in this intriguing prospect. Gaya has been central to the sensational exploits of Nuno Santo’s Valencia team this season, providing an assured, effervescent presence on the left flank that far surpasses his tender years.

Here’s how he compares in league matches to Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs:

	Gaya	Gibbs	Marcelo
Apps (Sub)	25 (2)	16 (4)	25
Goals	1	0	0
Assists	4	3	6
Key Passes per Game	0.7	0.7	1.3
Dribbles per Game	1	1.4	1.9
Tackles per Game	2.8	1.9	2.3
Interceptions per Game	2	2.3	1.3

Gaya is an engrossing player to watch. He’s been a bundle of energy in his vertical forays throughout the campaign and boasts superb technical skills. And when he does saunter forward into opposition territory, he has the composure to pick out a telling pass, as his four assists in La Liga this season illustrate.

While much of the focus on modern-day full-backs is typically on their offensive output, the fundamental defensive skills boasted by the Valencia man are arguably the most impressive facet of his game. As noted by OptaJose, he’s acquitted himself very well against some superb attacking opposition:

Real seem to be investing heavily in an attempt to build a youthful squad, too. Having landed Martin Odegaard and Lucas Silva in January, the signing of 23-year-old Danilo is another pointer towards the team wanting an injection of youthful impetus; Gaya is another who would fit into the ethos the club seems to be establishing.

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Gaya certainly has the potential to flourish at the very highest level. As noted by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN earlier in the season, they have a wonderful penchant for producing world-class left-backs at the Mestalla:

But to move to Real would be a massive step for such a young player. Marcelo remains a vital cog in the side and, while Gaya would potentially be an able deputy to the Brazilian, his superb form this season has been a direct product of getting regular game time; it’s a pre-requisite for the player if he’s going to continue developing.

At the Santiago Bernabeu, it’s tough to find those minutes; indeed, Silva is already talking about going out on loan to get minutes, just months after he signed, according to Globo Esporte (via Stefan Coerts of Goal). For Gaya, a stay in Valencia for the time being is surely the best move as he looks to refine his precocious talent.