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Valencia optimistic of signing Alvaro Negredo from Manchester City

Valencia remain hopeful that they can bring Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo back to La Liga despite the news that Radamel Falcao is set to move to Manchester United rather than Manchester City.

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The Mestalla club had been hopeful that a move for Falcao to City would open the door to a switch away from the Etihad for Negredo -- but that possibility cooled over the weekend.

City had earlier been reported to have made the signing of Falcao a prerequisite for allowing Negredo to leave, but United look to have pipped their Manchester rivals to the post by wrapping up a loan deal for the Monaco striker.

That, however, has not deterred Valencia from attempting to negotiate a transfer for the former Real Madrid and Sevilla forward, who is out injured until October, although there has been no statement on the matter from City.

They have been encouraged by City manager Manuel Pellegrini's suggestion that Negredo could be the player to move on as the Premier League champions look to comply with their Champions League squad limit of 16 non-English or academy graduate players.

Earlier on Monday, sources told ESPN FC that United had agreed a deal to sign Falcao on loan -- subject to a medical and terms -- for the rest of the season.

The Colombia international cost Monaco 60 million euros last summer. In addition to being linked with a switch to City, he has also been a reported target for Real Madrid and speculation had suggested he was interesting Arsenal.