How Jorge Mendes paved Peter Lim's path to Valencia

Posted Monday, December 23, 2013 by Marca.com

Club president Amadeo Salvo has spent months searching for a big investor in Valencia football club and finally he appears to have found one, thanks to super-agent Jorge Mendes. Singapore magnate Peter Lim is the man. Possessor of one of the biggest fortunes in the world, he was previously in the running to buy a stake in Atletico de Madrid.

Ten days ago, Bankia, which is owed, between the club and the Valencia Foundation, a total of €300 million, announced that it was putting the Valencia club up for sale. By then, Amadeo Salvo had already been actively seeking investors so that the new stadium could be completed; this is a key factor in sorting out the club's problems.

When Amadeo Salvo authorised the new manager's contract until 2015, it was because the whole project was beginning to take shape, and during his time as president, it looks very much like it will come to fruition quite rapidly. So, will Lim be prepared to spend his money to pay off Valencia's debts and improve the team?

According to those who have been taking part in the negotiations, Lim's initial investment will be €400 million, with which he will buy shares, pay off Bankia, finish off the stadium and invest in the team.

It was during Salvo's search, conducted together with the new marketing manager Louis Dowens, who has connections with Mendes, that they discovered that Peter Lim was interested in linking up with a Spanish league club. Earlier in the year Lim held talks with Atlético de Madrid, though in the end nothing came of it.