Manchester City will have to cough up a compensation fee to AS Monaco if they intend to push through a Bosman deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Valdes, off contract in June, has already struck a 'preliminary agreement' with Monaco, reports Mundo Deportivo.
However, the Spain international is now rethinking his decision. While initially attracted to the project Monaco owner Dmitry Rybolovlev is building, doubts are now creeping into Valdes' thinking over the club's small supporter base and ability to compete for the game's best talent.
Speculation over the future of Radamel Falcao's future in the Principality has also unsettled Valdes, who is now warming to the idea of moving to the Eithad.
Meanwhile, at City, the Spaniard enjoys great support, where former Barca directors Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain are in charge of football matters and manager Manuel Pellegrini is also a fan. The Barca goalkeeper has won five 'Zamoras' as the best shot-stopper in the Liga - and is on his way this season to a sixth.
Valdes feels it would be easier to settle at City, where there is a huge Spanish-speaking contingent inside the locker room.
As part of the pre-contract signed with ASM, there are clauses included which would allow Valdes to break the agreement - should City - or anyother interested club - be prepared to pay a set compensation fee.
