Feyenoord and Valente negotiations close to an outcome as youngster shines for Jong Oranje

According to ESPN analyst Marciano Vink, Luciano Valente has set his sights on a transfer from FC Groningen to Feyenoord.

He didn’t say it in so many words in front of VoetbalPrimeur’s camera after Jong Oranje’s victory over Ivory Coast, but Valente is ‘desperate’ to go to Feyenoord. “You can’t congratulate me yet,” said the Groningen midfielder with a smile.

“His whole body speaks Feyenoord,” said Vink at ESPN. “His eyes twinkle when the name is mentioned.”

On Friday night, Valente scored the goal to make it 3-0 for Jong Oranje at his current home, Groningen’s Euroborg Stadion.

Vink: “He brings a lot of dynamism. He is not afraid to get the ball, not even in small spaces. He has the feeling to find the right solution in small spaces, that is very clever. You need that in the 10 position, but he can also play hanging on the left.”

This week Feyenoord are believed to have made an improved offer for Valente, which is worth at least five million euros. It is not known whether FC Groningen have accepted, but the leading player has allegedly already reached an agreement with the Rotterdam club.