Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been told by officials at the Catalan club that he will not be allowed to join Arsenal this summer, and must see out the remainder of his contract at Camp Nou.
The Spanish stopper has made clear his intention not to sign an extension beyond his current deal that expires in the summer of 2014, but according to Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the club would rather Valdes leave on a free transfer next year, than be sold this summer."[President Sandro] Rosell has had contact with Valdes to make it clear that we have to leave the doors open [on him changing his mind].
"As we prioritise sporting aspects, we prefer to run out the contract until June 2014 rather than sell him this summer."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been heavily linked with a move for Valdes, as he seeks to strengthen his goalkeeping ranks at theEmirates Stadium, in light of the shaky form of Wojciech Szczesny this season.
Lukasz Fabianski is currently Arsenal's preferred first-choice custodian, but at 31, Valdes would bring a wealth of experience to north London, and provide further competition for the number one spot.
However, any hopes Wenger might have had of bringing the Barcelona stopper to the Premier League this summer look to have been dashed following the Spanish club's latest revelations.
"We have no deadline in Valdes's case, one option is to run to the end of his contract and in that case we will not sign a goalkeeper [this summer]," Bartomeu added.
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