Contract talks between Barcelona and their Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes have stalled with his deal set to expire in 18 months time.
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It has been reported in the The Mirror that the Spanish international goalkeeper wants parity with the clubs highest earners like Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. The 30 year old has racked up over 500 appearances for the Spanish league leaders in eleven seasons at Barcelona.
If Barcelona cannot agree on terms with their goalkeeper they will move him on while they can still demand a decent fee before his contract moves into its final year at which time his fee will rapidly diminish. Interest in Valdes is thought to be high with Manchester City thought to be on signing the 30 year old to provide Joe Hart with first team competition. Valdes is unlikely to see the Premier League champions as an exciting prospect with the England number one firmly ensconced as their first choice.
Liverpool are also thought to be on the lookout to replace Pepe Reina after he was linked with Arsenal in a report by Goal.com that named Michel Vorm and Thomas Sorenson in a list of candidates to provide Wojciech Szczesny with an experienced challenger for the first team spot. Premier League leaders Manchester United, have also been linked with the Liverpool stopper as they look to add some experienced to their talented but inexperienced line up of goalkeepers.
As speculation grows surrounding Reina’s future at the club and with reserve keeper Brad Jones’ contract due to expire in June, Liverpool are looking ever more likely to make a bid for Valdes. Barcelona would want a fee of around £16 million for their first team regular who has won five La Liga titles and has three Champions League winners medals since making his breakthrough in 2003, provided of course that they can’t agree on a contract extension before June.
Rodgers will have funds made available to him but he must first convince Valdes that Liverpool can achieve Champions League status before acquiring such a high profile keeper.
