Victor Valdes to leave Barcelona

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is planning to leave the Spanish giants, it was confirmed last night.

Valdes, who has spent his entire professional career at the Nou Camp, is contracted to Barcelona until the end of the 2013/14 season.

His representatives - Gines Carvajal is his principal agent - confirmed in a statement to Spanish national news agency Efe that Valdes intends to depart.

The statement read: "The agents of Victor Valdes have communicated to Barcelona in a meeting held this afternoon the irrevocable decision of the player to not renew his contract."

The 30-year-old has recently suggested he would consider a move to another league. With former Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola heading to Bayern Munich next season, Valdes may become an early target of his old boss.

Valdes has been Barcelona's number one throughout the last decade, winning a host of trophies and earning recognition with Spain, however Real Madrid's Iker Casillas has remained the regular international goalkeeper.

In the Copa del Rey quarter-final opening leg Atletico Madrid beat Real Betis 2-0.

Prolific striker Radamel Falcao headed the home side in front after 11 minutes, providing the finish to a cross from Raul Garcia.

Luis Filipe then added another 12 minutes later with a left-footed strike from inside the area.

The return match will take place at Betis' Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera on January 24.