Valdes to turn down Rosell plea

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is set to turn down a plea from President Sandro Rosell to remain with the club after this season.

Rosell revealed in an interview with Jose Ramon de la Morena on the El Larguero programme that he is set to make one last attempt to get the 32-year-old to change his mind about leaving when his contract expires next June.

However, Valdes has made it quite clear he intends to seek a fresh challenge in his career and, according to AS, will respond to the Catalans with a polite ‘thanks but no thanks’.

In view of this, Barca boss Tata Martino will intensify his search for a replacement in the winter transfer window and two names are believed to be under serious consideration: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Pepe Reina, with the former already the subject of reports he has signed a pre-contract agreement with La Blaugrana.

Even so, according to Sport, initial contact has already been made to try and tempt Thibaut Courtois away from parent club Chelsea, the Belgian international having been on loan at Atletico Madrid for the past two seasons, although the Londoners’ boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be ready to reject any advances.

Another name on the list is Glasgow Celtic’s Fraser Forster, whose displays against Barcelona in the Champions League have brought him to the attention of the Spanish giants.

Tags Rosell Victor Valdes
La Liga - Club News