Valencia are not at all happy with the level Baptiste Santamaría have shown – and want to get rid of him at all costs this summer.
Baptiste Santamaría is finding it increasingly difficult to be a Valencia player. The French midfielder is not part of Carlos Corberán’s plans, and the interest from PAOK now opens up a path that is being carefully considered at the Mestalla.
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The situation is not new, but has gained in importance in recent days. The 31-year-old is under contract until 2027, but the club believes his time is out for a season far below expectations and with little impact in LaLiga.
Santamaría has no place in Valencia
Valencia signed him last summer for close to €2 million – a reasonable sum at the time to strengthen their midfield. But the performance has not justified the investment, and now the priority is to free up salary space or recoup part of the expense.
At the Mestalla, they hope for around 1 million euros to cover the remaining amortization, while the offer from Greece involves a loan without a transfer fee – where the interested club covers the player’s salary. This solution eases the wage budget, but does not fully satisfy Valencia.
Santamaría has known since January that his chances are minimal. The arrival of Aliou Dieng and the signing of Guido Rodríguez have left him without a real place in a squad that needs to reduce the number of players before more reinforcements can be brought in.
PAOK presses on – but the player hesitates
PAOK has contacted the player’s representatives and sees an attractive opportunity to strengthen the midfield with his experience. The Frenchman has experience in several leagues, knows the pace of competition and can fit into a team that seeks strength, balance and experience in midfield.
Nevertheless, the Greek destination does not fully convince the player. As a 31-year-old, Santamaría wants to feel important again, but also wants to make the right choice for the next move after a tough season.
The decision is therefore not final. The club is pressing, PAOK are active, and the player is considering whether to accept a transfer that will give him playing time – but also means a league change after a difficult period in Spain.
Santamaría disappeared from LaLiga
The decline in his statistics reflects the situation. In LaLiga, the midfielder played 743 minutes, scored one goal and had one assist. In all of 2026, he played just under 82 minutes. In the Copa del Rey, he played 272 minutes with one assist – but still failed to regain confidence.
The highlight was against Athletic, with goals and assists – but that performance was not followed up. A red card in Copa, almost in overtime in Cartagena, sealed a door that was already ajar.
After that, the Frenchman lost his place in the match squads and had no clear role. Corberán gradually excluded him from the rotation, and the club understood that his presence would only complicate a planning process that requires quick decisions and clear departures.
The future of Santamaría therefore seems to lie far from the Mestalla. Valencia wants to solve the situation – LaLiga no longer seems to be his arena, and the road to PAOK could be the solution if the player decides to take the plunge.
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