Antonio Valencia’s father has revealed what his son wants in order to get peace of mind as his time at Manchester United is set to come to an end when the current season concludes. Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Antonio Valencia when his Manchester United contract expires, according to the player’s father and agent.
Ecuadorian veteran Valencia is set to leave Old Trafford this summer after spending more than a decade with the Red Devils.
Valencia has played over 300 matches for United in all competitions, helping the club win two Premier League titles, the Europa League and the FA Cup. The 33-year-old has only made five Premier League starts this season and United failed to trigger a 12-month extension clause in his contract earlier in the month.
Valencia’s father and agent says he will ‘definitely’ leave the Theatre of Dreams at the end of the season and claimed Arsenal were one of the clubs interested in securing his signature. Luis Valencia told El Universal: ‘He definitely will not continue in Manchester.
‘He wants a change in the air and the club is not going to renew him either. Like everything in life, everything comes to an end.’
Asked about Valencia’s next move, the agent added: ‘Arsenal, West Ham, Inter Milan and one club from China are options, but in football everything is changing.
‘He wants to choose the best option, but above all he wants to sign a contract for two years. Not for the money, but for peace and hopefully, he told me, be hired by a team that fights for important things.’
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin has been sidelined with a serious injury since mid-January and will miss the rest of the season. The Gunners hope he will be back to full fitness by the start of the 2019-2020 campaign.
Unai Emery’s side are currently fourth in the Premier League. On Friday, Arsenal were drawn to face Napoli in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Meanwhile, newly-appointed Real Madrid head-coach Zinedine Zidane has reportedly set his sights on Manchester United playmaker Paul Pogba and Liverpool winger Sadio Mane as he plans offensive reinforcements ahead of 2019/20 season.
The Frenchman’s return to Santiago Bernabeu was confirmed earlier last week, less than 10 months on from walking from the Spanis giant after winning three consecutive Champions League trophies.
French football legend is rumoured to have been talked into a return to Santiago Bernabeu by president Florentino Perez, who has promised the iconic midfielder and a £300m transfer kitty.