After a breakout season with the Basque side, scoring seven goals, Gerard returned to Valencia, helping them reach the UEFA Champions League final. During this time with the "Che", he came to be regarded as one of the top players in Spain and, after receiving interest from several top clubs in Europe, including Inter Milan, A.C. Milan and Manchester United, he decided to join his former club Barcelona in July 2000, in a deal worth €24 million.