After standing in the shadows of Barcelona, Real Madrid and more recently, Atletico Madrid, Valencia want to re-establish the club as a force in Spanish football by aiming for a top four finish this season.

Boosted by the impending takeover of Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, the La Liga club is in buoyant mood once again after almost a decade in the doldrums of financial trouble and enforced sales of star players.

Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo said on Tuesday: "We are working hard to put Valencia back into the Champions League. That is the main target. Peter Lim wants us to make Valencia stronger and it is up to us to work hard.

"There is no other way - Valencia has to be in the top four.

"This is a project that will take patience and time but we plan to do things the right way. This project will not be built in one year. It will take years."

The Portuguese tactician spoke to media in Singapore on a trip to promote the club. Captain Dani Parejo and striker Rodrigo Moreno were also present.

Midfielder Parejo, 25, said: "Every season, Valencia fans start with hope but it all becomes an illusion. But this year, we really think it is going to be our year. Our fans deserve success."

In the previous decade, Valencia won two La Liga titles (2002, 2004), one Copa del Rey (2008), one Uefa Cup (2004) and appeared in two Champions League finals (2000, 2001).