Victor Valdes Reportedly Favours Monaco over Manchester City Upon Barcelona Exit

With barely seven months left on the Spaniard's Barcelona contract, the clock is ticking on Victor Valdes to make a decision over where his next destination will be this summer.

Assuming Gerardo Martino's No. 1 doesn't sign a new contract at the Camp Nou, Valdes will end an 18-year relationship with the club in June, and Monaco look to be among the most likely candidates for his services.

According to Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail, the French Riviera looks most appetising for the 31-year-old, who is reportedly also on the radar of Manchester City now that Joe Hart's place as first-choice keeper is no longer secure:

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The Spain keeper is a target for a number of top clubs, including City, but Monaco will offer him a massive pay-day to move to the French league.

Although the move to Monaco is dependent on Champions League qualification, Valdes appears to be ready to leave Barcelona.

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This summer already saw the Ligue 1 big spenders sign Eric Abidal from free agency, but it appears the Frenchman wasn't the only Barcelona stalwart that Monaco were looking to take on the cheap.

The newspaper also tweeted to further City boss Manuel Pellegrini's disappointment:

In 13 matches this term, Valdes has managed to keep seven clean sheets as his side continue to enjoy an unbeaten start to their campaign.

Monaco's remodelling of recent years has seen them shoot from Ligue 2 to the upper echelons of French football, currently vying for the top places in the country's first tier.

Paris Saint-Germain are a living example of how extravagant spending can be tempered with good coaching to form a club capable of challenging in Europe.

As Ashton hints in his report, however, Valdes agreeing to a Monaco move is something that could depend upon the club qualifying for next season's Champions League.

The goalkeeper has made more than 100 appearances in European competition over the last decade, per Transfermarkt.co.uk, only five of which have been in the UEFA Cup, meaning he brings a wealth of cup experience to the table.

Pellegrini will be as well versed as any in Valdes' talents, having managed Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga for a combined nine years.

With that being said, the Chilean may be forced to look elsewhere on this particular occasion, with the Etihad Stadium perhaps not as alluring as the idyllic tax haven of Monaco that so many stars have flocked to in recent years.