Arsenal have taken the first tentative steps towards signing a new goalkeeper after making contact with the agent of Barcelona number one Victor Valdes.

The 31-year-old has revealed that he will not sign a new contract with the Catalan giants as he looks to experience a different league and culture after spending his entire career at the Camp Nou.

Victor Valdes
Victor Valdes has made it clear that he is ready for a new challenge away from Barcelona. [Reuters] Reuters

Valdes will have just 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season and there is a feeling that Barcelona may consider accepting an offer come the conclusion of the current campaign.

The Express reports that officials from Arsenal have already made contact with Valdes' agent to see whether he would be interested in making the move to north London.

"I like the Premier League, of course," Valdes told FourFourTwo. "I like the respect of the crowd towards footballers in England. It's a different way of living football. They clap a simple tackle in England. We're not used to that. I like it.

"I've had great times here, I love it at Barcelona. I will always come back here, but I have this wonderful job which allows me to travel. And I want to travel. I want to try new cultures, new football, new challenges."

Arsenal would certainly be a new challenge for the Spanish goalkeeper who has become used to not only competing for major honours, but winning just about every piece of silverware available for club and country.

Valdes' vast experience would also be welcome at Arsenal whose goalkeepers have all struggled for form at one stage of the season. Wojciech Szczesny, Lukas Fabianksi and Vito Mannone have all had a run of games in the side, but none of the trio have made the number one shirt their own.

Arsene Wenger has been impressed with the form of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker as a central defensive pair but it seems he wants a veteran goalkeeper to play behind them next season.

The Express believe that Arsenal are attempting to secure a fee of around €5million, although there is a suggestion that Barcelona may want at least double that amount despite the fact he could leave for free the following year.

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