27 August 2007, by Marco Pereria & Tom Kundert

Valencia swoop for Everton target Fernandes

Midfielder joins Miguel and Caneira at La Liga outfit

The Manuel Fernandes saga has finally come to an end as the player has signed with La Liga side, Valencia, and not Premiership club Everton, as earlier reported.

The U21 Portuguese midfielder has pulled a 180 degree turn to pen a deal with the Spanish club, joining fellow Portugal internationals, Miguel and Marco Caneira.

Manuel Fernandes last week seemed to have opted to rejoin the Premiership club, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell from January to May last season, but the English side and Benfica could not reach an agreement and Valencia stepped in to swoop for the player.

The La Liga outfit have paid 18 million euros for Fernandes, with half of that fee going into Benfica’s coffers. Pending a medical, the midfielder will sign a six-year deal with the Spanish club.

“I want to thank Valencia for the confidence they showed in me and I hope to spend many years in this team,” said Fernandes this Monday as he was presented in the Spanish city. “I spoke to Miguel and he told me that Valencia is a huge club, with possibilities to grow even more.”

“I have to respect my team-mates, but despite knowing that it won’t be easy I expect to become a regular in the team.”

Related: Manuel Fernandes PortuGOAL profile