Víctor Valdes fancies the Premier League

Víctor Valdes is to leave the club, either on 30th June this year, or the same date in 2014. There is no going back. The decision has been made and is set in stone. The goalkeeper has shocked the club and all around him with his brave decision which few would dare take and which shows an extraordinary strength of character.

Valdés has never conformed and is seeking new challenges after 10 years at the top in Barcelona. It has been an extremely exhausting ten years. Always in the starting eleven, he has had to cope with the enormous pressure that comes with being the 'Azulgrana' goalkeeper, being on the receiving end of a great deal of unfair criticism despite performing well.

There has been much discussion over the past few days about where he will go. Valdes will not make a move to a lower league. On the contrary, the challenge he is aiming for lies in one of Europe's greatest competitions. He is very taken with England but that is not the only option.

Víctor Valdés has spent many months contemplating his position. This is not a hasty, but rather a considered decision. After much thought, he decided to leave Barcelona around three months ago.