Elche’s Stance on Rodrigo Mendoza Strengthens His International Appeal

Elche’s decision to reject a €20 million offer for Rodrigo Mendoza, as reported by MARCA, has not only underscored the player’s commitment to the franjiverde project but also had a direct impact on his international market valuation. While Al-Ittihad attempted to activate his release clause during the summer, Juventus is now prioritizing the midfielder as a strategic addition to strengthen their midfield, according to the Italian outlet TuttoSport.

The Italian club has been monitoring Mendoza for months, seeking a player of his caliber for the upcoming season. Notably, they had previously scouted him before his standout performance in the U20 World Cup, where Mendoza played a pivotal role in Spain’s championship victory, contributing with seven starts, one goal, two assists, and displaying leadership in a talented team.

Elche has made it clear that they are not willing to part with Mendoza easily. They dismissed the Saudi interest during the summer, as well as a proposal involving Cesc Fábregas for his project in Como. The club is holding firm on a release clause close to €20 million, although reports from Turin suggest that there may be room for negotiation, and the potential transfer fits within Juventus’s salary parameters.

Juventus views Mendoza as a midfielder with significant potential, comparing him to Italian talents like Bernabé (Parma) in terms of creativity but with higher competitive prospects. His regular appearances for the Spanish U21 national team and his growing role at Elche further reinforce the notion that elite European clubs will likely be vying for his services soon.

At Martínez Valero, the message remains unequivocal: Mendoza represents both the present and future of the club. After successfully rebuffing the Arab offer and solidifying his position following the World Cup, Elche recognizes that his value continues to rise, and that Juventus is merely the first major club to take interest this season.