A Spanish replacement on the cards for Barcelona ? After avid speculation that Victor Valdes is set to sign for Italian giants AC Milan for a better contract, the player admitted that he is waiting to hear from Barca to extend his current contract. Valdes has 18 months left on his contract and the player’s agent talking about the situation said:
“We have not sat down to speak to Barca about the future of Victor Valdes.
“We have talked a couple of times to Zubizarreta and we have let him know that we would like to talk to them about Victor’s renovation, but there has been nothing more.
“Zubizarreta has indicated that he would be happy to talk about Victor’s future and that he will call us and then both sides will put their view across. When Barca want to we are ready to begin.”
It is now reported that Barcelona are ready to cut loose Valdes as they are already drawing up plans to find a replacement for Victor Valdes.
AS says Barca sports director Andoni Zubizarretta is drawing up a shopping list of potential replacements, which includes: David De Gea (Manchester United), Vincente Guaita (Valencia), Marc Ter Stegen (Borussia Moenchengladbach) and Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma).
After playing more than 350 games for the Catalans since making his senior debut back in 2002, it will not be easy for the 30 year old to leave the club which is close to his heart but unless an agreement can be reached over a contract extension by the end of the season Valdes will leave Camp Nou.
Sagna on the exit door at Arsenal ?
French International Bacary Sagna who has 18 months left in his current contract is set to ring the exit bells at the Emirates at the end of this season after Arsenal have failed to offer what it takes to keep the French man happy. The Sunday Express reports says Arsenal have refused to improve their offer of a one-year extension to Sagna’s contract at £60,000 a week.
The full back has been plagued with injuries from the closing stages of last season and his form has been on a decline ever since. With Sagna also admitting that he will be leaving the Gunners this summer Arsenal have been linked with Toulouse full-back Serge Aurier as his replacement. A 20 year old Ivory Coast International has been on the rise with French club Toulouse and Wenger has been scouting the youngster to find a permanent replacement for Sagna. The full back is currently valued at £5million by his club, will be an easy picking for Arsene Wenger as no big guns are after him which will keep his value intact.