Diego López set for ACL surgery, months out for Valencia
Your most dangerous attacker is going under the knife. Diego López will undergo surgery next week to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee (2). It is a brutal blow for a squad already thin on options – and for a player who was becoming the face of the attack.
López chose Madrid for the operation, a decision that at least keeps him close to home during recovery (2). No timeline has been given, but an ACL tear typically means six to nine months out.
Sporting director on European tour to shape Corberán's squad
Ron Gourlay is travelling across Europe alongside Peter Lim, working to refine the squad for Carlos Corberán ahead of the new season (1). The CEO of Football is holding face-to-face meetings with agents and clubs, trying to get ahead of a transfer window that will define your team's direction.
The fact that Lim is present on the trip is notable. The owner has been more visible lately – he was spotted at the Champions League final in Budapest and at a padel event promoted by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Whether that visibility translates into actual investment is the question every Valencia fan is asking.
Diakhaby's injury record clouds his future
Mouctar Diakhaby is one of the highest-paid players in the squad and also one of the most frequently injured (3). His contract runs until 2027, which means Valencia are carrying a significant financial commitment while rarely getting a consistent run of games from him.
With López now facing a long layoff and Diakhaby's availability never a sure thing, the squad's fragility is laid bare. Gourlay's tour of Europe just became even more urgent.