Valencia are working on a deal to bring Mayssam Benama to the Academy as an immediate reinforcement for Valencia Mestalla. The move is described as close and, in time, the France under-20 captain is seen as having the scope to challenge for the first team, or at least at Primera División level.
According to Superdeporte, the club is negotiating with Annecy and the player’s representatives after Academy scouts filed positive reports from the under-20 World Cup in Chile.
Benama, 20, is a Franco-Algerian midfielder who can operate as a pivot or organiser. Developed at Monaco, he is seeking minutes and continuity after joining Annecy last September and finding limited opportunities in Ligue 2.
Valencia hope to secure him for a modest fee, with Annecy having paid €150,000 and barely used him. The signing, earmarked for the reserves, would not affect the plan to keep a spot free for a sub-23 centre-back or winger to help Carlos Corberán’s first team. Mestalla currently have two slots available.
With Monaco, Benama featured in the Coupe Gambardella and the Youth League but did not make a senior appearance. Since moving to Annecy he has played only eight minutes, in the French Cup third round against AS Cannes, a 1-2 win.
