Aliou Dieng arrives on a free transfer
Valencia have made Aliou Dieng one of their first two signings for next season. The midfielder joins on a free after his contract with Egyptian side Al-Ahly expired (1).
It is a low-cost move, the kind the club have leaned on heavily under Peter Lim's ownership. Dieng brings experience and steel to a midfield that needs both.
Iborra: I chose Sevilla over Valencia
Former Valencia midfielder Vicente Iborra says he could have returned to Mestalla but picked Sevilla instead, and he is not hiding his relief about it.
"Afortunadamente vino el Sevilla," he said (2).
Translation: fortunately, Sevilla came calling. For Valencia fans, it is another reminder of how far the pull of the club has slipped, even for players who came through the ranks.
Fan reactions
The Dieng signing is being met with cautious shrugs on social media. Fans are more focused on the ownership situation than the first bits of summer business, and Iborra's comments have only sharpened that mood. Some supporters pointed out that a former academy player publicly thanking his luck for avoiding a return says more about the club than any transfer could. See the thread here