Lim wants Valencia, and maybe Nani

 Lim wants Valencia, and maybe Nani

Manchester United winger Luis Nani could leave the club to join Valencia if Singapore businessman Peter Lim is given the go-ahead to buy the Spanish club. Lim (below), who tried to buy Liverpool in 2010, was due to find out this morning (Singapore time) if his £250 million (S$520m) offer for Valencia has been accepted.

If the debt-stricken club's main creditors Bankia wave through the takeover, Lim has promised to spend 40m euros (S$69m) this transfer window and Nani will be one of his first purchases.

Lim's bid is reportedly one of three being considered by the heavily-indebted club's bankers, with a Jan 15 deadline having been set for all interested parties to register their offers, with a further period of due diligence then expected before a final choice of new owner is made.

Lim, whose bid has been backed by current Valencia club president Amadeo Salvo, told AS that he wants a decision made as quickly as possible so that he can invest heavily in the team this month.

"I hope my offer is accepted," Lim said. "Forty million euros for signings seems too little to me. I have 50 million to spend this month." Lim's attempt to buy Liverpool was rejected in 2010. He was reportedly put in touch with Salvo by Portuguese "super-agent" Jorge Mendes.

The Singaporean's other sports investments include a stake in British sports car manufacturers McLaren and also reportedly has an interest in a chain of Manchester United themed restaurants and bars in Asia.

New Valencia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi reportedly wants to bring in a new striker this month. Valencia have been linked with Monaco's Radamel Falcao and the Colombian is a client of Mendes. Nani is also in Mendes' stable and is a more realistic target despite being a winger.

Valencia were the last team to break Real Madrid and Barcelona's hold on the Spanish title, winning it under Rafael Benitez in 2004. But they have been football's biggest losers in the collapse of the Spanish economy.

They currently have two stadiums - one, Mestalla, that they cannot sell - and a new one that they cannot afford to finish building. Lim's plans are understood to include wiping out the 300m euros debt and finishing the new stadium, as well as spending big in the winter transfer window.


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