adminLONDON. — Arsenal are set to lose out on Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after the Spaniard admitted a potential reunion with former team-mate Eric Abidal would be “special”. The La Roja international will leave the Nou Camp after 11 years when his contract expires at the end of the season. The La Liga champions have already agreed a deal with Borussia Monchengladbach for their young German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to sign once Valdes leaves.
The Gunners were keen on the 31-year-old joining them at the Emirates, with manager Arsene Wenger understood to have reservations over current custodian Wojciech Szczesny.
The Gunners boss dropped the Pole towards the end of last season in favour of compatriot Lukasz Fabianski, but Wenger may now be forced to look elsewhere after Valdes hinted that he would relish the chance to join the wealthy French side next season.
“Ligue 1 attracts me a lot — Monaco or elsewhere in France,” the goalkeeper told Telefoot. “This is one of my options. (My future) is in the hands of my representatives.
“But Monaco is a good option.
“I know that Abidal is very happy at Monaco and I am good friends with him. I consider him a brother. He is an example as a human being.
“To go back and play at his side again could be very special.” The popular Abidal departed Barcelona to a hero’s exit last summer after surviving liver cancer in 2011, as well as undergoing a transplant on the organ a year later, before he eventually returned to action in April. — The Mirror.
Online Reporter