Valencia CEO Ron Gourlay Discusses Team Performance and Winter Market Strategies

Ron Gourlay, the CEO of Football at Valencia, discussed the team’s current sporting situation and the winter transfer market in statements made to DAZN at Balaídos before the match against Celta. The executive acknowledged that the club is not satisfied with the team’s standing in the league and confirmed that efforts are underway to enhance the squad.

Gourlay was forthright in assessing Valencia’s current performance. “I believe the situation is not good. We are not happy with the team’s position,” he admitted, while expressing optimism for a turnaround. The goal, as he explained, is to “move upward, and we hope to achieve that.”

Regarding the recently opened winter transfer market, the Valencia CEO stated that the club is actively engaged, although he refrained from naming specific players. Gourlay elaborated that the sports management is proceeding with caution and planning to bolster the team, emphasizing a focus on “making the team more competitive” by evaluating “the quality of players, their fit on the field, and the types of profiles available.”

When asked about potential negotiations, such as for Real Sociedad striker Umar Sadiq, Gourlay sidestepped the inquiry. Initially claiming he did not understand the question, he later clarified that he would not discuss specific players: “I do not speak about any particular player” and emphasized that, while “the market is open,” he will not comment on “any player who does not belong to Valencia.”

On the possibility of player departures during this winter market, Gourlay reaffirmed the club’s confidence in the current group. He noted that Valencia possesses “a strong squad” and highlighted that the main intention is to strengthen it further, stating, “We want to add certain players to this squad, and we are currently evaluating that.”