Valencia's Roberto Soldado open to Paris Saint-Germain switch

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado says he is open to a big money summer transfer to ambitious Paris Saint-Germain, if both clubs can agree a deal.

The €30million (Dh143m)-rated Spanish international told French TV he was happy to be linked with the ambitious Qatari-backed club. “If Paris Saint-Germain want me and Valencia agree, then we would have to talk,” said Soldado, a former Real Madrid youth product.

“Of course I am flattered that a club like PSG likes me. It is a big team with an ambitious project, with great players like Javier Pastore and [striker] Kevin Gameiro. I like the French league.”

Soldado joined Valencia in summer 2010 from Getafe for €10m (Dh47.9). The 26-year-old has 27 goals this season, including a hat-trick for Spain in February’s friendly against Venezuela. He is expected to be named in Vicente del Bosque’s squad for next month’s Euro 2012 finals.

Valencia are approximately €350m (Dh1.67 billion) in debt, and likely to sell at least one big name this summer. Left-back Jordi Alba is another potential departure, with Barcelona reportedly mulling a €12m (Dh57.5m) move.

PSG, set to be among Europe’s biggest spenders this summer in preparation for a first Champions League campaign since 2004/05, are also interested in Madrid duo Gonzalo Higuaín and Kaka.

The Ligue 1 side’s hopes were hit on Sunday, however, when boss Jose Mourinho said he wanted Higuaín to stay. Now the Brazilian has claimed he would prefer to remain at the Bernabeu too.

“I have not spoken to Mourinho yet, but I have three years left on my contract,” Kaka told Brazilian TV. “I want to continue to fulfill my part of the agreement. Mourinho has helped me a lot and given me opportunities.”

The 30-year-old has rarely started for Madrid in recent months and also missed a vital penalty in the shoot-out as Los Blancos were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

But he said he wants to turn things around at Real. Kaka added: “[The miss] is something I will have to carry with me for the rest of my life. It was very nice [to win La Liga], although I was not a protagonist in the victory. It was different to what I am used to, but it gave me more motivation to return as a leading player.”

 

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