Valverde targets Nekounam

PFDC – PAMPLONA, Former Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde, who has returned to Greek giants Olympiakos earlier this week, is eager to sign Iran international Javad Nekounam according to reports from Spain.

Valverde was prepared to sign the 30-year-old last year when he was managing Spanish outfit Villarreal, however the negotiations with Osasuna were not conclusive.

The newly appointed coach is searching for a defensive midfielder and Nekounam is on top of his list according to ‘Diario de Navarra’.

The Athens based club already targeted the Iranian a month ago, but could not agree on the player’s wage demand which was around 1,4 million Euros.

Yesterday, Osasuna refuted the rumour stating that they have no concrete offer on the table from the Greek side. “We know that Olympiakos are interested in Nekounam, but we have not received an offer“, said a club official.