By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
As expected, Valencia included Pau Ribas in the list of the players for whom their teams have the right of “tanteo”, however the talented Spanish guard has already a deal with Barcelona and if there’s not an agreement for his buy out, then he is expected to leave Spain.
Valencia can match up the offer of Barcelona and keep him – “tanteo” is the Spanish version of the restricted free agency – or let him go for a buy out. According to Eurohoops sources the team is already in the process of negotiating a buy out, but that doesn’t mean there’s an agreement with Barcelona. If Valencia asks for a buy out, which is more than the money Barca is ready to spend, then Ribas may not end up in Barcelona, but he will also not stay in Valencia.
There’s interest for him outside the Spanish borders (Russian and Turkish teams), his wish seems to be to play for Barcelona and stay in his country, but if that can’t be done, then he will continue his career in Euroleague for a non Spanish team. In this case Valencia won’t receive a buy out and this is an advantage for the Catalans.