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Arsenal target Victor Valdes to snub Premier League to join Monaco
BARCELONA goalkeeper Victor Valdes looks set to seal his Nou Camp departure and join free-spending Monaco this week, in doing so passing up interest from Arsenal.
Valdes has been insistent on leaving the La Liga champions this summer, with his current contract at the club due to expire at the end of next season.
While Monaco were mooted as potential suitors for the Spanish shot-stopper, his public inclination for a move to England had placed Arsenal as frontrunners for his signature.
However, Monaco look set to make another splash in the transfer market by securing Valdes' services, just days after their £60 million double swoop for Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.
Atletico Madrid hitman Radamel Falcao is also set to join the moneybags French side for around £50m this summer, who are hoping to challenge for the Ligue 1 title next season.
According to sources in France, Valdes is set to undergo a medical at the Principality outfit today as he prepares to sign a contract worth over £150,000 per week.
Arsenal will miss out on the 31-year-old keeper as they cannot match the financial dominance of Monaco, who look primed to shake the European market this summer with their movements.