Manchester United Transfer News: Fran Villalba Commits to Valencia Amid Rumours

Manchester United target Fran Villalba has agreed a new deal with Valencia until 2020, effectively ending the Red Devils' pursuit of the young midfielder for the time being.

Per Sport Witness's Lucas Sposito, the 18-year-old's agent, Vicente Fores, recently revealed that United had made contact with him about potentially signing Villalba, whose release clause was only €4 million (£3.6 million).

However, the player announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he has agreed a new four-year deal with Los Che, as translated by ESPN FC: "Very happy to renew my contract for four more years with the team of my life. Now it's time to work hard to add my grain of sand to this great club."

His previous deal was set to expire in 2018, and Valencia-based newspaper Super Deporte reported that the release clause in his new contract has been significantly increased, via ESPN FC.

Valencia will be delighted to have tied one of their brightest young talents to new terms, but it is a significant blow to United. 

It does not rule out the possibility that they might sign him, but he is likely now to be much more expensive.

So far in 2016-17, Villalba has been playing for Valencia Mestalla, the club's B team, but he made his first senior appearances for the club last term under United legend Gary Neville, as he was used in three Copa del Rey games and one La Liga match.

Phil Neville, former assistant coach at Valencia, previously said he believes Villalba could develop into a world-class midfielder, with Yahoo Sport's Andrew Gaffney tipping him as a successor to the now-departed Andre Gomes:

"

Phil also said Fran should be playing in the first team next year. Completely agree. Maybe the only bright side to Andre Gomes leaving.

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) May 31, 2016"

He is certainly immensely talented and showed plenty of confidence as he played 80 minutes against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey last season, as can be seen below:

United will likely keep an eye on how he progresses in the coming months and track his inevitable full-time promotion into the Valencia first team.

However, having been eyeing a move for him recently, Villalba penning a new deal with Los Che is sure to delay any fresh attempt from the Red Devils to sign him.