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West Bromwich Albion are preparing for an official Valencia approach for head coach Carlos Corberán.
Valencia have identified Corberán as their No.1 target following the dismissal of Rubén Baraja and are expected to begin negotiations with the Championship club in the next 24 hours.
Corberán has become one of the most highly regarded operators outside of the Premier League and has a release clause in his contract worth over £3m.
Southampton and Wolves have considered the Spaniard in recent weeks, but it now appears Valencia are ready to make a move.
Corberán was born in Cheste, a municipality in the Valencian Community, and has admirers among the La Liga club’s hierarchy.
He first established himself in England under Marcelo Bielsa before guiding Huddersfield Town to the Championship play-off final in 2022.
A brief spell at Olympiacos followed before West Brom appointed him in October that year.
Last season he led Albion to a play-off semi-final despite restrictions imposed during the tenure of former owner Guochuan Lai.
West Brom are currently seventh in the Championship, outside the play-off positions on goal difference.
They return to action on Boxing Day with a trip to Derby County, but a Valencia approach is expected before then.
Valencia sacked club legend Baraja on Monday after a disappointing first half of the season, with the club sitting 19th in La Liga.
Following West Brom’s victory against Bristol City on Sunday, Corberán entered a festive schedule in which his team plays five matches in 14 days.
He said: “It’s a physical disadvantage. This is madness. Playing against a team at this time of the season that had two extra days of recovery is unfair. We cannot say that we are not aiming for results. It’s my responsibility but it’s too much.
“Five games in a row. We shouldn’t have played on Sunday, knowing the matches to come. We should have played on Saturday, like the other teams in the Championship. We only have three days in between and it will be difficult from a physical point of view.
