Victor Valdes admits he could be tempted to head to the Premier League when his contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has spent his entire career at the Camp Nou, and has gone on to make over 500 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants. During this time, he has helped them win a whole host of honours, including six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League crowns, two Copa del Rey’s, and two FIFA Club World Cup titles.
However, with his deal set to expire at the end of the current campaign, Valdes has announced that he will leave in the summer and seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. Barca have since signed a replacement for their long-standing number one, with German international Marc-Andre ter Stegen to arrive from Borussia Monchengladbach.
As for Valdes, he is unlikely to be short of offers. He has already been linked with Joe Hart’s position at Manchester City, whilst Arsene Wenger is thought to want him at Arsenal, and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest. And the Spanish international will likely have put all three on alert after admitting he could be lured to England.
“I’ve always identified with your football, the way the supporters live the game and the respect they show they players,” the goalkeeper, preparing to face City in the Champions League, told the Daily Mail. “It is one of the biggest leagues in the world, with the best clubs in the world and, without doubt, it’s a very good option for me.”
Valdes knows if he keeps a clean sheet against the Blues, then his side will progress to the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition following their 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium last month. Domestically, though, Barca now sit four points behind Real Madrid in the table, having suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Valladolid at the weekend.
