• La Liga

Valdes reveals admiration for Premier League

ESPN staff
March 21, 2014
Victor Valdes will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season © PA Photos
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Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes says he is a big fan of the Premier League but is not yet ready to announce where he will be playing next season.

Valdes, 32, is out of contract at Barca this summer, and had been strongly rumoured to have already agreed to join big-spending Ligue 1 side Monaco.

However, fresh speculation this week has suggested he has reconsidered that decision and Manchester City are reportedly now his most likely destination.

The Spain international told a news conference after training on Friday morning that he liked watching English football, but for the moment was focused on playing for Barca.

"The Premier League is a very attractive league, which I have followed for years," Valdes said. "I like to analyse possible opponents who you might meet in European competition. The timing of when I communicate where I will go is not important at the moment. I am focused on doing well here, with my Barca jersey. The other stuff does not come into it."

Valdes had praise for current Borussia Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who has reportedly already agreed to move to the Camp Nou as his replacement.

"Ter Stegen is a goalkeeper who, although young, is showing he has a winning mentality," he said. "I also like his physical agility. He is a very complete goalkeeper, from the German school which I have always admired. I wish him a spectacular future."

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