FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.06.2009 14:08

“Negotiations with Valdés are on good course”

Edgar Fornós/Berta Brau

President Joan Laporta has said that the solution for renewing Víctor Valdés’ contract “will be satisfactory for everybody”.

Though not wishing to give too much away regarding the transfer market, Laporta did point out that “he is an emblematic goalkeeper for the club”.

While presenting indoor football’s MSC Cruceros Cup, the president of FC Barcelona was asked to clarify the situation regarding Víctor Valdés. Said Laporta “the people in charge of the negotiations have assured me that things are on good course, so I suppose the solution they reach will be satisfactory for everybody”.

He emphasised that “the negotiations have been normal despite some things that have been published in the media”.

Emblematic keeper

Laporta has nothing but praise for Valdés who he considers “an emblematic goalkeeper for Barça … he represents the spirit of the youth system and home-grown talent … we have to look after him”.

Neither has the president forgotten all the good Valdés has done for the club. “He is a goalkeeper that the fans love; we owe a lot to him because he has done so well in such key games as the ones in Paris and Rome”.

Cards close to chest

With his typical prudence, Laporta described striker David Villa as “a player that guarantees goals and he has a very good image and appearance”. Without mentioning names, he then added that “all of the players that Barça have our eyes on are very good, so let’s see what happens”.

Seeking competitiveness

Barça need a competitive first team and that’s why Laporta feels “we have to give some impulse to the first team because we don’t want to see any drop in level. It is good for there to be competitiveness and we want to strengthen the squad to make sure that competitiveness carries over to next season”.