Manchester City close to signing Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes

Posted Friday, February 21, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on Victor Valdes as his move to Monaco is on the brink of collapse.

Manchester City close to signing Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes
ON HIS WAY: Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes could be on his way to the Etihad

The Spanish goalkeeper is playing out his final season at Barcelona and was expected to join the French giants as a free agent in the summer.

Valdes is understood to have verbally agreed to join Monaco - but was set a deadline to sign a binding pre-contract with them which has now passed.

That has angered billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, who is ready to turn his attention to Hannover’s Ron-Robert Zieler instead, and City are poised to take advantage.

Manchester City close to signing Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes
BAD NEWS FOR JOE: Valdes' potential arrival would pressure on current City number one Joe Hart

Manchester City close to signing Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes When Manuel Pellegrini was asked about Valdes earlier this week the City boss replied: “He’s not in our thoughts right now.”

But while City do not want to make any public statements about Valdes before he faces them again in the Champions League, they are increasingly confident of signing him.

Manchester City close to signing Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes
BYE BYE VICTOR: Valdes is out of contract at the end of the season

The 32-year-old is the current Spain No.2 but is looking for a new challenge after spending his whole career with Barcelona.

His arrival would put more pressure on England keeper Joe Hart, who is only recently back in Pellegrini’s good books after a shaky spell.

Meanwhile, City have been told they must play their FA Cup quarter-final against Wigan on Sunday March 9, just three days before they go to the Nou Camp trying to overturn a 2-0 Champions League deficit against Barcelona.