Santiago Cañizares believe Valencia supporters would love to see Juan Mata return to the club.
Mata came through the ranks at Real Madrid and spent a season at Castilla before being scooped up by Valencia in 2007.
A diminutive playmaker, the Spaniard flourished at the Mestalla alongside compatriots David Villa and David Silva, helping the club win the 2008 Copa del Rey.
Much like Silva, Mata's time with Los Che was always going to have an end date as Europe's biggest clubs came calling.
Eventually it was Chelsea who sealed a £23.5m deal for Mata in 2011.
After winning the Champions League and Europa League with the Blues, Mata was sold on 2014 to Manchester United, where he has remained ever since.
Asked by Tribalfootball.com about Mata's time in Valencia, Cañizares believes the midfielder left an indelible mark on the club just like former teammate Silva.
"It's the same situation with Juan Mata. He's a lad that also left a great mark at Mestalla," Cañizares said.
"The fans would be delighted to see him here again. But we're talking about footballers who earn very high salaries due to their talent and profile.
"At the moment, Valencia CF is in the political situation of lowering salaries, which therefore has nothing to with getting to sign prestigious footballers of their top rank.
"Both Silva and Mata developed what they already had, their great quality but abroad and in England. However, they were already making their mark here in Spain and at Valencia CF.
"No one ever doubted them here either. They both played as internationals for the Spanish national side and won major titles with Spain. We're talking about two great footballers from the 'Golden Age' of Spanish football."
On any problems with Mata leaving Valencia, Cañizares added: "Regarding Mata, there was no problem at all from a sporting point of view.
"Valencia had to sell some players to balance the books. It was an economic obligation that sometimes Valencia CF finds itself in, the obligation to sell some players, to maintain a healthy business structure in the running of the club."
Mata captaining Valencia against Barcelona in 2011
