Víctor Valdés’ representatives have dropped a bombshell on Barcelona by telling the club that the goalkeeper will not be renewing his existing contract and will instead leave when it expires on 30th June 2014.
“The agents of Victor Valdes have communicated to Barcelona in a meeting held this afternoon the irrevocable decision of the player to not renew his contract,” said a statement from his representatives to Spanish national news agency Efe.
Valdes has been Barcelona’s number one throughout the last decade, winning a host of trophies and earning recognition with Spain, however Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas has remained the regular international goalkeeper.
The 30-year-old has recently suggested he would consider a move to another league. Pep Guardiola will have Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich, so that is not a likely destination for Valdes. But what about Liverpool or Arsenal? Both sides like to play the ball out the back, like Barcelona, and Valdes would be an upgrade on Reina and Szczesny.
A potential dark horse in the Valdes sweepstakes are Manchester United.
So who will Barcelona sign to replace Valdes? Two options are Atletico Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Manchester United’s David De Gea. Courtois is unlikely as he is owned by Chelsea, and they view him as the long-term replacement for Petr Cech. But what about De Gea?
De Gea has struggled to adapt to the English game, but there is no doubt that he is a very good shot stopper.
Sir Alex Ferguson is rumored to be getting frustrated with the difficulties that De Gea has had adjusting the the more physical Premier League. Could United and Barcelona do a deal this summer that sends David De Gea to Barcelona in return for Victor Valdes?
