• Premier League

Reina tipped as next Barcelona goalkeeper

ESPN staff
June 1, 2013
Victor Valdes 'owes it to the club' to stay for another season

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has targeted Liverpool's Pepe Reina as the man to take over the No. 1 jersey at the Nou Camp.

Valdes, a target for the likes of Arsenal and Monaco, announced on Friday that he will stay with the Spanish champions for another season before moving on for a new challenge - and pinpointed fellow La Masia graduate Reina as a potential replacement.

"Pepe is an international keeper who has shown his quality," Valdes said.

"He knows the club. We were here together in the past - he is a good friend of mine. He is a very valid keeper to play at any club in the world, including Barcelona."

Valdes dismissed claims that Saturday's La Liga game with Malaga would be his last and that he "owed it to the club" to stay on for another year.

In February, current Barcelona reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto, 37, extended his contract and tied himself to the club until June 2014.

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