Baptiste Santamaria has signed with Valencia in La Liga. The transfer was free for Valencia, but Rennes will receive bonuses up to 2 million euros depending on Santamaria's performances. He could debut against Torino in a friendly match.

Mundo Deportivo reported that Valencia had reached an agreement to sign Baptiste Santamaría from Rennes. The club had secured the services of the 30-year-old French midfielder at a pivotal moment, as Carlos Corberán was looking to bolster the squad following the positive momentum they had demonstrated in the latter part of the previous season. Santamaría, who had been on loan at Nice where he participated in 14 matches, was set to arrive in Valencia for a medical examination and to finalize his new contract. The deal was structured with variable amounts that could total up to 2 million euros, contingent on his personal performance and the team's overall achievements. Moreover, Rennes would retain a percentage of any future sale, reflecting the potential they still perceived in the player.

Valencia is considering Baptiste Santamaría as their primary option to strengthen their midfield, which has been weakened following Enzo Barrenechea's departure. The club is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire the French midfielder from Rennes. Although Santamaría's contract runs until 2026, the transfer is not expected to be overly expensive for Valencia, despite their financial constraints. Last season, Santamaría was on loan to Nice, where he played regularly but did not consistently start. The potential acquisition of Santamaría is anticipated to increase competition in Valencia's midfield, where currently only Pepelu and Javi Guerra are available. Valencia has turned down a €10 million bid from Besiktas for Pepelu and is in the process of negotiating a contract extension with Javi Guerra. Santamaría, known for his defensive skills and good ball handling, is expected to complement Javi Guerra rather than Pepelu. Should the transfer go through, Santamaría would become Valencia's fourth signing, following Agirrezabala, Raba, and Copete.