How Valencia will operate in the summer transfer market

There may still be three months of the transfer window left to go, but Valencia have been working hard on their plans to strengthen the team for the Champions League.

Los Che's policy is clear: there will be departures and the squad will be strengthened as the aim next season is to retain fourth spot at the very least.

Marcelino is aware that a lot of the hard work is already done, but there is more to come, though he is keen to avoid five players arriving in the last knockings of the window with two on deadline day, as happened last year.

Refresh the dressing room

The coach knows there is an economic need to sell players but he wants to take advantage to increase the overall quality of his team.

Marcelino is a manager who believes in changing the squad every year to keep things fresh as he seeks to avoid players getting overly comfortable and bored of his methods.

Having a competitive squad is key for Marcelino's plans and he wants new faces to ensure that he maintains and perhaps increases this.

Avoiding leaving deals to the last minute

Leaving business until the final moment is not the plan for Valencia, though they believe patience to be key to securing their top targets.

Once a need is identified and a target is found, the club will act quickly to make a deal happen and they are benefitting from the fact that there is no need for a major rebuild this summer.

Marcelino, chief executive Mateu Alemany and chief scout Pablo Longoria will do all they can to avoid a raft of players arriving in the last week of August.

Experience, but not age

Valencia have had the youngest squad in LaLiga this season and frequently had the youngest line-up too and whilst the club want to add experience, that doesn't mean that they are actively looking for older players.

The club won't seek to sign players over 30 years old, but if one happens to become available and fits the profile the club are looking for, then it won't stop the deal happening.

Coaching staff have made it clear that they want players with hunger and desire, regardless of how old they are.

Without consideration for others

Valencia also know how well their 2017/18 campaign went and they will not be affected by the business of other clubs this summer.

Whilst fans may be concerned if close rivals make big signings whilst Valencia are quiet, Marcelino and Co. prefer to take their time to get the right man than act under pressure.