Rosell: Camp Nou wants Valdes

By FOX Sports Staff

Barca goalkeeper Valdes surprised the Catalans after he announced his intention to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next season.

The 31-year-old keeper started his career in the club's youth team before rising to make his first team debut for Barca in the 2002/03 season.

In recent years, Valdes remained the first choice keeper for the Catalans during what is their most successful period in the club's history so far. At the weekend, the Spaniard received applause from the club's supporters during a 5-1 win over Osasuna in recognition of over two decades of service.

Prior to Sunday's game, it was not known how the Barca fans would react to Valdes' decision not to renew his contract.

"The Camp Nou passes judgment and gives its opinion and that's exactly what happened," Rosell said during a presentation of the book ‘Being a Barca fan is ... The long history of great success'.

"The Camp Nou wants Valdes."

Following the win over Osasuna, Barca star Lionel Messi described his team-mate as the "best keeper in the history of this club" although it remains to be seen whether Valdes can be convinced to change his mind.

"The doors are open to him," Rosell said.

"We're here to talk if he reconsiders. We would like it if he stayed at Barca."

Already there has been plenty of speculation in the Spanish press that Barca are lining up potential replacements for the goalkeeper with Swansea City's Michel Vorm emerging as a shock candidate while Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Manchester United's David de Gea are understood to be more high profile targets.