Ever since word spread that Victor Valdes was not going to renew his contract with Barcelona, many clubs raced for his signature. Different clubs had different stuff to offer the Spanish goalkeeper but the team that won the 32-year olds signature was AS Monaco. Personal terms had been agreed upon with only the medical to be completed.
After months of waiting for the transfer, the former Barcelona goalkeeper’s preferred move is now off. According to Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC, “Monaco confirm they have not taken up their option to sign ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after he failed fitness test.” Monaco’s sporting director Vadim Vasyliev stated that, “He is an injured player and will not play here.”
Victor Valdes is now in a difficult situation after his proposed move to Ligue 1 is off and now finds himself in the free agent market. After his failed medical, it seems the 32-year old is now way passed his prime by a number if top clubs. FIFA reports say that the Spanish goalkeeper earned around seven million euros per year with Barcelona. It is in doubt whether the interested clubs are willing and able to offer the wage demands he is asking for.
Valdes missed the second half of the season and underwent knee surgery at the end of March ruling him out from the remainder of the season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Jose Pinto was forced to take upon the responsibility of goalkeeper as the Catalan giants struggled with a trophyless season. It isn’t specified which injury forced Monaco to sign the veteran goalkeeper. It must have been serious enough that that rich side of AS Monaco refused to sign the top ranked goalkeeper. Valdes isn’t expecting Barcelona to come knocking on his door with a new contract ever since the signings of German goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Valdes will have to face time in the free agency until a club offers him an offer he can’t refuse. Monaco, on the other hand, is still out on a search for a new Number 1 with Guillermo Ochoa being on the top of their list after an extraordinary world cup performance.
Photo Credit: Talk Sport
