EL MATADOR HEADING FOR SPAIN?

The Che directors believe Salas would be the perfect striker to help them repeat last season's success and the kind of high-profile deal that would appease the Mestalla faithful, following Gaizka Mendieta's £28 million move to Lazio.

Salas is believed to be taking the weekend to think over his future, although it seems likely he will stay in Italy.

Argentinian international Kily Gonzalez could be included in the transfer of El Matador, with the midfielder going to Lazio and Valencia paying another 1,000 million pesetas (£3.6 million).

Valencia are believed to have informed Kily about the club's intentions and he could play alongside his former team-mates Mendieta and Claudio Lopez.

Sergio Cragnotti offered 3,500 million (£12.5 million) for the Argentinian winger, while Lazio rate Salas at around £16 million.

Valencia need a forward as last season they missed Claudio Lopez's goals, while Lazio need a left winger after Pavel Nedved's exit.

Speaking about the prospective deal, Valencian president Jaime Orti confirmed his interest in Salas, saying: "It's true we are interested in signing Salas and Lazio are also interested in Kily Gonzalez.

"However, it's a totally different thing to close the deal."